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Little Sign Little Place I love the name of our Palm Springs hotel.  The little oasis behind the wall, was really more of a motel, than hotel. Retro Motel? The 1-story inn had just a handful of rooms, looking out on a rectangular pool. That's how I remember cozy motels, from my childhood.  But this pool was filled with saltwater and there was soothing music playing. The view included rustling palms and the Santa Rosa Mountains. Not exactly like my my motel memories from the 1960s. Back in 1968 After a career in singing and acting, a woman named Eadie Adams left Hollywood and moved to Palm Springs to start a career in real estate. In 1968, she opened up The Desert Knight... now Little Paradise.  Long before the 1960s, Hollywood stars began coming to Palm Springs in search of relaxation and privacy. Eadie did some real estate work with stars like Natalie Wood, William Holden and Steve McQueen. However those clients weren't guests at her resort. Desert Knight catered to women only, for 30 years. Desert Knight Celebrities? The Desert Knight was Palm Springs' first lesbian friendly hotel. The only Hollywood celeb known to frequent Eadie's hotel was Gloria Swanson. The star of one of my favorite movies!  Gloria was about 50 when she portrayed Norma, an aged silent film star in the film, Sunset Boulevard. She was about my age (68) when she began to frequent the Desert Knight. Swanson had 6 husbands and her sexuality is up for debate. But she evidently felt comfortable at the cozy little hotel. Queen of Hearts Resort 15 years ago, Little Paradise had yet another name.  The little Palm Springs getaway continued as resort for women. In recent years, it changed hands again. Spiffed Up! Today Little Paradise welcomes all kinds of folks... except kids and pets.  The layout remains the same but the rooms and pool area have been remodeled beautifully. Lucky 7 We checked into the little office with our gracious host, who was wearing a festive shirt with palm leaves. He seemed pleased to announce he was putting us in Lucky Number 7.  All 8 rooms had their own little front patio, with cushioned seats and curtains for shade. Spacious and Bright Our large and light unit had been recently remodeled. I appreciated the decor, especially all the symmetry. Mostly because that means Don and I "get our own". We each had a comfy chair and our own bedside table, with mirror and hanging lamp.  The cushioned headboard and linens, were very comfy too.  The graffiti inspired wallpaper was fun. At least it looked a bit like respectful graffiti. It reminded me of the wall that surrounds Graceland.  The art in the sitting area was appealing also. Weather was too warm to try out the fireplace, but the curved TV was pretty impressive. Symmetry Again Once again I was pleased we had TWO sinks, TWO drawers and TWO plush robes in the closet! The towels were deliciously soft!
The "Hedonistic Shower" was pretty wild. It took me a minute to figure that thing out!  The light fixture above the sinks had a dimmer switch. It became a dramatic nightlight, after dark. Kitchen We hardly needed a kitchen for our 1-night stay. But it was a nice setup with fridge, stove top, Kuerig and plenty of dishes.  There was a cute, tall table with 2 chairs. One had a view of the back patio. The other looked towards a mounted wall TV. Mountain View Our room didn't have a mountain view, but there was seating all around the pool, with great views.  By about 5, the lounge chairs were almost filled. Some couples relaxed with books, other floated on noodles and blowup mattresses. Some chatted with each other quietly. Very zen. Fire Pit Nook The weather on April 29 was just about 80.  There was a cozy space under an awning, with couches and a fire pit.  It was too warm for a fire, but there was nice shade over the comfy couches. Staying Put It would have been fun to explore the nearby restaurants.  But Don and I were content to stay put. We made lots of use of our cozy sitting area. Hummingbird Entertainment We spent quite a bit of time admiring a nearby mama hummingbird, tending to her babies. The nest was above a lightbulb, just between our room and the next.  We got to know our next door neighbors through this mama bird. Our bird discussions led to talk of travel and grandkids and mutual appreciation for our sweet little hotel. Empty Around the Pool While we chatted, we noticed guests beginning to vacate the pool area.  Quietly towels and pool "toys" were gathered and put away. Every umbrella was lowered and every lounge chair straightened. At first I thought I'd missed a strict memo with pool rules. We pondered with our neighbors and concluded this was just a nice place, with gracious guests... leaving the pool as they found it. . Pool to Ourselves Our neighbors departed and Don and I had the place to ourselves. I took advantage of the tidied pool deck and took photos.  What a calm setting to spend the evening... when in truth, Don and I were on edge. Pizza on the Patio We were scared to wander off to dinner where we might miss a text or call.  We ordered pizza and salad delivery and sat on the patio, waiting for the next bit of news. Why Anxious? Our daughter-in-law and son had been in the hospital for 2 days awaiting the birth of their first baby.  Don and I were over halfway from Houston to Sacramento. We had aimed to be in Sac a week before Baby Nora's due date. Nora's Moon By 7:50 pm I looked up above the mountains and saw the perfect little smile of a moon. I decided that must be Nora's Moon. A good sign.  We got an update in the wee hours. By 4:51 she was born! The sun was glowing by 6:15, on the morning of April 30. We grabbed bananas from the big bowl in the hotel office and hit the road for Sacramento.  By 5:30 we were in the hospital.  Sweet Baby Nora! What's Notable? Our gracious little hotel really was a tiny bit of paradise, tucked into a quiet neighborhood. I love what it has become and I also appreciate the history. Wish I knew more.  Besides the pretty pool area, the stunning mountain view and the lovely room, we enjoyed the people. The host and guests all seemed friendly and courteous.
Mostly though, I'll remember how excited and happily anxious Don and I were. It was the perfect calming place to be, on the night before our granddaughter was born.
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Storybook House from 1944 This charming cottage caught my eye, when searching on VRBO. But the (often called) Hobbit House was out of our price range.  But... Don and I weren't looking for just ourselves. We were planning a long weekend celebration in Sacramento and we needed a space that would sleep 5! We had good reason to spend more for this historic Storybook-style home.  Our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter would be staying with us! What 4-year-old wouldn't be delighted to stay in a house that appears to be right out of a fairytale? We booked! Welcome! Don and I arrived first, on a sunny afternoon in early March. The curvy shake roof with moss and vines, delighted me.  The wood door surrounded by triple arches, had curious surprises! The mail slot was easy to miss. The slot's (low!) location would make even a young mail carrier wince. The mysterious door-knocker/peep-hole was placed comically high. I didn't notice the teeny knocker at first.  I eventually spotted the peep hole, on the inside of the door. No hobbit could see out of that high hole! I could though, if I got up on my toes.  The entryway itself, was storybook perfect. The brick, tile & iron stairway made me picture Cinderella, minus the ballgown. I could imagine her heading up, with a wooden bucket and broom. First Glimpse To the right of the entry, we moved into a spacious living area. It was even more inviting than the website photos. Or my photos.  There was much to take in at first glance, but my eyes were quickly drawn to the loft above. Was that an image of Carr Jones, staring down from the brick wall? I'd read about Mr. Jones, the gifted architect who designed the home in 1944. Carr Jones... Steve Jobs? A closer look showed me it was Thomas Edison. This promotional "Think Different" poster from 1997, was part of a campaign created by Apple.  It was a odd piece of art for the storybook cottage. However, there was an interesting connection between inventor/investor Steve Jobs and architect Carr Jones. The Carr & Steve Connection On the coffee table, I found some books for guests to enjoy. I read just a bit and learned that Storybook houses became a thing in California, in the '20s and '30s.  Carr Jones was one of the leading architects using this whimsical style. I'm guessing he never met Steve Jobs, since the architect died in 1965, when young Steve was just 10. But Jobs became a big fan of Carr Jones and bought one of his house creations, in Palo Alto. Sustainable Home Stepping into the front living area, we were surrounded by wood, brick and tile.  Carr Jones was ahead of his time when he crafted this home 8 decades ago. All of the building materials were reused and recycled. Bricks were repurposed, from buildings that were destroyed in the 1908 San Francisco earthquake.  Much of the wood came from old ships. I read that old anchor chains provided metal...  ...which made me wonder about the iron banister. Eerie Iron There was quite a display of iron around the fireplace, at the far end of the living area. This iron did not come from anchors.  There were about 8 ankle shackles, chained to the brick around the fireplace. This was jolting to see. I was only slightly relieved to know they were related to a prison, not slavery.  Carr Jones was known for the whimsical details he added to his designs. But we can assume this creepy surprise was not his idea. Folsom Prison Warden This home was originally commissioned by a warden of Folsom Prison. I could find no info on the warden who lived here. Why the prison decor? Was this a humorous attempt to use recycled materials? I had questions.  Did the warden put these in later, or did he ask Jones to install them? And what about these peep holes and sliding metal doors, built into the cabinet doors? I tried not to visualize the cells where they'd once been used.
I slid open one of unlocked rectangles and spotted boxed games. I opened one of the narrow doors and found puzzles and other things, for guests to enjoy. I was glad our 4-year-old granddaughter was too young to ask about any of this. Changing Focus with Chairs Luckily the prison accents were confined to that corner. There was lots of positive stuff to focus on, like all the furnishings. I love unusual chairs!  These are just a few of the unique styles. Like Goldilocks, I tried them all! I think the red chair is my favorite! Cooking Options Instead of lounging in chairs, we could been productive and cooked up some feasts in the kitchen space. 
I did scramble some eggs one morning, since our thoughtful host had kindly left us eggs and butter! There have been kitchen updates obviously, but the island with built in stove, is Jones' original design. He was ahead of his time when he embraced that idea. Pool Table.... Warm Floor Oddly, there was a pool table, where you'd expect to find a dining table. That worked fine for us, since we were having our meals elsewhere. Besides bar stools, there was an inviting patio table. But it was a little chilly out there.  If we'd been sitting around a dining table instead of standing around shooting pool, (in stocking feet) I might not have noticed the warm floors! Radiant heated floors! That's another perk of a Carr Jones house. Curious Corner The back corner had quite a fun set up, if you had plans for a cocktail party. Which is rarely allowed in house rentals.  I was curious about the horse, that took up some of the bar space. The horse was one of many unusual animals and characters displayed around the home. The pelican was my favorite.  I'm guessing these decorations came to live at the house, in later years. I so wish I could find photos of the original decor. Gnome or Hobbit? I found quite a few gnome figures. At least they look like gnomes. More elf like, than J.J.R. Tolkien's Hobbits.  There were a few bearded fellows behind the bar. There were 3 more on the mantle, in one of the guest rooms.  The cozy cottage is nicknamed Hobbit House, but maybe it should have been called Gnome Home. I got curious about the difference and Googled. Hobbits have rounded ears. Gnomes have pointy ears, like elves. Both are small and human-like... Sleeping Loft I think both hobbits and gnomes live in underground homes. So I doubt either would have wanted to hike up our staircase to our sleeping loft.
The charming staircase was an adventure for sure! Luckily there was proper lighting. The Loft! I'd seen photos, but still felt surprised by all the details of this magical sleeping space beneath the roof!  Don and I slept in the cozy loft and woke before dawn each morning. I loved our "alarm clock" of muffled whispers, rising up to our open loft. Our granddaughter Charlie was on Texas time. Raring to go bright and early!  The loft space was charming. Luckily Don fit through the arched doorway. At over 6 feet, he was more in danger of falling over the edge of the low railing, than little Charlie.  That didn't mean we weren't stressed over her gleeful attempt to look over the rail, after climbing the stairs. She was only allowed to come up with an adult. In the Loft At the top of the stairs there was a funny wooden door that opened to the bathroom.  Clearly there's been a remodel since the '40s, but the white brick and wood ceiling helped me imagine the original look. I loved the curved window, inside the half arch of brick. It looked (and sounded) like a very old window. The wind and outdoor sounds blew through cracks and rattled the frosted panes.
The primitive door cracked me up. I presume, the unique peg-on-a-string once locked the door. Now it acts as a wedge, to keep the door from swinging open.
There was a lot going on with the corner tub. 2 shower heads and lots of whirlpool jets! Charlie was pretty excited when she had her turn in the funny little swimming pool tub. My photo doesn't show just how tricky it was for anyone of my height or shorter, to climb into that thing! Read and Write and Sleep Just past the bathroom, was a little lounge space with 2 chairs.  One for reading and one to hold your dress clothes, while you wrote a letter maybe. The king bed was amazingly comfy. There was a TV sitting on a nearby ledge.  Beside the TV shelf, there was a piece of art that totally delighted me. The sweet faces of Madonna & Child brought back memories. I tried to explain to Don how phenomenal this was. "This is my all time favorite Madonna portrait!" I don't think he believed me.  I tried to explain that I saw about a million Madonna portraits in Italy, when I was a kid with my family. My siblings and I each had our favorite Madonna portraits. This one, (by Bartolome Murillo) was my favorite. I bought a postcard, so I wouldn't forget. I was happy to have these two in our sleeping loft. More Stuff The long loft had one more sitting area, at the other end. Thomas Edison wasn't the only historic figure occupying that corner.
Chief Tawonka, gazed outward. The words below his feet read, "We were free until we stopped fighting, now no one has freedom." Hmmm... Looking Down & Going Down Mr. Edison & The Chief seemed to be keeping an eye on the loft AND the lower level. They could observe the front door activity. They could study the thick chains and wonder along with me, Are those chains really holding the loft up?
I was upstairs in the loft when Charlie, Heidi & Jamie first arrived. I dashed down those stairs, eager to greet. Charlie stepped inside and looked around grinning. After hugs and greetings she admitted she didn't ever know Gramma & Pop Pop had another house! I so wish. The Back House After exploring the Hobbit House, it was time to show the others where they'd be sleeping. The Hobbit House is a 2 house set up! We headed for one of the doors in the glass wall.  Both houses have huge windows and glass doors, looking out towards the courtyard and pool.  We stepped out the covered area with the patio table.  We walked around the edge of the pool, towards the 1-story building. The building looked more like a '60s ranch house. But once inside, the brick, wood & tile details seemed to match the era of the 2-story cottage.  The cozy guest room felt open and bright with floor to ceiling glass and views of the courtyard.  A door near the fireplace, led to a colorful bathroom. The red painted brick and sloped wood ceiling, could have made the bathroom a little claustrophobic. But frosted glass windows over the sink, brought in lots of light.
The mirror over the toilet made me chuckle. Shaving or hair-drying could be a little more challenging. But adjusting routine is part of the fun of travel! Sitting Room I loved the sitting room, between the bath and the other bedroom. A fireplace with vintage red seating!
An entire wall of windows on one side and a mirrored wall on the other. Plus an electric keyboard, which Charlie and I enjoyed! Sideways Shotgun From the sitting area, there a hall space with storage, that led to another guest room and half-bath.
 This sweet room (with dog lamp and kitty plate) is where Charlie slept. What a curious set up, with side-by-side rooms. I've been in a few shotgun houses, but none like this! The Courtyard Oh how I wish we'd had more time and some summery weather, to make use of this little oasis.  The landscaping was just about ready to come to life with spring growth. A water fountain trickled nearby, inviting a few birds. The water was too cold for swimming, but we did make a some use of the patio seating, in the afternoon.
The patio table had chairs for 8...  ... and party lights. What a perfect set up for summer gatherings. Communication We never met our host Julie, but she was quick to respond when we had an issue with the hot water heater. All was quickly fixed while we were out. We found a nice surprise waiting, when we returned. Apple Tart!  Julie was also quick to answer, when Don asked for permission to invite more family to the house. We got our okay and also got a huge congratulations, when Julie learned we were expecting another grandchild! The Reason We Gathered This image hints at what our focus was about during our weekend stay. Our son and daughter-in-law who live in Sacramento, are expecting in May!  Our weekend was full of celebrating! After gathering with others for baby showers and meals, it was a treat to bring family back to the Hobbit House. Cozy Warm We only had a few days, so we couldn't make use of everything. We didn't try out the steam room or the hot tub or pool.  But we made use of the fireplace a couple of nights. Sharing a Notable Night of Two Since becoming empty nesters, (nearly 2 decades ago) Don and I have enjoyed some unusual hotels and inns. The kids are always happy to hear our amusing stories, about the odd or creepy, mysterious or comical places that we've discovered. It was fun to enjoy a few notable nights, along with the kids this time. What a treat to share the experience, not just the stories. What's Notable? Our 4 nights in the Storybook House felt magical. The unique history behind the architect and even the first owner, all added to the flavor of our stay.  Sleeping in cozy house, in a cozy old Sacramento neighborhood was nice enough. Enjoying the curious place along with family, made it even more special. I hope to do it again!
Gruene Mansion in Gruene! Last December, Don and I spent a night in this sweet old mansion, from 1872.  The Victorian-style home was built by Henry D. Gruene, (pronounced GREEN) in a town once called Goodwin. H.D. was evidently quite a guy in the community. The town's name was eventually changed to honor him. The Dance Hall Most people in Texas know of Gruene, because of its famous dance hall. Texas has a lot of old dance halls, but Gruene Hall is the oldest.  The dance hall was built by Mr. Gruene in 1878. It sits right next door to his mansion. That was pretty convenient for Henry. Also for us, since we had tickets for a Tiki Christmas Concert on the night of our stay. Around Gruene The mansion and dance hall aren't the only buildings connected to Henry. There's the 1904 Mercantile, (great antiques now) with HD Gruene's name. The Gristmill River Restaurant is housed in the old cotton gin, built by the H.D. Other old buildings have been turned into fun shops and cafes, all just steps from the mansion. It's fun to imagine the town in 1900, when Gruene was a thriving community. Cotton farming, ginning and banking! There's still a vault in the Mercantile building. Gruene Family This photo was taken on the mansion's porch. I'm guessing the older man is Ernst Gruene, who immigrated with his wife Antoinette from Germany. They moved their family to the town of "Goodwin" when Henry was a baby.  I'm guessing Henry is the younger brother... and maybe that's his young son. This photo would have been taken after Henry returned home to Goodwin, to marry and build this home. H.D. spent many prosperous years, until his death in 1920. Sadly, Gruene was a ghost town by 1950. Mansion Property The old ghost town had a sort of revival in the early 1970s. Restoration of buildings began. Today Gruene Mansion has 2 guest rooms. Most of the other 30 or so rooms, are elsewhere on the inn's property.  When we pulled in on December 5, we followed the drive back a ways, to peek at some of the other buildings where guests stay. On the River Some of the rooms overlook the Guadalupe River. The website description... Victorian Rustic Elegance with modern amenities.  This land along the river was purchased by Ernst Gruene, in 1845. Eventually, son Henry took over the land and planted cotton and housed dozens of sharecroppers... or so I read. I couldn't tell if any of the riverside buildings were historic. The weathered wood in winter, made everything look old. Gathering Spots Near the riverside units, there were lots of open air gathering spots. On a chilly Thursday afternoon, I found no one making use of the rocking chairs.   I didn't spot anyone on the swing, beneath a metal roof. The community space didn't looked appealing on that gray day. but in the summertime, I can imagine a different vibe. Lot of guests hanging out, after a day tubing down the river. Heading In We parked on a brick & grass lot, beside a larger covered outdoor space.  Free parking was a perk. Gruene has become much more touristy, in recent decades. We could have gathered near the fireplace, under this roof.  A blanket and hot chocolate would have made it cozy. Busy Henry We've admired this Victorian mansion on many past visits to Gruene. But only recently did I learn that Henry Gruene lived here, with his wife Bertha.  Before that, he was busy in the saddle. He left Gruene (Goodwin at the time) at the age of 19 and spent time as a cowboy. I expect he gathered a lot of stories and lessons while driving longhorn cattle. Maybe he spent some of that time on the trails, calculating how he was going to prosper in Goodwin. Welcome Heart Check In was at 3. We found a sign pointing us towards the office, in the back building.  I doubt Cowboy Henry would have cared much for the heart-shaped entrance that took us to his old home. Lobby The yellow office was in a space that connected the old mansion to The Pantry, which is a coffee shop, housed in the back building.  I was disappointed there wasn't more of a lobby or lounging space. There was no place to sit, but I noticed a water station, with lots of old photos on the nearby wall. The Stairs One photo showed some images of a major restoration, around 1970. The old stairs look scary!
After checking in, we headed up those stairs. They're still sort of scary. My photo does NOT show how sloped and twisted that journey was! Luckily we had no bags.
We reached the top of the stairs and found a little sitting area with a sort of pew. There were 2 more doors. One led to the porch. The other opened to the hall, where our room was located. Back Stairs After that amusing stair climb, we went back to the car to get bags.  This time we chose the outside stairs, which were much easier. But the code didn't work. I made a couple trips to the desk until we got that figured out. Peculiar Hall Some very odd work has been done to create guest rooms, since the Gruenes lived here. The long hallway, (with very tall ceiling) led directly to the entrance of our cozy suite. Our short door in the tall hall, made me laugh.
I took a closer photo with the door open, showing the screen door to the balcony. The space between the open doors, was part of our suite... Bertha's Suite. Bathroom door to the left. Bedroom door to the right. Pondering the Door With my back to the balcony, I took one more photo of our closed door. With open space above, it looked like part of a stage set. Not sure why this amused me so.  There was only one other upstairs guest, but he frequently went in and out of his room. (a smoker maybe?) The hallway sounds floated right above that short door. Footsteps, door sounds, cellphone conversations, startled me repeatedly. I never saw him, but If he'd been an enormously tall man (or a giraffe) he could have poked his head over the door and asked to borrow a cup of sugar. Bertha's Room Our room was named for Henry's wife. I loved our corner space with 4 tall windows.  We probably could have opened them and walked right out to the wrap around balcony. But we had our own balcony door. The queen size bed, with ornate carved wood, was plenty comfy. We had a fridge, TV and coffee maker. All good.
The vintage wallpaper on the ceiling was kind of fun. As a kid, I would have loved an entertaining ceiling, when I was bored at nap time.  The view out the side windows looked towards a shop and an outside bar.  I walked over later to see the next door property. There was a small stage and an outside bar.  Since Gruene Hall was on the other side of our inn, we were literally surrounded by live music possibilities! The Bathroom! Our luxurious bathroom was a hoot. The sink set-up was very nice and spacious.  The red claw footed tub was sort of on stage! This so amused me, I had to take a few photos to capture the tricky little platform.
I did some wondering about how I would reach the shampoo & soaps mounted to the wall, when the tub curtains were closed. Bath Time Rules Then I took some time pondering the rules of the tub.  "If there are TWO of you frolicking in the bath, Please double check your awareness of the water level." Don and I had a good chuckle over that one. Porch A tiny part of me was glad the weather was chilly and damp, when I stepped through our own door to the porch.
We hardly had time to make use of this incredible wrap-around porch! Had the weather been lovely, I would have had a harder time dragging myself away from the porch.
I love porches and I love rocking chairs. Anywhere and any day.  I love people watching, too. We had the perfect view of folks strolling the walk in front.  I even loved the view behind the chairs, from the circular porch section. Looking back at the inn, it was fun to see all the those tall windows of our corner room! I sat for a spell. Just not a long one.  I played Goldilocks and tried out all the chairs. I liked the rockers at the end. They had a good view down into Gruene Hall's yard space.  This photo is from the ground, (obviously) but it shows the old-timey wire fence, that divides the dance hall and inn properties. In warm months, when Gruene is hopping, the inn's porch would definitely be a great place to take in some good people watching and music. Below After pondering on the porch, I realized I never explored the space beneath our room. I took the funny stairs to the lobby desk and headed towards the front of the house. I found nice leather chairs, near a decorated tree.
The old front door had an antique bell in the center. I used to love those old twist turn doorbells! There were numerous tables at the other end of the room. I believe the tables were available to guests who purchased drinks or food, at The Pantry.  While looking around, I couldn't help but notice a round table, with lots of appetizers and sweets. Oh boy! I guess they forgot to tell us at check in! But when I inquired, I learned the inn's owner was having a private gathering soon. Rats. Not for us. My Own Meet and Greet I headed towards the stairs, feeling a little like a middle schooler who just learned she'd not been invited to a party. But all sulking ended, when I met a pleasant looking couple who had just checked in. We struck up a converstaion and I learned they were also attending the Jamestown Revival Tiki Christmas Concert.  In fact, their son Jon, was performing. That's because he was Jon Clay, of the Jon & Zach (Chance) folk duo... Jamestown Revival. In the sweetest (non-braggy) way, these 2 shared about the "boys" who were once high school buddies. The parents were excited about the recent spotlight on these talented young men, with Grammy and Tony nominations, for the score they wrote for Broadway's musical, The Outsiders. New Groupies After a good long chat with these wonderful folks, I dashed upstairs to tell Don. We were already excited about the show. We both love Tiki and Gruene Hall. We also recently became introduced to J. Revival, after seeing them perform in 2022. (Willy Nelson Concert in Sacramento!)  But suddenly I felt a giddy connection to this talented young band... through the parents of one member. Pretty funny, at 67 I was a whole different kind of groupie. I admired these sincerely proud parents. It made me extra excited to see the show, knowing what happy supportive parents were behind them. I know. Very corny. Cowboy Tiki-Time It was fun to know there would at least be 2 "fans" in the crowd, (besides Don and me) who might be over the age of 50.  Don and I are way, way over 50, but we conjured up some youthful enthusiasm with our cowboy boots and leis. I wore my flowered shirt and Don was decorated with ukuleles. We enjoyed a toast in our room, to the fun ahead. Evening at the Inn Before heading next door, we did sneak a peek at the downstairs porch. I snooped in a window at the inn's private gathering and chuckled to myself. Have fun y'all. Sorry we can't join ya, we have to go see our friends at the dance hall now.
We headed through the glowing heart-shape. I wonder how many bridal couples have posed in that spot? The Show The evening couldn't have been more enjoyable. The stage was decorated with palm trees and Christmas decor. The enthused fans (some in tiki attire) seemed laid back and game for a simple evening of folksy Christmas music and good humored, relaxed on-stage banter. It was as if everyone already knew each other. Yet we oldsters never felt out of place. The band and the crowd all seemed equally welcoming. Night in Gruene Don and I lingered a while after the show. It felt good to know we had no drive ahead. We'd been standing throughout the show, (no seats) but we were still in no hurry to rush back.  It didn't take long for the main street to empty. We had a fun peek at the old Mercantile, all lit up with no cars cluttering. We strolled down the walk just a few steps, then up to the porch.  It was an added bonus to have our stay in December, when lights and greenery decorated the porches! Morning We slept well in Bertha's Room. There was no music lingering late at night. No guest going in and out. All was peaceful and cozy.  We had to hit the road early, but made sure to purchase some coffee and warm scones from The Pantry. The smells of coffee and sweets, was welcoming. It was a perfect end to our stay. What's Notable? We stayed in a Victorian mansion, in one of our favorite places in Texas. Even though Gruene's become touristy, it's still such a festive little town. I really never appreciated the history of Gruene or the mansion, until this visit.  Mostly I'll remember the cozy room, with access to the huge porch. The tub was not ideal, but just fine for one night. The price wasn't great either (total over 300) but again, it was just one night. A stay with warmer (not hot) weather would have made the visit absolutely ideal. I would love to enjoy more of the grounds and definitely more porch time!
Thanksgiving at La Mansion With no family in town for the holiday, Don and I made last minute reservations for a stay in San Antonio. In a hotel where we've always wanted to stay!
We arrived the day before Thanksgiving. We wandered down the Riverwalk looking for those familiar stairs leading up to the Spanish style building. I remember spotting that pair of stairs (and the leaning tree in the middle) about 2 decades ago, for the first time. On the Riverwalk Since moving to Texas 24 years ago, we've visited the historic San Antonio Riverwalk numerous times. (rarely quiet, like my 7 am photo)  Somewhere, we have photos of the kids posing on this sweet pedestrian bridge, right near the hotel entrance. Selena Bridge I learned recently, that many refer to this bridge as the Selena Bridge. Nearly 3 decades ago, the famous singer performed her last concert at the Alamodome. Tragically, she was killed a couple weeks later. A romantic scene from the movie Selena, (1997) was filmed on this bridge.  The bridge gives sort of a curious view of La Mansion, with its arches and wrought iron. The hotel section facing the water, opened as La Posada in 1968. It was built on the property of the historic St. Mary's College, after the school relocated. The luxury hotel opened just in time for the crowds attending the HemisFair '68! College Street When Don and I arrived the day before Thanksgiving, we found the door (near Selena Bridge) locked. We left the charming Riverwalk-World and searched for the main entrance on College Street.  From the street, we saw a a very different view of the hotel. We could also see St. Mary's Church, on the corner. Obviously the school and church are connected historically. St. Mary's College The first building for St. Mary's was constructed in 1852. This 4-story structure came later, in the 1870s. It was the tallest building in San Antonio at that time!  It was fun to compare the old image to today's building. Not much has changed. We tried the door beneath the flags. Locked! How do we enter this complex of old and new buildings? La Mansion del Rio Hotel The main entrance was actually in a newer building, with valet parking and garage.  The friendly valet guys pointed to the lobby door, near a welcoming sign that showed the full name of the hotel... which was a mouthful. Once we had our keycard, we could enter all the doors. The entrance above the Riverwalk (near the oval sign) was the only one we needed.
Obviously we were drawn more to the "rio" than the street. I liked just stepping out, to see the river activity. Back inside the door, an open air corridor took us to the lobby, elevator... pool. Unlike the high-rise hotels nearby, we got to enjoy a little fresh air, every time we wandered.  We could peek at the pool and courtyard, every time we headed to the lobby. The vibe was different each time! Sometimes lively. Sometimes still. Lobby The lobby desk was within the old building. We checked in a little early, which meant we missed the rush.  It was a Wednesday before the holiday weekend. Lots of families began to arrive. Cocoa La Mansion is now owned by Omni, so we got some Omni perks, like the Hot Cocoa Table. I of course had to stop for a chocolatey drink!  I'm glad they kept the La Mansion name, so we weren't constantly reminded that we were actually staying in a chain hotel. El Colegio... Blitzen's There's a curious history behind the hotel's El Colegio Bar.  This part of the school property was added in 1934, after St. Mary's College added a law school. El Colegio became the bar's name. We would learn later what the glowing BLIZTEN'S sign was all about. The Dean's Office In 1967, St. Mary's outgrew the location and moved. In '68, a former law student purchased the property. A new building was added for hotel rooms and the Dean's office (with its wonderful stone fireplace) became the hotel's cozy bar. For years it was also a convenient gathering place for lawyers and judges, who worked at the nearby courthouse.  Don and I actually had a drink in El Colegio, about 10 years ago. We sat at a table looking out towards College Street. Exploring the Old Building I was sorry that our room couldn't have been in the historic building, on College Street.  But at least I could explore the building that once held the school. Not far from the lobby desk, a Christmas tree with the gigantic gold balls, lured me over. Then I got curious about what was above.
I absolutely love a good staircase! I had this one all to myself as I climbed to the 4th floor. When I reached the top, I looked down and gave a tiny squeal of giddy delight.  Then I noticed I wasn't by myself. A man dressed in paint splattered clothes had just come from the elevator. I told the workman I was enjoying the best view! He said he'd never seen the stairs, since his job required him to use specific halls and elevators. I invited him to come have a look and I wish I could have taken a picture of his happy face. We both admired the tree from above! Decor I wandered and found numerous event spaces.  But the doors were all locked. I wasn't as free to explore as I'd hoped. But there were many halls for wandering, in both main buildings.
I enjoyed all the different styles of art... antique paintings and Mexican Huichol yarn art.  There were vintage photos of San Antonio and old pictures showing some of St. Mary's athletes. The school was all male until 1963.  This little sitting area with soft chairs and soothing art, seemed to be inviting me to stop and sit a while. Fountains A visit to San Antonio always makes me feel like I've traveled to Mexico or Spain. Especially when there are trickling fountains. I found one in a courtyard...
... and another with a lion's head, on the outside of the building.  I wish someone could have told me about this unusual fountain near the pool. Stone faces and colorful pieces of tile! Was this a recent piece of art? Our Little Oasis Our host at check-in was very gracious, giving us some room options.  We couldn't have been happier with our choice, on the 4th floor at the very end of the building.  I loved our beams and the brick wall. 1960s Spanish style! And a door with a balcony!  The carpet and furniture looked nicely updated. I was of course drawn to the photos and art. Who were these smiling gals with rattlers on their jumpers? Female students sometime after 1963, I guess.  Trivia: The green and gold serpent became the school mascot, after diamondback rattlesnakes were found on campus, in the 1920s. There was more art in the bathroom.  It was a nice space. Not huge, but modern and fresh, with good light. Relaxing Don was pleased with a comfy chair.  We had a cozy morning on Thursday, enjoying coffee and pastries, with the Macy's Parade! Balcony I loved having doors that opened, to let in fresh air and views and sounds.  We also had a door that opened to a shared balcony. It invited me to wander a little later. 2 Views Our balcony wasn't the most spacious, but we had 2 chairs. I could sit in one and check on the pool activity.  I could sit in the other and study St. Mary's! What a delight to hear the bells chime... a lot! Some guests might get annoyed with regular bell and song interruptions. But I loved it. The sounds transported me to a different time and place. Roof View Besides people watching below, I could look across at the historic building.  The building was designed by a French architect. I felt like I was in Paris. When I wandered along some of the upper walkways, I was able to study some of the buildings that surrounded our hotel.  So many tall buildings have popped up in the old city, since the original 4-story school of 1877.  You can see our 4th floor balcony, above the fountain. So close to the church and bells! Outside Seating The pool courtyard was especially inviting at night. The water was plenty warm and a fire pit made the sitting area cozy, when temps dropped.  At the opposite end of the property, there was another courtyard.  It also had a fire pit, but also lots of rocking chairs to lure guests. I never saw anyone making use. I'm glad we enjoyed some outside sitting on Wednesday, when it was slightly warmer.
The first evening, we ordered some wine at El Colegio and enjoyed some people watching by the pool. I did not see a single person on a cell phone. Rare! I actually noticed a dad, reading Hemingway while his kids swam. Location We hardly needed to leave our sweet hotel, tucked between the Riverwalk and city buildings. But the Riverwalk access was the icing on the cake.  San Antonio's Riverwalk is a little like the canals of Venice. No cars. Lots of tourists... shops and restaurants. WPA helped create the canals and bridges in the 1930s. Then and Now Disastrous flooding of the San Antonio River in 1921, initially prompted the creation of the Riverwalk plan. I'm not sure when the vintage photo was taken, but it looks similar to the photo I took, on the right.  The new photo shows the 1968 hotel addition, which blocks the view of St. Mary's roof. When I look at both photos I wonder how many feet have walked along these paths. And how many visitors have fallen into that water! Exploring on Foot We didn't join tourists for a boat tour. We've done that. But we never tire of wandering along the winding along the pathways, beside water. A few times we took the stairs up to the street level and explored. We passed by The Alamo, then enjoyed some lunch at the historic Menger Hotel... evening drinks at the glamorous St. Anthony Hotel. The area was extra festive with colorful decorations and lights! Blitzen's On both days, Blitzen's (or El Colegio) opened its doors in the morning and afternoon. Coffee Bar... then Cocktail Bar.  I believe Omni has something to do with the Blitzen's name. I believe this year, about 13 Blitzen's Christmas Pop-Up Bars showed up in Omni hotels, around the country.  I popped in to see some Pop-Up surprises, when it first opened on Wednesday afternoon.
I love some Christmas spirit! I love surprises! I love the history of El Colegio. But the blend of it all was a bit odd.  The old fireplace was festive and amusing with Santa Dear.
The bar stools had cute covers and there were 2 Santas decorating a leather sofa. There were lights hanging above and a tree in the corner. All good.  But in the morning when we sipped coffee and enjoyed the newspaper, we had the same one complaint. It's hard to enjoy your coffee or cocktail and all the festive decor when there are TVs flickering on both sides of the fireplace and behind the bar.  I'd have been fine with some classic holiday movies playing. But it was all sports. Wrestling at 9 am! 4 Brothers: Southern Provisions Our hotel had a lovely restaurant, with an intriguing name. The restaurant also had a lovely patio, overlooking the Riverwalk.  The restaurant name recognizes the 4 brothers of the Society of Mary, who established St. Mary's College. That was in 1853! We're talking 16 years after the fall of the Alamo! This lovely dining room and bar was built on land, that likely saw some dramatic happenings, in 1836.  I guess the entire hotel sits on land that was once part of the famed Battle of the Alamo. The mission itself is just about a quarter mile away. Thanksgiving Dinner We were lucky to get reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at 4 Brothers. Our trip had been spur of the moment. I had hoped for a cozy booth, like the one I spotted during one of my exploration missions.
I was especially thrilled when I found out it was not a buffet. We could order from the menu, or enjoy a plate of typical Thanksgiving foods.  We arrived early to enjoy a toast in the bar. At first I was disappointed that we were seated at a cafe table, close to others. But we ended up enjoying a couple seated nearby. They were intrigued, when Don ordered a smoking toasted pecan old fashioned cocktail!  They had just finished their meal, so the 4 of us ended up chatting until our food came. This would not have worked out well, if this couple had been at all annoying. But I'll always remember our conversation. Just like us, they had decided on a T-Day getaway to San Antonio, because their grown kids weren't in town. We talked about some interesting things... like shared concerns about our country. It was odd and unexpected and pleasant.  I'll remember how much I enjoyed my turkey dinner, as well as the upbeat waiter who served it. How did he manage to be so energetic and gracious after serving on a busy holiday? Nighttime After dinner we stepped out into the chilly air to have one last peek at the water. On Thanksgiving night, the sidewalks were fairly quiet. (photos mostly from the night before) We stood on the bridge and wondered what the river would look like the next night... for the annual holiday light parade on the water! What's Notable? Our stay at La Mansion was such a sweet surprise. Our expectations were simple... to just enjoy a change of scenery, in a decent hotel.  We loved our room with balcony and bells. We appreciated the professional and friendly staff. The history of the property was an added treat. There was even something very pleasant about the other guests we passed, or observed, or spoke with. And of course the location made our stay extra special. Maybe next time we'll splurge and book a room overlooking the water!
"Laguna Surf Lodge" When Don booked our seaside hotel, it was still called Laguna Riviera Beach Resort.  When we arrived last October, a new name greeted us on a temporary sign. Since 1948 The old name conjures up a ritzy image. In 1948, Harry & Lillian Willits had some European resort ideas, when they named their California hotel. They had been inspired, by earlier travels, to both the Italian and French rivieras.  I've been to neither of the glam resort areas, but my photo of "Laguna Riviera" (from across the Coast Highway) looks a tad more Floridian. Which totally delights me! It reminds me of roadside motor inns that my family enjoyed when I was kid. Hints of the Past Don and I were newlyweds when we lived in Laguna Beach, in the '80s. We were in our twenties and much younger than The Riviera, but I was fond of the hotel's throwback charm, even then.
I remember the car-port-style entrance, on the left. I remember peeking through the glass to see the pool, beneath the futuristic cone structure. Today, you can still see some of the beachy colors, on the yet to be renovated side. Spiffed Up! We knew about new ownership and renovation before arriving. When we pulled in through the opening, the old homey Riviera Hotel had bright new surprises.  Over the years, the family friendly resort attracted lots of happy return guests. Even when it became a bit worn and aged. Some renovation was still in progress during our stay, but Laguna Surf Lodge had a relaxed, yet classy boutique hotel vibe. We were greeted by a charming valet guy, named Gabe. He offered us some refreshing flavored water, in eco-friendly metal cups. What's in Back? Before moving towards the office, I let my eyes follow the arrow on the brick drive. I could quickly see what made this hotel such a magnet, for over 7 decades. The 1-acre property has amazing views!  This photo shows just a glimpse of the 5-level property, with stairs and pathways heading down to the beach! And surfers! We saw many, so the new name fits. Friendly Check In We found the temporary office in a welcoming space, with glass doors opening off to the pool area.  An upbeat young woman named Rynn, checked us in. She seemed excited that we'd be staying in her favorite room. "It's one of the original rooms!" I loved her enthusiasm about the hotel's history. It first opened with only 12 rooms, then expanded to 41. Beverage Corner Rynn pointed out a corner of the lobby, where we could help ourselves to coffee and water. Right away I noticed the beautiful green glasses and colorful mugs.  Rynn explained a little about the hotel's, new SCP ownership and its Holistic Hospitality approach. No paper cups here! "Soul Community Planet" The SCP stands for Soul Community Planet. There are currently at least 10 of these properties, mostly in the west.  Here's a quick description I stole from their website: "Soul Community Planet (SCP) was founded on the core values of wellness (Soul), kindness (Community) and sustainability (Planet). We provide hand-crafted venues comprising hotels, coworking, restaurants, and fitness. For those who believe in the power of healthy living, kindness towards others and compassion for the planet." Family Run 1948- 2018 I do love a family run hotel. This is how the Riviera looked when the Willats family owned the hotel. They not only ran the hotel, but lived in it. Harry's son Bruce, took over in the 80's and evidently had good stories about growing up at the Riviera.  There were stories of famous guests, like author Pearl S. Buck. She and her family came for annual 3-month stays. Did Bruce play with her kids? Not sure. It was 1952, when Richard Nixon's family stayed at the Riviera. The Nixon girls were pretty young, when they were seen tossing a ball with their dad on the beach. It was the weekend before Nixon was elected vice president. Meeting Jimmy During our stay, we didn't get to meet any politicians, or writers, or any members of the Willats family. But we felt delighted to meet Jimmy Bray in the office on the second day.
I'm still not sure about Jimmy's title. He was way too gracious and fun and laid back, to introduce himself as "owner". But he was an absolute delight as we swapped stories about our shared love of historic hotels. Jimmy has played a big role in renovations of many properties around the country. His enthusiasm for Laguna Surf Lodge was contagious. His upbeat energy was shared with guests and staff alike. He introduced us to Mari, who had just tidied our room that day! Fun Cars After raving with Jimmy about how pleased we were with the renovated hotel and the top notch staff, I had to let him know how much I loved the fun vehicles!
If we'd had more time and more money, we could have taken off in the 1967 Land Rover, with a guide and surfboards. The lodge offers a very cool "Dawn Patrol" adventure package, that involves a day of surfing and beach dining. Ship Shape! While checking in, Gabe effortlessly made 2 trips with luggage to our room. By the time we headed down the pathway, I'd fallen in love with the hotel.  With all the time we've spent in Laguna Beach over the years, we've never seen more than a street view of the hotel. It was exciting to finally stroll down the zig-zag pathway. Looking up at the structure, the balconies and windows made me think of some kind of whimsical ship! Or maybe a humongous houseboat! Room 101 Luckily when Don booked, he made sure we had an ocean view room with a balcony. That was enough to thrill me.
Since the rooms are all very unique, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was excited to learn we were staying in one of the original 12 rooms. It took us a while to reach it, at the lowest level. But it was still high above the beach. "Peaceful Room" We never saw another room, but I can see why Rhnn thought this room was the best! The whole front of the room was glass.  It was considered one of their "peaceful rooms", with lots of light and airy space in the front portion. A modern table with four chairs, sat beside a wall of white brick. A little reminder of the old structure!
There was a great wet bar, with fridge and sink and I loved the framed photo... hugging a surfboard! Sit a Spell At the foot of the bed, we had a comfy couch and a sweet table made from a slice of tree.  We could lounge and enjoy the view out the glass doors, or we could enjoy some nearby nature, right in the room! Green In the center of all those tree rings, there were 2 tiny pots. Those miniature succulents sort of delighted me!
On a nearby wall, there was a circular piece of art. It looks flat in my photo, but the soft moss and feathery fronds, were growing right out of the circle. Ahh! Peaceful Sleep! The bed itself was luxurious, with an avocado green mattress. A first for me. But the bed was also surrounded with comforting features.  I love an adjustable lamp with plug-in options. Above the wood headboard was another piece of calming art. Did it flutter when the ceiling fan was turned on? Forgot to check. Sounds and Scents On one table, there was a round "Yogasleep" machine, that offered up soothing sounds or music! In fact there was a dreamy melody playing, when we entered the guest room!  On the other table there was an essential oil diffuser, with the most lovely and subtle aroma. A bottle of pillow spray was handy as well. Brand New I love a retro bathroom with pink tile, but there was nothing mid-century modern about our bathroom.  I was more than happy to give up the 1950s look for this lovely space. We had everything from double sinks to illuminated mirror. An enormous shower and even a fabric steamer, for wrinkled clothes. No TV Part of the Peaceful Room approach meant no TV. It was actually a treat to not have the option.  There was a generous space beside the bed. Just right for a little stretching or yoga time. There was even a mediation pillow.  I found a yoga mat in the closet and a "Well-Being Play Book" nearby. The enormous mirror could have helped me perfect some yoga poses...or ballet... or photos! The mirror came in handy in the evening, before Don and I headed off for tiki drinks at Royal Hawaiian.  We did an "Old People Selfie" with the mirror. I hoped to spotlight Don's bird of paradise shirt and my flamingo dress, but mostly I captured the nice floors! The Deck! I was thrilled to have a private deck, but never did I expect a 2-level set-up! We opened our glass doors to an upper balcony.
A set of stairs led down to a spacious deck, with an L-shaped couch and a massive umbrella.  And a view that never got old!  We made sure to catch sunset on the first evening.
In late October, that happened around 6. Then off to dinner. In the morning we grabbed complimentary coffee from the lobby and returned to enjoy our view. The coffee was delicious, btw! From a local brewing co.
We enjoyed breakfast treats from Orange Inn, just a block away. For lunch we had tacos from a nearby cafe, along with Sangria flavored soda!
The deck lured us back in the afternoon for a little tea and some reading... very curious Laguna Beach history! Surfers and Sunset On the second night, we made sure to stop back at the hotel, for another sunset on the deck.
The waves were minimal, but the surfers were still entertaining to watch.  They used every last bit of sunlight to catch the last waves of the evening.   I realize I posted 16 photos related to our deck and view. I don't have to tell you, that we were in love with that glorious deck. No matter what time of day! What Else? We had only 2 nights and the time went fast. We didn't make use of the little shared space, tucked into the property about halfway up from the beach.  We could have played corn hole or enjoyed fire pits in the evening. 1950s? In this old postcard, you can see folks gathering in the same area. How I love the webbed lawn chairs and fringed umbrellas!  If we'd visited in a busier season, we might have met some other guests as we gazed out at the sea. To the Beach The railings and views, made it seem like we were enjoying a vacation on a cruise ship!  But we weren't trapped cruisers! We could easily follow the walkway down to the beach.  On my first trip down, I was amused by the maze-like journey. Even though there was only one way up and one way down.  The lush growth created a wall, beside the white railing. It was exciting to see what was around each corner. A sweet little table for 2, surprised me at one point. A little platform just off the path, offered a perfect sunset view.
Before reaching the gate to the beach, there was a long narrow deck with about 10 rocking chairs. So many options for enjoying the view!  I saved the rockers for later. I had to get my feet on the sand. Before opening the gate, I checked out a collection of beach supplies, that guests were welcome to use. There were beach chairs and boogie boards, umbrellas and sand toys! I took nothing, but left my sandals behind.  I so wanted to step back far enough to photograph the complicated structure of the hotel. Impossible. I'd have to swim a long way out, to really see the whole thing. So I walked along the beach instead.  I headed north and found myself at Laguna's lively Main Beach. The Pool! With a gorgeous beach, I hardly needed pool time. But I wanted the whole Riviera experience!  Another postcard image gave me an idea of how the pool looked... maybe in 1957? Just guessing that date. That was a good year. My birth year.
Don and I were the only guests who were drawn to the pool that day. I did a little posing before I got in the water. The pool area hasn't had the full remodel yet.  That meant I could sit in the flower-shaped hot tub and imagine the day when swim caps were required. But those gals in the postcard image weren't wearing caps! Maybe they had different rules in California.  I remember Florida pools in the '60s. Oh how I hated the women's cap rule... regardless of hair length!  Don was reading in a chair and I didn't have any lady friends to gab with, so I leaned my head back and studied the umbrella-like structure above me. I really do love that thing! Did it have glass at one time? I should have asked Jimmy how they plan to refurbish this area. Please don't remove this retro thing! Nighttime The hotel had a whole different feel when the sky was dark. There is always something magical about being near an ocean at night.
I will never forget the sound of the waves as we wandered up and down the walkway. Daytime But I absolutely loved the light, bright feel of our hotel in the daylight!  Even with fog in the morning, the views were the best!  The surfers were out at 7 am. I think most were high school age, heading to school soon.  Even though the water was unusually calm, we spotted surfers at all hours! Location! What a treat to be able to walk to restaurants and shops, without grabbing the car. It was a fun walk on the sand, to Main Beach and further north to Heisler Park. Returning along the Coast Highway, offered up good people watching, shops and restaurants. What's Notable? A classy seaside boutique inn, with a mid century vibe! The room with its balcony was above and beyond, in every way. The hotel's location was just right. And in the future there will be a restaurant/bar and spa, a plunge pool and much more on site.
We felt like we'd hit the jackpot with our accommodations, as well as our service. I must say, that Jimmy and the welcoming staff, played a big part in making our stay so extra special. It's rare to see such an eager staff working together. It was hard to leave this little bit of paradise. But Jimmy gave us hugs and begged us to stay in touch. So I guess that means we'll have to return!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
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