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Put on your cowgirl hat, boots and jeans!  We are ready for a fabulous Girls Ranch Getaway!  The girls were excited to arrive at Rafter T Ranch, located in Sebring, FL, for an all-girl, ranch-style getaway.  Everyone arrived by early evening (also known as "supper time") to meet new friends and visit with old friends.  After some wine and pomegranate martinis, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of Quail Etouffee.  During dinner, we told funny stories, asked Leigh is she preferred a "bull or a bowl," learned that words like "moist" and "creamy" are undesirable, and got a full re-cap of Jody's bikini contest days.

Saturday morning we woke up for a Swamp Buggy Tour of the ranch, complete with "Bloody Jeri's."  The swamp buggy's tires were taller than us, so we were thrilled to find a special "loading dock" for Traci who is six months pregnant.  During the tour, we learned about the cattle raised here and how they mange the ranch to work with nature and not against it.  Once the buggy ride was over, we returned to the lodge to begin cooking lunch using recipes and wine from Barefoot Wines (www.BarefootWine.com).  We enjoyed BBQ Chicken Ala Moscato, Chardonnay Vegetarian Spanish Rice, Barefoot Bubbly Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing and Moscato Wine Cake.

After lunch, Barefoot Wine's own Lisa Metheny taught us everything we know (now at least) about wine flavorings and food pairings.  Even Sharla (who doesn't like wine at all) tasted the wines and had a great time learning new things.  Who knew oak smells like vanilla?  Many thanks to Lisa for driving more than two hours to be with us and for sharing her wonderful wisdom with the group.  She was a fantastic, even though she used the word "moist" more than once!

After lunch and wine, we were ready for a little R&R.  Some of the girls enjoyed professional massages in a private room, some hung out on the back porch and read books and magazines, some visited with new and old friend and some used their time to photograph and enjoy nature.  We all enjoyed some "down time."

Around 6:00 PM, the adventurous girls boarded the swamp buggy once again to practice our rifle shooting skills.  Colleen L., Amy and I all shot a 30 ot 6 rifle from about 120 yards away.  Colleen L. was closest to the bulls eye and gave us all something to "shoot" for (no pun intended).

After target practice, we returned to the lodge for dinner, which included beef tenderloin, shrimp kabobs, friend green beans and Tallahassee rice.  Delish!  Afterwards, we loaded back onto the swamp buggy for a midnight ranch tour, complete with spotlight and Jason with Arbuckle Marsh Outfitters (http://ArbuckleMarsh.Homestead.com) as our tour guide/entertainer.  Thanks to my phenomenal spotlight skills, we saw several deer, wild boar hogs and an alligator (no animals were harmed).  While I was focused on what was in front of us, Colleen T. cuddled with her very own bottle of Barefoot Bubbly Champagne and managed to drink the entire bottle during our trip.  She and Jason provided a lot of entertainment and our cheeks hurt from laughing so much.

Sunday morning was an early one.  We woke up at 5:30 a.m. to meet the hot air ballooners at 6:00 a.m. (not an easy thing to do after staying up until 1:00 a.m.).  Leah, Heather N., Colleen L. and I all woke up before the sun and met with Bob Carlton with Balloons and Beyond (www.Balloons-And-Beyond.com) for our morning hot air balloon ride.  We were lucky enough to launch from the ranch after finding a pasture that had "less cow patties than the others."  We were so excited to watch the balloon unroll across the field and then begin to fill with air.  After a quick "crash course," Bob told us to jump in and up, up, up and away we went!   We soared over cows, lakes, neighborhoods and orange groves for about an hour.  Bob even dipped us into the trees for some "leaf identification."  Heather preferred we stay above the trees and jokingly asked if we could go through the Starbucks drive through in the balloon.  It was amazing to see the alligators, turtles and fish in the lake we flew over.  As we safely landed a few miles away, we were now fully awake and ready for our celebratory feast of mimosas, fresh fruit, cheese and pastry.  Many thanks to Bob Carlton, Steve Roberts and "Super Dave" for make our flight unforgettable!

After our hot air balloon ride, we returned to the lodge to eat breakfast and pack up.  Everyone agreed it was a fantastic weekend and cannot wait for our 2nd Annual Girls Ranch Getaway next year.

Hey girls!  The Girls Getaway Guide to Nashville is almost complete.  Let me hear from you...what city or destination should be next in the Girls Getaway Guide series?  Your feedback is important.

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We were so excited to check in to the fabulous Ocean Key Resort & Spa in Key West (www.OceanKey.com).  Nestled between Key West Harbor and Mallory Square is the resort, which captures the essence of island resort living with oceanfront hotel accommodations.  I love sunbathing here?with the resort pool on one side and the tranquil waters (where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean) on the other side.  We were excited to wake up Saturday morning to see Kenny Chesney's tour bus outside our balcony.  Looks like Kenny loves Key West too!
Cathy and I had an amazing dinner at the resort's fine dining restaurant, Hot Tin Roof (HTR).  Described as "conch fusion" the resort's waterfront dining restaurant provides great cuisine in a casual yet elegant setting with beautiful sunset views. We loved our Pan Seared Mahi Mahi and the Broiled Local Yellowtail Snapper, as well as the glowing plates that the Shrimp Cocktail was served on.  The resort's spa, SpaTerre, is the signature spa of Noble House Hotels & Resorts.  This boutique spa and fitness center is designed to replicate a Florida beach house with treatments that span from across the globe.  Although very nice, Cathy and I agreed that watching the people in the fitness center made us tired and we headed straight to the pool to find a cabana.
The property has experience some upgrades since I was here last, including the new tiki bar in the Liquid Lounge area of the pool deck, 42" plasma TVs, I-Home units and the new covered bridge that allows you access to the entire property.  In addition, they have a really nice gift shop that has some great take home items for you, as well as family and friends.
Many thanks to the entire staff for making us feel so welcome, especially Prince who checked on us often to make sure we were well taken care of.

Key West Express
After waking up at 4:00 a.m. and driving to Ft. Myers, we boarded the Key West Express (www.SeaKeyWestExpress.com) in route to our getaway destination.  This 170' catamaran was awesome, complete with plasma TVs, a full lounge/bar area, indoor and outdoor seating and a terrific captain and crew.  The three-hour trip was so much fun.  We met with Captains Eric and Robert in the Wheel Room (that has no wheel; the boat is controlled with a joystick), made new friends (Mike and Amy on the trip there; Scott and Alex on the way home), and played cards to pass the time.  The boat sails daily from Ft. Myers and Marco Island, and it is a great way to get to Key West.  Some people even go for just the day.  So, next time you are wondering how to get to Key West, just jump aboard the Key West Express.

Delish Dishes in Key West
We received several recommendations for Sarabeth's (www.SarabethsKeyWest.com) so we checked it out Saturday for lunch and loved it!  This quaint little restaurant opened in 2005 as the only Florida location for this popular New York restaurant.  In 1981, Sarabeth and Bill Levine opened a tiny bakery-kitchen in NYC to make and sell her preserves and baked goods. A few tables and chairs were soon added, first for breakfast and then for lunch. The little store, with its unique charm and wholesomely delicious products became an instant success with discriminating New Yorkers. Located on Simonton Street and managed by David, the Key West location is fabulous!  We split the Griddled Smoked Mozzarella Sandwich and the Open Face Tuna Salad Sandwich, and I loved my Bloody Sara and Cathy enjoyed her Antioxidant Intoxicant.  This place is a must stop!

We also had lunch at Bagatelle (www.BagatelleKeyWest.com) on Sunday.  A great place to watch people on Duval Street, this lovely Victorian home with a wraparound porch provides a casual and relaxing atmosphere.  We were starving, so we ordered big.  I devoured my Cheeseburger and Cathy ate all of her Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich.  We loved our Expresso Martinis, which were just what we needed on a Sunday morning.

Where We Shopped
Key West Art Bar (www.KeyWestArtBar.com) I love this place!  This is my favorite place to shop on the island.  Owner Barb Grob has a great eye for super cool things, including gifts, art and more.  Cathy found some great gifts here.
Besame Mucho (www.BesameMucho.net) Located on Petronia Street, this cozy store offers unique goods such as Mexican jewelry, artwork and Kiehl's products in a shabby chic environment.
Ocean Key Resort Gift Store (www.OCeanKey.com) Better than your average gift shop, Ocean Key offers some great gifts, clothing and Key West souvenirs.  Even if you don't stay here, it is worth a trip to the gift store.
Key West Mad Hatter (www.KeyWestMadHatter.com) Thank you so much to Dorcas Robertson for inviting us to her terrific hat store next to the Westin.  Cathy and I had a blast trying on hats?from Kentucky Derby hats to St. Patrick's Day gear, the Key West Mad Hatter has it all.  They even do custom hats from your fabric sample.  Dorcas gave us great advice and told us you should buy your hat first, and then find the outfit to wear with the hat.  Good to know for my trip (one day) to the Kentucky Derby.

Ladies, inquiring minds want to know.  What are your 2009 travel plans??

Last month my friend Ali and I went on a Girls Getaway to Austin.  Here’s a recap of our trip.

Where We Stayed
Our first stop was the 405-acre Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa (www.LostPines.Hyatt.com), which is just 20 miles away from downtown Austin.  With 492 guest rooms, most with private balcony or patio, the resort brings jeans and business suits together in a comfortable ranch-style setting.  Activities here are endless, from Spa Django to the Renegade Equestrian Center to the Wolfdancer Golf Club, as well as hiking in McKinney Roughs Nature Park, white water rafting on the Colorado River, and fun-in-the-sun at the Crooked River Water Park.

Dining options are also endless at Stories Fine Dining Establishment, the more casual and colorful Firewheel Caf?, Old Buck's Poolside Grill, Shellers Barrelhouse Bar and Grill (with live entertainment), Major Neighbor's Grill, and McDade’s Emporium and Ice Cream Saloon (a throwback to an earlier era and coffee all day long).

The resort is located near Bastrop, TX, which was named “Most Historic Small Town in Texas” for the number of buildings listed on the historical register.  Bastrop is rich with history and folklore, and self-guided tours feature 130 historic homes and buildings, including the Bastrop County Museum and the Opera House, which first opened in 1898 and is today a thriving center for the performing arts. Wander down Main Street, filled with interesting stores, restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and more. For the outdoor enthusiast, nearby Bastrop State Park offers an endless array of activities the entire family can enjoy. Rent a canoe, go swimming, hike, bike along trails, go fishing, or just enjoy a quiet picnic and watch the wildlife.  

Our second hotel for two nights was The Driskill.  Built in 1886 as a cattle barron's showplace, The Driskill Hotel (www.DriskillHotel.com) is located in downtown Austin with 189 guestrooms and suites distributed between the Historic Wing, with its high ceilings, detailed woodwork and balconies, and the Traditional Wing, built in 1929 and showcasing classic styling and the colors of the Texas Hill Country.  No detail is forgotten inside or out as the hotel features a very ornate exterior complete with flags out front, a beautiful columned lobby; original art, oil paintings, and precious antiques; ornate beds designed exclusively for the hotel; marble floors and stained-glass dome.  The hotel is branded throughout the room with the building depicted on the valances and TV cabinet, as well as the "D" on the floor of the room entrance and in the sink.  They allow pets with a $50 fee.   The Driskill has hosted celebs such as Dennis Quaid and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.  Singer Jewel shot her latest video here and both Lance Armstrong and President George W. Bush held press conferences here.

Not be overlooked, The Driskill's dining options are first class as well.  Located just off the popular bar area, The Driskill Grill is listed as one of the top 100 hotel restaurants per USA Today. The restaurant's Chef’s Table seats up to six and offers a close-up view of the culinary action and a custom tasting menu. The Driskill also offers “Chef for a Day” and “Chef for an Afternoon” packages, which include a kitchen tour, hands-on cooking with the chefs, and dinner.  The hotel's 1886 Caf? & Bakery features contemporary, Southern dining for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night meals and full-bar service. The 1886 also offers a complete line of homemade pastries and desserts with service until midnight Friday and Saturday.  A fitness studio and massage services are also available at the hotel.  

Where We Ate
Our first stop in town was lunch at Guero's Taco Bar (www.GuerosTacoBar.com) on South Congress.  This popular taqueria is housed in a renovated feed store and provides an eclectic atmosphere for patrons to enjoy some of Austin's finest Tex Mex.  I loved the combo Tacos Platos I ordered (Chicken Especial & Carne Guisada).  Dinner Friday night was at Eddie V's (www.EddieV.com) where we sat in the lounge area and enjoyed the live, four-piece jazz band.  We all agreed that while all the food was delicious, my Steamed "Hong Kong Style" Chilean Seabass was the best.  This was a great pick for fine dining!  On Saturday, Ali and I took several recommendations and ate lunch (and saw a movie) at the Original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (www.OriginalAlamo.com), which was just blocks from The Driskill.  I enjoyed a pizza and Ali ordered a salad.  We watched their feature movie The Wrestler, but heard they also have Sing Along and Quote Along Nights too.  We heard more recommendations for Uchi (Japanese word for "home") Restaurant (www.UchiAustin.com), so we had to try this sushi hotspot despite the almost two-hour wait (which actually turned out to be part of the Uchi experience).  Just a 5-minute cab ride from our hotel, we enjoyed lounging in the outdoor seating area while we waited.  They really do make you feel at home here, from the comfortable outdoor seating clusters to the soothing decor inside.  Executive chef and Florida native Tyson Cole does an outstanding job of pairing traditional sushi with unusual flavors to create mouthwatering dishes.  We loved it!   Our Sunday morning at South Congress Caf? (www.SouthCongressCafe.com) served up another amazing meal.  I had to try the Carrot Cake French Toast (which was delish) with their original cream cheese-pecan syrup.  Yum!  

Where We Shopped
Our first shopping stop: SoCo.  On South Congress Avenue, two to three blocks are filled with a diverse selection of funky stores.  Here you'll find boot shops, vintage clothing, galleries, trendy outfitters, antiques, and more, including the costume store Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (www.LucyInDisguise.com) where Bob Dylan is rumored to have shopped for retro outfits. We spent some time in the vintage store Feathers (512- 912-9779), trendy boutique By George (www.ByGeorgeAustin.com), folk art gallery Yard Dog (www.YardDog.com), local fashion house Parts & Labour (http://PartsAndLabour.BlogSpot.com), jewelry and gifts at Maya (www.MayaStar.com), and the all black boutique Blackmail (www.BlackMailBoutique.com).

We also indulged in some shopping on Second Street, which housed great store and trendy boutiques.  We visited several, including Girl Next Door (www.GirlNextDoorAustin.com) which showcased some amazing jewelry and fashions, Estilo (512-236-0488) with a great selection of men and women's clothing, Mercury Design Studio (www.MercuryDesignStudio.com) with cool home furnishings and gifts, Shiki (www.ShopShiki.com) that had several items I wanted to take home, and Peyton's Place (www.PeytonPlaceAustin.com) for some fashion deals.

Other Austin Adventures
Nightlife: Sixth Street (formerly known as Pecan Street) is Austin's (probably even Texas') best known street and the city's entertainment center.  It is lined with many historical houses and commercial buildings dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The storied old buildings now house numerous bars, a host of live entertainment venues, tattoo parlors, art galleries, casual cafes, upscale restaurants, and our fabulous host hotel ? the Driskill. Live music from the bars is heard on the streets, and music lovers of all kinds (jazz, blues, country, dance, rock, hip-hop, progressive, metal, punk and more) will be able to find whatever musical style suits their taste.  Our first stop on 6th Street was The Blind Pig Pub (512-472-0809) and we bar hopped the rest of the evening.  We ended up in the Warehouse District, which is a little less touristy that 6th and where many of the locals go.  Ali and I were in awe of the live shark tank underneath the clear dance floor at Qua (www.QuaAustin.com).  We also checked out Cuba Libre (www.CubaLibre.com ) where Ali played the bongos, J. Blacks Feel Good Lounge (www.JBlacks.com), as well as several others.  In the South Congress area, we checked out the live music at The Continental Club (www.ContinentalClub.com), which is a great hangout for music lovers.  

Where We Went Sightseeing
We were so thankful that Trenton from The Driskill drove us around to see some of Austin's sights.  Although the bats were not flying this time of year (Austin has the largest urban bat population; at dusk in warmer months, 1.5 million bats fly from their home under the Congress Avenue Bridge).  We at least stopped at the Bat Sculpture for a photo.  He also took us to Lake Austin where we saw the infamous Chuy's Hula Hut (www.HulaHut.com) and Mozart's Coffee Roasters (www.MozartsCoffee.com).  Trenton drove us by Austin's City Hall that was designed to look like an armadillo; it even has a tail!  We also stopped by the brand new (and super cool) Hotel Saint Cecilia (www.HotelSaintCecilia.com), which is owned by Liz Lambert who also owns trendy and popular the Hotel San Jose (www.HotelSanJose.com).   Hotel Saint Cecilia is housed in a renovated 1880s Victorian estate with 14 bungalow-style rooms.  We also joined Dani who took us to Mount Bonnell (Austin's highest point at 775 feet).  We hiked to the top and enjoyed the amazing views of downtown and Lake Austin.  

As they say in Austin, we hope they “Keep Austin Weird.”