MBarea Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Jen is on a Journey

New Tentacles Exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a Must Visit!

April 25, 2014 by The Mom Jen 11 Comments

Driving down Cannery Row you can’t miss it, right now there are long inflatable octopus arms swaying out of the roof!

On April 12, Tentacles: The Astounding Lives of Octopuses, Squid and Cuttlefishes opened to the public at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I was one of the lucky ones who previewed the exhibit the day before! I’ve been to the aquarium quite a bit under many hats: everyday woman, elementary school teacher, field trip chaperone, and mother of 3 and each visit takes on it’s unique path not previously seen the visit before. One year was all about the sea otters, then another visit I became completely mesmerized by the jellyfish. Well, this time around the bizarre creatures of the deep are now something I can’t stop telling people about!

During a recent media tour in Monterey, we explored the $3.5 million, 3700 sq. ft tentacles exhibit that features the largest, most diverse living exhibits of rarely seen and amazing cephalopods of the sea. Included with your daily admission fee, visitors can stroll about the collection (that will rotate through about 2 dozen species) as well as interact with family-friendly displays!

In case you’re wondering, the word cephalopod means roughly “head foot.” But if you want something more scientific than that:

A cephalopod is a mollusk, related to snails, clams, mussels and sea slugs. Common body structure
including: bilaterally symmetrical body, a mantle which acts as a skin-like covering,three hearts, blue blood(when exposed to air), file-like tongue called a radula, a headsurrounded by a ‘foot’ which has evolved into arms and/or tentacles.

giant pacific octopus, New Exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium #Tentacles #Monterey #MontereyBayAquarium Cephalopods So what will you see? Here’s the good stuff! Octopuses! Octopuses’ ability to contort their form and coloration to camouflage with their environment is entrancing and makes them exceptionally successful survivors at sea. Look at this big guy the Giant Pacific Octopus, he’s like the Incredible Hulk when he’s angry, only he turns deep red!The stealth Wunderpus is a master of disguise changes its color, shape and movements to mimic other sea animals! His wiggle and movement gave me the heebie jeebies in a cool way!

My favorite is the rare Flapjack Octopus that Pearl from Finding Nemo was modeled after! Under a special LED light to mimic the 2 mile deep sea where it is found, the Flapjack was so unique to watch float about in it’s lava lamp-like tank!The Bigfin Reef Squid are pretty to observe, their ability to pool together and appear larger to their predators make them a more social group.
Like their close relatives, cuttlefishes have three hearts, an ink sac, head and eyes, and survive by changing the color, shape and texture of their skin. They are named for their unique internal shell, the cuttlebone.The only remaining cephalopod with an external shell, the Chambered Nautilus is also without an ink sac. The shell offers protection and chambers within the shell provide buoyancy control, permitting this beauty to move up and down in the water column to hunt at the surface and find protection in the depths.

Now, plan your trip to the Aquarium and see the new exhibit for yourselves. Tentacles: The Astounding Lives of Octopuses, Squid and Cuttlefishes will be on display through Labor Day 2016 so don’t miss it! For more information or ticket inquiries, visit http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/.

Have you been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium? What’s your favorite exhibit?

My visit was part of the #Tentacles FAM tour, breakfast, early admission, seminar, and behind the scenes were hosted. All opinions are completely my own.

Twisted Roots Wine Tasting Room in Carmel Valley

January 27, 2014 by The Mom Jen 8 Comments

Located in the lovely Carmel Valley, the Twisted Roots wine tasting room is a great spot to stop into and enjoy some of California’s great wines. Not only does the wine room offer their delicious reds and whites, but you can enjoy a glass as you stroll in the adjacent LyonsHead art gallery or outside on the charming patio while listening to the calming fountains.

We were welcomed by owner and winemaker Josh Ruiz and he gave us the history of Twisted Roots. Married into the Schmied family, Josh tells us that they’ve been grape growers since 1918 in the center of the Lodi appellation it wasn’t until 2005 when they began making their own wine in neutral barrels, a nod to sustainable wine making. As “Green Growers” they use sustainable farming practices throughout the entire wine making process including attention to soil nutrient balance in the vineyard, to their barrel-fermentation, and small production each year.A farmer bred in nearby Salinas, California, we appreciated Josh’s passion and pride in his family’s wine and bringing it to the Carmel Valley. He’s partnered with the Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites in their unique wine themed rooms where his sponsored and decorated room includes photographs of the vineyard, a photo book for guests to enjoy, as well as all of their wines available for purchase during the guest’s stay. Also if you become a member of the Twisted Roots wine club, your stay at Vendange Carmel is discounted!

We started off our tasting with the 2012 Chardonnay. A clean and simple chablis-style, not buttery, not oakey due to the natural barrels, nice with a great $20 price point! Josh mentioned that they’ll be introducing a sparkling Chardonnay in 2014, giving us good reason to return this year!

The next two reds were the 2010 Cabernet and the 2010 Petite Syrah. The Cabernet was nice, not too heavy, lighter than a typical Cab you’d find in Napa with a nice body like a Pinot Noir that I enjoy! The Petite Syrah was bolder and would pair nicely with BBQ steak or burgers! Both are $25 each per bottle.

The first varietal planted on the ranch was the 1918 Old Vine Zin. I think this is possibly my favorite red wine I’ve ever tasted! Fruity with a touch of spice, this wine started the Twisted Roots story and I immediately asked Josh to pack one of these for me! The 1918 Old Vine Zin has a price point of $35. (My birthday is next month, I’ve got plans for that one!)

Lastly, because I mentioned my love for sweet whites, we were treated to a bonus glass of their limited release of 2012 Albarino! Tropical of melons and apricot, it’s crisp cool sip was just like dessert on my tongue! Delighted he had one for me to add to my purchase (only $20!).

If you are in Carmel Valley you should make one of your stops the Twisted Roots wine room! Once you enjoy the great art, fall in love with their wines, and join the wine club, then head over and stay at Vendange Carmel with their discount! See, sounds like the perfect weekend! To learn more, visit http://www.twistedrootsvineyard.com/.

We were treated to a complimentary wine tasting for two, purchases were made on our own.

California Wine Lovers: Unique Rooms at Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites

January 23, 2014 by The Mom Jen 13 Comments

Vendange wine is a brand my husband and I have bought in a pinch, thanks to it’s low price point, since college. The name translates from French to “grape harvest” and is also the name of Carmel’s newly acquired and renovated hotel, Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites. We recently reviewed the inn and met with owner, Brian Lee, coincidentally also an alumni of my husband and my alma mater and immediately felt a connection to the fabulously unique hotel concept!

Beneath the pergola, around the firepit, and among the beautiful landscaping, Mr. Lee filled us in on how he came about tying the hotel in with the area’s expanding wine scene. You see, there are 18 rooms in the Inn, 15 of which are sponsored by local wineries and are specifically decorated to reflect each individual brand. Among the top of the line memory foam beds, marble-tiled bathrooms, and flat screen TVs, you’ll find that the thematic rooms also include wines from the sponsored winery, maybe on a table, or hanging as art like in the Twisted Roots room. Often you find a mini-bar in a hotel room, well at Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites, you get an opportunity for a wine tasting bar in the privacy of your suite!

Our suite was themed after the Twisted Roots winery. Just before checking into the hotel, we were at the Twisted Roots tasting room in Carmel Valley speaking with Josh Ruiz, wine maker, about his story. Our room reflected the seasons on the vineyard and both Josh and Brian mentioned they’re changed out quarterly. Above the fireplace an amazing shot of a grapevine that can almost resemble an oil painting. As I mentioned, the wine is displayed on the wall as art and also there’s a photo book in the room that gives you a look into the vineyard along with space to write about your stay in the room. I was happy to know the prices of the wine matched the price you’d find if you purchased at the tasting room, not inflated!

Brian gave us a tour of the property and a look into the J. Lohr room complete with wine barrel on the patio overlooking the pergola, where on some evenings during spring and summer live music can be enjoyed. I also fell in love with the art in the colorful and interesting Cima Collina room with headboard made with wine bottle bottoms that light up!

The staff and hospitality are warm and welcoming at Vendange Carmel. Upon check-in you’re given a map of downtown Carmel (a bit of a far walk, but do-able) and if you have questions about dinner locales, they are more than happy to offer suggestions. Evening wine and cheese hour (available on weekend nights) is one of my favorite perks at a hotel and this was no exception! We met a lovely couple from the bay area and found that they also lived in New York. We chatted, enjoyed both red and white wines of California, cheese and salami, crackers, and nuts. We had such a great time, we spent the entire 2 hours eating, drinking, and talking and never went to dinner! Each morning there’s a filling continental breakfast for a 2 hour block! I loved it didn’t begin until 8pm and lasted until 10, makes for a relaxing morning and a chance to sleep in a bit!

Travel incentives are offered at Vendange Carmel. If you’re a member of a partner’s wine club, your room will be discounted, check with the hotel for more information when booking! The “Sip, Savor and Enjoy” Rewards Program can:

Earn free nights
No blackout dates
Priority check-in
Wine upon check in
Chances to win monthly raffle prizes

The program is simple: For every 5 nights you stay, you receive 50% of the 6^th night. (Consecutive night stays not required). For every 10 nights you stay, you receive the 11th night complimentary. (Consecutive night stays not required). There is no sign up required! Just provide your email when booking a reservation and they will let you know when your rewards are redeemable!

Our stay was incredible, romantic, and fun! The only thing I’d suggest is to not sleep with both the heater and the fireplace going, it got so warm I had to open the window! I know we’ll be back to Vendange Carmel for a staycation again soon, the variety of rooms will have you enjoying a different experience each time! Visit Vendange Carmel online, http://www.vendangecarmel.com/, to book your next stay in Carmel!

Our stay was hosted, all opinions our own.

California Central Coast: Carmel Food Tour Review

January 14, 2014 by The Mom Jen 9 Comments

Some days I have to pinch myself. I live just a short 35 minutes away from one of the most beautiful spots in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea! People from around the world visit this amazing area in the Monterey Bay each year as it’s know for it’s delicious food, fabulous wine, world class golf, art, culture, and of course the Pacific Ocean. I was born and raised locally and have explored the beaches and tidepools, come fishing with my dad, and have toured the nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium, the area is wonderful for children.

It’s exciting to know as an adult I can enjoy Carmel in a whole new way as my husband and I were excited to make a day trip over to the coast and enjoy Carmel Food Tours with our lovely tour guide Staci! Staci started this fun and rewarding culinary and cultural adventure for herself in 2012 and has made it one of the top excursions in the area for tourists!

We met Stacy at the Carmel Plaza at Junipero and Ocean streets. The plaza itself hosts shops, dining, and wine tasting along with beautiful landscaping. The cool winter morning was warmed by Stacy’s smile as we met our group for our 3 hour tour. So our first stop was right there in the plaza, The Cheese Shop Carmel offered us up some Monterey county Edam, an English Cheddar, and an Argentinian Parmigiano Reggiano. The shop’s motto is Eat Cheese, Drink Wine, Live Life Happy and we hear that if you go in there you can wine taste, sample all the cheeses your heart desires and you’ll also get some fun chatter, jokes, and an overall good time! Our appetites whet, we began our stroll down Mission Street making our way to the next stop.

Staci chatted with us about the architecture of the city, the fact that there are no street lights, and also that you need a permit to walk in town with heels. We arrive at Casanova Restaurant next, known to locals as Carmel’s most romantic dining destination. European cottage from the outside, inside you’ll find a maze of rooms and nooks that would be perfect for any couple looking for a hideaway to enjoy eachother’s company. You can dine at the very table that Vincent Van Gogh had his last meal, or outside among the trees. Here we sampled the restaurant’s spinach gnocchi, a treat that is like eating a bit of heaven. Not made from traditional potatoes each bite was light and luscious and we vowed to return to explore more of the menu and well as tour their hand-dug wine cellar. Over the course of the tour, you get enough bites to satisfy a nice lunch and to honestly leaving you are determined to come back for a full meal, it’s win-win for both customer and clients Staci works with. Our next stop had us at a familiar location, Mundaka for Spanish Tapas. My husband and I visited this restaurant once before and enjoyed it’s eclectic menu of little bites. Remembering the lamb burger we both loved, we sipped some amazing red wine sangria and enjoyed a bite of crostini with manchego cheese with pequillo peppers. Since we visited last, they opened up the building next door to the restaurant as a cafe.

Taking paths less traveled and enjoying the scenery is something Staci encourages. Often we are destination based, need to get to and from where we’re going and not taking enough time to look around.

Look down at the paths, look to the side for the vines and the greenery, taking in the colors and textures that abound.

Look up and see the beauty of decor, look down at the beautiful tiles mixed into the staircases. Carmel is abundant with beauty.With a plate of gelato in hand from Salumeria Luca, Staci leads us into Trio Carmel, a specialty oil and vinegar shop that includes beautiful art and wine.We’re encouraged to add different flavored oils and vinegar to our gelato and to believe this is indeed a sundae of sorts, the combination is amazing. We enjoy some local Monterey County wines like Pelerin and Le P’tit Paysan. I don’t dare take seconds or over do it on the wine, I am pacing myself and we have 3 stops yet. On the corner of Dolores and 7th, you’ll find a little French Cafe called La Bicyclette, owned by the same family as Casanova. A majority of this restaurant’s food comes from within 10 miles of it’s downtown Carmel location, talk about fresh and sustainable! We enjoyed two mouth-watering pizzas including the Local Champignon with portabella, cremini, oyster mushrooms, caramelized onion purée, thyme, and truffle pecorino. It was a flavor explosion in my mouth as I’m a die hard pepperoni pizza lover. The second was a Butternut Squash pizza with gruyere, arugula, speck ham, and sage, I’m claiming this my ultimate favorite. As Staci is gluten free, La Bicyclette can offer a gluten free pizza with some time notice, I’ve heard you’d never know the difference in flavor!The menu changes daily, the pizzas are a staple. We will return again when we visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for sure! Next up was visiting the art gallery and wine tasting room of Figge Cellars. We were in for a huge treat as there was a Rolling Stones art exhibit in house and the photography was simply stunning. While we sampled the Pelio Chard and Pelio Pinot Noir, we strolled about the gallery admiring the artwork. We’ve been to Figge once before, but this tasting showcased two entirely different wines than before, so we were excited.

Rounding out 7 locations in under 3 hours, we finished our tour at Lula’s Chocolates. I mean was this tour made for me or what? Decked out for the holidays, we enjoyed salted caramels in chocolate and I have to admit, I’ve already been back to this place since our tour!

For $69 per person, this tour gets you outside in the fresh coastal air, has you walking, eating, drinking, and sampling some of Carmel’s best culinary and cultural experiences. That price is a steal and Staci’s knowledge, her smile, and her passion for the area she lives in is contagious. This would be fun for couples, a girl’s getaway, or bring your parents. I think this is one of the best ways to get to know a town during your visit, I’ll be looking these up more often as I travel!

Don’t forget your walking shoes too! To check out the dates or reserve your own private tour, visit http://www.carmelfoodtour.com/.

Our tour was hosted, though gratuity was on our own.

Holman Ranch and Wine Tasting Room, Carmel Valley

October 16, 2013 by The Mom Jen 6 Comments

It’s not often that I get to travel with one of my writers on a press trip, so when I had a +1 invite to a local wine tasting event I knew exactly who to call! Merrie from Sleepless Mornings shares our experience of visiting the Holman Ranch wine tasting room and ranch estates from a recent getaway.

“Holman Ranch: Where the Past is Always Present. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley, historic Holman Ranch provides a unique and memorable setting for weddings, special events, family gatherings, corporate retreats, and team-building events. With its charming gardens, stunning mountain views and serenity, this private estate affords old-world charm while providing modern day conveniences. This impressive property includes a fully restored stone hacienda, overnight guest rooms, vineyards, olive grove, horse stables and a tasting room where guests can sample our wines.”

When we arrived in Carmel Valley, our first stop was their Holman Ranch Tasting Room. It was conveniently located near several others right on Carmel Valley Road, making it a lovely place to stop whenever you’re in the area. Inside the beautifully decorated tasting room we met Pete, who was extremely knowledgeable and friendly when it came to talking about their wines — or anything, for that matter! He’s absolutely the kind of person you want to chat with in a tasting room, especially when you want some insight on the wine your tasting.Jen and I differ in our tasting, with her leaning towards whites and me preferring reds, but we’re both always intrigued to try new things, and we both advise the other if we think the other is missing out on something great. I would happily sample wines with her any day of the week! On this particular day, she stayed on the white side and tried their Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. She enjoyed both, while I partook of their different Pinot Noirs. One is called Hunter’s Cuvée, and the other is called Heather’s Hill. Both had a delicious flavor and aftertaste, without being either dull or overwhelming. I don’t know if I can say one was better than the other — I loved them both! One fun opportunity we had was to try some of their freshly harvested pinot grapes as we drank the pinot noir. A very nice before and after experience!

The last wine we tasted was their Rosé of Pinot Noir Blushing Bride. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a Rosé from a Pinot grape, and I appreciated the unique taste. It was also lovely and refreshing on a warm afternoon. I could imagine myself in a lush garden on a sunshine filled day with a glass of that to relax with.

Once our tasting was through, it was on to the Ranch. Just a few curves up the road was the entrance, which was easy to locate. As we climbed up into the Carmel Valley hills, we once again appreciated how blessed we are to live so close to this part of California. The views were phenomenal on this clear summer day, and will continue to be the majority of the year.

Getting settled into our room wasn’t too difficult. There aren’t a lot of rooms onsite, making it an intimate setting for wedding or event guests. There are several cabins laid out, with each containing several rooms. Jen and I found ours and were happy to find very comfortable and spacious accommodations. The beds were comfortable, the views incredible and I truly appreciated that they had water bottles ready to use and take with you if you wanted to go for a hike.

After we were settled, we met up with Nick Elliott, one of the proprietors and coordinators for Holman Ranch. If you’re having any kind of event at Holman, Nick and his wife, Hunter Lowder, are the ones who will be coordinating it. And you’re glad for that, because not only are they experienced in event planning and hospitality, but they’re also knowledgeable about the ranch and dearly love it — you can tell. Hunter was under the weather, so we didn’t get to meet her, but Nick was there and happy to show us their setup.

When you first walk into the event area, right in front of you is a large courtyard filled with flowers and greenery, with a barn for dancing on your right, and straight ahead of you, this:If you’re at Holman for a big wedding, chances are you’ll see chairs set up on the beautiful green lawn, and enjoy the opportunity of watching a wedding take place on that stone veranda that overlooks the valley. Not too shabby, right?

Once the tour of the outside and inside of the hacienda was complete, we were lucky enough to be served a delicious dinner, compliments of Michael’s Catering in Marina, CA. Everything was delicious and served beautifully. Another moment that knocked me out was when Nick offered us a glass of their Holman Chardonnay, which I took with the hope that I would actually like it enough to drink it. (I’m NEVER a Chardonnay girl. NEVER.) And shock of all shocks, I liked it! It was fruity and crisp and cool — the perfect combo for a white that I rarely find. Well done, Holman Winery.

After dinner, during which we enjoyed the company of other writers and Nick, Jen and I took advantage of what was left of the sunlight and ventured out to see what else we could see.

We found the pool and fitness center, which are right next to fields of vineyards that have paths to walk through, etc. We thought it all looked amazing under the bright full moon, but we decided it wasn’t worth running into some curious or wild creatures in the process, so we went back to our room to relax…and check in on our social media pages.

The next morning, after a fine night of sleep, we enjoyed some complimentary breakfast in the game room, and then took a quick ride with Nick and the others to get a close up view of their olive grove. Set high up in the hills above the ranch, they have approximately 100 olive trees that were re-planted for Holman in 2007. Walking around near them you could actually smell the olives. We had the opportunity to taste the olive oil they press back at the tasting room, and I can tell you — it’s fantastic!

Thank you to Holman Ranch and to Nick for allowing us to enjoy their incredible location and what it has to offer. The next time I’m working on a corporate event, or who knows, maybe even a wedding, I’m absolutely considering them as a possibility. They know their stuff, they treat their guests and their vendors well, and they do it all with a smile. And wine. What’s not to love?

Merrie is a writer for the Jen is on a Journey and you can also find her at her blog, Sleepless Mornings: “I’m the mother of two beautiful children, newly engaged, a scrapbooker, a baker, and sometimes I’m even fun to be around!”

Our stay was hosted, all opinions our own.