WestCoast_Eden

I was surprised by how close some of the neighborhood houses were to the concentration camp. In the back area where there were ovens, gas chambers and where the dead were piled, there was a neighboring house which would have had a clear view into that area from their second story window. Surely, the people living right next to the camp during WWII knew what was going on. Seeing that house in such close proximity to such horror, and realizing that they likely said and did nothing, was a stark reminder of the “banality of evil”.

I no longer live in Seven Hills in Henderson, but this is a great community in which to live. Sonata and Vivaldi parks are nice outdoor spaces to enjoy with the family. The view of Las Vegas from Sonata Park is impressive, as well.

When I lived in Pittsburgh, I used to love driving up to Mercer County to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from Amish farmers. Although there are quite a few Amish produce stands along the main road in Mercer, I much preferred the experience of driving along the back country roads to the actual farms. It’s worth the trip for the experience of meeting the Amish people and for the unexpected treat, for instance, of ordering a bunch of basil from a little girl who promptly headed out to the family garden to cut it fresh for me.

This place contains a treasure trove of junk made in China. That alone makes the stop worth it. But can you really say you’ve been to South of the Border, if you leave before ascending Sombrero Tower and confirming that you are, indeed, in the middle of nowhere?

The Crazy Crab – Jarvis Creek is a Hilton Head landmark. I don’t even know how long it’s been around, but it’s worth a visit just for the relaxed island ambiance and the view of the water. This is where the community of St. Francis-by-the-Sea used to gather before the church construction was complete. So, my earliest memories of this restaurant are not of the fantastic seafood, but of the unusual delight of watching the multi-colored fish in the aquarium flutter in and out of the coral decorations while attending Sunday Mass with my family.

I’ve spent several weeks here every summer since childhood, visiting my grandparents in Hilton Head Plantation. This is one of the quieter plantations on the island, as it is generally a residential community, but there are rental villas available. The plantation is nowhere near as lively or heavily-traveled as Sea Pines Plantation, on the other end of the island, however. There are extensive bike paths throughout Hilton Head Plantation, so it’s well worth it to rent a bike to get around and see the golf courses and ponds… and maybe even an alligator. Dolphin Head Beach, within the plantation, has been left to nature, so there is generally no swimming there. It’s a beautiful place to collect shells or to go for a walk. There’s also a recreation area with grills, picnic tables and a playground. You may want to bring along binoculars if you do head to Dolphin Head, as it’s not uncommon to see shrimp boats or dolphins. Also, with Parris Island visible across the Intercoastal Waterway, you may even see some Marine recruits training with parachutes.

The view is amazing. Unfortunately, on the way back to the mainland, I was in a convertible with the top down and got stuck riding behind a semi that was belching thick black smoke for seven miles… with no passing lanes.

I had a fun day out with my daughter here. If you bring along your American Girl dolls, special seats are provided for them and, if you didn’t bring a doll along, there is a selection of dolls to choose from on a shelf in the Cafe. This is truly every little girl’s dream destination. You’ll need to make reservations in advance to dine in the Cafe or to see the shows. And be sure to give yourself plenty of travel time, as they won’t allow you to dine if you are late!

I’ve been here several times on trips from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and back. A fun place to stop is the Bun Boy Restaurant. If you get a seat by the window, you can look out at the thermometer, as it’s right outside in the parking lot. There is also a giant gum ball machine in the lobby, which is always popular with the kids. Make sure you fill up on gas before arriving in this part of the Mojave, though, as I found the rates in Baker to be “elevated”.

I’ve been to Pier 39 several times and, in my own experience, the Sea Lions seem to be most vocal, active and entertaining when the weather is the worst. They seem to lie out on the pier and bark more in very rainy, wet, blustery… in a word, “miserable” weather.