A Journalist's Journeys

The first thing I did in CA was go to the Culiver City Farmers Market. I walked around testing organic cheeses, fresh squeezed fruit juice, fresh fruits and vegetables, and Asian pickled vegetables. I admired fresh flowers and open food kiosks. The farmers market is a great spot to do your produce shopping and grab some lunch. I ordered a goat cheese, spinach and sun dried tomato crepe and Tim got BBQ chicken and baked beans. We sat underneath a tent where it was nice and cool! I ended up buying corn on the cob and fresh carrot, passion fruit and apple juice combination. I'm heading back next Sunday for some local honey goat cheese! Yum!

Hello Folks! I am currently in Phoenix awaiting my flight to LAX. I have bought a one way ticket to California in hopes of landing a job and living the dream. I have a few interviews lined up... we'll see!

So get ready to see some posts of the West Coast!

xo,
M

I hopped off the plane at LAX
with a dream and my cardigan
welcome to the land of fame excess,
am I gonna fit in?

Jumped in the cab,
Here I am for the first time
Look to the right and I see the Hollywood sign
This is all so crazy
Everybody seems so famous

My tummys turnin and I'm feelin kinda home sick
Too much pressure and I'm nervous,
That's when the taxi man turned on the radio
and a Jay Z song was on
and the Jay Z song was on
and the Jay Z song was on

CHORUS:
So I put my hands up
They’re playing my song,
And the butterflys fly away
Noddin’ my head like yea
Movin my hips like yea
I got my hands up,
They’re playin my song
I know im gonna be ok
Yea, It's a party in the USA

My good friend Carly came to visit me from Boston and I thought it would be a great idea to take her to Hampton Beach. Too bad this journalist didn't check the news that morning! We arrived to a wall of people watching the huge waves hit the shore. With no swimming allowed, and police and life guards make sure people stayed several feet away from the water, we could only join onlookers and watch this storm!

The Isles of Shoals boat cruise is a great way to enjoy the beautiful seascape of Portsmouth, NH and learn a little history along the way. For example, Walt Disney worked on a boat one summer and developed one of his famous cartoon character based on his experience (I think it was Tugboat Willie.... but I am not positive...). Learn about Walt's adventures as a young man, see an old abandoned prison, and watch out for lighthouses! My family and I took the cruise for Father's Day. It was a little cold so we spent a lot of our time inside, eating clam chowder and enjoying the view!

Check out their website: http://www.islesofshoals.com

In Addison, Maine there is a blueberry factory that is quite well known by the locals- no tourist trap here! Stop in to grab a box of wild blueberries for a great price and a neat experience.

The link to the August 9 broadcast is up on WTPL's website.

http://www.tastebudsradio.com/broadcasts/155-radio-shows-from-august-2009

I'm on the second half of the show... for about 20 wonderful seconds! haha.

This weekend I traveled to Ogunquit, Maine. This seaside town is a tourist hot spot. Even the fog and light rain couldn't keep people flocking from far and wide to enjoy this rocky coast and village. There were several families from Europe and it wasn't uncommon to walk by someone speaking another language.

There are several outdoor activities to try like deep sea fishing, a lighthouse cruise, kayaking or surfing lessons, to name a few.

There is also plenty of SHOPPING! Browse through jewelry stores, souvenir shops and look through racks of adorable seaside outfits. However, it is very pricey (like, $260 for a zip up hoody pricey). If you don't want to drop some serious dough consider taking a breathtaking (and free!) shoreline walk down the Marginal Way.


Enjoy a leisurely 1.5 mile walk by the rocky shoreline where you can admire the ocean, sailboats, beautiful homes, and maybe even a sea cub! There are also several benches along the way where you can sit down to rest and enjoy the view!





Being the seafood enthusiast that I am I stopped into this tiny cafe for a $5 hot cup of clam chowder, yum!

Another successful weekend of summer family fun!

Last year on the drive to Jonesport, my boyfriend and I passed a beautiful lake where we saw a father and son fishing and children flung into the lake by rope swing. This picturesque, quiet lake stayed in our minds and a few days later we ventured off to find it again with my younger brother and sister in tow. Located south of Route 182 and about seven miles west of the town Cherryfield (which, ironically, is the blueberry capitol of the world) is Tunk Lake. The water is warm (a nice change from the frigid ocean waters) clean and calm. We shared the lake with one other family and two fisherman who floated in a little wooden boat. It feels like you have the whole place to yourself!

The perfect end to the perfect day? A fabulous "crab shack" we found just down the road.


Dallas' Lobstah has fresh seafood delivered daily. I watched the cook steam my mussels over a large fire next to the restaurant. Each dinner comes with a slice of blueberry pie made fresh by a local.