HELP Wayfaring Wanderer WIN the Trip of a Lifetime!

I am entered to win a giveaway with Sony Electronics along with 834 other contestants. 

This means that my odds of walking away with the $10,000 grand prize to take a journey of a lifetime aren't too bad. That is, if I can get your help! 

My virtual postcard entry for the Sony Reader™ $10K Getaway Giveaway must receive the most number of "LIKES" in order to WIN! Currently, I am standing at number #71 out of #843. 

To vote, you just click through to this link: http://readergetawaygiveaway.com/?id=289#289 and HIT the VOTE FOR THIS ENTRY button. You are not asked for an email or any other information, they only require that you fill-in a captcha. The voting process couldn't be easier! I promise, it will only take 1min & 30secs of your time to vote for my postcard. Pretty, please :D

You may vote for my entry once a day through 4/26/2011 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). 
Thank you for taking the time to do so, I appreciate it so very much! 

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Rancho Bernardo Inn Resort & Spa | San Diego, California

On the morning I set out to explore, a thick fog enshrouded the grounds. The faint mist present in the air clung to my camera and clothing as I slowly meandered around the gardens. So much for the sunny San Diego California weather I envisioned beforehand. I won't complain because the misty morning added a layer of mystic to my early morning stroll. The only other people stirring at this hour of the morning (7am) were resort employees. I took this time to thoroughly soak up the surroundings while waiting for breakfast to begin.

It was easy to get wrapped up in the old-world décor they used to adorn inside and out. The exposed wooden ceiling beams added a richness to the atmosphere, and the cozy nooks scattered throughout created very inviting micro-environments to kick back or have a chat. I'm not accustomed to staying at resorts with luxurious accommodations like those found at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. I'm used to camping out and sleeping in a tent, actually. A far cry from the elegant escape that this inn offers. What I learned while I was there was that this Rancho Bernardo resort was more than just a place to turn in at the end of the day. Instead of merely being a place to sleep, it was more of a destination!

Not only do they offer deluxe guest rooms that are nicely decorated, they have a premier 27-hole golf course, a full-service spa, and various dining options with several on-site restaurants complete with a bar and coffee shop. They have everything you need and more at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, CA; it almost seems as though they are trying to keep you there. Had Sony not already planned out my activities for the day, I would have found it hard to leave!

I only slept at the Rancho Bernardo Inn for a total of two nights. Even though I didn't get much sleeping done due to the jet lag, I still found the suite to be a nice place to unwind. The beds were extra cushy with super fluffy pillows, relaxing on the balcony was a special treat, and so was the super sized shower! I didn't have a whole lot of time to spend in my room, but it was comfy when I did have some downtime.

I felt very well-taken care of during my stay at the lodge. It was an incredibly beautiful resort with many different amenities to keep you occupied and satisfied no matter what you needed. Whether you are in the mood for a game of golf, a special spa treatment, posh accommodations, or a place to host an event or meeting, the Rancho Bernardo Inn Resort & Spa is a terrific place to stay for anyone looking for an upscale experience in San Diego, California. 

What did you think about the Rancho Bernardo after reading this post?

When you travel what accommodations do go for? Hotels? Hostels? 

Please share your thoughts!

Interested in finding out more about my trip to San Diego? 

Follow the links to find out more:

• 10 Reasons Why You Want to Win a Sony WX9: Detail about the new Sony camera I tested out.
• Oceanside Farmer's Market & Picnic: !Warning! This post will make you hungry :D
• Sony Foodie Sneak Peak: An Overview of my San Diego Trip and how I got there?!? 
• Find WW on Facebook for exclusive photos & videos not featured on the blog or anywhere else!

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Places To Eat Sweets in Boone, NC | Foodie Friday

During my trip to San Diego, CA for the Sony Foodie event, I connected with some lovely ladies who work with a website called Foodspotting. Upon visiting this website, I was instantly hooked because I love love love food photography and this place was filled with images of meals from people all over. Instead of using a review based website where you take the good with the negative, Foodspotting focuses solely on the things that people LOVE, not what they didn't like. It's not a review site in the traditional sense. If you ask me, it's better! Due to the fact that I am such a visually oriented person, this website appeals to me in ways that most of the other food review sites can't. There aren't enough people using it here in Boone, NC, but I'm aiming to change that, which is why I am sharing my new favorite website with you today. 

Beware! Foodspotting is highly addictive, and you may be shunned by embarrassed friends who don't understand why you feel the need to shoot photos of your food. Don't say I didn't warn you :D 

 A couple weeks ago, I had a nasty little sweet tooth that I had difficulty satisfying. It seemed like I wanted to try a new treat everyday. This made me realize that it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be to come up with new ideas when my sweet tooth decided to strike! While there are quite a few places that we frequent here in town when we have a craving, I also felt like mixing it up a bit in an effort to discover something new. After making my way to several different shops around town, I thought that it would be fun to compile a guide of all the sweet spots here in Boone, NC that I like to visit. The on-going guide can be followed through Foodspotting (click the title below for link), and I plan to continue adding places as I visit them. There are many other places to delight a demand for dessert, and I have goals to conquer those, too! However, for now, here's a short list:

{Places To Eat Sweets in Boone, NC}

 

Espresso News Coffee Shop | 267 Howard St. Boone, NC

As far as I know, this is the only place in town where you can get homemade chocolate confections. I bypassed trying them on my first visit, but I couldn't stop thinking about them, so I had to go back for a taste. Espresso News is mainly known for their coffee, but the chocolate is noteworthy as well!

Higher Grounds Coffee Shop | 201 New Market Center #10 Boone, NC

Located not too far from Downtown Boone, NC, this coffee shop is tucked away in a shopping center. You'd probably miss it if you didn't know this gem was hidden there. The Caramel Frappes are a pleasing pick-me-up. I also recommend trying the chocolate covered espresso beans, they are yummy!

 

Stick Boy Bread Company |  345 Hardin St. Boone, NC

This bakery has more than delicious chocolate chip cookies, they bake fresh bread daily, make cakes and other desserts, and serve coffee too! A great place to stop in and grab a treat. The cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing are ridiculously decadent and delicious, so be sure to get one of those, too!

Scoops Cafe | 450 New Market Boulevard Boone, NC

This is the only place in Boone, NC where you can get homemade Gelato. They have many flavors to choose from that are all great. They make it difficult to decide on which one to get! Many people might overlook this establishment because it's off the main strip, however, it's in the same shopping center as Higher Grounds. How about you visit both during the same trip?! We did :D

The Custard Depot | 228 Howard St. Boone, NC

In the heart of Downtown Boone, this shop dishes out scoop after scoop of the creamiest custard in all the land. Not that they have any competition, since they are the only place to get custard as far as I know. It's thick and creamy, and I love how they only make a couple flavors everyday, so you know it's super fresh. I'm always on the lookout for the flavor-of-the-day, they like to keep things interesting!

Where is your favorite place to get a sweet treat when a craving strikes?


View Places to Eat Sweets in Boone, NC in a larger map

All of the images in the blog post were taken with the Sony Cybershot WX9. It's an awesome new point and shot that takes HD videos and 3D still images! If you are interested in finding out more, please visit the recent review I posted here: "10 Reasons Why You Want to WIN a Sony WX9".

Foodie Friday is a new feature that I want to share on Wayfaring Wanderer every week. It won't always contain lists of places to eat, although it will always be food related! If you are interested in participating in FF, please let me know in the comments. I'd love for others to join in, too!

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