Coast Starlight- Train goes from Seattle to Los Angeles

The Coast Starlight is an amazing journey for couples, families, as well as individuals looking to contemplate life!  On the train from Los Angeles to Oakland they had wine and cheese tasting for adults in the parlor car, children could watch a movie in the movie car during the wine tasting.  I highly recommend getting a sleep car for any overnight or long trips on this train.  My son and I went from Oakland-San Francisco to Eugene and barely slept in the reserved seats.  I ended up giving my son both seats so he could spread out, and I sat on the floor and read a book.  It is worth every penny!

Resources:

Amtrak
Coast Starlight
Amtrak.com
1-800-USA-RAIL

Encuentro Cafe and Wine Bar- Oakland, CA- Vegetarian

Encuentro started as  a small vegetarian bistro tucked on the edge of Jack London Square.  The dishes change daily.  In September, Sher will open a second location, at Second and Clay streets.  Both eateries will be called Encuentro.  The current Encuentro will then serve small plates and have a wine bar ambiance and the new Encuentro will offer slightly more formal mood with coursed service.

Resources:

Encuentro Café & Wine Bar
200 Second Street
Oakland, CA
(510) 832-9463
www.encuentrooakland.com

Sher's 2007 book,
Down To Earth Cookbook

"We always get diners who drag a friend or relative in here kicking and screaming, and more times than not they are pleasantly surprised."
(Eric Tucker, executive chef at Millenium Restaurant in San Francisco who helped open Encuentro Cafe & Wine Bar.)

Couples at Disneyland- visit Carthay Circle restaurant and bar in California Adventure

While my son and I were in line for a ride in Cars Land, a couple told me about how gorgeous the bar was at Carthray Circle restaurant the Disney California Adventure Park.  Park admittance is required as it is in the park.  It is gorgeous inside.  I even peeked though I didn't order anything. My son was excited to go back to the hotel to swim.  Children are allowed at the tables, but not at the bar.  This would be a fun date night spot!  It has a definite old hollywood feel to it!

Resources:

Carthray Circle Restourant
Disney California Adventure Park
1313 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, California  92802
For reservations, call Disney Dining 714-781-DINE

Cobblestone Manor B & B and wedding venue- Auburn Hills, MI

My son and I stayed here on one of our trips to Michigan.  We got in late and the innkeepers were amazingly hospitable.  There was a group off women sitting in the breakfast nook playing cards, I found out later that they were on a friends retreat.   As I walked in and toured the place, I imagined how wonderful it would be as a wedding venue.  Plus, you could have close family and friends stay at the B& B.   The outside is gorgeous, and I especially love the breakfast nook on the inside.  This would also be such a fun place for reunions or a friends getaway.  The B&B has a private chapel that holds 50 people and an outdoor wedding garden.  If you used this place as a wedding venue, I think it would be best to rent the whole B&B to family and friends.  My son loved this place as it had a storybook quality to it!

Resources:

Cobblestone Manor
3151 University Drive
Auburn Hills, Michigan  48326
(248) 370-8000
http://www.cobblestonemanor.com

Chicago - architectural and Historical Cruises, cocktail cruises at 6 or 8 PM

My son and I went on an architectural and historical cruise last night.  We went to the 6 PM as the time worked best for us, but on the cruise there were many couples!  If you pay a little extra, you can have cocktails included, plus there is already free appetizers, coffee, and lemonade.  Our guide, Chris Meister, is a local Chicago high school teacher, and he was clear and informative.  Plus, there were times after we passed the lock, separating lake Michigan and Chicago River, where they just played music.

This was my favorite activity that we did in Chicago!  We did another boat ride earlier in the week.  I won't mention the name as I only write about things I enjoy, but I will say that the experience was totally different.  On the other boat, I couldn't even understand the guide, the staff wasn't friendly, and there wasn't even half of the ambiance of this cruise.  I would highly recommend going on the Chicago History Museum's Chicago Line Cruises.  I wish we'd gone on this one the first time!

Through this tour we also learned that the gigantic ferris wheel at Navy Pier was first designed for the world's fair.  We walked to Navy Pier after we got off the boat.  It happened to be Wednesday night, which is the weekday night during the summer when they have fireworks at 9:30PM.  It couldn't have been more perfectly planned if I'd tried.  We ate at Bubba Gump's restaurant at Navy Pier, which my son loves (they also have a location in San Francisco).

Navy Pier and Fireworks:

Resources:

Architectural and Historical Cruises
Chicago Line Cruises
Chicago History Museum
North Pier Docks at River East Art Center
465 N. McClurg Court
Chicago, IL  60611
(312)  527-2002
www.chicagoline.com

Inns By The Sea, California Bed and Breakfasts

The Inns By The Sea consists of eight inns along the California coastline.  They are the following:

Babbling Brook Inn - Santa Cruz, CA

Candle Light Inn - Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carriage House Inn - Carmel-by-the-Sea

Cypress Inn - Half Moon Bay

Dolphin Inn - Carmel-by-the-Sea

Inn At Depot Hill - Capitola by the Sea

Svendsgaard's Inn - Carmel-by-the-Sea

Wayside Inn-Carmel-by-the-Sea

I've stayed at both the Babbling Brook Inn as well as the Inn At Depot Hill.  The Babbling Brook Inn is downtown and walking distance to nearby downtown restaurants and shopping, it is charming!

The Inn At Depot Hill is also walking distance from downtown Capitola,  restaurants, shopping,  and beach.  I stayed at the inn last summer.  I would go to either of these Bed and breakfasts again.

Resources:

Inns By The Sea
Reservations (800) 610-3239
P.O. Box 101
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA  93921

Ask about special packages this summer!  Mention this blog for special VIP packages.

Barbecue Flank Steak with marinade - yummy recipe for summer BBQ's

Barbecue Flank Steak

For Marinade:

1/4 cup soy sauce or wheat free tamari sauce
3 Tablespoons of honey or agave
2 Tablespoons of white vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder or fresh garlic
1-1/2 teaspoons of ginger
3/4 cups of salad oil (olive, canola, etc.)
1 finely chopped green onion

Mix all ingredients in a ziplock bag and shake well.  Add a flank steak and marinate overnight or at least six hours in refrigerator, turning bag once.  Allow to return to room temperature.  Grill meat over hot coals or gas flame, five to seven minutes each side for medium rare.