From Coast to Coast, a 3 week trip across the US

We arrived into Colorado Springs tired after driving through a snowstorm that had hit the eastern mountains so we were more than ready to just find the hotel and relax. We turned onto North Academy Boulevard looking for some sign of the hotel with little luck and my husband finally had to use our cell phone to contact the front desk to ask for directions. We discovered that we had passed right by it and that the Residence Inn sign is hidden very well by a large tree, so after turning into an auto parts store parking lot, heading to the street behind it and making a quick right turn we were in the parking lot of the hotel.

This Residence Inn is an older one that still has a lot of charm and has a great view of Pike’s Peak, especially on a clear morning. The lobby is in a separate building than the hotel units and includes a work out room upstairs, a comfortable lounge where continental breakfast is served in the morning and dinner is served in the weekday evenings, and of course the guest laundry. There is a pool and hot tub located outside but because of the time of year the pool was closed however the hot tub was not. The rooms here are very spacious as there is a full kitchen complete with a dishwasher, microwave, pots and pans, silverware and dishes and a living room area with a fireplace that included one complimentary log. The bathroom was split up with the bathtub and toilet in one room and the vanity was off the bedroom. The bathroom here was a disappointment as it was old and the water pressure in the shower was not all that great. The bed here was satisfactory, not the most uncomfortable but not the most comfortable either. My husband and I also noticed that we could hear quite a bit of noise as there was a woman and her son staying above us and we constantly heard little feet running everywhere.

The rooms here may not be the nicest since they are pretty old and the hotel is a bit difficult to locate however the staff made this stay very comfortable. Whenever we entered the lobby to grab a bite to eat the assistant manager Kristen was always there asking how we were and if they could do anything to make our stay more comfortable. She also gave some great advice for things to do during the wintertime in Colorado Springs as well as some of the better restaurants nearby which was a big help. Overall this hotel was an acceptable place to stay for a few days to unwind and relax after a long day of driving, touring the area or shopping.

For more information regarding this hotel, go to this website.

Since as a Travel agent I was able to receive large discounts on rooms at Marriott hotels we stayed at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center located right off South State Street, which seemed to be one of the larger roads through the city. The parking lot here is a bit difficult to locate at first as we passed right by it on our left and had to suddenly turn around so definitely keep your eyes open.

After a long day of driving from Colorado Springs we were more than ready to again get our feet on solid ground, have a nice meal and then get some sleep. After grabbing the some essential luggage out of our Jeep we paced from here to there in the parking garage and finally located the elevators that would take us to the lobby of the hotel. We found the staff here at the front desk are very professional but are also curt and indifferent as when we inquired about restaurants the front desk clerk pulled out a map, quickly gave us directions and then turned away leaving us standing there with puzzled looks on our faces at his rapid directions.

We were given a room on the 10th floor which at first annoyed me a little until I realized shortly afterward that we couldn’t even hear the elevator much less guests through the thick hotel doors. Our room was extremely comfortable with a very large soft bed with a down comforter and pillows. The room was tastefully decorated in earthy tones and was furnished with large overstuffed chairs and ottomans that were very beautiful and comfortable. The bathroom was one of the biggest and nicest bathrooms I have seen as it had a very nice massaging shower head, which is great when you’ve had a long journey whether that journey was by car or air, a extremely deep and wide tub, and even a big fluffy spa rug in front of the vanity instead of one of those thicker towels that are put down on the floor to absorb water.

Soon after checking out our room and deciding we were hungry we went back downstairs but suddenly decided to make a detour to the gym and the indoor swimming pool. The gym was definitely one of the largest and most open ones I have ever seen at a hotel and the indoor swimming pool wasn’t bad either. After a quick walk through the entire area, we continued our search for a restaurant, which brought us back down to the lobby to Piastra on Gallivan Restaurant, which is a very good Italian restaurant.

All things considered this was a nice hotel that had very comfortable rooms, a wonderful gym and spa area, a quick and professional albeit indifferent staff, and a pretty good location.

For more information regarding this property, go to this website.

We arrived to Independence almost around 4:30pm Saturday as the afternoon traffic was almost completely filling the streets, which made it hard to locate the hotel as well as keep our eyes on the road and vehicles in front of us. After a bit of looking around and following our directions from my printed-out maps, however, I found the Residence Inn hiding behind a Fairfield Inn. We grabbed our suitcases and headed to the lobby with the distant sound of vehicles racing past on Interstate 70 as well as the not-so-distant sound of vehicles and people going to the nearby shopping center.

The front desk staff here are not only very friendly, but also very helpful, as we were upgraded upon checking in to a nicer room at no cost and then given advice on some of the better eating establishments of the area without even asking. We were also advised of the continental breakfast the next morning where items such as sausage patties, eggs, cereal, toast and juice and milk would be served. After bidding the clerk a good evening and thanking her for the advice, we were on our way to our room, where we passed by the small indoor pool and whirlpool that was just the perfect size for little children to play in.

Our room was the average Residence Inn room, which includes a full kitchen that is stocked with cooking utensils as well as dishes, silverware and glasses, a living room area, a bedroom area with a queen-size bed, and of course the bathroom. The bathroom was split in two, with the shower and toilet in a separate room from the vanity with the sink, which of course is convenient because the shower doesn’t steam up the mirror above the vanity. The room was very comfortable; however, I realized that evening that because we were right near some stairs, we heard each person coming in and out. This included a large family at approximately 11:30pm who were carrying what sounded like large suitcases filled with rocks. So of course a word of advice - stay away from the rooms near the stairs and the elevators.

The next morning prior to checking out we tried the continental breakfast, which wasn’t bad, but the quality of the food vaguely reminded me of dining at one of the various military dining halls that I visited with my husband. If I were to stay here again, I think I would just grab an apple and eat later. Of course, the price that we paid of $49.00 for the night was worth it, as we did get a comfortable (though somewhat noisy) room and a free breakfast. Most of all, I think this hotel would be a great stop for families with smaller children who may be driving by, as the entire hotel seemed to be extremely friendly to families.

For more information regarding this property, click on the following link: webpage

It was a pleasant 3-hour trip from Lake Tahoe to Sonoma, as the day was beautiful, warm and sunny; however, the traffic into Sonoma was rather heavy, which of course made us somewhat nervous, since we were unfamiliar with the area. Upon arriving finally at Broadway and making a right, we then made an immediate left at the Lodge of Sonoma. Upon entering the lobby we were greeted quickly by the professional and friendly staff, who informed us that since we were arriving so early, our room was not yet ready; however, they were happy to begin the check-in process for us. Since we wanted to do a bit of sightseeing, we shrugged and advised the front desk clerk that that was fine.

Later that evening, we headed back to the hotel, quickly picked up our key, and headed to our room, which was right above a few miscellaneous stores. The first thing I noticed upon entering the hallways where some of the hotel rooms were located was that the smell of spoiled olive oil permeated the air. It wasn’t exactly the most disgusting smell I have ever encountered, but certainly not the best either. The good news was that the smell in the hallway did not also inhabit our room. Our room here was very nice with a gas fireplace, king-size bed, sitting area, and the best feature by far was the bathroom, which had a open window looking over the bed that was covered by wooden blinds that could be utilized when privacy was needed while bathing. The toilet was in a small separate room, there was a glass shower stall and an extremely large soaking tub that even came with complimentary bath salts. Also supplied were some of the nicest-smelling lotions, shampoos and conditioners, which filled the room with essence of lavender and vanilla when we showered.

In the evenings, we were treated to beautiful sunsets that could be viewed through the French doors that led to our balcony, which was large enough for a wrought-iron table and two chairs. It was a perfect place to sit and watch the sun go down under the rolling green hills of Sonoma Valley. The only negative aspect to this was that the hotel is situated right off a main road, so of course there are some traffic sounds; however, we heard neither traffic nor the sounds of other guests during our two-day stay here in Sonoma.

The price was just great here for us, because again, I used my travel agent status to acquire a rate of $69.00 when I believe the normal rate here was at least a minimum of $140.00 and up. Overall this was a great place to stay for a few days, soak up some Californian sun, tour some vineyards, and of course try some food at some of the great restaurants nearby. For more information regarding this property, click on the following link: website

Best Things Nearby:
This resort had an amazing selection of restaurants nearby that would cater to just about anyone’s personal taste. The Hyatt is also located right off the northeast side of Lake Tahoe providing a lot of entertainment for the entire family during the summer months. My husband and I are currently not avid down hill skiers but we heard from both the guests and the staff that there were some excellent ski hills within a 20-minute drive from the resort.

Best Things About the Resort:
There are a large number of very affordable restaurants right on the premises making it easy to grab a bite for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Also the casino located on the lobby floor is not the biggest I've ever seen but the staff here is the most friendly my husband and I have ever encountered. Most of all, my husband and I both enjoyed the small town feel of Incline Village, which is commonly called by some locals "The Riviera of Lake Tahoe." We were advised at one point during our stay that most of the houses, condos and timeshares average a price of at least a half a million dollars making this a very nice neighborhood indeed

Resort Experience:
We arrived to the Reno area early in the afternoon and after a 30-minute drive, we had climbed over the pass and were currently looking for Country Club Drive, which was where our hotel, the Lake Tahoe Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, was located. After a bit of turning this way and that we finally located the parking lot that almost resembled a forest with all the massive pine trees scattered here and there and headed to the lobby to check in.

This resort from the front is very rustic as the entrances are made of river rock and what looked like cedar shingles and resembles an old-fashioned ski lodge. As we entered immediately to our left I took notice of the well-staffed concierge desk, the check in desk straight ahead and then to our right a small gift shop and also the entrance to the casino. Of course since we were mainly interested in getting checked in we walked over to one of the many resort desk clerks that were available.

The great thing about checking in early and on a Thursday was not only how empty the lobby was therefore reducing wait time but also there were many rooms available on the Regency Club Floors which not only have controlled access and better rooms, but also includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the evening and a really good continental breakfast in the morning. So after being told it would only add an additional twenty dollars onto our room cost we agreed and were on our way up to our room on the 12th floor. One of the first things I noticed as we walked through the hallway to our room was how quiet it was. We barely heard the other guests from inside our room throughout our entire stay.

We entered our room and were amazed at the luxurious comfort our room offered. The closet looked as if it was made out of cedar and included two comfy, spa quality terry cloth robes. The humongous kind size bed was covered with a down filled comforter. The bathroom was pretty much an average size however it did boast some of the nicest shampoos, conditioners, and lotions that I have ever seen. There was also a nice sitting area right next to our window where a view of the snow capped mountains and steaming hot tub and heated swimming pool waited for us each morning. I have to admit this was one of the most comfortable rooms that I have ever been in. All in all this was one of the most wonderful, magical resorts I have ever been to.

For more information regarding this resort, go to the website.

• Unit Type: Other
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

During our very first evening at the Lake Tahoe Hyatt Resort and Spa, my husband and I were constantly told by both staff and other guests that we must dine at least one night at The Lone Eagle Grill. After being told by so many people that we must go there we of course assumed that this must be a really great restaurant so we made our reservation for the next evening at 6:00 pm.

At around 5:30 pm the next day we walked from the hotel to the restaurant, which took us approximately 10 minutes and were surprised that even though we were a little bit earlier than our reserved time we were greeted and seated almost immediately. Since we were early we were lucky enough to get a wonderful and somewhat secluded table that was tucked between a large stone fireplace and the windows that looked out onto the lake and beach.

Upon sitting down and even before we could even enjoy the view one of the staff approached and promptly filled our water glasses and then vanished. After that came our friendly waitress who advised us what the specials of the day were as well as dropping off the menus for our perusal and then just as quickly vanished. We were already amazed at the extreme efficiency of the staff by the time the sommelier came up, which was roughly a minute after our waitress had left. She was both gracious and knowledgeable about the wines offered and gave us some very good suggestions. After we had placed an order for a bottle of Merlot, we sat back and finally got to relax and enjoy the view and the beauty of the restaurant with our drinks that had magically appeared while talking with the sommelier. All I can say is the staff here is the most prompt, courteous, friendly and efficient I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.

This restaurant is stunning as it’s entirely made up of stone and cedar, with large towering windows overlooking the lake and great stone fireplaces that provide some welcome warmth during the winter and early spring months. There is a bar off to the side of the restaurant where you may sit, relax, have a drink or two with a companion or alone while you wait for a table during busy times.

The prices here are definitely high and I would not suggest bringing children unless you don’t mind spending a lot. I noticed that the average price for many of the entrees was around $35, so with drinks and possibly a dessert the total tab for even two people can easily run up to $100. Even though the prices here are high, the food is excellent and the servings are large as my husband and I couldn’t even finish all of our entrees.

For more information click on the following link: The Lone Eagle Grill

This winery was our third stop of the day, and after visiting the other two wineries we were definitely in the need to stop, relax and maybe take some time before tasting new wines. We drove up London Ranch road, which also leads to the Jack London estate if you follow it long enough, turned into the small driveway and followed it up until we reached a small parking lot. The first thing we noticed upon reaching this winery is that unlike many of the other wineries, this one seems much more homey and comfortable. There was a small outdoor museum that we chose to walk through before walking to the tasting rooms that taught us more about how to graft vines, beneficial and harmful insects and the many stages of a vines life.

We then walked through a large overhead forest of twisted and knobby trees, past several peacocks in a cage and a house where most of the winery offices were located and finally ended up at the tasting room and gift shop where the knowledgeable staff waited to greet us. After trying a few wines, we found out that a tour of the vineyard was about to begin, so we quickly paid our $10.00 per person and ran back up the hill to a tractor that pulls a large tram behind it. As our tour progressed, our guide told us about the family who owns the winery and their dedication to making completely organic wines by using beneficial insects and compost as well as the history of the vineyards and the process of making wine. After touring the vineyards, the wine presses, the crushers, and finally the manmade caves where the barrels are stored, we headed back to the gift shop. Included in the price of the tour is a tasting of a few of the wines and a very nice wine glass with the name of the winery etched in it.

This time since we weren’t as rushed we took our time and sampled a few more of the wines, explored the gift shop which sells everything from organic honey to wine coolers and talked to more of the very friendly staff. My husband and I both found that at this winery the staff was exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable which made this visit extremely enjoyable. The wines produced by Benziger are consistently excellent which also made a great impression upon us. Overall this was a great place to spend a sunny afternoon and I will certainly return again if I am in the area.

For more information please click on the following link: website

Landmark Winery was our second stop of the day on our way back to downtown Sonoma. All of the wineries throughout the Sonoma Valley are very close to each other so it’s extremely easy to just hop from winery to winery to winery. However, I have to admit that traffic moves very fast down this two-lane road, so use some caution when turning back onto it. After a 5 minute drive we turned into the winery which somewhat reminded me of a New York winery because of its homey appearance. Like the St. Francis winery, this winery also had large gardens; however, these gardens were filled with colorful daffodils and other pretty flowers that were in full bloom. After greeting and complimenting the gardener who working amongst all of the fragrant plants, we headed inside to the gift shop and tasting room.

This winery is very casual and relaxed and the staff is very friendly and informative as well. The wine tasting here is free as long as you buy a bottle, which we found was different from many of the other wineries along highway 12. As we relaxed and tasted each wine, we spoke with a member of the staff about the history of Landmark Vineyards as well as about the wine. The vineyard is currently owned by Michael and Mary Colhoun and has been passed down several generations. It was originally started in 1974 just north of Santa Rosa and then around 1989 was moved to the base of the Sugarloaf Ridge, which are the rolling hills and mountains that help make up the Sonoma Valley. Soon after moving from the white wines to the red wines several customers arrived, at which point we were poured somewhat larger glasses of a Syrah called Steel Plow and invited to take a look down the hall as there were pictures of the owners, their family and their ancestors as well as numerous pictures of famous visitors such as Martha Stewart and Hilary Clinton. As we walked amongst the many pictures, some old and some new, we were surprised to learn that the Colhouns were descendents of John Deere, the maker of farm equipment and lawn mowers.

This walking unescorted among a winery’s hallways was a totally new experience for the both of us and it truly made us feel as if we had been made part of the family. After we had finished our wine, we headed back to the tasting bar where we paid for our purchases and then walked outside to the stunning patio. Maybe it was just the wine or maybe it was just someone very gifted in landscaping had done a great job but this patio was lovely. The trees had all been placed in such a way as to produce shade out while daffodils and other plants were in large terra cotta containers that bordered the path to the water fountain.

For more information click on the following link: Landmark Vineyards

My husband and I started out our day touring the vineyards of Sonoma by driving from The Lodge at Sonoma, up Highway 12 to St Francis Winery where excellent wines awaited. If you are staying in downtown Sonoma it’s very easy to get to any of the local wineries as they are mostly located off Highway 12, however, I advise anyone interested in touring the vineyards to get a free copy of Wine Country as it has maps with the wineries notated on it. There are so many wineries in this area that it is almost impossible to visit all of them in one day, so you may want to plan ahead which ones you would like to visit.

St. Francis winery was completed in 1979 and named after Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of humanitarian efforts. The visitor center however was just built recently and is very beautifully done. The area around the visitor center includes manicured lawns and herb gardens which when brushed up against release a lovely aroma of lavender and rosemary. Behind the large and airy tasting room through stained oak French doors lies a stone patio with tables and chairs that are surrounded by even more meticulously tended gardens.

Before approaching the wine tasting bar, my husband and I looked at all the other items for sale that included everything from wine glass charms to delicious Essence of Lavender honey, which by the way, tastes just like candy and is wonderful in an evening cup of tea!

Upon approaching the tasting bar, we were greeted by the friendly and professional staff whom advised us that the tasting fee is $5.00 however if we purchased a bottle of wine that would be credited to the purchase. Of course, many wineries do charge somehow or another for the tasting so we shrugged, paid our $10.00, and were given lists of the wines offered so that we may pick which ones we would like to try. Since my husband and I have toured many wineries, we have learned that if you are visiting a winery with someone that you don’t mind sharing a glass with, it’s best for each person to check every other wine and then just share as each glass is poured. Not only do you get to try more of what the winery has to offer but it also cuts down on how much you drink, therefore allowing you to stay a little more sober.

After tasting the sweeter then the drier whites, we moved onto the reds, which we both agreed were absolutely delicious. While tasting a Zinfandel we exclaimed how good all the red wines were at which point we were advised that St. Francis is actually known very well for their red wines. This has earned them the nickname "House of Big Reds" and boy do they deserve it.

For more information click on the following link: St Francis Winery

During my last business trip to Colorado Springs, I had always wanted to go to the Cliff Dwellings located right outside of Manitou Springs but we simply did not have enough time. This time I decided along with my husband to definitely make time for it as it looked really interesting and plus it was along the way from Colorado Springs to Pike’s Peak, another attraction we wanted to visit.

We arrived around 10am on a crisp weekday morning and after paying our entrance fee of $8 per adult we drove up and found the park almost empty except for a few employees here and there. Since it was still early spring, we assumed that the tourist season had not yet begun and walked over from the parking lot to the gift shop and museum. Upon entering the Pueblo style building we found that we first had to go through the gift shop in order to get to the museum, which I thought was very tacky and in bad taste. We began walking through rather quickly, looking here and there at the merchandise which was mostly cheaply made, however I did get myself a beautiful white fleece sweater with snowflakes embroidered on it for a pretty good price. Since I was moving to Alaska, I thought that would be handy for the winter; however, it came in even handier as we prepared to head out to the cliff dwellings later.

The museum itself featured information about the Ansazi, which are also referred to as the Ancestral Puebloans, and their pottery, tools and weapons. It was all interesting, though I was rather disappointed by the small size of the museum as I have seen much more information and displays at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC for free. Once we had walked through the museum, which took us about 30 minutes, we headed up to the cliff dwellings which were much more interesting.

The cliff dwellings themselves are really an impressive experience to walk through as each room has a plaque stating what that room would have historically been used for. This gave me a much deeper insight into the Ansazi and their way of life than the museum did.

If you visit during early spring, make sure to wear a little extra clothing as the Manitou cliff dwellings are right off a cliff where a cool breeze blows into making it quite chilly. One other word of caution, as you walk through the cliff dwellings be careful of where you walk, it’s somewhat darker inside and it’s very easy to trip and fall.

For more information click on the following link: Manitou Cliff Dwellings