In The Land of Enchanment The Inn of The Five Graces Is Where You Must Sleep

It's Not The Heat, It's The Humidity

As we began our ascent into Albuquerque for our Annual Anniversary Nomad and Nomadess Extravaganza Celebration, I was already enchanted with the desert from 20,000 feet. We had fallen in love with the great Southwest some years earlier when we had purchased land in an unknown corner of southwestern Utah near Kanab, about three hours from Las Vegas - not an enchanted land, city or anything else at all! We both grew up in North Florida which has enough heat and humidity to drive all of the annoying tourists  that venture down the interstates to Disney and other Central Florida attractions back to their hometowns in Poughkeepsie and Cleveland. We Floridians refer to our summers as baseball weather. A close friend recently returned from Phoenix to my home town, Tallahassee, for a visit, after some time away. When I picked him up at the airport he observed that he knew he was in Tallahassee when he stepped off the plane and all of the air was sucked out of his body. One of the great things about travel is the change from our day to day to a new environment, weather wise and otherwise, even if for a short while. And since we were visiting the "Land of Enchantment" for the first time, we were both filled with excitement to see what the great southwest, the storied Santa Fe and surrounds had to offer.

Purple Mountain Majesties

One of the attributes of this great country is its diversity. Geography, culture, food, people. From Miami to Seattle to San Diego to Maine, no country possesses so many different ways for people to enjoy travel and experience different aspects of the melting pot that  is the USA. Santa Fe and New Mexico are at the top of the Nomad's list when it comes to travel that is unique, regional and, as yet, not taken over by the banality of "tourist" oriented travel. The Turquoise Trail (Highway 14) takes you the forty five minutes from Albuquerque to Santa Fe through several small, off the beaten path towns and some of the most beautiful desert you will ever see. And the mountains really are purple. As we pulled into the small parking area just off the central plaza of New Mexico's capital city, I was struck by this "real" town of southwestern adobe architecture, its small streets and color everywhere. Best of all, this unique place has a population of only 67,000! Any time you happen on a town that small with an international reputation for interesting culture, great food, fabulous art and amazing history, you have, indeed, landed in a place that any Romantic Nomad can drop anchor.

The Inn of The Five Graces Indeed

Few hotels are as intensely committed to its vision as the Inn of The Five Graces. The very name itself is music to the ears of any Nomad seeking a place to not only lay their weary head but to embrace the exotic environs of a place like Santa Fe. The Five Graces are the very essence of our personal experiences as Nomads of every ilk. Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. These are the portals of experience we embrace, without thinking, that give our lives meaning. They also are the essence of what unique travel experiences are all about. To say that the proprietors of The Inn of The Five Graces have sought to embrace their vision without flinching would be an understatement. So many phrases can be used to describe this amazing property located on the oldest inhabited "block" in the United States. East Meets West here in the land of the Anasazi. Imagine Ali Baba  meets Georgia O'Keeffe and you have a sense  of the aesthetic of The Inn. Replete with an eclectic blend of near eastern furnishings, tapestries, rugs and artwork, this retreat for Discerning Nomads feels magical and real at the same time. Each unit is unique, with no two repeated. We stayed in the Tourmaline Deluxe Suite complete with exquisitely mosaic tiled bath, comfortable living room and kitchen. As an added feature, just off the kitchen area, there was a small walled, shaded courtyard. This was a great place to be served an afternoon glass of your favorite beverage served by one of the many staff who's purpose in life seems to be to ensure your absolute enjoyment of this small twenty four room boutique sleepery

And the beds! Simply put, the beds are the most comfortable I have EVER slept in. At one time, you could purchase the "sleep system" used by the inn for a princely sum. It is clear that the inn is dedicated to the proposition that no expense should be spared to ensure your ultimate comfort when you retire for the evening. And what better way to enjoy the most comfortable beds on earth than to be surrounded by highly detailed and exotic headboards and fine Egyptian cotton sheets finished off with one of a kind comforters and afghan blankets of intricate designs in blazing colors? After a couple of days at this exotic boutique, we began to feel like the chic sheik and sheika of our domain. Sorry, I couldn't resist it!

Of course the true test of any hotel is, ultimately, service. The staff of The Five Graces is, in a word, fabulous. Friendly, always close by but never in the way. From the delicious breakfast served by excellent wait staff in the main courtyard to the wine and hors d'oeuvre served in your own courtyard every afternoon, the professionalism exhibited by every person at the inn is second to none. In addition, they know where everything is in Santa Fe. From the best eateries to the best galleries to the best day trips, no guide book is needed to enjoy all that Santa Fe and its eclectic environment has to offer. Just ask the concierge. They will have all the answers.

 Eat, Drink and Be Merry With Georgia O'Keeffe!

One of the reasons Santa Fe is such an interesting place is its history. Native Americans built a settlement on the site that is today's central plaza around 900 AD. With a blend of many influences, including Native American, Spanish, Mexican and New World Settlers, Santa Fe is truly an exotic blend of cultures evidenced by its food, culture and architecture. At one point, it was even claimed as a part of Texas. With The Inn of The Five Graces as your base of operation, Santa Fe offers the Curious Nomad numerous opportunities for adventure, cultural discovery and sheer enjoyment of a truly unique place. To start with, the inn is only a couple of blocks from the main city plaza. The plaza is always busy with various vendors and local artisans selling their wares. There are also numerous places to grab a snack and sit and enjoy the day. As you walk around the city, you have access to some of the best restaurants in the country that serve both local and international cuisine. The Anasazi Restaurant is a sure winner. Serving a blend of fusion and southwest, it is all good with excellent service. And if you are an art lover, Canyon Road is just a few minutes by foot. This area contains dozens of art galleries featuring some of the finest painting, sculpture and other creations that rival anything found in any big city gallery. One caveat - bring your wallet. These people are serious about their work.

If you can't get enough of all that pricey artwork on Canyon Road, Santa Fe boasts a great museum featuring the works of one of the twentieth century's most important modern artists, The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, just a few steps from the plaza. A darling of the New York art world long before women were recognized in the rarefied world of the art elite, O'Keeffe became one of the leading proponents and creators of the modern aesthetic.  Her work produced while in New Mexico is know the world over. O'Keeffe is a must see while in Santa Fe.

Day Trippin' and The High Road To Taos

Because Santa Fe is at the center of interesting places, unparalleled natural beauty and some of the most innovative art studios anywhere, the world becomes your oyster, artistically speaking. One such place that is a must do day trip is the Shidoni Foundry & Galleries. Located about five miles outside of Santa Fe, Shidoni boasts an eight acre sculpture garden, an indoor gallery, the Shidoni metal foundry and the Tesuque Glassworks, where you can see artists in residence creating large and small works of bronze, steel and glass. We were fortunate to find an affordable piece that reminds me of the joys of being a Nomad in the magic land of the sun every time I see it on the shelf.

And of course, no trip to Santa Fe would be complete without an all day visit to Taos. Take the High Road up  to enjoy the history and amazing scenery. Plan to take about two hours each way, as you will want to stop often. The small high desert community (population 5,000) is another artists mecca for the Curious Nomad. In addition, it has the Taos Pueblo, a thousand year old Pueblo community that will give you insight into the history and life of the earliest inhabitants of the ancient Southwest. The list of modern architects that have utilized the design motifs of the Pueblo is long and varied. After lunch at one of many local eateries, and more gallery ogling, the Low Road is recommended for your return to Santa Fe for more panoramas. Some say to take the Low Road to Taos and the High Road back to Santa Fe. Either way, its a great way to spend the day.

And finally, for all Nomad Architects, The Loretto Chapel is an absolute must see. Just a few steps from the hotel, this former Roman Catholic Church is famous for its "Miraculous Stair", a wooden helix shaped spiral stair that has baffled architects and designers since it was constructed, allegedly, by French carpenter Francois-Jean "Frenchy" Rochas. Wikipedia states, however, that the Sisters of Loretto credit St. Joseph with its construction. Shrouded in mystery, this architectural construction, a wooden spiral stair with no central support, has developed a life of its own as to builder, designer. connection methods and source of  materials used. So much so that an episode of Unsolved Mysteries finally declared that it was, in fact, built by Saint Joseph!

So, if you want to see a slice of America that has been in our consciousness for decades through film, television, writing and art up close and personal, grab a Southwest flight to Albuquerque, hop in the car and plan to have sweet dreams with the one you love at  The Inn of The Five Graces. Your senses will thank you and your significant other will forgive you for all those mean things you said to the kids.

Memories To You All

D.L. Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

Video Artist of The Week - Rusted Root. Combining African, Latin, Native American and Indian influences with fusion, jazz and rock, this world music group combines insane percussion, great instrumentals and unique vocals that will get will get your mind right for The Land of Enchantment.

Travel Quote of The Week - "To put it rather bluntly, I am not the type who wants to go back to the land; I am the type who wants to go back to the hotel." - Fran Lebowitz

A Whole 'Nother Place In A Whole 'Nother Country - The Mansion On Turtle Creek

So I Found This Little Hotel In Big 'D'

Some years back, I had occasion to accompany my favorite traveling companion and muse to Dallas for a business conference. As an executive assistant, she got to pretty much run the show while I hung out around the very big Hilton somewhere downtown doing nothing, waiting for her conference to end. To be perfectly honest, I don't actually remember which Hilton it was, as I tend to block all Hiltons from my mind. All those big, over designed corporate spaces with miles of corridors to acres of conference rooms just isn't my cup of tea, But, it was the headquarters for the big business event my wife was attending and I got a clean bed and big shower for free. So whose complaining?

Dallas is, first of all, very, very big. It is one of those cities that has grown exponentially and, at the time we were there, was awash in oil money and unbridled real estate development. Of course, as we all know, television really placed Dallas in the pop cultural consciousness of most Americans. JR and his cast of rich oil men, high rent grifters and near do wells projected all that we voyeuristic Americans love about soap operas. "Who Shot JR?" was one of the most compelling advertising slogans in the history of television, right up there with "Where's The Beef? or Coke-It's the Real Thing. Of course it didn't hurt that there was a hit TV show to go with the slogan. Admit it, you couldn't stand having to wait all summer to find out "Who done it". But I digress.

Before leaving Florida, I had performed some due diligence on a place to sojourn post big conference hotel where my wife and I could get away for some R&R. I happened upon an extraordinary boutique hotel, The Mansion On Turtle Creek. Now a Rosewood Property, this small, elegant, boutique hotel is in the heart of Dallas. According to their web site:

      Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is one of the most celebrated destinations in

      America. Considered a Dallas icon by both locals and visitors alike, the Mansion

      retains the intimate ambiance of the private residence it once was. Meticulously

      restored interiors, hand-carve fireplaces, marble floors and stained-glass windows

      preserve the estate's original magnificence while impeccable service, an attentive

      staff and thoughtful amenities ensure absolute comfort.

All true. And for a hotel that can boast that it is the only Forbes Four Star and AAA Five Star Hotel in Texas, the price is well worth it. With a staff that is never out of touch, yet never obvious, it makes one feel as if they have gone back in time to a great hotel of the past. Travel has become so "self serve" today. Not so at Turtle Creek. Like some throwback to a bygone era, you can even leave your shoes outside your door and they will be returned by morning, spit shined to perfection. Puttin' On The Ritz, Texas style! At Turtle Creek, they made me remember what my father always preached in  his business - The customer is always right. Those are not just words at this magnificent property located just minutes from downtown.

Much Ado About Dallas

Of course, there is more to Dallas and The Mansion than just another pretty face. Dallas and Fort Worth are awash in many cultural opportunities for the Nomad who wants to get out more. If you are a shopaholic, then Dallas does, indeed , have it all. One particularly unique retail icon is just around the corner from the hotel, Highland Park Village. According to the Urban Land Institute, this high end "outdoor mall" is the "first planned shopping center in the United States with a unified architectural style and stores facing in toward an interior parking area, all built and managed under single ownership". With over a hundred boutiques from Anthropologie to Harry Winston you can max out your gold card with impunity.

But don't spend all of your money, because you need to at least have the admission to visit two must see museums. First, the iconic Kimbell Art Museum, designed by one of the twentieth century's greatest architects, Louis I. Kahn, is one of the most compelling spacial compositions for displaying and viewing art. The introduction of natural light through vaulted light diffusers gives the elongated spaces a simplicity that could only be accomplished by an architect of Kahn's vision. These unique light elements, along with simple cladding materials for walls and floors, render spaces that enhance the experience of viewing great works of art. Another museum that any visit to Dallas/Fort Worth must include is The Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. Housing an extensive collection of paintings and sculpture by western artists Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, as well as other American artists, it is well worth the side trip to view some of the most compelling American art ever created.

And It Wasn't Even On The Menu!!

Of course no visit to Dallas would be complete without discussing what else? Food. Like all large cosmopolitan cities, Dallas has culinary offerings to suit every taste. However, what makes a visit to Dallas a unique adventure for any Nomadic Foodie, is on site in the elegant Mansion Restaurant. I can personally vouch for their food - mind blowing, and their service - other worldly. This became most evident during a mid morning brunch. Prior to our trip, I had read about one of their signature southwestern dishes, Warm Lobster Tacos With Yellow Tomato Salsa. Not only had I read about this interesting dish, I had dreamed about it and discussed it at great length with myself and my bride. Imagine my dismay, my chagrin, my utter disillusionment when it did not appear on the menu! When I asked, with pleading eyes, why this particular dish was not on the menu, the waiter said with a congenial smile - "Don't worry sir, the chef will be happy to prepare the tacos as requested". Problem solved. Like I said, this is a whole 'nother place. And the chef did not disappoint. Every single morsel of this unique Texas dish was simply beyond description. A perfect meal, in a perfect room with the woman I loved before we met, made this Nomad glad he decided to drop anchor for a few days at this intimate little place in the heart of Big 'D'.

Go West Nomads!!

D.L. Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

Video Artist of The Week - The Little Willies led by Norah Jones, who grew up in Fort Worth. This unique group must be heard to be appreciated. The tune  Fowl Owl On The Prowl gives you something to ponder next time you are daydreaming.

Travel Quote of The Week - Why did the chicken cross the road?  To prove to the armadillo it could be done! - Anonymous





 

Independence Day - Around The World or In The Backyard, It Defines Us As Americans

Sorry for not posting last week. Due to some very bad water intrusion, we had to bail for a few days and put things back together. We got off pretty light based on the reports from other residents around the country far and wide. To celebrate Independence Day we usually go to a little piece of Heaven on Earth named Lake Blackshear near Warwick, Georgia to visit with family at my wife's aunt's place in an elegant home that sits on a peninsular with uninterrupted views of one of South Georgia's most beautiful waterways. The house itself is one of those places that they just don't build anymore. Low slung with wide eaves and lots of glass, it is a classic fifties ranch that combines modern design with well crafted details, traditional influences and comfortable furnishings. And of course, there is always the food. There simply is nothing quite like real southern food. Somehow it just makes people nicer and sleepy. As we were planning this little road trip with various family members, it occurred to me that the uniqueness of the celebration of our nation's independence brings together love of family and love of country like no other holiday we celebrate. It is precisely because, over two hundred years ago, men of incredible vision and bravery drew a metaphorical line in the sand and established The United States which has endured wars, economic upheaval and, at times, amazing political stupidity, to become the longest continuous government in history. In the Pulitzer Prize winning book Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis he reminds us that the American Revolution was just that, a revolution. Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, et al were not only men of profound character, they also understood that what they were engaging in could land them all at the end of a noose. As Ellis recounts a conversation overheard by Benjamin Rush, a declaration signer, you can understand the gravity of the revolution being birthed by men of political genius and fortitude:      Rush overheard a conversation between Benjamin Harrison of Virginia and      Eldridge Gerry of Massachusetts: "I shall have a great advantage over you Mr.      Gerry," said Harrison, "when we are all hung for what we are now doing. From      the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes, but from the lightness      of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead." Rush      recalled that the comment "procured a transient smile, but was soon succeeded         by the solemnity with which the whole business was conducted." So what is the point and what does any of this have to do with travel for Nomads? The point- Because of the invention of Democracy in 1776, we are free to travel as we please and enjoy the incredible grandeur and beauty of this great country. In addition, the very act of rebellion founded in the words and the eventual fight for the new republic started something that has been responsible for more people being free the world over than any other single event in history. The next time you see a newscast showing some place in the world where women can't drive or people are persecuted because of their religious beliefs, it is imperative that you recognize that we are free because a group of "brilliant rebels" fulfilled  "our" destiny with history through the greatest single document ever penned by humankind. So, in honor of this great day in our nation's history, I have reprinted the entire Declaration of Independence. I urge you to read it, make your kids read it and be thankful that we live in the greatest country on earth.       IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated: Column 1 Georgia: Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall George Walton Column 2 North Carolina: William Hooper Joseph Hewes John Penn South Carolina: Edward Rutledge Thomas Heyward, Jr. Thomas Lynch, Jr. Arthur Middleton Column 3 Massachusetts: John Hancock Maryland: Samuel Chase William Paca Thomas Stone Charles Carroll of Carrollton Virginia: George Wythe Richard Henry Lee Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Harrison Thomas Nelson, Jr. Francis Lightfoot Lee Carter Braxton Column 4 Pennsylvania: Robert Morris Benjamin Rush Benjamin Franklin John Morton George Clymer James Smith George Taylor James Wilson George Ross Delaware: Caesar Rodney George Read Thomas McKean Column 5 New York: William Floyd Philip Livingston Francis Lewis Lewis Morris New Jersey: Richard Stockton John Witherspoon Francis Hopkinson John Hart Abraham Clark Column 6 New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett William Whipple Massachusetts: Samuel Adams John Adams Robert Treat Paine Elbridge Gerry Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins William Ellery Connecticut: Roger Sherman Samuel Huntington William Williams Oliver Wolcott New Hampshire: Matthew Thornton Happy Fourth To Free Nomads Everywhere!!!! D.L. Stafford thenomadARCHITECT Video Artists of The Week - America The Beautiful by the one and only Ray Charles and other arrangements by various artists including Lee Greenwood and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Quote of The Week - See Above

June 20, 2012 - The First Day Of Summer for Nomads Everywhere

Hot Summer Time and The Livin' Is Easy

According to Wikipedia, the summer solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet's semi-axis in a given hemisphere is most inclined towards the star that it orbits. Earth's maximum axial tilt to our star, the sun, during a solstice  is 23° 26'. This happens twice each year, at which times the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole respectively. The word solstice derives from Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). For those of us more pedestrian in our thinking - Summer is finally here!! And the longest day of the year is viewed around the world in many different ways. Most cultures hold many significant holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals and celebrations during the summer. Woodstock just wouldn't have been the same had it been held in, say, November. Summer holds great promise for great times and even greater expenditures.

A Little Advice for NOWK's
Fall - done. Winter - done. Spring - done. Summer - not done!!! No more grey skies, the summer, peaches are in and the kids are out of school. So what's a Nomad to do? If you don't have kids, it's pretty simple. Just pick a place and go. Even though flights haven't been slashed and gasoline is still north of $3.00, you simply must go. Travel is the physical and mental balm for what ails you. If you have kids, you have a much bigger challenge. My kids are grown, so na na na na na! If you have young kids, it's virtually impossible to avoid places like Disney. The most important piece of advice for  NOWK's (Nomad's With Kids} who dare to go to Disney, Six Flags, etc. -  Be cool and be smart. If you show up at the gate at 8 AM and stay until after dark, it will NOT go well. So, the word for all theme park trips with kids is moderation. And select some down time, usually in mid afternoon for the kids and mom and dad to R&R. For a hilarious take on Disney, check out comic Jim Gaffigan On Vacationing In The Magic Kingdom.

First You Have To Have A Plan
With or without kids, it has always been the contention of this Nomad, that, while serendipity is always welcome, you must put in some planning time to ensure that you will indeed get the most out of your travels for your hard earned money. I love a surprise as much as the next guy, but no self respecting Nomad is going to just hit the road without a map, unless you are twenty something and just don't care. I've done that too and the results were always mixed. To assist all summer vagabonds in achieving that trip that you will talk about for years, I have assembled a list of my favorite hotel search web sites. Each link takes a different approach to places of unique character and there is very little overlap or redundancy. Most are backed up with numerous reviews. There is also great variety both geographically and economically. You don't always have to go to a five star hotel/B&B/health spa/eco-resort for rich people in Estonia to find places that you and yours can drop anchor and enjoy life on your terms. So happy hunting and pack light!

The Nomad Architect's Top Ten List of Web Sites for Places To Sleep Before You Die

TABLET - I consider this to be the best hotel / B& B search engine available to the discerning Nomad. It offers tremendous variety of very cool places in the States and Europe with prices to fit every budget.

AVANTE GARDE - It's tag line says it best - Hip Hotels, Design Hotels, Boutique Hotels Worldwide. This web site contains many edgy, well designed places for people who want to hang out in places that are not on the tourist map.

i-escape - From Spin & Margie's Desert Hide-A-Way in the Mojave Desert for $125 per night to Chateau Marmont in Hollywood at a sinful $800 per night, this site has thirty seven places for restless vagabonds in the US alone, not to mention hundreds more in Europe and elsewhere.

EPOQUE HOTELS -  A great site for unique and innovative hotels. It contains a vast array of small, boutique hotels worldwide located mostly in cities In addition, it has apartments for those who need a little more room.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith - Not only is this a great site for cool hotels worldwide, it puts forth the proposition that Nomad's With Kids don't have to settle for mediocrity at a characterless chain.  The site contains a special section devoted to family and kid friendly hotels and houses.

Great Small Hotels - Very interesting site specializing in very small boutiques. Offering gems like The Spring - A Natural Hot Spring Resort & Day Spa, located in Desert Hot Springs, California, starting at a paltry $139 per night. Now that's worth a look.

Unusual Hotels of The World - If you want to hang your hat at a place and "sleep with a story", then this is the travel site for you. From Tree Hotel, a red tree house in Sweden, to The Wigwam Motel in Arizona, this site has some of the most unusual places on the planet for the Nomad that needs a change of venue. And the site comes complete with reviews by adventurous Nomads.

Chic Retreats - Great site for exclusive hotels and out of the way B &  B's. One feature of this site is their Collections links. You can click on Beach Chic Retreats or Budget Chic Retreats or Eco Chic Retreats or other specific places with different attributes to assist in zeroing in on the vacation of a life time.

Boutique Homes - A recent find in the world of hotel search web sites. And the most intriguing. This is a comprehensive site displaying very small, intimate hotels and architecturally interesting houses. In addition to specific locales such as By The Sea, City, Country, etc., this is the only hotel / B&B site that lists properties designed by specific architects. So, if you want to stay in a place that really does it "Wright", look no further.

air bnb - This site boasts thousands of places to sleep all over the world. It's a great site to search for unique places, some of which are very affordable. The only caveat is that you must do some research, as they list a very broad range of properties from couches to mansions. They don't really use any quality thresholds, so you must perform your own due diligence. A great resource none the less, because of its variety.


So go north, south, east or west to that place that you have been dreaming about. Travel gives you insight into the world at large and a better understanding of yourself. And if you go to a place that is off the beaten path, you just might find out something that will change you and enlarge your view of the ever shrinking world we live in.

Video Artist of  The Week - The Beach Boys - Who better to head into summer with than the band that invented Beach Music and kicking off a 50th Reunion Tour this summer?

Travel Quote of The Week - “Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.” – Unknown


To All of You Vagabonds - Just Go!
D.L. Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT


All photgraphs from referenced web sites, except Summer from 123rf.com/stock-photo.

A New Millineum Wedding In God's Country

At This Place - Joy Comes In The Morning, The Afternoon and The Midnight Hour

Sorry I lost a week. It has taken us this long to come down from the good vibrations experienced after three amazing days in the cradle of the confederacy. Participating in a happening that you can only imagine until you are there is an experience that only comes along a few times in one's life. Other than when I married my bride of thirty nine years and when my son and daughter were born, I simply cannot recall any time in my life when I have felt more one with that spiritual thing that only comes when something profound occurs. 

One aspect of being a Nomad is the appreciation of what we call, in the design profession, "context". It's impossible to separate travel from the effects of  history and culture that give a town, region or country its own sense of place . The south, so eloquently captured by Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Margaret Mitchell in the epic story of love and civil war Gone With The Wind, is not just a geographical location but a "place of the imagination". Because of its history and its contribution to American culture through its literature, cookery and music, the region has a unique place in the American consciousness. And Southerners take comfort in the knowledge that they live in places partitioned by the Almighty as ante rooms to the Promised Land. It is the land of milk and honey, or at least, sweet iced tea and peaches. Our destination for the new millennium wedding,  Vinewood Plantation, just outside of Newnan, Georgia, captures both the real and the imagined  old south with a new, vibrant vibe that makes old things  new and history still relevant. If you are going to get married, where better to do it than in one of Heaven's earthly parlors?

A Cool House In A Cool Town Makes for A Very Good Place To Get Together

As we headed for Newnan, the location of most of the events for the weekend, we could feel the pre-wedding jitters begin to build, even though our role was not nearly as involved and complicated as those of the bride and the groom. One thing we learned over the course of the last few months -planning a wedding, especially a "destination" wedding, is the logistical equivalent of a mission to Mars. All of the details, decision making and stress associated with any wedding requires great resolve, intelligence and creativity. Having a seasoned, detail obsessed pro like my niece,  Susan, helps as well. I was not there, but I was told that the negotiations for the wedding hotel would not have happened without her intervention on Tara's behalf. It's always nice to have a fellow Nomad in the family that knows the ropes.

Driving into Newnan, I was struck by its vibrant quality. Having seen so many southern towns fade away in the modern world, it was refreshing to see one that has managed to keep its local, small town character while still remaining new and relevant. One sure sign that Newnan is very comfortable with itself was the presence of an art exhibit in the downtown area. Known as "A Horsey Affair", twenty five brightly painted horses appear in various locations throughout the downtown area. And any town that boasts southern writer and humorist Lewis Grizzard as a native son must be placed on any Nomad's List of  Places To See.

As we pulled up to the Major Long House to drop off the arrangements of giant sunflowers for the rehearsal dinner, we were met by the first of many wonderful people we interfaced with to create the perfect wedding. Georgia Shapiro is a southern woman in every sense of the word. With a casual grace, she is one of those people that always seems to be in complete control of all events in her sphere. With a quick wit and conversational skills that make you feel right at home, she explained the details of how this grand old house came to be the happening place that I was immediately drawn to when I was dispatched several months ago on reconnaissance to find a venue for the rehearsal dinner. As an architect, I always.look for the real thing in a house. With rough pine board floors, exquisite plaster detailing, period wall coverings and hand painted black and white checkerboard floors in the grand parlor, this classic southern house is the perfect place to bring family and friends together for any event. Finally, Susie told Georgia that we needed to go and that, if left unattended, I would be there for the next several hours discussing the history and minutiae of this great old place. The hospitality continued into the next evening at the rehearsal dinner as Georgia, her more than helpful husband and her champion bartender, flower arranger and woman of unlimited party skills assisted us with the details of preparations for the kickoff event.

And if your going to have something catered, you might as well go with a legend - Sprayberry's Barbecue. Started in 1926 in the back of a gas station, it is simply the best barbecue I have ever tasted. And the reviews of those in attendance confirmed this food critic's opinion. Plus, Alan Jackson waited tables there. A weekend trip to Newnan and Sprayberry's must be added to every Nomad's List of Places To Eat Before You Die. You can thank me later!

Friday morning. The guys headed to Atlanta to pick up rental tuxes. All right thinking men know that weddings are about the bride. That is one of life's immutable truths. That premise is confirmed by the simple fact that the groom and his groomsmen wear rented tuxes or suits that are usually grey and understated, whereas, the bride wears a dress of uncompromising beauty and detail, while her bridesmaids wear dresses that have been painstakingly selected from an endless selection of dresses from Nieman Marcus, Saks or any number of boutiques to ensure just the right coordinated look.  After picking up the tuxes, we all headed over to one of the best burger places in Atlanta - Yeah Burger!! Serving only locally grown, grass fed beef, the burgers are to die for. And as you might expect, while the men were eating burgers, as good as they were, I am told that the burgers didn't compare to the luncheon for the ladies at The Veranda B&B in the nearby community  of Senoia, Georgia. In addition to the excellent food in the dining room of a vintage southern house, the town of Senoia is one of the locations for the hit television series The Walking Dead. The mental image of well appointed ladies enjoying strawberry shortcake, while hordes of flesh eating zombies stroll by is at least an interesting concept to ponder. I was told that all the zombies were kept at bay while the ladies enjoyed their late morning soiree.

We arrived late at the Major Longhouse for the rehearsal dinner. In addition to setting all of the tables and placing the flowers, Georgia and her staff helped us unload the ice and refreshments for the evening and the doors opened on time at 7:00 PM. As the place began to fill with the laughter of numerous friends and members of both families, we began to relax and enjoy the vibe of the first official event of the weekend. The evening went off without a hitch. Great food was had by all and great conversation continued well into the night as people enjoyed the fellowship of each other's company. And I must give kudos to my one and only, Susie. She has spent most of her professional and personal life planning events and telling other people when to show up and be ready, and this event was no different. She is the single most unflappable person I know. And everyone adores her. As I would listen to her questions and directives concerning various details for a party for seventy in a house and town she had never visited until that weekend, I knew all would go well. And it did. 

Another Grand House, a Barn and The Biggest Pecan Tree I Ever Saw

The big day. As I walked to the car from the hotel to get some morning joe at the nearby Starbucks, I pondered the events that were coming our way on the most important day of the lives of my son and soon to be daughter-in-law. There was not a cloud in the sky. This was not surprising, given that Susie had had many one on ones with the Almighty concerning the weather. Weather prayers are a critical component of any wedding that is going to be outside. However, before the main event, there was work to be done. Enter Tara's uncle Cecil. Like Will Rogers, Cecil  never met a man he didn't like.  Without hesitation, he offered himself and his SUV to help load, transport and deliver what seemed like a ton of ice and refreshments for the post ceremony reception. My hat goes off to this southern gentleman for his help and humor.

Because Susie had to go with the bridal party early to prepare for the ceremony, I was left on my own to get dressed and get myself to the wedding on time. As I arrived, the essence of this unique venue became apparent. The main house at Vinewood  is an exquisitely restored example of all that is expected in great vintage residential architecture. And the old pole barn has been lovingly restored as well. As we made last minute preparations and took photographs, I realized that these people at Vinewood know what they are doing. From Jamie, one of the owners, to Maria, the wedding coordinator, everyone seemed to be in more places at more times than you could imagine. As the guests began to take their seats under the waning afternoon sun, it was evident that this special place, on this day, under a blue Georgia sky, in the shade of a massive pecan tree, was the only place on earth for holy nuptials to be expressed by two people ready to begin a new life together.

As the dashing groom came in, followed by his groomsmen, I could see the pride on his mother's face. And then the bridesmaids, dressed in elegant, light blue dresses, including the bride's best friend and bridesmaid, my lovely daughter and resident humorist, Lauren, took their rightful places. Then there she was. Tara. This beautiful, petite, young woman, known to her friends as Munchkin, dressed in a gown meant only for her on this day, walked in the cool grass, accompanied by her proud father and mother, to take her place under the shade of the big tree next to her soon to be husband. As the ceremony began, her father  effortlessly caught her veil as a brief zephyr disengaged it from her beautifully coiffed hair, leaving not a strand out of place. As  the songs were sung and the vows exchanged,  this most sacred  of ceremonies became perfection in God's country.  And I understood, once again, what my mother meant when she told me - One day you will understand. Now I know.

And Let The Good Times Roll

After the post ceremony photographs, it was time to eat, drink and be merry. And when you have food from Taqueria del Sol, one of Atlanta's top purveyors of  southern, mexican and southwestern cuisine, the eating part is all good. And with a band like Rustic Charlie, fronted by lead singer Eric Blackman, nailing great tunes from Rolling In The Deep to old and new R&B, Soul and Dance Music, a great time was had by all. Even The Nomad got in on the act with a knock 'em dead rendition of the classic Wilson Picket tune Mustang Sally, with a little help from his best friend and brother, Errol. And what a crowd! As the party rocked and rolled its way toward closing time, it became apparent that this is what you are supposed to do at a wedding - Rejoice and be Glad!! And where better to do it than under a hot, starry Georgia spring                                                                     

night sky?

And finally, Sunday morning. As the lingering guests came in to enjoy an outstanding breakfast served up by The Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center on another blue skied Georgia day, it was great to share stories and goodbyes with all of the great people that came to be a part of this wonderful event. Looking back on the previous three days, it seemed  that every Nomad there, for a brief period of time, simply dropped anchor and let the good times roll. Now that's the way to travel!

Video Artist of The Week-  The British Folk Rock Indie Band Mumford & Sons . "She Said Yes" is worth a serious listen for a fresh take on love and life.

Travel Quote of The Week -   A first-rate marriage is like a first-rate hotel: expensive, but worth it. -Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966 . Spoken like a true Nomad in love.                   

Love and Kisses

D.L. Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

 

Photo Credits - Charlotte Fristoe, Susan Stafford & Anonymous.