By Linda Wilkie ITWPA Member If you’re thirsty for a day trip from Austin or San Antonio, enjoy a relaxing 50-mile rural cruise down Wine Road 290 in the Texas Hill Country to William Chris Vineyards to taste internationally award-winning, locally grown and crafted wines. William Blackmon and Chris Brundrett comprise the veteran wine-growing partnership of William Chris … [Read more...] about William Chris Vineyards: A Tasty Trip Down Texas Wine Road 290
Beyond the Breweries: Sake Tasting in an Eclectic Berkeley Hideaway
By Kimberley Player ITWPA Member The San Francisco Bay Area is famous for its Napa Valley wineries and, more recently, for an influx of craft breweries in the East Bay. But if you want a one-of-a-kind experience off the beaten tasting track, skip the wine and beer and go sake sampling in Berkeley! Takara Sake USA is the name on the side of a large, nondescript warehouse … [Read more...] about Beyond the Breweries: Sake Tasting in an Eclectic Berkeley Hideaway
Kissing the Blarney Stone
By Barbara Dodge ITWPA Member I felt like Cinderella riding to the ball at the prince’s castle with my pumpkin carriage and footmen. Actually it was a rented Ford Expedition minivan with my family, but still the thrill was there. I’d always heard about the castles in Ireland and it had been on my bucket list for years to go see Blarney, Dromoland, and Cabra Castles, to name … [Read more...] about Kissing the Blarney Stone
Searching for Our Golden Years in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
By Robert Archibald We were told our Golden Years were before us and something to look forward to. But we could see very little gold in our future if we were to stay home in the U.S. The cost of living, taxes, and medical expenses would just be too high. We began our search for an overseas retirement home starting in Ecuador and fell in love with Cuenca. We plan to go … [Read more...] about Searching for Our Golden Years in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
Nature’s High Drama Over Portland’s Chapman School
By Jim Rouse Portland, Oregon is known for its scenery, spectacular gardens, and showy roses. But these are not the only nature shows in town. On a cool, early-fall evening, a crowd of over 100 people has gathered on the grassy hill overlooking Chapman Elementary School on the west side of Portland. They are standing around or sitting on blankets. Others have brought chairs … [Read more...] about Nature’s High Drama Over Portland’s Chapman School