Cabin in the City

Books, cats and midwestern charm.

Adventure

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How to Travel with Cats

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We’ve become the type of people that travel with their cats. It might sound odd or eccentric or even inconvenient, but we’ve spent the last year or so learning to enjoy the process.

We originally started traveling with the cats to save our family the hassle of watching Mukki and Ember when we were away at our cabin during the summer. But after a few successful trips, we really learned to love bringing them along with us!

Now, these tips are limited. We don’t take our cats to hotels or on planes. But we do take them on decently long trips to our cabin every few weeks—a feat considering these two would whine on the 10-minute ride to the vet! So here’s how we do it and how you can give it a try yourself:

Keep Them Safe in the Car

First things first: Always travel with cats in carriers (I’m telling you this, but the ASPCA and Wisconsin Humane Society also recommend it). Cats are wily, weird creatures. Don’t risk them climbing beneath your feet in the car.

To keep the cats feeling safe (and for my own peace of mind), I make sure to secure the carriers with a seatbelt. I don’t want the crates to go tumbling if we make an unexpected stop. I also prefer hard-sided carriers to soft duffle-style animal totes. I don’t know if they’re actually safer, but I prefer the hard carriers just in case stuff shifts around in the car.

Do a Test Run

If you’re concerned about your pets in the car, do a practice trip. If possible, try a ride that’s a little longer than your regular trips to the vet. Why? Well, we found that the cats meow a lot on that 10-minute trip to the vet. After 10 minutes, though, they settle in. If I had only taken those quick trips as a sample we’d be searching for a pet sitter.

Also, experiment a bit! We found that the cats do so much better when we have their carriers facing one another. They also tend to settle in with a little background noise. I like to think they are fans of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.

Don’t Mess with Success

A lot changes when you travel with pets: the surroundings, the sounds, the smells. It’s not the time to mess with things like food or litter. Feed your cats the same kibble they get at home and use the same brand of litter. Simple things like this can help them be at ease.

Bring Some Familiar Things

It’s only natural to want creature comforts from home. Make sure you bring a few things your cats love like a blanket and a few toys. You don’t need much, but just the scent of home on a towel or toy mice is comforting.

Set Up Camp Before Unleashing the Beasts

It’s fun having pets in a new place! I get it. However before you open up the carriers and let them run wild, get everything in order. That means filling the water dishes, setting out toys, getting the litter boxes set up—all of it. It also means unpacking your stuff as well.

This will make things easier for the cats; all their needs will be met from the jump. Also, it means you don’t have to worry about stumbling over them as you put away your clothes or unpack the cooler.

Litter Boxes First

Before I show the cats anything, like food or water or even the picture window with an excellent view of the bird feeder, I show them their litter boxes. Yes, cats can pick up the scent of familiar litter, but it never hurts to be sure.

Check Their Collars and Tags

One of my worst nightmares is having one of the cats get out, especially somewhere unfamiliar. However, it’s best to be prepared if the worst would happen. Make sure your cats’ collars fit well and that they have an ID tag. I also can’t recommend microchipping enough. It’s super affordable (somewhere around $25) and vets and shelters all across the country are equipped with scanners.

This is also a best practice before the holiday season when visitors are in and out.

Have a Pack-Up Plan

Even though our cats are great in the car and love being in our cabin, they loathe getting into their carriers. This is not uncommon. I suggest having a plan before you even bring the crates out.

We corral the cats into a bathroom before leaving. Then when it’s time to leave, we can pick them up and take them directly to the carrier. They won’t even have a chance to get spooked or go hide. This step took an embarrassingly long time for us to figure out, but is completely necessary; Ember loves to hide under a dresser the second she thinks she has to leave.

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An Ode to Cherry Lanes: The Best Bar in Door County

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Last month, I visited Door County with my family. Before heading up there, each of us picked an activity that we wanted to do while on vacation. One aunt wanted to visit the casino (I lost $12), my other aunt suggested we visit one of our favorite restaurants, and right away I knew what my choice was going to be: Cherry Lanes in Sturgeon Bay.

I discovered Cherry Lanes a few years back after a friendly bartender suggested Michael and I check it out. It did not disappoint. We bowled, drank and shot the shit with locals to our hearts’ content.

While a bar might not be the first place you’d think of taking your mom and aunts on a Saturday afternoon, I knew this was the perfect spot for one reason: pinball.

Pinball Wizardry

Yep, Cherry Lanes is more than just the lanes. This bar has a dynamite selection of pinball machines, and my mom loves pinball.

We rolled up with $10 in quarters each and had a hell of a time playing all sorts of pinball like Hook, Cleopatra and Super Mario Brothers (some only cost 25¢!). I also tried my hand at Frogger, Ms. Pac Man and that weird quarter-pushing game that you see at dive bars.

It was a blast bopping from game to game, and not a bad way to spend $10 or so. And, most importantly, my mom loved it.

The Drinks

While Cherry Lanes is the name of the game here, it is first and foremost a bar. In the past, Michael and I enjoyed hot toddies and super cheap taps. But when I visited with the fam, we treated ourselves to some of the specialty cocktails—and what a treat!

Being in Door County at the tail end of summer, we all were craving cherry (like real cherries—not phony maraschino cherries). Cherry Lanes’ cherry margarita was divine, but I have to say their Gutterball (a mix of tart cherry juice, lemonade and vodka) was a nice treat as well.

Best-Ever Bar Food

There’s nothing wrong with basic bar food. After all, who doesn’t crave a frozen pizza or some cheap mozzarella sticks while sipping Miller Lite?

But Cherry Lanes goes completely over the top with their menu. We ordered a cheese tray and expected something very Wisconsin. You know a few yellow cheeses, salami and a few pickles. That would have been fine.

But when the bartender came out with the tray, it truly rivaled any fancy charcuterie board I’ve had at more elegant venues. This cheese board was incredible. The blueberry cheese was something I dream about.

Anyways, this is my love letter to Cherry Lanes (and also Door County—it’s my favorite).

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Lazy Saturday // Wind Point Lighthouse

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The last few months have been pretty stressful over here, but I’m very lucky to be married to a sweet man that helps me take time away when I need it, especially when that time away is a short day trip to a new-to-me lighthouse.

To celebrate my birthday, we visited Wind Point Lighthouse just north of Racine, and it was a delight.

I didn’t know a ton about this lighthouse prior to visiting other than it’s one of the tallest lighthouses on Lake Michigan. (The tallest of them all is Point Sable in Michigan). So there’s no big claim to fame here, but it sure is nice.

Also, it’s one of the few lighthouses on the Great Lakes to still employ actual lighthouse keepers, which is, readers, my dream job. According to the Wind Point Light website, their job is to tend to the grounds and give tours. I would be very good at that.

Overall, the park surrounding the lighthouse was beautiful and you can walk right down to the shore of Lake Michigan. As always, I had to put my hands in the water to see if I could bear it. For being early April, it wasn’t too bad!

I’m hoping this is the first of a few lighthouse visits this year. Come later this week, I’ll be fully vaccinated and ready to do a bit of (very safe) sightseeing!

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The Cherry on Top of 2019 // A Door County New Year’s Eve

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Typically, Michael and I celebrate a low-key New Year’s Eve. We put on our jammies, break out the board games, pop a bottle of bubbly and call it good. This year, though, we celebrated the end of a decade by traveling up to Door County, Wisconsin.

Door County is every Wisconsinite’s favorite summer destination, but I love it just as much in the winter. A lot of shops and restaurants are closed for the season, but I like seeking out all the stalwarts that stay open even in the cold.

Where to Stay in Door County in Winter (and All the Time)

This time, like every time Michael and I go to Door County, we stayed in Sturgeon Bay.

This is a great place to stay in the winter because, unlike the rest of the peninsula, most everything stays open during the off-season. Also, there are a lot of nice places to camp out.

For this quick getaway, we checked into the Holiday Music Hotel. We stayed here years ago and had a blast. The ’50s styling of the place is so fun and, honestly, the price is right for an impromptu trip. Not to mention the place has some great vibes. It’s owned and operated by musicians and there are a lot of artsy events going on in and around the hotel. Plus, a two-block walk has you right on the main drag for all the food, drinks and quirky shops you could ever need.

The location came in really handy on this trip, especially.

A Snowy Night in Sturgeon Bay

We spent most of our first evening right in Sturgeon Bay since it was pretty snowy. We hit up Within Things, a shop I’ve been following for some time on Instagram. It was wonderfully weird. We also snagged a mushroom book at Novel Bay Booksellers.

But the real fun didn’t start until after dinner. After a long drive back from Sister Bay, we decided to lay low and grab a drink nearby at Cedar Crossing. It was a beautiful snowy walk there from our hotel. The bar area was so relaxing and very swanky. We were just planning on a drink until the bartender recommended we check out another stop. We’re spontaneous people, so we took the short walk.

That’s how we ended up at my new favorite: Cherry Lanes.

This place was a blast! I snagged a hot toddy while Michael sipped on a Moscow Mule, then we decided to grab ourselves a lane. Michael and I had never bowled together before, so we had to rectify that.

For $15, we got shoes and an hour of bowling (a steal). We got in four games. Michael says he was practicing his spin the whole time. I’m not sure I believe him, so I’ll just brag here that I won three games out of four.

Other Wintry Musts in Door County

A lot of the upper peninsula shuts its doors in the winter, but there’s still plenty to do for a short stay.

Waking up after a night at Cherry Lanes, we had one order of business: Bea’s Ho-Made. This place is a must when you’re visiting Door County, no matter the season. This place sells some great jams and preserves. My favorites, though, are the hot garlic-dill pickles and the plum sauce. Oh my gosh, the plum sauce! It’s a must for Chinese takeout. Michael recommends the Hungarian relish. I know a jam shop doesn’t seem like a hip destination, but trust me, it’s worth the visit.

But Bea’s wasn’t our only stop. We also swung by Door County Bakery for some Corsica sticks. I’ve never seen this bread anywhere else. They’re essentially breadsticks covered in sesame seeds and drenched in olive oil. I can’t explain why these are soo good, but they are irresistible to me. I ordered four.

And no matter the weather, Peninsula State Park is always on my Door County list. While we weren’t able to check out Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in the snow, we still got to enjoy the sights and walk around a bit. Standing on the shores of Lake Michigan is always soothing to me, even in the cold and snow.

Ringing in 2020

On New Year’s Eve, we headed over to the Nightingale Supper Club in Sturgeon Bay for a nice dinner. I was positively thrilled that we could sneak in a reservation.

Michael and I put on our NYE best (mine being my glitter boots and flamingo pink dress) and sat down to a three-course dinner—something we do very rarely. We indulged with some stuffed mushrooms, homemade soup and prime rib (my go-to supper club order). I finished off the meal with a Grasshopper. I mean, you have to, right?

After a big night out at Cherry Lanes, we decided to opt out of the NYE conflama, so we just settled in for a night at the Holiday with our classic routine: games and pajamas (and a little time playing the instruments in the lobby).

If the rest of 2020 is this good, I’ll be the luckiest gal out there.

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Quippiquisset // Ogunquit + York

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This is the last stop on the New England trolley.

On the way from Kennebunkport to Portsmouth, we stumbled across Ogunquit, Maine (which I keep wanting to call Quippiquisset from Bob’s Burgers). It was the perfect little town in which to spend an afternoon.

My mom and I started out in an antique store—exactly what we wanted from New England—and spent a good amount of time checking out all the other little shops. I don’t think we bought a single thing, but it was nice to be out in the sun and see something new.

Honestly, the highlight of visiting Ogunquit was a leisurely lunch at Cornerstone. My mom and I shared a great pizza and we each had a glass of Prosecco on the patio. I really was feeling like my best self.

Ogunquit was pretty small, though, so we decided to hit the road for New Hampshire after a few hours. And here’s how I know my mom really loves me: On our way to Portsmouth, we saw a sign for a lighthouse. No distance was given, just an arrow.

Well, this ended up being about a 20-mile round trip detour and my mom did it without complaining for a second. But let me tell you, the detour was worth every mile.

We ended up at Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine, which was gorgeous (clearly).

I was very excited.

And the cherry on top of this whole detour? Well, that’d be the ice cream. We stopped at Dunne’s Ice Cream and I got some chocolate-Oreo concoction. Obscenely rich but exactly what I’d been craving since the night before (when no ice cream places were open in Kennebunkport).

So here’s to you, Maine. I had an amazing time visiting. And here’s to you, Mom, for being a great travel companion, patient detour-taker and amazing mom!

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Kennebunkport // The Perfect Fancy Lady Destination

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You’ve already heard about Salem and Portland, but I haven’t touched on another great stop on this New England trip: Kennebunkport.

My mom and I had such a wonderful and relaxing time here. It’s exactly the sort of ladies trip/weekend getaway-type town I was hoping for on this trip.

In a lot of ways, Kennebunkport reminded me of Door County with its cute shopping areas and views of the water. Our first day we did a lot of poking around in the downtown. We found a few small trinkets to bring home. Daytrip Society was my favorite stop.

The next day we decided to take a tour of Kennebunkport with Intown Trolley. We felt like we saw all we could walk to, but knew there had to be more to this cute destination. The tour was worth every penny.

The trolley took us to parts of the town we had no idea existed and we got some great views of the Atlantic. It was really breathtaking.

This leg of our road trip was also so relaxing because we stayed in the cutest resort: The Lodge on the Cove. It was a really beautiful little place to unwind at the end of the day since a lot of this trip was go-go-go. My mom and I also had fun riding the lodge bikes around the parking lot.

Overall, Kennebunkport felt really comfortable but still fancy. It’s the sort of place I could see myself visiting every year if I lived on the East Coast. Looking at these Lodge photos, I’m already wishing I was back there kicking up my feet with a glass of rose and a good book!

Kennebunkport isn’t the last of this trip! I’ve still got one more (quick) stop to share!

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Portlandia (the Other One)

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You already heard about Salem, but that wasn’t the only leg of my great New England adventure. My mom and I also visited Portland, Maine.

I loved every second of it.

I loved Portland because it was a blend of all of my favorite things: water, lighthouses, forest, amazing food and beautiful, walkable streets. It was, quite simply, a dream destination.

The Food

The East Coast, particularly Maine, is all about the lobster. I am not. But the food was exceptional nonetheless.

Our first evening we went to Luke’s Lobster on the Portland Pier. It totally delivered. My mom and I both wanted something casual after traveling all day, and this place was absolutely perfect.

My mom opted for a lobster roll which was on her to-do list for this trip. I was a simpleton and got a burger, but it was darn good (and honestly the lobster roll was pretty good too in my seafood-averse opinion).

I also tried this beer from Allagash Brewing Co. and it was honestly so nice. Sipping a beer, looking over the water and shooting the breeze with my mom was precisely what I was in the mood for.

As fantastic as my burger was (it really was so good), the highlight of the meal was this mixed berry pie from Two Fat Cats. It’s the best fruit pie I’ve ever had. I’m currently debating having one shipped to Wisconsin just to relive this moment.

Truly, though, the food highlight of this entire trip was HiFi Donuts in downtown Portland.

I am a sucker for a really good donut (and I will not accept any lackluster donuts!). HiFi had some truly spectacular donuts. They had some really excellent flavors on offer like blueberry, pumpkin and hibiscus, but I went with a classic chocolate glazed. The simple things are often the hardest to get right, so I feel like a basic option was the best way to judge these donuts.

I don’t say this lightly: It was the best donut I’ve ever had (and I’ve had plenty). My mom went for a shredded coconut donut and it looked spectacular.

We also split a breakfast sandwich and it was way better than it had any right to be thanks to some really top-notch bacon.

If I could transplant one thing from Portland home to Milwaukee, this would be it.

The Sights

We, of course, did much more than eat in Portland. After snagging those dream donuts, my mom and I hopped on a boat tour with Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours.

I have to say that while wandering downtown Portland and the wharves was fun, going out on the water really made me appreciate the area more.

Our tour took us around Casco Bay, the Calendar Islands and past three different lighthouses (big win for me). It reminded me a bit of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands so I obviously loved it.

The highlight of this cruise was seeing the Portland Head Light. This is the most photographed lighthouse in the world, and for good reason. Seriously, look how gorgeous it is.

The lighthouse looks out over the bay and another lighthouse (Ram’s Head Light). Talk about a dream lightkeeper assignment. Portland, if you’re hiring, hit me up!

This two-hour tour was worth every single penny. Our guide had plenty of interesting stories to tell, but my mom and I really just enjoyed being on the water and taking in the sights. It was so refreshing to be out somewhere new soaking it all in.

The Atmosphere

I cannot tell you how much I loved my short time in Portland. This city was like everything I love about my home condensed into a town of 60,000 and with ten times more maritime charm.

I mean, if I had to live here and live that lighthouse keeper casual life, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Am I in temporary vacation destination love? Maybe. But it also could be the real deal.

Here’s to you, Portland! And I’ll be back with even more about Maine soon!

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The Season of the Witch // My Visit to Salem

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At long last, I’ve visited one of my must-see spooky destinations: Salem, Massachusets. It was absolutely bewitching (and I had a lot of fun).

This jaunt to Salem was part of a bigger trip my mom and I took to New England (more on that later), but I figured I’d share all about this stop while the mood is right.

What to Do

My primary goal for visiting Salem was to learn more about its history (you know, beyond Hocus Pocus). So before we even made it to Massachusetts, I booked my mom and myself a tour.

I chose Witch City Walking Tours (though there are lots of tour companies). I was really impressed by how thorough the tour guide was and how she was able to blend history with ghost stories and pretty astute commentary (shoutout to Paige!). What I appreciated most was how Page dispelled a lot of common misconceptions. I felt like I got the real history.

I’d definitely recommend a tour like this. It helped me appreciate the sights more and learn all about what spurred the witch trials.

What to See

Outside of our tour, we spent most of our time just wandering the streets of Salem. Fortunately, a lot of the historical sights are right downtown, so we found many of them just by making our rounds. This was pretty nice since I like a good walkable destination.

The Witch House

I was really excited to bump into the witch house as we were walking. It’s really haunting to look at all dressed in black. It’s a real mood and I love it.

This is the only edifice still standing that was actually used during the trials. It was home to Jonathan Corwin, a judge in the trials. Perhaps it doesn’t deserve the term Witch House as Judge House, but that’s alright.

Inside is a museum, which wasn’t really much to see if you ask me, but I’m glad we did it anyway.

Hocus Pocus Haunts

Now, there are Hocus Pocus-focused tours in Salem if you’re serious about the movie, but we didn’t opt for one of those. But we still got to see a few locations where the movie was filmed.

Above is the Town Hall where the big party is held (you know, the one where Winifred sings “I Put a Spell on You”) and below is Allison’s House (it’s actually a museum).

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Our tour ended at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and it was honestly really moving. The tour guide did a great job conveying the meaning of the place and how the trials still weigh heavily on Salem and how a lot of people feel conflicted over its fame, which is very fair.

Where to Shop

Part of what was so fun about Salem was walking into little shops that were full of all the strange, creepy and metaphysical-style things I love. We went into a lot of stores but these four were my favorites.

HausWitch

Visiting HausWitch was a big deal to me—so much so that I listed it on my monthly goals.

I’ll admit that my expectations were just too damn high for this shop. I was fully expecting it to be a treasure trove overflowing with wonderfully modern witchy home essentials. The store in actuality was not jam-packed full of must-haves. Instead, it was light and airy (if a bit sparse). I snagged a pretty moon necklace and a mug. They had lots of other great resources for modern witches, too.

So while I was a bit let down by the experience (thanks to my own unrealistic expectations), I would still recommend stopping here. It was a pretty shop that didn’t feel hokey or touristy.

Emporium 32

I’ll admit it: I visited this store based on a recommendation from a BuzzFeed article. It didn’t disappoint.

Emporium 32 was equal parts witchy and Victorian. It was full of wonderful hats, Stevie Nicks-style capes, art, stationary and jewelry. I snagged an Edwardian-esque necklace and grabbed a wax seal for Michael.

Die with Your Boots On

Die with Your Boots On was such a fun surprise. My mom and I wandered in here on a whim since it was close to our hotel and we had some time to kill. It was so much fun.

This is the place to go for wonderfully kitschy, witchy clothing. I’m talking jack o’ lantern flats, Ouija board jackets and crushed velvet everything. I’m having serious regrets about not buying a goth Dolly Parton tee I saw there.

Circle of Stitches

Perhaps my favorite shop in Salem was Circle of Stitches. This was right by our hotel and I walked in thinking it was just a nice yarn shop. It was so much more!

Yes, of course, there was a lot of beautiful yarn (shame I don’t knit or crochet), but Circle of Stitches was also full of other crafty items like embroidery kits as well as tarot decks, books and some other local goods. I only snagged an enamel pin here, but it was really fun looking around.

• • •

Overall, Salem was a really fun part of this trip. It was fun to embrace the silly, touristy side of the town and the serious, historical side as well. I feel like we got a good balance. And in the end, it also helped me reconnect a bit with all the scary, strange things I love.

Anyways, I’ll be back with more about Maine soon!

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California Dreaming

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While I truly enjoyed touring the winery, my favorite part of the trip came the following day when our press gang got to unwind a bit. Our day was still full, but it was less note taking and more taking in the scenery. You know I’m going to tell you all about it!

Vintners Inn

But before we dive into my favorite day of the trip, let me just say how gorgeous Vintners Inn, where we stayed for two nights, was. First off, I had the great fortune of being the first-ever person to stay in my room. That was pretty cool to me. A whole room unspoiled by other people’s weird hotel habits? Sign me up! I totally basked in all that glory. I futzed with the electric fireplace (it changed colors!), sat on the patio and happily gobbled down all the cookies that arrived with the turn-down service.

What I loved most though, was the grounds. Vintners Inn, true to its name, had a small vineyard on site with a mile walking path through it. I woke up early one morning and took a stroll around. It was super peaceful. It was a good way to center myself before all the adventure to come.

Bodega Head

Like I said in my last post, I loved the rolling hills and greenery of all the vineyards in Sonoma County; they were absolutely beautiful. This being said, I was honestly surprised by how, well, brown the rest of the countryside looked. This was totally unusual to me. I was starting to think that calling this the Gold Coast was a clever marketing campaign. But then we made our way up to Bodega Head and I changed my mind.

Climbing out of the van, I wasn’t struck by much (outside the wind). Sure, there were some dunes, a few hikers and a couple picnic tables – all normal park stuff. But then I turned the corner and saw the cliffs overlooking the ocean. This was the trip for me. I braved the cold and the wind to stand on the edge of the cliff. I’d never seen the Pacific Ocean before. I had to take it all in.

Eventually, we were all beckoned to the picnic table for a small brunch – charcuterie and wine. With the cold wind whipping around, the Pinot noir went down well. After having my fill of sopresatta, one writer mentioned how there was a path down to the beach. I thought this park was just beautiful cliffs! I made my way down the path, Cuveé in hand, with a few other gals.

Of course, I had to feel the water. I do this no matter where I am. Out at Devils Lake for a hike? Maybe I’ll dip my foot in and see if swimming is out of the question. Lake Michigan in March? Let me just see if I freeze my hand off. The ocean was cold, but in that refreshingly bracing way. I loved it. I felt totally alive, especially when the waves came rolling in faster than I expected.

Hog Island Oyster Co.

After visiting Bodega Bay, we trekked over to Hog Island. This was the part of the trip I was most nervous about. The itinerary noted that we’d be eating oysters all afternoon, and I was not looking forward to it. See, I’m not a fish or a seafood person, and the thought of trying what’s likely the most polarizing kind of seafood around made me really uneasy. Would I look bad if I didn’t try any? What if they were disgusting? What if I got hungry after all the not eating seafood?

But I shoved those questions to the back of my mind. Instead, I hunkered down at the table with the crew and grabbed a knife (and a glove – don’t worry). I watched the tour’s greatest oyster enthusiasts shuck a few and I decided I’d go for it. I surprised myself by prying it open fairly easily (at least for a first-timer, I think). I told myself all you have to do is swallow – it can’t be so bad. But then the winery’s chef piped in: “Try the first one plain and chew it once or twice.” Oh my gosh, whyyyyy? Powered by wine, I did so dutifully. And it wasn’t bad!

I tried the next with a squeeze of lemon and found I liked it even more. It was salty and briny – I could live with that! I spent the rest of the afternoon sipping on that Sonoma-Cutrer Grand Cuveé and trying different oyster combos: raw with lemon, with hot sauce, grilled with garlic-herb butter, grilled with sausage and bacon. All were great. As we slid into the afternoon, I was getting those summer camp feelings. You know, that temporary high, those close temporary friendships. I half expected us to start making bracelets. Instead, we just chatted about pets and secret shame dinners (you know, like tater tots and hot dogs or – my new favorite courtesy of one gal on the trip – Doritos sandwiches). Oh, and we sang on the bus ride back to the hotel – all the classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Landslide” and “Jumper.”

The trip wound down with a stunning dinner at John Ash’s restaurant at Vintners Inn. It was absolutely exquisite. My one regret is that I didn’t leave enough room for all of the short ribs. I stand by finishing every bit of my apple tart, though.

Alright, folks, that’s enough of my California adventure. I’m so incredibly grateful for the experience. And now I have a few new favorite wines to boot.

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The Sonoma Wine Mixer

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September marks my one-year anniversary at Taste of Home. And what better way to celebrate this milestone than traveling to California wine country for work?

There is no better way, let me tell you. I spent a few days in Sonoma County and had the time of my life sipping wines, wandering through vineyards and eating amazing meals. I have Taste of Home and Sonoma-Cutrer to thank for this inspiring vacation disguised as a work trip.

Getting to California

Arriving in California felt a bit like a dream. I hopped off the plane only to find a driver waiting for me with a sign. I felt like a very fancy person. He took me over to Hotel Zeppelin, which I loved with all it’s Led Zeppelin and Grateful Dead swag. As beautiful and funky as the hotel was, I knew I had to take in a little bit of San Francisco. With just a few hours before dinner, I took a lap around Union Square and then walked through Chinatown. I haggled for a jade necklace there. The woman who sold it to me said it’d bring me luck. I already felt super lucky being in California, so I just figured this would put me over the top.

That night, I met the four other writers participating in this tour as well as reps from the winery. They were all really kind and charming – perfect company for our dinner at Bluestem Brasserie. I had a few glasses of Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir along with my dinner. It was a great way to ease into the trip.

The Vineyards

While San Francisco was nice, it wasn’t quite for me (though I only saw the smallest sliver of it!); Sonoma County was definitely more my speed. As we headed north, the city disappeared and soon all there was to see were vineyards and farms. This was the California I was hoping for.

For the better part of a day, I got to check out the vineyards and winery. Let me tell you, it was the perfect time to be in Sonoma County. It was the middle of the harvest season, so as we toured the winery, we got to see the grapes being brought in, sorted and then sent to press. Though what I enjoyed most was being able to walk through the vineyards and see the grapes on the vine (and try a few, too!). It was like being at an apple orchard in September or visiting a tree farm at Christmas – just the right place at the perfect time to take it all in.

The Tasting

Of course, the trip wasn’t all tours. The other writers and I got to enjoy a fantastic wine tasting with Sonoma-Cutrer’s winemaking director. We sipped a few different Chardonnays, a Pinot Noir, a rosé and – my favorite – a Grand Cuveé that I dream about. I wouldn’t normally say I’m a Chardonnay gal, but these were so unlike the common buttery and oaky varieties you normally find. Some were so clean and refreshing, others almost creamy. They definitely made me rethink this wine.

Overall, though, being led through the tasting was a fabulous treat. On my own, I do OK with tastings (just ask the Taste of Home crew that had to listen to me explain how flaxseed milk tasted like the coating of those pink and white animal crackers), but having a guide really helped me understand the finer points of each variety. Plus, tasting wine is hard! I just read about this study that says wine tasting is akin to doing complex math. Really!

The Sonoma Wine (and Croquet) Mixer

Before I left, I kept referring to this trip as the Catalina Wine Mixer. This is only funny for Stepbrothers fans. But the trip did entail a mixer of sorts – just in Sonoma County.

See, after a full day of touring the property (and a quick nap back at Vintners Inn), we returned for a small mixer: wine, cheese, a game of croquet and dinner. I foolishly bragged to everyone that I was a croquet master earlier in the day. I am not. I own the game and like to play from time to time – this does not mean I am any good.

Once we hit the regulation croquet court, I realized I was 100% out of my league. I realized I was 150% out of my league when the winery’s hospitality manager explained rules and techniques that were totally foreign to me. Any expertise I may have had was irrelevant.

But I was determined to do my best. I grabbed a red ball (I’m always red), a mallet and a glass of wine and headed to the court with my teammate. The game was pretty darn close, but in the end we won! I have Ashlee to thank for this. Thanks to her we won and I got to retain my very limited croquet cred.

The game was followed up with a lovely dinner with great pairings for each course. I could drink Les Pierres Chardonnay every day if I had to. It was the highlight of the evening for me. Well, and the Grand Cuveé. And pretending like I knew anything about croquet.

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I’ll be back soon to share the last tidbits from this trip (and some much better pics – I botched my photos the first day)!