Dining Delights | Peaches Prattlings

{September 3, 2017} Ka lāʻelua Kauai

Day two Kauai. What a day! We started the day at the hotel at a Kauai orientation breakfast. This was presented by a local company that tells you about Kauai, navigating around the island and then different options for tours and activities on the island. The nice thing about the orientation was having someone to book activities for us in one place, instead of us going to multiple sites to book. We’re excited about what we’ve booked, starting today! We started off on our day of adventure through the Tunnel of Trees, isn’t it fabulous!? Then we stopped in the town of Koloa, toured an old Hawaiian village, look at that monkeypod tree, planted in 1925 by Howard Yamamoto. Then we drove on and stopped at Poipu Beach and saw Ke Kahua O Kaneiolouma, a map of an authentic Hawaiian village designed by Henry Kekahuna. We were at Poipu Beach, how could we not actually go to the beach! How beautiful, yum! Toes in the sand! Then, on to Spouting Horn State Park. Spouting Horn is located in the Koloa district on the southern coast of Kauai. This area of Kauai is known for its crashing waves, these waves erode lava rocks on the coastline which can create narrow openings, as is the case with Spouting Horn.

Then our first scheduled adventure! A catamaran, The Lucky Lady, out to the Napali Coast for some snorkeling and sailing back into the sunset! Do you see the Hawaiian Slipper Dolphins who came to say hello!

The Napali Coast was amazing! Caves, waterfalls, inlets, jutties, mountains, goats, private islands.

Snorkeling! Love, love, love my Go-Pro, thank you family!

Then, after snorkeling, it was time for mai tais, other libations and dinner, then sail off into the sunset, literally. Mother Nature even threw in a rainbow!

What an adventure and what a way to end the day! What could tomorrow hold!?

{September 2, 2017} Aloha Kauai!

What do people who live on an island do for vacation?

Why, they go to another island, of course! Aloha Kauai! We’ve been talking about where to go for a while and since we want to explore all the island before we move, Kauai was next on the list! PSM had spent some time here with his aunt and uncle a few months ago and wanted to share it with me now. Love that!

As you know, I got home last night, did laundry and this morning, up, pack and head to the airport. The beauty of inter- island flying on Hawaiian Airlines is that there are flights almost every hour and the flights are anywhere from 25-45 minutes. Up and down, nice. Not a bad view from the plane, eh? Then took a few shots after we landed on the way to lunch!

The nice thing about traveling for work is the points! We are staying at a Hilton Garden Inn on points, wahoo!

We went to Kapaa to a food truck that I saw the owner on Cooks vs Cons! But, alas, they were closed, off island for research, but they will be back on the 5th, we’ll go then! So, in search of food, we found Tiki’s Tacos!

It is a small place, tacos only, no chips on the side, as they say, tacos only, eclectic and the menu is written in chalk above the window to the kitchen. When you look for the menu online, its a photo of the chalkboard!

The food takes a bit to come out, could be why there are skeletons everywhere! Kidding of course, part of the Mexican ambiance, the one in the bathroom cracked me up, when the lights came on, disco lights! The food good, fresh ingredients and very filling.

No, the chickens in the parking lot were not used in the making of our lunches! The island is known for its population of wild chickens and roosters. They are every-where!

Off to find adventure!

We drove to a few fabulous lookout points, let’s be real, this is Hawaii, what isn’t a fabulous lookout point!

We went to see the Opaeka’a Falls, one of two waterfalls on the island that are view only. The others you have to hike or kayak to.

One of the overlooks we could see where some of Indiana Jones was filmed!

By now, it is happy hour time! We went to the Lava Lava Beach Club. This is a spot that is known for its happy hour, the view is amazing and the specials are the right price.

We started with a Gilligans Girl and Huggies Mai Tai. Not a fan of either, but, PSM enjoyed the mai tai, a few times. The tater tots and mango pineapple salsa was tasty.

Look at that view! We put our toes in the sand, mine in the water and said ahhh…

Not bad for a first day. I can’t wait to see what adventure awaits us this week!

{August 26, 2017} Saturday… what did we do?

More like… what didn’t we do?!

I got in late last night, no non- stops from St Louis to Denver in the evening. PSM got out yesterday morning, non-stop and was at the hotel bar relaxing when I landed in Chicago.

I was originally flying through Houston, but with Hurricane Harvey causing trouble, United called and re- booked me through Chicago, nice. I also promoted to gold status on United last week, so first class on both flight, wahoo!

I got in about midnight, got my bag and car, headed to the hotel and very quietly snuck into bed about 130am, talked to you, then crashed a while later.

The alarm…yup… went off about 630am, ugh. I snoozed a bit, then got up, dressed and walked out the door towards Coors Field, I was meeting LJ for The Color Run, you know, “The Happiest 5k on Earth!”

And you know what, it is! You can’t be unhappy participating in this race. You get to run through clouds of color and become a rainbow! This was LJ’s first 5k, let alone Color Run. We had a great time! We ran the start and finish, well, if anyone asks, yup, we ran!

I walked/ ran to meet her so I was pumped! After, we walked to get some food near my hotel, it was only about 1.5 miles, so by the time I got back to the hotel, 6 miles under my feet!

I don’t know if you remember how many races I used to do, about 2-3 a month for a few years. This is the first this year and it reminded me how much I enjoyed, not so much the running, but the excitement, the energy, the sense of accomplishment! I have one more scheduled this year, in Denver and I’m hoping to get back on track next year!

Denver is such a beautiful, interesting and eclectic city! While we were having lunch, we saw a class of service dogs and their trainers, learning… walking through crowds, sitting under tables, meeting other dogs, it was great!

We parted company, we’ll meet again later. I went to the hotel, showered, rested a little, then we headed out to True Foods for lunch with PSM’s cousin, D and her husband P, I don’t know if you remember me telling you about our last visit. They live in Denver and were fabulous to squeeze us into their schedule!

I have ordered food from True Foods in Chicago, but only their pizza, I believe I shared it with you, oing my, it would have been nice to actually share! It is a vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant, so something for everyone.

I had an amazing sandwich on 7 grain bread with a fried egg, tomatoes, almond ricotta, fried seitan and crisp lettuce. Oh my, my, my! Yeah, that’s all I have to say!

After lunch, we drove out to Longmont to visit my stuff, take care of storage business and get key for my new unit. A few months ago someone had driven off the highway and into two units, one being mine. My stuff is ok, some things crushed, but nothing horrible. I’m sorry the picture didn’t take, I was amazed!

Back to the hotel for a minute and then… Denver Broncos vs Greenbay Packers, pre-season game! LJ had texted last month and asked if we were interested in going to the game, you bet! PSM was in his best behavior, being a Pats fan, thank you.

We were in the nosebleed seats, almost to the top, remember when CKM went to the Bears game last year?! The stadium was packed! Mostly Denver fans, but Cheeseheads were out in force! I had seen a lot of them throughout the day in Denver.

There were some great jerseys out there, my favorite was a serious house divided. Mom and toddler number one in green, dad and toddler number two in orange! The halftime show was the junior Broncos cheerleaders and about 600 even more junior, cheerleaders! So cute! As the announcer said “this demo displays that girls rock!”

Greenbay was winning when we left, hope the home team wins!

After the game, we grabbed an Uber to City O’ City, a vegetarian/ vegan restaurant and oh my! We sat in the back cocktail area, full service at the bar. The restaurant was packed, eclectic, like the city and still cozy.

We started with a pretzel with cheese to dip in, one vegan and one straight up. Then LJ had a ‘chicken wrap’, PSM had a pastrami sandwich, basically a rueben and omg! It had pastrami, sauerkraut, cheese and thousand island dressing.

Me, I had a to’fish sandwich and wow! It was like a giant piece of fried fish! It didn’t taste exactly like fried fish, but wow, it was fabulous! Lettuce, tomatoe, ricotta goat cheese, pickles with a side of vegan mac-n- cheese. Happy vegan alert!!!

After, we were done! Took our leftovers with us, can’t wait to eat the other half of my sandwich tomorrow! Back to the hotel, talk to you, chill and crash, flying out tomorrow.

Was that really just one day?

{August 25, 2017} So happy!! Dinner with my friend!!

Tonight, I got to see someone for the first time in years!

Go figure, two people I love working in St Louis the same week as me!

Tonight, I got to see KLS, someone I met on the University of Michigan Health Systems project, our first with Deloitte. We were both hired specifically for this project and our background training Epic, the electronic medical record software.

As you know, or may not know, I still work for Deloitte. KLS left Deloitte shortly after our first project ended. We are both still traveling the country training, she’s still training Epic and I’m on a new application.

She happens to be on a project in St Louis and as you know, I’m here for the week, how could we not see each other! It was as if time stood still and we just saw each other last week! Those are the best friendships!

We both miss that first project together, the location, some of our coworkers, the whole thing. We kept each other sane, talked every day, if we didn’t see each other and if we went more than two days without seeing each other, one or both of us had gone on vacation or home! We kept each other sane!

We compared notes on our lives, our loves, you know, not just the guys in our lives, but the wee tots, our nieces, nephews, grandbabies. We bragged and gushed just like we should. You know this included our fur babies of course. She thinks her Bassett hound, Greta looks like Mollie, with shorter legs. I’d say good call!

Parting was such sweet sorrow, out was like we were back in MI, going to our respective hotels, across the parking lot, she’s Marriott, you know I’m Hilton!

So cannot wait to see her again!

{August 24, 2017} Dinner with friends

Wait, what? I went to dinner and didn’t take photos?

What was I thinking?! Oh well… Sorry.

Tonight, PSM and I saw each other for the second night in a row, what? We went out to dinner with three coworkers from his company, two are still in Boston and one lives in DC, they were all at the same site that PSM was at in Cambridge.

They happened to be in St Louis for a meeting at the same time, what are the odds? We have no idea how they knew PSM was in town. Doesn’t matter, we have dinner plans!

We met them at a pretty good Indian restaurant. The only qualification, vegan friendly restaurant. The food was good, service left something to be desired. If you ask for something and don’t check on it, you might be there past closing time!

Speaking of closing time, our cue to leave came when our server plugged in the vacuum cleaner! That was our clue…

The food was really good, they understood when I said very mild and PSM was almost satisfied with the spice level, let’s just say, I could smell the spices and heat level coming for his dish. But that’s the way our dining relationship is, if we’re not sharing, we’re definitely not sharing!

We had a really nice time and I have to thank the guys, since they haven’t seen each other in a while, not every story was about work and/or working together, they included me in most of the conversations.

Then it was time to go, hugs all around, well, for me anyway, promises of getting together again and we were all off. PSM andI back to his hotel, then me back to St Louis, sigh. Not to worry folks, we’ll see each other this weekend!

{August 21, 2017} Aladdin, wow! And the meet, oh my!

Today was a day for first meetings and theater!

This afternoon we went to see Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace theater in Chicago and it was wonderful! The sets, the glitter, the fireworks, the costumes, the choreography, need I go on?!

A fantastic cast, bringing the story to life, both the ancient tale and the Disney animated movie. Everyone was fantastic, but who stole the show? The genie of course! He was larger than life, animated, excited, energetic and food Robin Williams proud, you know he made the movie… fabulous! We all loved it!

Who is we, you may be asking, well… you know how I talk about DLP and WIS, the two women I joke that I’m dating in Chicago, because I go out with each of them every week. They are the work wife and work girlfriend respectively and, you know that PSM knows about them. Well, today, they met each other and PSM! DLP met WIS and WIS met PSM. It was awesome!

Now, when I mention each of them, they can have a face to go with the name! My circle was complete!

After the show, a good meal at a local place, them PSM and I headed to the airport, we are both going to be in St Louis for the week, will we see each other? No telling, go figure!

Such a great day!

{August 20, 2017} Sleep in… brunch…culture… silliness

Guess where I am and guess who’s with me!

About 6am, my hotel room door, in Chicago, opened and PSM walked in! We get to spend the weekend together!

We talked for a bit, caught up on our Friday and then sacked out for a few hours.

Eventually, we needed sustenance, we headed out to The Chicago Diner, if you remember “Meat-Free Since ’83”. We started with poutine, I texted WIS, make get jealous! Then it was a Monte Cristo for PSM, made on french toast and Country Benedict for me and a small vanilla milkshake to top it off. Way too much food for us, the homeless guy was thankful.

Then we started walking, passed a bar with some live music and an even livelier crowd, dropped in for a drink then headed back into the city again. Guess who is also in town…The Blue Angels! I tried to get a few shots as we were walking.

We hopped into a taxi to take us to the Art Institute, there is a Gauguin exhibit that will be leaving in a few weeks. It wasn’t only his paintings, which he took up later in life. It was paintings, mixed in with sculptures, wood- blocking, screen printing, wood carving and painting, pottery, fan design.

What a talent! I didn’t know that much about Gauguin aside from his Tahitian paintings, which is what he is most known for, well, to me at least.

Then it was back to the hotel for a rest, then out to a local place for a less than stellar dinner, another happy homeless inhabitant of Chicago.

A short walk, check out the roofto bar, a chat with you and then…zzzz

Tomorrow, another full day and then travel. Goodnight!

{August 16, 2017} Ground Control…a new vegan place!

Tonight was date night!

WIS found, as she always does, a new vegan restaurant for us to try! Wahoo! I am a very lucky person to have people who want to share veggie/ vegan with me!

Tonight we went to Ground Control in Chicago. No, I didn’t see Major Tom!

This is a cool, eclectic place. Pinball machines, backgammon and checkers boards in the tables, interesting artwork, nothing really flowed, but it worked. You walk in, take a moment and you’re hooked, good vibe, atmosphere and you feel like, yeah, I can hang here.

I got there first, which doesn’t happen very often these days! So I settled it, anywhere…I was the only one there at 530pm, by the time we left, it was a full house.

I ordered a cup of tea, it was a little chilly and rainy, comfort, ah… and I was a ‘Starvin Marvin’, so I thought a pre- dinner snack… garlic smashed potatoes with gravy…vegan!! I don’t usually get to order smashed potatoes because, for those creamy, dreamy smashed potatoes, butter and/ or heavy cream, as it should be! Oh my, but these were wonderful!

When WIS arrived, we settled in and ordered…

Fried green tomatoes with a tangy remoulade and hummus with olives and veggies, quite the kick! And tasty!

Then, main courses. I had the Southern Fried Tofu with more smashed potatoes, beer braised greens and corn and peppee relish. WIS had the Kimchee Grilled Cheese with caramelized onions, avocado and smoked gouda. Wow, just wow!

Then…must have dessert! I don’t eat dessert very often, but when it’s vegan… raspberry and lemon cake, again, vegan and again, Y U M!

So many fabulous vegan restaurants in Chicago, every one “how can this be topped?!”

{August 6, 2017} What a day! Vegas style baby!

What a day, a great one!

It was a long one… ready… set… go!

I arrived in Las Vegas late, took forever to get the rental car, so I arrived at the hotel about 130am, I was hungry, definitely not sleepy and it’s Vegas, so, off on search of food.

I found Nacho Daddy! It was recommended and they have vegan! I didn’t know, but Las Vegas has s plethora of vegan! It was awesome! Kale chips, beans, rice, guacamole, salsa, vegan queso, vegan sour cream. O M G! I’m in heavan!

I couldn’t even finish it, so when I asked for a box and if there were homeless in the area, the bartender asked if I would really give it to the homeless, she gave me two bags full of leftover food, how awesome is that!

As I walked up and down Las Vegas Boulevard I was very overdressed! I had jeans and a shirt on, there were women in Daisy Dukes, hot pants, body suit, and I mean the kind gymnasts wear, nothing else. I did eventually find a homeless man, asked if he was hungry and then asked if there was anyone else to give the rest of the food to, he said he lived down below and there were 80 of them, they would be so thankful. I’m so glad!

I finally got into bed about 330/4am, the city was still hopping, which meant it was 530/6am back in Chicago, um…I set the alarm for 11am, but of course, I was up about 9am, go figure!

After I did what I was there for, I headed out to The Mob Museum! I was excited that I actually made it! Every time I go to Vegas, I try, but this time, Wahoo! It was awesome!

Anyone who knows me knows I like most things mob. I’m fascinated by the stories, the history, the movies. On occassion, I’ve been known to quote a line or two. I also have the need to sit with my back to the wall, no chance of getting capped! Ha!

It also happens that Myer Lansky is a cousin, he married into my family, on my maternal grandmother’s side. I thought it was cool, she, not so much. If you watch The Godfather, Hyman Rothstein was based on Lansky.

The museum is in an old post office, which has been deemed a historic landmark. The courtroom was actually used for some of the mob trials, the judge’s bench is actual bulletproof, how cool is that?!

The stories, the history, the characters, the locations, the mobsters, their molls, the FBI, the cops, the prosecution,the actual brick wall from the St Valentine’s Day Massacre!

They got Al Capone on tax evasion, go figure, that’s how they got a lot of them and they still aren’t sure where Jimmy Hoffa is!

What an experience! Bucket list, check!

I left The Mob Museum and walked down the block to Fremont Street. Fremont Street is a street in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the second most famous street in the Las Vegas Valley after the Las Vegas Strip. Named in honor of explorer John Charles Frémont and located in the heart of the downtown casino corridor, Fremont Street is (or was) the address for many famous casinos such as Binion’s Horseshoe, Eldorado Club, Fremont Hotel and Casino, Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, Golden Nugget, Four Queens, The Mint, and the Pioneer Club.

It wasn’t too crowded, it was still early. Don’t get me wrong, it was crowded, but when the sun goes down, hold on to your hats, maybe even your wallets.

I walked through what is the new Fremont Street, converted into a party spot. They added a curved roof some years ago, then a zip line, bands at different points, people dressed in character and you pay to take your pictute with them.

Then there is all the fabulous neon signage and the signs with all the lightbulbs.

When I got through to the other side, so to speak, I was getting hungry and about to turn around when I found Container Park. An entire park made of shipping containers. Every shop, restaurant, bar, kids play structure, containers, it was fabulous!

As I was walking through, I found Pure Vegan! It was fabulous! I got a sampler plate with letuce wraps, nachos, vegetable noodles with different sauces, yuca fries, just wow! I hope the homeless guy who got my leftovers enjoyed them!

After dinner, a walk through the park, enjoy some acoustic music in the open area that was quite kid friendly, lots of giant legos to play with, space to run around and a chalk wall that you could add to, see what I created for PSM? It was a great place to spend some time.

Then back through Fremont Street, now it’s dark, sun goes down, the people come out to play.

Live bands at different points, music coming from the casinos, people walking, talking, dancing, drinking, shopping, having a good time. The lights, the sounds, the sights. Not for the faint of heart or if you don’t do crowds. But great for people watching! Fabulous!

After a bit, back to the hotel, a dip in the rooftop pool and get ready to crash, tomorrow I am going to see some family friends and head back to Chicago.

I hope you enjoyed my day almost as much as I did!

{July 31, 2017} A fun day, hanging out, seeing friends, fireworks

That sounds like a good day to me, you?

We slept in, ha ha. Ok, slept in is exaggerating, but stayed in bed, that’s more like it. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to sleep in, but it was definitely comfy! I was sleeping on a double height queen sized blow up mattress, super firm and comfortable, window open and I could hear the traffic go by, made me feel like I was at home in my bed at my dad’s house, slept well!

We got up eventually, went to brunch at a local diner in the neighborhood, yummy. Then headed back to downtown Chicago, walked around, window shopped, went to our favorite nail place for some massages chairs and attention to our claws and paws. The fun part, we weren’t there right before closing, we could take our time and not worry it was just before closing.

After our spa treatment, we needed some munchies, I was craving guacamole, so off to The Taco Joint for just that and some other treats, yum!

Later that night, a treat! The architectural fireworks boat tour! This was my fifth boat tour of Chicago, which I love, DLP hadn’t done one yet, touristy check! You know, when you live in a city, you don’t always do the touristy things! Even better, LJ and her beau, JD, joined us.

It was a great tour and out guide is one that I’d had on another tour, he was a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed it and the fireworks at Navy Pier were a lot of fun!

After, we went to see their new apartment, great view, location and feel, perfect for them. Next, food! We were hungry!

It was a great night with great friends!

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