All posts filed under: Travel

Walla Walla, WA Wine Country

Published by Cara Bertozzi

Are the cool, rainy autumn days making you pine for an adventure complete with great food and wine? Look no further than the up-and-coming town of Walla Walla, a small town in eastern WA historically known for its sweet onions but quickly earning global distinction for its fruit-driven varietals and bold Bordeaux-style blends. Upon our arrival at the Fat Duck Inn, a lovely bed and breakfast within walking distance of downtown, owners Rich and Cynthia Koby poured us some wine and showed us to the spacious Merganser king suite. After extolling the cuisine of the cozy French bistro Brasserie Four, they were off to put the finishing touches on one of Chef Rich’s five-course gourmet dinners that showcase the seasonal fare and world-class wines of the region. We made a mental note to get on his future guest list and struck out hand-in-hand for Main St. Francophile that I am, my expectations for the food were high, and B4 delivered. The herby Chinook tartare was a quintessential mix of the PNW and France’s predilection for …

Hawaii

5 Things I Wish I Had Known Before our PCS to Hawaii

Published by Cara Bertozzi

It finally happens. The stars align, and you receive the exciting news that the military is sending your family on an all-expenses paid three-year vacation to the tropical paradise of Hawaii. You may be tempted to prematurely get on island time and focus on planning your luau and snorkel schedule (http://www.greatlifehawaii.com/itt/information-tickets-travel), or perhaps the prospect of the unknown will get you wrapped up in reading about brown water advisories (http://emdweb.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/wqd/viewer/Home.aspx), how expensive it is to live here (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/the-10-most-and-least-expensive-states-america.html), or the alarming number of Hawaii tourist deaths (http://www.civilbeat.org/2016/01/death-in-paradise-is-all-too-frequent-for-visitors-to-hawaii/?cbk=56834b63529f3&cbs=1). However, this is a big OCONUS (Outside the CONtinental US) move, and you’re going to need to conserve that brain power to make the preparations necessary for a smooth transition. Here, I present my top tips for mitigating stress and making the most of your adventure in the Aloha State. Save Up for an Expensive PCS One of the more challenges aspects of a move to Hawaii is the unpredictable process of securing housing in a red-hot real estate market. Agents wouldn’t even agree to show us their …