A Dining Experience to Remember

 "Be adventurous and try everything!" exclaimed Reyna as the group of seven ladies stiletto-strutted their way back through the lobby of the hotel and out to catch taxis.  "It's on Paradise, right?" I asked as I split from the bachelorette and hopped in a cab with Ashley and Katie. "Right," said Bex as we parted ways. "Marrakech on Paradise." I told the cabbie.  He seemed slightly confused and said, "I always thought it was Mariachi." "Well, that would be one confused Moroccan Restaurant!" I responded.  However, he knew exactly where we wanted to go.

Luxuriously draped red velvet curtains left much to the imagination while we stood in the lobby and listened to music and cheers from inside.  As the tall dark handsome man held back the curtains for us we were greeted by a visual delight, transported to a far away destination of a low-lit windowless room with ornate walls, brightly colored chandeliers, low booths covered in rich tapestries, tables with geometric patterns of inlaid wood and a belly dancer twirling about the room.  We made ourselves comfortable and received hand towels as napkins. A waiter rinsed all of our hands in rosewater leaving them feeling silky smooth. We thought we were ready for dinner, but had we known what we were about to encounter we may have opted to wear something besides hip-hugging Vegas style party dresses.

The menu is a Prixe Fixe six-course menu consisting of Moroccan style shrimp scampi, Harira Soup, Marrakech Sampler (pickled veggies and hummus), Beef Brochette, Royal Moroccan Couscous Platter with Djaj, and B'Stila. 

It was SUCH an amazing dinner. Next time you're in Vegas you must try it for yourself and don't be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone.  Indulge your senses with savory shrimp, delicious hummus, pickled vegetables, tenderly marinated grilled beef, soul soothing soup, chicken that melts in your mouth, and warm flaky puff pastry filled bananas, chocolate and nuts that more than satisfy a sweet tooth.  Go to Marrakech with an appetite and plan on a food coma after!
 

Source: None via Monica on Pinterest

Source: None via Monica on Pinterest

Source: None via Monica on Pinterest

 

Source: None via Monica on Pinterest

 

Source: None via Monica on Pinterest

Source: None via Monica on Pinterest

Color, Texture & Design of The Ahwahnee Hotel

 The Ahwahnee Hotel has deep roots and a rich history.  The hotel site was originally home to the Miwok Indian Tribe and chosen for its breathtaking views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point. Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, materials chosen for the hotel were concrete, granite and steel to withstand the elements and possibility of fire.  Construction began in 1925 and the hotel opened a few years later in 1927.  I cannot imagine the painstaking process of trucking in the materials used to build the hotel back in 1925.  On our trip, we were stuck on the summit road in thick clouds and almost freezing temperatures leaving us to drive no faster than 10 mph (thank goodness for modern day marvels like seat warmers, heaters, headlights, abs brakes, 4WD, and GPS). 

 The hotel's furnishings were chosen by Dr. Arthur Pope and his wife, Dr. Phyllis Ackerman. 

 The stained glass window panels were designed by Jeannette Dyer Spencer. 

 There is a heavy Native American influence with a splash of Art-Deco.  During WWII the hotel was used by the U.S. Navy as a hospital. More recently, the hotel has been updated but keeps with the original 1920s/1930s era design. 

 Seating areas were scattered throughout the hotel for guests to lounge in and enjoy a book, good company, or just the warmth of the roaring wood-burning fires.  The atmosphere was quite cozy and inviting!

 The dining room in the Awhahnee was spectacular! Dramatic floor to ceiling windows overlooked a snowy landscape giving the room had a dream-like quality.  I would love to design an event there!

Yosemite

 This was definitely an item on my "Bucket List."  I have lived in California my whole life but I've never been to Yosemite!  As you can see, it was a beautiful day and the waterfalls were fully flowing due to the recent warm weather.  I am so glad I got to visit!

Minor Glitch Follwed By The Perfect Saturday Morning

Last week I shared some exciting news about going to San Francisco to see Florence + The Machine.  However, once we got to the city Friday afternoon the parents (both sets) were calling me and my boyfriend asking us not to go to the concert in Oakland because police were in riot gear on high alert due to the Mehserle Sentencing.  Apparently there was a mod of protesters and over 100 people were arrested in close proximity to where we would have been for the concert.  So, we stayed in the city and made the best of our situation....went shopping and had a great dinner with friends (thanks for letting us crash your date night Sara and Jake!).

Saturday morning couldn't have been nicer!  We got to sleep in, Zach picked up coffee and we headed out on a nice stroll to  The Ferry Building where we went to The Farmer's Market!  It was surprisingly warm for November in the city.  We sampled lots of different foods and bought some naan, handmade raviolis, and beautifully colored peppers!

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center - Travel Series Part III

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center was the next big stop as Brian and I started driving to Palmer, AK to go to the State Fair.  The center is a nonprofit organization that "is dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife through public education."  They rehabilitate animals and house those permanently that cannot be released into to the wild.  The setting of the center is absolutely stunning.  A sprawling lush green landscape with towing mountains in the background fostered the perfect home for these animals.  In order to visit you simply drive your car to the gate, pay an entrance fee and drive your car through the park.  If you choose, you may park your car, hop out and get a closer look or park and walk through the entire facility.  The bears were especially entertaining, sticking their tongue's out and scratching themselves!

Minter Gardens - Travel Series Part IV

If you ever visit British Columbia,  The Minter Gardens are a sight to be seen!  They are incredibly manicured and lush.  I can't imagine what kind of care a place like this requires.

Kenai Fjords National Park - Travel Series Part II

After a long long day of traveling (2 flights, arriving 3 hours before my luggage and a 3 1/2 hour drive to Seward in the dark) my brother and I woke up to drizzling skies.  It wasn't really raining, but it was sad outside.  Apparently, the beginning of September qualifies as fall in Alaska, which I was told lasts for about two to three weeks and then becomes full-on winter.

Our plan for the day was to go out on a boat tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park but when I saw the weather I insisted Brian call the boat tour to inquire about the seas.  Possibly due to watching too many episodes of The Deadliest Catch, I was nervous about going out in the open ocean during a storm.  The tour company told Brian that everything would be fine so we gathered our stuff and drove to the marina.  The boat was packed.  I stuck a motion-sickness patch behind my ear as a precaution.

As we headed out and began the tour the bay water was like glass.  However, it was a different story once we got into less protected waters.  The boat was rocking and rolling, cresting up up up up up and down down down SMACK on each and every swell.  The captain announced on the intercom "Well folks, the seas are a little rough today but it is not anything our boat can't handle.  If you start to feel a little sick you may want to get by a door or head to the back of the boat."  The deckhands began walking around the boat passing out barf bags.  People began to walk (or rather stumble) to the back of the boat and it was about that same time Brian and I realized we had the unfortunate idea to sit at a table next to one of the doors leading to the back of the boat.  I looked at my brother as I pulled out a bottle of xanax (prescribed to me since I'm terribly nervous on airplanes) and pop a pill in my mouth.  Brian said, "Soooo...it turns out they make money when people are on their boat! Want a beer?" I said "YES" of course.

It wasn't long after that, a deckhand led this sickly looking woman, used vomit receptacle in hand, up to our table and asked if she could sit with us.  All this woman could talk about between heaves was how she wanted to see a puffin.  Since she was mostly looking down into the bag or holding her head in her hands my brother and I tried to help her out by alerting her when we saw a puffin "there's one!"..."oh, there's a whole bunch of them." I think she missed every single one....well, maybe she saw one...but that was it. 

After our jaunt out into the open ocean (it felt like an eternity) in 6 foot seas we made it into the Kenai Fjords National Park.  Once we were in protected waters the rain let up a little and we could see beautiful green mountains with rushing waterfalls scattered along the hillsides.  We saw seals, otters and puffins as we made our way to a glacier.  It was larger than life!  I have heard people talk about how Alaska is "God's Country" and at that moment I began to understand.

We walked onto the deck outside to get a better look.  As the boat glided closer through giant chunks of crystal blue ice we could see the glacier calving and finally the captain shut off the engine.  Chunks of ice broke and fell with a delayed crack crash and splash!  It was so cold and rainy outside, but I stood there looking like a little kid in my Dad's coat (I had on my brother's jacket since my mom told me I wouldn't need to bring one.  She had just been to visit a few weeks prior, but apparently the weather had changed since her trip.  It worked out though since we could fit more of Brian's stuff in the car for the drive home!).

After viewing the glacier and moving onto some different scenery I saw what I had been waiting for....ORCAS!  I have been whale watching several times in the Monterrey Bay and have seen Blues, Grays and Humpbacks, but never Orcas.  They are known to be the hunters of the sea and travel in pods.  That day, we encountered a pod of about 6.

By the time we headed back to port my nausea patch, xanax and beers were doing the trick!  Instead of worrying the boat was going to sink my brother and I threw our hands in the air and pretended we were on a roller coaster as the boat rolled up and down the swells.  It was just the first of many adventures!

The Long Road Home - Travel Series Part I

After a year of working at the Alaska SeaLife Center through Americorps, it was time for my brother to come home.  On a whim I flew up to Anchorage (having never been to Alaska before) and the two of us had the trip of a lifetime on the Alcan Highway as we made our way all the way back to Sacramento, CA (well over 3,000 miles of driving)!

Obviously we have a good time together....

 I was gone for a total of two weeks but we took our time driving (its not a good idea to drive at night since there can be large animals on the highway...yes, they win in a car accident!).  We had countless adventures, from a boat tour through the Kenai Fjords National Park, hiking to Exit Glacier, bar-hopping in Seward, getting to know the animals at The Alaska SeaLifeCenter, visiting The Alaska State Fair, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, dining at the Moose's Tooth Pub, seeing countless wild animals in their natural habitat along the highway, staying in dive motels, shopping Granville Market, visiting our grandparents at the nudist colony, swimming in the Liard Hot Springs and much much more! 

Our trusty vehicle, Snoopy the Sube, doing his best En Vogue pose at a rest stop in Alaska.

 So much more that I'm going to divide this trip into a series.  I hope you enjoy the photos and stories.  This was one of the best times of my life.

Travel: Santa Fe, NM

Have you ever gone on a trip alone?  Back in May 2009 I traveled to Santa Fe, NM all by myself (what a big girl!)  for a Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Conference.  It was honestly a little nerve racking at first to be far away from anything familiar.  It's not like I was going off to college to find a place for myself, I was there for about 5 days total.  All in all, it was a great little adventure for me and a growing experience. Once I landed in Albuquerque (which was quite the ride with the wind blowing the plane all over the place!) I picked up my rental car and headed out for Santa Fe.

  For me, there is nothing like the feeling of driving on the open road, by myself, to a place I've never been before. Fortunately, my work allows me to do this on a regular basis, but this was a whole new ballgame in a brand new state.  The rolling terrain, plateaus and red earth are striking.  I stayed at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa which was within walking distance to the Convention Center where the conference was being held.

 There was so much to take in.  Of course there are the usual tourist traps with tons of turquoise, belt buckles, arrowheads, etc but there is soooo much more...the art, history, religion, cuisine!  One of the first solo outings I went on was to the famous Loretto Chapel which has an amazing spiral staircase!  In addition to that mysterious staircase there was more beauty to be found (the stain glass and altar are just a few examples). 

I walked as much as I possibly could through the entire town.  Some other highlights of my trip included going to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, The San Miguel Mission (pictured below), and driving up to Taos for the day (in the rain, which made for a breathtaking setting!).

Ever since my Santa Fe trip I have been encouraging anyone and everyone to try vacationing on their own.  It forced me to break out of my shell, meet new people and experience things that I never had before!  Please share your personal adventures with me! I would love to hear about them.