Category Archives: Trips

Dec16

The Canaries: Lanzarote vs. Fuerteventura

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21025038As your mind comes around to the idea of escaping off on holiday, whether you just landed from your last holiday yesterday, or you’ve been waiting a while for a getaway, you want it to provide everything that you hold dear.

One such place that can tick all the boxes, holidays in Fuerteventura have a great long list of activities on hand, from dolphin spotting or kite surfing to deep sea fishing and shopping. The beaches are some of the best in Europe with vast expanses of white, silky soft sand that is just perfect to lay on. The sea is irresistible with its cool and crystal clear waves that gently lap the beach. It’s fair to say that this quiet island is perfect for a family getaway.

Fuerteventura is not the only great family holiday that the Canaries can offer, however. Lanzarote holiday deals make this Island a hot bargain for last-minute holiday hunters. Whether you’re sneaking off for a week away or it’s your long-awaited annual vacation, Lanzarote is a slightly more lively island compared to Fuerteventura. The beaches are more reminiscent of its volcanic past and rock formations create interesting walks, often appearing lunar or martian! Although the black sandy beaches of Lanzarote are dominant, there are several white sandy beaches on the North side that give a more luxurious feel to your sun bathing escapades.EUROPE__MEDITERRANEAN_SPAINCONESP_FUERTEVENTURA_CORRALEJO

As with all of the Canaries, there is plenty to see and do. With lovely towns steeped in history and tradition, offering little shops and restaurants with freshly-cooked menu items, it can make for a memorable holiday even before you have been tempted by the activities on offer.

Needless to say, the Canaries have become massively popular thanks to the time and attention the Spanish have lavished on the tourist trade, while keeping the quaint feel to its towns. A family holiday to any of these Islands will keep you coming back year after year.

Nov27

Dreaming of Our Majestic Mountain Wedding

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Marc and I fell off the face  of the earth, or so it seems. We have been traveling, but not as frequently or as lavishly. We’ve made a few trips this year to some of our favorite getaways … specifically Asheville. We’ve also crossed the country, but I won’t give details of all of our getaways in case I decide to make posts about them. However, it’s guaranteed that when we have the means to travel (money and time) … honey, we do it!

So, this post is really supposed to be about what we tweeted earlier this afternoon! We are the happiest we have ever been and we are currently planning our dream wedding in the Canadian Rockies! We fell in love with the emerald lakes, the terrain, wildlife, and the idea of a majestic mountain wedding. It’s truly going to be an unforgettable wedding!

We still have no idea where we are going to honeymoon. Do you have any recommendations? We definitely love the mountains which is why we’re getting married there, but we really want a tropical honeymoon! We’re thinking Maldives, Bora Bora, or maybe even St. Lucia.

Let us know your thoughts!

~ Lyndsi

Aug28

A Guide to Hawaii’s Natural Parks

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By Roxanne Bichard

If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, you know how tempting it can be to spend the majority of your time on the beach. Though Hawaii’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, these amazing islands have so much more to offer! If you don’t want to miss out on unforgettable sights and attractions, Hawaii’s national parks are a great place to start.

Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, Big Island

This tranquil park is a great place to discover the way of life of the early inhabitants of the island. A sacred site, it once was a place of refuge for lawbreakers and defeated warriors. Here you will learn all about Hawaii’s strict ancient laws (kapu), priests (kahunas), gods and ceremonies. Spend the day among ancient ruins, sacred temples and royal grounds and come home with a greater understanding of Hawaii’s fascinating culture.

Must-Do: Watch demonstrations of ancient canoe-building and traditional Hawaiian games such as spear-throwing. The Annual Cultural Festival is held on the last weekend of June and offers lei-making, lahaula weaving, and hula demonstrations.

Tactful Tip: If you want to take a break from the monuments, you can always turtle watch, as the park’s tidal pools are crawling with these gentle sea creatures.

Haleakala National Park, Maui

Home to the dormant Haleakala volcano, this otherworldly park’s greatest feature is its 10,023 foot summit, the highest peak in Hawaii. Drive up past the clouds and into an otherworldly atmosphere and visit the famous crater that last spewed lava in 1790. The barren landscape is made up for by the clear stargazing and breathtaking views over a sea of fluffy clouds. Many describe the early morning sunrise here as “a spiritual experience” that transcends words.

Must-Do: The hike to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, one of Hawaii’s most spectacular waterfalls.

Tactful Tip: Go early — SUPER early, in order to avoid crowds and get there before the sun. Make sure to dress warmly; it gets quite chilly up there in the mornings.

Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai

Nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” the Waimea Canyon may not be as big as the Grand Canyon, but it rivals it in beauty. Created by volcanic collapse and 4 million years of rainwater erosion, this geological wonder is 3,600 feet deep and 10 miles long. Numerous lookout points reveal amazing vistas of Kauai’s mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean.

Must-Do: Pack some Hawaiian pulled-pork sandwiches and have yourself a picnic! At the main lookout point vendors sell fresh pineapple, coconut and guava to munch on.

Tips: The road is long and windy, and it’s a steep climb. If you get motion sickness, you may want to bring some Gravol, just in case.

Kalaupapa National Historic Park, Molokai

This national park may be one of Hawaii’s most intriguing, as on top of boasting the highest sea cliffs in the world, it has a bizarre, interesting history. In the nineteenth century until 1969, Hawaiians with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were exiled to this isolated peninsula. Father Damien, a Belgian missionary, dedicated his life to assisting patients and was later canonized as a Catholic Saint. Now cured by modern medicine, the few former sufferers of this terrible disease that still reside here have shared their incredible story.

Must-Do: Take a hike through lush tropical rainforest with a knowledgeable guide who will entrance you with stories of the island.

Tactful Tip: Though you can fly into the park, you may want to hike in in order not to miss out on the unforgettable scenery. If hiking is too strenuous, there is a third transportation option — mule ride!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island

While Haleakala has lied dormant for over 200 years, volcanoes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are still unleashing their fury. Constantly monitored for its every-changing lava flow, this volcanic park is home to one of the most active volcanoes on earth, Kilauea. As the state’s largest park, it is the place to go if you want to encounter the processes at the origin of the creation of the Hawaiian Islands.

Must-Do: Follow along a portion of the caldera on Crater Rim Drive, or hike across lava fields from the end of Chain of Craters Road.

Depending on the length of your visit and how much time you want to spend at each park, you may not have time for all of these. But don’t worry! Hawaii is known to pull people back to its shores time and time again. Don’t feel rushed through these amazing landmarks, but take the time to appreciate as many details as you can. After all, if you don’t get them all into one visit, you can always come back for your next fix!

About Roxanne Bichard: A Montreal-based travel blogger, Roxanne regularly writes about the villas in Hawaii from Luxury Retreats. A world traveler, she has glimpsed everything from camels to belugas in the warmest and coldest of climates.

May17

Weekend Roadtrip to Outer Banks

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Marc and I finally made it to the Outerbanks (OBX), which allowed us to cross it off our “30 places before 30 bucket list.” We left Charlotte on a Friday morning and managed to make it to OBX by mid-afternoon. Here’s the mixed review.

The stay. Oasis Suites is a charming little boutique hotel with panoramic waterfront views. I truly enjoyed my stay, but there’s practically a rolling list of reasons why we’d never write an “excellent” review for the hotel. Here it goes:

  • Its proximity to a really busy road makes traffic noise slightly annoying. The website actually says, “Welcome to the Oasis Suites, located on the Nags Head Causeway.” They’re not kidding; it’s truly on the causeway. It’s also right on the water, so it’s an awful/awesome location.
  • We weren’t big fans of the actual town of Nags Head and the touristy feel that penetrated it.
  • We waited in the lobby for 5-10 minutes before we were greeted.
  • We felt a bit jaded that the amenities mentioned on the website weren’t available to us. The hot tub wasn’t operating, which was quite disappointing. They also mentioned the availability of grills on the website, which either don’t exist or we overlooked them.
  • We had to call to ask for another toilet paper roll since the “accommodating housekeeping team” didn’t bother to restock it.
  • Water flooded the bathroom floor every time we took a shower.

There were also good things about our stay so, to be fair, here’s the list of things we liked:

  • Gorgeous waterfront view and small private balcony.
  • Gazebo.
  • Spotless room.
  • Full kitchen.
  • Staff mailed me the clothes I left behind and I received them within a few days (I, of course, paid for the postage). It was still good customer service, though.

The meal. After we settled into Oasis Suites, Marc and I headed out to dinner. We didn’t research where to eat, which landed us at Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar. We were the first patrons to arrive and since we were the only couple dining, we assumed the service would be stellar. We were let down in a huge way. The waitress had a nasty attitude toward us (we felt like age discrimination was at play) and she simply never made us feel like appreciated patrons. For that reason, I tipped her something like 10-15% which I absolutely never do. She rubbed me the wrong way. Also, for being a white table cloth restaurant, I was disappointed with my meal, as well.

The fun. Marc and I woke up on Saturday and drove South toward Cape Hatteras. We climbed the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in America, which was approximately 12 stories high. The view from the top was stunning, so I’m definitely glad we paid the money and took the time to climb it. We also did some other sightseeing, but nothing too noteworthy.

The big let down. After admiring the lighthouse and surrounding area, we headed further South to check out the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” I hate to be negative, but I truly felt like this attraction wasn’t worth the drive and I doubt I could even get a history buff disagree with me.  Marc and I were deeply disappointed. It was basically a small museum with little to see.

The fitness. The whole reason why we went on a weekend getaway to the OBX was so I could run in my first half marathon, the Flying Pirate Half Marathon. We woke up on Sunday to pouring down rain. I almost backed out of the race due to the rain and a small injury, but Marc provided me with the encouragement I needed to to accomplish the goal I had set out to reach. I completed my first half marathon in 2:12:24 and enjoyed experiencing OBX by foot. The course was a mixture of residential neighborhoods, pathways, roads, and muddy trails. It was great to have the support of the locals during the run. Their cheerleading seriously gave me the energy to keep running.

The lessons learned. We won’t stay in Nags Head if we visit OBX again. Instead, we’ll opt for a hotel or beach house in Duck since that was our favorite area and its more suitable for two yuppies. We’ll still drive, because it’s doubtful we’ll find cheap tickets for air travel.

The missed experience. Due to less than perfect weather for most of the weekend, we weren’t able to drive to Corolla to see the wild horses. We also missed out on the beautiful Currituck Lighthouse. I also felt like I was missing out on all the wind surfing and kite boarding fun.

~ Lyndsi

May13

Attending the 138th Running of the Kentucky Derby

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I’m a native Kentuckian, so the first Saturday in May has always been a special day for me. When the horns play before the big race, I still get chills down my body. When you watch the event on TV, perhaps its perfection is what gives me chills; the perfectly manicured grass and track, picturesque steeples, and gorgeous horses. This year, Lyndsi and I were able to attend; this was her first Derby. What we found was the serenity you see on TV is very different in person.

The Good

  • Mint juleps really are a seasonal drink that live up to the hype. Though at $11 each, they should. Even if you’re not a bourbon lover (like Lyndsi), you’ll become a fan. Crisp, refreshing, and sweet. Bring cash, they don’t take credit cards.
  • The Derby did not disappoint when it came to the people-watching and circus of it all. People really do go all out for this, and it makes for an amusing and entertaining day. Seersucker suits, bow ties, crazy hats, nothing is out of bounds.
  • The race itself is truly exciting and captivating. Even if you don’t have a horse in the race (no pun intended), you can’t help but feel your adrenaline rushing as they come down the stretch.

The Bad

  • Long lines, expensive food/drinks (is that a surprise) make the day less enjoyable.
  • They say the Derby weather is either cold or hot, there is no in-between. That proved itself true this year, as the 85-degree sunny weather became unbearable at times.
  • Churchhill Downs is beautiful, but once you get into it, it shows its age. It could definitely use some renovations and fresh coats of paint.
  • We had grandstands seats, which sounds luxurious, but it was literally uncovered bleachers without seat-backs. You had to stand on them to see the track, and being in direct sunlight made it rather uncomfortable.
  • We were desperately looking for a cool place to sit in the hours leading up the race. Instead, there were crowds, lines, and people everywhere I looked. It would be nice if there were some air-conditioned lounges to more of the general public. We were so uncomfortable that we went back to our car to sit in the AC for a while.

The Bottom Line

  • Everyone should attend the Derby at least once. It’s a fun experience and there’s nothing else like it. I love the traditions behind it, and its importance to my home state is enormous. But unless you have tons of money to spend to be on Millionaire’s Row, I think I’ll be watching from home at a Derby party. The enormous crowds, belligerent drunks, unbearable heat, inflated prices, and traffic nightmares will be hard to forget.

~ Marc

Oct26

Raffaldini Vineyards: A Colorful NC Fall Getaway

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She was breathtakingly gorgeous. He was in awe over her. Together on their wedding day, they were two of the happiest individuals I’ve watched in a very long time. Their smiles and look in their eyes said more than their vows.

Last Saturday, Marc and I had the pleasure to be guests at an absolutely beautiful wedding at Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery. We knew little about this vineyard until we received our invitation to the wedding. After a quick Google search, we learned that it was located about 30 miles north of Statesville, NC in a small town called Ronda. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Charlotte. Not bad.

Saturday definitely felt like a fall affair. Raffaldini Vineyards is a bit in the foothills and the actual winery is up on the crest of a hill. We had a breathtaking panoramic view of golden and red autumn colors. The ceremony was at 6:30 PM, so we were also able to enjoy an incredible sunset that created a warm glow prior to the wedding.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. It was sunny and crisp without a single cloud in the sky. I’m glad they were blessed with such beautiful weather at their wedding because they are  now on their honeymoon in Cancun and it has been raining most of their trip. I’m keeping them in my prayers as Cancun is in Hurricane Rina’s projected path. Luckily, the storm is weakening, but I still pray for their safety.

I loved that the wedding was at a vineyard and I was so happy to be a part of their beautiful day. However, I have to admit, it killed me that I couldn’t do the full-blown wine tasting. I love wine tasting. I had the Merlot at dinner and I thought it was pretty good. By the way, I’m a wine novice, so please take my opinion with a grain of salt. I drink a lot of it and admire all the flavors, but I fully acknowledge my lack of wine expertise. I’m getting better at tasting notes, but that’s not saying much.

We’ll definitely visit Raffaldini Vineyards again so I can experience all their wine! It’s a romantic getaway that’s nice and close to Charlotte, so there’s no reason for us not to visit again. Men, if you’re looking for a good date option … take your girlfriends to do some wine tasting. This place is ideal for dates!

I also recommend staying where we stayed. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites since we knew we wouldn’t be up for driving home after the wedding. This hotel sure knows how to decorate for the holidays! There were so many Halloween decorations up in the hotel that it was somewhat tacky; however, if I had kids, I would have absolutely loved the decor. Since I don’t, I can say it was a bit much for my taste. Oh, I almost forgot, there was a Christmas tree outside of our door! That kind of topped the tacky Halloween decorations. A bit much?

Anyway, Marc and I were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the hotel. I was a huge fan of the cleanliness, room decor, and I was even a pretty big fan of the bathroom.  This hotel is a place two yuppies like ourselves can go and be completely satisfied, all for around $100 a night. It was actually really nice not to spend tons of money on a hotel room and still thoroughly enjoy our stay. Too bad you never know what you might get with a hotel like that. Luckily for us, this one was fantastic.

P.S. The complimentary breakfast was delicious! Marc and I were a bit surprised annoyed by the loudness of the dining area, but I guess we’re just not used to staying where families with little kids stay!

~ Lyndsi

Oct4

The W in Austin, TX: A Yuppie Haven

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Lyndsi and I just returned from a long weekend in Austin, TX, where we attended a wedding. I’ll be sharing our adventures in several posts, but first up is a review of our hotel the first night.

As Lyndsi and I strolled through the lobby of the W in downtown Austin, TX last weekend, I said, “This place feels like yuppie central.” Modern, sleek, hip, over-the-top, pretentious … yet perfect for these two yuppies looking for a fun hotel in the city. I immediately noticed the “whatever/whenever” concierge desk when entering. Our friend Brian later found out that’s no joke after picking up the phone by the elevator and immediately connecting to the desk.

The halls were dark, hip, modern, moody with dark colors contrasted by red. A perfect combination. The elevators are full of mood lighting and mirrors. Perfect for narcissistic yuppies who enjoy nothing more than checking their hair in the mirror (definitely not us…). The walls by the elevator are made of gorgeous wood.

Hotels like the Austin W (opened in 2010) are all about style over function. Yet for leisure travelers, it’s perfect. When you enter the room, the first thing you notice is a built-in shelf in the room with nice cups illuminated with mood lighting (which also lit above the bed with blue hues). There’s the typical flat-screen, floor-to-ceiling windows with impressive city views, and a bed that was simply heavenly.

The bathroom was … interesting. The room with the toilet was only partially private, with two french-style doors sliding together, leaving gaps on the sides (and the doors in ours didn’t lock). The shower water would spill into the center of the bathroom by design. Oh, and two strategically-placed mirrors in the shower were a nice touch. Because if your narcissistic self enjoys looking at yourself in the elevator, the shower has to be 10x more appealing.

Just don’t valet park unless you enjoy spending $31 for one night of parking. Oops.

So what is it about expensive hotels like the W (dropped close to four benjamins all included) that makes them worth it? The little things. The lighting, the feel of the floors and bed sheets. It all comes together to make you feel safe, clean, comfortable … content. Whereas in typical hotels you sometimes feel  grossed out by the bathroom or bed comforter, in exquisite hotels like the W, everything feels clean and welcoming and quality. It’s things like the recessed lighting in the bathroom, the blue mood lighting above the bed, the unique mirrors, the complimentary newspaper every morning, the HDTV with real HD channels … I could go on. Call me crazy, but I appreciate the little touches. I’ve been cursed with expensive taste.

And compared to the quality of hotel we experienced later in Austin, it made us appreciate the W even more. Stay tuned.

If you plan on traveling, here are some options for cheap cruises, Hawaii flights, Los Angeles flights, Bali flights, and Fiji flights.

~ Marc

Sep27

Greenville, SC: Worthy of a Weekend Getaway

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Last week, I was blessed with an all-expenses-paid trip to Greenville, SC! It was my first trip to Greenville and I absolutely hated that it was for work. I can’t complain about the free trip, but I certainly didn’t have time to explore the city like I wanted to once I arrived and realized it was an awesome town.

I instantly loved it and my initial thoughts were “this is a mix of Asheville and Charlotte.” Granted, Greenville definitely isn’t nearly as pretty as Asheville since it lacks the mountainous backdrop and Charlotte is quite a bit larger.

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville and I spent the majority of my time there. My huge complaint with Hyatt Regency is that it didn’t have free WiFi in the rooms. That’s a major downer. It put me in a poor mood because all I wanted to do after a long day was play on my iPad. I know I’m being somewhat of a snob given there are plenty of people in this world that never have access to the Internet. But guess what? I can’t help it. It’s a luxury I am used to having and when I don’t have access to it I tend to get a bit moody.

During a break, I ventured a few blocks down to Falls Park. It’s is a very pretty area given its vicinity to a large city. Greenville has done a wonderful job of making the area extremely attractive for tourists. I particularly liked the Liberty Bridge. It’s a suspension bridge with a pretty hefty curve in it and downstream a little bit is a cute little waterfall.

There were also a few local shops and restaurants near the water at Falls Park. I spotted one restaurant, High Cotton, which I was just dying to try for dinner. The décor and name of the restaurant were begging for my attention. Unfortunately, I had to have dinner with the rest of the group at Wild Wing Café. Let’s just say I barely ate since I ordered the “China Syndrome” wings — those little guys were hot, hot, hot!

I also ate at The Green Room located on Main Street downtown the next day for lunch. It is a lovely restaurant, but I’m not certain I would have loved it had I went there for dinner. The lunch, however, was super delicious. I ordered the Tuscan Chicken Melt and it had endless flavor. I intentionally didn’t take a picture of it since I didn’t want my colleagues questioning why I was taking pictures of my food!

Needless to say, I cannot wait to return to Greenville, SC for a weekend of fun with Marc. I hope to be able to dine at High Cotton and take a long run with him around the downtown area. I can’t wait to explore more of the town!

~ Lyndsi

Sep24

European Car Fun For Charity in Winston-Salem, NC

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Two weekends ago, Marc and I ventured to Winston-Salem, NC to enjoy a nice car show, a gala/casino night, and a relaxing Blue Ridge Parkway “Cruz” — all for a good cause. Proceeds went to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Neither Marc nor I have a reason to support Parkinson’s Research since we don’t personally know of anyone with Parkinson’s disease, but we chose to participate in the event since it would benefit a good cause while allowing us to have some fun. We can’t exactly be the epitome of philanthropists since we are young professionals, but these types of events provide us with an opportunity to do good and make a difference without breaking the bank and sacrificing a large amount of time.

On Saturday morning, we walked the streets of Old Winston-Salem to check out the car show. The cars were awesome and so was the town. Marc was particularly fond of the architecture and character of the buildings. I spotted a bakery, and upon entering, I was immediately overwhelmed by the smell of freshly baked bread. We were greeted by an older man who was kneading and pounding dough on a small wooden table in a tiny room to the right of the entrance. He treated us like we were everyday customers and in reality, he had never met us before. I love that kind of small town charm.

We spent a few hours at the car show, but once it wrapped up, we headed over to the Brookstown Inn to check in and to freshen up. The inn was fairly quaint and isn’t a place we have raved about to all of our friends. That being said, there wasn’t anything about it that we disliked, we just weren’t crazy about it. We enjoyed our stay, but we weren’t overly impressed with our room or the staff. At best, it is an average place to stay with above-average character.

We had a few hours to burn before the casino night at Flow BMW, so we made our way to Foothills Brewing, only a few miles away. Marc and I managed to snatch the last two spots available at the bar. We ordered a couple of appetizers (yes, we ordered pretzels) and we shared a beer sampler. We were just a few minutes from closing our tab when suddenly I was jumping out of my barstool trying to keep the beer shower from turning into a beer bath. Marc was borderline drenched and I was sprayed with enough beer to make my hair nappy and my shirt  fairly wet and sticky.

All of this happened because the tap decided to spray beer directly at us which, according to our bartender, “happens everyday.” Huh? Your tap sprays beer every day and you still allow your patrons to sit in front of it? Come again? I was pretty outraged, but surprisingly, I bit my tongue to the best of my ability. Needless to say, the manager took care of our tab and even offered to take care of my dry cleaning bill since I was visibly upset about a brand new shirt getting soaked in beer. No, I’m not sending my dry cleaning bill to her, even though I probably should. We learned a valuable lesson and that is to never sit near a tap again.

We abruptly left  Foothills Brewing and returned to Brookstown Inn to get ready for casino night. It was a pretty good time; though Marc and I were the youngest couple there. We have this ongoing joke that we always tend to be the youngest in the crowd at all the events we go to. I am not certain how this happens, but I really wish younger people enjoyed the same stuff we do! Neither one of us are gamblers, so we were amongst the first to leave that evening. In hindsight, it’s pretty hysterical that we were the first to leave since we were the youngest. I’m sure some of the older people stayed until the very end!

The next day was pretty fun. We went on the Blue Ridge Parkway “Cruz,” which really ended up being a drive on a whole bunch of backroads and a little bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our final destination was Chateau Morrisette in Virginia. I thoroughly enjoyed the wine tasting and winery tour. The winery is absolutely beautiful and has a great history, but I don’t feel like rambling about a winery.

The drive home was a long one, but at the end of the day, we supported a good cause while having fun, so making the trip was well worth our time!

~ Lyndsi

Sep9

Pretzels, Truffles, and Uh-Ohs in Downtown Asheville, NC

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A man dressed in drag. A dog that looked possessed of the devil. A “nun” on a unicycle. A dusting of gothics. A man in a belly shirt. A group of really freaky freaks. A few dozen hippies. Really, the only weird thing missing in the crowd was crazy Lady Gaga in her bizarre egg costume. Yes, I just called her a “thing.”

The only thought in my mind at the moment I saw the street crawling with the above unique individuals was “Uh-Oh, what are we getting ourselves into?” Marc and I unexpectdly stublembed upon this scene when we visited Asheville last weekend. We quickly learned that all of those crazies were out on the streets for the 10th annual Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF). This festival definitely defies cultural norms and festival organizers boast that it attracts individuals from all walks of life. No false advertising there — it is definitely a diverse crowd!

I felt a bit uncomfortable as a yuppy in a crowd of so many crazies. They were all trying super hard to look different in order to draw attention to themselves and there I was grabbing the attention of the crowd by dressing in my yuppy conservative manner that typically makes me blend into crowds.

Unfortunately, I didn’t exactly feel up to wandering the streets amongst a bunch of really different people. I’m sure I missed out on some fun art and great culture, but the festival was the epitome of weird and I just couldn’t get into it. Marc and I quickly made Lexington Avenue Brewery (LAB) our haven. We ordered a beer sampler as I waited for my friend Danielle, who lives in Asheville, to arrive. I was so glad she was joining us since I felt like I needed a local by my side in order to feel a bit more comfortable.

As we waited on her to arrive, we enjoyed some fabulous old world pretzels. If you read our post about Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Charlotte, NC then you already know that we expect top-notch pretzels. These were uber-pretzels with a perfect, toasty taste. Plump, crispy, and delicious. If we could delight in those pretzels at OMB, I’m pretty sure we’d be weekly visitors.

As if I hadn’t indulged enough, Danielle insisted we go out for a little dessert at French Broad Chocolate Lounge (aka: heaven). We waited in line for 15 minutes and loved inhaling the chocolaty aroma that filled the lounge. I ordered the Flourless Chocolate Truffle Torte and if indulging in that is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Regrettably, I didn’t snap a picture because I went into devour mode the second it landed in front of me. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Chai ice cream Danielle let me sample from her plate. Marc quoted No Strings Attached and proclaimed, “You eat like a baby dinosaur. You don’t even chew.” Not that that’s something to brag about, but it certainly made me laugh because it was true in that moment. I was eating like a baby dinosaur, but at least I limited myself to a slice of cake and didn’t eat a hand full of truffles with it.

I indulged a little too much over the weekend, but the following quote makes me feel better.

“I am not a glutton — I am an explorer of food.” — Erma Bombeck

Where’s your favorite place to get dessert in the Carolinas? I’m always on the lookout for new places to visit. I especially love places that are individually owned and operated!

~ Lyndsi