In a flash of self-pity, I think about what I’m not doing while staying in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France, the enchanting and historic island town ringed by the Sorgue River in the Luberon region of Provence. I’m visiting nearby Gordes, one of theRead more
California Baker Tracy Mattson Is One Smart Cookie
Maybe the brown T-shirt imprinted with the eye-catching COOKIE…take a bite! logo that Tracy Mattson is wearing signifies super powers, something like the “S” emblazoned on Superman’s chest. Inside the 400-square-foot commercial kitchen of Tracy’s boutique, artisan bakery in Santa Rosa,Read more
Diversions and Destinations in Sonoma County Wine Country
Hiking atop Tomales Point’s craggy cliffs on the California coast, dense fog swirls with abandon, obliterating my view a few yards ahead. Just as quickly it shifts, allowing a fleeting glimpse of scrubby vegetation hugging the sandy trail. Save forRead more
Rocking On in California’s Joshua Tree National Park
Our plan for this sunny day in Southern California seemed straightforward enough – drive about 60 minutes from La Maison, our French-inspired boutique hotel in Palm Springs, to Joshua Tree National Park for a desert hike. Instead, we’ve either materialized onRead more
Blowing in the Wind at San Gorgonio Pass Wind Park
It’s a sad day at San Gorgonio Pass Wind Park on the northwest outskirts of Palm Springs, CA, laments Randy Buckmaster, our guide from Palm Springs Windmill Tours. Wind – the element that makes one of the deepest mountain passesRead more
Chef Bruce Moffett’s Barrington’s Restaurant Stars in Charlotte
The sound system in the kitchen at Barrington’s restaurant in Charlotte, NC, plays “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” as I observe owner and executive chef Bruce Moffett wield a hefty knife and trim excess fat and other unwantedRead more
New SFMOMA Dazzles as Showplace for Modern and Contemporary Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s newest patron wears a fuzzy pink onesie. The baby girl is strapped face forward, arms and legs dangling, into a supportive carrier on her father’s chest. Dad holds a bottle up to his daughter’sRead more
Europe
In hopes of inspiring your own journeys through Europe, here’s a full list of stories I’ve shared from around the continent: Belgium Belgium: A Country for Chocolate Lovers Beyond Belief in Brugge England Ancient Mysticism and Man-Made Marvels Revealed inRead more
United States
In hopes of inspiring your own journeys through the U.S., here’s a full list of stories I’ve shared from around the country: California Goosecross Cellars Renews its Storied Wine Traditions in Napa Valley Santa Monica Sun and Fun at PalisadesRead more
Wine, Women, and Napa Valley’s Michaela Rodeno
Michaela Rodeno and I are standing in the light-filled kitchen of her cube-shaped home in Oakville, CA, which also doubles as the tasting room of her family’s Villa Ragazzi winery. She hands me a bottle of their flagship Sangiovese wine andRead more