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Watch Out for Altitude Sickness in Sparkling South Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Story, photos/video by Cassie Hepler As a travel writer, there is a rock and a hard place between pleasing tourism boards and yet still remaining transparent and honest to your readers. I’ve never been one to sugar coat anything so I figured why start now? With a journalism background, it is in my blood to report the truth and also to use my experiences to help others. So here we go on an adventure that does indeed have a happy ending… Because I never drove through Nevada (without a U-Haul trailer attached), I thought it would be fun to go on a road trip through Vegas from Phoenix (not during…
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Views and Chews for Days with Hilton San Francisco Union Square in California
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Driving into San Francisco, California during a picture perfect summer day was breathtaking. And a little confusing when I reached a toll for the Golden Gate Bridge ($4) and never carry any cash on me. Part of the allure of California and the West is the no toll roads unlike the opposite every two mile tolls it seems on the East Coast. And of course they don’t take credit cards so the lady waved me by and told me to expect something in the mail and to fight it… welcome to San Fran! (Update: It’s all done electronically now and the toll without FasTrak is…
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Hotel Adeline Adds Boutique Flair with Secret Speakeasy to Scottsdale, Arizona
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler My East Coast crew is always asking me where to stay when visiting sunny Arizona. Now I finally have a place to direct people who like to play, stay and enjoy Cambelback Mountain views at all times in Scottsdale, Arizona! Enter Hotel Adeline, which revamped and opened in January 2017, ironically the same time I moved across the country. Formerly a Days Inn, then Clarion Inn, and lastly Scottsdale Inn, the 4.5 acre property underwent a $12 million renovation. With a gated car valet (or open guest parking in the front), you don’t have to worry about your car which is nice. Just park and play!…
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F.A.B.R.I.C. in Tempe, Arizona Showcases Project Runway Fashion Designers
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Bravo TV’s Project Runway designers hit Arizona’s “hautest” runway in an exclusive fashion show to help celebrate F.A.B.R.I.C.’s two-year anniversary in November 2018. F.A.B.R.I.C. Tempe is a collaboration to combine apparel manufacturing resources, creative professionals, co-op work space, events, industry training and more. Partially funded by Downtown Tempe, it is Arizona’s fashion headquarters. Services include design and manufacturing (tech packs, patterns, grading marking, cutting, no minimum sewing), event spaces (co-working offices, event space, photo studios, meeting space), education (classes, private lessons. fashion business consultations, camps) and resources (AZ Fashion Directory, calendar, jobs and news). F.A.B.R.I.C. is also home of the AZ Apparel Foundation, a non-profit providing the knowledge and resources to…
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Ride in Style with Aall In Limo’s Mercedes Benz to Temecula Wineries in California
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) You know what’s more awesome than wine tasting in Temecula Valley? Having a driver from Aall In Limo pick you up in a Mercedes Benz party limo at your San Diego, California location and then delivering you to each winery in style – and your driver opening winery doors for you so you look like rock stars! In a tandem trip to sunny SD, MoVernie.com and I teamed up to be power plus ones and make this an epic dual press trip plus a little vacation exploration when we had time. Just don’t make the rookie mistake we made and believe the hype…
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A Unique, Online Gift Guide for Last Minute Holiday Shoppers
Story by Explore, submitted photos/video The year of 2018 has been our best yet for Explore! While our publisher Cassie Hepler moved across the country to Phoenix, Arizona, it has helped expand the blog and gaining more traction and faithful followers every day. We have made some new partnerships and awesome blogger/influencer friends in the Valley of the Sun to California and beyond. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all who have helped us succeed in this crazy, exciting blogging world. From the East Coast to the West Coast, we looking forward to exploring more and outside the USA for 2019. In the meantime, as we…
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Three Time James Beard Award Winner Chef Sherry Yard Tantalizes Tastebuds with Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Located right next to the new, pimped out iPic Theaters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Tanzy restaurant also had a makeover recently. Award-winning Chef Sherry Yard, Chief Operating Officer for iPic® Theaters and Tuck Hospitality Group, is proud to introduce the new Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale. Presenting a new menu featuring garden-fresh ingredients and handmade dishes inspired by bold flavors and delicate techniques, Tanzy’s offerings are complemented by Executive Bartender/Corporate Sommelier Adam Seger’s innovative beverage program. Tanzy’s artisanal Italian concept remains the prominent backbone of the restaurant’s new menu, which features time-tested classics alongside original new dishes, all of which are handmade under Yard’s direction by Tanzy’s Corporate…
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Speed Boat Adventures offers Adrenaline with Unique San Diego, CA Views
Story, photos/video by Cassie Hepler Sure you’ve seen all of San Diego, CA by foot and views every single other person has seen and photographed relentlessly. But what about rolling up in the water right next to some stinky sea lions and cruising underneath the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier? Now that’s a unique experience at Speed Boat Adventures which also offers a side of adrenaline to boot! Speed Boat Adventures offers a 13-mile (20km) tour at various speeds around the San Diego Harbor available five times a day. We chose the sunset spot as we wanted those pink hues captured on film for forever. They ask you to arrive 20-30 minutes…
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Chill Out, Recharge with Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center in Pescadero, CA
Story, photos/video by Cassie Hepler I’ve been writing essays about how marijuana should be legalized for medical purposes and beyond since high school (and also the ice caps melting, but that’s another story). So when I got an invite to check out the Goddess Ganja Getaway, I went for it. When people asked what is was, I would reply that I had no clue, and honestly, I didn’t. Not one to shy away from adventure, I boldly went where most East Coasters have not gone before. The website copy says the Original Ganja Goddess Getaway, “is an all-inclusive retreat filled with cannabis, camping, food and fun. It’s a retreat for women focusing…
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Concord, California Offers Country Cool Coastal Vibes in Small City Setting
Story, photos/video by Cassie Hepler All I knew about Concord, California before this visit through the tourism board was that is was a San Francisco suburb style city in Northern California. But Concord has its own pulse and rhythm that is relaxing and refreshing. There seems to be that unhurried city pace the country offers but somehow still maintaining a city full of activities for those inclined. Arriving straight from the Goddess Ganja Getaway in Pescadero, CA, I was feeling a bit crunchy. I didn’t wash my hair for a couple days as it was super cool in the mornings and didn’t pack enough layers to keep my core solidly warm…
