Southport, North Carolina

At the mouth of the Cape Fear River is a village dating back to colonial times with several islands known for their fine beaches nearby.

The port itself is lined with seafood dining establishments including the famed Provision Company. The food is great and prices quite reasonable. Dockside seating is superb for sunsets, the shaded dining hall is a cool place to enjoy lunch on a hot summer’s afternoon. They also own the ice cream and souvenir shop across the street.

The World-Famous Provision Company in Southport, NC.

Next door I had a great blackened tuna sandwich at Fishy Fishy, also on the docks with a fine view of the river and Oak Island’s lighthouse. Across the way is the new, and way up high on stilts Frying Pan restaurant, which also had great reviews.

A drive along the waterfront areas is great for looking at the ancient colonial and civil war era mansions, cottages and even Craftsman style homes vying for the best views. A few streets back is a nice shopping area with lots of antique shops and tourist traps to keep one busy for a while. Mostly vacation homes, we hear the town empties out during the winter.

Nearby is Oak Island, a ten mile or more long strand lined with vacation homes, facing south. Some are really grand, and a mix of nice beach cottages – recently jacked up on stilts to survive the battering waves of hurricanes. The sand dunes in front of the homes are protected, and you can see where they are rebuilding dunes and planting miles of beach grasses to stave off the erosion. The beach is beautiful. Lots of clam shells, mussels and others crunchy bits are revealed depending on the tides. Leatherback turtles nest along the beach. Organized groups of turtle protectors guard the nests, sometimes moving the eggs to quieter areas and as they hatch, herd them into the sea. I just missed one brave turtle come out, sometimes they come out in batches over several nights…usually around the full moon.

Just across from Southport harbor is Bald Head Island, and to the east and noth of that is Carolina Beach, another fine long sandy beach.

82 Queen – Authentic Lowcountry Cuisine

Authentic Lowcountry Cuisine

Executive Chef Brad Jones credits the authenticity of 82 Queen’s Lowcountry menu to home-grown ingredients. "We use a lot of local herbs and vegetables, when they’re in season … like okra, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, and mushrooms to showcase our prime cuts of beef and fresh seafood. Our shrimp, crab, grouper, flounder, snapper and black fish are so fresh… they were probably swimming in local waters a day or two before being served at our tables.

82 Queen

Authentic Lowcountry Cuisine. Executive Chef Brad Jones credits the authenticity of 82 Queen’s Lowcountry menu to home-grown ingredients. “We use a lot of local herbs and vegetables, when they’re in season … like okra, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, and mushrooms to showcase our prime cuts of beef and fresh seafood. Our shrimp, crab, grouper, flounder, snapper and black fish are so fresh… they were probably swimming in local waters a day or two before being served at our tables.”

Address:
82 Queen Street, Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston 29401

In Harmony Herbs and Spices

In Harmony Herbs and Spices

This small herb shop has been in business in Ocean Beach for almost 20 years.  It moved to its new location on Bacon Street a few years ago.

In Harmony’s helpful and knowledgeable staff can assist you finding the right products for your needs.  You can also order via the phone or fax.

In Harmony is a great place to find that unusual gift item or book that you’ve been looking for.

Here’s some info from their website:

In Harmony Herbs and Spices offers over 300 varieties of bulk medicinal herbs, spices and beverage teas, most of which are certified organically grown or ethically harvested from the wild. We sell herbal extracts, nutritional supplements, mushroom products and flower essences. We provide high quality aromatic oils, bath and body care products, cosmetic making ingredients, bottles and herbal medicine-making supplies. We also carry hard-to-find medicinal, wildflower and culinary herb seeds.

In Harmony Herbs stocks a large selection of aromatherapy products including organic essential oils, perfume blends and diffusers. We offer an eclectic collection of books, with titles ranging from herbal healing, botanical, gardening, nutrition, pet care and aromatherapy to tantra goddess, faeries and women and men’s health. Our shop also sells a wide variety of uplifting gifts, jewelry, organic chocolates, music and cards to enhance well-being.

We’ve been doing business for 19 years and sell retail to individuals and practitioners through our shop in San Diego and through mail order. We offer herb classes and consultations. Our knowledgeable staff of herbalists and aromatherapists will assist you in choosing the right herbal and aromatherapy products to fit your health, cosmetic, tea and culinary desires.

“One of the ten best herb shops in the country.” – Self Magazine

Info:
Located next to Nati’s Mexican Restaurant

Address:
1862½ Bacon St.
San Diego 92107
Phone: (619) 223-8051

Albuquerque, New Mexico

In general, Albuquerque is pretty non-descript, but Central Ave especially in the University of New Mexico is hippy-friendly. The hippy hangout is Winning’s coffee shop. The Peace and Justice is located nearby and has all the local info for events. La Montanita co-op, Peacecraft, Stella Blue (dead-head music club), The Guild Theater, a few head shops, bike shops, the big weekend flea market, music stores, alternative video (Alphaville), and Buffalo Exchange (kinda pricey for a thrift-store), are all right on Central. The downtown and University scenes are also right off Central.

Mystic Hot Springs

Located in Monroe, Utah, Mystic Hot Springs is an unexpectedly layed back place to chill. The owners are old Dead Heads who stumbled in after the last concerts in Vegas in 1995. They have been collecting old cabins and school buses and coverting them into overnight lodging. They also have a music venue that attracts many nationally touring JamBands.

The Hot springs soaking pools are outside and overlook a beautiful Valley. Funky and cool this place is a welcome stop if you find yourself on the road exploring the wonders of nature in southern Utah. They also are a wwoof place and do a work trade if you can’t afford the $10.00 per night fee.

Soak, Dance, Relax, Camp, Save the earth!

Provincetown, Massachusetts

This town is right by the top of cape cod. Considers itself alomst a sistertown to Key West. Ferries come from Boston. Even a shipwreck tourist spot. Lots of fudge. Tie-dye clothing.

The year-round population of 5,000, largely comprised of gays, lesbians and various artsy types. 50,000 visitors in the summer on the beaches. A premier gay vacation spot.