Quiet, clean & comfy

After a long day of driving home from Portland to our home in White Marsh MD we decided to stopover for the night in PA but didn't want to spend a fortune so I found a room for $58. We had our golden with us and he stayed for free plus they were even nice enough to give us a ground floor room which makes puppy potty breaks much easier. Our room was on the small side but perfect for us with a comfy king size bed and flat screen tv (you can opt for a room that has a fridge & microwave but we just needed a place to sleep). We were in Room 118 and it was very quiet and peaceful- never heard anyone beside or above us and the place was fairly full. We would definitely stay here again as we travel to PA often to visit friends.

Nov. 17, 2019

Phenomenal Experience

Hubby and I travel quite often with our golden retriever but we have never stayed in a place this amazing but from here on out, we will be. A friend, myself and our 2 golden retrievers were in town for a couple of days on a stopover on our way to Jupiter, FL for a golden retriever event and we stayed here. When we arrived at the property my friend went inside to check in and before she even came back out Rodney was beside me with a luggage cart, loading it and telling me all about Savannah as he did (he should be the town's official ambassador). After taking care of making sure our vehicle was valet parked in the adjacent parking garage, Rodney took us to our room, unpacked our bags and told us all about all the amenities the hotel offers (including a big bag of treats for the pups which they most definitely enjoyed) as well as things we should check out while in town. We stayed in a suite that overlooked the courtyard and it was absolutely amazing, it is so nice to have a sitting room when traveling with 2 large dogs. There was a fully stocked fridge as well as tray filled with a tray of mini-bar items available for purchase (totally overpriced but my friend did have a $10 credit) and the bathrooms are stocked with Atelier Bloem toiletries and there is even a laminated card letting you know that if you forgot anything they are prepared to provide whatever is needed during your stay. The beds were beyond comfortable and I loved the large vanity area with makeup mirror, certainly saved us a lot of time being able to use the area at the same time without getting in each other's way. The hotel has a great outside patio and also a pool and is centrally located, our car remained parked in the garage for our entire stay, we were able to walk to everything plus there is a small park just a block away where we could take our pups to use the potty. Each afternoon from 4-5 there is a complimentary cocktail area in the lobby where you can enjoy wine, snacks and my favorite, Spiked Tea, and your pets are welcome to hang out with you while you relax and partake in some adult beverages. We didn't have the time to use the complimentary bikes or the pool but trust and believe that when I return to Savannah with my husband I will make sure to stay a lot longer. The only thing that could be construed as a nuisance is the sound of cars driving down the cobblestone streets in the late evening hours but after figuring out what the sound was (initially I thought perhaps it was heat thunder but since my golden retriever never freaked out per his norm I quickly realized the cause was more innocent) I found it quaint and actually calming. I've always opted for the "cheaper" route when finding a place to stay when traveling but I have seen the light, from here on out I'm looking for a Kimpton Property whenever and wherever we go and hoping that each has their own "Rodney".

Nov. 25, 2019

Perfect way to spend our last evening in Ohiopyle

For our last night in Ohiopyle I wanted to treat hubby to dinner beside the Youghiogheny River to cap off an amazing long weekend. I was a little worried that we wouldn't be able to get a table after seeing how crowded town still was when we arrived close to 6 (not to mention it being Father's Day) but we were able to get a table right away. They have a small patio, indoor seating then additional seating in the grass field across the small road which is where we found a table under a nice canopy and I love that we could bring our golden retriever along with us. I ordered our drinks and food at the bar then went to the table to wait for our food to be delivered. The Orange Crush was very good as was the last of the frozen Margarita that the bartender so kindly gave me because there was only enough to fill 1/3 of the cup. Our food was delivered in record time and was very good. The house wings were huge - plump, juicy and perfectly crisped (although the bartender described the flavor as old bay in butter with hot sauce I never tasted a hint of old bay but they were good just the same). The ribs were very good too just not as tender as I am accustomed to, the beans and slaw were good as well. I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the place, you kind of feel like you're in someone's backyard just hanging out albeit with random chickens/roosters walking around the only issue we had at all were the bugs but thankfully I always keep a few cans of bug spray in the trunk since we hike often. We had no trouble getting a parking space so don't get deterred if you drive by and the lot looks full, there are lots of nooks and crannies you can't see from the main drag.

Jul. 05, 2020

Close by local parks

**Not sure why this listing states small dogs only, our golden retriever received a warm welcome**

I'm obsessed with hiking waterfall trails and several google searches revealed quite a few waterfalls in the Loyalsock Forest/World's End State Park area so I booked a room at this Motel 6 because it seemed pretty central to the area I wanted to explore. Check in was seamless, however after entering our room I quickly realized that housekeeping seemed, for the most part, to have paid little, if any, attention to our room. The nightstand between the 2 beds was obviously not even wiped down judging by the multitude of visible fingerprints; there was not only no toilet paper in the bathroom but no soap, cups or other complimentary toiletries. In light of the current situation we find ourselves in I had no problem wiping down the furniture in our room because I would have automatically done so anyway but after notifying the front desk the manager took care of everything immediately and apologized saying that they had some new hires that clearly needed more training. The room was fairly spacious, more than enough room for hubby, myself and our golden retriever but the beds were a little too firm for my liking but not uncomfortable. Flat screen TV with a large channel selection and excellent wifi, power strip for your phone chargers and the air conditioner kept our room nice and cool plus our room was super quiet but I wasn't a fan of the motion activated light switch in the bathroom (especially when getting up in the middle of the night and trying not to disturb hubby). We were on the first floor and right outside the exit there was small wooded area for our dog to use the bathroom. Right down the road there was even a nice walking trail along the Susquehanna River/railroad tracks, we saw lots of snails on our morning hike (never seen anything like that before). The owners clearly live on site and were always available for whatever we needed. I would definitely stay at this hotel when in the area again. This hotel was right off the expressway and only minutes from local parks and attractions and there were plenty of restaurants nearby. Parking lot was well lit and well maintained and not sure if it is available for the guests to use but there was a grill and picnic table near the small wooded area just outside the side exit.

Jul. 05, 2020

Clean, quiet, close to Lititz

We travel quite a bit and always with our golden retriever in tow so Red Roof Inn is always our go to when available. This is our first time staying at this location but we will definitely be back when we visit Lititz again as its only about 15 minutes from town. From check in to check out our stay was awesome, in no small part because of the friendly staff. I've noticed recently that the beds in Red Roof Inns are higher off the ground which I'm not very fond of but they were comfy and I'm only there to sleep so no real biggie, the height just makes it a bit awkward to get up into. Our room was clean with 2 queen beds and a mini fridge, no microwave which seemed odd but wasn't an issue since we didn't need one. The only issues I had with the room were the following:

1. The bathroom has motion activated lights/fans which is a pain in the
butt for late night potty runs because it wakes anyone else in the
room up and you do have to manually turn them off.
2. Only 2 pillows on each queen bed, what's up with that, at least 3 or 4
per bed is what other hotels provide.
3. There was a wad of tissue protruding from the peep hole and the gap
at the bottom of the door allowed a lot of light and hall noise in.
4. The recessed lighting in the bathroom had no covers, you could
see straight up into the ceiling - cobwebs, drafts and all.
5. We booked a double queen room and there were only enough
towels, washcloths and hand towels for 2 people, no extras in
case you'd like to wrap your wet hair in one and dry off with
another.

This location does offer a complimentary breakfast - nothing fancy, just the basics - waffles, bagels, cereal, etc. but there is minimal seating in the area where it is served so hubby and I just skipped it since it was the weekend and the hotel was packed. There are areas outside to walk your pets but make sure you clean up after them, we noticed several piles of poop just walking to the area where pets were supposed to relieve themselves. There was one other odd thing about this location, it is hooked to an Econo Lodge and totally threw me off when we pulled into the parking lot but other than that we had no issues at all and will definitely be back - quiet, well lit parking lot, easy access to the highway and restaurants.

Mar. 01, 2020

Awesome sandwiches & coffee

I've had this restaurant on my list of places to check out in PA for over a year so this year, on our way home from Lititz, I made a point of stopping here for lunch. We arrived just before 12 and it was busy but thankfully we found a table by a window in the front. I really like how they had the foresight to set up a comfy children's play area, complete with small toys and books, I liked it even more that the parents who allowed their children to have fun in the area while they ate ensured that no one in that section ever felt like they were in the middle of a Chuck E. Cheese, great. The way this place works is that you place your order at the counter then they give you a number tent to take to your table. Along with a coffee and a raspberry tea I ordered the Ham & Dill Melt and it was super yummy, love how they cut the kosher pickles in the sandwich up so I pretty much got a pickle in each bite and the molasses rye bread was to die for. Hubby got the Smoked Panini and liked it so much he hated to even let me try a bite, the pesto mayo and honey wheat bread complimented each other nicely. We also got a cup of vegetable tomato soup to share and while it was tasty I didn't realize it would be more bisque style so I only ate a couple of bites and let hubby have the rest. This place has a pet friendly outdoor seating area and when we were there they even had someone playing acoustic guitar for the diners, awesome vibe all the way around and their coffee is delicious too. We come to PA a lot to go hiking and will definitely be back to check out their breakfast sandwiches. There's a parking lot and street parking as well but this place seems to get super busy as soon as church lets out so plan accordingly.

Mar. 01, 2020

One of our favorite local parks

Marshy Point is one of our favorite parks to take our golden retriever hiking. There is an awesome nature center that is open daily from 9 to 5 and they hold lots of different activities year round, the full moon frog hike was one of our favorites. The staff are great about answering questions and making you feel welcome and they offer all of this great stuff for free (some programs do charge a small fee but if you become a member the fees are reduced). We have been coming here for many years but there are still trails we have yet to discover. In the spring you can hear all the different varieties of frogs in the marsh and vernal pond, we love trying to see how many different ones we can find during each visit. Some of the trails have partial boardwalk areas to cover the soft,muddy ground but overall the hiking is very easy and their is a trail for everyone depending on how long you want to spend out in the woods. In addition to the snakes, fish, frogs and other reptiles inside the center there is a duck that runs the place and you can interact with her (depending on her mood of course) and outside there are turkeys, chickens, an owl, a falcon and they are currently building new enclosures for a couple of new additions to the menagerie. You can truly spend an entire day exploring this awesome park and nature center.

Jan. 21, 2020

First of many visits to this awesome deli

After planning our trip to Winterthur this past weekend I started looking for places in the area to have lunch and discovered Pure Bread Deli right down the road. Hubby and I have a golden retriever that is the center of our universe so finding a place that is not only pet friendly but whose entire menu is named for dogs was super exciting. We got to the restaurant a little before 1 and it was still pretty busy but we managed to score a booth inside and placed our order. The way this place works is you place your order at the counter, they give you a table flag and bring your food out once it is ready while you relax and enjoy the dog videos and guest pet photos on the 2 televisions in the dining area (if you're a dog owner be sure to go to their website to upload your dog's photo, I did just that as soon as we got home). They have so many great menu items to choose from but being a golden mom, I felt obligated to get the Golden Retriever Sandwich - turkey, provolone, sun dried tomatoes and basil pesto on grilled focaccia and it was delicious and since hubby and I always split everything we also ordered a Breeder's Combo (choice of 2 menu items) and got the Santa Fe Chicken Salad and Broccoli & Cheese Soup and to satisfy our sweet tooth I got a Cranberry Orange Muffin with Walnuts - grilled - which I highly recommend (we were recently introduced to the joy of grilled muffins on a recent trip to Maine and I was beyond thrilled to see them offered here). Our entire meal, from start to finish, far exceeded my expectations and I only wish there was a location closer to our home in the Baltimore area. The staff here go above and beyond to ensure that you leave happy and satisfied, the place feels more like a full service restaurant than those that actually are that's for sure. They had some complimentary super cute car magnets throughout the dining area so I definitely scooped up on those. Hubby can't stop talking about the place so looks like we'll be making regular visits to DE from now on.

Dec. 30, 2019

Best Sandwich Shop in Harford County

With so many great local eateries in our area we try to spread the love around but Vagabond will always have our heart (and tummy). Stopped in here this past weekend before venturing out to check out all the awesome Christmas lights in the area and the place was hopping. When we pulled up I initially thought the place was closed because apparently they have had the restaurant windows tinted since our last visit so don't make the same mistake we almost did. They often have coupons on Living Social but you can also go on their new app and usually score 20% off and on Wednesdays Kids eat free and they usually have some sort of event going on for them (very crazy in there on Wednesdays that's for sure). We must have walked in at the perfect time because not long after we placed our order and grabbed a table people non-stop poured into the place and there was still a line when we left but service was fast and friendly and I have to give props to the lady taking the orders - she happily did triple duty, taking orders, delivering them to the tables all the while running the register and efficiently handling the shelves filled with take out orders). They've added a few new sandwiches and menu items since our last visit so I finally tried something besides my all-time favorite which is the Southern James. I ordered the Jimmy Hamdrix which is pit ham, spinach, brie, bacon and raspberry sauce - grilled and hubby got the rockfish tender basket with fries. Everything was delicious as always and I love that now you can get greens in place of the house chips; we also got an order of onion rings and a turkey wrap to go (huge). They now serve craft beers and still have their cold case that has ice creams from a local creamery and fresh sausages. I was a little disappointed to see that they no longer had the nice selection of hand crafted bottled sodas (I only saw ginger ale and oddly enough Pumpkin Pie flavor) although the case did seem to now hold a large selection of flavored kombuchas. Hoping they'll continue to add new sandwiches to the menu but only if they keep my all time favorites, this place is always on point and I'm looking forward for spring so we can sit outside on their patio with our golden.

Dec. 27, 2019

More then a coffee shop

I was in town for the Jupiter Golden Jubilee and before setting up in a business nearby for our raffle we stopped by here for lunch. Let me just start by saying that this place earned an extra star just for being super pet friendly, they even allowed our dogs to come inside the place, not just the outside patio. I ordered the Grilled Cheese of the day which had bacon and jalapeno and came with a side salad. The grilled cheese was very good but they overdid it a bit with the jalapeno but I just took some off so I could also enjoy the sandwich as a whole and I really enjoyed the Champagne vinaigrette dressing, very fresh and flavorful. All the food is made to order and served on china, not cheesy styrofoam or paper and the Green Tea was delicious. There are tables both inside and out and the tables on the patio have umbrellas to help ward off the heat of the sun a bit. Hoping to attend next years event and will definitely stop by to check out their coffee next time, I hear it's delicious.

Nov. 25, 2019

Home Cooked Goodness

I've been meaning to check this restaurant out but always forget about it when we're hiking in the area but after seeing an article on Facebook about the place I knew we had to make a point of going right away. There are a couple of tables outside which is great because we usually have our golden retriever with us so we'll take advantage of that once the weather permits in the spring. The inside of the place is so cute - farmhouse style decor that makes you feel like you're at home, hubby took note that the long bench on the wall appeared to be from a church. Our server Kirsten was very attentive but it appeared that everyone seems to pitch in to help each other out, including management. For lunch hubby and I got a bowl of the Chicken & Rice Soup and the Ham & Cheese Grilled Cheese with fries and split everything. The soup was absolutely delicious - creamy and filled with veggies and chunks of chicken and the grilled cheese was amazing - grilled parmesan crusted sourdough bread (think Texas Toast) with Havarti cheese and country ham, best grilled cheese I have ever had, and the fries were yummy to, cooked to order and piping hot. The unsweetened ice tea seemed a bit on the strong side but no biggie. I wish this place was closer to our house because they have lots of awesome dinner specials each night of the week and everyday they post their special and soups of the day on social media which is really nice.

Nov. 25, 2019

A gathering of goldens

I was in town with friends to celebrate the Jupiter Golden Jubilee and a large group of us enjoyed dinner here last Friday evening on the patio with all our goldens. We received awesome service, our server was always right there checking on us, we never waited on anything. I got the Conch Fritters and an order of the Wings - medium and also several Turtle Teas. The wings were very good - moist, meaty and the bbq sauce had the perfect level of sweet heat. The conch fritters were very good but would have been even better if served with a raspberry dipping sauce like I've gotten at a couple of other restaurants, I'm a big fan of the sweet & savory combination. The Turtle Tea was refreshing but definitely snuck up on you. Everyone in our group absolutely loved the restaurant and the staff, we were treated so nice and everyone loved interacting with the pups.

Nov. 24, 2019

Come because it's pet friendly, not for the food

Not my first choice in Dewey but they allow dogs in the bar and we were in town for the golden jubilee and wanted to catch up with friends. The bartender has been there forever and really makes the place fun but the drinks aren't very strong and the prices are more in line with what you'd expect to pay at a club with live entertainment. They have a jukebox but our friend put money in and the pushed skip when his songs came on, apparently one of the regulars didn't care for his choices. There was an extremely inebriated guy in there who slapped my husband on the back to say hello and just kept being annoying, touching all of us, waving his hands in front our faces, etc. and management never did anything about it. We did get some fries which were just ok but its bar food so whatcha gonna do.

Nov. 24, 2019

Delicious spirits

A friend and I were strolling through historic St. Augustine Monday afternoon with our 2 goldens and noticed a woman wearing a City Gate shirt standing at the door of the distillery, looking longingly at our pups, beckoning us to come over so she could love on them so of course we obliged. After chatting for a few minutes we got set up for the tasting while the dogs chilled. We got to try Pineapple, Spiced Orange & Tropical Rums, Sweet Tea Vodka and Apple Pie Moonshine, all served perfectly chilled. They were all delicious, the Tropical Rum tasted like a Pina Colada minus the cream and you could taste all the sweet, creamy elements of the Apple Pie Moonshine. All of their spirits are made with all natural flavors and on the sweet side which is what I prefer but word to the wise, they pack a punch. We checked out the distilling process and ended each buying a bottle of the Sweet Tea Vodka, Spiced Orange Rum & Apple Pie Moonshine - if you buy 5 you get 1 free plus they pack them up in canvas totes with bottle dividers and they even held them in the office for us so we didn't have to lug them through town. Can't wait to share with hubby (or not lol) when I return to Baltimore.

Nov. 22, 2019

Dogs loved the Mariachi Band

We attended a golden retriever event last weekend and afterwards stopped here for dinner with friends and our 4 pups. After about a 15 minute wait we were seated and ordered a Queso Fundido while we perused the menu. I ordered the shrimp tacos and ended up being very disappointed. The shrimp was extremely tough and chewy so I ended up sending it back. The server was extremely apologetic and offered to bring me something else but by that time the place was packed and it had taken long enough to get our meals the first time so I just munched on the chips & dip. I did enjoy the Mariachi band and the margaritas and my friends seemed pleased with their meals, perhaps I'm just spoiled by my favorite Taco place in Dewey Beach. The one suggestion I would give to management would be to ask diners if they like dogs before sitting then next to a table with 4 of them. The couple next to us was very rude simply because he chose to sit next to where one of our dogs was laying long before they flew in on their broomsticks.

Nov. 22, 2019

Location is sketchy at best

We came to PA on Memorial Day weekend to check out the Isle of Que and local parks and attractions and Red Roof Inn was in a good, central location. Check in was supposed to be 3 but when we arrived around 3:30 the room still wasn't ready so we took a drive to check out a nearby park, thankfully when we returned after 4 the room was finally ready so we could finally relax. The reason for the rooms not being ready was apparently they were short on maids and the couple of maids we encountered looked dirty and sloppy, wearing sweaty tank tops and just didn't look very trustworthy to say the least. The room was clean and fairly quiet although it appeared that this hotel was in the midst of a remodel and there was dried paint in our bedspreads. The room where they have the ice maker smelled of stagnant water, wasn't easy to find because it wasn't labeled and overall was kind of grungy.

The free breakfast was the one bright spot although the waffle maker has clearly seen better days. Something eerily creepy about this location is that there's an abandoned hotel in the same lot, looks like one day everybody left and just never came back. I've always been fascinated with urban exploration so hubby and I walked over 1 morning and the doors are open, furniture is still inside (but trashed) and mold has taken over and it also appears to be a place that homeless people camp out in - this seems to me to be a huge safety issue so if or when we return to the area I'll definitely find another place to stay, too risky for my taste, the last thing I need is to wake up and find my car possibly broken into by vagrants. There is a McDonalds and other stores nearby and the place has potential, just need to raze the abandoned motel and complete the renovations.

Nov. 17, 2019

Comfy & Quiet

We were heading home from our trip to St. Augustine and needed some rest so since we had our goldens with us we chose La Quinta. We arrived around 8:30 and the young lady at the desk had us checked in within 3 minutes, giving us a room on the 3rd floor (I always prefer not having people above me since I live with my sister who stomps when she walks). Our room had 2 king beds and was very spacious which the dogs definitely appreciated. The room was clean except for the bottom of the tub had something gray on it, almost like someone stepped in it with a dirty shoe but overall it was nice.

On a side note, I must admit that the kid in me got a little giddy seeing the Eiffel Tower and roller coasters all lit up in Kings Dominion across the parking lot. The hotel offers ice water, hot chocolate, tea and coffee 24/7 and they also over a great selection of hot and cold items for breakfast. I love a good waffle so I was really happy about the waffle maker and they offered both sausage links & patties, the only thing I didn't care for was the powdered eggs but it is what it is. They also had cold & hot cereals, bagels, toast and 4 different varieties of muffins and the breakfast area is bright and open. I didn't have a chance to enjoy the pool but my golden let me know he noticed it, refusing to budge from the entrance for a few minutes before finally leaving.

Nov. 17, 2019

Close to pet friendly Jupiter Beach

A girlfriend and I traveled to Jupiter for a golden retriever event so of course we had our 2 dogs with us. We were lucky enough to be able to check in a little after noon and we got a room facing the pool but the double queen room we got felt quite cramped, the beds took up most of the room which isn't the best case scenario when you have 2 large breed dogs with you. I was happy to find out we had a balcony overlooking the pool but upon further inspection it quickly became clear that there was no way in the world that my friend, myself and our 2 dogs could all sit outside together - the chairs were so close to the railing that I felt like I was in an endless game of Twister. Saturday morning we headed out bright and early for our event with our dogs in tow and were gone for several hours and when we finally returned to the hotel - hot, tired, salty, sandy and in much need of a shower we discovered that our key cards wouldn't open our room door (worked perfectly fine on the outdoor entrances however). Our poor pups, who had been riding the waves for hours, were so exhausted that they simply laid down at the door of our room, refusing to move a step further, so after trying both our key cards with no success, I walked down the hall to the room a maid's cart was parked in front of to ask her for some assistance only to be faced with a young woman who could only speak enough English to inform me that she was petrified of dogs and didn't take too kindly to me asking for her help. I somehow managed to convince her to allow me to try her universal key card (while she observed, from a distance) which also failed to deny us entry to our room which I'm assuming is what led her to finally call for additional assistance. A man, who I assume was perhaps maintenance, showed up, tried his key card only to also be denied entrance as well then promptly turned to my friend (who had booked the room and unbeknownst to them was a Platinum Elite member) and told her that she needed to walk down to the front desk to make sure that her key card was not the issue. Before she even made it back to the room it became clear that someone, somewhere, realized that the issue had nothing to do with the cards we were issued because suddenly another man showed up with some sort of handheld meter to help the "maintenance" guy correct the issue which was apparently some sort of battery/programming issue. A few moments after I had been let into our room my friend returned and immediately noticed that our room had not been cleaned so she had to call down to the front desk who informed her that we needed to let them know we were leaving so they could clean - really?! in what universe??? My friend was furious and demanded she comp our room for the night which the manager did and also asked for them to bring up fresh towels, coffee and empty our trash cans. The same man who fixed the door issue returned promptly after, clearly this man has to be a jack of all trades since the actual housekeeper won't do her job because of her fear of dogs and management doesn't have enough sense not to place this woman on a floor filled with dogs due to our golden retriever event. While my friend was in the shower management did call back to make sure we had been taken care of but when I told her that my friend was showering but I assumed everything was fine now - the manager actually said to me that she could tell it was someone different on the phone because I was much calmer and nicer - WOW- open mouth, insert foot, perhaps the general manager should schedule some sensitivity training for their staff.

On the plus side, I loved the pool, it is huge and there is a bathroom and exercise room right there along with towels and there is plenty of lounge chairs to go around and also areas that are shaded. The breakfast buffet was really nice as well, every morning there were a few different choices than the day before and the fresh cinnamon muffins were absolutely divine. There is plenty of seating both inside and out and they even have little to go bags. The hotel is centrally located and close to restaurants and shops within walking distance and very quiet so I would definitely stay there again, although I know my friend most certainly will not.

Nov. 16, 2019

Nice hike to waterfall

I'm obsessed with waterfalls so I figured I would find a couple for us to check out on our way home to MD from Maine so I turned to trusty Google and Bish Bash was at the top of the list. We got there around 2:30 and the lower parking lot was pretty empty. I had read different reviews saying that the route to the falls from the MA side was shorter but more difficult while the NY side was longer and easier but there were no signs telling us where or what side we were starting on, the only indicator was the 3/4 mile marker. The trail was rocky but not difficult although some spots were a little slick due to the heavy rains yesterday and there were several downed trees we had to climb over. It didn't take us too long before I could hear the roar of the falls and once we turned the corner I was awestruck at how magnificent they were. Hubby & I have visited well over 50 waterfalls this past year and this one ranks right at the top. The water was flowing really strong thanks to the storms and I loved feeling the most from the bottom of the stone stairs, our golden retriever, on the other hand, was more concerned about figuring out a way to swim in the large pool the falls poured into. I can only imagine how crowded this place could get on a nicer day, we only saw about 30 people in our travels and were the only ones at the top for quite a bit. There were several areas on the trek up/down for my golden to get his swim fix so we all left happy.

Nov. 17, 2019

Pup Paradise

Hubby & I love hiking & exploring with our golden retriever so naturally Acadia has been at the very top of my bucket list for years so finally getting to visit this past week was a dream come true. First off I'd like to say that I think it's awesome that there are portions of Acadia that you can visit free of charge, we did just that, in addition to paying the $30 for the day, more than worth it and when we visit again next year I'll be sure to buy the multi day pass. We stopped at multiple points throughout the drive through the park but my favorites were Thunder Hole & Cadillac Mountain. As much as I love hiking I gravitate to areas that are in close proximity to water, perhaps its because I'm an Aquarius but I find a sense of calm near any body of water and Acadia provided that tenfold. Thunder Hole was very cool to see but I'll be sure to plan my next visit around high tide to see it in full effect and feel its power. Cadillac Mountain was breathtaking, I got goosebumps seeing the sun set from its peak and will plan for the sunrise next time. You could easily spend weeks in this park and still have hundreds of things left to see, truly the 8th wonder of the world and the most beautiful place I've ever experienced.

Nov. 17, 2019

Great food, fast, friendly service

Before heading to Terrapin State Park we stopped here for lunch, mainly because they have a pet friendly patio. I ordered the wings and hubby got the Cheesesteak they was on their specials menu and we shared an order of fried pickles. Everything was absolutely delicious and I live that they have Maine Handcrafted sodas on their fountain. The wings were really large, meaty & juicy and the bbq buffalo was the perfect amount of heat. Hubby's cheesesteak was huge, he had to save half for later and the fried pickles were yummy as well, very tasty dipping sauce. The staff here is very friendly, as we were enjoying our meal they even brought out a bowl of cold water for our golden retriever. In addition to their posted menu they usually have lots of specials listed on a chalkboard at the front door and they even have a full bar, trust and believe that we'll be back.

Nov. 17, 2019

Spacious rooms for pets

My best friend booked myself, hubby & our golden retriever a suite here using points and from the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty. They have a specific floor for pet rooms on the 2nd floor but you would never know that an animal had been in the hotel let alone the rooms. Our room had a small living room and a fully equipped kitchen which definitely came in handy for all the yummy leftovers we brought back each day and there's a wooded area for pets to play right outside the door. Our bed was so comfy that hubby's snoring didn't even bother me, once my head hit that fluffy pillow I was out like a light. The bathroom is stocked with J.R. Watkins toiletries as is the shower, you literally only need to bring your clothes. The hotel was totally booked that weekend and filled with wedding revelers but we never heard a peep. The breakfast each morning varies day to day and included everything from cereals to omelets and they even had fountain sodas and Minute Maid Juices. Hubby and I usually just book a room at the local motel but after this trip we'll be looking for a Staybridge Suite wherever we travel.

Nov. 17, 2019

Hot Dog shaped biscuits

I get daily emails from a site called "Only in Your State" and when I read about the Isle of Que, a town on the Susquehanna River, I was immediately enamored so while everyone else headed to the beach for Memorial Day, hubby, our golden and myself headed to PA. After checking out the town we went to the Squeeze In for lunch. Let me tell ya, there has never been a more appropriately named restaurant, in order to sit at the counter you literally have to squeeze past the stools and any patrons already sitting down. We had our dog with us so hubby grabbed one of the tables outside and I went in to order, 2 regular chili dogs for hubby, 1 spicy and 1 regular for me, a bag of Middleswarth Chips and a Big Ben Blue Birch Beer (I like to try the local favorites whenever possible and those chips and the drink aren't available in MD). The hot dogs were some of the best I have ever had and I had hubby driving to all the local grocery stores buy more chips. While we were enjoying our lunch a young couple with the cutest little boy struck up a conversation with us, telling us about all the awesome local parks and attractions we should check out while in the area and the little boy even gave our dog a hot dog shaped dog biscuit. Turns out they own the place, they spent a good 20 minutes sharing info and just chatting with us, truly an awesome family. Hubby and I came back 1 more time for dinner while in town and this time we got the baked beans too and oh my lord, they were the most amazing side dish ever, they use butter beans in a homemade sauce that is quite frankly, heavenly. Thanks to our visit hubby and I checked out several of the spots suggested and had an absolutely great mini vacation. Looking forward to going back next year and making it a tradition.

Nov. 17, 2019

Share dessert with your pup on the porch

Took our son and his girlfriend here after a local festival to get some ice cream. I love all the quaint shops in Lewes and this one is my new favorite. Hubby & I shared a Pumpkin Pie cone and the others got Dutch Apple & Black Raspberry. The prices are good and you can immediately appreciate all the homemade goodness that goes into putting out an ice cream this exceptional. Creamy & sweet and the seasonal flavors are amazing plus for small eaters like myself they offer a "baby" cone which, as Goldilocks once said, is just right.

Nov. 17, 2019

Nice view

Just arrived in Savannah this afternoon so this evening a friend and I decided to check out River Street and take her dog for a walk on the waterfront. As we were passing this place one of the hosts handed us a coupon for a free Fried Green Tomato Appetizer with the purchase of 2 entrees and also told us that there was plenty of seating on their pet friendly patio. After we finished window shopping we headed back to the restaurant and were seated right away and Susan greeted us not long after. We ordered Iced Teas, the Fried Green Tomato App then finished looking at the menu. My friend was craving veggies so she went with the Vegetable Plate - Collard Greens, Haricot Verts, Asparagus & Mac and Cheese. I ordered the Crispy Scored Flounder (simply because of the Peach glaze) but when informed by our server that this flounder was served bone-in, the whole fish on a plate, I immediately switched to the Pecan Bourbon Salmon. First off, we never got the free Fried Green Tomato that was the main reason we chose to eat here, we got rolls with butter and a cream cheese, blue cheese & chive spread that was the best spread I have ever tasted then about 10 minutes later our meals arrived. My friend enjoyed her veggies but said the mac and cheese tasted really odd, like it was made with river water; I've only had salmon a few times but this one seemed dry and not very flavorful, even the collard greens & sweet potato mash could salvage it and unfortunately the salt I requested to attempt to add flavor to it was all stuck together and difficult to shake evenly so I ended up with clumps. Our server did tell us that they offered chicken breast for the dog and also brought him over a bucket of water, that alone earned them an extra star. I have never had Fried Green Tomatoes and was excited to try it for the first time ever in Savannah but alas, it was not to be. We're now back in our room, disappointed at our first meal in Savannah and quite frankly, still hungry because neither of us finished our meals.

Nov. 17, 2019

The dogs loved the attention

Had a nice lunch with friends before heading to an event. I love the pet friendly dining on the patio and all the other diners were thrilled to see our goldens plus the server brought them a bowl of cold water. I had the fish & chips with slaw, I've never been to a restaurant that serves Basa so that was a nice surprise, it was cooked perfectly and the waffle fries were used, just a tad too crispy, the slaw was also delicious. My one friend got the grilled cheese and I couldn't get over how big it was. The only drawback was that the server wasn't very personable or attentive.

Nov. 17, 2019

Avoid at all costs

A girlfriend and I are headed to Savannah in the morning and just wanted a place to stay for 1 night so we could avoid DC traffic (coming from MD). The first thing I noticed was that the pool was still filled and glowing blue, pretty sure the Motel 6 doesn't have a year round heated pool for their guests so not sure what the deal was. We ended up being put in a room that faced the pool and several times it sounded like kids running past our window (mind you it was after 11 pm). The beds were comfortable enough and for the most part the room was clean but it's clear this place has been neglected but we only needed the room for essentially 8 hours and they do allow pets so no biggie. I did notice all kinds of odd marks and gobs of God knows what all over the bathroom wall - kinda hard to miss since the toilet provides a direct view. I was hoping that a hair dryer would be supplied but this place just had the basics and not even all of those (why have a tissue dispenser if you're not gonna fill it?). We checked out super early the next morning and as we pulled up to the front desk entrance the desk clerk was out front with what was most definitely a prostitute who looked like she had yet to go to bed from the night before but skipped off to her room in a hurry when we got out of the car. Not sure if the Red Roof Inn next door is any better but if I'm ever thru this way again I'll definitely look for a better option.

Nov. 17, 2019

Generous portions

After a long drive from Jupiter a friend and I were famished and in the mood for Italian. Our arrival couldn't have been timed more perfectly, we were sat right away but by the time we left the place was full with a line of people waiting outside. I got the Veal Parm with spaghetti and veggies with a Caesar salad to start, my friend got the Italian pot roast and minestrone soup to start. Both of our dinners were delicious and the portions were very generous, with the exception of the Minestrone Soup, the cup wasn't even half full yet my Caesar salad was quite large, my friend was quite disappointed because she enjoyed what little of it she received but overall our first meal in St. Augustine was wonderful. We got lucky because we were able to get a table right away but by the time we left both the restaurant and patio were full and a line was waiting outside. We'll definitely stop back when visiting again but this time we're bringing our pups.

Nov. 09, 2019

The dogs loved the attention

A friend & I were traveling with our goldens and were thrilled to find out that the Little Red Train was pet friendly. We arrived at the station a little after 10 and purchased our tickets along with tickets for the scenic cruise and received a discount and also free tickets for mini golf. They give you a sticker to wear on your shirt and you can ride all day plus they offer free parking at the station. The guides were great, we learned a lot about the history of the town and our first guide was a bit of a comedian as well. We got dropped off at the marina around 11:30 which gave us time to walk around the town and do some shopping before our 1 pm cruise. We finally decided to head back around 4 - the train runs till 5 and ended up sitting behind a nice couple we had met earlier in town. Everyone was so nice and we learned a lot plus the dogs loved cruising thru the town with the breeze blowing thru their fur and everyone waving at them.

Nov. 08, 2019

Our golden loved his first cruise

A friend and I were spending a couple of days in St. Augustine and wanted to squeeze in as many of the sights as possible so when purchasing our Red Train Tour we added on the scenic cruise at 1 pm. The captain and his crew were very welcoming and I love that the cruise is pet friendly. We went to the upper deck so the dogs could enjoy the breeze, it drizzled for a few minutes but cleared pretty quickly. The captain told us about all the sites and landmarks and even stopped a few times so we could enjoy the dolphins. The trip lasted an hour and 30 minutes and I was happy to be able to get some great photos of the lighthouse, the fort and the largest metal cross as well as learn about some of the historical buildings in town.

They do sell snacks & beverages on the cruise and there are bathrooms and a gift shop at the dock. I'm looking forward to coming back with hubby next year and will definitely take the cruise again.

Tips:
Bring camera
Take the Little Red Train, it's pet friendly and will drop you right off at the marina, parking is free at their main station and you can ride all day.

Nov. 08, 2019