Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

Puerto Vallarta

I just got back from a lovely week in Puerto Vallarta. We stayed up in Conchas Chinas at the Casa Tres Vidas. This is a villa that can accommodate groups (our group was 10) on separate levels. The villa includes your own staff that prepare exceptional meals. You just pay the grocery bill each day. Very enchanting and a nice change from hotels and large resorts. You may also want to try the adjoining sister property Quinta Maria Cortez....older...elegant...just breakfast is available & included.

And some random pics from the trip!

Photography

An image of a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta....using the Hipstomatic app.

From the plane

Monday Morning California Landscape

Coming back to St Louis today. Greeted this morning by this lovely view.

A Wedding in Hopland, CA

Former St. Louisans and friends, Greg and Lewis officially, though not legally, got hitched last night up at their Dooley Creek Ranch. It was quite an event. 200 friends and family across the country gathered last night in the hills of Mendocino County. Cocktails started poolside and then everyone walked up to the wedding knoll past a vocalist singing, "You are my sunshine". They exchanged vows with Lewis singing his. They also started a painting together during the ceremony. After the vows were complete, the guest strolled down a golden hill surrounded by live oaks draped in moss. Dinner was at the edge of their vineyard. St. Louisans are not going to want to hear this, though I was cold!

California!

One of my favorites stops while in San Francisco is Tartine in the Mission area. Yesterday for breakfast I indulged in Peach Bread Pudding, a cinnamon roll and a mocha. Heaven!

Today I am attending a wedding up in Hopland, CA. I forgot my good camera....so these are iPhone pics. Below are the flowers stored in the bathtub for the event.

And some views from the ranch where the event will be held.

Yesterday I had a tasty burrito from this food truck.

Sedum Shoes

Near Lake Keuka in NY is a wonderful market where people from all over come to sell their wares.  Here are some pictures from the Amish stand.  Love the shoes...they are real!.....now you know what to do with your old Guccis.

Lake Keuka, NY

A day sailing at Lake Keuka in NY! Beautiful weather...decent sailing...drive-in theater tonight to see Harry Potter!

Flower Boxes of Nantucket

You will be jealous....not only for me being on Nantucket...the weather is a breezy 70 degrees. Visited some cousins from the Wight side of the family. It became confusing. 50% of the male crowd was either named Ted or Ned Wight. Today I am featuring some of the lovely window boxes seen on the island.

Flowers on Nantucket

The gardens on Nantucket are lovely. I am jealous of their hydrangeas.

NYC

NYC. Alexander McQueen exhibit. MOMA. Dinner @ Pastis. Memphis @ The Shubert. Night @ The Standard. Walking The Highline today.

Derby in Louisville!

I spent the weekend in Louisville for Derby festivities. On Friday we attended The Oaks Race, which seems to be the race that the locals attend. Everyone wears a little pink for breast cancer awareness. it was a gorgeous day and I was impressed that everyone in the crowd was so decked out! I saw the actual Derby at a house party on Saturday.

Puerto Vallarta

The snow does look pretty, though it is hard to take the cold after spending a week in the sunny 70's in Puerto Vallarta. I know that there has been a lot of bad press about Mexico concerning safety, though Puerto Vallarta has not had any issues. I stayed with a group at one of the villas at Casa Tres Vidas which is next door to where I have stayed before...Quinta Maria Cortez. These are a little south of Old Town in Chonchas Chinas. Both are elegant....Casa Tres Vidas includes your own cook who will prepare meals for you. Our cook and staff was wonderful!

Our chef prepared us appetizers to enjoy with wine at sunset.

 

The ceviche was perfect!

Puerto Vallarta

Back in St. Louis after a wonderful week in Puerto Vallarta!

Louisville

In Louisville, KY for the New Year. Don't you check out the local cemetery when you visit a town?

 

Long Mansion- Corinthian Hall, Kansas City

This weekend I went to a wedding in Kansas City.  I had an opportunity to explore a little before driving back to St. Louis.  I traveled to visit the Long Mansion- Corinthian Hall located above the river somewhere North of town. This mansion was built by R.A. Long, who was a lumber barron, in the early 1900's.  It was designed by Henry Hoit of Van Brunt and Howe architects. It was a little reminiscent of the Rockcliffe Mansion in Hannibal that I sold earlier this year.  That also was built by a lumber barron around the same time. Unfortunately the house is closed and undergoing a renovation that I think will take several years. The house had lovely views of downtown KC and the river.

Here are some of the surrounding homes.

And one interesting home that I saw in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Puerta Vallerta, Villa Marea Baja

This week I have been staying in Puerto Vallerta at the lovely Villa Marea Baja. The weather has been lovely and my days have been spent at the beach and touring.  We even went on these zips lines in the jungle above a river gorge. If you love the pictures of the villa where we stayed....lucky you...it is for sale....$2.25 million.

 

More Dooley Creek Ranch Pictures, Mendocino County, CA

Mendocino County is the up-and-coming Northern CA destination.  It is only two hours north of San Francisco....a little further out than Napa and Sonoma.  There are many fine vineyards in the area as well as farmers markets and more. Below are some pictures with descriptions.

(Wine tasting at Campovida in Hopland, CA.  You should see what they have done to the Old Fetzer compound...amazing gardens and the perfect venue for a wedding.)

(My friend, Lewis, in the ranch's vineyard that neighbors Campovida.)

(Farmers Market in Ukiah.)

 

(From the Farmer's Market to the table...yum)

 

(One of my favorite things about staying on the ranch is having my own casita with an inside shower...though I like using the outside shower)

 

(The vulture who was watching me take my outdoor shower...he was really right above me.)

   

 

Dooley Creek Ranch, Mendocino County, CA

Over the weekend I had the treat of being invited by some friends to stay over at their ranch in Mendicino County near Hopland.  This is a enchanting place designed in the Tuscan style with a stunning main house and four private casitas. The scenery is mesmerizing and you can spend the whole day sitting near the pool looking at the view. The entire ranch can be rented out for a special getaway with your family and/or friends. They have had some weddings on a hill overlooking the vineyards. Truly amazing!  Come back tomorrow for some more pics!

 

 

 

Sep 4, 2010

Greetings from Dooley Creek Ranch in Mendocino County, CA.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

The Quest For Birch Island

My recent family vacation to Maine started with two poems that we had hanging in our farmhouse.  They were drafted and given to my great grandfather when he was there on a hunting/fishing trip in 1909. I knew that we wanted to go to Maine again this year and thought ....why don't we go to the same place our great grandfather went. On each poem the place of record was Birch Island, Maine.  I googled Birch Island and found it.  I also found a wonderful lodge to stay- Attean Lake Lodge.  The lodge brochure mentioned that people had been coming to the lodge since the late 1800s. I thought...this is it and my great grandfather must have stayed in the same lodge.  Well we arrived at the remote lake, located only minutes from the Canadian border, and arrived at our lodge.  That night at dinner we were speaking to one of the other guests and he told me that we were at the wrong Birch Island.  This Birch Island was on Attean Lake and our Birch Island was on Holeb Lake.  Oops...after so much work to get there.  Well it turned out that Birch Island on Holeb Lake was just the next lake over.  There are some hunting cottages on it, though not a lodge to stay.  The next morning I spoke with the owner of the lodge and he put us on course to see the other Birch Island.  We motor boated across our 7 mile lake....hiked 1.5 miles through the woods and arrived at the shore of Holeb Lake.  Our lodge hides two canoes in the woods for guest to use on this lake.  We pattled 5 miles and finally arrived at our destination....Birch Island!  Two construction guys greeted us at the shore.  We were the first people they had seen on the island in 3 weeks.  Birch Island on Holeb Lake used to be a fancy destination owned by an exclusive Boston country club for its guests.  My great grandfather lived in Kansas City and was in the cattle business.  He must have had a business associate that invited him.  Birch Island has seen better days and was a little run down...though enchanting.  Sorry for the long post....though look at the pictures and descriptions below for an illustration of our journey. (This is my last vacation post....sorry to my readers who are bored by this and want more local St. Louis posts.)

The poem below was printed on birch paper. My grandfather's last name was Forrest...thus the cute way of incorporating the last name into the poem.

 

Another poem....

 

Traveling to our destination....

And canoeing in Holeb Lake to Birch Island... being chased by storms periodically

 

And then Birch Island!....finally!

 

 

 

Out Houses

 

Antique Wood Boat Show

The other day we had the treat of seeing a wooden boat show at Lake Keuka in New York. Each is a piece of artwork.

 

 

 

I even loved the antique motors

 

A Day at Lake Keuka, NY

My brother lives in Corning, NY and keeps a couple of sail boats at Lake Keuka, one of the Finger Lakes.  It is a natural lake that was formed by the glaciers and is crystal clear. We spent a couple of days sailing and eating lots of iced cream...in fact, I think I had iced cream every day for over a week.

(Teddy, my son, hardly took his airport-found "ray bans" off the whole trip.) 

(My other son- Nicholas....I promise I did not have him pose for this picture.)

Hotel Ste Germaine- Montreal

The other night we were in Montreal and stayed at the hip Hotel Ste Germaine.  A couple of years ago we stayed at one of their hotels in Toronto.  Notice how the shower has a glass wall to the main room....you just have to remember to close the blinds!

From Birch Island, Maine to Quebec City, Canada

Today we left Attean Lake Lodge after three days.  We had another 5 AM kayak tour, though still no moose. Tonight we are in Quebec City which is the most European city I have visited in North America.  It really is lovely and we are looking forward to dinner at a French bistro tonight.

A sign in Jackman, Maine....I don't think I want to stay at this hotel.

 

Although I never saw a moose....I saw these treats....I think they are called Canadian Lilies

 

Another interesting sign in Jackman, Maine

A Day of Sailing and Kayaking

A 5 AM in the morning, my brother and I got up to go look for moose.  We could not get the motor started in our boat so we went kayaking.  We saw two bald eagles, loons and a kingfisher, though no moose.  Tonight we are going to try again....the motor is working now!!!  My sons had a great day sailing and kayaking.

 

 

Here is where we are staying....Attean Lake Lodge on Birch Island. All guests have their own cabin.  It is fun....no electricity, just gas and oil laps....though we do have hot water! Don't be fooled...we are not roughing it....last night I had Osso Buco.

Jackman,Maine- The Alps of Maine

We are near the Canadian border in Maine.  They call this area the Swiss Alps of Maine.  I am still trying to see a moose.  We saw moose tracks yesterday!

Jul 12, 2010

I am in Maine for a few says on Birch Island. My great grandparents came here in 1909 and we decided to check it out. That dot in the water is a loon! My goal is to see a moose.

Warhol Museum

I am in Pittsburgh with my sons looking at University of Pittsburgh or commonly called Pitt. We went to the Warhol Museum last night. Great place and a must see next time you are in Pittsburgh.

   

 

Quinta Maria Cortez Guest House- Puerto Vallerta

Well I am back to reality and what looks like dreary weather in St. Louis.  At least it is not freezing cold.  I am always happy when January comes to an end.  February is a short month and March brings the emergence of Spring. Here are some last pics of the fabulous place we stayed at in Puerto Vallerta- Quinta Maria Cortez.  I almost hate to give the name out, for it will become too popular and harder to get a room.

 

Red Cabbage Restaurant- Puerto Vallerta

Last night we made it to a delightful restaurant in the outskirts of Puerto Vallerta called Red Cabbage.  This restaurant is famous for their authentic Mexican dishes. I have heard about mole sauce and had some "low-rent" versions, though after my Pollo Mole Poblano last night I know what the fuss is about....yummy....perfect!

Red Cabbage is also famous for this dish...Chiles En Nogada

 

 
  
  

A Dinner Party in Puerto Vallerta

Yesterday evening our group decided to stay-in and make dinner ourselves.  We visited the local market and whipped up a feast!

 

 
 
  
  

Quinta Maria Cortez- Puerto Vallerta

This week I am escaping to Mexico for a little get-a-way.  I am staying with a group of friends in an enchanting B & B.  The Quinta Maria Cortez was a private residence built by a 1920s B movie star.  More pics to come!

 

 

  
 

Birch Island, Maine

Our farm is a great place to hang special family items for everyone to enjoy. When I was at our farm yesterday, I took special notice of some framed poems written on birch bark.  Imagine spending the summer on an island in Maine and having the time to write a poem.These were written by a friend to my great grandfather.  Notice that in the rhyme below they misspelled "forest"....my great grandfather's last name was Forrest.

 

 

More Art Deco

When visiting Pittsburgh last week, I had an opportunity to go to the Mellon museum near University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon. 

I ran across a fabulous wall panel, The Chariots of Aurora, that once graced the SS Normandie.

 

 

Netherland Hotel, Cincinnati

Last week we made a stop and stayed in Cincinnati for the evening.  The highlight of the evening was enjoying some Graeter's ice cream at their new location on Fountain Park.

The other highlight was seeing the Netherland Hotel (Hilton) again.  The Netherland is one of the greatest American Art Deco buildings. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fallingwater

I am back home after a grueling drive last night.  Somehow my sons convinced me to continue driving all the way back to St. Louis when we planned on spending the night in Columbus. 

Oh well at least we are home and don't have to drive today.

Fallingwater was an experience and I want it!  Seeing this Frank Lloyd Wright home inspires you to further appreciate the architect and his focus on integrating a house with its surroundings.I wish I could show you some interior pics, though the museum does not let you take them.  You can see how our local William Bernoudy used many of the same ideas as Wright in his homes.  The use of built-in bookshelves, seating, lighting, etc.  He also was great at bringing the outside in  with his use of windows, terraces and balconies.

 

 

 

Fallingwater

Today I was at Fallingwater in PA, the famous house Frank Lloyd Wright built for the Kaufman family You could see the influence Wright had on St Louis' Bernoudy. More of the interior finishes....though I couldn't take pictures.

More Dooley Creek Ranch

Here are some follow up pics from my stay at Dooley Creek Ranch in Mendocino County, CA.  Don't rush to book a room...it is a private ranch.

Today I spent part of the afternoon soaking at a little hot spring in one of the valleys.

This ranch has a main house and four small houses for sleeping quarters.

Each house has an indoor show and an outdoor one!

The valley oaks has moss that grow on them like Spanish moss.

Dooley Creek Ranch, Mendocino,CA

Dear Friends, Lewis and Greg, invited me to spend the weekend at their fabulous ranch about 2 hrs up from San Francisco.  They share the property with a few other investors.

My pictures do a better job than me in describing it.

Happy July 4th

Happy July 4th!  I am celebrating at the Dooley Creek Ranch in Mendocino, CA.  Today we had the fun activity of making tied-dyed patriotic tee shirts!