The Runner, The Wino, and The Foodie

The Runner – My third and most challenging half marathon, The Fueled by Wine Half, provided some amazing views and really firmed up my gluts with all the hills.

Oh Yeah, Feeling the Burn!

This is definitely a race you need to do some prep for with lots and lots of hill training. The race is about 80-90% hills – the starting line is even on a hill, but the views once you reach the top of each hill are breathtaking – both literally and figuratively speaking lol.

The total climb of the course reached 840ft and ran through pristine Dundee Hills Vineyards and country roads. This year’s route included; The Four Graces, Archery Summit – Red Hills Estate Vineyard, Torii Mor Winery – Olson Vineyard and Lange Estate Vineyard

The Half Marathon Dream Team

The Wino – I’m partial white wines, Riesling, Moscato, and Chardonnay are some of my favs to drink alone or with a nice meaty Halibut steak.  When it comes to fresh pasta, tomato basil sauce, or warm chocolate chip cookies and smooth Malbec or Pinot Noir to is my go to. Whoo, I’m gettin hungry just typing this lol

I was able to taste some delicious wines at the wine festival post race and we visited 2 winaries in Dundee, Oregon before heading back to Portland courtesy of the Fueled by Wine Half Marathon swag bag.

Post Half Marathon Wine Party

Durant Vineyards

Winter’s Hill Vineyard

The Foodie – One of my favorite things to do when I travel is try new foods. I probably eat more during my travels than I do during my day -to – day activities at home. Which is all the more reason why I never leave home without a pair of running shoes and my iPad equipped with yoga and ab workouts.

Street Car yumminess at the Mississippi Street Fair

There were so many yummy places to grab a bite to eat – amazing dine in restaurants and yummy street car food, orgasmic Mexican food (that was so good it was gone before I even remembered to take a picture lol) and spicy bloody mary’s to go with brunch! Good thing I ran a half marathon while on vaca cuz I was in food and drink heaven :)

When you travel do you prefer to explore the restuarant scene or the street car food scene?

Until Next Time! -xo AGT

Go Local: Brunch in the Concrete Jungle

 

Here’s 10 of my favorite places for brunch around the city

The Hudson Bond – I checked them out last month after I purchased a deal on Gilt City and they’ve since become one of my favorite brunch spots.  My friends and I sipped mimosas, enjoyed a wonderful Sunday brunch, and watched ‘Grease’. This place has the right idea offering brunch, a movie on 4 large flat screen tv’s, and all you can drink mimosas and bloody mary’s. Visit their website to check out their menu and movie schedule http://thehudsonbond.com

Take Root (Noshery and Yoga Room) – What better way to start your Saturday or Sunday morning than finding yourself on your yoga mat, then enjoying a delicious and refreshing brunch.Located in Brooklyn this place is a must visit  http://take-root.com

Beauty and Essex – a swanky speakeasy located on the Lower Eastside on Essex Street, known for their fabulous champagne brunch. From the outside it looks like a thrift shop, but once you walk beyond the second door you are welcomed into a hot and trendy restaurant/lounge. http://www.beautyandessex.com/

Beauty and Essex

Stanton Social – sister restaurant to Beauty and Essex, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is trendy and chic . Beware of foodgasms, you’ve been warned. http://www.thestantonsocial.com/

Buttermilk Channel – this would be a great place to go for a brunch date, or to treat Mom for Mother’s Day- and by the way, their buttermilk pancakes are fantastic! :) http://www.buttermilkchannelnyc.com

The Sunburnt Calf – one of my favorite spots when I’m on the Upper Westside, they have an awesome staff that provides amazing service, and their brunch includes unlimited mimosas and bloody marys. The first time I went was when a friend was in town. We sat at the bar and the bartender gave us a shot to jump start the meal. The food was yummy, we made new friends, and the time just flew by. We  started the morning with a workout and Tai Chi, got there around 1pm,  and left at 6pm….Good times :) http://thesunburntcalf.com

Cornelia Street Cafe – one the first places I went for brunch when I got to NYC and still a favorite. http://corneliastreetcafe.com

Westville Chelsea – always packed, especially for weekend brunch, but don’t let the line deter you. The food is definitely worth the wait. They have 3 locations in the city, but my favorite is the one in Chelsea on 18th street. http://www.westvillenyc.com

Bone Lick Park– I love when I can go to a restaurant and have cheddar cheese grits with my breakfast/brunch (I guess it’s the Southern Girl in me), and this place doesn’t disappoint. And they offer all you can drink mimosa, frozen margaritas, and bloody marys so you can turn your brunch into drunch if you so choose :)  http://bonelickparkbbq.com

Beso – enjoy harbor views as you ride the ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island. Just a 5min walk from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal enjoy yummy spanish tapas for brunch and tasty sangria before you head back to Manhattan http://www.besonyc.com

Until next time – xo AGT

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Visiting Beautiful New Hampshire

Last week I took a road trip up to New Hampshire to see the beautiful Northeastern fall foliage I’ve heard so much about. I drove 7 hours from NYC to visit the town of North Conway at the recommendation of a co-worker familiar with the area. I’d originally planned to visit North Conway, Portland, and Newport, but I decided to spend my entire trip in North Conway instead, and I’m so glad I did. The trip was incredibly relaxing and seeing the foliage at it’s peak was breathtaking.

I packed up the car and left with Cosmo Tueday at midnight to avoid all of the commuter traffic and had a pretty nice drive up to New Hampshire despite the rain and fog. When we got to the New Hampshire Welcome Center rest stop it was around 5:30am so we took a 4 hour nap then finished the drive up to North Conway. When we arrived, it was too soon to check in so we walked around the Village of Conway browsing in the cute shops and we took a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad.

Zeb’s General Store was our first stop and where I picked up a little something special to giveaway to one my lucky readers :)

Then it was off for a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad, where we took the 21 Mile, 1 3/4 hour roundtrip Bartlett excursion. I optd against the dinning car option for dinner because I wanted to have dinner in town, and there are no dogs allowed in the dinning car.

After the train ride  I decided to forgo dinner because I wasn’t feeling well and we headed to our room at the Yankee Clipper Inn. I opted for a Bed and Breakfast because I wanted a more cozy, close to home feel plus it had free wifi, fire places, and indoor/outdoor pool, and a hot tub. Kelly helped set me up with accomodations for my stay, gave me recommendations on places to eat and things to do in the area.

The next morning I had breakfast at the Blueberry Muffin Restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. A great way to start the day. I had the vegetable omlet, a side of grits, and of course a blueberry muffin.

The omlet is one of the best veggie omlets I’ve had in a long time. Packed full of fresh veggies it had broccoli, onions, red bell pepper, tomatos, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese inside. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

I was still feeling a bit achy after breakfast so I scheduled a massage at Cut Off Salon and Day Spa at the recommendation of Kelly.  When I called to schedule my appointment I asked the receptionist if there were any special packages or services available and she informed me that they were offering a special on their 60min Thai Yoga Massage. I normally get a swedish massage, but after she explained to me what a  Thai Yoga Massage is I was immediately intrigued and scheduled an appointment. Unlike a traditional massage you are wear loose clothing during your session and you are on yoga mat on the floor instead of a massge table. It was such a relaxing experience, so much so that I fell asleep 30min into it.

Thursday afternoon we checked out of the room and took a scenic drive up route 302. Look at how bold and bright the colors are!  I’m so glad I had a chance to drive up and check it out. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

I really enjoyed my stay in North Conway, and I’m thinking of I going back during ski season.  Everyone was so warm and inviting, and it was a great vaca to bring to the pup along with me.

Bring New Hampshire to your table for breakfast with this giveaway from Zeb’s General Store sponsored by me :)

Apple Pancake Mix from Apple Hill Farm in Concord, NH, White Mountain Blend White Mountain Pre-ground Gourmet Coffee, and Pure Maple Syrup from Sunnyside Maples, Inc in Gilmanton, NH.

To enter (you must do both and leave a comment here for each):

“Like” A Girl Travels on Facebook.

Tweet “I just entered the @agirltravels latest #giveaway, you can too!”

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, October 17th at 5:00pm

Love AGT :)