So, we fly tonight on a 6:45pm redeye to Dublin. It’s been 3 weeks since we left Seattle, and 2 months since we vamonos’d Baja Sur and began our nomad travels. Previous lengthy posts here explored our highlights in Charleston and Asheville, but to finish our stateside venture, here are a few bonus sidebars:
Charlotte
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
We only spent one night here, a layover between Charleston and Asheville, but were intrigued by what we experienced.
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
A post-prandial stroll along South Tryon Street showcased several next-time venues and we enjoyed the vibe of the city’s center. We finished the night at Bar Moxy with our free thanks-for-being guests cocktails.
Charlotte
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
We only spent one night here, a layover between Charleston and Asheville, but were intrigued by what we experienced.
We stayed at the Moxy Charlotte Downtown across the street from the Transit Center. This is one of those funkier Moxy’s with the check-in upstairs on the 13th floor, along with their cocktail and goodies bar, and a sweeping northeast view of the city. The Charlotte Hornet’s Spectrum stadium is only a block away.
A post-prandial stroll along South Tryon Street showcased several next-time venues and we enjoyed the vibe of the city’s center. We finished the night at Bar Moxy with our free thanks-for-being guests cocktails.
The Interstate
An hour into our drive from Staunton, VA to Mt Lebanon, PA we passed a sign welcoming us to Maryland. Wait, what?! Maryland? I’m thinking Maryland County?
But there’s a logo emblazoned on the sign, and from daughter Kylene’s college education at U of M in College Park, I know that’s the branding for the state of Maryland.
So, I texted her: How the hell am I in Maryland?
She texted back, giggling. Yep, Dad. You’re in Maryland.
Check out a map and see for yourselves. There’s a little dogtail sticking up at the far western end of this crazily-shaped state. and we were driving straight through it. (According to Google, the amorphous borders are the result of colonial land disputes, poorly surveyed borders, and the influence of natural features like rivers and bays. 🤷🏼♂️ Who knew?)
The Interstate
An hour into our drive from Staunton, VA to Mt Lebanon, PA we passed a sign welcoming us to Maryland. Wait, what?! Maryland? I’m thinking Maryland County?
But there’s a logo emblazoned on the sign, and from daughter Kylene’s college education at U of M in College Park, I know that’s the branding for the state of Maryland.
So, I texted her: How the hell am I in Maryland?
She texted back, giggling. Yep, Dad. You’re in Maryland.
Check out a map and see for yourselves. There’s a little dogtail sticking up at the far western end of this crazily-shaped state. and we were driving straight through it. (According to Google, the amorphous borders are the result of colonial land disputes, poorly surveyed borders, and the influence of natural features like rivers and bays. 🤷🏼♂️ Who knew?)
The Interstate
An hour into our drive from Staunton, VA to Mt Lebanon, PA we passed a sign welcoming us to Maryland. Wait, what?! Maryland? I’m thinking Maryland County?
But there’s a logo emblazoned on the sign, and from daughter Kylene’s college education at U of M in College Park, I know that’s the branding for the state of Maryland.
So, I texted her: How the hell am I in Maryland?
She texted back, giggling. Yep, Dad. You’re in Maryland.
Check out a map and see for yourselves. There’s a little dogtail sticking up at the far western end of this crazily-shaped state. and we were driving straight through it. (According to Google, the amorphous borders are the result of colonial land disputes, poorly surveyed borders, and the influence of natural features like rivers and bays. 🤷🏼♂️ Who knew?)
Favorite Youngest
My favorite youngest daughter Kylene moved to Mt Lebanon, a southern suburb of Pittsburgh, 8 months ago, after securing a position at St. Clair Hospital as their Director of Organizational Performance Improvement. She and her family (Cory & Henry) have a gorgeous home in the south Cedarhurst neighborhood. For 2.5 jam-packed days they showed us around Pittsburgh, and we loved what we experienced.
Breakfasts were insanely delicious: a 12-minute walk to Anthos Greek Bakery & Cafe in Castle Shannon (photo, left) and Pamela’s Diner in the Strip District of Pittsburgh (photos, middle and right). Both had lines out the door.
The breweries did not disappoint. We spent our Friday afternoon crawling to four of them: Helltown, Lolev, Dancing Gnome, and Grist House. All kid and taste bud-friendly. That’s GH in the pics below.
Favorite Youngest
My favorite youngest daughter Kylene moved to Mt Lebanon, a southern suburb of Pittsburgh, 8 months ago, after securing a position at St. Clair Hospital as their Director of Organizational Performance Improvement. She and her family (Cory & Henry) have a gorgeous home in the south Cedarhurst neighborhood. For 2.5 jam-packed days they showed us around Pittsburgh, and we loved what we experienced.
Breakfasts were insanely delicious: a 12-minute walk to Anthos Greek Bakery & Cafe in Castle Shannon (photo, left) and Pamela’s Diner in the Strip District of Pittsburgh (photos, middle and right). Both had lines out the door.
The breweries did not disappoint. We spent our Friday afternoon crawling to four of them: Helltown, Lolev, Dancing Gnome, and Grist House. All kid and taste bud-friendly. That’s GH in the pics below.
Doing Science
A highlight was the Carnegie Science Center, on Allegheny Avenue, right nextdoor to the Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium. The five level building was overrun with summer camp adolescents having the time of their lives, and Henry eagerly joined them.
Bonus exhibits for we adults included a Das Boot descent into the claustrophobic bowels of the WWII submarine USS Requim, a retro throwback to favorite old school robots, and a massive model railroad display, including a replica of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic house Fallingwater, located 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
Doing Science
A highlight was the Carnegie Science Center, on Allegheny Avenue, right nextdoor to the Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium. The five level building was overrun with summer camp adolescents having the time of their lives, and Henry eagerly joined them.
Bonus exhibits for we adults included a Das Boot descent into the claustrophobic bowels of the WWII submarine USS Requim, a retro throwback to favorite old school robots, and a massive model railroad display, including a replica of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic house Fallingwater, located 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
The Shops on Penn Ave
No doubt our favorite Pittsburgh experience was joining the black & gold-swathed local Yinzers perusing the shops on Penn Ave in the Strip District. Century old businesses with proprietors plying their trades behind the same counters for 30, 40, 50 years. My half-talian wife immersed herself in warm memories of growing up with similar visits to DeVitis Market in Akron, Ohio.
A hundred different pasta shapes at the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co, and they also do meats and cheeses. Like that hanging provolone “heavy bag” in the photo. An endless number of spices at Penzeys (photo, center left). 63 flavors of biscotti at Enrico’s. And “Coffee Worth Knowing About” at Prestogeorge (photo, bottom left).
And don’t forget the fish at Wholey’s. They’ve been around since 1912. We chatted for a bit with VP of Operations, Sam Wholey, renowned as the best orange juice maker in the city. He actually looks pretty much like the fan artist rendition below.
The Shops on Penn Ave
No doubt our favorite Pittsburgh experience was joining the black & gold-swathed local Yinzers perusing the shops on Penn Ave in the Strip District. Century old businesses with proprietors plying their trades behind the same counters for 30, 40, 50 years. My half-talian wife immersed herself in warm memories of growing up with similar visits to DeVitis Market in Akron, Ohio.
A hundred different pasta shapes at the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co, and they also do meats and cheeses. Like that hanging provolone “heavy bag” in the photo. An endless number of spices at Penzeys (photo, center left). 63 flavors of biscotti at Enrico’s. And “Coffee Worth Knowing About” at Prestogeorge (photo, bottom left).
And don’t forget the fish at Wholey’s. They’ve been around since 1912. We chatted for a bit with VP of Operations, Sam Wholey, renowned as the best orange juice maker in the city. He actually looks pretty much like the fan artist rendition below.
And that was Pittsburgh. We had no idea we’d enjoy the city so much, and are excited to re-visit Kylene & Co. here on our return to the U.S. in mid-October.
Saturday afternoon we drove 5 hours across the state to Kennett Square for a rendezvous with my brother Eric, his wife Jerri, and their daughter Nicole and her husband Neil. We enjoyed a catch-up dinner at Letty’s Tavern and learned more about the launch of Nicole’s soy-free Asian sauce company, NIKIGO. This area grows 65% of the mushrooms in the U.S., the key ingredient to her products. Keep an eye out for NIKIGO on your store shelves in the near future. P.S. They’re really, really good!
We’ll be in touch. (Next time from Ireland!)
Drank a Punk IPA on the top of a hotel in Bangkok!
Indeed, they are everywhere!
I would still be walking from the Firenze train station to your first airbnb!!!!
I’m sooo sorry you had to suffer through the gelato tastings to find the One. Somebody had to do it!
I totally agree about the sangiovese grape. One of my favorite wines is a Super Tuscan. Mainly made with indigenous grapes blended with non-indigenous vines like Cab Sauv and merlot. One of the top wines in the world! And a bargain price.
In Nancy and your honor, I made a Tuscan chicken dish the other day. Except it didn’t look like the food you pictured….and didn’t taste like it, I’m sure!
Enjoying your trip with you!
Hey Jim, love that you’re following along, and appreciate your comments. The Tuscan wines are truly a joy, though we did enjoy a Puglian red this evening while in Vieste. Awesome town. You’d love it!! A festival tonight with music or comedy every night a stone’s throw away.
Ah, the Pantheon, one of my favorite buildings, especially considering its age.
Yes, we’ll be back in Florence in Wednesday and Thursday next week. We’ll tour the Pantheon then.
Okay! I will have the house tagliere board for two! For myself! And 2 glasses of wine??? You can’t fool me.
Just read an article about the area where Nancy’s family lived. An area known for its unique buildings with a purpose to evade taxes!
Trullo buildings in Alberobello! Also, now B and B’s. May your safe journeys continue!
Ahh, the Trulli of Alberobello. We won’t be lodging in one, but plan to spend a morning or afternoon visiting Alberobello. Thanks again for your comments, Jim. We head to Montecino and Montepulciano today. Puglia in a week.
We loved Dublin (actually ALL of Ireland!) but didn’t have enough time there.
The library was amazing as well as the Book of Kells but I see the books are all gone! Must be renovating.
Big fan of Jamie…..sooo jealous!
Totally agree on Guinness tour.
They’re restoring (un-dusting) the books in the library at Trinity College; only about 10% on display. It’ll be a several-year project.
Glenn, not surprisingly your lilting eloquence embellishes the accompanying pictorial fare and invites one to pour a wee dram with which to enjoy both!
My hope has been to capture the spirit and flavor of the places and people we encounter on our journey. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
Wow, that all sounds so lovely, except for the driving part! That would make me so nervous.
I’m really not trying to dominate the comment section but………
Where you are brings back sooo many memories of Derry (wife, not place!). She, also, was my navigator and her job was to pick the ivy off the passenger side mirror because I was so close to those damned rock walls avoiding a lorry coming at me @ 100Km/hr on a 1 & 1/2 lane road!
We went to Connemara National Park, climbed up most of the way, and went to visit the great love story that Kylemore Abbey represents.
The walled garden was amazing, too.
I have watched the very perplexing movie “The Banshees of Inisherin”
I agree, Galway is awesome!! We did indeed have a brew or two @ Monroe’s!
Keep your comments coming, my friend. We love having you along for the ride.
I love vicariously eating and sight-seeing with you two! And I’m glad I’m not splitting the bill!
Asheville and the Blue ridge Parkway were the some of the highlights on my trips around there. We, also, skipped the Biltmore tour. $50-head to see someone else’s ostentatiousness!
And I now have to put Curate on my list…..love me some Spanish tapas!
No doubt, our joy of good food has us reevaluating the dining budget! 😉
Have been hearing a lot lately about Charleston’s foodie scene!!!
I want a raclette burger and order me the trout with crawfish at Vern’s!
And be careful driving out there. Might get a little wet!
Stepping out of Vern’s last night it was dumping!! Thankfully they loaned us an umbrella for the short walk home, but with sandals . . . pretty sloppy. And yes, both of those food items were incredible.
Excellent post! I love how the architecture helps avoid the taxman… brilliant!
What a fun day!!! And then, to a Spanish restaurant serving some of my favorite tapas and vino!!
A new post after just 24 hours? You spoil us, and set a high bar for the detailed story-telling of your adventures! If the rest of your trip is half as enjoyable as your first day out to be, you’re in for a treat. Love you both and enjoy the humidity (and everything else, of course).
Hola to you two!!
A word of caution, kinda. Watch out for Travis Decker in Leavenworth!
Not that I have vast knowledge for packing for long trips, I would think taking along some “tradeable” clothing you can bargain with! Like a nice BBB shirt in exchange for a nice Italian sweater! And save room for souvenirs and fun stuff! No one will care if you wear the same shirt three days in a row, except Nancy!!
Also, I can partner with you about losing family. It certainly speeds up as we get older.
Yeah, definitely one of the downsides of aging!
What a great surprise it was to have you and Nancy swing by Green Lake, looking forward to hosting you both in Tucson next year! I had forgotten to mention during our conversation that there are two new Matador restaurants in S. Carolina if you are feeling nostalgic. Thanks again and safe travels, already excited to follow along!
Thanks for the heads up re. the Matadors. I see it’s actually a restaurant with a separate “Mezcaleria by Matador” next door. It’s 1.5 miles from our AirBnB. We’ll definitely go there. Glad to know you’ll be following along on our travels. Take care.
Wow! I bet you’re both getting excited for your continuing adventures. Love reading about them. We miss you guys!
So excited! Already loving our “vacationing” in our hometown, and chomping at the bit to truly hit the road. Miss you two, as well. Glad you’re following along. Hope your summer’s starting off great.
Whooohoo! You’re on your way! 👏🏼🌟
Looks like you two are loving and living life well. Love the narratives and the photos
Thanks, Sandy. Yes, life’s awesome.
(And Kirkland is just so cool, as I’m sure you remember.)
We love Kirkland, especially Isarn Thai 🤤🤤🤤 One of my favorite Thai restaurants! It looks like your adventures are off to a great start. Enjoy your time with family and friends!
Thanks, Kelsey. Isarn Thai is one of our daughter Kylene’s favorites, as well.
Hope you and Scott are enjoying your early summer.
Godspeed my friends. See you soon, hopefully it will involve libations and excellent conversation. Miss you guys!
So very excited for you two and looking forward to being on your adventure with you! I must be on your roster twice as I received 2 email notifications. Enjoy every minute and I hope to see you at one of your visits to BB!
Jealous…can’t wait to see and hear all about it
Bon voyage, and we’ll see you in Asheville!
I could not be more excited for you both! Have an amazing time in WA (wish I was joining for graduation) and on your stateside portion of this adventure. Can’t wait to see you in the Burgh in a few months. Cheers to new adventures!
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience, Best of luck Glenn and Nancy. Safe travels🙏🌺
Thanks, Al. Glad you’ll be following our adventure.
OMG this sounds absolutely amazing!!!!!!
Thanks, Lisa. See you soon!
Hello Nancy and Glenn!
What an exercise in travel planning and what a tremendously exciting and interesting journey it will be.
From reading your update, I’m not clear on the exact date you will be departing the US and/or Mexico and when you are scheduled to return. Could you confirm, please.
Are you going to be measured for your dress Gordon kilt while in Edinburgh?
Looking forward to ‘sharing ‘ your adventure.
Love, Angela
Safe travel and dr8nk a few for me!
Thanks, Michele. See you at the shop in a couple of weeks.
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I think I already signed up but…maybe not? Anyway, should be signed up now
You’re golden.
Add me to mailing list pls!
You’re good to go.