Early Morning Walk in Chatham, MA

I know a lot of look forward to sleeping in when you’re on vacation. I here to say get up as early as you can! There is nothing better than experiencing the cool, quiet mornings when it’s just you and the birds.  I woke up early and strolled the quite streets to find a place that serves coffee early… with coffee in hand I set off!  Here are some of the photos from my walk this morning from the town of Chatham down to the waters edge.

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There are some gorgeous homes down by the water!!! Time to head to Martha’s Vineyard. Off to Woods Hole where I’ll catch the boat over.

Where TO stay!

After a really bad experience with the Chatham Wayside Inn I realized I could make the trip with my Mom and am now staying at the Chatham Bars Inn!  I’ll write a blog on it soon but here is the contact information: For more information or to reserve, please call
Chatham Bars Inn at 1.844.733.3215 or The Lowell Hotel at 1.212-605-6817.

Where NOT TO STAY:

I had a really bad experience with the Chatham Wayside Inn. I made my reservation over the phone about 2.5 weeks out. I asked about the cancellation policy and was told I needed to do it by Monday which was 2 weeks before the date I was going to stay.  Here’s where it get’s sketchy. NO mention was made over the phone about a $75 cancellation fee. I would have noted it because I would have waited to make my reservation.  When I called on Monday to cancel I was billed $75.00.  This is a hotel to be cautious about and on my list of where to stay and not stay this is where I would not stay. There are too many other options. To ensure you have the correct hotel to avoid it is located at 512 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633

Chathum Dinner at the Impudent Oyster

If you’re in Chatham MA and in search of a fabulous dinner I highly recommend the Impudent Oyster. Here’s what I had:

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Oysters Rockefeller

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Wedge salad

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Scallops topped w crab

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The food was all amazing!!!!

Chatham Quick Tour

Here are some pics around the Chatham area. It’s spring and everything is in bloom!

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This was a post red-eye jump 😉

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20140518-142232.jpgit’s gorgeous out. I’m putting my flip flops on and walking around Main Street to check out the shops. Cheers!!!

Lunch at the Chatham Squire

I made it and lunch was fabulous!!! Even ran into a good friend which was a nice surprise. If you’re in Chatham try this fabulous place. Try the fresh oysters and clams. Also the fried clams w bellies are to die for…and don’t forget a chilled beer!!

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Backroads Along the 6A in Cape Cod

The air smells like lilacs and fireplaces burning. Then you tun the corner and it smells like fresh cut grass. The 6a is a beautiful backroad road to Chatham, MA. Here are some if what you see if you are here in the spring…

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The last photos by the water were taken on the 28 heading south along the coast. Next stop Chatham… And lunch! I’m staving! 😉

Balboa Island, California

Morning walk on Balboa Island
Morning walk on Balboa Island

During a business trip last week I was able to rediscover a beautiful island located off Newport Beach in southern California.  I was actually following a sign to Fashion Island, which is a pretty amazing shopping mall.  Listed on that same sign was “Balboa Island” and I thought “what the heck, I’ll take a look.”  I headed up over a small bridge and into another world.

View from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was there
View from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was there

A charming village, Balboa Island if full of local shops, restaurants, world famous chocolate covered bananas and a whole lot more. There is one main street where you’ll find everything you need to eat, drink, shop and be merry. There is also a path that runs along the water’s edge that runs around the island.  As you leave the main street and walk around the island, you’ll find more shops and restaurants on the other side.  A great break if you’re attempting a “pub crawl”.  You can drive over the bridge or take the Island Ferry.  Below you’ll find a few maps showing you where the island is located and a close up showing you the bridge, where to shop/eat and the path around the island. If you’re in the SoCal area and near Newport Beach it’s worth the visit.  You won’t be disappointed!

Here's where Balboa Island is located
Here’s where Balboa Island is located
Here's a close up showing you around the island
Here’s a close up showing you around the island

Here are some photos from my visit!

Here's the walkway around the Balboa Island with some fabulous homes
Here’s the walkway around the Balboa Island with some fabulous homes
Tons of docks stretch out over the water
Tons of docks stretch out over the water
View from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was there
View from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was there
Love this sign on the dock
Love this sign on the dock
Great way to chill is to put your feet in the sand!
Great way to chill is to put your feet in the sand!

Shelley D Spray

Dinner at Amelia's
Dinner at Amelia’s
Amelia's salad - it was REALLY good!
Amelia’s dinner, sea bass, pasta and steamed veggies – it was REALLY good!

Here’s a helpful website with more information: http://www.balboaisland.com/

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