Monthly Archives: January 2018

Favorite Dive Bars

by Wendy
What constitutes a great dive bar? I’ve read articles and watched television shows dedicated to the topic. Does a dive bar by definition have to be at least 10 years old? Can a dive bar serve delicious food? Is a dive bar allowed to remodel anything? What if it gets “discovered” – still a dive bar? Who knew it could be so controversial.

I’m no expert. The older I get, the more I gravitate to places not too crowded but lively, not too expensive but with a decent menu, not overly-stylized but with clean facilities. Yet I can think of a few dive bars that have been special to me in the past. Continue reading →

Happy Third Anniversary to Looks and Leaps

The third anniversary of Looks and Leaps is celebrated in January! While we haven’t published as frequently during the past couple of months, we definitely look forward to sharing more stories this year. In the meantime, be sure to browse the archive – 2017 included posts on Banff National Park, Canada, Montana, Disney, Hilton Head, Paris, San Sebastian, Madrid, Philadelphia, Coronado California, a Game of Thrones theme dinner, New Mexico, Vermont, and many other destinations and topics. A special thanks to our writers – and of course, all readers! Cheers!

Top of any Travel Itinerary

by Wendy
Many of my fondest memories – travel or otherwise – are of gatherings with great food, drinks, and interesting conversation. I love a long drawn out dinner when everyone is telling stories. While dinner with new acquaintances can be fun, I’m talking about those occasions with family and close friends, when everyone feels comfortable and appreciated and there are plenty of shared references and inside jokes to keep a conversation going for ages. Continue reading →