Traveling with Laura

St. Louis 2018: Day 1

March 23, 2018June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

You’re probably wondering why I picked St. Louis for my latest weekend escape. I’ve been a huge gymnastics fan all my life, and for the past several years I’ve been following NCAA gymnastics pretty closely. When I found out that the 2018 SEC Gymnastics Championship was being held in St. Louis, it quickly got added to my “year of travel”. Plus, I’ve only ever passed through the St. Louis airport, so it was a good excuse to explore a new city. I wasn’t sure I was going to do any blogging this weekend because I didn’t think I’d have much to write about. As it turns out, St. Louis has some pretty amazing food. So if you’re hungry (or even if you’re not), prepare to salivate.

St. Louis 2018 033 — Butterfly Garden at the St. Louis Zoo

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Turks and Caicos 2018: Day 0

February 18, 2018June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

So it’s off to Turks and Caicos this week. I wish I could say it was a quick, easy trip, but that wasn’t in the cards. Yesterday morning, I learned my flight from Boston to Charlotte for this morning was canceled. Had I acted quickly (and decisively), I could have taken a direct flight to Miami and then on to Turks later tonight. Instead, I called hoping to get out to Charlotte last night and by the time I found out I couldn’t, all the seats on the Miami flight were gone. So I ended up making a white-knuckle drive to the airport in the snow first thing this morning to catch a (delayed) flight to LaGuardia, followed by another (delayed) flight to Miami, and eventually a final (on time) flight to Providenciales. I had a first class seat the whole way, so food and drinks certainly helped. But 12 hours in airports and on planes is still 12 hours.

PSX_20180218_191225 — Flying into LaGuardia over Lower Manhattan

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Washington, D.C. 2018: Day 3

January 15, 2018June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

Washington, D.C. 2018 127 — Ted’s Bulletin

Homemade Pop-Tarts. I’ll just leave that there for a minute. If you’re wondering why I’m bringing it up, well… I may have indulged in one with my breakfast this morning. Ted’s Bulletin is basically a D.C. area institution. Picture an old-timey, throwback diner-ish place tucked into a nondescript block of Capitol Hill and you’ll have Ted’s (they also have a couple of other locations). The back dining room even has a large screen showing old black and white movies! Well-known for these delectable treats, Ted’s also serves down home comfort food. In addition to a blueberry cheesecake Pop-Tart, I also had the biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs and hash browns. So good, this place deserves two photos in today’s blog post!

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Washington, D.C. 2018: Day 2

January 14, 2018June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I was a trouper today. I’m proud to say the cold and miles and miles of walking (I walked about 6 miles today) didn’t keep me from tackling the city head-on. I thought I might just take my time and eat breakfast at the hotel restaurant, but I woke up with a new resolve to be a cold-weather person for the day. It was 15 degrees when I set out from the hotel for the ¾ mile walk to Founding Farmers. Their latest claim to fame is boasting the most Yelp reviews in D.C. And deservedly so… I had a French toast that was basically like a deep fried Twinkie. I kid you not, they literally pipe the custard inside the bread. I know, I couldn’t believe it either. I was simultaneously thinking, “this is amazing” and “how did they come up with this?” the entire meal. Anyway, I obviously had a lot to burn off after that feast (which I couldn’t even finish).

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Washington, D.C. 2018: Day 1

January 13, 2018June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

Washington, D.C. 2018 003 — Lavender Hot Chocolate at Open City D.C.

Lavender hot chocolate, anyone? Yep, that’s how I started my first morning in D.C. Of course, the weather forecast earlier this week was calling for mid-50s today; the reality was 35 degrees and plenty of wind. I hate the cold. I gamely made it through my weekend in NYC in November because it was the first really brutal cold of the season. It’s now 2 months later, and I’ve had my share of cold for the winter. First stop of the day: Open City D.C. for the aforementioned lavender hot chocolate and a stuffed French toast breakfast. Open City is kind of a loft-style diner that manages to be both open and cozy and was only a few blocks from my destination: the National Zoo. A great way to start the day!

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Washington, D.C. 2018: Day 0

January 12, 2018June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

Continuing (or “officially beginning”) the “Year of Travel”, this weekend I’m hitting up our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. I’ve been to D.C. several times, so there’s no pressure to see and do everything in three short days. D.C. is close enough for an easy long weekend trip, yet far enough away to feel like a mini-vacation.

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New York City 2017: Day 3

November 12, 2017June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

First, the two highlights of the day…

Clinton Street Baking Company: So I gave in and actually waited until 9AM for breakfast this morning, and stood outside in the cold for 30 minutes, all to have what have been called the “best pancakes in New York City”. Since they are also the only pancakes I’ve had here, they lived up to their reputation. They were also some of the best pancakes I’ve had anywhere. With my sweet tooth for breakfast, that’s saying a lot. They were perfectly crispy on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. And they were served with… wait for it… maple butter syrup. I had mine with blueberries, which not only had blueberries baked in but also had a hearty ladleful of blueberry compote on top. Scrumptious!

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New York City 2017: Day 2

November 11, 2017June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

I’m just going to stick to the highlights today:

The Met Cloisters: The Cloisters has been on my NYC bucket list since I first saw pictures of it a few years ago. The reconstructed cloisters were originally from French monasteries and abbeys. The museum contains hundreds of decorative arts and sculptures from medieval Europe. It was one of those places where a picture can never do it justice. I stopped several times to just sit and enjoy the surroundings. If you want to feel like you’re in Europe right in New York City, this is the place. It was definitely a highlight of not just the day, but the whole trip, and well worth the 30 minute subway ride and walk across Fort Tyron Park to get to.

New York City 2017 176 — The Met Cloisters

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New York City 2017: Day 1

November 10, 2017June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

First things first… it’s COLD in New York City this weekend! After weeks and weeks of abnormally warm temperatures in the northeast this fall, the weathermen have been warning of the oncoming arctic blast for days. And of course, today was the day I planned all of my outdoor activities. But the cold didn’t prevent me from enjoying the sites.

New York City 2017 126 — Manhattan at Dusk

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New York City 2017: Day 0

November 9, 2017June 27, 2022Laura Irwin

If you know me at all, it’s safe to say you’re probably wondering what exactly the person who hates cities is doing spending a weekend in the busiest of them all: New York City. Well, let me enlighten you. I’ve officially dubbed this my “Year of Travel”, and intend to go somewhere every month from now until August. But why New York? Growing up in Connecticut, I’ve visited NYC several times on day trips. My stepmother and I used to come here every December for a day of checking out the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. I’ve seen Central Park and Times Square. But I’ve never actually done the full tourist thing in the Big Apple. I’ve contemplated a day trip the last couple of summers, but for some reason never actually made it happen. So now I’m making it happen.