Maui, Hawaii

The last week  of September found me in Maui, Hawaii.

For some reason, heading to Hawaii always seems to cast a sleepy-spell on me. The first day is usually a totally wash, as it was this trip. Did manage to make it to lunch in Lahaina at Longhi’s. The best thing they serve is the pizza bread and the amazing view!

 Day 2, managed to make it to Lahaina by late afternoon and check out the shopping and Cheeseburger in Paradise. Started by two California girls, the location is perfect; set right on the water in the center of town. The energetic staff adds character, and the cheeseburgers are actually pretty good.

Day 3 found me rising early again, preparing for a day of exploring the island. After climbing into the open-top jeep, I started the 52-mile scenic drive to the small town of Hana. Along the way you venture over 600 curves and 40-something open bridges. Waterfalls, black sand beaches and lush landscaping pave the way to untouched nature.

The last day, a yelp recommendation led me to Lahaina Coolers  for breakfast. The Surfer’s Special is a giant tomato tortilla burrito filled with scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon,Portuguese sausage, veggies and cheese. Topped with enchilada sauce and salsa, I can see why this is a local favorite! The Local Benedict is the Hawaiian spin on traditional Eggs Benedict, featuring sweet Hawaiian bread and kalua pork and a side of potatoes.Yum!

52perfectdays.com

I have 2 featured articles at 52perfectdays.com!

Check them out here, and help keep me in the top rotation:

http://52perfectdays.com/articles/exploring-oxnard-culture-wines-and-great-food

http://52perfectdays.com/articles/palm-springs-luxurious-north-palm-canyon-drive

xoxo,
Kimberly

ThreeOunce.com

One of my good friends (and favorite travel buddies) recently developed the site ThreeOunce.com. This great online store is a one-stop-shop for all of your much needed name-brand travel products. Purchase everything from toothpaste to shampoo to lip balm to stain remover sticks, all in the TSA required 3 oz. size or less.

Happy Travels!

LA Cancer Challenge 2009

Birmingham, Alabama

We continued the Bon Appetite tour to Birmingham, Alabama.

First stop was the gorgeous hotel. We were set up at the AAA Four Diamond Property Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa. The greeting committee wanted us to get a taste of Alabama, so we had Golden Flake Potato Chips, Buffalo Rock  Ginger Ale and The Peanut Depots fresh peanuts awaiting us.

We did the Alabama wine trail, stopping at Ozan, Morgan Creek Vineyards and Vizzini Farms. One stand-out wine was the bottle of Chocolate Raspberry wine at Vizzini, and the peach wine from Ozan.

Dinner was at the very popular restaurant ran by Chef Frank Stitt, Highland’s Bar and Grill. The special libation of the day was the St. Croix Melon, which I had to have. Deciding between Triggerfish, Pompano and Apalachicola Flounder, I went with the triggerfish.  The table split the Stone Ground Baked Grits, and I sampled the beef Carpaccio.

The next morning we took a trip to Jones Valley Urban Farms. This unique non-profit turns donated property into farmland and reconnects people to food while educating them on sustainable agriculture and healthy living. We had charismatic Southern Chef Clayton Sherrod demonstrate how to make his famous shrimp and grits, and sampled fresh fruit, bacon, cathead biscuits with Alaga syrup and eggs.

We took a quick stop at the Peanut Depot, which has been producing peanuts for 100 years.

More Southern Food awaited us at Nikki’s West. This cafeteria-style eatery features the best food for low prices. I opted for the BBQ, friend tomatoes and pasta salad.

One of the best dinners we had was on the last night at the Hot and Hot Fish Club. Mostly fish and seafood, the menu is an eclectic mix of  Southern and Seafood. Owned by a Chef Chris Hastings’, the menu focuses on local, organic produce and farm raised meats.  I tried the Idie’s Icepick, made up of  Earl Gray iced tea, Absolute Citron and Simple Syrup.  Known for the Tomato Salad, the chef send out mini salads for the table. Followed up by some of the most authentic and tasty Asian Spring Rolls I have ever had.  Finally the main course arrived, which I opted for the fish. For desert, the donut trio completed the meal.

Montgomery, Alabama

Last week I hopped on a plane to attend the Travel Media Showcase in Montgomery, Alabama. Not knowing what to expect, I was shocked at all the rolling green hills and beautiful landscaping as we flew in.

After 3 days in the deep South,I was quite impressed, and had a great time. The Southern hospitality, the picture-perfectness of the clean city and the food were all notable highlights.

On my “Glitz, Glamour and Guitars” tour we explored the nostalgia of the Hank Williams museum, the sophistication of the Montgomery Museum of Art and creativeness of The Shakespeare Theater.

For a taste of true Southern food, we headed to the infamous Dreamland BBQ for pork ribs and mac n’ cheese, and had a meal catered by Chef  Todd Noble of 2 different restaurants; Nobles and Olives. I tried grits for the first time,and sampled fried green tomatoes, fried chicken and different variations of Southern fish.

Next up, we headed to Birmingham…

Fiesta Hermosa

Happy Labor Day all!

Since my travel schedule is becoming hectic again starting tomorrow, I decided to stay in LA and enjoy the festivities here. Fiesta Hermosa, the largest Arts and Craft Show in Southern California was a nice way to finish off the holiday weekend. Browsed for original photography,  cool clothes and sampled local foods.

Sunset Magazine

On a recent flight I opened the September issue of Sunset Magazine and was thrilled with the “Catch the Wave” article. Being a reformed beach girl and sadly saying goodbye to summer, this article shows you how to make your place and style bright and airy California-style with eco-friendly materials. Gorgeous blues and clean whites grace the pages filled with faux coral, a driftwood side table, ceramic bowls and reef pillows. If you need a beach-pick-me-up, your only a page turn away.

10 Travel Books I Love

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Goldman Gelman

Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson

Femme d’ Adventure: Tales froma Wild Life by Jessica Maxwell

 

 Adventures of a Continental Drifter by Elliott Hester

Jet Set: Memoir of an International Playboy by Massimo Gargia

The Year of Eating Dangerously by Tom Parker Bowles

 

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

Don’t Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never-Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems by David Rakoff

Carbon Footprinting

With all of this carbon footprinting and green living talk, I decided to finally find out what this carbon footprint was all about.

I found www.CarbonFootprint.com which lets you calculate how exactly your lifestyle is having an effect on the planet.

(Sort of)Good News:

• Your footprint is 12.29 tonnes per year
• The average footprint for people in United States is 20.40 tonnes
• The average for the industrial nations is about 11 tonnes
• The average worldwide carbon footprint is about 4 tonnes
• The worldwide target to combat climate change is 2 tonnes

Your Carbon Footprint:

House	0.70 tonnes of CO2
Flights	5.78 tonnes of CO2
Car	0.00 tonnes of CO2
Motorbike	0.00 tonnes of CO2
Bus & Rail	0.00 tonnes of CO2
Secondary	5.81 tonnes of CO2

Total = 12.29 tonnes of CO2

After calculating the energy spent at home, my grocery shopping even, my banking needs, I came out with a footprint of 12.29 tonnes a year. Less than the average American, but nowhere near the target of 2 tonnes per person for the worldwide target.  Most of my footprints, not surprisingly are left in the form of airplane flights and secondary footprinting.