Debbie and Brooke Do Dallas

 

In front of my 8th Presidential Library- George W. Bush!

 

In true mama daughter tradition, we hopped on a plane in January 2016 for a long weekend and headed south to the Big D…Dallas, Texas! Dallas is the whole (Heidecorn) girls trip package- good food, good history and good shopping! You do not need to rent a car while visiting Dallas. Just use Uber!

Accommodations

We decided to be super chic and stay at The Joule. The location is perfect as a jumping off point to get to most destinations in the city. We found the rooms to be spacious and stylish however fashion was sometimes put before function as light switches were hard to find and electronics in the room were not intuitive to use. The hotel boasts a fabulous art collection worthy of a viewing. Across the street from the hotel is Dallas’ strangest and most voyeuristic art sculpture, The Giant Eye, which stares at you longingly while you enjoy breakfast at their in-hotel restaurant, CBD Provision. After snapping a photo with the sculpture, head next door If you want some high end shopping at Forty Five Ten.

Food

Filament– The restaurant has since closed (which is a bummer because it was our favorite meal) but I wanted to include it on the blog because it’s located in a great neighborhood with other noteworthy restaurants. Check out this list to find out where to eat in Deep Ellum.

Veracruz Cafe– While walking around the Bishop Art District we stumbled upon Veracruz and we had a most delicious meal. Traditional Mexican and Meso-American cuisine hit the spot for lunch! After lunch, we wandered the district that we heard had great shopping and art but, truthfully, we were underwhelmed.

Smoke– It’s in a random location and for some reason, the place was empty when we ate there. It was pretty good but we weren’t blown away. I’d eat at Knife, Top Chef alum John Tesar’s steakhouse, instead.

The Theodore– Our flight to New York got canceled so we got an extra night in Dallas. We decided to head to the infamous NorthPark Center to have dinner. The Theodore turned out to be delicious and I would highly recommend!

Things to Do

 

If it’s a beautiful day and you have some time to spare check out Klyde Warren Park. Think of it as Dallas’ version of NYC’s Highline.

 

Arts District Architecture Tour– This is the tour we had booked in advance and I’m happy we didn’t miss it! Our docent was fabulous and she pointed out the architecture that we surely would have missed if we had been rambling around the neighborhood. She also told us how the neighborhood was designated for the arts has transformed as the city blossomed.

George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum– Honestly, it was very strange to visit

Father, Son. Mother, Daughter.

my EIGHTH presidential library on Trump’s Inauguration Day. The museum wasn’t afraid to showcase uncomfortable moments during his presidency, such as the attacks of September 11th, nor did it sugarcoat some of his missteps, like those during Hurricane Katrina, and in doing so, I found the museum to have a lot of integrity. In fact, I believe it paid tribute to Bush in a way that allowed for me to respect him more than I previously had. I also found the museum to give insight into Bush as a person and First Lady Laura Bush’s education initiatives which were often overshadowed during his presidency. We enjoyed a yummy, albeit it pricey lunch, at the restaurant Cafe 43 since the museum is located on the SMU campus without many food options.

 

 

Ready to be sworn in. A replica of the Oval Office when Bush was in office is in the museum and it makes for a great photo op!

 

Nasher Sculpture Center– A spectacular museum of Raymond and Patsy Nasher’s private collection. The building is very manageable but the highlight is the sculpture garden out back which is filled with Picassos, Calders, and Serras, to name a few. Do not miss this museum and plan to spend some quality time.

The Sixth Floor Museum– Book your tickets ahead of time for this sobering museum which is located inside the former Texas School Book Depository and chronicles the assassination of President Kennedy. I highly recommend getting the audio guide. The museum does an excellent job giving you the history leading up to the assassination and what occurred afterward as well. You can even get a first-person point of view where assassin Lee Harvey Oswald shot from. After leaving the museum, walk along Dealey Plaza to see the “X” where Kennedy was shot and stand on the Grassy Knoll. You can walk about 5 minutes from the museum to the JFK Memorial.

Dallas Holocaust Museum– Though small, this museum was impactful and impressive. It didn’t take us long to wind our way through the exhibits but we were glad to support an important museum devoted to the victims of the Holocaust and the survivors that made their way to the Dallas area.

Perot Museum of Science and Nature– With our extra day in Dallas we decided to head over to this spectacular museum. It’s large and new, and although it caters to children we still had a great time checking out the exhibits on the solar system and prehistoric animals.

NorthPark Center– Truthfully, it’s not just a mall. Developed by Raymond Nasher (see Sculpture Center above) the mall was ahead of its time when it was built in 1965. While the shopping is great, the art collection is even better!

All in all, I would highly recommend Dallas as a long weekend getaway. My mom and I had a great time exploring and eating in true Big D fashion!

Southern Charm Part 2

After 3 days in Charleston, we jumped in the car and drove the 90 minutes from the Palmetto state to the Peach State. We began our time in Georgia in Savannah, a city I have been itching to visit for a long time. Generally, Savannah lived up to expectations, especially in the beauty department with the Spanish Moss practically dripping off the oaks. However, two days was plenty of time in the city since there’s not a ton of attractions and the food options didn’t wow us. Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in America and Brian begrudgingly missed out on a ghost tour because his girlfriend was admittedly too scared. Add a ghost tour onto my list below if you won’t have nightmares like I would. Here’s the skinny on our non-frightening time in Savannah:

Accomodations

The Brice: This recently opened Kimpton hotel was a 180 from our historic hotel in

Happy hour at The Brice

Charleston. We loved the decor and the good location but we were underwhelmed with the housekeeping and the lack of concierge help. The best part about staying at a Kimpton is the 5pm complimentary happy hour and, if the weather had been better, we would have loved to drink our wine in the inner courtyard. Bring a bathing suit for warm weather and enjoy your stay! http://www.bricehotel.com/

Food

The Olde Pink House: One of Savannah’s most famous and haunted establishments was a must do during our stay. The staff was very knowledgeable about the history of the house and the ghosts that still loom in the different rooms. Brian ate their signature crispy scoured flounder and the “BLT” salad which was featured on Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever ate. He thought they were both very good although maybe did not live up to those superlatives. My shrimp and grits were delicious! Reservations can be hard to get but you can eat at the tavern downstairs, featuring a nightly piano player, or the side bar without planning ahead. You also have access to roam around the entire house after your meal. http://www.plantersinnsavannah.com/the-olde-pink-house/

The Olde Pink House is really pink!

J. Christophers: A good brunch joint that had a lot of omelette options. No reservations necessary and right in the middle of the city. http://www.jchristophers.com/

The Florence: As devoted Top Chef fans, I wanted us to try Hugh Acheson’s new digs in Savannah. I knew I’d have a hard time because it’s an Italian restaurant, but we were both underwhelmed with our meal. Brian liked his entree of cider glazed pork ribs, but the meatball starter was blah and his cannoli dessert, which the waitress claimed was her favorite, was so bad, with filling bordering on sour (like it had been sitting out for a couple hours), that it’s the only cannoli Brian has ever not finished. Our only disappointing meal of the trip. http://theflorencesavannah.com/

Back in the Day Bakery: Off the beaten track bakery that our friends from Atlanta told us we couldn’t leave Savannah without visiting. We got the last Star Brownie only 2 hours after the bakery opened, so go first thing in the morning to try every option on the menu. http://www.backinthedaybakery.com/

Savannah Dan

What to Do

Savannah Dan: If there’s anyone who embodies Savannah, it’s this tall man in a seersucker suit. He was hysterical and knowledgeable all at the same time. Dan took us through 6 of the 24 squares that are laid out proportionally throughout the city. He provided us with fun facts like that Georgia was originally a free state without any slavery and he pointed out that bench where Forrest Gump intoned that “Life is like a box of chocolates…” doesn’t even exist. There are so many tours to choose from but this is the one to go on! http://www.savannahdan.com/

We made it to all 24 squares!

 

 

 

 

Mercer Williams House: I read about half of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt and we watched the Clint Eastwood movie before we left, so we wanted to see the home that was the scene of the murder from the story. The tour was short and the guide highlighted all the amazing antiques that Jim Williams accumulated but we really wanted to hear about the murder and all the parties that he threw there. http://www.mercerhouse.com/

Spanish Moss

Bonaventure Cemetery: It’s a little bit of a drive out of the city and it probably would have been better for us if we had gone on a tour but it was still a spectacular place. We spent time in the Jewish section and then we wove our way through the historic section. Some of the gravestones were so ornate! The setting is beautiful, right on the water, but don’t expect to find the Bird Girl statue from the cover of Midnight; it has a new home in the Telfair Museum of Art. http://www.bonaventurehistorical.org/

From Savannah we drove the long and boring ride 4 hour ride to Atlanta. It was well worth it though because we were thrilled to spend New Year’s with the Friedmans and have them show us around their city.

Georgia Aquarium: Buy your tickets online ahead of time for a discounted price to America’s largest aquarium. This place is huge. We missed the dolphin show but Mike, Dayna, and their 3 year old Blake assured us that it was pretty impressive. It was amazing to see the whale sharks and manta rays because of their size and I loved seeing the Beluga whales. Definitely give yourself plenty of time to check out every exhibit and go either as soon as it’s opening or a couple hours before closing. You should grab lunch at The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant and an Atlanta staple for the past 87 years! http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum: Well it’s really not a complete trip unless we can squeeze some presidential history in. Carter may not be the most interesting president, but his museum was very well done. We enjoyed watching the introductory video and I really appreciated learning about his early life and grassroots campaigning. The most informative exhibit was about the Camp David Accords which is certainly the highlight of his career as president. http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/

 

 

 

 

 

And then we had to board a plane back to chilly NYC. Good times, good food and good friends made for an amazing Southeastern vacation. If this trip is any indication of the upcoming year, then 2015 is going to be wonderful.

What’s Left of Camelot

Before I begin, let me warn you that there’s an amazing coincidence that occurred and that I’ll recount at the very end of this post. Just keep reading.

Last July, Brian and I toured the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in California. I decided to purchase a membership to the museum and by doing so I took on the challenge of visiting at least 3 other presidential libraries this year to make it cost effective. I was happy to attend the National Council for Social Studies annual conference in Boston over the weekend because of the wonderful professional development opportunity but I also couldn’t pass up a trip to get library number two! I gladly took a cab to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (http://www.jfklibrary.org/).

The Library on the campus of UMass Boston

Maybe I went a little selfie crazy but I was able to capture a classic JFK quote!

I only had an hour before I had to return to the conference so I decided to skip the introductory video which apparently chronicled JFK’s early years up until the 1960 election. The exhibits start with his acceptance of the democratic nomination and they end with his legacy. I was a little underwhelmed. For a president who gleams such adoration and who served during a period in history rife with achievements and milestone, the exhibits seemed a bit flat. The highlight was the plethora of home footage and the professional television productions that gave you a true sense of why this media played a pivotal role in both his election and his admiration. I personally enjoyed the information and memorabilia surrounding his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, and his wife, Jacqueline.

Yet I still left the exhibits wanting more. I usually feel inundated by all the background and insight I extract from the presidential libraries and museums I’ve attended and instead I felt a bit unfulfilled. Where are the documents from the Cuban Missile Crisis? What about the interactions he had as he tried to literally and figuratively get the Space Program off the ground? And how about his Civil Right Movement?? How about his relationship with Johnson? I expected Marilyn to be absent but even that was a little disappointing. Perhaps the museum reflected an impression that I’ve always had about President Kennedy; he’s wildly overrated.

The Kennedy family (JFk is second from left and RFK is second from right)

A very Jackie O dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

His assassination was presented simply just by the original footage of the news report. The exhibits moved quickly into his legacy and then into this gorgeous gigantic space that overlooks the water. I loved standing in the space and reading quotes from Profiles of Courage, a text I have not had the pleasure of reading but that I plan to read and actually utilize as a theme in my classroom.

Third presidential library in 2014!

I’m really glad that I trekked to Columbia Point to visit the museum but it’s my least favorite library to date. Next on our list is the Carter Library in Atlanta! And now here’s the part you’ve really been waiting for. As I sat on the train home from Boston, I took a break from all the thoughts I had about how to implement social studies concepts into our curriculum and scrolled through my photos. I got to the photograph of the date of JFK’s assassination and suddenly realized that it was the exact same date. I had coincidently visiting his library 51 year after the date of his assassination. So although he’s not my favorite president nor is his museum my favorite, I feel like I paid a small tribute to a great man who inspired a nation and who never got enough time to prove just how remarkable he could be.

Flashback Friday: Hudson, New York

In honor of the past long weekend, I wanted my Flashback Friday post to feature one of my favorite local getaway destinations, the Hudson River Valley. The region stretches 150 miles along the Hudson River from Yonkers in Westchester north to Albany. There are so many wonderful places to visit along the river but this post will focus on the weekend Brian and I spent in the area around Hudson, New York which is about a 2 hour drive from the city. http://www.travelhudsonvalley.com/

View of the Hudson River from Olana

Settled by the Dutch in the mid-seventeenth century and named after the explorer, the city of Hudson flourished with the whaling industry. As you walk through the streets you’ll notice whales on the street signs as a tribute to the whalers that spurred a thriving manufacturing and shipping community. Although the 1960’s marked the beginning of a decline in the city leaving behind abandoned buildings, recently Hudson is making a comeback as an arts and food destination.

Sleep:

We were so lucky to find such a wonderful bed and breakfast. Windle, the owner of the Inn at Hudson, met us at 11pm to let us into the B&B because we were running late and even walked over to Fish and Game, the restaurant we were supposed to dine at, and changed our reservation for us. The owners were welcoming and they served a delicious breakfast both mornings with gluten free modifications. Even though check out was at noon they allowed us to stay in the room until our dinner reservations at 5pm on Sunday. http://www.theinnathudson.com/index.html

Eat:

Our first night in Hudson we walked from the Inn to Warren Street, the main shopping road and center of the city, to enjoy dinner at Swoon. The restaurant had a fun vibe and we enjoyed the cheese plate from local farms. Overall, the food was tasty and it was a great choice for our first night in town. http://www.swoonkitchenbar.com/

The interior of Fish and Game

We initially chose to visit Hudson because of the Tasting Table article that stated “Fish and Game…could do for the Hudson Valley what French Laundry did for Napa Valley”. How could we resist trying Zak Pelaccio prix fixe, set menu? While overall the food was very good, it certainly seems to have a long way to go to earn that reputation. The dishes highlighted locally sourced ingredients and were very inventive, but there was a lack of cohesion and some odd choices in plating detracted from a couple courses.The decor of the restaurant is inviting and warm, while the front of house staff was very nice and helpful in changing our reservation. The service is excellent as the restaurant staggers the seating so that all diners get personal attention, however the kitchen was unable to accommodate my gluten allergy beyond omitting any wheat products. If you’re in Hudson, definitely try to get a reservation or at least a drink at the bar and decide if it lives up to Tasting Table expectations. http://fishandgamehudson.com/

http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/nyc/14589/Zak_Pelaccios_Fish_Game_in_Hudson.htm

http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2014/01/alan-richman-fish-game-hudson-new-york-review.html

Do:

FDR’s home

A trip to the Hudson Valley is not complete without a visit to President Franklin Roosevelt’s home, museum and library. This was my second time to Hyde Park and in the last few years they’ve renovated the museum. Be prepared to spend a lot of valuable time wandering through Roosevelt’s four terms in the museum and library. Your ticket also includes a free one hour ranger led tour through Roosevelt’s childhood home. If you have time, you can drive to Val-Kill, Eleanor’s cottage which is also the only National Historic Site dedicated to a first lady. http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/

We drove by the Vanderbilt Mansion but arrived too late to take a guided tour of this gigantic home. Next time, I’d love to see the inside of the home. http://www.nps.gov/vama/index.htm

Just a small Vanderbilt home

Another historic home for this trip, Olana!

Olana is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Hudson and it was the home of Frederic Church, prominent Hudson School painter. The guided tour was informative and the docent explained the very unusual historic home. We enjoyed learning about Church and the Moorish inspired home, as well as the breathtaking view of the river below the property. http://www.olana.org/

It’s been a long time since I’ve had vodka so it was a treat to drive to the town of Valatie and check out Harvest Spirits’ Distillery. They use apples to distill their vodka and we enjoyed a tasting. The guys were happy to explain the process and some of the new products they are working on for next season (including a whiskey). On the way to Valatie, we stopped at Kinderhook for a look at President Martin van Buren’s home, Lindenwald. Unfortunately, the home is only open from May-November so we could not take the tour inside the home. We enjoyed walking around the property and reading information about Van Buren’s presidency. http://www.harvestspirits.com/ and http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/van_buren_lindenwald.html

Lindenwald

The barrels at Harvest Spirits Distillery

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for other posts about day trips we’ve taken to the Hudson Valley such as Storm King and West Point!

 

California Love Part 3

And here’s the final installment of our California vacation! Part 3 consists of our time in Los Angeles. 

Day 8…

– First thing in the morning, we stopped at Clairmont Farms in Los Olivos. This lovely lavender farm has a small shop which was an excellent place to buy gifts. http://www.clairmontfarms.com/

– Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: If you didn’t already know, I’m a little in love with American history and I have a particular interest in presidential libraries. We detoured off Route 1 to Simi Valley to visit our 40th president’s library and museum. It was a comprehensive overview of his life with particular attention paid to his 8 years as commander in chief. The highlight was going inside Air Force One. This plane was the Flying White House for seven presidents up until George W. Bush. There is an audio guide but it wasn’t very good so skip it and do some reading instead. Also there was an interesting exhibit about the beginnings of baseball with tons of memorabilia including a Honus Wagner baseball card, which Brian tells me is a huge deal. The actual building and grounds are beautiful and we really enjoyed learning more about the Gipper! http://www.reaganfoundation.org/  

 

 

 

 

– We arrived in LA and were very excited to stay with Bonnie, Brian’s sister, for the next few days. She lives in the hip neighborhood of Los Feliz.

– Dinner at Ink. with Vari and Deep. Brian and I enjoy watching Top Chef so we were excited when our friends suggested we dine at winner Michael Voltaggio’s restaurant in West Hollywood. The menu was very amenable to my gluten free needs and the dishes were inventive and delicious for everyone at the table like the corn and housemade doritos or salt and charcoal potatoes. Everything is shared, the value is good and I highly recommend it! http://mvink.com/

Day 9…

– Because we had to drop off the rental car, we were in Burbank and Bonnie suggested a good spot for lunch, Tinhorn Flats. It had a big outdoor space so check it out if you’re in the neighborhood. http://www.tinhornflatshollywood.com/

– Fredrick R. Weisman Foundation: This was truly a highlight of the trip and it was recommended by my art savvy mama. In the Bel Air neighborhood of LA is the home of Fredrick R. Weisman, where we joined an amazing 90 minute tour of his personal 20th century art collection. The scope and the quantity, in addition to the home and landscaping, was so impressive we left with our jaws on the floor. From Lictensteins, Boteros, Rothkos and Harings you will be awed. Most unbelievable are the works by Andy Warhol which included pieces of Mr. Weisman in all his pop-art glory. Even if you don’t love art, you’ll love this tour. You must book in advance though, so make sure to call with plenty of time! http://www.weismanfoundation.org/

– Dinner at Gardens of Taxco: We loved this authentic Mexican meal in West Hollywood. There’s no menu but a very animated waiter will tell you the protein options and will give you samples or combine dishes if you can’t make up your mind. Once you choose, you’ll enjoy a variety of appetizers that the kitchen sends out. We were serenaded and we enjoyed some tasty margaritas. And when we got the check out at the end of the night we couldn’t believe how inexpensive it was for the amount of yummy food you get! If you want a great Mexican meal, come here and you won’t be disappointed. http://thegardensoftaxco.com/

– After dinner we had a drink at The Dresden. Any fans of the movie Swingers will love having a cocktail at the this LA classic. It’s loud so maybe not a great place to meet a group of friends though. http://www.thedresden.com/index.html

Day 10…

– We took a drive out to Manhattan Beach to have lunch with our family friends the Ginsburg’s.

– Lunch at The Strand House was lovely and Rich described it as the only place in Manhattan Beach where you actually have to look nice (which basically means no sweatpants). The view of the beach is great and everyone enjoyed their meal. http://www.thestrandhousemb.com/

– We spent the afternoon on the beach, despite the semi cloudy day. We rode bikes on the boardwalk and walked along the pier, where there was a small aquarium that we checked out. It was also great just to sit with our feet in the sand. We were very non-LA and even put our toes in the water and if it had been warmer outside, Brian had every intention to get in the Pacific Ocean! We loved Manhattan Beach and we would have loved exploring the cute shops in town.

– In the evening, we checked out a classic car show in Glendale and then had some Chinese food at Panda Inn with Bonnie and her friends. We also enjoyed some drinks at The Famous, which has a large collection of different whiskeys. http://www.thefamousglendale.com/

Day 11…

– Griffith Park and Observatory: We woke up early to get one last hike in. We walked to Griffith Park from Bonnie’s apartment and finally found the start of a trail that would lead us directly up to Griffith Observatory. The first start of the hike was steep but it leveled out in the mid section. The views of downtown LA and the Hollywood sign are spectacular and the observatory is worth the hike. We didn’t have much time so we walked quickly through the free exhibits but didn’t stay for the planetarium show (which had a cost). http://www.griffithobs.org/ 

– Before we had to rush off to LAX, we grabbed brunch around the corner from Bonnie’s apartment at the Alcove. We were joined by Brian’s college friend, Alex, and Dahmer, Bonnie’s dog (Albert Fish, Bonnie’s cat, had to stay at home). The food was yummy but it was very hectic and they forgot our order initially. It’s a trendy spot, so unless you want to go there specifically, you can probably find a less frantic spot nearby. http://www.alcovecafe.com/

That pretty much wraps up our wonderful summer vacation. Brian and I had a great time exploring San Fran, the coast and La La Land. I highly recommend this trip to anyone considering a getaway. Next time we get to the west coast, I’d love to head north from San Francisco to wine country and beyond as recommended by the New York Times 52 Places to Go in 2014 or check out Yosemite National Park. Guess it’s time to plan another trip!

Presidential Pick: Lyndon B. Johnson

In honor of this past weekend’s Tony awards, I thought I’d start my Presidential Pick of the Week series with our 36th president, Lyndon B. Johnson. As an American Studies major at Barnard College my interest in the American presidency blossomed. To be honest, I’m much more interested in the presidents as men (and hopefully someday soon, as women) rather than their policies or platforms. So here’s a Top 5 list of why I love LBJ:

1. He began his career as a teacher. He taught in rural Texas and his experience teaching immigrant Mexicans deeply affected his decisions in office.

2. He was misunderstood (in my opinion, all the really good ones are). His policies in regards to the Vietnam War have greatly overshadowed his Great Society policies in our textbooks.

3. He can be argued as the most effective domestic legislator as he signed enumerable laws that supported civil rights, women’s rights, environmental protection, healthcare expansion, arts and education funding and programs to tackle poverty.

4. He’s a leader. Did you know LBJ was riding only 2 cars behind JFK in Dallas when the president was shot? He took office only 5 hours after the shooting and had to step up to the plate quickly and effectively.

5. His wife, Lady Bird, was the consummate conservationist believing that the man-made and the natural environment can be intertwined to be useful and beautiful. She loved those wildflowers.

Want to learn more about LBJ? Check out these great resources:

– Run, don’t walk, to get tickets to “All the Way” on Broadway (http://allthewaybroadway.com/) . Bryan Cranston’s rendition of LBJ is remarkable and you’ll walk away from the theater having a better understanding of the president and the tumult of the 1960’s that shaped his every waking moment. Insider tip: It’s long (3 hours) and it starts exactly on time. It’s worth the price for great seats or you can flirt with an usher and get moved closer to the stage during intermission.

– Fly to Austin, Texas to visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library at the University of Texas. Give yourself many hours to roam the halls and read every single piece of text (this is not usually my museum style but in this case, do it). It’s a fascinating museum dedicated to the life of the man and you’ll not want to feel rushed.
Check out some photos below from my trip with my mom to Texas in May 2007. Liza and Emily even stopped in Austin to join us on our trip to the Library.