Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

Cuba Demystified - On The Map Travel

It seems like everyone is thinking of going to Cuba before it changes! I am going to this event and thought my Readers would be interested in it.  Join me!*

This event seeks to Demystify traveling to Cuba and there is a free event coming up soon!

Visit cubademystified.eventbrite.com to register for free! The event will take place on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 in St Louis, MO  from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (CDT)!

"All but closed to Americans for nearly half a century, Cuba is finally ready to be explored.  But going beyond the visions of beautiful beaches, cigars and vintage American cars – how does travel to Cuba actually work these days? Anne MacIntyre, a private travel designer and owner of On The Map Travel, will be on hand with the details on travel to Cuba. She’ll talk about the new government relationships, travel regulations and what has changed about traveling to Cuba. She can help you find the right (legal) experience and can ensure you make the absolute most out of your experience in Cuba."

On The Map Travel creates personalized global adventures to fit your needs and wants. For more information on what they do, visit their website by clicking here.

 

*FYI....I am not a sponsor of this event and do not benefit from your attendance.

 

Summer Vacation 2015

I just got back from a week away with my oldest brother and 1st born son. We had an epic road trip up North....lots of driving....though that we saw!

The first night we went to Chicago and stayed at The James Hotel....very smart place! My son liked that his room had a pit bed with a projector to walk TV on the wall.  We had dinner at a Tanta that has inventive Peruvian cuisine....delicious!

The next day we were off to Sleeping Bear National Lakefront in Michigan.

 

In the morning we took a ferry across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin to go to Door County where we stayed at Gordon Lodge. We managed to get some kayaking in on the lake and biking!

Off we went to visit my younger son in Milwaukee.  He worked up there this summer teaching swimming at a YMCA and interning at a local TV station. We stayed at The Pfister Hotel...historic and magnificent. After a tour of Lakefront Brewery....we ate brats and cheese curds and went to bed!

 

My younger son had to work....so we left him and traveled up to the Apostle Islands in Northern Wisconsin.  It was time to take a break from driving and we stayed at the Winfield Inn for two nights.

From the Apostle Islands we spent a night in Galena, IL at the historic DeSoto House Hotel and then hurried back home so my oldest son could make his job at Missouri Baptist where he is scribing in ER for the Summer.

 

Fiberglass Menagerie

Half way through my Summer trip I decided to start to take selfies with the assortment of large, fiberglass characters that I saw while driving through Wisconsin.  I wish I started at the beginning....though I have plenty to share.

Crystal Bridges Field Trip

Over the weekend I traveled down to Bentonville with a group of friends to see the Crystal Bridges Museum. The occasion was my birthday. It was well worth the trip!  We had a lovely dinner at The Hive restaurant located in the cool 23C Hotel. Brunch the next day at Tusk and Trotter....a quick view of the Walton Walmart Museum and then back to St. Louis.

Puerto Vallarta 2015

Last night I got back from a week in lovely Puerto Vallarta. We stayed at our regular place- Casa Tres Vidas in Conchas Chinas. Over the years we have stayed at the sister property next door- Quinta Maria Cortez, though having our own chef has spoiled us at Casa Tres Vidas. Lovely weather, great friends and perfect food! 

South Beach

The last day in South Beach. I think we picked the perfect few days to get away from the cold weather!

South Beach

I am in South Beach for just three nights with my sons. Staying at The Raleigh. More photos to come !

Johnson Wax Headquarters

I am Milwaukee this weekend visiting my youngest son. We took a little field trip to Racine, WI to visit Johnson Wax's headquarters and Frank Lloyd Wright's marvels!

Broadway

It has been about 4 years since I have been to NYC. It is surprising how Hell's Kitchen has improved. Once a dark and scary area... Now vibrant with restaurants, bars and boutique hotels. My son and I stayed at Ink 48 Hotel last night. It is part of the Kimpton chain and features a hip bar on the roof with views of the city and the Hudson River.

We had the treat of seeing Hedwig and the Angry Inch last night. Neal Patrick Harris ended his run just last week so Andrew Rannells stepped in. I thought it was amazing... Though you do think, I wonder how it would have been with Neal Patrick Harris.

I could stay a week and see a show every evening!

Coming home today....

NYC

I have been in NYC this weekend with my son and brother. Wonderful food, shopping and museuming. The Hi Line looks wonderful since I saw it 4 years ago ... all the plants have filled in nicely. The new World Trade Center building and Museum are impressive and an important reminder. The two water falls into the footprints of the old buildings were powerful. Kinky Boots was a joy! We were lucky to see Billy Porter in the lead role that he created.

Provincetown

On a quick trip to Cape Cod. Today is our last day....and the first day of sun.

Louisville, KY- Stunning MCM Home- Leslie V. Abbott Architect

When I was in Louisville for Derby Weekend, I had the treat of being invited to a party at a special Mid-century home. The home was built by architect, Leslie V. Abbott, for himself....which is always a special home when an architect designs for himself....uninhibited!  I believe it was built in 1948.  It felt very Deco and International in its design.

 

 

The Oaks Race

Everyone's outfit was a "winner" at The Oaks Race Churchill Downs!

Cruise

Well I went on my first cruise last week.  It was nice to get away from the Winter in St. Louis again.  I feel Spring is emerging!  The birds were very noisy this morning.

My feelings about cruises are sort of mixed. I went with a friend from Ft. Lauderdale who used to live in St. Louis. The cruise line was MSC (Italian) and our boat was only a year old- The Divina. I found myself wandering around the 24-hour buffet all of the time....it seemed I had to go through it to get anywhere on the boat. Luckily I had some self control, though feel like I ate 6 meals a day. There was a nice gym on the boat and I made an effort to go everyday. I found lifting free-weights challenging with a shifting boat.

I was eager to take advantage of the shows on the boat, though knew I was in trouble after the first night. The program said that the ship was putting on a production of Wonderland. I was excited since I had heard the music from the Broadway show (Adapted from Alice in Wonderland). We rushed through dinner so we could get a good seat. Well, the boat's Wonderland had nothing to do with the musical.  I kept wondering when they performers would start to sing something from it. There was a man dressed up like Johnny Depp from the movie....who waved his arms a lot. A quasi group of performers did acrobatics as a scary Tweedle Dee and Twidle Dum pranced around waving their arms a lot. Finally an Asian diva came out to sing a song....I forget what she sang, though it was not from the Broadway show and was thick with an accent. The whole performance closed with the ensemble doing Gangnam Style.  The next night was a pirate-themed show which I did not see. I hear it was the same show as Wonderland- just in pirate costumes.

A high-light was seeing Leslie Jordan perform. I love his story-telling.

We went to the French side of St. Martin and had a lovely afternoon on the beach. San Juan, Puerto Rico was charming. Our third desination was an island in the Bahamas. This island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines and is solely for cruise lines to use. It was a little fabricated and almost looked like a Christo installation with 1000+ blue lounge chairs lining the beach.

I am back!  Ready for the Spring real estate market!

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Yes I have been on a cruise this week. I know.... I was just in Puerto Vallarta. My last trip for a while and will jump right into the Spring real estate market.

San Juan was lovely. We went to this one restaurant that served authentic Puerto Rican food. Probably the best thing I have eaten on the whole trip. A braised beef served in wood dish lined with mashed plantains.

Puerto Vallarta 2014

Puerto Vallarta always seems like a sure bet for weather at the end of January.  This was my 6th year going and it is always perfect.  This winter is especially needed it! Click HERE for pictures of our lovely villa!

Zip Lining in Puerto Vallarta

We actually took a break from the beach this year and went Zip Lining in the jungle.

Today is a travel day back to St. Louis ....weather permitting!

New Years in New Orleans

What better place to celebrate the New Year than in New Orleans!

Ste Genevieve & Fort de Chartres in Prairie du Rocher, IL

Yesterday I went on a day trip with my brother and two nephews to check out Ste. Genevieve and Fort de Chartres in Prairie du Rocher. Part of our family, the Prattes, lived in Ste. Genevieve before St. Louis was founded. We went to check out the portrait of Jean Baptiste Sebastian Pratte's portrait, though it was in St. Louis getting refinished.  We did find his grave!

We left Ste. Genevieve and took a ferry over to Illinois to see Fort de Chartres. I have heard about it, though never visited. Pierre Laclede, another ancestor of mine, stayed at Fort de Chartres before he founded St. Louis. With our 250th anniversary of the founding of St. Louis arriving in 2014, you should check out this important, historic site.

A special treat was meeting a group of people who were staying in the Fort for the weekend. They were having a period experience!  They shared some of their yummy baked items with us.

Napa II

Yesterday we woke up to a lavish brunch at The Villagio. We traveled up to tour the Castello di Amorosa winery which was very impressive. It is a Tuscan castle built in the 90's. Their wine was outstanding. Afterwards we popped by Gott's for their famous burgers and garlic butter fries. Sinful!

We traveled straight to San Francisco that afternoon. While here we are staying at a friend's pad that has perfect view of the city. It is also in walking distance to Tartine... the best French bakery in town.

Yesterday we walked and walked... Popped in The Clift Hotel to see the Redwood Bar and their video portraits of people. It is fun to see the pictures blink....very Harry Potterish. We made a reservation at the wildly popular R & G Restaurant in Chinatown. While waiting an hour, we rode the cable car up and down the street.

Today we head to Alcatraz and more!

Napa

An evening at Villagio Inn and Spa and dinner at Harvey's....now off to tour a winery before heading to San Francisco.

Yosemite

Yesterday was a full day at Yosemite National Park. See I added one black and white photo when I was channeling Ansel Adams. The interior shot is of The Ahwahnee.... A glorious 1920s hotel. Today we leave the mountains and are off to Napa.

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks

The Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are glorious. Today and tomorrow we are exploring Yosemite. Should I photograph just in black and white today? Like Ansel Adams? I am getting a little tired of driving twisty roads with 3,000 ft drop offs.... though it is worth the views!

Death Valley

Sunday we spent the night in Death Valley- Furnace Creek Ranch. Death Valley was hot, dry and spectacular! We did not go to the brothel pictured here...just took a picture!

Monday AM we moved on to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Such a rapid change in ecosystem!

The next two nights we are in Yosemite.

Hoover Dam

Yesterday we visited the Hoover Dam. What an impressive American engineering marvel! In the evening we went to KA, a Cirque du Soleil show. This was my first time and I was in awe! We are off to Death Valley this morning. I think Vegas is fun, though I am ready to move on.

Vegas!

I am traveling with one of my sons and brother the next few days. My other son had to work :( We are road tripping from Vegas to San Francisco. We got in last night and all I can say is Wow. We are staying at The Cosmopolitan Hotel. The boy band, The Wanted, was playing an outside concert on the property right below our balcony. The hotel is lovely! More pics to come!

R Evolution Restaurant, New Orleans

R Evolution Restaurant located Royal Sonesta Hotel was a perfect place for Sunday brunch.

The Saint Hotel- New Orleans

Check out the super stylish The Saint Hotel in New Orleans. It is Marriott Autograph Hotel.

Fat Hen, New Orleans

So good... I had fried oyster, Brie, truffle hollandaise Eggs Benedict.

Summer Trip: Road-tripping from Las Vegas to San Francisco

The Summer family vacation has been settled....a road trip from Las Vegas....to Death Valley....to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks... to Yosemite National Park....to Lake Tahoe....to Napa.....and ending up in San Francisco!

If you have any recommendations for places to stay, eat or see in these areas....comment or email me. [email protected]

Graceland!

One of my sons and I made a little overnight trip to Memphis. We ate at Lamberts in Sikeston on the way down....walked down Beale St....stayed at The Peabody and saw the ducks....bought bow ties at Lashly's and learned how to tie them....had BBQ at Rendevous....and saw Graceland!

Kansas City

This week one of my sons was home for Spring Break and we decided to do a little excursion to Kansas City. On the way there, we stopped by Columbia to check in on my other son who transferred last semester to Mizzou. After lunch at Shakespeare Pizza we continue onwards to KC.   We treated ourselves to a night at The Raphael on The Plaza....dined at yummy Gram & Dun outside on a balmy 70 degree night....shopped....went to the WW I Museum and then had a BBQ lunch at Jack's Stack.  The pictures below are not from ancient Egypt, though the fabulous, deco WW I Museum grounds.

Quinta Maria Cortez- Before and After

Check out the picture of our place in Puerto Vallarta from the 50's and now. They just kept building up. Lovely. I would call it shabby Mexican chic!

Mexico!

Puerto Vallarta.... I finally got the nerve to wear my new, linen shirt...

Vintage Posters in Puerto Vallarta

I love these vintage movie posters I saw in Puerto Vallarta. Taken with the Hipstomatic ad that intensifies the colors even more.

New Orleans- Part 4 Promise the last post on this trip!

The Wights originally were from Maine and after the Civil War my Great Great Grandfather, Pearl Wight, moved to New Orleans to start a hardware business catering to the shipping industry. Their company was Woodward and Wight, LTD. He became a beloved and respected citizen of New Orleans. A couple of the buildings from the business still stand in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. They are now loft apartment buildings.

Pearl's son, Ira Edward Wight, married a Ewing from St. Louis. In the early 1900's they sold the business and Ira moved to St. Louis. I think his wife did not think New Orleans was a good place to raise a family.

A Loving Cup that I have from when the business was sold and both Pearl and Ira retired in 1904.

 

Pearl's house on Prytania St. Now owned by the New Orleans Opera Guild.

And Pearl's mausoleum in Metarie Cemetery. There is room for more family members is any of them want to have this as their final resting place.

New Orleans- Part 3 Plantations!

It was 75 degrees in New Orleans over the weekend....a nice little break from the cold. The food in New Orleans is so good. I am off of Puerto Vallarta soon and this was the wrong place to go when I will be in a swim suit. 

I saw 3 plantations....along the Mississippi River and only 45 minutes from the city. You must tour them when you are in New Orleans next. 

Laura Plantation- a creole delight and with a St. Louis story. Laura Gore was the last owner and sold the plantation when she got married to a St. Louis gentleman. She lived in the CWE on McPherson and then De Giverville.

Slave Cabin

 

Oak Alley Plantation

Houmas Plantation

New Orleans- Part 2

A full day yesterday in New Orleans. We visited 3 plantations... Pictured is Oak Alley. We saw our old family mausoleum in Metarie graveyard...I think there are 6 spots left in it for family. Dinner at Commander's Palace and then we drove by the old family home on Prytania. They were filming a movie there with Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer. I went up and asked if I could meet Shirley and was told no.

New Orleans

Last night we had dinner at the Fat Hen on St Charles St in Uptown New Orleans. So good. The best mango crab guacamole. Pulled pork on cinnamon bread. I had Shrimp and Grits.

I am here with some friends and my cousin who is at Tulane Law School joined us for dinner.

Off to see some plantations today!

Lake Forest Illinois

Over the weekend I was up in Lake Forest Illinois for my 25th college reunion. This morning I went down to the lovely lakefront. So pretty! The fall colors always seem a little prettier along the lake.