Birthday trip to Tucson was a beautiful adventure of food, forest, desert, and culture. It was a far away experience and journey.
Birthday Trip To Mount Lemmon
Start up Mount LemmonSaguaro Cactus Grassy lands at Mount LemmonMount LemmonMount LemmonMount LemmonMount LemmonFall in Mount LemmonFall in Mount LemmonFall in Mount LemmonFall in Mount LemmonMount LemmonFall in Summerhaven ArizonaMount Lemmon
This birthday journey is in the beautiful ” sky island.” This mountain brings life, water, and history to not just Tuscon but New Mexico and Mexico. You begin your journey in the Sonoran Desert to end in the mixed conifer forest.
This mountain is named after botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon. Her and her husband spent years identifying plants after spending their honeymoon on the mountain.
The 1 hour drive takes you over 7 life zones including Alpine Tundra zone (there is no access to this zone). The hour takes you from Mexico to Canada in life zones. There is a great app you can download that covers each zone from the University of Arizona.
When you get to the top there is a fun town Summerhaven with a restaurant and a general store with fresh fudge and the famous Cookie Cabin. The drive down is just as impressive and beautiful.
St. Augustine Cathedral
St. Augustine Cathedral
This beautiful cathedral is downtown Tucson. This church started in 1776 long before Arizona became a state. Royal Presidio was the name of the church in this small community. Father Donato Rogieri from Santa Fe, New Mexico in the 1850s to rebuild and establish the church. This church constructed by moving one adobe brick at time from Solano Leon place to get the parish a place of worship. 1928 the brick structure transformed into its present Mexican baroque form.
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Tucson Mission San Xavier del Bac
This mission is apart of the wonderful history in Tucson. The missions are a big part of the culture and religion in the Southwest. This is the most photographed mission in the state
Mission San Xavier del Bac, a historic Spanish Catholic mission, is 10 miles south of downtown. This mission on the Tohono O’odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation. This location began with Franciscan missionary Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain beginning in 1783. This mission has been apart of the New Spain, Mexico, and the United States since construction began.
The mission presents shells as a symbol of pilgrimage. The Baroque architecture is traditional with marbling, faux doors, and other details. The mission represents the struggles that have been with the Southwest, living in harsh conditions, the changes in governments, fire, and earthquake.
Dead Cactus Casa Grande RuinsCasa Grande RuinsCasa Grande RuinsCasa GrandeMilo on A MissionCasa Grande Ruins
Casa Grande Ruins
Taking Route 87 off I-10 going 19 miles east on AZ 87 you come across the community built by Salado Indians around 1300-1350 AD. This area settled as early as 300 CE. There is no know purpose for largest prehistoric structures in America.
This community built complex irrigation, farming, and trade for survival. There is no written history left behind. The framing and food included mesquite pods, squash , prickly pear fruit, corn roasted or eaten raw, fish and other animals, saguaro fruits from the tops of the cati, and fowl.
The large building in the center of the community is for religious ceremonies with ceremonial wine. There are gravesites discovered inside the center. There are what appears to be ball courts for Aztec played similar all courts they are located in Wupatki a site near Flagstaff as well.
The community was no longer used after 1450. This community survived looting, huntin, vandalizing, and left for destruction. Therefore 1892, President Benjamin Harrison set aside one square mile of Arizona Territory surrounding the Casa Grande Ruins. This is the first prehistoric and cultural reserve established in the United States.
Domes of Casa Grande
Casa Grande Domes
This is fun spot to stop and see from your car. It is a no trespassing area that is very unsafe especially for young children. This location was the hopes and dreams of many that never came true. This location was for manufacturing of computers but was never completed. There is an eerie feeling here. You can hear the walls speak as if there was life there but really the life has been one of decay and destruction.
Birthday Food Stops
General Store in Summerhaven ArizonaFudge at the General Store
Fudge Shop
Getting to the top of Mount Lemmon is a great little spot to shop, eat, and get a little sweet treat. This general store has some great snacks, a few souvenirs, and fresh fudge. The tradition of a sweet shop on your adventures that are so fun and memorable. Therefore it is a great birthday treat for the journey back down the mountain.
Dessert Yard HouseBirthday Dinner Yard House Fashion Karl Lagerfeld LaMonique Lipstick
YardHouse
Birthday dinner was enjoyed at the Yard House in Tucson. This was an exception meal. The Black Orchid cocktail was as delicious as it was beautiful. They have a great happy hour menu with half off appetizers and drink specials. Enjoyed Poke Nachos a great fusion dish and fried calamari. They have a beautiful dessert for birthday celebrations. The one downside to this location is solo diners are moved on the seating list and the waitress was not to attentive. The manager ensured the dining experience was exceptional.
What is your favorite birthday trip location? Share on social media using #4chionstyle.
Spring Break Staycation time. As you manage work, schooling, and a new way of living a staycation can be a wonderful adventure. Arizona is home to great history, beauty, and top resorts in the world.
Taking a staycation with your children can be incorporated with their school work – history, geography, geology, and even math. Here is a great road trip for spring break or any weekend.
Spring Break Hotel
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort Phoenix, AZ
A glorious resort in Phoenix nestle in the Tapatio Cliffs . This resort has comfort, COVID-19 protocols, and great entertainment. The comforts of home are here. A nice sitting room, and comfortable bedroom. The location is stunning for sunsets and sunrises. The several pools are accommodating for children and an adults only pool with a pool side bar.
Relaxing and enjoyment with spa, salon, and room service available. Take a moment to enjoy a desert and glass of wine on the patio or pool side. Experience the stunning outdoors with golfing, hiking, or the sun deck for evening sunrises. This location is prefect to venture and explore the great location around the state.
Hilton Staycation
Spring Break Food
Staycations really need to have great food stops along the way.
Pappadeaux Phoenix, AZ
Pappadeaux Dining
Southern food is comfort food. Pappadeaux is a generation to generation restaurant brings fresh seafood and Louisiana-style favorite to the plate. Attention to details and tradition brings the comfort food to your dinner plate. This is a great place to get family style for your picnic or party in your hotel room. Dinner this night is Shrimp Etouffee, green beans, fried crawfish with one of the 2.27 million baguettes they make each year. Curb side pick-up perfection, not one item missed. Dinner was delish.
Foodie Ellie enjoying her first Spring Break in Phoenix AZ
Andreoli Scottsdale, AZ
This is a home take on traditional Italian restaurant is popular with local. They have had many features including Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. This quant location serves as an Italian grocer and restaurant. You can cook your own or enjoy a home cooked meal.
They make everything from scratch including their own prosciutto, desserts, and homemade breads. The food is like walking into a great Italian home on Sunday. The food is a purest approach. If you are looking to mix and match your pasta this is not the location. They portion are fitting for one person not family style.
We enjoyed the Filetto Di Sogliola alla Mugnaia (fresh seafood), Gnocchi alla Corsara, and spaghetti with meat sauce. Dessert a must, the pasta is not over filling or heavy. We enjoyed chocolate mouse, coconut cake, and almond chocolate bark. The food is fresh and organic. The hand crafted pasta and food is by chef Giovanni Scorzo. He states on the web profile, “EAT the BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD and SHUT UP.”
The atmosphere is a true antique decor replicating any Italian grandmother’s living room. The family affair is felt within the staff as well.
Eclectic Cafe Tucson AZ
Eclectic Cafe
Dining
Road Trip to Tuscon
Eclectic Cafe in Tucson is “Where quiche meets enchilada.” The concept is a fusion of a variety of cuisines. The meal today includes vegan gazpacho (great summer treat chilled with garden fresh vegetables, Sherry’s shrimp salad, and Chicken Quesadilla. Took home a loaf of their zucchini bread, fabulous toasted with eggs for breakfast.
Mammoth Steak House and saloon
Mammoth Steak House and Saloon Lost Dutchman Gold Mine
This location is inside the The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine has great views of Superstition Mountains, food, and atmosphere. You can sit on the patio, at the bar, or inside. There is always a musician performing and has the real feel of the old town saloon. Enjoy a shot and a beer at the bar or a great meal.
Sweet Country Charm Payson AZ
Sweet Country Charm Candy Shop
The smell of sweet permeates the parking lot. It is a quant cozy welcoming candy shop in Payson Arizona. This sweet shop is in the Swiss Village Shoppes. They have homemade fudge, gelato, locally roasted coffee, handmade organic chocolate truffles, popcorn bar, nostalgic candies, handmade gifts.
Spring Break Attractions
Tucson Mission San Xavier del Bac
This mission is apart of the wonderful history in Tucson. The missions are a big part of the culture and religion in the Southwest.
Mission San Xavier del Bac, a historic Spanish Catholic mission, is 10 miles south of downtown. This mission on the Tohono O’odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation. This location began with Franciscan missionary Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain beginning in 1783. This mission has been apart of the New Spain, Mexico, and the United States since construction began.
The mission presents shells as a symbol of pilgrimage. The Baroque architecture is traditional with marbling, faux doors, and other details. The mission represents the struggles that have been with the Southwest, living in harsh conditions, the changes in governments, fire, and earthquake.
Domes of Casa Grande
Casa Grande Domes
This is fun spot to stop and see from your car. It is a no trespassing area that is very unsafe especially for young children. This location was the hopes and dreams of many that never came true. This location was for manufacturing of computers but was never completed. There is an eerie feeling here. You can hear the walls speak as if there was life there but really the life has been one of decay and destruction.
Road Trip to Payson AZ
Spring Break Payson Arizona
Payson Arizona is about 89 miles from downtown Phoenix to Payson on highway 87. It is a great drive from the Sonoran Desert to the top of the Mongolian Rim. The change in climate, altitude (from 1100 to 5000 ft.), and from big city to small town. This town offers a real homie feel and great location for adventure. A great lake and park for picnics, photos, and more. The beauty is pristine with four seasons of recreational activities.
Spring Break Tonoto National Forest
This is a great day in the old west driving up Apache Trail, an old trade route. There is so much to see and experience here. There is the Elvis Church with some old scenery from old cowboy movies, and a small replica of in the area gold mining. The actual gold mining town The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. This location has great fun, shoot outs, and a train ride to the mine. It is the actual town prior to the mine flooding and the town shut down.
The road winds up to Tortilla Flat a small place with a gift shop and restaurant. This location was established as they built the Roosevelt Damn. The location has great water fun from boating, swimming, and kayaking. It is a breathtaking ride but well worth the journey.
Photo Olivia Rose
Wonderspace Scottsdale AZ
Great interactive art at Wonderspace in Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. The art here is interactive, bigger than life, and digit. You experience a new reality from the artist creations. The art changes the frame of art to an endless pallet. The children enjoyed the exhibit. My favorite is a tie from Myrkvidr and Shigeto: Hovering. The art on exhibit at this time is:
RAINBOW ROOMS ~ Pierre le Riche
Stimulates a dialogue about identity, exploring struggles of discrimination, acceptance, and masculinity
FUJI ~ Joanie Lemercier
Focuses on projection or light in space and is influence in our perception.
SEWING MACHINE ORCHESTRA ~ Martin Messier
12 antique sewing machines presents a 3 minute concert
PLUME ~ Ian Brill
This creation is an immersive, interactive dome of synchronized light and sound gestures.
HUMAN STUDY #1, 3RNP ~ Patrick Tresset
This exhibits allows the participant to have a portrait drawn by robots.
THANK YOU BAGS ~ Reed van Brunschot
This is displaced, daily life through transitional moment one in which a a given situation suddenly and unexpectedly changes.
MYRKVIÐR ~ Yasuhiro Chida
This is a circular hoop, not linear, rotates around in the piece to create the effect of immateriality.
KILLING TIME ~ Eric Mesplé
This combines Mesplé use of ferrofluid and metal work
OUR TOP 100 ~ Jody Servon
This is a community-built playlist consisting of songs and memories about songs shared by participants
AYAHUASCA KOSMIK JOURNEY ~ Atlas V
This is a journey is from a mind-altering visual-aural journey of an ayahuasca ceremony.
MICROMONUMENTAL MAPPING,THE ESSENCE OF CREATION ~ Limelight
Created by a group of artists who specialize in projection mapping and light art. This uses the Greek god Apollo images built into the Lille Opera House.
LIGHT LEAKS ~ Kyle McDonald and Jonas Jongejan
Created after McDonald noticed how environments that filled up his peripheral vision with light created a usually immersive mirrors.
A MIND SANG ~ Vier Nev
Short film on perception, rebirth, and transformation.
SHIGETO: HOVERING ~ Conor Grebel and 79Ancestors virtual reality
The virtual reality film inspired by how water came to earth.
A great place to visit and explore. There is so much more than just a desert in Phoenix, Arizona. What is your favorite location in the state of Arizona? Post your response here.
There is nothing like a great barbecue with family, friends, and neighbors. Barbecuing techniques include smoking, roasting or baking, braising and grilling. We traveled across the US looking for the best.
Sugarfire Smokehouse Barbecue
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Road Trip Cherie and Tammy Forchion
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse
St. Louis is known for its arch and barbecue. Today I enjoy the meal with my sister Cherie. This being a late Sunday afternoon we realize that many locations are not open, but find one near the ball field, SugarFire SmokeHouse BBQ!
This is an award-winning restaurant under Chef Mike Johnson has studied with Myron Mixon, cooked with Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter. It was a great experience of community, exceptional food (sweet potatoes the best) and BBQ pork and salmon.
St. Louis BBQ is grilled then sauced instead of dry rubbing, slow cooking over indirect heat. St. Louis is the top consumer of bar-be-cue sauce. The sauce is tomato-based and sweeter. The coffee BBQ sauce is tangy and sweet. This is the top area for pork steaks.
Mission Barbecue
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Always looking for good BBQ traveling across the country. Each area has its own special BBQ. Wilmington’s Mission BBQ is American and traditional to the area. This place brings the flavors of the region to dinner. Enjoying collard greens made with tomatoes, mac-n-cheese, and green beans with bacon, brisket and NC Style pulled pork with the vinegar BBQ (this food tradition is from original settlers, African slaves on plantations and modern ones). This is an Eastern-style sauce that is vinegar and pepper, no tomatoes. Barbecue is serious here making it all the way to state Congress to declare the official bar-b-q.
Mission BBQ opened 09/11/11 ten years after 911. There is a tradition in the 52 restaurants stops at noon on Fridays to honor the military members and stars and stripes. The decor follows this continued theme with a patriotic dining room full of tributes to those who make our country great. There is really nothing more American than a barbeque.
The staff is exceptional and gives a lot of insight into food and history. The food is a delicious find.
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s BBQ
Smokey D’s Barbecue
Lunch with my dad is at Smokey D’s BBQ in Des Moines, Iowa. The year of BBQ adventures and the history of each region is fun. My dad enjoys a half rack of ribs; I go for a lighter side with a veggie wrap. The menu includes great home comfort foods. The fries are crispy and seasoned. The ribs fall right off the bone. Next time I want to try the potato casserole. The BBQ meat and sauce are award-winning. The BBQ founded by Darren and Sherry Warth in a trailer in their driveway.
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby Q
Bobby-Q Barbecue
I enjoy a late evening dinner with my daughter, granddaughter Ellie, son-in-law, niece, and sister-in-law in Phoenix. It is a great location with exceptional decor. The bathroom sink is in the hallway near the restroom. The ceiling is worth looking up.
The menu is extensive and a nice variety of choices. The meat is slow smoked and topped with a sweet-savory bbq sauce. The mac-n-cheese is exceptional (Ellie loved this the best) and fries perfection. It is a great evening out.
The restaurant owned by Bob Sikora, a famous Phoenician restaurateur. He brings a Memphis approach to his bbq. The meat is smoked with almond and mesquite wood and dried rubbed.
Barbecue is a tradition in this country that is thousands of years old. It is a great way to spend with loved ones.
Heading west on a great road trip with my father. This is a dream journey with my father. He took me all over the west on road trips each summer. We begin in Champaign Illinois heading west on Interstate 80.
Lagomarcino’s Soda Candy
Lagomarcino’s Chocolate Candy
Lagomarcino’s Soda Candy
Dennis Winger Lagomarcino’s Soda Candy
Molina Illinois
Lagomarino’s Soda and Candy Store The Best Chocolates and Ice Cream
The City of Moline sits on the banks of the Mississippi River. We stop at Lagomarino’s Soda and Candy Store. This candy shop opened in 1908 by Angelo Lagomarino, a Northern Italy immigrant. The store is the fourth generation. They have handcrafted chocolates with the finest ingredients. The store has an old-fashioned soda fountain. The soda menu includes the Green River (A Chicago drink named after the Chicago River that is dyed green for St. Patrick’s day).
Taking my father here was such a treat. He recalls the stories of going to the soda shop his uncle owned as a child. He talked about IronPort soda, a Utah tradition. It is a cross between root beer and Caribbean spices. He went for the hot fudge sundae (a surprise at the bottom was more fudge). I enjoyed a variety of hand-dipped chocolates during our road trip back west. This is a perfect place to stop and enjoy. They are the recipients of a James Beard Award.
Activities and Fun in Molina Illinois
This city is situated near the Iowa state border and sits on the mighty Mississippi River. This town is rich in history with being a part of the Underground Railroad and the home of industrialist John Deere (In 1848, he built his first Moline plow factory). There are many fun things to do here.
Washington Square Charles Deere built an upscale three-story five unit Italianate row house in 1890. His brother-in-law, Merton Cady, is the architect. The initial name for the complex was Deere Row and renters were said to be employees of the Deere factories.
Downtown murals love the Midwest and the vast varieties of murals. Molina’s downtown murals provide a view of Moline’s waterfront, as it would have looked in the early 1850s.
Rock Island played a large part of The Underground Railroad in Molina. This was the first stop for many slaves seeking freedom. The first state near several water sources provided transportation undercover. There is also a set of channels and tunnels underground that provide another escape route.
Leaving the mid-west I recall the experiences and beautiful people I meet. They have made a lasting impression on my life. This area of the United States provides history from slavery to the industrial age. The loss of jobs and industries is present everyday. The areas are gorgeous to visit and see. You feel the hardworking middle class that drove America into the modern world.
Iowa Rest Stop
Iowa State Road Trip
Iowa Rest Stop
Iowa Rest Stop
Iowa Rest Stop
Smokey Ds BBQ
Smokey Ds BBQ
Smokey Ds BBQ
Smokey Ds BBQ
Iowa State Road Trip
Iowa Road Trip
Sitting in a car all day with your father is a wonderful way to collect stories about his life. The first thing I learned is he loves to collect maps. Iowa is a great location for this collection.
Iowas Road Stops
Iowa has the best rest stops in history. You pull up to find a store, information about the area, books, and free maps. The first stop in Iowa my father returns with a collection of Iowa maps. He opens them up as we drive out of the rest stop.
Road Trip Memories
We enjoyed a day of talking about the years as a child I traveled the western US with my two brothers and parents. The summer trips to Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Southern Utah. My dad would hitch the camping trailer to a yellow rambler and off we would go. We saw so many natural beauties. The adventures from my childhood are endless. The time my mother lost the car keys in the sand dunes. My father lost his new fishing pole the first time he cast out at Strawberry Reservoir. This results in our fishing trip looking for the fishing pole. This is never seen again.
My father is a military retiree. He spent decades as a medic in the Air Force. He would bring back great dolls, toys, and white lunch boxes they would feed the crew. He tells his stories of going to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and Europe. The time he spent counting hours on the cargo plane counting the hours to coming home to see the three of us fight over the white lunch box.
Smokey D’s BBQ
Lunch is at Smokey D’s BBQ in Des Moines, Iowa. The year of BBQ adventures and the history of each region is fun. My dad enjoys a half rack of ribs; I go for a lighter side with a veggie wrap. The menu includes great home comfort foods. The fries are crispy and seasoned. The ribs feel right off the bone. The BBQ meat and sauce are award-winning. The BBQ founded by Darren and Sherry Warth in a trailer in their driveway.
Nebraska Adventures
The
time in Nebraska is spent traveling through various rest stops and counting up
more water towers. This is a tradition my sister and I started on the way out
to the Midwest in spring. Many times this is the tallest thing on the horizon.
We see a total of 177 water towers on I-80 through the Great Plains.
The
Great Plains is seen as little value to many traveling west in the mid-1800s.
Soon many ranchers release that the Verdant Platte is of great value. Today the
highway runs along this geography changing areas.
Winter Quarters,
Nebraska
This
location is a gathering location of the member of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. A stop my father looked forward to seeing. Many members of
our family stayed here as they prepared to travel west to a new home.
There
is a history of death, birth, and husbands leaving to fight the Mexican
American War. They crossed the frozen Mississippi River in 1846. This gave them
time to gather much needed supplies to make the journey across the Plains and
over the Rocky Mountains.
Some of our relatives made this journey without basic needs including shoes. Some pushed their own carts. A few did find themselves in the middle of a winter storm needing rescuing to survive. This is a free museum.
We
ventured across the street to the modern temple. This is a location that is
used seal families together in family forever. Off the temple grounds is a
cemetery. We were able to find a few of our relatives’ gravesites.
Kearney, Nebraska
We
stay for the evening in Kearney, Nebraska. It was fun arriving late in the
evening and walking around to stretch the legs and enjoy a few McDonald’s
French-fries.
The food for the morning is oatmeal, nuts, dried fruit, and yogurt from Aldi’s, a wonderful grocery finds in Champaign Illinois (this is a store located worldwide).
Kearney has a beautiful museum, The Archway, that stretches over the I-80. This museum is a celebration, “For over 200 years, the path along the Platte River through Nebraska, once called the Great Platte River Road, has been a road to adventure. From the Oregon Trail era through today, the Archway’s family-friendly historical exhibit tells the story of those who followed the Great Platte River Road and helped to build America.”
Wyoming Road Trip
Wyoming Road Trip Cowboy Boots
Wyoming Road Trip
Wyoming Road Trip
Wyoming Road Trip
Cheyenne Wyoming
Lunch in Cheyenne
Lunch in Cheyenne
Cheyenne, Wyoming
The last stop before returning to Orem, Utah is Cheyenne, Wyoming. This western town is full of fun and explorations.
Guadalajara Mexican
Restaurant
We
find an authentic Mexican restaurant, Guadalajara, locally owned and operated.
The ambience of Mexico is felt from the decor to the menu. The food is regional
as well as traditional American Mexican.
I
enjoy Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo. Rincon de Guayabitos in the estate of Sinaloa.
This is a beautiful community that is a beach resort. It is known for fresh red
snapper and other seafood including large shrimp.
This
was a great dish with large shrimp, mushrooms, and a beautiful garlic sauce. It
is served on a bed of iceberg lettuce with a slice of orange. The heat and cold
with a touch of sweet tang from the orange inside a warm tortilla is perfect
after a long day of driving.
My
father enjoys an Enchiladas De Mole with shredded chicken. The mole is
flavorful with a nice hint of heat. Mole is a sauce containing up to 20
ingredients. The sauce usually contains fruit, chili pepper, nut, and such
spices as black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and chocolate.
Exploring Cheyenne,
Wyoming
The
first thing you notice is the town is filled with large cowboy boots. This is a
fun scavenger hunt for the family through town. Local artist paints each boot.
We enjoy searching for these boots.
The
town is the capital of Wyoming. There is a great museum near the capital that
had maps for free. We leave with a stack of Wyoming maps.
The best stop here is the National Guard base that has F-84F And C-130 Aircraft (a favorite plane of my father). My father spent 35 years in the Air Force reserves as a medic. He worked a civilian at Hill Air Force base.
This
was a fun day exploring Cheyenne and all the history in this town. This town
goes from dinosaurs to the frontier days, and 19th century covered wagons.
There are great museums including
Cheyenne
Depot Museum
Cheyenne
Botanical Garden
Wyoming
State Museum
Cowgirls
of the West Museum
This
is a wonderful town to really see the migration west and the history of
settling the American west.
This was a fun day exploring Cheyenne and all the history in this town. This town goes from dinosaurs, frontier days, and 19th century covered wagons to the railway travel.
This was a great journey with my father. It was great sharing memories from his childhood, my own childhood, and creating new memories. The remander of the journey back to Arizona is my dog Hyde and I.
Utah State
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Kanab Utah
Zions National Park
Big Al’s Burgers
Big Al’s Burgers
Kanab, Utah
Kanab is the location of all road trippers on 89. It is the center of many national parks, great river rafting, and tons of fun.
The town has a great old western movie museum, Frontier Movie Town. This is a fun look at old film sets long before green screen and animation. This is a free museum behind the gift shop in the cottonwood trees. There are so many adventures near Kanab they include
Hiking
Cottonwood Wash Narrows
Slot Canyon
Paria Canyon
Wire Pass
Elusive Wave
Zion’s National Park
Drives
Glen Canyon Damn
Lake Powel
North Rim Grand Canyon
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Explore
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Moqui Cave
Green River Whitewater Rafting
Lunchtime is at Big Al’s Burgers at the Junction Drive-in (Thank you Cherie for the suggestion). Must have a traditional Utah meal. I worked at a local diner Provo as a teenager. The best meal is milkshake, hamburger, and fries with a Utah tradition of fry sauce (mayo and ketchup dip). This was a lot of fun, good food, and super busy. What a great location for fun.
This is a wonderful time to explore and travel the US. It was great meeting
so many wonderful people and tremendous adventures. What is your favorite
vacation? Post your response with #4chionstyle on social media.
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Chocolate is a scrumptious addition to any meal, from appetizers, to main dishes, and especially desserts. Road tripping across the US we found some exceptional chocolate treats and so much more.
Milk Bar NYC
Milk Bar NYC
Super excited to try crack pie and coffee for breakfast. This is a planned find in NYC. Watching Chef’s Table on Netflix. I knew I needed to try Milk Bar. This is Christine Tosi’s and is part of the Manhattan-based Momofuku restaurant. This is my first stop in the morning. The little shop has great cookies, cakes, pies, and bagel bombs. I order an iced coffee, bagel bomb with spinach, and crack pie. The bagel bomb is warm and filled with spinach and cheese. It is a nice bite for the start of touring NYC. I save the crack pie for a little later, but it is delicious. The filling is something like a custard, but buttery. The oat crust is light and flaky. This is a must stop and see.
Lagomarcino’s Confectionery Moline Illinois
Lagomarcino’s Confectionery in Moline IL is worth a diversion on any road trip. It is operated by 4th generation of Tom Lagomarcino Sr. They received a James Beard Award in 2006.
Lagomarcino’s Confectionery Soda ShopJames Beard AwardLagomarcino’s Confectionery fudge sauce Dad at Lagomarcino’s Confectionery Moline IL Lagomarcino’s Confectionery
This 110-year-old soda shop is a true find in the middle of nowhere. They have the true old-fashioned feel. The have a soda counter, sandwich shop, homemade ice cream, and beautiful chocolates. The originals owners meet at a soda shop and married in 1949. They had six children and they were famous for their fudge sauce. The shop started reselling the fudge sauce with their 100-year anniversary.
Taking my father here was such a treat. He recalled the stories of going to soda shop his uncle owned as a child. He talked about Ironport soda, a Utah tradition. It is a cross between root beer and Caribbean spices. He went for the hot fudge sundae (a surprise at the bottom was more fudge).
I went for their famous chocolate shake. We took salted caramel milk chocolates, dark marble truffle, pumpkin fudge chocolate, coconut dark chocolate, tiramisu dark chocolate truffle, and orange peel for the road. A few went home to mother.
The decor in the store is old newspaper headliners. Handcrafted mahogany booths to enjoy your sandwich, soda, and dessert. The had beautiful marbled truffles. It was a true sensory experience with the sights, sounds, and smells. They were fabulous.
Sweet Shoppe Candy Store Flagstaff Arizona
Exploring Route 66 in the infamous town of Flagstaff AZ there is the Sweet Shoppe Candy Store. This fudge shop with a lollipop garden, taffy, homemade fudge, covered apples with a vast variety, and scrumptious chocolates.
This store has many great old-fashion fun with a great modern twist. It is located on 15 E Aspen Ave right off Route 66. They have so much to select from. Foodie Ellie had a big interest in the fudge but went with a sprinkled covered marshmallow.
They have homemade gelato. The chocolate is creamy and sweet. The best was the chocolate covered caramel (homemade there) with sea salt sprinkled on top.
This is a must stop when visiting Wilmington You can smell the sweetness down the street. This is just the start of the sensory experience provided. When entering the story your eyes are drawn to all the beautiful handcrafted chocolates and sweets. Located in the Historic Downtown. Ice cream is a popular treat in Wilmington. Kilwins makes bomb waffle cones, exceptional chocolates, and it is worth the wait.
They make their own ice cream from their original recipe with 40 premium, unique and delicious flavors including Mackinac Island Fudge. They use local farms for ingredients. The chocolate creations are amazing.
Sweet Country Charm Payson Arizona
Sweet Country Charm Candy Shop
TheSweet Country Charm Candy Shop is a quant fudge shop in Payson Arizona is a sweet location. Taking the drive up from Phoenix to go from the Sonoran Desert to the high desert landscapes. It is a beautiful drive. This shop is located on the Beeline Highway. Entering the shop it is a location to meet and enjoy the treats.
The shop was a great location for local crafters to sell their artisan work. Customers would bring up the fudge shop that hd been there. Rebecca Acord, the shop owner, decided to take a few cooking classes and incorporate the fudge and treats with the art.
This sweet treat reminded me of fudge at Christmas as a child. It is creamy and smooth. The aroma of chocolate and sweet are immediate when entering the shop. The visual is colorful and enticing. The sounds of community members talking about local news fills the room. The touch of the fudge is not crumbly but firm. The taste is incredible sweet and luscious. The varieties to choose from are a great treat to take home to enjoy later.
Just off the main street in Battle Ground is Battle Ground Sweet Shoppe & Bakery. Main street is very much the center of shopping local artisans and produce. You can enjoy a local bar, restaurant, and shopping exceptional creations and antiques. It is a great stroll of all that is old town in a small town.
Just off your stroll is the local sweet shop. This shop has a great selection of bar cookies, cupcakes, cakes, brownie, ice cream bar, hot cocoa bombs, and more. Would not be a Pacific Northwest business without great coffee to enjoy with the desserts.
You are surrounded by baked sweets. There are so many to choose from you do not know what to choose. The pandemic has changed how many in the state are able to enjoy dinning. The treats are delicious and hand crafted. The location can manage weddings, catering, and just a sit down for dessert and coffee as you shop.
The atmosphere is a cozy and warm from the rainy winter day, this soon turned to 12″ of snow. The desserts went well with dinner. We enjoyed brownie, caramel toffee bar, and red velvet pop cakes.
Honeymoon Sweets Bakery & Dessert Bar Tempe Arizona
The honeymoon maybe over but the bakery and sweet creations continue at Honeymoon Sweets Bakery & Dessert Bar. This is a locally owned and operated business. Co-Owners and Bakers Tim and Joan O’Connor met in culinary school. They create cakes, cookies, breakfast pastries, pies, tarts, and petit sweets.
They cater to major corporations, drop-by visitors, and special-event guests. The shop has a great display of goodies for the public to stop by for a treat or two. This is a fun place to stop for a treat or two or dessert for a dinner party. The treats are as tasty as they are beautiful.
Cincinnati Ohio, my niece and I stop by Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes. This was a delightful find in the lobby of the Hilton Netherlands Hotel lobby. This little shop has a variety of sweet and moist cupcakes. We enjoyed the coconut, black raspberry chip, red velvet, and peanut butter cup. They were perfect after a long of competition at the USA Gymnastics event.
This business is owned and operated by Nathan & Andrea Thompson (husband and wife). The name comes from their daughter, Abby Girl, she is the top taster for the cupcakes. The cupcakes are sweet and well-flavored.
This was a wonderful road trip in the Midwest especially seeing family. It is always good connecting with your brother and his family. They have six fantastic children. Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract to the rescue it saved the hotel white towels. It was a wonderful time traveling through the Midwest. There is plenty to see and do from art to culture and outdoor adventures. It is a beautiful part of the country with friendly people.
General Store in Summerhaven ArizonaFudge at the General Store Fudge Shop in Summerhaven Arizona
Fudge Shop
Getting to the top of Mount Lemmon is a great little spot to shop, eat, and get a little sweet treat. This general store has some great snacks, a few souvenirs, and fresh fudge. The tradition of a sweet shop on your adventures that are so fun and memorable.
What is your favorite local sweet shop? Post your answer here.
Traveling across the country you find a variety of traditional American food to traditions for each region. There is beautiful colors, smells, sounds, and exceptional people to meet. Here are a few of the food finds from Arizona to North Carolina.
Arizona Food
Chesapeake Bay Bistro
Chesapeake Bay Bistro
Pulling out of a local shopping plaza fish sounded good for dinner. As I Google the nearest location I did not have a clue that there was one tucked in the shopping center, Chesapeake Bay Bistro, this is was a treasure find.
The restaurant owned by James and Yolanda Brown ventured to open this location during the height of the pandemic. It was an exceptional decision.
Chef Zandra (Zantastic) Vaughn creates fish your way everyday. The menu is created to make your fish your way. The fish is homemade with fresh fish with every effort to use sustainable methods and recyclable goods. The hushpuppies are scrumptious.
The fish is fresh and crabs are live and flown in from the Chesapeake Bay in the East Coast on a daily basis. We make sure that our ingredients are of the highest quality.
The fun is adding your name to a flip flop and looking for an open space for your addition. The customer service the best. Yolanda is passionate and full of energy. The food was delicious and enough for a few meals.
Cameron Trading Post Highway 89
Cameron Trading Post
The food made from scratch daily and is a fusion of the three food cultures. This place is perfect for travelers with their lodging, restaurant, art gallery, garden with fountains, and a massive gift shop. The trading post opened in 1916 and welcomes everyone like a guest in their homes. Prior to being a trading post, the place served as an apothecary.
Breakfast:
Navajo pancake this is a blue corn pancake
Prickly pear stuffed french toast this is French toast served sandwich style with a prickly pear jam and cream cheese
Warrior Surprise is a mini-Navajo Taco topped with one egg
Lunch:
Southwest taco salad served with a prickly pear cactus fruit vinaigrette
Gunslinger ham and cheese with diced green chile to the classic ham and American cheese sandwich
Navajo burger A juicy burger patty served on Fry Bread with salsa and all the trimmings (this was a delicious choice)
Dinner:
Nakahee Becheeyeh ( means south of the border) includes a pork tamale, a meaty beef taco, and one cheese enchilada
Served with tortilla chips, our spicy homemade salsa, refried beans, rice, and your choice of red or green chile
Trout dinner with lightly breaded grilled fish
Liver and Onions Beef liver grilled with onions and bacon
served with soup or salad, a fresh mini loaf and a choice of mashed potatoes, baked potato, French fries, sautéed vegetables or rice pilaf.
Each dish enjoyed this evening brought a new experience to something familiar. We enjoyed the Navajo burger (with a vegetarian patty), club sandwich (served gluten-free) and Navajo taco (made with Blue Bird flour). Ellie enjoyed a milkshake and nibbling off everyone’s plate. Miss “Foodie” (Ellie) really recommends their fantastic french fries. The menu includes the Navajo language providing a fun conversation with the staff. We enjoyed the local flavors and expansion of cultures. The food to the ambiance provided a complete experience with cultural diversity.
Ranch House Grille
Ranch House Grille
This was a great place to meet with a high school friend and his beautiful wife. We enjoyed breakfast at Ranch House Grille. It was a very local place. Many entering the grill knew other patrons and shared stories of their families and community. It was a wonderful meal. Large portions, good café coffee, and great hash browns.
Utah Food
Ray’s Tavern
We stop in Green River just before Colorado. Lisa Sherman recommended having lunch at Ray’s Tavern. This was our first travel contest. Congrats, to Wes Hawkins at Utah Travels for knowing what city we were enjoying lunch. We ordered the chicken sandwich and a Garden Burger®. They had a Utah tradition on fry sauce, created by Don Carlos Edwards in the 1950s. It is as simple as ketchup and mayonnaise whipped together. I have seen variations with adding sour cream or buttermilk. This was a treat for sure. It was a great place. The waitress extremely friendly and the food fresh, including the fries.
Spicy Thai and Joe’s Cafe
Orem Utah Reunion Time Road Trip
Meeting up with my dear friend Lisa Sherman was like we never missed even one day, even though it had been a few decades. Lisa and I have known each other since we were three. We ran the neighborhood streets as two determined little girls could. We enjoyed breakfast at Joe’s Cafe. The food was so delish. Lisa even enjoyed the grits. A dish she was convinced she did not like. Joe said, “You will love them. Nothing comes between your lips and my grits.” It was so wonderful catching up with Lisa after all these years.
Dinner was a fabulous reunion with my bestie from high school, Brenda Anderson. She and I meet at the Spicy Thai in Orem. This was an excellent choice for the food was excellent. Their menu had a great selection of Thai food with the ability to choose your heat. The evening ended at her home where we spent time catching-up, relationships talk, and a little (very little) drinking. Her cute little dogs entertained up throughout the evening. They are both such a ball of energy.
Colorado Food
Aloha Poké Co.
Aloha Poké Co. provides a light refreshing meal with a wide choice of vegetables and rice. This is a perfect meal for this long day of road travel. Cherie and I sit outside enjoying lunch in the spring sun and looking back at the Rocky Mountains thinking a strong contrast from the last two days to the journey that lays in front of us.
Missouri Food
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ St. Louis Missouri
St. Louis is known for its arch and barbecue. This being a late Sunday afternoon we realize that many locations are not open, but find one near the ball field, Sugarfire SmokeHouse BBQ! This is an award-winning restaurant under Chef Mike Johnson has studied with Myron Mixon, cooked under Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter. It was a great experience of community, exceptional food (sweet potatoes the best) and BBQ pork and salmon.
Cincinnati, Hebron, and Indianapolis Food
3 Sisters Cafe
The first food stop of the trip is 3 Sisters Cafe in Indianapolis, Indiana, in business for 20 years. They serve a large choice of elegant breakfasts from sweet to savory and great lunch menu as well.
They have great beverages (no alcohol) with flair. I enjoyed the turmeric and ginger iced tea. It was a great flavor not too sweet or sugary. The brunch was perfect a great hollandaise sauce over Scottish lox, poached eggs, fresh tomato, and locally made English muffins with caviar on top. The English muffin was fresh with a nice sourdough flavor. The hollandaise sauce was perfect with just a little heat. The porridge was a new experience. It was creamy with a hint of cinnamon.
Hebron Grille
The evening meal was a quaint place in Hebron Kentucky called Hebron Grille. The waitress, Brenda, was so friendly and informative. She provides insight into the southern menu. I decide on the Catfish Grand Bayou. This was a meal for two. It was perfect for a later time as well.
The fish was perfectly cooked with Cajun spice, white wine, lemon, capers, diced tomatoes, grilled shrimp, crawfish, angel hair pasta, and grilled asparagus. The capers brought an exceptional flavor and salt to the dish. The crawfish is a wonderful additional treat.
Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes
Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati Ohio, my niece and I stop by Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes. This was a delightful find in the lobby of the Hilton Netherlands Hotel lobby. This little shop has a variety of sweet and moist cupcakes. We enjoyed the coconut, black raspberry chip, red velvet, and peanut butter cup. They were perfect after a long of competition at the USA Gymnastics event.
This business is owned and operated by Nathan & Andrea Thompson (husband and wife). The name comes from their daughter, Abby Girl, she is the top taster for the cupcakes. The cupcakes are sweet and well-flavored.
Champaign Illinois Food
The Midwest food is all American. The area settled by Europeans including Germans, British, Italian, Hungarians, and Scandinavians. The simple hearty foods with strong Christian influences continue today. The fusion food trend is not found here as much. You will find that true honest food as it was from the beginning.
This town is a place you find all American food. It is a place worth stopping and checking out the food scene. This area is in Central Illinois about 2.5 hours south of Chicago. The area surrounded by small farm and dairy communities. It is known for farmers markets, fresh dairy (yes you can buy fresh milk at the farm), ethnic foods, and the classic American food.
Sleepy Creek Vineyard Road Trip
Sleepy Creek Vineyards
Driving in from St. Louis, you take exit 206 from I-74. The winery is a great location to come for many events. Weekly they have local musicians, wieners and wine, and Winery Mary Bar Every Sunday. The winery has great yearly events from Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and more.
The wine is sweet not a real full-bodied wine. They have a jalapeño red wine they substitute with vodka in the bloody Mary served on Sunday. The place is beautiful and serene setting. Locals bring their picnic lunches, you can buy cheese and crackers, or at times, a food truck might be here. The day we were there they had a band playing in the large barn, a strong community presence sitting outside by the creek overlooking the vineyard.
The Courier Café Urbana
The Courier Café brings Champaign history and old Victorian styling in the decor. The main dining room has:
A large palace chandelier from the Opera House in Erie Pennsylvania
The cash register is the first electric cash register
The courier clock pendulum filled with mercury makes the time keeping right
The stained glass comes from a Danville church predating the Civil War
The Pullman lamps light the aisle for passengers on the Pullman railroad cars
The brass chimes a gift from George Malford, a Nickelodeon Maker, they are steamed powered
The Café’s name is for the Courier newspaper that operated for decades in the building. The building was almost lost to fire and remained empty for decades. In 1980, the current owners began remodeling and opened for business on November 10, 1980. They are a farm to table restaurant with the garden and bees on the property for the freshest ingredients.
The menu is a hearty all American menu with breakfast served daily until 11 AM then lunch and dinner menu until closing. The breakfast is traditional eggs, omelets, fantastic pancakes, and hash browns. Their coffee is fresh ground daily and they have special blends. The lunch/dinner menu is hearty with a ribeye sandwich, fries, soups, and steak. The food has that home cooked look and feel. They do have a few items for vegetarians including breakfast sausage. They do have one special treat “Courier water that is sparkling water from deep below the café. It is a great place for large parties and a sense of the community in Champaign.
Amaravati Indian Royal Cuisine Champaign
Amaravati Indian Royal Cuisine primarily brings Southern Indian cuisine to Champaign. Southern Indian cuisine based around rice, lentils, and stews. Dishes The authenticity found in the menu. The waitress knowledge of the menu and very helpful with the dishes.
Enjoying Paneer Tikka Masala with cubes of fresh cottage cheese cooked with green peas in an onion, tomato & cashew based sauce. Garnished with Kasturi methi and cashew pieces. The flavors linger on your pallet. The rice is perfectly cooked. Dessert is rasamalai it is juice and cream. It is a sweet and good amount of heat. This dish has a history of being created in Britain by a Bangladeshi chef.
Champaign Food Road Trip
Core Life Eatery Champaign
Entering the eatery, you hear a local band on an early Saturday morning. The eatery is a location of freshness and wholesome. The food is GMO, grass-fed steak, all-natural chicken, and no GMOs. The broths are center to the soups. You pick your ingredients from a fresh selection that looks like a produce stand.
The soup is heavy in a great vegetable broth the Sriracha soaked bean sprouts make a nice substitute for noodles and Sriracha brings heat to the soup. The kale and Napa cabbage are barely cooked by the hot broth this brings a freshness and crunch to the flavor. The shiitake mushrooms add texture to the soup. It is refreshing with flavors that linger on the plate.
Chicago Food
Chicago sits in the Midwest has a history of all American food. This history is changing to one of sophistication and elegance. The dining experience is one set for the various neighborhoods in Chicago. The traditional American and deep dish pizza is found in each area, but the elegance is found with 25 Michelin-starred restaurants. Chicago is known for their yearly Taste of Chicago a food and entertainment weekend usually held the second week of July. There is a covering deep dish pizza this is a bucket list trip with deep dish pizza on the list.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Road Trip
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
This was a fantastic place to take a crowd for lunch. There was a little bit of a wait but well worth the wait. They do allow you to order ahead of time. The entire party pizza enjoyed the pizza. They had great selections with gluten-free and vegetarian options. The gluten-free crust was one of the best. They have a real family feeling to the pizzeria.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is a local favorite. The first restaurant opened by Lou, an Italian, opened a pizzeria in a Jewish neighborhood on an Irish holiday in 1971. They are always busy at all 51 locations in the Chicago area. Each pizza is hand created to each patron’s desire.
Pequod Pizza Chicago
Pequod Pizza, 25 years in business, is a popular place in Lincoln Park. We arrive with the dreams of deep crust pizza and watch the Cubs play ball. Arriving we realize that the wait is down the street. Heading into the small hostess station they tell us, “there is an hour for a table about another hour for service from seating.” We walk around the block and decide to find a place with appetizers to wait out the hour seating time. We find a great place called Distilled Chicago.
New York City mayor’s press secretary Eric Phillips has put in his vote on Twitter for the best pizza “Chicago pizza is the best pizza in America, and it’s not even close.” The tweet has a photo of Chicago-style deep dish pizza from Pequod’s. We return for our pizza as our buzzer for the table goes off.
We take the pizza back to the Air BNB for snacking and dinner on Saturday evening. It is a fabulous bucket list experience. Normally a thin crust pizza lover this was a true experience. The crust is caramelized and not as heavy as expected. The cheese strings as you take a bite making it a true cheese pizza. The sauce is the best to date. It is loud and excitable as the patrons are enjoying the final innings of the Cubs game.
Distilled Chicago
Distilled Chicago was a fantastic find just down the street from Pequod Pizza in West Lincoln Park. We sit at the bar. The decor is black and gold with an early 19th century feel. The Cub’s are playing on the TV. It is neighborhood experience as locals enter to enjoy the local menu with a modern twist on bar favorites. We enjoy a glass of wine and a beer. It is best known for being a whiskey bar with our 100 varieties. These are paired with the menu items.
The food is fabulous. We order the mac ‘n’ cheese bits, sliders with fries, and Italian beef egg rolls. The Italian beef rolls turn out to be a delightful surprise with the Au Jus Sauce. This fusion of Asian and Italian together well and our the favorite of the night. The mac ‘n’ cheese bits are crispy and tasty. The dipping sauce is house ranch. There is a good textual experience. The fries are crispy and the bacon jam brings the classic slider to a unique experience the arugula brings a fresh peppery flavor, caramelized onions, and the top quality Angus beef takes a bar classic to elegance. This became dinner. It is a great place to enjoy a ball game, the community, and an American classic menu with an elevation.
Scone City
Scone City located in Wicker Park is wonderful for a morning after bar hopping or late night in Chicago. Jessica and Tim Canning along with chef Laurie McNamara took on the endeavor in a specialized sweet and savory scone menu. This place was perfect stop as my sister Cherie is heading to the airport to return to her family in Idaho. It was so wonderful sharing this experience with here. Seeing places and enjoying the cross-country journey. I truly miss her every day. She enjoyed a sweet blueberry w/ lemon glaze scone she says, “It was delicious!! Sweet. Soft. Perfection!!! Soooo tasty.” They have savory scones as well. I enjoyed a hot Vanilla Bean Latte with the house-made vanilla syrup. It is a perfect start to a day of exploring Chicago.
Bangers and Lace
Bangers and Lace, a local bar in Wicker Park, has a rustic lodge atmosphere and is a great place for a good drink and great company. The patrons are friendly. The bartender for the evening was an instant win with a Big Lebowski shirt. The best feature is the is the classic beer tap handles. The restaurant’s name is Bangers for the British term for sausage and Lace for Brussels Lace, the intricate veil of beer foam that clings to the glass side. This was a great evening spot near the Air BNB for cocktails and a glass of wine. They have a menu of sausages, English beans, vegetarian option, and Belgian fries.
The atmosphere is friendly, fun, and did get crowded as the night went on. It is a great place for sports, conversation, and good drinks. What a fun experience.
Kanela Chicago Road Trip
The last morning of the road trip in the Midwest is brunch at Kanela, the Greek name for Cinnamon. This restaurant place is Wicker Park neighborhood on a street with many older shops. It is a great place, voted best in Chicago by USA Today, for a Sunday morning brunch. The coffee tops and wonderful after an evening at Bangers and Lace.
Brunch includes California Benedict and Fried Egg Sandwich this was an exceptional meal. The hollandaise sauce perfection with a nice touch of heat, the poach egg picture perfect. The sandwich was fabulous with the chili aioli brings the flavors together. The seasoned potatoes nicely cooked not too soft or undercooked. It was a nice brunch with my sister. We do agree that this is a great place for brunch.
New York City Food
Wild Ginger NYC
Wild Ginger NYC
This quaint Asian Fusion restaurant is next door to my hotel, Pod 51, in Midtown New York. Thankful for this find after being delayed at the airport. The restaurant is full of large parties enjoying an order your favorite roll and share mine. I can hear them discussing what they like about each other’s choices. That is a fun way to enjoy a menu. The decor is transforming, and fitting for the theme. The menu filled with a variety of traditional Asian and fusion dishes like Singapore thin rice noodles. Enjoyed steamed veggie dumplings, salmon roll, and mermaid roll. The sauce on the plate is sweet, sour, and a little heat. The food is fresh and elegant.
Milk Bar NYC
Milk Bar NYC
Super excited to try crack pie and coffee for breakfast. This is a planned find in NYC. Watching Chef’s Table on Netflix. I knew I needed to try Milk Bar. This is Christine Tosi’s and is part of the Manhattan-based Momofuku restaurant. This is my first stop in the morning. The little shop has great cookies, cakes, pies, and bagel bombs. I order an iced coffee, bagel bomb with spinach, and crack pie. The bagel bomb warm and filled with spinach and cheese. It is a nice bite for the start of touring NYC. I save the crack pie for a little later, but it is delicious. The filling is something like a custard, but buttery. The oat crust is light and flaky. This is a must stop and see.
Pizza NYC
$1 Pizza NYC
The little find during the day is Market Pizza. It is a small little shop off 6th ave. It is $2.99 for two slices of pizza and soda. This is a great place for a traditional New York pizza. It is good, friendly, and always ready. They have a variety of pizzas. There is a small communal area to sit to eat your pizza before heading back on my NYC adventure. Always fun to explore these great places.
Pescatore NYC
Pescatore NYC
Walking Midtown after a day of exploring and the fashion event it is overwhelming with the choices near the hotel. The restaurants’ selection vast and enticing aromas. The dilemma is decided as rain begins to fall. I wonder into Pescatore. It is a traditional setting with the seasonal tulips on each table. My waiter is Bryan Royas. He is very informative about the menu and attentive.
It is a really amazing experience to see spaghetti Carbonaro done tableside. This dish is pancetta, onions, pecorino cheese & egg mixed in a Parmigiano wheel. The family sitting near me order this dish. There is something about seeing the food prepared tableside. The smells, sounds, and visual bring anticipation.
I enjoy pasta ripiena, warm bread, with Bousquet Mendoza Argentina Malbec, and dessert. The staff that brings me zeppoles with fruit dipped in brandy. The ripiena is homemade pasta sheet stuffed with fresh spinach, ricotta, topped with tomato sauce and crispy parmigiana. The homemade pasta is delectable and the tomato sauce fresh. The dessert is light and sweet the vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry sauces. The raspberry sauce is my favorite brings a little tart to the sweet. The fruit with the brandy is scrumptious.
Wilmington North Carolina Food
Kilwins Chocolate Wilmington NC
This is a must stop when visiting Wilmington You can smell the sweetness down the street. This is just the start of the sensory experience provided. When entering the story your eyes are drawn to all the beautiful handcrafted chocolates and sweets. Located in the Historic Downtown. Ice cream is a popular treat in Wilmington. Kilwins makes bomb waffle cones, exceptional chocolates, and it is worth the wait.
They make their own ice cream from their original recipe with 40 premium, unique and delicious flavors including Mackinac Island Fudge. They use local farms for ingredients. The chocolate creations are amazing.
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Always looking for good BBQ traveling across the country. Each area has their own special BBQ. Wilmington’s Mission BBQ is American and traditional to the area. This place brings the flavors of the region to dinner. Enjoying collard greens made with tomatoes, mac-n-cheese, and green beans with bacon, brisket and NC Style pulled pork with the vinegar BBQ (this food tradition is from original settlers, African slaves on plantations and modern ones). This is an Eastern-style sauce that is vinegar and pepper, no tomatoes. Bar-b-que is serious here making it all the way to state Congress to declare the official barbeque.
Mission BBQ opened 09/11/11 ten years after 911. There is a tradition in the 52 restaurants stops at noon on Fridays to honor the military members and stars and stripes. The decor follows this continued theme with a patriotic dining room full of tributes to those who make our country great. There is really nothing more American than a barbeque.
Wilmington North Carolina is history, fabulous food, sea, beaches, and boardwalks. The town is celebrating 275 years of rich history of food and life in America. One of the most southeastern cities in the US is a great escape for a beautiful vacation.
Explorations
Battleship North Carolina Wilmington NC
Battleship North Carolina Wilmington NC
This ship begs visitors to come aboard. It is visible from downtown. In 1960 the ship commissioned to honor the men that served and keep the ship’s history.
Battleship North Carolina was the first to be constructed in sixteen years in New York in 1937. The history during wartime is 144 commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men, including about 100 Marines. This ship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific and saving the carrier Enterprise. The ship earned 15 battle stars. They only lost ten men in action and 67 injuries.
Exploring the ship you get a sense of daily life and a feel for battle. It is cramped and you do have to go up and down stairs to see the ship so proper footwear is important. It makes you think about being out to sea for months on end with the same people, cramped quarters, and war around you. This is a must see when coming to town.
Cape Fear River Wilmington NC
Cape Fear River Wilmington NC
This river is the connection to the Atlantic Ocean. This river brings ships from all over the world to Wilmington. There are many restaurants that have great views of the river and sunsets. It is a fun place to enjoy a good pub crawl, but most bars in the area do not have happy hours.
For centuries this port has brought Europeans to America. Cape Fear River was often used for fleeing slaves to escape slavery. Orange Street is where 22 slaves escaped to freedom by way of the Cape Fear River. Orange Street place designated in 2005 by the National Park Service as part of its National Underground Railroad Network (click link to read about the Levi home) to Freedom Program. The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program is to preserve and commemorate the history of the Underground Railroad.
There is plenty to see and do in Wilmington for families, history buffs, and couples from:
This is a must stop when visiting Wilmington You can smell the sweetness down the street. This is just the start of the sensory experience provided. When entering the story your eyes are drawn to all the beautiful handcrafted chocolates and sweets. Located in the Historic Downtown. Ice cream is a popular treat in Wilmington. Kilwins makes bomb waffle cones, exceptional chocolates, and it is worth the wait.
They make their own ice cream from their original recipe with 40 premium, unique and delicious flavors including Mackinac Island Fudge. They use local farms for ingredients. The chocolate creations are amazing.
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Always looking for good BBQ traveling across the country. Each area has their own special BBQ. Wilmington’s Mission BBQ is American and traditional to the area. This place brings the flavors of the region to dinner. Enjoying collard greens made with tomatoes, mac-n-cheese, and green beans with bacon, brisket and NC Style pulled pork with the vinegar BBQ (this food tradition is from original settlers, African slaves on plantations and modern ones). This is an Eastern-style sauce that is vinegar and pepper, no tomatoes. Bar-b-que is serious here making it all the way to state Congress to declare the official bar-b-q.
Mission BBQ opened 09/11/11 ten years after 911. There is a tradition in the 52 restaurants stops at noon on Fridays to honor the military members and stars and stripes. The decor follows this continued theme with a patriotic dining room full of tributes to those who make our country great. There is really nothing more American than a barbeque.
The staff is exceptional and give a lot of insight to the food and history. The food is a delicious find.
@4ChionLifestyle
Photo credit and travel collaboration Raymond L. Forchion Jr.
Taking on Midtown Manhattan NYC is a wonderful whirlwind of fun explorations. The time here is brief but full of beautiful fashion, food, and fun.
Exploring Midtown NYC
Empire State Building
Empire State Building NYC
The building that I had seen in films comes to life today. Entering the lobby I see the beauty of the original interior. This lobby is a historic landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The lobby’s recent restoration took 18 months to complete. It is an art deco design resembling the original design. The interior is marble, 24-karat gold and aluminum leaf with a large clock, gears, regional map, and a replication of the Empire State Building. There is a rush of people following through the lobby please stop a moment to look around at the details.
Moving through the process to get to the 86th floor you explore the history, the details about the building’s sustainability, and the 80th floor a Dare to Dream exhibit. This is a great experience. Walking the last few flights of stairs to the 86th floor was a lot of fun.
Reaching the 86th floor I am breathless, from climbing the stairs and looking over NYC. It is crowded and people are speaking many languages.
It is amazing to finally be here and see the vastness of the land, water, and buildings. You can see the city below and really don’t hear the commotion. The beauty above is amazing as you look up to see the rest of the building and the blue sky with clouds. It is an experience to not miss while in Midtown NYC.
Midtown NYC
Midtown is the history, fashion, and food of NYC. It is such a wonderful place to explore. The top tourist attraction is within walking distance. The LOVE statue is one of many found around the world. This was first created for print by Robert Indiana.
The love of community is found as I stroll the streets. The beautiful churches, Central Park, and shopping bring NYC home. The families pushing their strollers, skateboarders, and tourist head to Central Park. The park has statues, the Great Lawn (the world-famous lawn), and vendors. It is a wonderful place in the center of town.
There is so much in this area from Radio City Hall, Rockefeller Center, and fashion. It is like a fashion runway down Madison Ave. You find the top fashion designer shops with exceptional windows displaying the latest fashion. I venture in an Uber through Time Square. It is fun seeing the hustle and bustle that is Time Square from the car.
Afterwards exploring Midtown it is time for fashion. Uber takes me to FDC Young Designer Fashion show at The Paul Hotel. This is a quaint fashion event.
The evening concludes watching the full moon rise over the high rises. It is a wonderful experience to be on the rooftop of the hotel and just be still for 20 minutes. It is a perfect trip.
NYC Fashion
Food NYC
Wild Ginger NYC
Wild Ginger NYC
This quaint Asian Fusion restaurant is next door to my hotel, Pod 51, in Midtown New York. This is the first food stop in Manhattan. Thankful for this find after being delayed at the airport. The restaurant is full of large parties enjoying an order your favorite roll and share mine. I can hear them discussing what they like about each other’s choices. That is a fun way to enjoy a menu. The decor is transforming, and fitting for the theme. The menu is filled with a variety of traditional Asian and fusion dishes like Singapore thin rice noodles. Enjoyed steamed veggie dumplings, salmon roll, and mermaid roll. The sauce on the plate is sweet, sour, and a little heat. The food is fresh and elegant.
Milk Bar NYC
Milk Bar NYC
I am excited to try crack pie and coffee for breakfast. This is a planned find in NYC. Watching Chef’s Table on Netflix. I knew I needed to try Milk Bar. This is Christine Tosi’s bakery and is part of the Manhattan-based Momofuku restaurant.
This is my first stop in the morning. The little shop has great cookies, cakes, pies, and bagel bombs. I order an iced coffee, bagel bomb with spinach, and crack pie. The bagel bomb warm and filled with spinach and cheese. It is a nice bite for the start of touring NYC.
I save the crack pie for a little later, but it is delicious. The filling is something like a custard, but buttery. The oat crust is light and flaky. This is a must stop and see.
Pizza NYC
$1 Pizza NYC
The little find during the day is Market Pizza. It is a small little shop off 6th ave. It is $2.99 for two slices of pizza and soda. This is a great place for a traditional New York pizza. It is good, friendly, and always ready. They have a variety of pizzas. There is a small communal area to sit and eat your pizza before heading back on my NYC adventure. Always fun to explore these great places.
Pescatore NYC
Pescatore NYC
Walking Midtown after a day of exploring and the fashion event I am overwhelmed with the choices near the hotel. The restaurants’ selection vast and enticing aromas. This is the last stop for food in New York City. The dilemma is decided as rain begins to fall. I wonder into Pescatore. It is a traditional setting with the seasonal tulips on each table. My waiter is Bryan Royas. He is very informative about the menu and attentive.
It is a really amazing experience to see spaghetti Carbonaro prepared tableside. This dish is pancetta, onions, pecorino cheese & egg mixed in a Parmigiano wheel. The family sitting near me order this dish. There is something about seeing the food prepared tableside. The smells, sounds, and visual bring anticipation.
I enjoy pasta ripiena, warm bread, with Bousquet Mendoza Argentina Malbec, and dessert. The staff that brings me zeppoles with fruit dipped in brandy. The ripiena is homemade pasta sheet stuffed with fresh spinach, ricotta, topped with tomato sauce and crispy parmigiana.
The homemade pasta is delectable and the tomato sauce fresh. The dessert is light and sweet the vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry sauces. The raspberry sauce is my favorite brings a little tart to the sweet. The fruit with the brandy is scrumptious.
Loved the 48 hours in Midtown and look forward to returning. It is a wonderful exploration. What are your favorite places in Midtown? Post your answer and photo #4ChionStyle here.
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Chicago is one big city that sits in the Midwest of the USA. This is a dream comes true with a visit to this city. Driving in from Champaign, with my sisters Tina and Cherie, we see this massive modern American city, but as you explore you realize that the city has great neighborhoods that swallow the big city vastness. Each neighborhood feels like you are in your own hometown.
Chicago Road Trip
Chicago Neighborhoods
Lincoln Park
This was an excellent choice for dinner(see below). It is no the north side in Chicago. This area has some great restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. This neighborhood has the Lincoln Park Zoo (America’s oldest zoo) and the Chicago History Museum. The streets this evening had many out for dinner and to watch the Cubbies play ball.
River City North
Sending my sister off in the morning was sad. She is a lot of fun to travel with and drove 1,300 of 2,400 miles of the cross-country journey. Tina and I take the subway into River City North. We enjoy a glass of white wine and watch families enjoy the riverfront. We also enjoy Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
The neighborhood looks or feels nothing like it started as an industrial and warehouse district. This neighborhood is modern as the many buildings tower over the river. This neighborhood is known for art. It has the largest concentration of galleries outside of Manhattan. We enjoy exploring the many wonderful statues, theatre area, and the most restaurants in Chicago.
Chicago Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle b
Old Town
Walking to Old Town was a fun adventure to see the other areas of the town. Old Town is filled with old Victorian buildings, churches, great pubs, coffee shops, and history. The streets are lined with beautiful trees. This area was first settled by Germans. Around 1846 the immigrants established St. Joesph’s Parish. The history here is rich from buildings that survived the 1871 Chicago fire, to former speakeasies and ornate beautiful churches. We enjoyed a nice lunch at an Irish Pub.
Chicago Road Trip
The Loop
This is where you will find the “Bean” the name for the statue is Cloud Gate. The sculpture is by Indian-born British artist Sir Anish Kapoor. This was so gorgeous at the night. It is located in Millennium Park in The Loop neighborhood. The statue is a 110-ton elliptical sculpture of a seamless series of polished stainless steel plates and a 12-foot-high arch. The inspiration for the statue is liquid mercury. It is an incredible piece of art. Uber (see the discount code below) provided a great get around from one neighborhood to the next during the evening.
Chicago Road Trip
Wrigleyville
Closing out the first night in Wrigleyville. A great night to see the stadium and experience one of the great bars in the area. It is a great spot day or night. It is a great place for nightlife. We enjoyed Sluggers, a great sports bar. My sisters enjoyed the batting cages and I took in a little music with the dueling pianos. This neighborhood offers some great Chicago experiences
Wicker Park is a wonderful neighborhood. It really takes to a small town feeling. It is close to the subway, has great shopping, and good bars. This neighborhood has many lush gardens with great events in the parks from movies, exercises, farmers markets, and concerts. This area is great for Wicker Park is known for local hipster culture, the art community, nightlife, and food scene. It was a great place to stay in an Air BNB (see discount offer below).
Old Navy Pier
This is a fun adventurous place to visit. Ellie (granddaughter) loves exploring the pier. The great boats, fun, and ice cream. We enjoy walking the pier. The Fifth Third Family Pavillion was so much fun. This is a beautiful place for a wedding, family fun, and weekly events.
The Navy Pier is on Lake Michigan and is 102 years old. We enjoyed an Uber (see discount code below) ride. They have this well set up for pick up and drop offs. Much easier than trying to park. The Old Navy Pier is the vitality of Chicago. Ellie enjoyed the Original Rainbow Cone even though she said it was not good she finishes it. The group enjoys a drink at the Billy Goat Tavern.
Chicago Food
Chicago sits in the Midwest has a history of all American food. This history is changing to one of sophistication and elegance. The dining experience is one set for the various neighborhoods in Chicago. The traditional American and deep dish pizza is found in each area, but the elegance is found with 25 Michelin-starred restaurants. Chicago is known for their yearly Taste of Chicago a food and entertainment weekend usually held the second week of July. There is a covering deep dish pizza this is a bucket list trip with deep dish pizza on the list.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Road Trip
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
This was a fantastic place to take a crowd for lunch. There was a little bit of a wait but well worth the wait. They do allow you to order ahead of time. The pizza was enjoyed by the entire party. They had great selections with gluten-free and vegetarian options. The gluten-free crust was one of the best. They have a real family feeling to the pizzeria.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is a local favorite. The first restaurant opened by Lou, an Italian, opened a pizzeria in a Jewish neighborhood on an Irish holiday in 1971. They are always busy at all 51 locations in the Chicago area. Each pizza is hand created to each patron’s desire.
Pequod Pizza Chicago
Pequod Pizza, 25 years in business, is a popular place in Lincoln Park. We arrive with the dreams of deep crust pizza and watch the Cubs play ball. Arriving we realize that the wait is down the street. Heading into the small hostess station they tell us, “there is an hour for a table about another hour for service from seating.” We walk around the block and decide to find a place with appetizers to wait out the hour seating time. We find a great place called Distilled Chicago.
New York City mayor’s press secretary Eric Phillips has put in his vote on Twitter for the best pizza “Chicago pizza is the best pizza in America, and it’s not even close.” The tweet has a photo of Chicago-style deep dish pizza from Pequod’s. We return for our pizza as our buzzer for the table goes off.
We take the pizza back to the Air BNB for snacking and dinner on Saturday evening. It is a fabulous bucket list experience. Normally a thin crust pizza lover this was a true experience. The crust is caramelized and not as heavy as expected. The cheese strings as you take a bite making it a true cheese pizza. The sauce is the best to date. It is loud and excitable as the patrons are enjoying the final innings of the Cubs game.
Distilled Chicago
Distilled Chicago was a fantastic find just down the street from Pequod Pizza in West Lincoln Park. We sit at the bar. The decor is black and gold with an early 19th century feel. The Cub’s are playing on the TV. It is neighborhood experience as locals enter to enjoy the local menu with a modern twist on bar favorites. We enjoy a glass of wine and a beer. It is best known for being a whiskey bar with our 100 varieties. These are paired with the menu items.
The food is fabulous. We order the mac ‘n’ cheese bits, sliders with fries, and Italian beef egg rolls. The Italian beef rolls turn out to be a delightful surprise with the Au Jus Sauce. This fusion of Asian and Italian together well and our the favorite of the night. The mac ‘n’ cheese bits are crispy and tasty. The dipping sauce is house ranch. There is a good textual experience. The fries are crispy and the bacon jam brings the classic slider to a unique experience the arugula brings a fresh peppery flavor, caramelized onions, and the top quality Angus beef takes a bar classic to elegance. This became dinner. It is a great place to enjoy a ball game, the community, and an American classic menu with an elevation.
Scone City
Scone City located in Wicker Park is wonderful for a morning after bar hopping or late night in Chicago. Jessica and Tim Canning along with chef Laurie McNamara took on the endeavor in a specialized sweet and savory scone menu. This place was perfect stop as my sister Cherie is heading to the airport to return to her family in Idaho. It was so wonderful sharing this experience with here. Seeing places and enjoying the cross-country journey. I truly miss her every day. She enjoyed a sweet blueberry w/ lemon glaze scone she says, “It was delicious!! Sweet. Soft. Perfection!!! Soooo tasty.” They have savory scones as well. I enjoyed a hot Vanilla Bean Latte with the house-made vanilla syrup. It is a perfect start to a day of exploring Chicago.
Bangers and Lace
Bangers and Lace, a local bar in Wicker Park, has a rustic lodge atmosphere and is a great place for a good drink and great company. The patrons are friendly. The bartender for the evening was an instant win with a Big Lebowski shirt. The best feature is the is the classic beer tap handles. The restaurant’s name is Bangers for the British term for sausage and Lace for Brussels Lace, the intricate veil of beer foam that clings to the glass side. This was a great evening spot near the Air BNB for cocktails and a glass of wine. They have a menu of sausages, English beans, vegetarian option, and Belgian fries.
The atmosphere is friendly, fun, and did get crowded as the night went on. It is a great place for sports, conversation, and good drinks. What a fun experience.
Kanela Chicago Road Trip
The last morning of the road trip in the Midwest is brunch at Kanela, the Greek name for Cinnamon. This restaurant place is Wicker Park neighborhood on a street with many older shops. It is a great place, voted best in Chicago by USA Today, for a Sunday morning brunch. The coffee tops and wonderful after an evening at Bangers and Lace.
Brunch includes California Benedict and Fried Egg Sandwich this was an exceptional meal. The hollandaise sauce perfection with a nice touch of heat, the poach egg picture perfect. The sandwich was fabulous with the chili aioli brings the flavors together. The seasoned potatoes nicely cooked not too soft or undercooked. It was a nice brunch with my sister. We do agree that this is a great place for brunch.
Tina, Cherie, and Tammy Forchion Chicago Road Trip
This was a fantastic weekend with my sisters. This was one of the few trips we have taken just the three of us. It was hard saying goodbye to Cherie, but we have some fantastic memories and stories. Stay tuned as the road trip continues.
