Signs were hidden in Quilt Blocks: an amazing Juneteenth story. © Jo Clark History of Juneteenth By June 19, 1865, the Civil War had been over more than two months. That was the day Union soldiers rode into Galveston, Texas, and shared news that the War was over, and enslaved men and women were free. Juneteenth commemorates the day when the U. S. Army declared 250,000 Texas enslaved people...
The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Beaufort and Bluffton offer two distinct sides of the Lowcountry experience, and barrier islands dance in between like the jewels in a crown. Beaufort captures your heart with historic homes, moss-draped streets, a beloved author (who wasn’t born in Beaufort, but loved it as fiercely as those who were), and magical waterfront...
The Best Places to Eat, Sleep and Play Ready for breakfast as the morning sun begins to color the sky over the Willamette Valley After eleven blissful days exploring the Willamette Valley's wine country, I can confidently point you toward exceptional wineries, unforgettable meals, charming places to stay, and a few experiences you might otherwise miss. I share all my favorite winery discoveries...
Recipe courtesy of: Erin Gilchrist, owner/chef of A'Tuscan Estate Bed & Breakfast, in McMinnville, Oregon - the perfect place to stay during your wine-venture in the Willamette Valley. We enjoyed this delicious fig breakfast course and immediately requested the recipe. [mv_create key="13" type="recipe" title="Agave Roasted Figs"...
Pinot Noir Grapes waiting to become wine The Willamette Valley is home to more than 700 wineries (and 800 vineyards). Oregon's wine country holds two-thirds of all the state's wineries and is internationally known for its cool-climate Pinot Noir. Admittedly, it was a luscious, sigh-inducing Pinot Noir that first put “Willamette Valley” on my lips—and firmly on my radar—somewhere between the...
The Old Orange County Courthouse was one of my favorite stops © Jo Clark Buena Park and Santa Ana are amazing to visit on their own. Still, when you combine the two cities, all I can say is WOW! Each has unique things to see and do, but you know I’m really just there for the food—well, and the drinks. Fun spots like Knott’s Berry Farm and nearby Disneyland, wineries, zoo, aquarium, and harbor...