Little Sister – London Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

We are right by St. Paul’s cathedral, and area of London I love, and we have toured all of this on a pub crawl before.  If you’ve never been on a HOHO, they give you headphones, and as you pass through certain locations the recorded audio plays facts about what is around you.  The giggles begin as the audio plays what is supposed to be an old timey Londoner ringing a bell through the streets shouting “bring out your dead” in regard to the bodies of the plague of 1665 (clearly not London’s best decade).  It’s cheesy and campy and we get the giggles.

But about two blocks later it moves into talking about the fire. And then they informed us that the fire burned so intensely due to the narrow streets and wind that pigeons were falling out of the sky already barbecued, and we absolutely lose it with laughter.  And we can’t stop the inappropriate laughter at the image of these poor birds falling from the sky en masse.

ssn – reference also childhood memories from WKRP in Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving episode.

Big Sister – Interactive Jack the Ripper Tour, London

Same trip. We may have already been giggling over cocktails at a couple of the speakeasies we had been REALLY enjoying – Cahoots Postal Office and Discount Suit Company – while prepping for the Jack the Ripper Tour. We selected this tour becuase it billed itself as “interactive”, which was intriguing, not just another walking tour.

However, with a few cocktails, we began imagining what “interactive” might mean. And fits of laughter ensued as we began murmuring (to each other ONLY) additions to the guide’s commentary like, “for this role, Patti, you are obviously playing the part of the whore”, or “at the next stop, one of you will be murdered”. That sounds very dark when I write it but it was hysterical, I promise! To be fair, we assumed everyone on the tour would have similarly pre-gamed – they had not. Never the less, it was a great tour – the interactive part referred to us receiving actual case files & photos to follow along with the stories.

ssn – she also fails to note how she shamed me for winning the trivia contest at the end. But let’s remember I WON!!!

Little Sister – My Son Getting Married and Our First Grandchild

Originally, I was going to do the dinosaur footprints embedded in rock we stopped to see in Colorado.  Then I got sappy and realized my best views of the year were far more personal – the marriage of my son to his high school sweetheart, and also the birth of our first grandchild (thanks to our daughter).  Watching my son, so young and so nervous, but so happy will warm my cold heart forever.  But nothing compares to your first grandchild. However, if we are talking non-personally, I’m definitely going with the coolness of the dino prints for the year.

Big Sister – Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

Without hesitation, my best view was the Lemaire Channel in Antarctica. This might be the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed. Breathtaking is an understatement, it literally brought tears to my eyes (and it wasn’t the cold air).

This channel is nicknamed “Kodak Gap” for its photogenic beauty. We had a sunny, bright day with mirror-like water – it was incredible.

Little Sister – Aux Merveilleux de Fred, Belgium

365 days ago, I never would have guessed my best bite of the year would have been a sweet one.  But here we are. I saw pictures of Merveilleux one morning in Ghent as I was looking for a bakery for morning coffee and pastries. Aux Merveilleux de Fred looked good, and sweet, and I was low-key obsessed (if you know my obsession are usually loud and hyper-focused, this was more, ooooohhhh, I really want one of these).

A few days later I noticed that same bakery had a Brussels location.  We saw them through the window as they were making them, it is basically a disc of meringue topped with flavored whipped cream (chocolate, coffee, vanilla, cherry) then rolled in shaved chocolate.  And O.M.G.  – OMG!  They’re light and sweet without being too sugary, and they are just absolute perfection!  And I drug Peggy into my obsession – we had to go back the next day for more (ps, they also come in large size).  Exquisite is barely the tip of the iceberg in describing Merveilleux.

ssn – she’s right on this one. I was sooo not interested. We were in Belgium and it wasn’t chocolate so I was not into it, it looked like it was all show. I should never have tried it because damn!!! It was insanely delicious. Obsessed – I would fly there tomorrow for another one.

Big Sister – Golden Roosters, Seattle

When we were prepping for our Seattle Speakeasy tour, we were jotting down recommendations from all the foodie creators on IG and came across the Korean Fried Chicken from Golden Roosters in Pioneer Square. Bonus, it was like a speakeasy, it has an unmarked back alley entrance to the bar!

We ordered our chicken but were intrigued with the Bulgogi Creamy Udon menu item. We ordered it and were left staring wide-eyed at each other with how good it was. Just that look we give each other and, “shut your whore mouth”. That is the ultimate compliment.

Even today, 11 months later, when I crave comfort food, it is these noodles! Patti tried to go back and have these before a Mariners or Seahawks game but they aren’t on the game day menu. We just didn’t have time when we were downtown this past fall either. But hopefully soon…

ssn – these creamy udon noodles were the best thing on the menu, and I need to go get some more. But everything else was great there too, and you should definitely go try the chicken that they bill themselves for serving.

Little Sister – Woo Bar & Kitchen, Seattle

The weekend after my son’s wedding we stayed in Seattle for a baseball game (Go M’s).  I was feeling yucky after something I ate (not drank, shockingly), but I found an Asian fusion spot that had congee.  One thing I love about our trips to SE Asia is congee for breakfast.  So, feeling poopy, this was the one thing that sounded good and we were off in an Uber.  Back behind the Seattle Center, just at the base of Queen Anne neighborhood is where we found the Woo Bar & Kitchen.  A beautiful, open, Asian upscale restaurant that had just started serving brunch.  Gorgeous room, our server was super friendly and informative, and our food was amazing.

I felt so much better after a warm bowl of chicken congee, Peggy had this amazing crab (fresh crab, naturally) omelet and Pat had the steak and eggs.  We did NOT drink, but they did have breakfast cocktails.

Side Note:  we didn’t have a lot of brunches this year, which seems weird as it’s the best meal of the week, but we were focused on building our speakeasy brand.

Honorable Mention

And I really want to give an honorable mention to the Marriott Grand Brussels.  It’s a breakfast buffet included with our room, but like most European buffets it was so much better than anything you get included with a hotel in the US.  The reason they are getting an honorable mention is these amazing scrambled eggs they had.  They were like crack!  I consider scrambled eggs the perfect comfort food, and I do not know what they did to theirs, but it still lingers in my memory of the best scrambled eggs I have ever had.  AND IT WAS AT A BUFFET!!!

P.S. Gordon Ramsey, if you would like to challenge this assessment and make me some of YOUR scrambled eggs, I would gladly take you up on the offer.

Big Sister – Suerte, Austin

If you are going to Austin, everyone will tell you to go to Suerte. And those people will tell you to order the wagyu brisket tacos. Those people will be right.

We were only able to fit Suerte into our schedule for brunch but thankfully, they serve these popular tacos on all menus! My friend Roger was gracious enough to meet us for brunch and with three of us, we really ordered up the menu! We had the Suadero tacos (the confit wagyu), a cold salmon tostada, chilaquiles, and the surprise hit of the meal – refried lentils y crema! And let’s talk about the brunch cocktails…Nitro Carajillos! So good!

Little Sister – Phocific Standard Time, Seattle

The Khoa Was here from Phocific Standard Time (PST) in Seattle.  PST is a speakeasy above a ramen restaurant.  It was late, we were “slightly” intoxicated (interpret your own sisbehaving image of slightly, I admit to nothing).  We decided that we were going to finish off the night with a shot and head for bed.  We were unprepared.  Completely unprepared for what we had done with our Khoa order.

It is a pho-fat washed Jameson shot, served with a pho broth back.  And Pho-ck me!!!  It was amazing!  Absolutely amazing.  That broth, I still drool thinking of the warmth, the earthiness, the clarity. Our lust for it was not subtle, and the warm broth was a great pre-bedtime shot.  And I need to go back for another one.  It was the perfect ending of a fantastic night.

ssn – I second this…I’m sure people got tired of hearing about how good this shot was. And I hope we didn’t let the secret out because we told EVERYONE.

Read our Seattle Speakeasy blog!

Big Sister – Jupiter Supper Club, Austin

We ended up with some time to kill before reservations at Here Nor There in Austin and had been wanting to try Jupiter Supper Club but thought we wouldn’t have time. Happily for us, we made it work. This is a gorgeous space! And you know I love the tagline, Timeless Maximalist Luxury. Two floors of unique decor and vibey elegance. I chose the Osaka Seagrass – a little risky but right in my wheelhouse – sesame vodka, Meletti, nori seaweed, ginger, blood orange and lemon. It was perfection – so savory and umami.

And highly recommend the beet crisps with avocado mousse!

Read our Austin Day Drinking blog!

ssn – she is seriously underselling the beet crisps with avocado mousse; they could have easily been our best bite of the year (and P.S. go to our Seattle Speakeasy blog that is linked to see the video of how much we loved the Khoa Was Here).

Little Sister – Foreign – Cahoots Postal Office, London

My international standout of the year came down to two:  Cahoots Postal in London, and Cloak & Dagger in Canggu, Bali.  Both fantastic concepts:  One post office (obviously) and one serial killer theme.  While the serial killer them speaks to my wheelhouse, I ultimately chose Cahoots Postal for my annual award.

From the first moment to the last, Cahoots sucked us in.  The host peeking out the door asking “have ya seen any coppers lurking around?”, the call for a “package delivery”, full décor with mail slots, and cocktail delivery via postal tubes – all of it, every single thing was done with sheer perfection.  Cahoots is a fully immersive experience and deserves my best speakeasy of the year.

Little Sister – Domestic – Red Headed Stepchild, Austin

If you’ve been following our blog, you already know what I’m going to say (if you aren’t, shame on you, go follow us!!!).  My choice is very obviously Red-Headed Stepchild in Austin. First, they made us work to get the code to the door. The door code is only given to insiders but they are free to share, so you have to find an insider to get the code from to enter this bar (thanks, Paul).

It is horror movie themed.  The extensive cocktail list is all themed into categories.  The bathroom was one of my favorites with a Shining theme, axes for door handles, and there is always a horror movie showing on the tv in the corner.  The service was great.  We met a couple of local industry people that helped make recommendations for us for the rest of our trip, and ran into them later when they were working, which is always fun to be in the know with people when you aren’t a regular. I absolutely loved RHSC.

Read our Austin Speakeasy blog!

Big Sister – Foreign – Spy Bar, London

Like Patti, my choices came down to two – Spy Bar in London and Little Red Door in Paris. This was a really difficult decision and I ultimately went with Spy Bar for the elevated, special experience.

Spy Bar is James Bond themed and is housed in Raffles London at the OWO (Old War Office) – Ian Fleming actually worked in the building. It is a very exclusive experience, with hard-to-acquire reservations required. And not only is it completely hidden, but no photos are allowed – adding to the mystique. I won’t say more other than we were treated like honored guests from the front desk to the Spy Bar door where we were greeted by Eugene (one of our favorite people of the year, see below).

Big Sister – Domestic – Lincolns, Denver

This Denver speakeasy is one of my absolute favorites! So far, I have taken every one of my Denver visitors to it because it is just so enjoyable.

Here is the deal. It is completely hidden, and the people of Denver seem pretty intent on preserving that secrecy. It is rare to see the location outed anywhere. There is no task to get in but the door and entrance are very cool!

Once inside, the theme is…Abe Lincoln. But super cozy and friendly. All drinks are $5, cash only. No frills – there are around 10 liquors, standard mixers, beers on tap, and a barreled old fashioned.

Read our Denver Speakeasy blog!

Little Sister – Connaught, London

One of the classiest places we have ever had cocktails at was the Connaught Bar at the Connaught Hotel in London.  The hotel is gorgeous and high end and I would love to stay here next time (hey, Connaught, give me a call, let’s talk!).

The bar is famous for its martinis.  And you absolutely must get a martini from The Connaught.  It’s prepared tableside, choice of gin or vodka, a choice of bitters, a choice of olive or lemon twist.  It is exquisite! There will be a wait for your martini, because they are ordered by dang near everyone. 

We got super lucky as we got there at opening time, and our server took our order second, so after the guy next to us had his prepared, we were up next.  I heard them tell other tables the wait for a martini was 20-30 minutes, and they walked in minutes after us, but ended up 5 tables back by the time their server took their order.  But it is worth the wait and it is an experience.

Side note – if you are looking for a not so classy recommendation The Nickel Bar in Austin gets a nod, for being the best dive bar of the year if we had that category.

Big Sister – Minturn Whisky Co, Minturn, Colorado

If you have been around me in Colorado this year, you know I have not shut up about Minturn Whisky Company’s Wee Dram and their amazing seasonal speakeasies.

The Wee Dram is an adorable little tasting room is located in Minturn, CO, the cutest town between Vail and Beaver Creek.

Patti and I were seeking out speakeasies around the state this summer and decided to go to the Wee Dram on our way to the Minturn speakeasy in Beaver Creek, mostly because it opens early (noon!!) and we had some time to kill. We fell in love with this place! Plus Kyler was the best and introduced us to their Scottish inspired whisky and their story.

We reluctantly left Minturn and headed to Beaver Creek village to see their seasonal speakeasy. It was so impressive – an 1970s-ish real estate agency. So well done!!

And now, they have just opened a winter season speakeasy – built by hand – that I cannot wait to visit!

Little Sister – Sofitel London St. James, London

For this I went with the Sofitel London St. James.  It’s on the higher end of the Accor lines, yes, and it lives up to the Accor standard.  The staff was friendly, the room was beautiful, the lounge, the bar, everything was pretty close to perfect (including its Michelin Star restaurant although we didn’t get to try other than breakfast).  There is a reason people pay the higher prices for these types of hotels.

When we checked in Anna and Jasmine awesomely upgraded our room.  Then out came Jinny to give us a full tour of the hotel, with history and bar and restaurant recommendations – she could be our sister, she should have just moved a rollaway bed into the room with us.

The room was amazing, with tea and turndown service.  All the little personal touches that make you feel like a treasured guest.  The bar at the hotel is fantastic, and the bartenders are all funny and engaging, and apparently Jose is on the list of best bartenders but we never got to meet him (but see our People We Met section about G).

We were settled in like a second home. We discovered GoggleBox on TV when we camped out in bed with a fantastic room service delivery one night. And special shout out for Josue at the bell desk for handling our luggage, getting us taxis, and making sure we were taken care of during our stay.

This place was incredible, but I’m sad we never made it to their afternoon tea, because it looked amazing (and Jinny highly recommended it).

Honorable mention

Honorable mention this year has to go to Populus for their outstanding commitment to sustainability and fabulous staff, AND to Marriott Grand Brussels for those scrambled eggs and also because we checked in the day before my birthday, and the staff noticed, and thought to send up cheesecake for us – it really is the little things that make the biggest difference.

Big Sister – Willow House, Terlingua, Texas

If you have been to Big Bend National Park, or anywhere in West Texas, really, you know it is hot, dry and dusty. But just because it is a National Park doesn’t mean there aren’t some luxury lodging options – there are glamping tents, yurts, star-gazing tents, the coveted cave hotels, and our splurge-find, Willow House.

This little concrete sanctuary in the middle of the Texas desert was heaven at the end of a long, dirty day exploring the area. Absolutely comfort and tranquility.

The Willow House consists of 12 casitas and an absolutely beautiful main house. Each casita has a concrete patio and a sunrise view of the Chisos Mountain Range. The main house has group seating areas, tables, a well-appointed kitchen with storage for each casita, complimentary coffee, espresso, water filling stations. Outside there are a couple of outdoor kitchens, a large firepit area with plenty of seating, and a large pool area with showers and seating but a small pool.

Little Sister – Catacombs of Paris, France

Absolutely amazing!  This was something I always wanted to see but was never a bucket list from me.  It just appeals to my dark and disturbing side.  Our two quick days in Paris was sure to include this tour.  It was everything I wanted, except for the other people there.  Centuries ago, they moved Parisian bodies from the cemeteries into one central location.  And they are now all stacked up in the catacombs.  Tunnel after tunnel, bones stacked along the walls – skulls, femurs, all of it, wall to wall stacks of bones.  It was cool, and completely creepy.  And the horror on Peggy’s face was just a bonus.

ssn – I, too, have always wanted to visit the Catacombs but was not prepared for the unending, vast quantity. It was shocking!

Big Sister – Palace of Versailles, France

A visit to Versailles is something I’ve been trying to do for multiple visits to France, and it was finally happening. Unfortunately, Patti wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t able to come with me so I didn’t get to share the experience with her.

The Palace and grounds were so impressive, as expected. I’m not sure you can be fully prepared for the scale, the grandeur and the opulence. That said, the Hall of Mirrors was everything. And I enjoyed the guided tour very much – super interesting history!

However, even in this shoulder season, the crowds were unbearable. I now understand the appeal of the private stay that includes early/late access to the Palace. I’m so glad to have seen it and it was worthy of my Best of 2025, but will not be returning!

Little Sister – Swimming with Dolphins, Bali

I did not know this was on my bucket list, but here we are.  I tend to shy away from interacting with animals, I don’t believe it’s our part. But here we were, swimming with the Dolphins in Bali.  I started out hating it.  There were about 20 boats, and I felt like we were interfering with their world, the world we don’t belong in.

Then I was in the water, on a pull rope, when I looked down and thought I saw a school of those silver fish.  Then as they started to swim up, I realized they were all dolphins, and they rose up and jumped out of the water all around me. And it was majestic, and amazing, and I felt this sense of euphoria.  I was surrounded by the beautiful creatures just jumping all around me and playing, and for moment I was one of them.  It was breathtaking.

I will still avoid animal interactions when traveling (especially to those who have never looked into it:  do not ever hold sloths or visit interactive experiences that are not ethically treating the animals – yes, you can google this)

Big Sister – Eric Church at Red Rocks, Colorado

I have been trying to see Erich Church for YEARS! For some reason, each time, something comes up. Four times now, I have had tickets and not been able to go. So when he announced three nights at Red Rocks in July, I set alarms, had my browser ready to go and was ready! I mean, Red Rocks is iconic so this HAD to happen.

I got tickets to night 3 (each night at a different musical style) – Eric Church vs The Guitar. Just him, alone on stage.

And it happened! It was amazing. Even with torrential rains, and delays…the show went on. Hands down, one of the best concerts I have ever seen.

Little Sister – Belgium

This year for me, it was Belgium.  I have always wanted to visit Belgium.  Not only do they make my favorite beer, there was always this draw for me to a smaller country, with a medieval feel, old buildings, culture, and cobblestones.  And Belgium did not disappoint. I was very worried when we boarded a train to Ghent that took us through the seedier side of Brussels and I was skeptical of my dreams.  BUT, it got better, so very much better.

I wish we had time to do Antwerp and Bruges, but just Ghent and Brussels made me happy.  And I loved them.  Belgium is so underrated as a destination, and I am glad this trip got to happen (even if it turns out you can’t brew beer with the Monks or tour inside the brewery inside the monastery, which is bullshit, I want to do that!).

Read our Ghent blog!

Big Sister – Antarctica

My favorite destination is a no-brainer, Antarctica. This was a bucket list, once in a lifetime trip for me and one month after returning, I am still in awe.

I traveled with Viking Octantis and everything about the trip was top tier. The ship, the amenities, the staff and excursions. We had fantastic weather, Drake Lake for both crossings, ate delicious food, and of course, saw amazing wildlife. We saw humpbacks and penguins everyday and a huge pod of about 30 orcas one afternoon. Life changing!

I say once in a lifetime, but I would go back! Is anyone interested??

Little Sister – Having someone offer to buy our underwear

So, there we were; not even drunk, just trying to get from one bar to a late-night snack, on the streets of Chicago.  We pass a mini-mart, with what appears to be a homeless man next to it.  But who are we to judge someone just sitting there minding their own business. . . that is until he speaks up to say “Hey, can I buy your underwear?”.  Well this was a first, and I’d say hopefully the last, but what is the going rate for worn underwear these days?

ssn – 1) Not even drunk? Are you sure? 2) I recall we laughed so hard there may have been a bit of pee. Which led us to wonder if that would bring a higher price?

Read the Chicago Speakeasy Post here.

Big Sister – Re-enacting the death of John Dillinger, Chicago

Never one to back down from a challenge, when we passed Takito Street, the location where John Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents, Patti suggested that I re-enact the legendary scene. I naturally accepted. There may have been alcohol involved (see her moment in the first column). I may have been wearing a white dress. But the picture is perfect, if I do say so myself. And it doesn’t cease to bring her to a fit of laughter!

Little Sister –  Personalized shorts in Vegas

Our last night in Las Vegas we decided to stay downtown.  The Fremont Street Experience is always an adventure, and not always the best decision.  It’s a huge tourist trap (like most of downtown and the strip), but sometimes, that is exactly what you need.  So, we got sucked into a cheesy shop with cheeky boy shorts that you can personalize.  They were funny, but we were not into it. . . until the lady informs us that they can ALSO put photographs on them. And now SOMEONE has paid way too much for a pair of boy shorts with a great big picture of her husband’s face on them.

Big Sister – Champagne Gun

Patti came to my house to get a little rest and recharge. We, naturally, needed to have mimosas one morning. I remembered that I had a champagne gun from a girl’s trip and it had turned out to be a hoot, so I broke it out!

Well, it did not disappoint! We were smart enough to try it outside because I am notoriously terrible when it comes to any kind of activity that requires coordination/aim.

Imagine the two of us in my backyard, taking turns shooting streams of champagne at each other’s faces! Then doubling over with laughter. Absolutely ridiculous. And of course, we will be doing it again with the whole family over the Christmas holiday.

Video is from family Christmas.

Little Sister – Wick, Scotland

We rented this amazing house at the base of a lighthouse on the coast of Wick in the highlands of Scotland.  It not only sat on the cliff’s edge overlooking the North Sea, but from the other side you were right next to the ruins of the Castle of Old Wick.  The castle ruins sit on the cliff side, half falling off into the water.  It as amazing, it was beautiful, it was misty in the mornings, and sunset was amazing.  Far northern coast of Scotland was absolutely gorgeous and this was an amazing experience.

Big Sister – NaPali Coast, Kauai, HI

Kauai’s NaPali Coast is renowned for it’s extraordinary beauty. Unless you are a very experienced, skilled hiker, the only way to reach this 17-mile span of shoreline is by boat or by air.

I was lucky enough to do both. First by a sunset sail out of Port Allen with Kauai Sea Tours, then by Helicopter tour with Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours.

The legendary seacliffs were breathtaking, almost indescribably so. They are rugged and untouched, so vividly green and the ocean is so blue in places it doesn’t seem real.

Whether by boat and helicopter, you get different perspectives and the NaPali Coast has earned its well-deserved place on hundreds of “Most Beautiful” lists (including ours!)

Little Sister – Brew Dogs, Edinburgh

This was a good food year for us, and it is very hard to choose.  I tried haggis for the first time, I had authentic sticky toffee pudding, fish and chips in England, ceviche in Cartagena, we had a sushi speakeasy experience with A-5 Wagyu, oysters fresh off a boat, tamales and sopas in Santa Fe, we revisited Jose Andres fantastic cones (last years best bite), and Texas brisket.  So, my choice will probably confuse the hell out of a lot of people, but this is not just about the quality of the food, but the entire experience:

The $5 24/7 dog at Brew Dogs Doghouse in Edinburgh.  Brew Dogs hotel was a close second for my favorite hotel of the year.  An amazing brewery and company that focuses on pet friendly, sustainability, and equality – check out their policies, they post them proudly from equal pay to emission standards.  Their hotel in Edinburgh was upstairs from the pub, so you think it looks a little iffy checking in at the pub cashier stand, walking up a skinny cement staircase just next to the bar, but the rooms are AMAZING, you can get shower beers or a room keg (its small), fantastic.

But this isn’t about the hotel or their amazing beers, it’s about their atrium, which has snacks containers and water taps all day and all night.  They also offer a hot dog, any day, any time for 5 pounds (the British currency, not the step on a scale kind).

We decided on day two to test this theory, when we were still slightly jetlagged and wide awake at 4 am.  Easy enough, you text the lobby that you want a dog, how many, and where you are (atrium, room, lobby, etc).  10 minutes later this man shows up with cart and three cloches.  And I’m telling you, they were FANTASTIC!!! Not just some skinny American cheap dog on a bun, and huge all beef dog with ketchup, mustard, chili, fried onions, green onions – an absolute masterpiece of a hot dog.  FIVE POUNDS, DELIVERED ANY TIME!!!

Out of all our choices for the year, this was a great bite, completely unexpected, and all about the experience.

Big Sister – Manglar, Cartagena

A quick pop in to kill time turned into my best bite of the year.

With time to spare before our walking tour, we stopped for a cocktail and decided we had to get ceviche as the sea was within view and it was probably fresh.

White fish and pulpo (octopus) in coconut milk, beautifully seasoned in a stack with cilantro, red onion slivers sitting on a big grilled avocado and served with plantain chips. Immediately the best bite of ceviche EVER. Understanding that ceviche styles vary from region to region and country to country, this was hands down the best yet.

But then…the Papas Crujientes (crunchy potatoes). Well, those sound pretty innocent, right? But no. These slutty little cubes of the crispiest, tastiest potato perfection will stop you in your tracks. They are served with grated cheese, truffle aioli and mussel relish (what?? yes!!).

I know that was 2 bites…but Manglar absolutely nailed it and these were inseparable.

Cartagena Drinking Guide out now!

Little Sister – Sweet Maple, San Francisco

I know, there are so many choices when you visit San Francisco.  I am a huge fan of Dim Sum and would take that every single trip.  However, on this weekend adventure with my son we had a limited amount of time for one last meal before we had to be at the airport.  Three blocks down was Sweet Maple, and it had amazing reviews.  We could be there when they opened and make this all work out before our flights.  It was an amazing find, and a incredible experience in culinary and customer service. 

Starting when we were being seated in this beautiful, bright, open space, every single staff person we passed greeted us with a smile and a “good morning”.  You were automatically happy by the time you got to your seat.  We sat in the middle of the restaurant surrounded by hustle and bustle and not to sound cheesy, but a symphony of people all working and flowing seamlessly together.

The menu was amazing, and I really came there wanting to try Soufflegg Skillet (Steamed fluffy scrambled eggs in a skillet – they all sounded amazing), but switched last minute to the SM Omurice, with marinated ribeye, spinach, and scrambled egg (sriracha demi-glace on the side, because I’m a wimp).  My son, raised with an appreciation for good food and good service, asked what the waiter’s favorite was. He recommended the Blackstone, so that my son could try the millionaires bacon that they are famous for (brown sugar, peppery, amazing). Even the potato medley served in place of hashbrowns was fantastic.

I ordered a salted caramel macchiato that was so beautiful my son ended up having to have one too.  This breakfast was simply incredible, start to finish!  And I didn’t even have a mimosa!!

Big Sister – Ummo, Chicago

This was one of those finds that I came across on social media and it looks so amazing that it stops your scrolling and you immediately send your sister the link with, “we have to go here!’. So I booked a reservation for Saturday morning brunch (squeezed into a weekend of speakeasies and tourism must-dos).

Our reservation was the first time slot of the morning so after a little wait while they finished set-up, we were shown upstairs and were immediately enamored. Ummo is beautiful and vibey, a little retro, but super cool.

I started with the Morning Mambo – their Bloody Mary but with squid ink. And I have to say it was one of the best Bloody Marys that I have ever had. Patti had the Graceful Jones (possibly a Pride Month special?) – with rum and coffee liqueur, cold brew, pineapple juice and tiki bitters. The garnish was candied fruit covered in edible glitter – it was beautiful!

We scouted out the menu ahead of time but our darling server had lots of suggestions and we were obliged to listen! We selected the Tartare e Waffle – a caramelized onion waffle topped with Wagyu beef tartare; an Egg Raviolo Carbonara – served individually so you can order a single one or as many as you want! We finished with a Bombolone al Pistacchio, which was delightful!

This was a no-brainer for Brunch of the Year!

Little Sister – Manglar, Cartagena

Our very first stop when we arrived in Cartagena was at a corner bar named Manglar.  It was almost empty that afternoon, the service was slow, but in a lazy, hot afternoon way, not in a rude way. It was more that everything was done so intentionally that details were paid close attention to.

And while Peggy had “the best porn star martini ever”, I ordered the Un Viaje Por Colombia.  Perfect for our first bar of Colombia, A Trip through Colombia.  It ended up being three shot size cocktails. Like mini martinis, each representing a flavor and style of a different region of Colombia.  Each was served with its own side garnish that was made to enhance the flavor of each cocktail.  It was amazing and inventive, and a perfect sampler pack of liquor.

ssn – you know the Porn Star martini is my favorite cocktail in the world and this was without exaggeration the best I’ve ever had.

Big Sister – Superfrico, Las Vegas

After hearing fantastic reviews about Superfrico, we knew we had to check it out while we were scheduling our restaurants and speakeasies for Vegas. Superfrico is one of the Spiegelworld properties – an over-the-top, visual feast of decor, art, performance and “Italian American Psychedelic” food.

Just by being there and feeling adventurous (you are encouraged to get up, wander and explore), we both decided to go out on a limb and try one of the savory childhood treat-inspired cocktails.

No holding back with the familiar or easier choices, I tried the “Pepperoni Pizza”, made of Gin, Pepperoni Tomato Shrub, Orange Curacao, and Lime. Patti tried “Spaghetti To-Gos” with Tequila, honey, lime and Spaghetti!Os.

The Pepperoni Pizza was delicious! And not just in a super-unique-and-I-appreciate-the-creativity kind of way. It was fantastic. I think I immediately told Patti that it was a contender for cocktail of the year. The tomato and pepperoni flavors were so mild but so perfectly in balance with the gin and the other notes. You immediately recognized the familiarity of the pepperoni pizza but in not in a gimmicky way – of course the inventiveness figures in, but so does the surprise factor.

Little Sister – Theater of Fish, Amsterdam

While on an overnight layover in Amsterdam, our friend planned ahead and got us reservations for dinner at Pesca Vis.  Billed as “The Theater of Fish”, it is an interactive experience.  There is no set menu, it changes based on what is fresh, available and planned by the chef.  You begin at the fresh seafood counter, set up like a local fish market.

Your seafood concierge walks you through the daily selection and then explains how each selection will be prepared for that day.  You want the sea bass; this is how it is prepared tonight.  You want the shrimp; we are doing it this way tonight.  All prices are based on weight. You make your selections and you are escorted to the wine market, where you tell the sommelier what you have ordered and they make suggestions on the wine based on that. We bypassed the wine, ordered cocktails from the bar, and were shown to our table.

Service was amazing, the food was incredible, and it was really an entire experience not just a meal.  And that bread!! I cannot recommend Pesca Vis enough if you find yourself in Amsterdam.

Big Sister – Laundry, Steamboat Springs

I have lived in Colorado for 11 years and have been trying to visit Steamboat Springs for nearly all of that time. I don’t know why, but it just keeps slipping through my fingers. Finally, this year I made it there for a couple of days with one of my best friends. And it was sooooo worth it! But that’s a lot of story for another time.

However, everyone tells you to eat at Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails. Reservations can be hard to come by and are necessary any day of the week.

It is housed in the historic Soda Creek Building, original location of the Steamboat Laundry. The interior is urban and modern but cozy and beautiful. It is just comfortable – perfect for a mountain town.

Laundry is also home of Colorado’s Chef of the Year for 2023. They focus on creative, shared plates featuring quality local meats, and fresh, seasonal produce. I was able to get early reservations for the first night of our visit.

The seasonal special appetizer was Tomato and Peach Burrata. Colorado is super proud of its Palisade Peaches, so if you’re lucky enough to be there while they are in season, take advantage! I don’t think there is a better summer dish out there.

All of the food was so good. We could not stop talking about how incredible each dish was.

Later that night, we were in a local bar and met one of the bartenders and a sous chef/pastry chef. We raved about the experience and they told us that we could come in and sit at the bar without reservation if we got there early – so we went back the next night.

The second visit was equally impressive. The cocktails and service at the bar were top tier. And that night we saved room for dessert. I’m not exaggerating when I say it might have been the best dessert of the year (if that were a category!) – the Chocolate Parfait with layers of flourless cake, custard, meringue, cream and fudge. Seriously!

Everything about this experience was amazing.

Little Sister – The Vault, Las Vegas

In our research to update our Las Vegas Speakeasy blog this year we discovered The Vault.  This is an ultimate Speakeasy and has to make my #1 list of the year.  The reviews mentioned it was expensive but worth it.  We had our doubts that anything was worth the $50 a drink price tag, but we committed to one drink just to find out.

And we were so wrong, it was absolutely worth it.  Besides being the best espresso martini of the year (sesame foam, wow!), service was impeccable, the interior was gorgeous, it was a quiet, upscale cocktail experience.  PLUS, it did include our requirement of a hidden door (on the floor of The Bellagio casino, but that’s all we are saying).

Big Sister – Ski Lodge, Las Vegas

Like Patti’s choice, this was on our Vegas update list. We had reservations at Superfrico (see above) and knew that the Ski Lodge was nearby.

Right next to Superfrico there is an unassuming door.  Plain except for a little skier on it.  No sign, no fanfare, just a simple door.  Right away, love the hidden-in-plain-sight aspect.

The Ski Lodge was impeccable in its dedication to the apres ski theme, it feels dark and lodge-ish, wooden, skis in the corner, a stone fireplace.  Although it is styled after Bar-Gyu in Hokkaido, Japan, I would swear I was sitting in Aspen (or any Colorado ski town).  The drinks were a good blend of alcohols, without being too weird. The staff was friendly and sported ski style outfits.  And they offer a shotski!

I chose the Ski Lodge because of the Speakeasy score (4 bathtubs on our scale) plus the overall happiness factor. It might not have been the most upscale, most creative cocktails or been the most exclusive, but the full commitment to theme and welcoming warmth won me over – you truly feel like you are sitting slope-side, with great drinks and service.

Little Sister – Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

This was a tough category this year.  I loved so many places for so many different reasons.  Panda & Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland was my first time hitting a “50 Best Bars in the World” winner.

A speakeasy, disguised as a book store, you enter, go down a little staircase, and open up a door hidden behind the bookcase.  They do amazing things with liquor.  It is inventive and gastronomy in action.  They dehydrate, they freeze dry, they experiment in new ways to enhance flavors to create masterpieces of liquidation.  I started with the Culture Club from their Freeze Drying menu chapter, rum, banana peel, Bischoff, maple, yogurt – it was amazing.  Their version of a Bloody Mary was topped with a Guinness foam, and was from their Cryo Concentration chapter (luckily the menu includes pages describing each process, because it was pure science).  It was amazing

Big Sister – Alquimico, Cartagena

Like Patti said, this was a tough category this year. And my choice, also like hers, is on the “50 Best Bars in the World“. Coming in at #8 on their list but #1 on mine – Alquimico in Cartagena.

Located in a historic mansion in the Walled City of Cartagena, this amazing multi-level experience was a standout.  It was like a cross between a club, a bar, and a lounge, each floor with a different vibe, it just felt good in there.  Our seats overlooked the first-floor bar, which was super cool to watch. The bartenders were interactive, danced, shook cocktails and entertained the onlookers without being cheesy and gimmicky like Flair bartenders.

It was easy to see why Alquimico was on the World’s Best list. The atmosphere, service, and locally inspired menu with creative twists on elevated Colombian specialties all contributed to make this a highlight on our drinking tour.

Little Sister – Pink Coco, Gili T, Indonesia

The Pink Coco, my oh my, The Pink Coco.  It was almost beaten out by Brew Dogs in Edinburgh (24/7 hot dog service, and their commitment to the environment) and The Las Bovidas in Cartagena (OMG, that view!). When it comes right down to it The Pink Coco in Gili Trawangan Island feels like home.

First off, it’s adults only (the pool goes clothing optional after 10 pm)!!!  Everything is pink, and it sounds tacky, but it is actually very cute.  They rent you pink bikes to use for your stay and it is located just outside of downtown, away from the party crowd, so the entire island bikeable, but not loud and crowded. The hotel also provides pajamas, and umbrellas, and floaties for the pool, they think of almost everything.  They have a sunset bar with priority seating for guests.  They are all so nice and accommodating to your needs, true hospitality. 

And if you are out and about on property just hanging out poolside or walking around, about every hour some staff member circulates with complimentary snacks (baby ice cream cones, cookies, baby smoothies).  This is definitely someplace I would like to move in to and spend the rest of my life.  It feels luxurious and you are treated as their most important guest, but all at a very affordable price (because it’s still Indonesia, so it’s still super cheap to visit).

Big Sister – Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, Kona, HI (Big Island)

On a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii this fall, I used Costco travel for the first time, rather than do my own research and hotel selection. Costco Travel offers fantastic package prices but the selection is limited – if you haven’t used Costco Travel, I highly recommend it. By far, the best value on the Kona side is Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.

We arrived late in the evening, after arriving from Kauai. The lobby was lively with people/families heading to luaus or dinner. We had been running full speed for days and had originally planned to leave for Hawaii Volcanos NP the next morning but were admittedly tired. The front desk attendant was wonderful and attempted to find us an upgrade (using Marriott status) but was unsuccessful. So after finishing check-in, he directed us to tram which would take us to our building. Excuse us?? Tram? How big was this place? How did I not know?

Well, the tram was anticlimactic (slow and not necessary) but fun none the less. The room and buildings were beautiful but because it was dark, we did not know the half of it.

In the morning, up early, we walked to get coffee and were blown away by the grounds. The gallery walkways between buildings, the ocean views, the pools, etc were gorgeous. And then we discovered there were resident dolphins on property! Just too much! This property had everything you could want in a Hawaiian resort – so we decided to spend that first day at the resort, wandering the property, some pool time and in/around Waikoloa.

Little Sister – Salt Cathedral, Bogota

On our trip to Bogota, this was the stop I was most looking forward to.  Yes, I’m slightly salt obsessed, I have salt from many different countries and we visited the salt mines in Salzburg. So, I was excited for this.  An entire cathedral built into the salt mines.

The miners created this temple so they could worship while at work.  They have the stations of the cross built into the mine, and a huge temple down underground.  It was gorgeous.  A little crowded, but most cool places are these days.  I loved that we didn’t have to slide down anything like in Salzburg.  You could do a guided tour, but we just opted for pre-recorded headsets in English, so we could do it at our own pace (spoiler: we rushed past the last few stations as they were all beginning to look the same and a tour was catching up to us).  But it was stunning.  And such a testament to their faith and devotion.

Big Sister – Cathedral of Reims, Reims, France

While on a short visit to the Champagne region for a girls trip, we stayed at a flat with a view of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Reims.

The cathedral is breathtaking! We could not get enough of the views from inside and out. It is one of the most stunning examples of Gothic Architecture and it is so hard to believe (as Americans) that these types of structures just exist in small cities in the countryside of France, with no crowds or tour buses. And the history learned on the inside was fascinating. It went through multiple expansions and designs but most importantly, it was the traditional site of the coronations of the kings of France.

Despite the lack of crowds, and aside from the Champagne Houses, it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Little Sister – Barry Manilow

One of the few people I have wanted to see in concert (no shame) and have never been to.  Barry has a Las Vegas residency these days, but is supposed to retire at the end of this year, so we had to see him.

Luckily, a work trip took me to Las Vegas the week his residency reopened.  And it filled my every hearts desire.  People of all ages, old women in sparkles, young women accompanying their parents, and glow sticks for everyone!  He was amazing, everything I had hoped for and more.  And everyone singing along!  He did Mandy, so iconic.  He did Looks Like We Made It (which was my son’s absolute favorite song when he was 5 – yes, 2002 he listened to Barry’s greatest hits on cd). 

But the closing Copacabana was all my world needed.  I am a happy, happy girl, and live with this memory close to my heart – we did Lola proud with our in-seat Cha Cha.  ABSOLUTELY ICONIC.

Big Sister – Northern Lights, Norway

In March, mombehaving and I went on a Viking Cruise, “In Search of the Northern Lights” from Bergen, Norway to London. This was not my “thing” as I don’t really like the cold and while I loved the Viking River cruise, I didn’t really have the desire to go on an Ocean cruise.

But Viking is top notch in terms of their ships, service and itineraries so this was going to be a great trip – especially with the peak aurora activity expected in 2024 – plus, I hadn’t been to Norway.

The cruise ended up being wonderful. Bergen, Alta and Tromso were all beautiful towns and a highlight was dogsledding in Tromso. But overall, we had fairly gloomy, overcast weather and not much visibility for the multiple Northern Lights excursions we had booked (all were canceled). But finally, on the last night at sea, the lights made their appearance!

Now that the majority of the Northern Hemisphere has had the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis this year, it may not seem like such a big deal, but it was magical! Plus the relief and joy of the entire onboard population was such a fun atmosphere.

I am so grateful to have had this experience and it goes down as a big check on the bucket list.

Little Sister – Gili T, Indonesia

After seven trips to Bali, I finally made the time to spend my last few post-retreat days on Gili Trawagan, about a 90-minute boat ride from the island of Bali.

It is one of those islands with no cars.  You can take a horse and carriage, or you can rent bikes.  It takes only 4 hours to bike around the entire perimeter of the island.  It is a little slice of paradise.  Where the boat docks is the “town” which is essentially a strip of bars, shops, and hotels.

We stayed down around the west side, about a mile from town so we got sunset, and quiet, but could still bike in to town to experience the night life.  It’s a bit of a party town after dark, but we could duck out and head back to our quiet side when we were ready.  A couple of days of massages, and lounging, and a super cool snorkel trip to see the underwater statues and a sunset catamaran, and I am still counting the days until I can go back.

A lot like our amazing experience on Isla Holbox in 2020, the slow island life, combined with good food, drinks, and a little beach side DJ.  Going back is not an option, it’s a necessity.

Big Sister – Colombia

My top destination this year came down to a tight race between Reims and Colombia. Colombia finally took the crown for a couple of reasons. First, it was a new continent for both of us; we had not been to South America before. Second, we had more time (not enough, but that is a whole other story) so we were able to visit more locations (3 cities – Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin) so many more adventures and new experiences. Last, but not least, it was the whole package – we loved the culture, the people, the lore and the food!!

Of the three cities, Cartagena was the favorite for both of us. For me, it was the architecture and historic charm of the Walled City. We had the most time here and loved every minute.

Medellin was beautiful! We were able to visit a coffee farm, the famed Piedra el Penol in Guatape, explore the colorful neighborhood of Comuna 13, and take a fascinating Pablo Escobar tour. Our hotel – the Click Clack – was one of the best of the year.

We had the least amount of time in Bogota but loved the vibe. We visited the Salt Cathedral and the enjoyed the city views from Montserrat. This city is HUGE.

We look forward to going back someday and discovering more of this incredible country.

Read our Colombia Post here

Little Sister – Sometimes, the best things seem to happen out of the blue. We were sitting at a fantastic outdoor café in Salzburg.  We had seen this bachelorette party earlier in the day taking photos at Mirabell Palace, then suddenly there they were 3 hours later, drunk, walking through Altstadt in their matching T-shirts and towing a little red wagon.

They were carrying a Ziplock bag full of toothbrushes and assorted toiletry items, and two of them approached us, excitedly trying to tell us something. They didn’t speak English, we didn’t speak German.  Then they start calling for their friend, their one party member who spoke broken English.  Apparently, they were asking for donations for the bride, asking us to buy a toothbrush or whatever to raise money.  We were just loving this and gave them 20 Euros. They wanted to give us the whole bag for that amount, and we were not interested in any of the items and kept saying “No, really, take the money” “no, really, its for the bride” – finally one of them says “how about schnapps? Would you like some schnapps”.  Well, heck yes, we do!!!

So, we ended up doing sidewalk shots with a random bachelorette party at a sidewalk café in Salzburg (I like to think of it as the European version of pocket ribs).

Salzburg post here

Big Sister – Shortly after arriving at our gorgeous suite, we were sitting on our thrones of judgement, in our sarongs, enjoying the view when there was a CRASH and we looked around to see monkeys in our kitchen!! The living space was open to the jungle and we were told to keep everything in the bedroom with the door closed for just this reason. We quickly retreated behind the sliding glass door to watch them. As Patti says, we became the zoo animals, caged for their entertainment.

Langkawi post here

Little Sister –  For Christmas last year, Peggy got Pat and I tickets to see Phil Rosenthal with her in Denver.  So, once in Denver, we proceeded to bar hop and drink too much.  And Phil was smart enough (?) to have a question and answer session in his show. AND THEY CALLED ON ME!

So, me, slightly(?) tipsy stands up and simply asks Phil “Is Richard here?”.  He had mentioned earlier in his talk that he was so lucky to travel with his best friend, his brother, Richard, and drunk Patti figured she needed to meet his brother, NOT him!  We were dying, he flipped me a bunch of shit for not caring about him and only his brother.

Big Sister – Wir Suchen Dich. You already know… When we were on the top deck of the Hop On Hop Off in Vienna, Patti and I spotted this on a sign. The uncontrollable giggle fits lasted the rest of the trip. And to this day. In fact, she got me a coffee mug with this on it for Christmas. BTW, It translates to “We are looking for you”

Little Sister – Right in my own backyard, the North Cascades National Park supplied my best view of the year.  As I wrote about in our blog, NCNP is just as beautiful as Glacier or Banff, only with a fraction of the people.  No entrance gate to get stuck waiting at, no lines of cars, just beautiful trees, viewpoints, and Diablo Lake.  It was amazing, I can’t believe in the 40 something years I’ve lived in this state I had never been.

Big Sister – Patti picked our destination of Langkawi mainly for the SkyBridge. And if you know her fear of heights and bridges, you know it had to be worth it. It was a long ride up in a glass bottom cable car with an intermediate stop before getting to the top. The views from the top were SPECTACULAR! The bridge is also so pretty and definitely something unique – it is the longest free span & curved bridge in the world with views of the hills, jungle, sea, and the coastline.

Little Sister – I chose one that our new friend Julian from Uchi recommended, from Plachutta in Vienna.  He had told us not to miss the boiled beef, even though the sound of that held zero appeal to us.  So, in Vienna, and trusting our friend from Vienna, I ordered the Tafelspitz boiled beef.  And he was right, it was fantastic.  It is served in a big copper pot filled with seasoned beef broth, chunks of boiled beef, leeks, and root vegetables. It comes with sides of potato, bread with bone marrow, and apples.

Big Sister – This is going to sound ridiculous next to the Lobster in miso butter BUT…hear me out. The Smoked Paris Mash at Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill in Sydney. These were so stupid-good. The rest of the meal was wonderful too, Wagyu ribeye and an incredible selection of oysters. Potatoes should not be this good!

Little Sister – The best meal of the week is always brunch!  We discovered Gravy Baby in Penang on our first morning, when we struggled to find any place with cocktails open before evening.  But Gravy Baby was awesome!  A mimosa flight, a wide variety of avocado toast style options, and the cutest little servers!  Their menu was pretty extensive, so on day two I had their Miami breakfast which had eggs benedict with spinach served on sweet potato.  The food was solid, the service was awesome, and the whole vibe was fun and inviting!

Penang post here

Big Sister – I think I am becoming a brunch snob (I don’t know why I said “becoming”, we know it’s true and it isn’t new). We had a lot of brunches this year and few were outstanding. Patti’s choice, Gravy Baby was probably the winner. So, I’m going outside the rules a little and choosing the Mazama Store in Mazama, Washington (near North Cascades NP). It is a super cool, family-run grocery store with local, organic, high quality products and eco-friendly household supplies sold in bulk.

There is an espresso bar and cafe on the back patio that serves amazing coffee, pastries and breakfast sandwiches – all made on their homemade breads. They are known for their Sel de Mar baguette – people line up and wait for these to come out everyday. Can confirm – it was delish, even hours later as we watched the sunset from Deception Pass Bridge.

Little Sister – My choice is definitely The Fat Elvis from our visit to Skein and Tipple.  A speakeasy at the back of a yarn shop you ask?  YES!  It’s in Clinton, Washington, on Whidbey Island, part of the San Juan’s in the Puget Sound.  The island is gorgeous, definitely grab a ferry, spend the day, but then get in line early for the opening of Skein and Tipple. They open at 5:00, they only seat 23 people, and they are worth the wait.  The Fat Elvis was a peanut butter whisky mapley, bacony concoction with a burnt sugar coated banana and bacon, and as much as I’m not a whisky person, I loved this cocktail.

Seattle Speakeasy post here

Big Sister – When in Malaysia, we stopped for a night in Ipoh. Ipoh is known for it’s food – and while we failed at trying it, we were told about some seriously great bars and speakeasies. Tiga Bar is a bit of a hidden bar above a bar. The bartenders were obviously passionate about their craft. I went out of my wheelhouse for the “Buttery N I Know It”. A bourbon drink that is a take on PB&J. It is a full experience – the berry compote, maple and bourbon cocktail was served in a little barrel, topped with peanut butter foam and then torched. A hot & cold combo that was easily the most memorable of the year.

Ipoh post here

Little Sister – This one was a TikTok find.  I saw a TikTok, sent it to Peggy and we agreed this was a HAVE TO for Salzburg.  St. Peter Stiftskulinarium is one of the oldest restaurants in the world, dating back it’s opening to 803 ad (yes, the year!).  It is right next to the St. Peter’s cathedral, within the walls of the St. Peter’s Abbey. It is set back into the stone wall, so that half the restaurant is inside the cave.  The part not in the cave is open air, fully open to the sky above.  On the back of all the chairs they provided fur blankets, to guard against the cool evening air. The ambiance is colorful and fun, but still elegant as the cave gives it a cool stately feeling.

The service is amazing.  The cocktails, the food, it has all be carefully crafted to for an amazing overall experience.  And go read the blog about the steak selection – fresh from the butcher daily, in limited quantities, and the daily bread and butter combination, my world is forever changed after that molasses butter!

Big Sister – Hands down (for both of us), it was Uchi Denver. We had tried to get there on previous trips but finally secured a reservation when Patti and Pat were here in February. The interior is beautiful and modern and we got incredibly lucky to be in Julian’s section. Julian made the entire experience incredible – he is our new best friend. He helped curate all of our selections and gave us tips for our upcoming Oktoberfest trip to Munich and Austria (he from Munich and had worked in Vienna).

While not everything was as life-changing as the Lobster Miso, it was all delicious, fresh and we loved the way it came out as it was ready. The suggestions and ordering continued and Julian kept it flowing. We drank sake out of little wooden crates and ate as much as possible. Then we decided to come back the next evening before they headed to the airport. And I went back in June. And Patti and I went twice in November – we requested Julian both times but sadly, he wasn’t working.

Little Sister – There were some great one’s this year, so it was hard to narrow it down.  However, if I have to pick just one, I’m picking Williams and Graham in Denver.  A hidden entrance disguised as a book shop, welcome shots, a great cocktail list, and a bone marrow luge.  It was a great experience, and so well done in the speakeasy niche!

Big Sister – I am so predictable, I am a total sucker for a Asian themed bar – a WELL appointed Asian themed bar. When we went to Penang, Malaysia, we had researched speakeasies (of course!) and found Manchu Bar. The entrance was truly hidden – it took us a minute to find the door behind the heavy velvet drapes inside of the unmarked entrance. Inside was gorgeous with fantastic drinks (mine had something to do with popcorn), amazing headdresses that we could wear and a huge dragon head coming down from the ceiling.

Little Sister – We finally hit a bar that has been on my list for far too long, after way too many trips to Seattle:  Inside Passage.  Billed as a speakeasy, because it’s a bar within a bar, it is a fully floor to ceiling Tiki bar explosion.  A huge octopus hangs over the bar, their number one drink, and most instagrammable experience, is their One Eyed Willie – yes, like the Goonies pirate.  It is served in a dry ice fogging treasure chest.  But the whole bar is fabulous, the full package for themed, kitschy bars.

Big Sister – This summer we road-tripped to Reno to see Rod Stewart. We, of course, decided to do some day drinking – strictly for the content, haha. The first stop was Death & Taxes – it was immediately impressive. A standalone house with a modern, black exterior and red geraniums. Then the interior was truly a surprise – all surfaces were black but with chandeliers, fireplaces and elegant furniture. So beautiful and unique. The bartenders were chatty and adorable. I had a Bam Bam Milk Punch with rums, clarified cereal milk, grapefruit and pineapple – garnished with fruity pebbles.

Little Sister – This honor will be hard to top after my 2023 selection, Ambong Ambong.  Peggy really nailed this selection.  Slightly secluded, the staff had to drive us up to our suite, yes, suite.  The staff was amazing, they made us sunset dinner reservations and took the best care of us.

We get to our room, the outer area is the kitchen, a huge soaking tub, and two thrones of judgement.  Like they knew we were coming.  A giant stuffed tiger sat on the counter to “scare away the monkeys” – which, as you can see, did NOT work.  The big glass sliding door led to a beautiful bedroom, tile, air conditioning, and a beautiful bathroom.  The room was gorgeous, the view was spectacular, and the staff was absolutely wonderful.  And the monkeys!! WOWZA!

Big Sister – For some reason, this is the toughest category for me this year. After all the amazing hotels in amazing destinations, I’m pretty comfortable saying the The Ramble in Denver was my favorite. It wasn’t the necessarily the fanciest, the best view, or the most unique, but it felt like home. Located in RiNo, across from Uchi (haha), and we’ve been trying to stay there for ages. It did not disappoint. The decor, the rooms, Death & Co in the lobby, immaculate vibes, and hands down the best hospitality of the year.

Little Sister –This is one I missed my sister on.  Pat and I visited Yogyakarta on our way to Bali this year.  Borobudur Temple is known by the iconic bell-shaped statues and being inset with hundreds of Buddha statues.  We had terrible luck that sunset was completely fogged in, but the guided tour we took of the actual temple was amazing, we learned so much, and loved our guide! It was beautiful.  Even though you can’t climb the temple anymore, which is a bummer because I’ve seen so many amazing pictures online of when you could climb up, but it is still worth the visit, it is truly an amazing architectural site.

Big Sister – When Patti came back from Malaysia in 2020 (after her trip was cut short by Covid), I was so jealous of the Batu Caves pictures. It is so stunning – the colors, the stairs and the enormous gold Lord Murugan statue guarding it. On our 2023 trip to Malaysia, it was our first stop on our first morning. We got there early to avoid crowds and heat. It was breathtaking and I am so happy I got to see it.

Kuala Lumpur post here

Little Sister – One of our big bucket list items got checked this year with Oktoberfest.  Originally we had planned to go in 2020, then 2021, then 2022, so finally we made it in 2023.  And it was absolutely everything I wanted it to be. We got the dirndls, we got the oompa band, we got the beer and pretzels (and my new obsession Obazda cheese).

My only disappointment was not getting to do a John Denver sing-a-long. Luckily, drunk guy in a bar was happy to keep giving us his Sweet Caroline rendition – and yes, it’s a Europe thing, but it also still upsets me that they say “Oh, Oh, Oh” instead of “Bah,Bah,Bah”.  The rest of the experience was awesome, glad we did the tour, glad we got the “German Breakfast”, and the potato tornado will live in my dreams until we go back!!

Oktoberfest post here

Big Sister – Yosemite Fire Fall (Fail). For years, my friend Kelli and I have been intent on seeing the firefall that occurs around the 3rd week of February in Yosemite National Park. This event is insanely popular so when we found a room at the Yosemite Lodge, we knew it was a sign! Well, I will spare the long story but the plot twist was that we arrived on the first night of snow in what will turn out to be the snow storm of the century. We were able to spend one beautiful day in the park with barely another soul in sight.

We were never able to see Half Dome and the firefall was not visible due to the heavy snow clouds. And they closed the park the next day for nearly a month as they received over 15 feet of snow! While this was a complete bucket list fail, Yosemite was spectacular and it was something I will never forget.

Little Sister – For me, without hesitation: Salzburg.  I didn’t want to leave, I want to go back, I want to live there.  It is beautiful, full of culture and history, and I just fell in love immediately.

Big Sister – Mine would be Australia. My friend Dana and I had this trip planned since 2019 and were finally able to get it scheduled. I loved Sydney so much – and I really didn’t expect to. But Cairns…beautiful beach town, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, snuggling Koalas and gorgeous landscapes.

Little Sister – Fat Girl in a little safe. One of the best laughs ever.  Because leave it to me to be completely oblivious to the fact there’s other people on this planet with me, as I start singing to myself, not realizing the entire room on the other side of the door can hear me.  Yeah, I was trying to be funny, to entertain my sister, not a room full of people. The Lock, Las Vegas

Big Sister – My main man Ray. We took a quick little trip to Kansas City this fall and stayed at the 21c Museum Hotel – this chain was completely new to us but we loved it. One of the unique perks are these giant plastic penguins (each city has a different color). You can take them to your room or bring them with you to the bar, whatever! Of course, we took full advantage or ours, who we named Ray.

Little Sister –  Not just a favorite giggle, but one of the weirdest things to ever happen to me in a bar (well, besides that whole women’s room incident in 1992, but we don’t talk about that).  A random old guy in a Kansas City bar, offers to share his BBQ ribs with me, you don’t say know to that. . .but you do carry them around in your pocket all night, in case you need a snack.

Big Sister – During our family trip to Maui, we took a Celestial sunset cruise. Over cocktails and pupus we watched whales, witnessed a beautiful sunset and listened to a celestial navigation expert teach us about how ancient Polynesians navigated by stars. It was such a cool experience but we were induced into fits of giggles as she kept referencing how the sun doesn’t “go down” but the Earth “rolls back”. Is it funny now? Mildy. Was it funny then? Yes! Especially combined with the ancients’ practice of Testicular navigation.

Little Sister – Ninamu Pearl Guesthouse in Tahiti.  We scored this amazing deal on a hotel, realizing it was not on the beach, but up in the hills.  The room was great, but you walked out the sliding glass door to the pool, which then overlooked the ocean from a perch high above it all.  We ended up staying at the hotel for dinner, and had an amazing sunset.  It was gorgeous.

Big Sister – The Eiffel Tower. This might not have been the “most beautiful” (that would be Santorini) or “most breathtaking” (the coastline of Molokai) but this was my favorite! It was an emotional event; one that I had been looking forward to my whole life. It was everything I had hoped that this iconic view would be and that feeling will always stay with me.

Little Sister –

A-5 Wagyu Beef at Morimoto Maui, Hawaii. It was our 8^th anniversary dinner, we love Chef Morimoto, so we decided to splurge on dinner while we were in Maui.  I prepped my husband ahead of time, that A-5 was on the menu, and it was spendy, so if he wanted to get it, know it comes at a price ($35 an oz!).  It was ridiculous.  It is brought out and served on a hot stone table side.  And it was the most amazing, melt-in-your-mouth bite of steak I have ever experienced.  All that marbled fat, all that love, all that perfection in one simple bite.

Big Sister – In a year full of tasty bites, it was really hard to choose. But we both agreed that the Bagel and Lox Cone at Jose Andres Bazaar Meat should be at the top. The Jose’s Way tasting menu was full of incredible dishes but these little cones of dill cream cheese and salmon roe were the most delicious, flavor-packed little bites.

Little Sister – I am a huge fan of Dim Sum for breakfast.  We found Neon Kitten through online recommendations, and it was one of our best dining experiences all around.   The service was fantastic, the entire staff was fun and engaging.  The food was amazing, we sampled a whole lot of dumplings, Shu Mai, gyoza. We shared the Pork Belly Benedict.  And then found out the special was the Matcha French Toast, so we split that too, knowing we couldn’t not taste it, and it was perfection in breakfast!!  And the cocktails, Whoa, don’t even get me started on the cocktails!!!

Big Sister – Brunch is my favorite! Brunch shared with family and friends is even better. And on a beach…just the best! Our brunch at Duke’s in Kaanapali, Maui was the perfect start to our last day on the island. My daughter, her husband and baby Beckham were there; we had great food, lots of laughs and beachy views.

Little Sister – I am not a whiskey girl (although I’ve also claimed not to be a shot girl in the past, so hey, take that with a grain of salt), but the Whiskey Bar in Boise, Idaho had me going back for seconds (maybe thirds) on their “Whiskey Pancake” – Maple bourbon, pecan and orange bitters, burnt sugar syrup.  Heaven!!

Big Sister – This is so difficult to choose. I narrowed it down to less than 5 so that is an accomplishment. Since Patti is forcing me to choose, I will go with an off-menu, bartender’s choice creation from The Mercury Room in Kansas City. The whole night was magical and so was the cocktail.

Little Sister – On a solo trip to Bali, I splurged! Top rated restaurant in Bali, based on only locally sourced, sustainable food.

Locavore was mind-blowing! I even loved the roasted watermelon in tomato consommé, and I hate watermelon AND tomatoes!

Big Sister – The closest we got to a Michelin-starred restaurant this year was Jose Andres Bazaar Meats. Jose Andres has 2 other restaurants with Michelin stars and he is an incredible humanitarian. That said, this is a “wild and wonderful celebration of the carnivorous” and it was an absolute treat. We highly recommend this splurge in Vegas.

Little Sister – GGX, Auckland, New Zealand. A beach bar, not a Tiki Bar, in the middle of New Zealand.  Décor reminiscent of an air force fly boy crash landing on a beach, and setting up for cocktails.  Fantastic drink selection, fantastic ambiance, I was sold!  It was small, it was unassuming, it didn’t even have a big sign out on the street announcing its presence, that’s how I knew it was going to be good!

Big Sister – Another almost tie between 2 fantastic speakeasies but the winner is Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den in Las Vegas. The entrance was fun and unique. The interior was my vibe (duh…it has vice in the name)! It is dark, edgy Asian alley meets sophisticated lounge. Yes, I made that up. The drinks were outstanding and creative and it is very much worth a trip to Resorts World.

Little Sister – The Virgin Hotel Dallas sold me on the Virgin brand.  Every employee was so friendly, and really seemed to love their job.  The room was amazing, the attention to detail showed in so many ways.  It was clean, it had fluffy pillows, it had a great hotel bar, and a coffee bar that had Bailey’s for your morning coffee.  And when you sign up for their In the Know loyalty program, they leave you a welcome basket tailored to your preferences.

Big Sister – Villa Isabella, Paros, Greece. Paros was my favorite stop in Greece and part of that credit goes to Villa Isabella. This lovely little hotel is located in Noussa, just steps above the charming seaside town. When our driver pulled up out front, Isabella came out to greet us with hugs like we were long lost friends.

Our room was wonderful but the view from our private patio is what really makes this special. The patio had incredible sunset views and the most serene place to have breakfast every morning.

Little Sister – On the island of Oahu, the Kualoa Ranch is where a lot of the Jurassic Park scenes were shot (original movie, when they are caught in a Stampede:  Kualoa Ranch).  So as a Jurassic Park franchise obsessee, I was dying to go on a Kualoa Ranch tour.  I struggled for a while about whether to do the generic movie tour, on the bus, at the ranch, or the Jurassic specific ATV tour.

The ATV won out, and it was a great day, full of stops at various movie locations, including a drive-by of the Indominous Rex pen (the generic movie bus tour does stop at this point, hence the struggle to chose a tour).  The Kualoa Ranch as several other tours including a horseback tour, and bikes.  As a side note, many movies have been filmed at this location, including 50 First Dates, and King Kong Skull Island.

Big Sister – My first ever Helicopter ride. When in Maui this year, I took my first Helicopter ride (doors off!) across the West Maui mountains and over to Molokai’s wild, rugged coastline. It was breathtaking and possible the best adrenaline adventure I’ve ever taken.

Little Sister – This was a difficult decision for me, because we also saw Pearl Harbor in 2022.  But ultimately, the JFK tour was more fun, and personalized. So it won out over the solemn, group trip out to the USS Arizona.  We learned a lot on our JFK tour, the background, the minute-by-minute events of the day, and the conspiracy theories of what really happened.  And now I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to all things around the topic of the assassination of JFK (like during our visit to the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, when they had a display linking JFK’s ties to the mob).

Big Sister – It’s hard to find an ancient site as culturally and architecturally as impressive as the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. This site is visible from most of the city but no matter how many times you see it or from which angle, it is captivating. Our first night in Athens, we had dinner at a rooftop restaurant and I’m sure the staff thought I was crazy when I actually cried when we first saw the view of the Acropolis as it neared sunset. Pure awe.

The next morning, we hiked to the top and marveled at the 3300 year-old ruins. It was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Little Sister – As soon as we decided to go to New Zealand, we knew #1 thing to do was go to Hobbiton.  I married a Lord of the Rings nerd.  We have seen the entire series more times than I can count.  I booked a day tour to Hobbiton with Cheeky Kiwi Tours, and they did a great job.

The Alexander Farm where LOTRs was filmed does the Hobbiton part of the tour.  Meet at the gift shop, bus out on site, and then it’s a walking tour through Hobbiton.  Complete with a stop at the Green Dragon Inn for a pint at the end (They come in pints!).  The scenery was gorgeous, the tour had great film trivia, and it was really cool to see the attention to detail and the thought put into creating movie magic.

Big Sister – I was able to check two items when I took a Viking Cruise on the Rhine River with our mom in November. It was my first cruise; and I’m sure I set the bar too high with Viking but it was fantastic. Second, to visit the charming French towns of Colmar & Riquewihr – bonus that it was during the Christmas Markets.

I am still dreamily remembering the charming blend of France, Germany and Switzerland culture in the Alsace region. And the Christmas markets were truly magical.

Little Sister – New Zealand. I fell in love.  We only hit the North Island, but that gives us a reason to go back and see the South Island. I loved Auckland, loved Hobbiton, the scenery, the bars and restaurants, the culture, the entire experience.  There is nothing I didn’t love about New Zealand, and I can’t wait to go back!

Big Sister – Greece wasn’t even on my radar but I am completely and utterly infatuated. I loved the beauty of the islands, the history, the people and the laid-back culture. We spent time in Athens, Mykonos, Paros and Santorini; Paros was my favorite! I cannot wait to see more of the Cyclades and hopefully a trip to Meteora!

Little Sister – Our Savannah (post here) photo shoot.  As a surprise for Peggy I booked us a sisbehaving photo shoot complete with mimosas and dress ups.  Or glow ups…  haha.  But I ended up looking like Slash from GnR so I guess that really didn’t turn out.

Big Sister – Patti breaking her face on a scooter.  We haven’t written about this one, but on Thanksgiving night, we were in downtown Seattle, it was raining and we were trying to get to dinner or a bar.  Shocking, I know.  We rented scooters to get from A to B.  A block and a half into the journey, Patti mistakes the throttle for the brake and encounters a wall.  8 stitches to the forehead, 2 to the inside lip and the night was over.

Sister Side Note (ssn) – Patti thinks this is funny and is not offended.

Little Sister –  We called it an early night on our last night in Savannah. Our photo shoot pictures were ready (see moment above) and we knew we couldn’t look at them with other people around so we headed back to the hotel. Sitting in bed, uncontrollably giggling at our own absurdness. Me looking like Slash, Peggy looking very awkward like a pregnant Stevie Nicks. The level of laughter that this brought was unforgettable.

Big Sister – On our first Seattle Day Drinking adventure, being completely hammered and going to find Luke Wilson (Seahawks player).  He had checked in “nearby” at White Swan Public House.  Ubers, sushi and a stalking mission that I barely remember but we did have a great giggle the next day.

Little Sister – Second Beach in La Push, WA. I distinctly remember telling Peggy that if I have to hike down to the beach, I’M NOT GOING. And yet, there we were, step by step, uphill and down. And not even regretting a moment once we hit the beach. The Washington State coast is spectacular. Even in an overcast, grey, rainy day, simply breathtaking.

Big Sister – The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (post here). There is good reason this is on bucket lists. The fields are absolutely & overwhelmingly beautiful. We had the perfect day of tiptoeing through the tulips. Rows upon rows of vivid color!

Little Sister – Happiest of all happy accidents while on Tybee Island. It was cold, miserable and definitely tourist off season. We decided that we needed sushi. The bartender at The Driftaway Cafe had recommended Raw Ingredients in Tybee. Now, being total sushi snobs, we were not prepared to be impressed by sushi in Georgia. We were wrong. Probably among the best sushi we have ever had. Fresh seafood, fantastic menu options (create your own roll, burrito or bowl) and amazing service. The Flamingo Roll remains one of my favorite presentations and the create-your-own option means we crushed it!

Big Sister – Pork Belly & Bourbon Doughnut Sliders at Ordinary Pub in Savannah. This is self explanatory – pork belly slow cooked in bourbon and Dr. Pepper, sandwiched between glazed donut holes with a maple & bourbon dipping sauce. Shut up and take me back there now.

Little Sister – Funky Brunch Cafe in Savannah. I love bright, cheerful atmospheres and their slightly retro decor drew me in even before I saw the tabletop pancake griddles. The breakfast surf & turf should never not be on a menu.

Big Sister – Toulouse Petit in Seattle. This gets my vote for best brunch because of the trifecta – food, cocktails, atmosphere. It has all of these plus their famous beignets. This is my fried oyster and bacon benedict which I paired with a Madam Toulouse – grapefruit vodka, peach puree and sparkling wine.

Little Sister – Buckley’s Pub in Belltown. The <Self-titled> Rise and Screw. A couple of these too many and not only do you not remember the name of it, but you tend to smash your face into a wall and think it’s funny (see above). Rise Nitro Coldbrew, Screwball peanut butter whiskey and whipped cream.

Big Sister – Dreamland Diner in the Fremont neighborhood, Seattle. The passionfruit whiskey sour was that memorable; of ALL the drinking we did this year, this stands out.

Little Sister – Bangrak Market in Seattle (post here). Prior to leaving our hotel, we had seen several TikToks that listed Bangrak as a Must-See in Seattle. It did not fit into our plans, but nonetheless, there we were walking right by it and had to stop. The menu is flatout amazing Thai Street food, fried, steamed, grilled, and curried, all based on fantastic street food fare Thailand. AND, the cute little overworked host gifted us this amazing Sparkler garnished bowl-o-shots. We cannot wait to go back!!!

Big Sister – Raw Ingredients on Tybee Island. We covered it pretty well above in the Best Bite category but this one warrants the overall award.

Little Sister – Alley Cat Lounge in Savannah. This was my Savannah obsessive gotta do bar. It took forever to find, until we realized Alley Cat = in the alley. Speakeasy vibe, prohibition era feel, and pages of cocktails created by their own bartenders. Eclectic, for sure, and definitely an experience for your alcohol adventures.

Big Sister – We haven’t completed this blog post yet, but LOVED Next Door Gastropub in Port Angeles, WA. Patti had searched this one out for our trip to the Olympic Peninsula and it was a gem! We had to eat at the bar because it was so crowded but that turned out to be our lucky move. Amazing, fresh food specials, fabulous drinks, awesome bartender and lots of friendly, chatty locals. They have a “Pay it Forward” wall where you can leave money for others to have a drink. Genius! We left a round for the staff!

Patti – Tierra de Suenos, Costa Rica. This was the chosen location of my 2021 yoga retreat with Chubby Chick Yoga. Cottages set back in a very tropical, nature setting. A 5 min walk from our own little beach area. Sloths and fantastic food round out the experience. And Tierra de Suenos is a full experience on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It was paradise!

Big Sister – Juan de Fuca cottages in Sequim, WA. These sweet little cottages were a complete and happy surprise! The view was magnificent and it was a cozy, homey retreat to come back to in the evenings after a cold & rainy day on the Olympic Peninsula.

Little Sister – Creepy Crawl Haunted Ghost Tour in Savannah. Honestly, a ghost tour is not something I would have done if my sister hadn’t made me. But she swore it was awesome. And it was Freaking Awesome. Our guide was a fantastic story teller, no gimmicks, no costumes, just great history, ghost stories, and stops at multiple pubs. I STILL get creeped out at some of the stories (and they are all true-“ish”).

Big Sister – Snorkeling & fishing in Costa Rica. Any day on the water is well spent but when you are boating to a private beach on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, it is just heaven. Add in some snorkeling, some fishing and you have a perfect day.

Little Sister – Museo Nacional de Costa Rica. I was not a fan of spending my one day in San Jose at a museum, but it was only $11 and we had a few hours to kill. I was wrong, I fully admit it. Their museum was amazing. I learned so much about the history of Costa Rica, the displays were fantastic, and it tells you so much about the culture of the people and the entire country. And, a butterfly exhibit too!

Big Sister – Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. Although this was not a sister trip, I couldn’t do a best-of list without mentioning it. Hands down the best memorial experience I’ve ever been to. It is completely immersive and emotional, somber and yet conveys so much hope of the city. Incredible experience.

Little Sister – Starfish Beach in Bocas del Toro. Sadly, this was supposed to be a sister trip, but Peggy had to rush off for the birth of our little baby Beckham and missed Panama completely. We hired a local tour company, negotiated a shortened sight seeing tour just out to Starfish Beach. It was a beautiful, remote destination, away from crowds. Starfish all over, and beach bars serving fresh caught lobster and Tiki drinks. It was everything I wanted, only without my sister.

Big Sister – Olympic National Park. Having spent most of our lives in Washington State, there is NO excuse for not having visited the Olympic National Park. But we hadn’t. Shameful. And while a weekend isn’t long enough to see all that the Olympic Peninsula has to offer, we made the most of it. We went to Hoh Rainforest, Forks, La Push beaches, and Lake Crescent. We weren’t able to get to Hurricane Ridge or Sol Duc Falls but it is still on our list.

Little Sister – Costa Rica. We did the Caribbean side of Costa Rica for a week long yoga retreat. I fell in love. The beaches were beautiful, the lush tropical jungle, sloths, and warm friendly locals. We hit a little of everything: local culture, food, drinks, beach, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, Kayaking, and waterfalls.

Big Sister – Savannah, Georgia. There is a reason that Savannah consistently makes the list of best places for a Girls Trip. The city is full of fun, food, drinks, museums, architecture and potential for shenanigans. One of our favorite weekends to date and I would be willing to bet we will be back soon.