Category Archives: Travel/Outdoors

The Road to Travel

Better late than never! One day before we’re due to hit the road for the west coast and I’ve booked us our first hotel. To be honest I’ve been trying to book campsites for the past week but that stupid ReserveAmerica, ie State Park Ticketmaster, keeps telling me they’re “making upgrades to improve service” come back later. I’d be satisfied with a working website! Later=Never. I’ll be calling the 800 number finally. We need sites in Sunset Bay, Redwoods National Forest SP, Morro Bay SP and probably Carlsbad since my dad doesn’t want the pup to ruin his backyard putting green.

Tomorrow is a crazy day and I won’t even get to packing until super late. I have to take Sage to camp, climb Parley’s with friends and show up at my acting class from 6-9:30p. Oh, and I really really want to yard sale for a couple of hours on Saturday before we leave. Haven’t shared that idea with ryan yet. I know he won’t be cool with it. Sigh. I hear it’s going to be a morning.

Back to our hotel- “America’s Best Value Inn”. We got a pet-friendly king room in Klamath Falls, Ore., for this Saturday night – $54. Ryan says he doesn’t trust my choices because I always book sh*tholes. I book cheap. All we need is a clean bed and bathroom. It’s not like we’re taking up residence. Besides, I don’t see him online making reservations. I’ll post pictures and let you judge.

The plan is to hit Coos Bay by Sunday and head south on Hwy1/101- Crescent City, Klamath, Humbolt, Eureka, San Rafael, San Francisco, Morro Bay, you get the idea. If anyone has any suggestions for unique Kodak moments or dining experiences, please speak up!! We’re flying by the seat of our pants on this one.

8.5 Hours to Aspen

Photos by Liz Mallen

 

At least I didn’t forget my panties. Talk about your chaotic roadtrip embarkments. Three times I had to drive back to my house before I was finally on the road to Aspen. So instead of a 9 a.m. start it was more like 11:30 a.m. Then with three kids and a puppy, the 6 hour drive brought us to the Molly Gibson Lodge at 8 p.m. We were already late for the 8 p.m. Welcome Reception and I had missed cocktails with Promo Communications- the PR agency that had invited me out to this exciting event.

The reception for Outside in Aspen at the Sky Lodge was a mix of Aspen locals and out of town guests. I ran into Chris Anthony (long-time Warren Miller pro) who would be leading the rockclimbing group. “There’s no snow,” he shrugged in response to my look when he said he was climbing. Some of the girls (myself included) wore cocktail dresses while others were more comfy in jeans. Men of all ages smiled. One girl with a painted mustache on her face was doing lines off her iPhone in plain sight of us. Not one to think that’s cool, we ignored the bad seed and enjoyed the DJ, the open bar and the yummy appetizers. The servers were happy to bring over kid food to- like sliders, mac n cheese and chicken skewers to keep the little ones happy.

We finally got the gang to bed before midnight. The Molly is a cozy spot just off the main drag that welcomes pets. Moki got dog treats and dog bowls at check in. And he romped with two other pups in the rear courtyard before stowing away in his crate so we could party. Tomorrow will be his day.

I had to tell Sage that her day with the sitter would be a lot more fun tomorrow because Momma had a meeting with grownups. That’s code for – you can’t join me for my adventure dog workshop. It’s my first clinic at Outside in Aspen and I’m determined to learn as much as I can from the experts leading my groups.

A guy I met tonight was considering the number of attendees. His company – Triumph Motorcycles – was one of the sponsors. He said organizers expected ‘only’ 300 people this weekend. I told him that was plenty; 10 clinics/300 people translates into 30 people per group. Those are big groups. I could see where a sponsor would want more exposure but personally I’d prefer a group half that size. We’ll see how it goes with the dog trainer tomorrow. Moki could use some individual attention. This is his first foray into adventure.

Powell Bound; The Lake Garners “First Roadtrip of the Season” Award

NO service. The heat of the sun is forcing its way through the passenger window to press against my cheek. As much as I hate the heat trying to burn a hole in my skin, I’m feeling a settled calm. Part of that comes from being done with the rush around- getting ready, stocking the car with essentials, packing for two and prepping the house for friends who will stop in to check on the kitty.

Roadtrips are never as simple as you think. I know I’m forgetting stuff. I should have been packing two days ago. Oh wait. I didn’t even know about this trip two days ago. Come to think of it, roadtripping can be that simple if I can get everything arranged for three people and be out the door in a day and half.

Passengering to Lake Powell for the first weekend in May. It’s our first roadtrip of the season. Last year was a different story with day after day of epic powder at Snowbird I had no desire to leave. This year, it’s the opposite. I have no desire to ski. Instead, it’s off to the water we go to learn to houseboat, to relish the 80 degree temps, to morph jagged snowcapped mountains into raw redrock desert.

The call came two days ago. Slots had opened up for the houseboat course and did I want to rally? Hmmm. We had yard sales, tickets to Derby Day at High West, a Cinco de Mayo party and plans to ski with friends. Did I want to bag all that for a 5 hour roadtrip, a free stay at Defiance Lodge, driving a houseboat and powerboat around the Lake and a welcome invitation to bring my five year old. Yes.

1p.m. and now it’s nearly 6p.m. and we’re not there. 40 more miles. Never make specific plans with people at your final destination. You’re bound to be late. Like that old saying- Half the fun of your trip is your journey. We stopped in Salt Lake for gas and lunch. In Price for the bathroom and in Hanksville for Milk and birthday cake mix. Yep it’s my bday this weekend- Cinco de Mayo actually and I can’t think of better way to celebrate than out of town away from that dreaded question- how old are you? Wtf does it matter, is what I say in my head. J

So we make a cake, clink some Provo Girl and call it good from the bow of the 54-foot Escape.

Hello, Lake Powell!

Tourist For A Day (or Two)

I just had a sweet relaxing day as a tourist in my own town. That’s right. I checked into the newly remodeled, newly deluxed Washington School House hotel in Old Town Park City. I’m sad to report that we locals won’t get to walk through a haunted house during Halloween anymore but guests staying at the hotel will love the consequences of nicing things up. Count on a new pool and hot tub with mountain views and an original 2002 Olympic fire cauldron for one thing.


I’m usually the go-to person for advice on all things Park City but it’s not every day I actually get a chance to stay in a local hotel, let alone a B & B as fancy as this one. But it wasn’t always like this. The WSH, built in 1889, obviously needed a renovation after its long history and the duck emerged as a swan of a boutique hotel in January 2012. Eight months of interior guttage and design from Paul Allen Design and architect Trip Bennett have crafted 12 Old World suites and rooms that smell of fresh paint and look pure resort colonial.



The St. Regis, Montage, Escala, Waldorf-Astoria hotels moving into Park City have paved the way for smaller lodges to remodel and lure some of that elite audience who might be looking for something just a bit cozier. They’d have a tough time resisting the School House’s original quarried limestone exterior, which has been protected with the installation of a new standing seam metal roof, hardwood floors reclaimed from old barns, 16-foot ceilings, a 10-foot tall antique mirror from an opera house in the south of France and a one-of-a-kind massive antler chandelier in the breakfast room, lacquered in white and layered with crystals.

Can I take home a towel please?

The rooms host king and queen beds, Pratesi linens, down feather beds, Lynova microcotton towels, nine-foot school house windows with automated blinds, ice-white marble bathrooms, heated floors, a showerhead to die for and Molton Brown toiletries. Everything feels soft on your skin.

Walking Distance

The hotel has a designated van to transport you to Canyons or next door. “We actually had our driver take guests to the Riverhorse which is literally directly across the street,” said Jessica Davis, WSH’s General Manager. “But we accommodate all needs.” You can walk a block to dinner at High West Distillery and stumble back or call for a ride.

When it’s morning, it’s a gourmet eggs Florentine with purple roasted potatoes and bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Skis on the Run swings by and drops off your skis and boots, preseleting them for you based on a form you fill out prior to arrival. As much as I wanted them to be wrong, the Volkl Aurora suited me just fine on this mushy spring groomer day. I used my own boots. I always use my own Lange boots. Then it’s time to ski.

Park City Mountain Resort’s Town Lift is just steps away; or get another van ride to the Resort Center.


I’m told you can ski out the back but didn’t see that route. The way back is supposed to be more straightforward- just look for the hotel’s “belfry” to navigate off the mountain and back to the hotel.

Soft pretzels and bison nachos anyone?

Reach for a glass of wine and fancy apps in the new chic ski lounge downstairs for après ski.



The bar is open. Your stay includes breakfast, après and all drinks. They’re rolling out dinner in the next few months but that will be a la carte.


The WSH also has little toys for kids at turndown. Children were welcome in 1889 when WSH was one of the first school houses in Park City and they’re still welcome today. Park City is a family place and even luxury boutique hotels get that. Of course, rooms start at $700/nt (but you might be able to find rates of $300 in the summer and off-season) so your kids better behave.

Reservations can be made by calling 800-824-1672.

P.S. The haunted house tour may be gone but the ghosts are still here. The WSH is a stop on the Park City Ghost Tours

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y54sGfn8_zQ&w=560&h=315]

Mormon Mall -aka City Creek Center- Opens Today

Salt Lake City’s got a shiny new shopping mall opening today that’s destined to find its way onto the Utah ski tourism map. Instead of wondering how you’ll spend the hours between your ski day and your flight departure, just head on down to Main and 100 South. The $1.5 billion City Creek Center is the only shopping center to open in 2012 and one of the largest mixed-use developments in the United States. Retail stores, restaurants, offices, residences and open space spread across 23 acres of land in downtown Salt Lake City. But more importantly, it’s a space that effectively merges the outdoors with the indoors.

Not only does the skybridge over Main Street frame the Wasatch mountains, but a retractable skylight roof opens on warm sunny days and closes at night and in the winter, leaving you with the impression that you’re still outside. So after a week of skiing in Park City you can do a little shopping but still feel like you’re on vacation.

There are two 18-foot waterfalls and a mini creek that runs east-west through it all. There’s nature everywhere with local masonry, native plants, and a trout pond stocked with Bonneville Cutthroat and Rainbow varieties. The developers even brought in the designers of the Las Vegas Bellagio fountains to build three fountains in the Center. These will dance to fire and music.

Don’t be surprised when you hear locals call this the “Mormon Mall”. Center Creek is owned and operated by Taubman Centers, a real-estate investment trust, but the LDS church owns the land it sits on. True to form, no shops will be open on Sunday and no liquor will be served at any of the restaurants. The only exceptions are the Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil Churrascaria. Rumor has it that Cheesecake refused to occupy 65 Regent Street without that golden liquor license.

Nordstrom and Macy’s anchor a food court, a full-service Harmons Grocery Store, and 80 retail stores including Tiffany & Co., and Swarovski, Michael Kors and Coach. While you’re there, check on your flight times just like you would at the airport so you don’t miss your flight. There are several arrival and departure tubes that will update in real time.

Take a walk around and see for yourself or watch this YouTube teaser from the Salt Lake Tribune:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvMZ-9z_XW8&w=560&h=315]


With the earlier opening of H & M in the Fashion Place Mall and now City Creek, you might think Salt Lake was a hip metro like L.A. or New York. Ok, maybe that’s pushing it. We’ll have to wait for Raleigh Motion Picture Studios to open first.

For a list of stores go to www.shopcitycreekcenter.com.


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