Dreams, Moments, Travels
Caroline left today for a brief business trip to Dallas, Texas. This was the third time she has flown in the past five years, all times without me – I’ve not been on a plane since the year 2000. Not that I don’t want to, it’s just that the opportunity hasn’t arisen and I have enjoyed the drives. That will change in April as we make our way to Hawaii.
The site where John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The man in the suit is Mike Waltman, Caroline’s boss at I-Sites in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I met Ken Cetro, the Produce Manager here at Wild Oats in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the guy really impresses me with his love of presenting the best organic produce selection to be found in all of Arizona. From heirloom tomatoes and fresh horseradish root to napa cabbage and porcini mushrooms, if you need most any gourmet organic veggie, Ken here at Wild Oats is a near sure bet to have what you need. Now he just needs to brush up on his cooking skills so he can better tell me how to use that giant celery-like veggie he sells called Cardoon.
The light is red as I wait to make a left turn on my way home. The center divide here on Bell Road is getting overgrown and in the background, another non-descript generic strip mall is being planted. I would put money on this corner having a sub shop, a dry cleaner, a drug store, tanning and nail salon, maybe a pizza parlor – nothing of any use to us.
On our way back home from Santa Barbara to Phoenix, Arizona, we again stopped in West Covina, California, at the Hong Kong Plaza. This mini-mall is a treasure trove for culture seekers. Not only do they have an Indonesian restaurant, but they also have Malaysian, Korean BBQ, and a variety of Chinese restaurants, a Sushi bar, a Shabu Shabu restaurant, and a Boba Tea store. In between all of these dining choices are small shops, a grocery, gift stores, and this Tokyo 99 Cent Plus store.
Family friend Gail joined our aunt and uncle and us to start the day with a trip up to San Marcos Pass to the Cold Spring Tavern, an 1860s stagecoach stop near Santa Barbara, California. They have a great breakfast and, from what I’ve heard, a great prime rib for dinner.
The place is a popular destination for those lucky enough to have stumbled upon it and has earned the title “Most Romantic Getaway.” Check their entertainment schedule, as they often feature live music.
What would a visit to Southern California be without at least one stop at a Farmer’s Market?
Stopping in West Covina, California, on our way to Santa Barbara, we were hungry for some Asian food and took in a meal at a small Malaysian place. Caroline had the Nasi Goreng while I opted for the Bami Goreng – hers was a rice dish, mine noodle.
When we lived in Germany, we would make frequent trips to Amsterdam, where we often ate at Mr. Moto’s, an all-time favorite Indonesian fast food joint, which now seems to have merged into a new Asian-style Mongolian BBQ.