Travel Guides – …on the B.L.

The Best Photoshoot Locations in Las Vegas

July 17, 2021July 15, 2021 RaeAnna

In usual RaeAnna style, I am incredibly behind on my travel writing. Normally, I put it off because I don’t want to edit pictures, but the pictures have been edited since the plane ride home. I’ve just been ridiculously terrible at getting the writing portion done.

Las Vegas is the perfect place to go when you want to pretend you’re not where you are. So many of the casinos have destination themes, and they sure do go over the top. You can enjoy a romantic gondola ride through Venetian canals and be under the Eiffel Tower ten minutes later before seeing the Sphinx before heading to the tropics enjoying a slice of pizza by the Statue of Liberty. Truly there is so very much to do and see and let your imagination run wild. If you’re me or just like a good picture opportunity, there’s really so many places you can do just that. Honestly, you can spend your whole trip posing around the world within two miles.

Thanks for a good time! I’ll be back soon.

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign This sign is iconic for a reason. I wasn’t quite sure where I thought it was, but it’s a bit of a walk from the strip. There is a convenient parking lot if you don’t want to walk there like I did. What I didn’t realize was that it was two sided! On the other side, as you’re driving away from the strip [duh], it says “Drive Carefully Come Back Soon.” I walked past the sign on my very first day. I didn’t stop to take a picture because there was a VERY long line, and warning, there is always a long line unless…. I went at 6:00 am the next day, and I was the only one there. Except for Elvis, from Pittsburgh. He serenaded me as I posed. Luckily, I was prepared and brought two outfits so I could take pictures front and back and pretend I was leaving to post when I was actually leaving.

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Standing in the middle of the room for a cool picture.

The Venetian Really anywhere you go here, there are gorgeous picture spots. Had I known, I would have gotten up earlier and snagged a picture before all the people arrived to shop and site see. Inside is equally gorgeous with their flower installations.

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Mandalay Bay Again. This one is HUGE, so the picture moments are endless. The main entrance is really gorgeous and filled with waterfalls and tropical plants. If you can’t tell, I managed to match my outfit to the theme of the place. I got there too late in the morning for a sunrise golden hour, but I made it work, I think. This one is at the very end of the strip, and I almost never saw it thrumming with people.

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There’s nothing much better than reading in the pool.

Luxor Pools I stayed here the very first night. I’d only been to Las Vegas once before in 1999… It was an ode to my childhood trip. The pools are very well known and make great photo spots. When I was there at the end of April/beginning of May, one pool was closed due to COVID, another was under renovation, and the third was open. It was good enough! I landed at 9:00 in the morning and was poolside by 10:15. The pools crowd very quickly, so I suggest getting there early if you don’t want too many bodies sharing the spotlight. Sphynx By noon, I had a bunch of content because I changed into a cute outfit to pose in front of the Sphinx. If you’re trying to find it, like I was (it’s hard to know where things are when you’re INSIDE the casinos), the Sphynx is out the doors next to the front desk, facing the waterfalls. I had to get creative with my angles because the normal photo spot for the Sphinx was closed. They turned out fun anyways!

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This was my favorite place in all of Las Vegas.

Bellagio There are so many gorgeous photo spots. I suggest all of them. I fell, absolutely fell in love with the Conservatory and Botanical Garden. The first night I was there, I walked the entire strip and into the Bellagio. I followed the flowers to the Conservatory, where I was left in awe, which meant I visited every single day to appreciate it at different times of the day. It’s a 14,000 square foot Botanical Garden with a stunning glass ceiling; every season and for Lunar New Year, the Horticulture and Engineering teams create a unique and brilliant floral and botanical installation. They reuse, recycle, replant, and repurpose as much as they can in their commitment to sustainable art. They recently changed the installation for summer, and now I want to go back to see it. This may have been my favorite thing in Vegas…. And it’s free.

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Best Friend In Park MGM, Roy Choi’s incredible and experiential restaurant can be found. This was a must on Amanda’s list, and I never say no to food. I didn’t know what to expect, but the moment we walked up, I was in. 90s Kid Paradise. I’m not kidding. If you were raised in the 90s like I was—aging myself—, then you’ll have, at the very least, nostalgia, and, at the best, a full on nostalgiagasm. There is so much going in the front, and then we walked to the dining room… I wasn’t expecting that. The food was incredible. The best food of the trip, hands down. I will go back again.

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It was hot. This was the coolest I was the entire trip.

Hilton Garden Grand Vacation Just a normal Hilton. It’s connected to the Flamingo, so my friends wanted to stay there for pool access (discussed below). The cute part about this hotel is the oversized chair. Everyone needs one of those pictures on vacation.

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Waldorf Astoria Rooms Themselves I stayed here the last couple of nights. There is no casino here, which means it’s quieter and caters to a less rambunctious crowd. It’s also nice as fuck, which is why the rooms themselves are the perfect place for a photoshoot. I don’t take baths, but I took a bath every day I was there. Also… not a bad view to get some work done. Pool The rooftop pool is really, really nice. It has a fabulous bar with wonderful waitstaff. You’ll need a reservation for the cabanas, but honestly you don’t need it. Amanda and I lounged in our Texas icon, Buc-ee’s, swimsuits before immediately changing into something cute. I spent several hours by that pool. Paul, the bartender, is fantastic and also an Iowa native; we hit it off when he wasn’t busy. The [nonalcoholic] drinks are delicious. I felt like I had loads of money sitting by that pool… A beautiful fantasy.

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These were my favorite pictures from the entire trip.

Who wouldn’t want to eat a baguette in front of the Eiffel Tower?

Paris Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is one of the most photographed structures in the world, one of the most tagged locations on Instagram. Okay… the real one, but that means the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas is a must see and must photograph spot too. There’s loads of ways to get your picture, but I suggest heading across the street to the Bellagio Fountain and posing with your back to the Eiffel Tower. That way you get a cute foreground and the entire tower in the frame. And if you scroll through Instagram, very few people are doing that. Arc de Triomphe This spot isn’t quite as noticeable when you’re walking around the strip because it’s nestled back into the hotel. The Arc de Triomphe is on the side of Paris, where people are picked up and dropped off. I woke up early and headed over there to take a whole bunch of fun Parisian inspired photos with the Arch in the background.

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Meow Wolf This was such a fascinating experience. If you want to spend an entire day taking unique, strange, and potentially disturbing pictures in the midst of a hoard of people, this is the place for you. I truly loved it, and there is so much to take in. I didn’t spend a lot of time behind my camera. Instead I immersed myself in the immersion. I did pause to take this picture because the room truly was beautiful.

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I preferred looking over it after it closed.

Flamingo’s Pool For the young, party people—not me—this is the go to spot. It’s very pink. Very crowded. Very expensive. I stayed in the Hilton Garden Grand Vacation attached to the Flamingo for one night, so I got in for free. But you will have to wait in line and pay to get in. If you want a chair or a table or a couch, pay some more. It’s not my scene. I walked in and walked right back out. I took this picture on a walkway overlooking the pool after it had closed. Honestly, I think it’s better than being surrounded by a whole lot of sweaty, wet drunk people while trying to get a picture for the gram. Take a flight of stairs. Worth it.

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I would not go back, but you should decide that for yourself.

Fremont Street If I never go back to Fremont Street, I will be okay. It did not speak to me. It was fine once. There’s a lot of alcohol, gambling, and drunk people. LIGHT. So much light. There’s not really any amazing photo opportunities except for literally standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by people. Which can be a cool picture, but that’s about it. I do like the picture, though; it’s not my usual aesthetic.

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An Alley of Shops Between Linq and Flamingo I tried so hard to find out if this area had a name, and I have no idea what it’s called if it’s called anything at all. Onward, it’s a nice, clean lane with shops and restaurants.. It’s a great little spot for just a casual picture in the sun. Nothing crazy, but nice.

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Caesars Palace Can we briefly mention the lack of an apostrophe… I don’t like it. Grammar aside, it’s a beautiful casino. Huge. Being completely transparent, there are tons of photo worthy spots, but a lot of times the interesting thing about it is the art and sculpture recreations. So go explore and find the naked man statue that speaks to your soul, I mean, Instagram feed.

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So there’s a run down of my favorite photo worthy locations. The thing is, this is not at all a comprehensive or even intensive or even well-researched look at Vegas’ Insta notable spots. This is what I found works and is pretty while still trying to have fun and not be intimidated by the swarms of people.

If you’re on your way to Vegas, remember to stop by the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden. You will not regret it, and send me a picture of what’s installed right now. Also eat all the food, every single bite.

bisous und обьятий,

Travel, Travel Guides

New Orleans Kid Friendly Itinerary

March 13, 2020March 15, 2020 RaeAnna

20200303_115336 — Kisses in front of Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana.

20200303_104447 — Breakfast at the iconic Café du Monde.

20200303_145841 — A stop at Chalmette Battle Ground on the Creole Queen river boat tour.

20200303_150451 — A live oak tree at the Chalmette Battlefield.

20200301_180320 — Sunset over the Mississippi River looking at the ferry and the Saint Louis Cathedral.

Titles “…with Kids” are not often part of my repertoire. They’ve never been a part of my repertoire until today. I don’t have a child. I have dogs, so I write about them. Children are not often a part of my narrative because the ones in my life are in the periphery. I love them dearly, but I visit, not tend to them. Last week, I was in New Orleans caring for my eight year old cousin while her parents enjoyed a much deserved adult vacation. Allison came into my life for the first time a year ago on the family cruise celebrating my grandmother’s 80th year on this planet. Allison and I hit it off immediately. I’ve seen her every two or three months since then; I see her more than any other family member. I agreed to watch her for a week over a year ago.

Allison will love me no matter what, but I wanted to make our week together extra, super special because she’s eight and I can. After receiving permission from Mom and Dad, we played hooky from school and headed to the French Quarter. Oops! Not sorry. I have done and would do all of these things by myself or with adults, but they were requested by a kid and approved by a kid.

Breakfast

Café du Monde Head to the original café on Decatur across from Jackson Square for deliciously fresh beignets and an amazing view of the hustle and bustle. Have some hickory coffee for the adults and chocolate milk for the kiddos. Bring cash because that’s all they accept.

Activities

Open Air Market This is a great place to have nibbles and explore. You can find great souvenirs. There are tons of things to keep the kids’ eyes busy for an hour if you let them roam.
Saint Louis Cathedral It may not be the normal place you take kids, but it’s free. Allison loved it. We lit candles and said prayers before sitting down in the sanctuary. She had lots of questions about the architecture and statues. I answered as many questions as I could and googled the rest.
Jackson Square After or before bopping into Saint Louis Cathedral, take a picture in the iconic square. It’s one of the most photographed areas in New Orleans. Don’t miss it!
Street Car It’s name might not be Desire, but it’s a great way to see New Orleans outside of the quarter for cheap. There are incredible houses and buildings in the Garden District. You can always hop off and grab lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafés along the route.

River Boat Tour

River Boat Tours I’ve experienced a few different tours, and they’re all great. Allison begged to go on the river boat tour days before our hooky day, so this was definitely the highlight for her. We took the Creole Queen for the history tour and stopped at Chalmette Battlefield. We had a blast. She got a snack on the boat, we took pictures, and watched the paddle. She couldn’t have been happier.

I would love to give you more food options, but you’ll be overwhelmed with options. I have too many favorites to narrow it down. Allison had a blast. She was so exhausted by the end of the day, I heard some snoring from the back seat.

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

Travel, Travel Guides

Fredericksburg Travel Guide

October 5, 2019October 4, 2019 RaeAnna

Wearing our matching Don’t Mess With Texas shirts. | Skirt | Shoes | Bralette | Watch

Dancing on Enchanted Rock. | Yoga Pants | Sports Bra | Cat Ear Headband | Shoes | Watch

Posing because I can in Fredericksburg. | Dress | Pearl Earrings | Watch

I found Hidden Valley. | Jeans | SpideyMan Tee | Shoes | Sunglasses | Watch

Taking a bow after being after being a weirdo.

Stopping to smell the flowers at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Early in the summer, I was telling my bestie, Amanda from Amanda Bee’s Floral Design, how I’ve lived in Houston for almost three years and haven’t seen or done much in Texas outside of the city and Galveston. She decided to fulfill my lifelong dream of planning a weekend trip to Fredericksburg for me. Did I mention she’s amazing?

A few weeks ago, we loaded into the car and picked up our friend, Judd, in Austin on our way for a three day galavant to Texas wine country, I mean hill country. Fredericksburg has become a destination for girls’ weekends, bachelorette trips, and couples’ getaways. It’s a picturesque little town an hour outside of Austin full of shops, wineries, restaurants, history, and outdoor activities.

Where I Stayed
Peach Tree Inn & Suites is cute and within walking distance of downtown. It’s not like a hotel, it’s more like a bunch of teeny apartments with bathrooms, kitchenettes, and seating areas. The three of us stayed there very comfortably. It’s also pet friendly, but we didn’t bring Beau.

Getting into the fall spirit surrounded by pumpkins at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas.

What To Do
Enchanted Rock is pretty awesome. It’s a granite, dome batholith. It’s definitely worth the $7 entrance fee and the climb. The view is terrific. I mean, it’s amazing. You can see for miles. You’re also in Texas hill country, so the hike is a little bit of an adventure.
Old Tunnel State Park is home to bats. Twenty minutes outside of Fredericksburg is an old railway tunnel inhabited by a gazillion bats. At sunset, they fly out to go hunting. You can watch this amazing, natural spectacle from a high platform for free or from a closer perspective for $5 admission fee. The bats are worth the trip, but the view is also worth it. You can also hike and enjoy the outdoor activities.
Shopping abundance will greet you in downtown. From pet stores, candy shops, restaurants, kitchen stores, home decor, jewelry, artisans, and more. You can find just about anything.
Wildseed Farms is great if you love plants or you’re looking for a really cute and unique Instagram spot. This nursery is huge and has tons of flowers, seeds, decor, and a butterfly garden. There’s even a vineyard on site. I was traveling with florists, so we spent a good amount of time here. Not that I minded.
Wineries I’m not a drinker, and we didn’t hit any up this trip. But most people don’t visit Fredericksburg without getting their wine on. Vineyards are truly everywhere. You can find one without trying. Promise.

Practicing my jumping skills on top of Enchanted Rock.

Where To Eat
Fredericksburg Brewing Company has all the brews you could want and a menu full of authentic German food. It’s pretty delicious and has huge portions.
Pasta Bella makes their own pasta, and I loved it. We all got different things, and I definitely had a fork full of each. The back room is decorated with old bicycles, which was cute and unique.
Old German Bakery & Restaurant will definitely have a waiting list for breakfast, so I suggest getting there early. They don’t have a ton of authentic German breakfast options, but you can find German pancakes.
Sunset Grill has a great American brunch menu. We went there right after climbing Enchanted Rock, and we were starving. The inside is cute, but we comfortably sat on the shaded outdoor patio without dying of heat.
Java Ranch Espresso Bar & Cafe carries their ranch theme throughout their decor. They have decent coffee and a relaxing atmosphere if you need to put your feet up after a hard day of shopping….

So many gorgeous nooks to Fredericksburg.

Known For
German Heritage Fredericksburg was settled by Germans, and their influence is noticeable from the architecture to the names to the German bakeries.
Pecans You can find pecans and pecan paraphernalia all over the place. I honestly have no idea why other than they’re a Southern and Texas thing. But I’m not complaining because I am obsessed with pecans and always have been.
Peaches I’m not a peach person. I love the way they smell, but I don’t like eating them. If you’re into more than just the emoji, this is the place to be during peach season. They’re everywhere. Dedicated peach stores line the roads, no joke.
Wine There are a ridiculous amount of wineries and vineyards here. You can find automotive, German, Tuscany, horse, and more themed vineyards. I don’t drink, but I wish I did.

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Travel, Travel Guides

Lake Tahoe Travel Guide

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 RaeAnna

Outdoorsy is not necessarily the adjective I would attribute to myself, but I do love the great outdoors. When traveling, I tend to find myself doing as many outdoor things as any adventure enthusiast, so travel me is gung ho outdoorsy.

Lake Tahoe has been on my places to visit for a long time, but I never had a reason to go until recently. I was already trying to figure out a way to make it back there before I had even left. I’ve seen a few lakes in a few corners of the world, but I’ve never seen a lake quite like this. The water is indescribably beautiful. Clear and turquoise. I half expected to see dolphins or whales. I’m not an idiot, I know they don’t live in lakes, but I’ve only ever seen water like that in very specific places in the ocean.

Being completely honest, I had never really thought of where Lake Tahoe is. I knew it was somewhere Californians visit. It straddles the California-Nevada stateline. I stayed in South Lake Tahoe, which is on the California side. Between the North and South sides is a rivalry. On the plane, I sat next to a lady who lived in South Lake Tahoe, and the man sitting next to her lived on the North. I would love to say I’m exaggerating when I say things got heated as they debated which was better, but I put my headphones in to better ignore them. I saw no blood, so there’s that. From what I gleaned from the locals is the North side is made up of twelve(?) towns. They’re more remote and quiet with less walkability but the same amenities as the South, more compact, touristy, and robust, side of the lake. South Lake Tahoe is one city with more ski resorts and better walkability. It just depends on what you want atmosphere wise. I haven’t been to the North side, but I hear it’s great.

201909306011011555812276298 — Channeling my inner Aquaman.

20190930_180246-01 — View from Cave Rock.

Places to Stay
Hotel Becket is where I stayed. It’s cute, clean, and within walking distance of just about everything you could want. It looks like an old motor lodge that has been completely renovated with modern amenities.
Honestly, there are tons of places you can stay around Lake Tahoe. There is no shortage and something for every budget.

201909305536670238035234776 — Enjoying the boat tour of Emerald Bay.

What to Eat
Riva Grill The Riva Grill is a gorgeous restaurant with an amazing view of the lake. It’s beloved by the locals and this tourist. You can even park your boat at the dock and eat and outdoor patio for warm days. The food is really amazing. I don’t care for crab, but their crab risotto is superb. One of the reasons I fell for this restaurant is their sense of humor. The signature drink is the Wet Woody. I don’t drink, but they made me a Virgin Woody. Best drink ever. The drink menu is full of risqué details and double entendres.
Driftwood Cafe is in Heavenly Village across from Hotel Becket. Family friendly with large portions, it’s a great place to start your day with a hearty meal before hitting the slopes, the trails, or the water.

20190930_180413-01 — Sitting on the Nevada-California state line.

Things to Do
Water Sports are one of the biggest draws to Lake Tahoe. The waves are even big enough to surf. Shocked. But true. From jet skis to water skis, there’s something for everyone on this lake.
Snow Sports are a huge draw in the colder months. I wasn’t lucky enough to be there for the snow, but I’ve been told the skiing and snowboarding is amazing. Hopefully, I can make it back soon to experience it for myself.
Clearly Tahoe is a clear kayak rental. It was absolutely amazing. The water in Lake Tahoe is so clear you’ll want to be able to see it as much as possible. Clearly Tahoe offers guided tours around the lake in their completely transparent kayaks. I’m a huge fan of kayaking, so this was amazing for me. At night, they offer LED tours, which allow you to see the lake in a completely different light. This really was incredible.
Hiking opportunities are everywhere. Cave Rock is an easy hike with a stunning view of the lake. There are tons of places to hike and stop to take in the beauty or capture a picture. There’s also a great overlook of Emerald Bay.
Heavenly Village is a cute shopping area full of stores and restaurants nestled into the bottom of the mountain. It’s a great place to find a bite to eat or pick out a souvenir. I got a little work done at a coffee shop because workation!
California-Nevada State Line is a great picture opportunity. I like to call it my Walk to Remember moment because I was two places at once. If you walk about a quarter mile up the mountain on the road going through Heavenly Village, you’ll find a great spot where the line is in the road.
Boat Tours are an amazing way to see the Sierra Nevada mountains and the lake. We took the Emerald Bay boat tour out of Zephyr Cove. It is gorgeous. The water is a beautiful emerald color. Plus you can hear fun facts about the Lake and the history surrounding the area.
Vikingsholm is a 38 room mansion on Emerald Bay open for tours. I wasn’t able to visit it, but I did get to see it on the boat tour. It was gorgeous. Hopefully, I’ll be able to see it the next time I visit.

20190930_175527-01 — A tea house on an island in the middle of Emerald Bay.

Travel, Travel Guides

Reno, Nevada

September 21, 2019September 20, 2019 RaeAnna

Places To Stay. Things To Do. Food To Shove in Your Mouth.

I just got home from my trip to Reno and Lake Tahoe. It was a quick trip, but I was able to enjoy a little bit of everything the city has to offer. There were so many activities crammed into a short amount of time; I wouldn’t have it any other way. Reno is known as The Biggest Little City in The World, and I can see why. A new direct flight by United was launched, so it’s even easier to visit!

The people of Reno are some of the nicest most interesting people I’ve met in my travels. People can make or break any place, and the people definitely add to Reno’s charm. Almost everyone I talked to chose Reno; they weren’t natives. Many had left and came back because they found it called to them. There is this mentality of embracing who you are no matter how weird. No one judges as long as you don’t encroach on their own brand of weird. People were happy to chat and tell me everything they love about their city. I have a whole list of places to see, things to do, and food to eat based off their recommendations, which I didn’t have time to get to this go around. Everyone was passionately in love with their city, which rubbed off on me.

Reno is a city full of energy. There is so much to do and enjoy. I can’t wait to go back and dive further into this great city. For now, here are the wonderful things I experienced. I loved every minute of it so much, I know you will love it as much as I did.

Places to Stay
I stayed at the Atlantis Resort and Casino. I’m not a gambler, but there are so many other things to enjoy about the hotel, like the spa, indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, cafes, fitness center, arcade, fabulous views, and incredibly kind staff.

I slept with my drapes open because the view was so incredible. I was on the 23rd floor with windows the width of the room from floor to ceiling. The city view was incredible at night, but it was even better during the day with views of the skyline and the mountains. I’m still in awe of it.

The spa is the best in town. I can personally attest to how great it is. From locals to staff, everyone swears by the spa and restaurants. You absolutely can’t go wrong here. I was great by such a fabulous swag bag, my suitcase almost weighed too much.

Things To Do

Art The art in downtown Reno is incredible. There are murals everywhere, and they are always changing. Burning Man takes place in the desert just a few hours away. Reno has a ton of Burning Man art on full display throughout downtown. It is amazing.

National Automobile Museum I love cars. The National Automobile Museum is in downtown Reno and has cars from the very beginning. You can follow the maze starting at the start of the automobile era to the more modern era. It’s beautiful and educational.

Ax Throwing Ax throwing has become all the rage, and Reno is home to a great place to do just that. You can even order food from Liberty Exchange while honing your skills.

Reno Arch It used to be red but was painted blue in 2018 to reflect University of Nevada, Reno’s colors. It’s a great photo opportunity! Located on Virginia Street and Commercial Row.

Spa I love the spa. It’s such a wonderful way to relax and unwind, which should be a part of every vacation. I spent an afternoon enjoying everything the Atlantis Spa had to offer. It was the best experience.

Gambling Reno is home to a ton of casinos, so if gambling is your thing or something you enjoy at the end of a busy day, there are tons of opportunities big and small.

Day Trips Reno is so close to hiking, water sports, skiing, and so much! Virginia City and Carson City are only 45 minutes away.

Food to Shove in Your Mouth

Liberty Food & Wine Exchange has amazing food. It is all locally and responsibly sourced. The pancakes are the best I’ve ever had; they taste like pound cake without the heaviness. You really need to go. They make pasta and bread in house daily. Their woodfired oven makes a whole bunch of food. They butcher everything in house and the FDA inspects it daily. It is delicious.

Bistro Napa is located in the Atlantis. Even the locals rave about their happy hour, so you know it’s good. I ate so much, I thought I would explode because it was beyond delicious. This is a fairly classy place, and the service is impeccable they make great mocktails.

Purple Parrot is also located in the Atlantis. It’s open 24/7 and has great breakfast food and service. It’s like a diner, but a little classier and definitely comfier.

Escape Lounge should be a part of everyone’s airport experience. It’s an airport lounge without the exclusivity. You can pay to get in or if you’re an AMEX holder. They have great food, comfy seating, fabulous views, and the service is awesome. I seriously enjoyed it.

Wonderful Things About Reno

It only takes fifteen to twenty minutes to get from one side of town to another.
Hiking and water sports are everywhere.
San Francisco is about a three hour drive away.
You can learn so much about the Native American tribes in the surrounding areas.
The mountains and desert make for a beautiful backdrop any time of day.
Reno is 45 minutes from Carson City, the capital of Nevada.
Lake Tahoe is less than an hour drive from downtown Reno.
Virginia City is home to wild Mustangs and is only 41 minutes away.

Blog + Dog, Travel, Travel Guides

How to Road Trip

July 24, 2019July 23, 2019 RaeAnna

Isn’t she the cutest being in the entirety of all the universes???

Fly.

Just kidding.

Get a driver.

Preferably one with a license and opposable.

I’m kidding. Kind of. I love(ish) driving. I might be getting tired of road trips. Ergo, the driver comment. Twenty hours, give or take, in the car a couple times a month is a little bit like dying slowly alone in a box on wheels. That’s hyperbole. It’s like running a marathon; except, I’ve never run a marathon, so that is also a guess. It’s kind of terrible. I, also, am kind of addicted. Obviously. Expensive but still cheaper than heroine, I’m told.

The first twelve hours feel like a bad TV marathon, but you’re too lazy to get up and change the channel back when the dial was on the TV. The next five hours are when you hit the too-delirious-to-give-a-shit phase. This is the money zone. I love that zone. It’s when my voice is the right amount of shitty and perfect for belting out all the songs I should never try to begin with. The last hour or three are the worst because I’m sooooo close but still 183.29 miles to go. That’s the math phase. If I were to go over the speed limit – I never do, for realsies, ask my best friends – I could make it there in two hours if I manage to average 98.5 miles per hour. Again this is fantasy because I’ve been in the car for 18 hours, and I’m ready to offer myself to my ancestors by way of seppuku to get out of this damn aluminum transportation device.

Peace out North Carolina! Actually, this was taken in Galveston, Texas. Shhh….

I like road tripping because I can take my dog. Beau doesn’t fly. I’m too poor and she’s too dog to fly. It’s also convenient to have a car at my end destination. I hate relying on people. Unless, it’s my best friends forever and always til the Big Crunch because where would I go without them anyways? It tends to be cheaper than flying but not always. I can bring as much ridiculous crap as I want without having to pay for checked bags. Who knows! I might need those seven pairs of shoes, a ballgown, all of my makeup, 26 books, and a yoga mat – I don’t do yoga, but I could be inspired on this latest adventure. You just don’t know!!! AND the apocalypse might happen or a house fire or I can’t stand the people I’m visiting all of a sudden out of the blue, and I don’t want to sleep on the sidewalk or a bench beating people away with a stick from stealing my stuff, so I bring my car because I can sleep in it push comes to shove.

Any who… I’m leaving North Carolina this evening on the next leg of my road trip extravaganza. Let me know if you want a recording of the singing happening between hours fourteen and sixteen tonight.

bisous,
Your Tired Blogger Friend