Love it Up on Long Island

For the most romantic New York trip, start out by staying at our favorite Long Island Suites Hotel, The Inn at Fox Hollow. They really help set the mood by offering a couple of in room packages. The “Suite Romance Package” includes a chilled bottle of Champagne, Belgian chocolate and a dozen roses. The “Suite Surrender Package” includes the Champagne, chocolates and roses and also dinner for two at the Rose and Hunt Room Restaurant, just request the package you want at the time of booking and the staff are happy to oblige.

For a wonderful winemaking tour, the Palmer Vineyards on Long Island since 1996 and winner of three golds at the NY Wine & Food Classic in August 2005. They can set you up with a picnic lunch on the grounds and take you on a winemaking tour. Check their online calendar as they have some wonderful events. The weekend before Valentines day, take part in the Long Island Winter Wine Country, “Romance Weekend.”

The Old Westbury Gardens nestled on 160 acres of formal gardens, woodland, ponds and tree-lined avenues was the filming location of “Love Story” and “North by Northwest” a stroll through the gardens allows lovers to enjoy each other and sit and talk a while.

Visit the Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages and take a look back in time at the horse-drawn carriages that are some of the finest in the United States. Check the website for opening times and activities and events, there is always a lot going on.

In the evenings watch the moon come up while strolling along the beach or take dinner on the paddle wheeler Thomas Jefferson, a replica of a period paddle wheeler with narrated historic excursions and a murder mystery cruise. For lots of ideas on romantic Long Island, visit the Conventions & Visitors Bureau site.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head is such a fun place to visit. We were there in March on business for a conference and flew into Charleston, South Carolina and drove south about 100 miles, it was a really interesting drive. It was March and a welcome escape from the snow and cold up north. The weather was warm and the air smelled like the salty sea with the intermingling of pines, Hilton Head has a lot of pine trees.

We played a little golf and hung out at the pool and then took some walks on the beach. The conference was a blast, probably because of the area, it was just like going to the Caribbean except we did not need to take a long flight and we did not need our passports.

While we were there we ate out at some fantastic restaurants, it was my birthday so we all went to dinner to celebrate, on the company credit card of course. I plan to go back sometime for a vacation and spend more time exploring the area and the history but my first taste of Hilton Head was just great.

Favorite Fishing Shop

A few of you have asked me, as a Fisherman, where I fish. I fish in Colorado often and my favorite shop is Roaring Fork Anglers. Check out this often picture of a local trout.