10/23/24 HOW 'BOUT A LITTLE TRAVEL MUSIC

IN A CAR, ON A PLANE, ON A SHIP, OR ON A TRAIN - ALL WANDERERS NEED MUSIC TO GET THROUGH THE LONG DRIVE, THE NINE OUR FLIGHT, THE SLOW BOAT TO WHEREVER OR THE QUICK TRAIN RIDE FROM PARIS TO AVIGNON.

Today, The Nomad Architect is taking a break from the unrelenting thoughts, suggestions and experiences of finding the perfect hotel, restaurant, ancient city or building to tour. Today is all about the music that will make all Nomadic trips better, long or short.

First up - A group of innovative, creative players, singers and dancers that will improve your mood as you travel to the hinterland or your favorite city - POST MODERN JUKEBOX.

ALL ABOUT THE BASS 

Innovation Is Queen in My World of Music - From three ladies that invented swing boogie woogie - THE ANDREWS SISTERS.

BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY - 1941

LOUD & PROUD - It's late - you're tired - it's been a long drive - Crank this one up - Wake Up! I had the pleasure of seeing one of America's greatest rock bands, performing for over 65 years, about nine years ago in Amalie Arena Tampa - THE ROLLING STONES.

START ME UP

NOTHIN' LIKE JAZZ - Here's another innovator in one of the most demanding genres of modern music. Since 1937 this amazing drummer has played all over the world with his band until his death in 1987. We saw him with his band in the early seventies when I was in Architecture School at Auburn University - BUDDY RICH.

BIRDLAND - Written by Weather Report

THE VOICE CAPTURES THE SOUL OF EVERY LISTENER - The great soul/blues singer from Texas was an incomparable talent that died tragically at the age of 27. When I saw her perform at the First Atlanta International Pop Festival - July 1969, six weeks before Woodstock with a 150 thousand of my closest friends and my future bride - I became a lifelong fan.  I still have her last album. Listen to one of her most compelling songs written by the great Kris Kristofferson - JANICE JOPLIN.

ME AND BOBBY McGEE

AMAZING TALENT - SINGER, COMPOSER, GUITARIST, PERFORMER WITH FEW EQUALS - I saw this astonishing rock/pop artist at The Amalie Arena Tampa a few years ago. Three hours of an unprecedented, mesmerizing performance with his band New Power Generation included a thirty-minute acoustic performance of many of his hits - He left us way too soon - the one and only PRINCE!

ACOUSTIC CREAM

A ROCK CLASSIC IN PARIS -  Je t’aime Garou! Bravo!

I am a lover of virtually every genre of music if it's good. Rock, pop, country, jazz, classical - I love all great music written and performed well. This tune, written by the Great Randy Newman, was sung by the gritty Joe Cocker in the movie 9 1/2 Weeks. The master of blues and rock, for unknowable reasons, is still not in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! I found this performance by an amazing Canadian singer, actor and performer, who sings in English and French, performing this classic with power and soul in Paris - GAROU!

YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON

THE GREATEST TEXAS SINGER, SONGWRITER, PERFORMER - No music list of mine would be complete without this multi-award-winning Texas Troubadour. I've seen this incredible artist five times live. Just saw him and his Large Band at Florida State University for Opening Nights with my two kids - They were blown away- I was Mesmerized for 2 1/2 hours - LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND.

THAT'S RIGHT YOU'RE NOT FROM TEXAS

AFTER A LONG TRIP ALL VAGABONDS NEED MUSIC - Here is a very cool piece by a group I just found on You Tube - With over five thousand performances behind them, this Canadian duo with supporting players/singers gives us a soft romantic tune to relax Nomads at the end of the day- MUSIC TRAVEL LOVE.

THAT'S THE WAY IT IS

"Nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people. - Mark Twain

Happy Trails to all Nomads while you travel and listen.                            

D.L.Stafford

The Nomad Architect

10-16-24 THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS A PLACE THAT EVERY VAGABOND MUST SEE

 CALIFORNIA COAST - FOOD, WINE and CLINT'S PLACE - CARMEL 

Some time ago I raised a few points about one of the most unique west coast environments in Central California - Carmel By The Sea. With its very dense, almost zero lot line homes built by artists, writers, actors and other famous and not so famous creative types from 1929 on, it is truly an environment that must be seen to be appreciated. Its restaurants, artisan shops, small museums and small "downtown" area will provide any visitor with a perspective on how people of means and artistic bent have managed to create a place of intense, small urban quality that is like no other place you will experience. Carmel always has great weather. Late Fall has temperatures in the high sixties to low seventies.

DO NOT MISS EASTWOOD'S PLACE - AMAZING!

First, Clint was not there the night we ate at this very old, well-appointed simple restaurant. However, if you go to Carmel, this place is a must. Great food and an amazing setting make The Mission Ranch Restaurant a place that must not be missed. I highly recommend eating outside on the terrace overlooking a rolling pasture and a few sheep with the Pacific beyond. Vegans need not apply. The specialty is Slow Roasted Prime Rib - GO AHEAD MAKE MY DAY!! The food, the service, the wine. All those ingredients combine to generate this acclaimed restaurant's high ratings by people who rate such things. What a gig - huh?

And nothing goes better with great cuisine than a very, very good jazz pianist. We sat right next to the keyboardist as he played some great classics and new stuff while we waited for our table. We are both jazz lovers and hearing this great jazz pianist gives this place that sense of old school and new day vibe combined. So, when in Carmel, check out this restaurant located on the original twenty-two acres along with the thirty-one room Mission Ranch Hotel. The place was rescued and saved from the condo developers by none other than the former mayor Clint Eastwood, who, we were told, shows up unannounced on a regular basis.

CARMEL IS A SMALL TOWN WITH A BEACHFRONT HOUSE DESIGNED BY AMERICA'S BEST

Because Carmel is not very big, it is one of the most feet friendly towns you can visit. Around every corner is a bistro, a brunch place or a bakery with great food - not to mention many small and expensive art galleries and small shops. And, of course, there is Carmel Beach, where you can hang out and dip your toes in the Pacific. The architectural flavor of the town is old school to the max with mostly wood siding bungalows and no large buildings. It is intimate and cozy. You get the feeling that you are a local, even if you're only there for a few days. One interesting architectural masterpiece on the Pacific is the Walker House - Cabin On the Rocks, designed by Frank LLoyd Wright and built in 1949. It was featured in the movie A Summer Place. This small 1,400 square foot house recently sold for $22 million! California is indeed pricey. It's the only beachfront home the master architect ever designed.

AND A SCENIC DRIVE TO A REALLY COOL RESTAURANT

In addition to walking the town and enjoying the food and the vibe, you must hop in your car and take a nice drive down California 1 to a culinary institution - Nepenthe Restaurant. In Greek it means "Isle of No Care". Make absolutely certain you grab a seat on a waterfront front bench/table about 200 feet above the Pacific. Serving hungry locals and visitors from all over the world since 1949, in a building designed by Architect Rowen Maiden, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, this is a great day trip to the heart of Big Sur for a great meal, great atmosphere and killer views. And the leisurely drive down California's Coast Road (CA 1) with magnificent coastal views around every bend - a little over an hour - ain't too shabby either.

 

One final suggestion- If you want to impress your significant other, reserve a view table at Sierra Mar Restaurant, which is on the property of The Post Ranch Inn boutique hotel.  If you have a little bit of extra cash and you really want to impress your travel partner, reserve a Tree House Room in the woods for $2,375 a night or a Castro Room with direct views of the Pacific complete with everything you would ever need for a luxurious romantic experience for a mere $4,800! This amazing hotel is the 2024 winner of Andrew Harper Members' Choice Award as The No. 1 Hotel in the World. It's a tad rich for this Nomad, but, if you can pay the freight - don't hesitate.

We landed in a very cool and intimate AIRBNB with panoramic ocean views over Pebble Beach, Carmel - Epic Ocean View Private Lil Cottage. This place has it all - gorgeous views in a natural setting, large shower, comfortable bed, fireplace and a large deck to relax with a nice glass in the afternoon with a price of $250-$300 a night - worth every penny.

AND LET US NOT FORGET THE WINE - AAH YES, THE WINE!

Since California produces 90% of the wine in the United States, you really can't go to this part of the country without spending at least a day or two touring and tasting some of the best wine in the world. Just get a Carmel Valley Map and go man go. The Bernardus Winery is a great place to start. If you want to pick up some delicious lemon olive oil, in addition to some great wine, check out Joullian Vineyards & Winery. And there are at least twenty other, mostly small, boutique wineries that will quench your thirst and delight your taste buds.

So, if you need a few days getaway or something longer, Carmel by the Sea, along with Big Sur and other Central California must sees, is a place you should add to your bucket list.

“It was here in Big Sur that I first learned to say ‘amen.’” – Henry Miller.

See y'all soon my fellow Wanderers!

D.L. Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

This week's video is from The Ed Sullivan Show September 24, 1967 - The Grammy Award winning Mamas & the Papas perform one of their biggest hits - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN! A quintessential tune from the sixties.

10-09-24 WEST TEXAS PROVES BEYOND ALL DOUBTS THAT THE SECOND LARGEST STATE IS THE PLACE TO BE

 

Art & Architecture in West Texas - Marfa, Prada & Cibilo Creek Ranch - Part Two

As we headed down US 67, the modern art scene and sometimes parallel universe of Marfa, Texas had been such an amazing trip, we could not have imagined what awaited us upon arrival at the small stone entry gate to the 30,000 acre piece of heaven in the high desert of the Texas Big Bend known as Cibilo Creek Ranch. According to the web site, Cibilo Creek Ranch (Cibilo Creek Ranch ) was founded  by Milton Faber, a transplanted Missourian, in 1857. Built to withstand the attacks of hostile indians and others, the private fort is located in a breathtaking, mountainous landscape of austere and mesmerizing beauty.

With plentiful water from springs nearby, Faber built a ranching and agricultural empire with over 20,000 longhorn cattle, goats and sheep. The website provides a fascinating and detailed history of Cibilo, which, to my knowledge, is the only "fort" in the United States that has been transformed into a boutique destination resort. With every conceivable comfort, this is no stripped down glam camp. From the stunning architecture to the down filled beds to the vine covered porches and Mexican tiled walkways, Cibilo is chock full of character and comfort. Take all of that, throw in the cleanest, coolest, driest desert air found anywhere, and you just don't ever want to leave this desert oasis.

As we were ushered into the private concierge room and made arrangements for our stay, the architecture of this unique place was everywhere. As we were shown the dining and living rooms, as well as the wine storage area, I became more aware that no detail had been left to chance. Our room, which opened onto a long communal screen porch with a view of the small pond in the center of the compound and the mountains beyond, was everything you would expect in any five star hotel - great bed, large bath/shower area, classic furnishings and, best of all, no telephone and no tv!!!

I have talked in other posts about the unplanned and unexpected pleasures of traveling. The story of the restoration and conversion of the Cibilo Fort and the reestablishment of the ecology of the area by visionary owner, John Poindexter, is well detailed on the web site. As an architect, I have always had a keen interest in the stories behind the creation of unique places. Who better to give a  first hand account of the herculean task of transforming this amazing place than the man himself. As we prepared for dinner, which is served by gracious hosts around a large dining table in the main "house", we were told the owner would be dining with us. This is where one of those moments you never forget enters the story. Not only did we learn of the vision, challenges and work involved in creating this unique resort, what started out as a rather formal dining experience, with a very eclectic group of strangers, turned into a three hour dining experience full of stories and tall tales.  After dinner, we relocated to a massive outdoor stone fireplace, under a full moon, for more wine and conversation. The perfect setting to end a wonderful day of life in this desert enclave of stone, rust and old wood with great people we had only just met.

As we visited other parts of this vast ranch (there are two other collections of buildings) we began to understand what draws people to the desert. Frank Lloyd Wright once said that he always found inspiration when he visited the Grand Canyon, another natural architectural masterpiece in the desert. You understand that inspiration in a place like Cibilo. Every stone, every cotton wood tree, every ravine seems to have been "designed" to create the perfect landscape. In addition, Cibilo has a diverse assortment of animals, including buffalo, Texas longhorn cattle ,and even camels, which were were originally used by the cavalry in this part of Texas in the 1850's.

Places like Cibilo Creek Ranch create their own culture. They take you into there world and change you. I have said it before, but it bares repeating. The Nomad Architect is not about nice sheets and great service. It is about places like Cibilo that you really never leave. As we drove back to the airport in El Paso, I was so thankful that we had found this unusual place, designed to relax the head and nourish the heart, and I could have sworn I heard Texas Rangers August McCrae and Woodrow Call arguing over the best route to Montana.

Travel Quote of The Day

Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago. - Gus McCrae Texas Ranger - Lonesome Dove

Head 'Em Up-Move 'Em Out

DLS

10-02-24 Art & Architecture in West Texas - Marfa and Prada

TEXAS REALLY IS A WHOLE 'NOTHER COUNTRY

They say you can't get there from here. But when you finally get there, it is well worth the trip. A good friend from Tallahassee, who lived in Austin for several years, says Texas really is like living in a different country. After our visit several years ago, I know what she means. Everyone knows about the cultural and music scene in Austin or the big city glitz of Dallas, but few have experienced the sometimes-surreal experience of West Texas and the art enclave of Marfa, Texas. In addition, the boutique destination hotel/resort Cibilo Creek Ranch is a mere thirty minutes south in the high desert country of west Texas. You'll hear about that amazing place next week.

After landing in El Paso, we knew we were in a "different" country when the car rental agent made me sign a document stating that I would not take the rental car into Mexico and then gave me a stern lecture on what would happen if I violated that agreement. We grabbed some lunch and headed down I-10 for the three-hour drive to the small town of Marfa, Texas where we planned to stay for a couple of nights before our final destination at Cibilo Creek Ranch.

Leaving I-10 behind for US 90, we headed further into the Texas desert. One of the great joys of travel, especially road trips, is the serendipitous occurrence of the unexpected. Imagine our delight when we came upon Prada Marfa, a permanent architectural art installation designed to resemble a Prada store. Complete with high design shoes and handbags, this small building/sculpture, literally in the middle of nowhere, served as an iconic marker of more to come thirty miles down the road. Just click on the highlighted Prada Marfa above to see a short video.

The Hotel Paisano, which can be had for about $200 a night, housed the cast and crew of the classic 1956 film Giant, starring Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean, was the perfect place to rest up for our venture into the world of Marfa. Opened in 1930, this restored Spanish Revival gem captures an earlier time of a Texas community that was the center of the cattle business and social life of West Texas. With exquisitely detailed interiors, a stunning courtyard, open air balconies and an indoor swimming pool, it is the perfect base to enjoy the many bounties of this cool little out of the way place. The other hotel worthy of note is the Thunderbird. A minimalist renovation of a classic 50's motor hotel, it is another option for those that want to enjoy a different design approach for sleeping while in Marfa.

New York has MOMA, LA has The Getty and Paris The Louvre. The Chinati Foundation is Marfa's answer to the question: What in the world is there to do in Marfa, Texas? Established by visionary artist Donald Judd, the foundation officially opened to the public in 1986. Comprised of various buildings at locations in and around Marfa, the permanent and temporary collections are both provocative and powerful. Due to physical limitations, large works of art and sculpture are often compromised in museums. None of those limitations are in evidence here. Large outdoor sculptures, as well as works by Judd and other artists, are housed in converted artillery sheds, older utilitarian buildings, houses and smaller galleries downtown, allowing the viewer to see the work as the artist originally intended. So, plan on spending the day in this utterly fascinating world where cow town meets modern art in one of the most unique environments you will ever experience.

Just like the art and architecture, Marfa offers unique eating choices. For dinner, we enjoyed outstanding Italian, with a Texas twist, at the intimate Maiya's, which, unfortunately has closed. With stark, minimalist interiors of white walls, concrete bar tops and bright red light fixtures, it proved the perfect place for dining after a busy day of Marfa culture. 

After dinner, we drove out of town to view the Marfa Lights. The paranormal lights, visible from a viewing station on US 67 just outside of Marfa. After many studies by paranormal experts and scientists the mysterious lights have yet to be adequately explained. As we headed back to The Paisano, thinking about the day's events - the Prada store/sculpture, the minimalist art in sheds and fields in this little corner of west Texas and unexplained night lights - I started to see and hear Rod Serling everywhere!!

After a very peaceful sleep in your room overlooking the pool, you can start the day at any one of the many great intimate restaurants in Marfa. Enjoy the perfect start for more gallery hopping and then on to Cibilo. As we headed out of Marfa to our final destination at Cibilo, we knew we had found one of those places that makes you realize that taking the road less traveled - You will always be better for it.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

"Marfa Texas may be the Center of The Universe" - Donald Judd

This week's video features a great Texas Troubadour - the multi award winning Lyle Lovett and His Large Band - the perfect way to celebrate Texas with a classic Texas Swing tune - That's Right You're Not From Texas.

09-25-24 TAKING TIME TO LAUGH ABOUT TRAVEL AND IT'S UPS AND ITS DOWNS

TODAY IS THE NOMAD ARCHITECT'S OFFICIAL ANNUAL COMEDY CENTRAL ON TRAVEL. IF YOU ARE A VAGABOND OR WANDERER OR TRAVEL FREAK YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT TRAVEL PRESENTS COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO LAUGH WHEN YOU'RE ON THE TRAIN, IN YOUR CAR OR, PARTICULARLY, ON AN AIRPLANE. 

FROM OLD COMICS TO NEW COMICS, THE TAKE ON THE JOYS AND SORROWS OF TRAVEL MAKES ALL NOMADs SMILE.

Lewis Black 

With six American Comedy Awards wins for Funniest Male Standup Comic, Black tells a brief story about travel in Canada.

Nate Bargatze

A comic who has been performing standup for twenty years has become a major comedy star. This very funny comic has been nominated for a Grammy and appeared on Saturday Night Live. He is constantly on tour. He is also on NETFLIX. The Tennesse native performed for a crowd of over 19,000 in Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Have a few laughs as he tells a story of checking in with DELTA.

And a funny take on missing your flight & losing your cell phone.

Jim Gaffigan

Gaffigan is one of the biggest comics performing today. Winner of various awards for his work, Gaffigan is often referred as the clean comic. Here, he talks about his personal experience - traveling with five kids.

Here's another take on travel from Gaffigan on Chevking into Hotels.

Comedian, dancer and podcaster Kevin Bozeman discusses Air Travel.

Here is a cut from one of the funniest female comedians working today. Leeanne Morgan talks about summer ending way too soon.

Laughing, even after a nine-hour flight, always makes you and yours feel better. So, smile and enjoy the Fall of 2024.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

Video of The Week - A very cool tune - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers.

 

09-18-24 A QUICK DRIVE NORTH FROM SAVANNAH TO CHARLESTON SHOWS MORE OF THE HISTORY & CULTURE OF THE SOUTH

CHARLESTON IS A QUICK TWO HOURS FROM SAVANNAH. MUCH LIKE SAVANNAH, IT HAS SO MANY THINGS TO SEE AND DO YOU WILL NEVER BE WONDERING - NOW WHAT DO WE DO? FOUNDED IN 1670, THIS GRAND SOUTHERN CITY HAS A COMPLICATED HISTORY - SLAVERY, SMALLPOX, MALARIA, HURRICANES AND MANY OTHER MALADIES PLUS THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND THE CIVIL WAR AFFECTED THIS CITY. TODAY IT HAS IT ALL - AMAZING FOOD, FREINDLY PEOPLE, AN ECLECTIC ART SCENE AND WATER EVEYWHERE.

FIRST - WHERE TO STAY

We enjoyed Charleston several years ago. I posted about Charleston and The Inn at Middleton Place where we stayed in August of 2012. This hotel is noted as a winner of the highest design award from The American Institute of Architects. It is a modern hotel sensitive to the local history of the area. However, it was about thirty minutes from downtown Charleston. The hotel was exceptionally well designed, had great food and amazing views of the Ashley River and the surrounding former plantation. The current day price is around $340 a night. If you want to experience the intimate diversity of Charleston up close and personal reserve one of the many super cool AIRBNB's all over the city for reasonable prices. On the other hand, The Middleton will afford you and yours a great place to stay and relax after a busy day of walking and enjoying Charleston.

SO, WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

Charleston has great restaurants, great museums, interesting walking tours, a birds of prey sanctuary, all manner of other interesting tours, Cypress Gardens where you can enjoy being rowed around in a black swamp and many other things to see and do. Just click the SO WHAT DO WE DO NOW link above.

A few quotes on this quintessential very old and very modern city:

“Charleston is one of the best built, handsomest, and most agreeable cities that I have ever seen.” – Marquis de Lafayette

“I’m going back to dignity and grace. I’m going back to Charleston, where I belong.”– Rhett Butler, Gone With The Wind

“Walking the streets of Charleston in the late afternoons of August was like walking through gauze or inhaling damaged silk.” – Pat Conroy

“Come quickly, have found heaven.” – Artist Alfred Hutty

Anyway you ponder Charleston you will be glad you walked its streets, ate its food and saw its beauty.

See ya next week with more places to wander through.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

 VIDEO OF THE WEEK

From a native of Charleston - multi-award-winning Darius Rucker performs one of his biggest hits originally written by Bob Dylan - Wagon Wheel.

09-19-24 PLACES THAT ALL WANDERERS, VAGABONDS & NOMADS MUST ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY VISIT TO STAY A WHILE

GREAT HOTELS ARE, LITERALLY, EVERYWHERE! IT TAKES TIME AND A LOT OF LAPTOP/COMPUTER TIME TO FIND THE BEST HOTELS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKEOUT A SECOND MORTGAGE TO MAKE A RESERVATION.