When you combine a mini golf course, brightly painted sculptures, and a BYOB policy, you get a mini golf experience that's not just for the kids anymore. Peter Pan Mini Golf has been a staple in Austin, TX since 1948. It's impossible to miss if you're driving by, with a giant statue of Peter Pan out front and a big dinosaur head poking over the fence. They have two courses that you can play, East and West. Every hole has some sort of brightly painted sculpture, including a few borderline creepy animals (take a look here), that you have to avoid when putting. A game costs only $6 per person for one course or $9 per person for both courses. And, yes, you read that right: Peter Pan has a BYOB policy, meaning that those over 21 can bring in coolers or backpacks with beer, hard cider, or other drink of choice as long as there are no glass containers. Peter Pan Mini Golf is the perfect activity on a sunny afternoon or at midnight on a Friday. Keep in mind that, if you're bringing the kids, especially at night, there will be groups of twenty-somethings drinking as they putt around the course, but nobody really gets rowdier than loud cheers and bets on the game. If you are looking for your experience to involve drinking and fewer children, head over to Peter Pan after dark on a weekend. If you want smaller crowds, daytime might be best, unless there are birthday parties or special events. This is a great option for some fun on a budget in Austin. With one course costing only $6 per person and BYOB drinks, you could feasibly spend under $10 if you split the cost of some drinks with a group or grab something you already have in the fridge. If you want to make a real night of it and play both courses, you can spend under $20 for the mini golf and drinks. These calculations are subject to the quality of your drinks, of course. When compared with going out to bars or even to a movie, Peter Pan is a pretty affordable night out. I've been to mini golf courses in other cities, where it is a pretty traditional mini-golf experience and I could play through the course pretty quickly. However, I have never seen a mini golf course packed with people of all ages at 10:00pm on a Saturday night. We had played at Peter Pan one other time, earlier in the evening, and I think it's pretty rare to find a mini golf place that gets more lively as the night gets later. My husband and I waited at every hole we played, but it wasn't annoying - it was part of the experience. We were surrounded by people who were having a good time. We chatted with the groups playing in front of and behind us. We cheered for players who got holes-in-one. We took pictures of people with the huge animal sculptures at every hole. We were offered cans of beer from fellow players. Being at Peter Pan Mini Golf late on a Saturday night was like being at a really laid-back outdoor bar that happens to have a mini-golf course. In Austin, notorious for the slogan "Keep Austin Weird", it makes sense that even the mini-golf course would be quirky. But, that quirky charm and laid-back fun is exactly why Peter Pan Mini Golf has been around for over 60 years!
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I have been dreaming about going to Morocco ever since I learned about Le Maghreb in high school French class. I was overwhelmed by the idea of a place so geographically and culturally different than the place where I grew up. In Morocco, I dream of exploring the markets of Marrakesh. I dream of riding into the Sahara Desert and spending a night under the stars. I dream of hiking in the Atlas Mountains and looking out at the ocean in a seaside town. I dream of air saturated with spices, drinking Moroccan Mint Tea, and hearing a mix of Arabic, French, Spanish, and Berber languages. High school French class was over 10 years ago, and I still have not been able to get Morocco out of my head since it captivated my imagination. Since I've had a lot of time to think about it, my list of "must-see" places is long, but, hey, it's a dream trip! Here are the places I would want to go in Morocco: MarrakeshMarrakesh is a well-known destination in Morocco, famous for its souks and Djemaa El-Fna square filled with musicians, food stalls, and many other things to explore. There seems to be something for everyone in Marrakesh: viewing cultural sights, including museums and mosques (non-Muslims are not allowed inside); indulging in hammams, which are Turkish baths; shopping and haggling at the souks; and staying in a riad, which often have beautiful Moroccan architecture and designs. This city is also at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, allowing for easy day trips to the mountains. Atlas MountainsSo often, when picturing Morocco, I think of sand dunes stretching endlessly into the distance or bustling markets in the cities, and I end up forgetting that there are stunning mountains and opportunities for outdoor activities all over this country! Since the Atlas Mountains are near Marrakesh, it is possible to do a day trip into the mountains. I love hiking and exploring naturally beautiful places, so I would definitely want to spend at least a day in the Atlas. ChefchaouenLiterally, a blue city, Chefchaouen is a town in the Rif Mountains. It's a smaller town and known as one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Due to it's location in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is an ideal starting place for many hikes, whether guided or independent, in the Rif Mountains or nearby Talasemtane National Park (45 minutes away). The town is also known for having skilled leather artisans, making it a great place to shop for purses, jackets, and more. Interestingly, the language spoken by most of the locals is Spanish, with French being the language of education. I would love to relax in a smaller town for a few days, head to the mountains, and take in Morocco at a slower pace. TangierRumor has it that Tangier has a reputation for being a little rough around the edges, given that it is a port city, a major gateway into Morocco. But, this is a city that has historically attracted interesting artists and writers, such as Tennessee Williams, the Rolling Stones (who recorded a song here), Truman Capote, Jack Kerouac, Paul Bowles, and Henri Matisse, among others. I am fascinated by a city that can draw dreamers and creative minds such as these. I'm not sure if I would choose to visit Tangier if I had limited time in the country, but I would be interested to discover the flavor of the city on a longer trip. Sahara DesertA camel trek into the Sahara Desert is most likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ("Only if you want it to be" - any Gilmore Girls fans here?) The Sahara Desert is known for being the largest subtropical hot desert in the world. Desert landscapes are not my favorite when compared with mountain vistas or ocean views, but they hold a stark beauty of their own that has alway intrigued me. Given the opportunity to ride a camel over the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert and spend a few nights in a luxury camp under the stars, I would jump at the chance! When in Morocco, right? RabatRabat has been described by some travel articles and websites as a "hidden gem" of Morocco and a relatively laid-back Moroccan city, often overlooked by travelers. I love cities that are less frequented by visitors because I am able to get more authentic feel for how the people live. It is situated on the Atlantic Coast, so there is a beach to visit. Rabat also offers a Medina to wander through, a royal palace and gardens that can be viewed from the outside, National Archeological Museum, the ruins of the ancient city of Chellah (pictured below), and art deco architecture. The souks sell a variety of beautiful goods, but the salespeople reportedly are less pushy than in other cities. I think it would be amazing to experience Morocco in a more relaxed environment and to take advantage of the beautiful Atlantic coastline by visiting Rabat. Since I have not been to Morocco (yet!), all images were found through Flickr Creative Commons searches. Credits and license can be found under each photo. Click on each photo for a link to the Flickr page where the image was found. Thanks!
#ThrowbackThursday to my honeymoon in November 2014 Picture a dream tropical getaway. Can you see the clear blue water? Can you hear the rustle of palm trees waving in the breeze? Can you feel the sand under your toes and sun on your skin as you lay in lounge chairs? Can you feel the gentle rocking of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards as you circle the island? Can you taste the fresh tropical fruit and coffee from beans grown only a couple of hours away? Ok, stop picturing this and just go to Coco Plum Island Resort in Belize. On our honeymoon, Brett and I got to spend five days here! Coco Plum is on a private island, nine miles off the shore of Dangriga, Belize, meaning that the only thing on the island is the resort. We took a boat to and from the island, for arrival, inland tours, and departure. The island is situated near the Belize Barrier Reef, which offers fantastic snorkeling, diving, and fishing. There are options for zip-lining, cave tubing, and touring Mayan ruins on the mainland of Belize. The people who work at Coco Plum are some of the friendliest, most welcoming, and most thoughtful people I have ever encountered while traveling. The island is very small and intimate, offering only fourteen cabanas that accommodate two people each. A fun fact about Belize is that the official language is English, so you shouldn't have any problems with communication if you're monolingual. Unless you're my husband, who had a ten minute conversation about mangoes with our driver from the Dangriga airport, who was actually talking about mangroves ("We're not allowed to cut down the mangroves", "Good, I love mangoes!"). I could write more, but I think the pictures I took speak for themselves. It's not hard to make this place look beautiful! During a break in graduate school, two of my friends and I decided to have a staycation in Nashville. When you live in a city, you get to experience all the fun activities and places that the city offers, but it can also be easy to fall into a rut, going to the same favorite coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and stores. For our staycation, my friends and I planned out activities that we had always wanted to try in the city - new hiking trails, different restaurants, and shopping at the mall that we had never explored. In the same spirit, I will be exploring all that Austin, TX, my home, has to offer in a weekly Staycation series on this blog. After all, what's the point of living in a super cool place if I don't take advantage of the myriad of activities and share those tips with others? Tune in every week for a different feature on Austin: restaurants, coffee shops, outdoor activities, concerts, festivals, breweries, neighborhoods, the Hill Country, and more. Ah, the joys of airline travel. During our PDX-LAX-SLC-AUS route flying home from Portland, we hit a snag. The plane in LA was delayed about an hour and a half on the tarmac, meaning we would certainly miss our connection in Salt Lake and also that we couldn't get up from our seats. Rather than take another two additional connections and a red eye, we opted for a hotel voucher and a flight out the next evening. After all, Brett and I were both on spring break. Why not? As fun as sitting around the airport sounded, we decided instead to go into Salt Lake City. Below is a photo journal and a little commentary to highlight our brief stay in SLC: We took a free shuttle from the airport run by a Mormon couple who drop visitors off at Temple Square. Know that, if you take advantage of this free ride, they will ensure that you are transferred to guides for a tour of Mormon religious sites (also free). Don't get me wrong, Temple Square is beautifully landscaped and features stunning architecture. The Mormon religious history is also interesting, given that it's a newer religion, was started in America, and has some controversial elements in its past. I would love to hear the famous Tabernacle Choir sing sometime. We, however, had not eaten since our meager airport food between flights the night before and needed breakfast ASAP. If you do not want the tour post-van ride or want to do it later, be very clear to the guides. Our subtle "we actually need to get some breakfast soon" was met by, "Ok! We'll try to shorten the tour a bit." Not wanting to make a rude exit, we walked around for a bit and saw the Assembly Hall and a Visitor's Center before getting breakfast. Epic Brewing, one of the many small craft breweries popping up around Utah. They are "Utah's first brewery since prohibition to brew exclusively high alcohol content beer." And they have a gluten-free beer! Due to Utah's extremely restrictive alcohol laws, they cannot have high gravity beersvon tap, we were required to order an entree with our drink, and we could only have a certain number of glasses in front of us at any given time (including tasters - no tasting flights here). Our question to the bartender at Epic Brewery's Tapless Taproom was "What made the owners choose to start their brewery here, given the restrictive alcohol laws?" eBorn Books in Downtown Salt Lake City. I can never resist stopping in a bookstore. This one sells new, used, and rare books. The rare books were particularly interesting to peruse. Unsurprisingly, the section contained many LDS books, including copies of The Book of Mormon in various languages from the 1800s. A few thoughts on Salt Lake City after my 8 hours there: It is incredibly clean. I think that the public transportation is the cleanest I have ever seen. The mountains are beautiful. Many of the people are very friendly. The alcohol laws are much more restrictive than in other states, which makes sense given that Mormons abstain from alcohol and there is a high Mormon population in Salt Lake, so they likely influence the laws. In contrast to the generally squeaky-clean feeling of the city and many of the residents, there were also a few slightly aggressive homeless people that we encountered, such as a guy yelling at us on the train about someone dying and being kidnapped (the story kept changing) after not letting him use our cell phones. However, I did a bit of research on Salt Lake City and noted that they have done A LOT to combat homelessness in the city.
I honestly felt like a single day gave me a pretty good feel of the city and allowed me to see some of the downtown sights - Temple Square, downtown shops, City Creek Center, etc. With a little more time, I might have gone to check out the campus of University of Utah or tried to find a performance of the Tabernacle Choir, which has public rehearsals on Thursday evenings. If I was there for a multi-day stay, I would definitely head into the mountains for skiing or hiking, depending on the season. Small confession since I'm half-way through my Portland trip description: prior to spring break, I was a little hesitant about the Pacific Northwest. See, I lived in Seattle for three months (February, March, and April) for a graduate school internship. Before I left for Seattle, everyone said to me, "It's going to be really rainy. I hope you like rain." And, in my head, I thought, "I like rain! I'll curl up with a book and a blanket, listening to the sound of the rain on the roof." Then, I arrived in Seattle and all those rainy day dreams were washed away. First, when it's always rainy, you have to run errands, go to work, and do real life things. You can't just curl up with a book all day. Second, the rain in Seattle is not like rain I have experienced in any other location. It doesn't rain down for 2-3 hours and then clear up. Instead, the rain hangs over the city in a misty drizzle all day, making everything damp and chilling you to the bone. Also, I didn't have many friends, since I was only there for 3 months, so I was either hanging out inside by myself, waiting for the misty drizzle to pass, or running errands by myself in the misty drizzle. However, I am so glad that I gave the Pacific Northwest another chance during our trip to Portland. Even though it was the same time of year and it was still rainy, we powered through with our raincoats, not caring if we got wet. On this trip, I was able to admire how everyone continues to play in Portland even in wet weather. And, you know what? I learned that there is a sense of camaraderie in braving the rain together for the Shamrock Run or the Timbers game. The rain even added to the experience in certain instances. In the previous post, I described all the coffee shops we tried, Powell's City of Books, the Shamrock Run, and the Portland Timbers game. In this post, I will cover the Columbia River Gorge and all the restaurants we tried. Our group decided to take advantage of the glorious weather (60s and sunny) to accomplish another item on my "must do" Portland list: hiking. One of the best things about the Pacific Northwest is the abundance of outdoor activities within easy distance from the major cities. My friend recommended that we head to the Columbia River Gorge and hike to Angel's Rest. The drive to Angel's Rest from southeast Portland took us less than 45 minutes. It's a 2.3 mile hike one way. I wouldn't describe the hike as "easy", since it is uphill for 2.3 miles and there is a small portion of the trail near the top where there are rocks to walk over rather than a well-defined dirt trail. As we hiked up, I was in awe of the vibrant green colors, the sound of nearby waterfalls, and the amazing scent of the Douglas Fir trees. Let me tell you, pine scented candles are nice, but nothing compares to the real thing in the crisp Oregon air. The views of the Columbia River are gorgeous from the top as well. If you need convincing, just take a look at the photo on the top of this post. There are also some wonderful natural spaces within the city limits of Portland, such as Mt. Tabor Park. Mt. Tabor Park is on a hill overlooking Portland and contains many trees as well as green space within the city. We also visited Multnomah Falls, which was near the trailhead to Angel's Rest. For those who don't want a long hike but still want to see some of the natural beauty of the area, Multnomah Falls is a great choice. The walk up to the bridge that crosses the falls is only a quarter of a mile, and you can feel the spray from the falls. It's really amazing to see and hear the power of the water thundering down! Another great aspect of Portland is the variety of delicious healthy and ethnic foods available at restaurants. We appreciate options for allergy-friendly dining, since I am gluten-free and Brett has a severe dairy allergy. Luckily, our friends knew some great places to take us for good food. Portland has some huge food truck parks as well, where there are options for everyone and an outdoor dining area in the middle of the food trucks! Here is a list of the restaurants we sampled during our trip:
It was hard to say goodbye to Portland. I truly enjoyed my time there, despite the rainy days. I enjoyed seeing my college roommate and her husband. I loved the healthy, delicious food options and amazing coffee shops. I cheered with the Timbers Army at the game. I hiked up to Angel's Rest and soaked in the views of the Columbia River Gorge. I relished browsing the shelves and shelves of books at Powell's. The people in Portland were friendly and eclectic, and, even in the city, the plants are vibrantly green. They say "Keep Portland Weird" (a familiar slogan to those of us here in Austin), a reference to the eccentricities of the city as well as individuality in expression and lifestyle of its residents.
The last picture that I took on the trip is below. It features the famous carpet at the PDX airport. When we arrived, my husband and I commented that the carpet was ugly. During our trip, we learned that it's beloved in Portland, and it is a tradition to take a picture of your feet on the carpet. We learned that it's kind of a symbol of the city. Something familiar and comforting to send people off on a trip and to welcome them back home to Portland. People have PDX carpet tattoos. They make PDX carpet socks and other gear. They're tearing out the famous carpet and replacing it, so it will be gone by November 2015. By the time we left, after experiencing the city, it was a little bittersweet to see the PDX carpet under my feet. It did feel a little like an old friend saying goodbye. The next time we fly to Portland, the PDX carpet will be gone, but I have no doubt that the spirit - something weird, cool, and uniquely Portland - will still be there to welcome us back. Portland, Oregon. Stumptown. PDX. Rip City. Rose City. Bridgetown. Beervana. My husband and I decided to take a spring break trip to Portland for a few reasons. First, my college roommate lives in Portland now with her husband. They were married here in summer, but we were unable to come to the wedding, so we wanted to visit with them as well as see the city. Second, my husband, Brett, LOVES the Pacific Northwest. I lived in Seattle for three months, and, when he flew out to visit me, he fell in love with the region. It offers its residents and visitors many of the things that we both love: great coffee, natural beauty, hiking, gluten-free beer (a key factor for someone who is gluten-free by necessity, like me), delicious ethnic food, and the list goes on. Third, Texas is crazy right now with thousands of people descending on Austin for SXSW and hordes of college students road-tripping to South Padre Island. Thus far, we have spent two full days in Portland, exploring the city, walking in the rain, and drinking cups upon cups of coffee. Portland is known for having some excellent coffee roasters and coffee shops. We have visited quite a few during our time, especially given that my college roommate and husband drink coffee throughout the day like it's water. Brett is very into studying coffee flavors, brewing methods, and equipment. Here is a quick run down of some coffee shops that we visited:
Powell's City of Books was on my "must see" list, since I adore books. Everything about them is appealing to me: the smell, the feel of the pages, the cover art, the fictional worlds I can explore, and the new information available. Powell's Books is a gigantic, multi-level bookstore in downtown Portland, divided into various rooms based on genre. I could easily spend days in a bookstore that takes up an entire city block! One of the most interesting rooms to peruse is the rare book room, which displays and sells a variety of rare volumes, including first editions and signed copies. There was a first edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the 1800s. Also, there are staff recommendations in every section. On the shelves, new and used books were mixed in together, so the customer can choose their price and condition for some books. Highly recommended for avid readers. Make sure to go to the downtown location rather than some of the other, smaller locations around the city. We also drove up to Pittock Mansion, which is on a hill overlooking the city of Portland. It was originally the home of The Oregonian publisher and his wife, but it is now owned by the city's Parks and Recreation department. We did not explore the inside of the house (Cost: $10 per person), but the grounds are free and offer spectacular views of the city's skyline and Mount Hood on a clear day. Unfortunately, our day was not clear, so we couldn't see much. When we decided on the dates of our visit, my college roommate asked if I would be interested in doing the Shamrock Run with her. She told me that it's a big race, since it kicks off the running season in Portland. The Shamrock Run offers a variety of race lengths, including 5k, 8k, 15k, and a half-marathon. We signed up for the 8k. It started at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette River and continued along the waterfront and through downtown Portland. I have only run two other races in my life and have never signed up for one as part of a vacation, but, I have to say, it ended up being a great way to see the city. In true Pacific Northwest fashion, we ended up running in the rain, dodging puddles and questioning whether our dampness was due to sweat or precipitation. In the afternoon following the Shamrock Run, our group went to the Portland Timbers game. We learned that the Timbers are a big deal in Portland, as one of the two professional sports teams in the city (along with the Trailblazers). Walking to the game, we saw many groups of people in green and gold with Timbers jerseys and scarfs. Our seats were around midfield, but the exciting place to sit is in the Timbers Army, if you can get seats there. The Timbers Army is responsible for much of the game day atmosphere, leading cheers for almost the entire game, waving flags, and throwing streamers. They were playing the LA Galaxy, so it was a big game and excitement was high. It ended in a tie (2-2). I had never been to a Major League Soccer game before, and I absolutely loved it!
'WHEN I ROOT, I ROOT FOR THE TIMBERS!" One last note for this post: Portland has a great public transportation system. Anyone who spends any time with me has probably heard about my dislike of cars and car maintenance. I would love to live somewhere that allows me to get around solely by public transportation, biking, and walking. I got around Portland, between my friend's house, the Shamrock Run, and downtown Portland for the Timbers Game, using the bus system. The bus cost me just $5 for an all-day pass. I found it cheap and easy to use. Once downtown, we were able to walk everywhere we needed to go. There is also a light rail system (MAX) that connects the city with suburbs and the airport. Stay tuned for my second Portland blog post, featuring all the restaurants we sampled and hiking the Columbia River Gorge! |
AuthorMy name is Alyssa Good and I have a passion for travel, adventure, culture, and new experiences! I focus on budget friendly travel, trip planning resources, and seeking out new experiences. Archives
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