Shelby American

Shelby American Las Vegas

Experiencing the Legend 

"I'm not an engineer or a designer but I think I know what people like." - Carroll Shelby

The humility of a man who grew to be one of the biggest idols in car history is incredible to me. Prior to visiting the Shelby Heritage Center I thought I knew who Carroll Shelby was, I thought I knew his story and I thought I knew about the Shelby empire but now I see my knowledge was only scratching the surface of this amazing man and his amazing story. 

 

The Story Behind the Prodigy

Carroll Shelby was born on January 11, 1923 in Leesburg, Texas. From the young age of 7 he suffered from a heart valve leakage problem which ultimately forced him to end his racing career in October 1959. Prior to racing, Carroll served in World War II as a flight instructor and test pilot eventually graduating with the rank of staff sergeant pilot. After the war was over, Carroll had a handful of businesses that failed before he began racing cars as an amateur in 1952. Shelby quickly becomes victor race after race and in 1954 Aston Martin team manager, John Wyer, offers him the opportunity to race a car in England for the Aintree race which he finished in second. Between 1954 and 1959 Carroll continued racing in The U.S. and Mexico earning the title in 1957 of Sports Illustrated's "Driver of the Year". In 1960, he completes his last race, Laguna Seca, and in 1961 he is forced to retire from racing due to his heart condition. I was told by a good friend of Carroll's that his response was "If I can't race anymore, I want to build them." and that's what he did. He sent a proposal to AC Cars, based in England, asking them to provide a chassis to him so he could place a Ford V8 engine in it. Once the proper engine was found (a Ford 4.2 liter small block) the two were merged together and, in Febraury 1962, the Cobra was born in Dean Moon's Speed Shop. The original Cobra was painted a pearlescent yellow and then re-painted a new color every time a magazine came to test drive the Cobra so that it would appear they had many cars in production (good marketing move, don't you think?). Shelby American was established and went on to build many cars and win many races which built the name and brand we know today. In June of 1990, Carroll finally received a heart transplant. While in the hospital, Carroll saw how many families were affected by children with heart conditions and that a lot of them couldn't afford treatment so in September 1991, he started what is now known as the Carroll Shelby Foundation which has helped many families receive the medical attention they've needed every since. In the mid-90s the Shelby factory and World Headquarters were established in Las Vegas and is home to a collection of cars, dedicated to producing high quality Shelby vehicles and houses an official Shelby store that offers exclusive merchandise. Several employees told me they couldn't imagine working anywhere else and that they are "excited to be here in the morning and hate to leave at night.". The Senior Designer, Vincent LaViolette, had the privilege of taking Carroll on his last test drive at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway before he passed. In fact, the very car they sat in is displayed in the showroom, a Shelby 1000 proto car. Vincent told me that Carroll was passionate about the company and would come out in 110 degree weather just to watch the newest test drives and make sure they met his expectations. That he would call his employees "hot rodders" and call in every morning to see how everyone was doing. Vincent went on to say how Carroll would never forget a face, even if years would pass since the last time he saw you, he would pick up the conversation where it left off. He loved and cared for his employees as if they were family. Carroll Shelby passed on May 10, 2012 in Dallas at the age of 89. The employees of Shelby American find it a privilege to carry on his legacy daily and bring honor to his name.

The one and only original Cobra

The Heritage Center & Shelby American Tour   

The 10,400 square foot Heritage Center displays a collection of about 30 Shelby cars that have had a prominent role in the company's history. It once housed the original Cobra (yes, the one that was painted about 7 times!), which was recently auctioned. The museum is displayed as a walking timeline, starting with the oldest vehicle and ending with the newest prototype. There is a FREE tour (for hours of showroom & tour schedule click here http://shelby.com/?topic=museum&art=SHC) that is led by a gentleman named Jim who knew Carroll personally and has a wealth of knowledge regarding anything and everything Shelby. He spent some time with me while I was there and I was absolutely mesmerized listening to him. No wonder Shelby has a perfect 5/5 star rating on Yelp and everyone seems to praise Jim and the tour he leads. Jim first did business with Shelby American 51 years ago as a young mustang owner while building his own incredibly fast mustang (so fast, in fact, Jim said he is thankful he is still here!). He would buy performance parts from Carroll and grew to know him well. Jim went on to work for Ford for most of his life until he retired, came to Vegas and was offered a position at Shelby as a historian. In my opinion, I can't imagine anyone more fitted for the job than Jim. I asked him what is one thing you want people to know about Shelby and he replied with a smile, "I want them to know his legacy. I want them to know that when Shelby American was formed it really changed the definition of performance through out North America and the world." and by the end of the tour you will truly understand why that statement is so powerful and authentic. The tour takes about an hour with private tours available for no charge but donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged and appreciated.

Jim leading the FREE tour

The Factory 

This building after all is the Shelby World Headquarters and that means authentic Shelbys are built everyday in the factory. While you can't have direct access to the factory, there is a glass wall in the showroom that overlooks it and you can watch the technicians work on, build and customize vehicles. I was lucky enough to get a private tour and peek inside the factory operations, so I will fill you in on the magic that happens behind that wall. Across the entire front of the factory you will see technicians working on a variety of performance modifications. An ocean of mustangs graduating into the Shelby class. This area is the most visible and you are more than welcomed to hang out and watch for as long as you'd like. In the back of the factory you will find cars being Dyno tuned and tested to achieve maximum performance. Moving across the back wall you will find the body area where fiberglass pieces are made and where custom paint jobs are born. While I was being guided through this area I was informed that all the paint is mixed in house and some custom colors have taken up to a month to achieve the perfect shade (Talk about dedication!). The body and paint technicians work hard back here to shape, mold, paint and create the perfect finished product to make for a happy customer. Once the body work has been performed and is completed the piece is sent to a special light booth where it is meticulously looked over to find any imperfections.While in factory I couldn't help but notice how hard everyone was working and how much they seemed to care to make sure the job was done right. The passion these workers pour into the cars cannot go unnoticed.

A Mustang on the Dyno

  

The light booth where all imperfections are searched for

The Shelby Store & Foundation

At Shelby American you will find the Shelby shop which features a variety of genuine items and exclusive items you can only find at the Las Vegas store. The store manager informed me that one of the biggest purposes of the shop is that "Not everyone can afford an authentic Shelby vehicle but everyone can have a Shelby experience and take home a piece of Shelby," because they offer something in everyone's price range from a key chain to authentic autographed pieces. All the proceeds from the autographed pieces, and a percentage of the proceeds from all items sold, go directly to the Shelby Foundation. (*Mention The WannabeGypsy blog and you will receive a 10% discount on your purchase!) There are kiosks available in the store where you can donate to the Carroll Shelby Foundation. The charity held such a big and special place in Carroll's heart and his staff carries that on today. There have been many cars that were built specifically for auction and 100% of the sale price went to his charity. Carroll would sign his autograph and charge for his signature and 100% of the money collected was donated. Over the years so much has been raised that the foundation was able to expand to care for kids from "their first heartbeat through their education years" providing medical treatment, organ transplant management programs, financial grants for organizations who specialize in organ transplant research and provide scholarships for children who continue their education in the automotive field. A great way that we the fans can honor Carroll Shelby is to take the time to donate and continue his passion and legacy to provide for these amazing causes. 

Find this awesome dude by the front door so you can donate to the Carroll Shelby Foundation

 
After spending the day at Shelby American I walk away not only gaining an understanding of how much of an impact Carroll Shelby has had on American culture but the influence he's had across the world. Coming to experience the empire this racing legend built is on the bucket list of many people across the world. The manager told me she has met people from so many different countries who come to the U.S. to visit Shelby American and that it is a dream fulfilled for them. This is one experience you won't soon forget. 

Bonnie Springs Ranch Las Vegas

  Bonnie Springs Ranch

Experiencing the Wild West like never before 

“The Old West is not a certain place in a certain time, it’s a state of mind." – Tom Mix

About 30 minutes off the Las Vegas Strip, tucked away at the base of the Springs Mountains, is a wonderful little gem known as Bonnie Springs. As a girl who grew up in Vegas, Bonnie Springs is definitely keeper of some of my most cherished memories. It always offered a magical experience that took me back to a time of lawlessness, cowboys & offered a true Wild West encounter. This is not something to experience with only 2 hours available, I would encourage you to set at least half a day aside to truly enjoy all that Bonnie Springs has to offer. 

First things first, a little background of the Ranch. Originally the land was home to the Paiute Indians until immigrants took over the land while expanding the Old West, forcing the Indians to dwell in the enclaves located just beyond the Ranch area. This land, which had natural springs, was established in 1843 as the last stop along the Old Spanish Trail for pioneers to refill their water barrels before heading to California. In 1952, Bonnie McGaugh purchased the land which consisted of a house and an old run down bar which she operated without electricity for years. In 1964 she added electricity and expanded the bar to include a restaurant (Fun fact: Bonnie herself laid the floor that is in the restaurant by hand!). In 1974 her husband, Al Levinson, opened the old west style town now known as Old Nevada and in 1986 a 50 room motel was added to the area. Ever since, Bonnie Springs has been a local favorite and a staple of many childhood memories most of us can't imagine being without.

Old Nevada Mining Town 

Old Nevada was built with the vision of an 1880s old west mining town. It is complete with a wedding chapel, various souvenir stores, an antique photo shop (where you and your family can create old west style pictures), a school house, wax museum and a Saloon (which also doubles as a fully stocked bar). The buildings are either a collection of multiple old structures pieced together to create new ones or were transported as a complete building to the town. Some have witnessed paranormal activities and say the buildings are haunted. Ask any of the employees and they will tell you story after story of creepy accounts. This area of Bonnie Springs also has the talent! The wonderful staff put on displays such as a Melodramas, a Hanging and a Posse Show that will engage you and make you laugh until you cry. For a show schedule click here https://bonniesprings.com/activities/old-town/. The town is scattered with authentic mining equipment, wagons and other fun historical objects. Take a stroll with one of the cowboys walking around town and they will be nice enough to tell you all they know about Bonnie Springs and all the displays. The passion that went into building Old Nevada can still be felt. The love that fueled the labor into creating this Western town is seen in all the small details that make you feel as if you have traveled back in time to relive the Wild Wild West.  

The Petting Zoo 

The petting zoo opened in the early 1960s after someone abandoned sheep at the Ranch. Bonnie had such a love for animals she couldn't turn them away, so she took them in. Ever since, the zoo has adopted several species of animals including emus, deer, llamas, wolves and more! Most of these animals were donated, abandoned or injured and nursed back to health thanks to the Bonnie Springs Ranch. Bring your quarters so you can buy animal food from the dispensers and get a hands on experience with some amazing little creatures. 

The Restaurant & Bar

While you're out visiting the old west you're bound to get hungry for some food, food fit for a cowboy in fact. Good news is you won't have to travel far. The Ranch has an awesome restaurant on site with a beautiful view of a man made pond where ducks and turtles abound. This affordable little place was essentially where all of Bonnie Springs started and history lives on, in fact some of Bonnie's original recipes are still served and adored at the restaurant. For hours of operations click here https://bonniesprings.com/

The bar is also a great destination for motorcycle riders to head out to. Hop on your Harley, ride through the scenic mountains and enjoy a nice cold drink and some delicious food with your friends. You'll notice from the ceiling of the bar hang hundreds if not thousands of dollar bills. It was a tradition that started many years ago and on the day after 9/11 they took down all the money that was collected over the years (totaling almost $19,000!) and donated it to the local fire department. Since then, every couple of years they pull down all the dollars hung from the ceiling and continue to donate them to various non-profits.

Events

If your child's birthday is coming up, company party or if your signing the dotted line on that marriage license soon, Bonnie Springs wants to help you celebrate! They offer in house catering & various locations available on site to accommodate any size gathering. The events manager will guide you through the planning of your event and help you customize your special occasion to bring your vision into a reality. By understanding your specific needs he will be able to provide you and your guests with an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. For more information, call the main office at (702) 875-4194

While out at the Ranch you can also enjoy horseback riding, pony rides, a train ride and on the last Saturday of every month you can shoot live zombies (talk about an oxymoron!) with paintball guns for the ultimate Walking Dead experience. For information regarding all of these activities click here https://bonniesprings.com/   

The Wild West is still alive and well in the back mountains of the Las Vegas area. Only a short drive from The Strip it will offer you memories to last a lifetime. 

Bonnie Springs Ranch

Phone: (702) 875-4194

16395 Bonnie Springs Road

Las Vegas, NV 89124

www.bonniesprings.com 

Wild West Cowboy Show, they love interacting with the folks!

Bonnie Springs will take you to an entirely different world

My son being deputized, receiving his badge and taking his oath

This little guy can't wait to get some treats!

The Bonnie Springs restaurant serves up some delicious food

Talk about a beautiful backdrop

Las Margs: A Foodie Hot Spot for Your Mexican Craving 

Downtown Denver 

Recently, while in Denver, my family & I got a craving for some tacos. So, I took to Yelp to find a high rated restaurant in the area so we could indulge ourselves until we were content. Up popped Las Margs. With a 4.5/5 star rating we figured we found the spot. Las Margs did not disappoint! We ordered some Chips & Salsa, Guacamole, Nachos, the "Poblano", Tinga Chicken Street Tacos & Churros and OMG it was heavenly. I don't think I've ever had better Salsas. They weren't just "hot" - they had flavor & depth. The "Poblano" was my absolute favorite thing on the menu and I highly recommend you try it. It is a roasted Poblano pepper that has been stuffed with their signature Tinga chicken, topped with green tomatillo salsa, crema & queso. It has a bit of a crunchy top, a well balanced center and the perfect roast so it's not too soggy. The entire experience was so amazing that I asked the waitress if the manager was available because I had to tell him how much I loved the food. She did one better and brought the owner himself, Octavio. Octavio was as much of a delight as his food. I had to ask him if I could come back within the next few days to interview him so I could write about his restaurant and share this little gem of a place with the world - and here we are. 

Octavio has been in the food industry since 1972 and has incorporated some old time family recipes into Las Margs with some dating back 80 years. The Chicken Tinga recipe belonged to his wife's grandmother and the (amazing) Salsa Verde belonged to his grandma. The family inclusion doesn't stop there. His son-in-law, Zachary has been there for 25 years & is now Octavio's partner. Emmanuel, his nephew, is head Chef along with a lovely woman named Virginia. Both of whom are passionate about cooking and it is shown by the time and effort they put into Las Margs to make sure your food is delicious every time. 

Octavio's theory is to make everything as fresh as possible. A lot of local produce is used and he brings red & green chiles in from New Mexico (he informed me this is where you will find the BEST red & green chiles). The Tamales, Salsas and Beans are made fresh daily and the Churros are cooked to order from a fresh batch of dough. The Flan is the best Flan I've ever had (and let me tell you, I've had my fair share). It is house-made with a special recipe that is more than 30 years old. Octavio told me the secret to a good Flan is to check it frequently to make sure it does not overcook. His passion & the passion of the Chefs shine on each plate that leaves the kitchen. I always say you can tell the difference between a cook & a chef in one bite because the love they have for their food will come out on the plate and this proves true at Las Margs. Octavio is very picky as far as what is served at his restaurant, he says "If it's not right, it will be done over." 

Look at these beautiful peppers being roasted for the Salsa

The Flan cooking in a water bath, no frozen desserts here!

The decadent finished Flan, I'm craving it now!

The staff is a direct reflection of the leadership in any restaurant and everyone we encountered at Las Margs was friendly, cheerful & fun. Octavio informed me most of his employees have been there for a while and a few who had left came back and have now been there for several years. 

The building brings so much character to the atmosphere. I learned it is a historic building and used to be a car garage as is seen in the roll up door on one of the walls that must always remain due to a grandfather clause to mark the building in it's original state. 

Overall, Las Margs will be a memory that we will keep for a long time. I'm still craving the Poblano dish! Anytime we are in the Denver area we will be making a point to stop and get our Mexican fix at the much loved Las Margs and I recommend you make a point to try it out!

Las Margs

1521 Marion Street 

Denver, CO 80218

720-366-4160

http://www.lasmargsdenver.com/

Octavio, the owner, what a sweet guy!

 

Contact me at thewannabegypsy@yahoo.com with questions and comments.

 

 Notre Dame Cathedral

Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II 75004 Paris
Cost: FREE for entry to the church; Audio guides are 5 Euro per person; Entry into the treasury is 3 Euro for adults, 1 Euro for children ages 6-12 and FREE for children under 5; to walk up the towers is 8 Euro for adults and FREE for anyone under 18.
Hours: 9:30 am - 6 pm; Sundays from 1:00 pm - 6 pm
Website: http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/spip.php?rubrique2 

Notre-Dame de Paris or "Our Lady of Paris" is a French Gothic Cathedral that sits on an island known as Ile de la Cite in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. Construction of this church began in 1163 with the remaining elements completed in 1345. During the French Revolution in 1793, the cathedral was taken and rededicated to "The Cult of Reason" and many artifacts and treasures of the church were destroyed as well as the building itself being widely damaged. In 1845, a 25 year long restoration occurred only to be damaged again during World War II and finally in 1991 another restoration began and lasted until 2010.Today I imagine it is as beautiful as it has ever been.

Below the Square in front of the church lies The Crypt. It was discovered during the excavations in 1965 and holds the remains of buildings erected on the site during ancient times through the classical era. Move on to the church itself and you will be amazed by the experiences that lie ahead. If you are up for the 387 stair climb of the bell towers you will come face to face with the famous gargoyles and some breath taking views of Paris. For an additional fee you can visit The Treasury where holy objects are housed. The Treasury is interesting but it seemed poorly labeled to me as most times we didn't know what we were looking at. A little research prior to going would help out a great deal. Some of the precious relics include one of Christ's original nails and a fragment of the true cross. It is said that a portion of the original crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus at his crucifixion is kept at Notre Dame and is put on display the first Friday of each month. For more info click here http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/Veneration-of-the-Crown-of-Thorns 

Overall I say that to miss out on Notre Dame Cathedral would be to miss out on Paris. This is where the city of Paris literally began, it is the heart and soul of this vibrant, unique and romantic city. The beauty you see here will last a lifetime in your heart. 

The church still regularly holds services for times and dates click here http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/spip.php?article310

The Louvre Museum

Address: Very hard to find an accurate one...so I'll post the map!
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Louvre+Museum/@48.860611,2.337644,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x47e671d877937b0f:0xb975fcfa192f84d4
Cost: 16 Euro per Adult; children 18 and under are FREE
Hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday: from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays
Website: http://www.louvre.fr/en

Wow, the Louvre has so much history in it I couldn't help but fall head over heels for her. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, it once served as a Palace to the royals but fell to the common people during the Revolution and in 1793 the Revolutionary government opened the first portion of the museum to the people. Upon it's public opening date it housed 537 paintings that were mostly confiscated property from the royals and churches during the Revolution. The collection has certainly grown in the last 200 years to house more than 35,000 pieces of art and more than 380,000 objects displayed in this 652,000 square foot building! There are several collections to view including Egyptian Antiques, Sculptures and my favorite The Greek, Etruscan, and Roman collection.

The Louvre has several iconic pieces it has acquired over the years such as the Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory of Samothrace and the beloved Mona Lisa (which let me burst your bubble now...the original Mona is only 30 in × 21 in - yea, I was shocked when I saw it).

The Louvre provides maps upon entering that give information on the displays and their locations in the museum but here is a link for an interactive floor plan so you can plan ahead and make sure your "must see" things are made priority http://www.louvre.fr/en/plan. 

There are places to eat inside as well and enough rooms and collections to easily fill a complete day or two. For parents with young kids, it's a little hard to maneuver a stroller around and paranoia is all but contained as you watch your little ones walk by these priceless objects but it is well worth it - just plan to move a little slower than most and keep a close eye on the kiddos. This is a wonderful chance to educate tweens and teens on art, culture and history. Here is a link for a book to help kids get educated on the pieces in The Louvre before your big trip http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811855104?ie=UTF8&tag=parmus-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0811855104 

 For the latest exhibitions & events click here http://www.louvre.fr/en/evenements

Rue Cler 

 Hours: Weekdays - all day; Saturday and Sunday mornings.

  Many of the stores are closed on Mondays.

     Located in the 7th arrondissement this street market is the must see for any food lover. There is everything from fruit and vegetable stands (Halles Bosquet) to flower stands to my favorite CHEESE (La FermetteFromagerie) there are cafes, bakeries, butchers and chocolate shops! A one stop shop for anything and everything you could possibly dream of. Shopping a market like Rue Cler is not simply shopping in Paris...it is an experience. It's a time to socialize, to purchase groceries for that day (lets face it, kitchens are small in Europe and that equals small refrigerators so a lot of things are purchased daily or every other day to ensure freshness), to smell the fruits and vegetables and get a euphoric vision of how to treat them and love them in the kitchen. The food in Paris is just...well, better. The French actually refer to our American strawberries as "plastic" - at first I didn't understand this but when we actually bought some of their strawberries - well, lets just say I don't really eat them here in the states anymore. The strawberries in Paris are deep red in color, all the way through...no bitter white center and the tops look like fresh little trees, not wilted and dead. They were sweet and delicate - AND THAT'S JUST THE STRAWBERRIES!

You could easily spend a half a day strolling Rue Cler trying samples, buying items to take back home (I bought some fresh vanilla beans, Herbs de Provence, jams and jellies - just make sure everything over 3.4 oz is in your CHECKED bags at the airport.) or picking up items to keep in your hotel or flat for snacking late at night. I found all the shop owners to be very pleasant and they just loved and adored that I was an American trying my best to speak French. They would laugh with me, talk to me about their food and why it was such good quality and share samples. This was where I tried my first authentic baguette...when you're in Paris walking around you will notice an abundance of people literally carrying a full size baguette in a paper sleeve that they picked up from the bakery minutes ago and just taking bites out of it as they get to where they're going - when in Paris, do as the Parisians do...I bought a fresh baked baguette from the bakery and I do believe it was love at first bite. I'm embarrassed to admit that I refused to share (even with my son - way to teach him how to share mom!). As if the baguette wasn't filling enough, we found an outside cafe to sit and had lemon and sugar crepes and people-watched as all the Parisians went about their busy day buying groceries and socializing with the fish monger over a table of freshly caught fish from the English Channel. I really could go on about Rue Cler for a couple more paragraphs...but I'll spare you from it. As you could probably tell, I absolutely adored this famous little street and everything it contained. It makes for a tranquil afternoon of enjoying company and stuffing your face with everything delicious.

For a list of all the shops on Rue Cler click here http://www.parismarkets.net/RueCler.html 

TRAVEL TIPS FOR EUROPE

We've all been there before, you have a big trip coming up and you want to make sure all of your bases are covered before you leave. There's nothing like setting off on vacation just to realize part way through that you've forgotten something important or even just something small - suddenly that feeling of bliss and excitement for your to come adventures dissipate and panic begins to take over. Sometimes everything is going smooth and we have an amazing trip and then we come home a realize we missed out on something awesome that was taking place at our destination that we had no idea about and would've liked to have known about ahead of time so we could've had another incredible experience. While I can't guarantee these things will never happen to you or I again, I've decided to assemble a list of Travel Tips to help prevent it from happening. 

IMPORTANT TIPS

These are crucial MUST DO tips that will make your European adventure smooth, easy and painless. 

1) Go to your bank and exchange dollars for the currency of your destination. Make sure you know the current rate exchanges so you ensure you receive an accurate amount. 

2)  Make sure you call your credit card companies and banks before you go. Let them know the dates and locations you will be traveling to so you don't experience any problems using your cards while there. 

3) A week before you go call to verify airfare, hotel, rental cars etc. and make copies of your reservations to carry with you. (I take an entire folder on the plane in my purse carrying all of our information just in case our luggage gets lost we still had documentation of everything.)

4) Go to the government website and check any travel warnings or alerts that may be issued.http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings.html 

5) If you have recently applied for a passport, make sure you track it and pay any extra fees to get it before you leave. If you currently hold a passport, make sure it's good for at least 6 months as most countries will not allow you to travel to them if it expires within 6 months.

6) Carry the number for your destination's local US Embassy in your phone and in your wallet. You can contact them should you have any problems while there (such as losing your passport).

7) If you are renting a car make sure you obtain your International Driver's license...it's quick, painless and cheap! The only place I know of to get one at is your local AAA office. You do not have to be a AAA member to get one. http://www.aaa.com/Vacation/idpf.html

8) Make copies of your itinerary and travel documents and leave them at home with a trusted family member or friend.

9) Call your cell phone provider to check international plans they offer. Nobody wants to have a perfect vacation and come home to a HUGE bill filled with roaming charges. Make sure you clearly understand what you're paying for and what is covered under their international plan. I spent 2 hours on the phone with my cell phone provider before I totally understood it all (however, that's not saying much as I'm not by any means tech savvy).

10) If you have any prescription medications make sure you have enough to last the duration of your trip and for a few extra days should something go wrong and your flight home is delayed. I also bought over the counter medications (for fever and pain) and put it in our checked luggage as it is much cheaper in the states.

11) Make sure all your bills are either paid or scheduled to be paid while you're gone.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:
1) Browse the web to find out what the weather it typically like for the season you're traveling. How can you know what to pack if you don't know what to expect? Set your weather app on your phone for your destination, this way when you wake up you can check the forecast for the day and know what to wear and if you'll need an umbrella.

2) Download the open table app on your phone so you can make dinner reservations while you're out and about during the day sight seeing and know you won't have to wait for a table when dinner time rolls around. 

3) Make sure you're carrying some of the local currency in various amounts with you when you land so you can tip your taxi driver, private car hire, concierge etc.

4) Check to see if your destination has a Groupon page for even more great local deals while you're there!!! You can find a ton of new experiences and save a lot of money by doing so. It will give you the opportunity to discover new restaurants or spoil yourself a little while there and not feel guilty about it.

5) Get any voltage converters/adapters before you leave the states. You can find these at stores like Best Buy and they cost about $20-$30. You won't be able to charge your phone or use your flat iron (GASP!!) without one. 

6) For 2 weeks prior to leaving, keep a note pad around the house and write down the things you use everyday that you'll need to pack. Most of us remember the obvious shirts, pants and socks but you'd be surprised how many of us overlook other things like toothbrushes, hairbrushes, body wash etc. Make a list for everything you need to pack so there are no surprises! 

7) We flew to Europe with British Airways, so before I booked the tickets I made sure to sign up with their mileage club and now we have a bunch of points towards another flight or to redeem other rewards with! Check the hotel you're booking with too to see if there are any reward cards worth signing up for.

8) I make a list of all the places that I want to see while at a destination then break it up into 3 group: "must go", "would like to go", "only if I have time to go". I get address and print out maps for each place going from my hotel to the tourist destination just in case my GPS doesn't work or the locals don't understand me enough to help get me to where I'm going. On each printed google map I put the name of the place, the times they open and close and the cost for each so I am well prepared.     

9) One thing I like to do while taking long vacations is to plan a day of sight seeing and acting like a tourist and then one day of rest or doing easy things (like shopping!!) to recharge my batteries and keep the trip enjoyable instead of stressful and go go go!      

I hope these are helpful to you in planning your journey! If you have any other tips you'd like to share or have experienced something that you think others would find beneficial please leave comments below!

Happy Travels!
Elisa        

Elisa's #1 place to eat in San Diego:

THE MISSION

My family and I are frequently in San Diego since it's only a few hours away. Sadly I must admit to everyone out there reading this that, yes...we have made a special trip out there occasionally just to eat at some of our favorites restaurants. We literally decide Saturday morning to head out to California and then drive back home Saturday night...for food. I know what you're thinking, but we aren't ready to admit our culinary disorders just yet so we will continue to live in food addiction. Anyways, one of the places we are most guilty of doing this for would be The Mission. Before you judge my previous statements, let me explain why The Mission Restaurant is worth a 3-1/2 hour drive one way just for breakfast or lunch...

This is the J street location in downtown SD, it's our favorite one

The Mission's food is simple: Healthy, fresh food made with love and care that is plated so stunningly the only reason you don't dive in right away is so you can take a pic of it to upload to your social media page (just to make everyone else jealous). The Mission, as a restaurant, does a great honor not only to the customer but to the food they serve. Their menu items are creative (Banana blackberry pancakes? Yes, please!) and yet give you a sense of hominess that you begin to crave. My favorite menu item you ask? PAPAS LOCO - this dish consists of Rosemary potatoes, grilled jalapeños, black beans, cheese, avocado slices, sour cream, salsa and I add 2 scrambled eggs with some green onions! They make their salsas, breads and salad dressings fresh....no canned goods here and your palette will taste the difference. Their eggs are locally sourced from free range, non GMO chickens and all the chicken served at The Mission is a type known as Jidori.  Just a brief explanation of Jidori so you can understand the passion the owners have to deliver quality food to their guests: Jidori literally translates to "chicken of the Earth" it is the freshest form of chicken one can buy. All chickens considered Jidori are free range and vegetarian fed. The chicken is usually described as having a fresher taste, a more pleasant texture than store bought chicken and a more natural chicken flavor. Overall, I've never had anything here that even comes close to tasting processed or low quality. It's one of the few restaurants I can honestly say provide a healthier and better meal than I can make at home. 

Papas Loco <3

Mission French Toast

The satisfaction and feelings of just plain goodness doesn't stop at the food but continues even beyond your meal - The Mission supports many local charities and donates time, money and effort to give back to the San Deigo community. They also support local artists in a big way...one exciting thing about this restaurant is the atmosphere is constantly changing! All of the artwork displayed on the walls are made by local artists and are for sale if you're interested in buying a piece. The Mission doesn't take any commission on these pieces...that's right 100% of the purchase price goes to the artist. So as art is sold, new art is brought in and displayed creating an ambiance that is ever changing.

There's no way to ever explain how much our family loves this place and why...it must be experienced! I would strongly encourage anyone visiting the San Diego area to make it a point to eat at The Mission and relish in all the goodness that this restaurant has to offer. I've provided links below to their 3 locations and a link to the menu (they also offer a gluten free menu). When you do go, come back to this page and leave your comments below to tell of your experience!

They are open everyday for breakfast & lunch from 7 a.m.-3p.m.
Menu: http://www.themissionsd.com/menus.html
Locations: http://www.themissionsd.com/locations.html