Naval Postgraduate School / Hotel Del Monte, Monterey, CA

When a cousin can get you access to a military base and allow you to stay on base for the night, you don't ask questions, you get the reservation in. In this case, this "base" is on the old grounds of what was, at the time, a west-coast first. It was the first golf resort available on the west coast and really the precursor to the Pebble Beach type locations up and down the coast today. I'm no expert though, feel free to Google the history of the Hotel Del Monte.

If I have some of my history correct though, this place began in the late 1800's, hosting all manner of celebs, dignitaries, and presidents (4 at last count). In the 19050's, the US Navy decided to move their Naval Post Graduate School from the east coast to the west coast (the Pacific was becoming a much bigger field of operations and the Navy didn't want to be caught off guard). They purchased this property and moved out to it soon after. It is still a working military college/university and also uses the hotel for both military guests as well as their students.

The best part is the whole place basically has an old Hollywood feel to it, but without knowing the right people, you won't get in off the street. In fact, you have to go through a main security gate to get in anyways, so it's not easy to do for Joe Schmoe.

It is an amazing campus and hotel, with simple rooms (no A/C, but you're basically next to the ocean) and amenities, but so much history none of the rest really matters, IMO.

I am told this used to be a full-on swanky pool area, but is now only about a foot deep and considered a "reflecting pond" - lame...

Inside was just as impressive and regal as the grounds...

That's a ceiling, Folks!!!

Stairs to hidden balconies...

And hidden stairs back down to other floors...

Guests have access to their "Trident" bar on base. Great little spot in the basement of the main hall (Hermann Hall)...

And who doesn't love a "mug club"?! They had hundreds of them on the ceiling...

I think you can tell I would go back in a second. Of course, I can't say this to everyone, as you do need to be in the military or have family in the military, but if you get the chance, most certainly go.

Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, CA

On a recent trip to the peninsula, I managed to luck into their Family Day. That means free entry for all visitors and games for kids. Though I have no family to speak of (of my own) and no kids that I know of, they still let me in.

It is a very nice, modest-sized museum with a number of different artists on display. I'm sure the selection rotates, which is the way to go, IMO.

They had a number of artists and events depicted I'd never heard of before, take a look:

Through out the building, they had curious rooms and walkways, even this interesting (to me) sunlight/window and view of their rafters. Nice place to wander around really...

If you're in town and looking to be indoors for a bit (the sun was getting to be too much the day I went), I would whole-heatedly recommend this little spot.

Farming in Northern CA, Watsonville, CA

This relatively new location that I live in, has given me an up close & personal view of the US' crop production. The town I live in and others nearby are well-known for their produce, almost globally at this point. They are big producers of items like artichokes, garlic, and many types of berries. You can't go far here without seeing a roadside stand selling much of the produce a family would use, and it's all locally grown.

To that end, do you know what the pics are of above? They use these "hoop houses" all over the valley and coast. I believe it's to keep the plants warm for the growing season, maybe even to keep the direct sun off them. Don't take my word for it, Wiki can tell us more HERE.

I'm writing a post about this topic because I have been relatively surprised by how many or how often these hoop houses are used here. You don't see them in the Midwest for grain growing. They really use them a lot here though, everything in white below are these houses. To be honest, I'm sort of fascinated by them, and I don't know why. Enjoy.

Updated: How Many States You Got, Yo!?

Updated in Summer 2019 to include the highlighted states below. If I don't keep track, no one else will.

Just this past week, I was trying to recall how many US states I've been able to get to in my lifetime, and it prompted me to write them down (the ole memory isn't as sharp as it used to be). Here's my list so far (I ain't dead yet!). I'd like to say "in no particular order", but we all know that's not possible with me...

1. Illinois*
2. Wisconsin*
3. Minnesota*
4. Nebraska
5. Iowa
6. Indiana
7. Ohio
8. Michigan (Upper & Lower peninsulas)
9. Pennsylvania
10. West Virginia +
11. Kentucky +
12. Virginia
13. Maryland
14. District of Columbia++
15. Missouri
16. Texas
17. Oklahoma
18. Vermont
19. Rhode Island
20. Massachusetts
21. Connecticut
22. New York
23. Colorado
24. New Mexico
25. Arizona
26. Utah
27. California*
28. Nevada
29. Idaho
30. North Carolina
31. Florida
32. Kansas
33. Wyoming
34. Oregon
* Official resident at one time or another
+ Pretty sure I've been through these on a childhood vacation
++ Not a state but "Honorable mention"

Not all of these were for any extended stays or even overnights. Take Oklahoma for example, this was just as we drove through on a grad-school spring break, but I'll still count it.

Feel free to write your states or totals in the comments.

La Michoacana Paleteria y Neveria, Watsonville, CA

It should come as no surprise that I enjoy an ice cream now and again. I also was happy to find this little gem in the new town I live in.

Paletas are fruit and ice cream popsicles, like the American Dreamsicle or Fudgsicle. They have over 70 flavors of paletas in this place!!! And about 30 or so ice cream flavors - like other Mexican ice cream shops, some of these flavors us gringos will know and recognize, others use a different hue (vanilla = orange) or we've never even imagined.

Paletas first...

Now ice creams...

Pretty sure that one called Cotton Candy is a hit with the under 5-years old crowd.

I believe that upper right corner is called "Angel's Kiss", but in Spanish.

I will be back as often as my wallet and waistline will allow. If you're ever in the area, I would highly recommend.

Ella’s at the Airport, Watsonville, CA

Who knew there was a pretty happening restaurant & lounge right next to the municipal airport. You actually walk into part of the airport building to get the the place. When I walked it in was alive with people and live music too.

Busy bar top, but I sat down and made my way through my dinner. Grab an 805 from the bar and then time to peruse the menu and see what I wanted. They have a full list of salads, pastas, and even wood-fired pizzas, but I wasn't feeling any of that this visit.

So the pages above are not the whole menu, but does show the pages I chose from for my meal - a burger and a dessert. I went with the fresh green salad on the side and "Chocolate Love" for dessert. Burger was very good, no complaints here.

The torte came out of the kitchen looking like it got into a brawl back there, but my mouth sure didn't care what it looked like. It is delicious.

Now that I know where this place is, I'll be back. These folks also have a location in the downtown area, that I would presume is as good as this one.

Manai Gastronomia, São Paulo, Brasil

A recent work trip to Brasil provided me with a unique look into this country, its people, and most importantly, its food!

How do you feed 20 million people at lunchtime? Buffets. It took until my 3rd day of eating from a buffet at lunch to ask why this seems like the de facto method of eating lunch for Brasil's office workers. And it was explained simply enough - this is the only way everyone can eat good food in the time allotted for lunch. Restaurants would simply not have the time to take individual orders and make each person's meal choice if it was run like a traditional restaurant. Makes sense to me and my stomach!

Below is a look at one of the buffets we visited twice during the week. It's one of the best according to my taste buds and has been voted so by an online poll in years past.

The space is inviting, with an awesome, sunlit 2nd floor seating area, but you have to go up one of the nicest staircases I've ever seen to get there...

And the food...

Everything I ate at all the lunch buffets was good food, tasty, and much of it at a very reasonable price.  You could also go back for a little more Reais and get some dessert - uhh, yes please!

Sorvetes...

And those little torts and cakes, so good.