Monthly Archives: May 2009

Hurricane Cafe – Juno Beach, Florida

Blown Away by Good Eats

For three or four years we drove US1 through Juno Beach, Florida noticing a small strip mall anchored by an eatery. The Hurricane Cafe caught our attention because the parking lot was always full. I seriously doubted the chiropractic office had that many patients.

Hurricane Cafe_Outside I searched Internet sites such as Trip Advisor for customer comments. The Zagat Guide has granted an “Excellent” rating every year since 2004. Chef/proprietor Scott Philip has been featured in Great Chefs of the West. The positive reports made us put the cafe on our“To Do” list. During a January visit Judy, Janis and I headed to Hurricane Cafe for Saturday breakfast. Despite a bit of morning chill we chose an outside table instead of waiting for one inside.

Although numerous offerings sounded tempting my decision was simple – Banana Praline F French Toast rench Toast, thick slices drizzled with caramel sauce, sprinkled with pecans, all topped with sliced bananas. Judy and Janis ordered eggs benedict – one with tomatoes and spinach, one with smoked salmon and fresh hollandaise. We left well satisfied, armed with to go boxes because of the generous servings. We would have another morning savoring our Hurricane breakfast offerings.

Yesterday we needed lunch after 2pm; shopping had created hearty appetites. Judy selected the lobster, corn and spinach quiche served with a generous green salad and bowl of fresh fruit. I opted for the turkey, avocado and smoked bacon wrap with potato salad as my side. The ice tea met my fussy standards, with my glass kept refreshed with ice and tea. Service was extremely expedient and friendly. As hungry as we were we truly appreciated how quickly our meals appeared. Our waitress patiently answered all our questions about menu preparation and offered knowledgeable advice.

We’ve picked a number of salad entrees for future visits. We’re told the pecan crusted chicken salad probably holds most popular status. I’m looking forward to the coconut shrimp salad with mango vinaigrette while Judy plans on trying the Georgia peanut salad. Eggs Benedect2

Dinner specialties include NY strip with gorgonzola and port fries, sautéed macadamia nut crusted basa, sweet chile roasted salmon and portobello, mozzarella veal meatloaf. The casual restaurant has built a devoted following consistently serving fresh and creative food.

Now we know why the parking lot is always filled; we plan to add to the congestion.

When You Go: Hurricane Cafe is located at 14050 US1 just north of Donald Ross Road in Juno Beach, Florida, 561-630-2012. The beach, Loggerhead Park and the Marine Life Center are all within a couple of blocks of the restaurant. Breakfast service begins at 7am daily, the cafe closes at 9pm.

Hurricane Cafe, Juno Beach, Florida

75th Anniversary – Steak ‘n Shake

Leave a reply

Taste of Childhood

My sister Judy and I relive a taste of childhood with each visit to Steak ‘n Shake. We eagerly anticipate our first meal after landing in south Florida. There’s no need for a menu, I know I’ll order a double Steakburger™ with cheese and fries. The only question is whether or not I’ll opt for the platter and add a cup of chili topped with cheese and onion. Judy’s sure to order the patty melt with fries and garden salad. We regrettably forgo the pleasures of a thick milkshake.

Steak 'n Shake burger Growing up in Central Illinois a visit to Steak ‘n Shake was our idea of dining out. In Champaign the iconic 1950s drive-in was on Green Street a few blocks west of the U of I campus. A flash of the headlights signaled your need for service, a carhop would rush out to the car to take your order returning with a tray piled high withsandwiches, fries and shakes. the tray clipped to the outside of your window. When all was finished, with another headlight flash she’d come to retrieved the tray.

Once I had a driver’s license, Friday nights were always high school ball games or school activities. Afterwards, I’d load up the Nash Rambler with girlfriends and head to Steak ‘n Shake. We always had Cokes and fries – one order for the front seat and one for the back. I don’t remember how much it cost but I do recall that each of us would leave a dime tip on the tray.

Later on there was an older boy from church I considered pretty special. Sometimes on Sunday nights we’d go to the newer Steak ‘n Shake on University, park in the back row, talk and watch who came and went. We always saw someone we knew.

When I married and moved too far west (Colorado) part of going home was always a Steak ‘n Shake visit. Seeing the familiar black and white striped awning and red sign could be cause for an unplanned Interstate exit.

Steak 'n Shake 75th Sign On our latest stop we learn the company is proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary. The original opened in Normal, Illinois, just 50 miles from our hometown, in February 1934. A reputation was built on freshly ground steaks for the burgers and creamy, hand-dipped milk shakes. I fondly remember how much my father loved his strawberry milkshake and mother her orange freeze.

As part of the celebration Steak ‘n Shake currently offers four meals under $4. A single Steakburger™ with bacon, cheese and fries, a triple with fries, chicken fingers and fries and my favorite – double with cheese and fries. This is not fast food; meals are cooked as ordered and served on real plates with silverware. Fries are thin and crisp – a standard I judge all fries against.

We adamently deny being customers for all 75 years but, because our closest Steak ‘n Shake is 500 miles away and we can’t have one on a whim, excitement builds whenever we near a taste of childhood.

When You Go: More than 475 franchises in 22 states stand ready to serve customers. Check the website for locations, hours and menu specials.

Update II – Perfect Landing Restaurant – Centennial, Colorado

Leave a reply

Awesome Addition

Yes, we did go to the Perfect Landing at Centennial Airport this week after my friend told me they added a prime rib dinner to their $10 Awesome Anniversary Specials. This week we went late after an art show reception; it’s a different feel with the lights of the city instead of the setting sun.

We both indulged with the prime rib, Bob ordered an end cut and even after 8pm they were able to fulfill that request. Plus, they were cooked exactly as ordered and served with au jus and a creamy horseradish sauce. The luscious creamy mashed potatoes and a mixture of fresh green and wax beans accompanied the meat.

We started with a grilled Caesar salad and right out of the oven crusty bread. To no one’s surprise we ended with a slice of key lime pie. Good, but not quite as tart this week. I like the tartness; that’s what makes it key lime in my mind. Perfect Landing – Filet Special Salad and pie an additional $5/each.

On the piano, Boogie Bob’s selections are a bit mellower at 8pm than at 5:30pm.

When You Go: Check out an earlier blog for details on the $10 Awesome Anniversary Special running through May.

Visitors Center – Loveland, Colorado

1 Reply

Western Information and Hospitality

As a frequent user of visitor centers I believe I have some sensitivity to what makes one worth the stop. The Loveland, Colorado Visitors Center gets my A+ rating because:

Restrooms are clean and well maintained
Information is well organized and easy to browse
Good variety of information not just on Loveland but throughout the state and Wyoming
A well chosen selection of Colorado travel, nature and history books for sale.
Free coffee or cup of Celestial Seasonings tea
Unique Loveland and Colorado souvenirs for sale
Computer allows email and Internet access
Local art
Helpful volunteers – friendly and willing to answer questions or help you find what you need.
Need to stretch your legs? There’s a nice walk around a pond with several sculptures along the way.
Convenient to I-25 and US34

When we stopped this week volunteers searched the back room until they found two pieces of literature that gave me the information I requested. Their effort was over and above the call of duty. Several restaurants were recommended that we’ll need to return to Loveland and try. The volunteers have a great deal of pride in their community but give honest, insightful information. We leave well supplied with current travel publications (at least five pounds), a desire to make new discoveries in the area and warm feelings of welcome. What more can we ask of a visitors center?

Find It!

Visitors Center – Loveland Colorado

Hotel Monaco – Denver, Colorado

Leave a reply

$99 Sundays

Hey guys, still stumped on what to give your wife for Mother’s Day? Denver’s Hotel Monaco announces a great $99 Sundays rate starting Mother’s Day and continuing every Sunday through September 7, 2009.

$99 Sundays include:

Deluxe overnight accommodations at the Hotel Monaco Denver
Morning coffee and tea service in the hotel’s living room-style lobby
Hosted evening wine reception
Standard high-speed wired and wireless Internet access
In-room “Guppy Love” goldfish companion, available upon request
Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco signature amenities

“Now, more than ever, we want our guest to experience Mile High Fun at a price that works for everyone,” said Von de Luna, Hotel Monaco Denver general manager. The downtown boutique hotel holds the AAA Four-Diamond rating.

Want to truly indulge Mom? Dine in the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, Panzanno or schedule a spa treatment at the on-site Renaissance Aveda Spa and Salon.

When You Go: For more information or reservations, please visit the Hotel Monaco Denver website and enter SUN into the rate code box, or call 800-990-1303 and request the $99 Sundays” rate.

Read an earlier Where To Go – Travel USA blog on the Hotel Monaco Denver.

Photos Courtesy Hotel Monaco Denver.

Find It!

Golden Spike National Historic Site – Promontory Summit, Utah

Leave a reply

140th Anniversary – May 10, 2009

Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

Special events fill May 10th at Golden Spike National Historic Site in commemoration of the meeting of the rails. Replicates of the original engines – the Jupiter and No. 119 – will be steamed up and riding the rails. Clad in 1869 period clothing, portrayers will re-enact the driving of the last spike as track-laying crews came together working from the east and the west.

Music, ceremony, keynote speech by Judge Michael Kwan of the American Chinese Community, Chinese Lion Dance and steam demonstrations mark the historic event. Plus, an audience participation singing of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”

After hearing from more than one source that the Golden Spike National Historic Site was well worth a visit we made the detour to Promontory Summit last summer. We assumed we’d make the 32-mile drive west from Brigham City, see all there was to see in less than an hour and be back on our journey. We stayed the entire afternoon.

The film, Golden Spike, shown in the Visitor Center offers an overview of the challenges of building the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. During the summer the replica locomotives emerge from the engine house and puff their way to the site each morning. Under a full head of steam, clanging of bells and whistles they make the return run each afternoon.

Central Pacific’s president, Leland Stanford arrived for the ceremony on a special train pulled by Jupiter. No. 119 brought dignitaries and Union Pacific vice-president Thomas Durant to Promontory. Among the interesting trivia we learned was that neither of these engines were the ones originally planned for use at the ceremonies. Both original engines were sold as scrap for $1,000. in the early 1900s. The beautiful reproductions were commissioned into service in 1979 on the 110th anniversary. Trains of that time were painted these bright colors. It wasn’t until the 1900s that black became the standard.

Volunteers in the role of dignitaries present at the Golden Spike ceremony re-enact events on Saturdays and holidays between May and October at 11am and 1pm.

We were enlightened by rangers making scheduled presentations trackside, mixing factual history and fascinating anecdotes. For instance, the golden spike was for ceremonial purposes only, it would have shattered if driven by a maul (spike hammer). There were actually two original golden spikes; one is in a museum at Stanford University, the other has disappeared without a trace.

With plenty of time before watching the trains made their returns to the engine house we drove the 7-mile West Grade Auto Route which follows the actual Central Pacific Grade. After our visit we’re quick to agree with our advisors, It’s well worth the trip.

When You Go: No services are available in the park, if you plan to spend several hours come prepared with food. Only water and cookies are sold at the Visitor Center. The nearest gas station is 26 miles away in Corrine. If you’re concerned about weather conditions call 435- 471-2209 ext. 29. The Visitor Center is open 9am to 5pm daily except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Outside attractions are open during daylight hours.

Find It!

Golden Spike National Historic Site, Utah

Castlewood Canyon State Park – Franktown, Colorado

Leave a reply

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Castlewood Canyon State Park, once rural and fairly remote, today is nearly embraced by suburbia. As residential development creeps ever closer we gain even more appreciation for natural areas set aside and protected for public enjoyment.

Cherry Creek flows through Castlewood Canyon. In the late 1800s a 600-foot-long dam was complete to store water vital to ranchers and farmers. Almost from the beginning the dam leaked causing concern downstream in Denver. Engineers debated safety issues until the the early morning hours of August 3, 1933 when the dam gave way releasing 1.7 billion gallons of water. The raging torrent scoured canyon walls as it surged towards Denver. A slide show in the visitor center relates the story of Castlewood Dam and the second worse flood in Denver history.

Castlewood Canyon stands in a transition zone between mountain and plain. Ecologically unique on the rim of the Black Forest plateau, four ecosystems – grasslands, montane shrublands, montane forest and riparian – exists within walking distance of one another. A wide variety of foliage, flowers, birds and wildlife can be found within the park. On our springtime visit we observed mountain bluebirds and photographed pasqueflowers emerging from winter groundcover.

Hiking trails offer access to the dam ruins and Lucas homestead historic sites, the falls area, inner canyon, and rim rock. Several trails interconnect creating loops of two, four or six mile hikes. The paved Canyon View Nature Trail is handicap accessible with excellent canyon viewpoints. To the west the mountain panorama stretches from south of Pikes Peak to Rocky Mountain National Park.

The state park is a day-use park open 8am to sunset. There are two entrances to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The main (east) entrance is off CO83, five miles south of Franktown. Facilities include the visitor center, flush restrooms, picnic areas with grills, group picnic area, amphitheater and paved roads and parking.

The west entrance is accessed off CO86 via Castlewood Canyon Road. This portion of the park is less-developed with gravel road and parking lots, a few picnic tables and pit toilets. Parking at the dam ruins is prohibited, you must hike in (.35-mile trail) from the designated parking area. Rock climbers find challenges in the western section of the park. Biking and horseback riding are limited to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail.

When You Go: Visitors are required to display a current Colorado State Parks Pass, available at the visitor center and self-service dispensers. A daily pass is valid from the day of purchase until noon the following day. Click here for information on an annual pass. Numerous naturalist guided activities,including Canyon Kiddies for ages 2-5, are available each month, call the park at 303-688-5242 for current schedule and registration.

Find It!

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Deal – Sheraton Steamboat Resort – Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Leave a reply

Jump on this Deal

Sheraton Steamboat Resort

Get a jump start on summer plans with this stimulus deal at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. “Room Rates Equal to Your Birth Year” celebrates the year you were born with a special offer on your second and third night stays. First night rates from $109, second and third nights equal to your birth year; for example if you were born in 1950 you’ll receive the second and third nights of your stay for $50. Invite mom or grandma – the older the better!

Details:

Valid for stays between June 4 – December 31, 2009.
Rates for second and third night stays will be confirmed at check-in upon presentation of valid ID.
Maximum three consecutive nights on this promotion, best available rate prevails thereafter.
When booking, use promo code NBR.

Additional summer packages offered by the Sheraton Steamboat Resort include:

Golf ‘Til You Drop
Reserve & Relax – and save up to 20%
Better Tomorrows: Stay one Night and the Next is 50% off
Weekend Getaway Package
Romance Package
Family Package – Kids Eat Free

Need more space? Check into the newly renovated luxury villas with full kitchen, separate dining area, private balconies and two or three bedrooms.

I love Steamboat Springs in summer. Countless outdoor activities keep visitors as busy as they choose – biking, golf, hiking, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, tube through town on the Yampa River. Want to just relax? Soak in one of the hot springs, browse the shelves of Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, wander pathways in the Yampa River Botanical Park, attend a Strings Music Festival concert or schedule a spa treatment. Combined with great dining options, special events, festivals, fresh air and sunshine you’ll be delighted you jumped on one of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort’s affordable summer packages.

Find It!

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Update Perfect Landing Restaurant – Centennial, Colorado

Leave a reply

Awesome Anniversary Special Continues

The Perfect Landing Restaurant at Centennial Airport continues their anniversary special through the month of May. Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the special menu includes:

Center cut filet dinner
Teriyaki glazed salmon filet dinner
Alaskan king crab legs (1/2 pound)
Maine lobster tail
Shrimp scampi
Bottle of cabernet or chardonnay

Each for only $10

The filet is served with mashed potatoes and green vegetable, the salmon with rice and veggie. The crab legs, lobster and shrimp are a la carte items. Order the filet dinner, add a lobster tail – quality surf and turf for $20.

On our last visit we ordered a bottle of wine and were delighted with the Salmon Creek cabernet. We usually share a salad ($5), either the Perfect Salad of spring greens, craisins, pecans and bleu cheese crumbles with an orange balsamic vinaigrette, or a traditional Caesar. On our next visit we’ll order the Grilled Caesar. The basket of crusty in-house baked bread always empties at our table.

We’re declining desserts these days but the Perfect Landing key lime pie can’t be missed. I’ve heard good reports on the chocolate soufflé cake but we’re sticking with the key lime pie.

As diners have heard about the anniversary special the restaurant has been very busy; by 6pm every table is filled, with people waiting. The wait staff have been up to the task with cheerful efficient service. I wouldn’t go without a reservation. Last week we went at 5pm and had the rest of the evening for an activity.

In addition to excellent food and service we enjoy the music of Boogie Bob at the piano and panoramic views of the Rockies as the sun settles behind the Continental Divide.

When You Go: The Perfect Landing opens for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. Phone 303-649-4478 for reservations.

Find It!

Perfect Landing Restaurant at Centennical Airport

Celebrating 150 Years – Colorado’s Gold Rush

Leave a reply

Celebrate Colorado’s 1859 Gold Rush

Communities throughout Colorado plan festivities and special events to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Colorado gold rush. With the slogan, “Pikes Peak or Bust!” thousands of prospectors headed to the hills of the Kansas Territory to strike it rich. Central City had a population of 60,000 by 1860. Golden, Denver and Boulder were fast becoming major supply and transportation points.

The rapid growth led to the creation of the Colorado Territory in 1861 and statehood in 1876.

One of the 2009 kick-off events was held in Denver Saturday, May 2 at the Governor’s Residence as part of the First Saturday: Free Family Day series. Gilpin County, Blackhawk, Central City, Golden, Idaho Springs, the Molly Brown House Museum and the Clear Creek County Metal Mining Association entertained and shared plans for continuing celebrations.

Clear Creek Railroading & Mining Days is scheduled for May 23-24 in Georgetown.
Golden plans a huge party June 12 beginning at 6:30pm including a parade, music and laser light show.
Summertime events in Gilpin County range from Mountain Man and Mining Weekends to High Tea and a Cemetery Crawl.
The 4th of July will see Boulder celebrating at numerous venues.
What better place to gain a perspective than the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in Leadville?
“All That Gold Can Buy” Denver’s Mineral Millionaires exhibit at the Molly Brown House Museum – May 19 – October 4.
Breckenridge has designated August 8-9 as the Breck150 Grand Celebration. Beginning the day will be the extraction and opening of the time capsule placed in the cornerstone of the Summit County Courthouse on July 31, 1909. Music, kid’s events, interactive activities fill the day until the grand finale fireworks display.
Visitors to businesses in Idaho Springs have an opportunity to win real gold in the months of June and October.

Choose an event or follow The Colorado Gold Trail to join in the Gold Rush celebrations.

Find It!

Colorado