Day {Sixteen}

{Day 16 A photo of somewhere you want to go}

I really think I may have been born in the wrong region of the United States. No wait, God doesn't make mistakes so that's right... in fact, I was born in the right part of the US, it's my parents that uprooted us and moved me away from the East Coast.

If I had a free ticket to anywhere in the world right this minute, I would visit the Massachusetts/Maine area. I realize that there is a much bigger world to visit, but I am enamored by the stories I've been told and the cuisine I've heard so much about. My grandmother hasn't lived in Dedham for probably 60 years at the very least but she still sounds like she's just left Massachusetts. I would love to go see where she grew up and the sights that she was accustomed to so long ago. I'd love to visit old lighthouses and read the history of where our country was formed.

In reality, I know that much of this area is quite a bit more populated that when she was born in 1921. I know that times and people have changed but it would still be so much fun to me to visit, especially if she were there to supplement the sight seeing with stories.

Most importantly though, it is all about the food. For me, vacation is about 95% about the dining experience. It can rain the entire week but feed me some crab legs and I'll be alright. The lodging could be unfit for a homeless shelter but as long as there is some buttery lobster in front of me, I could care less about the bed bugs.


We went to Mexico in January which was loads better than being in Missouri in January, but I don't know that I would necessarily want to re-visit. It rained about half the time and the ocean was not the most fun even when it wasn't raining because I was scared to death of sting rays and the floor was comprised of sharp rocks and coral. Not fun, but I could overlook that. What I couldn't overlook was that all of the food tasted the same. Don't get me wrong. The selection was good, the service was wonderful and the steak was delish. But I can eat steak at home any day of the week; I cannot, however, eat fresh seafood. The only time I had fish in Mexico was from the buffet and it had definitely been frozen at one point in time, and probably for a while.

When you think about good eats, it's on the east coast. It's caught fresh, cooked up by people who were fed oyster juice in their bottle and know what they're doing in the kitchen. It makes the experience memorable and brings back a craving whenever thoughts wander to that last vacation. The most memorable part of Dauphin Island? Sean & I visited a run down establishment that had the.best.flounder. It was amazing and produced my favorite picture of the entire trip.

So yes, I would love to visit Italy one day and to experience the Eiffel Tower another day and I would be thrilled to explore the Greek islands. But really, you should know that I would only be going to see what real Italian pasta tastes like and to tour authentic French bistros. For now though, I would be satisfied with a hearty plate of seafood, caught just this morning.