Adventures of Hatton & Finn

[hattonandfinn]

The Queen City

Finn and I get to join daddy on his trip this week! Yesterday we went to the 7th Street Public Market for a progressive lunch, visited the Levine Museum of the New South, explored the library, walked through Romare Bearden Park and visited Not Just Coffee (who I randomly follow on instagram and was so excited to remember it was in Charlotte). 

I can’t even count how many new friends little Finn has made this trip. It brings me so much joy to see the smiles she puts on the faces of everyone we meet - young, old, barista, grandmother, dad, businessman and housekeeper. She is the perfect travel companion and I love having her as my little buddy.

[hattonandfinn]

Hong Kong: the other side

Well after 24 hours of travel, nearly missing my first plane, I made it from Pasco to Seattle to Los Angeles to HONG KONG!! We’d been to Hong Kong for seven days over new year’s a few years back. With that, we’d done a fair amount of exploring Hong Kong city. It is one bustling, buzzing and fascinating place that deserved every bit of our week.

This time though, we wanted to see a different ‘side’ of the city. At a glance, that was simple – we stayed on the Kowloon side last time and this time we were in the Wan Chai neighborhood on Hong Kong island. We only ventured to the ‘Dark Side’ (what locals call Kowloon) once this trip to walk through Mong Kok on our way back from the horse races in Sha Tin. Before visiting Hong Kong, Mong Kok is what I pictured the entire city to be –  lights, crazy crowds, street markets. At one point, it was the most densely populated neighborhood in the world. 

We took a couple pit stops at The Madhouse and TAP (The Ale Project) where Ross bought an awesome Asian T-shirt that will fit him for one wear before I throw it in the dryer which = night shirt for Katie. Beer here is as much about education as enjoyment. In the mind of the local, why would anyone drink something but Tsing Tao, the ‘local’ lager, and even more why would someone pay twice as much for it?

As you know by now, every trip with Ross and Katie turns into an unofficial beer tour ;) Hong Kong’s beer scene is surprisingly thriving. We lined up a beer tour while we were there by emailing Black Kite after Ross enjoyed one of their IPAs at the JW Marriott. Two brothers went to school in the US, fell in love with craft beer and decided to bring it to HK. Pretty inspiring. After our ‘tour’ which was in their small brewery on the 15th floor of a high rise industrial building, David offered to join us downstairs at Young Master Brewing for a quick intro and tour of their site as well. We felt so cool to make beer connections across the world and to get to know some locals!  

As per Ross’ desire to be active and the sweet Swedish shop owner who said the reason ex-pats live in and love HK isn’t the city it’s the nature surrounding the city, we wanted to get out! Do some exploring of our own.

Two highlights were Lamma Island, just a short 20-minute ferry ride from Central, and Dragon’s Back a top recommended hike on the south of Hong Kong island. Both were amazing. Both were breath-taking but Dragon’s Back stole the show. After a STRENUOUS hike, up what had to be 1,000 stairs through a cemetery, we embarked on our 2-hour hike to and across Dragon’s Back. After one pretty nasty sunburn (me not Ross) and some amazing views, we made it to Shek O Beach for two pitchers of water and one tasty lunch.

Lamma Island is only 30 minutes by ferry from Hong Kong and no cars allowed.  It felt like a hippie beach town. We walked all the way across the island which we could easily do in about an hour. Not 5 minutes from the port, we grabbed a beer at Yardley Brother’s Beer Shack. Two brothers started home brewing and opened a shack to sell it to thirsty beach-goers. That small beer shack has since expanded to a production brewery on the mainland. Talk about the life! 

All in all, my previous assessment was confirmed this trip. Hong Kong is an amazing city and there is still so much left unexplored. Until next time! 

[hattonandfinn]

Hops, grains and airplanes.

Finley and I have decided as much as we love Daddy, flying cross country without him is indeed much more relaxing. We get to crawl around, yell just a little bit, sit like a big girl on the plane and explore the terminal at Finn level (never mind the garbage can licking, oops!).

First stop on our grand adventure was Aunt Elaine’s new stomping grounds. She just started her first big girl job at CH Robinson 3PL in Spokane, WA! We checked off a couple new breweries {Iron Goat and Hopped Up} on Finley’s national tour and I discovered Boomerang. Officially old.

Finley already loves farm life and got to meet so many new creatures and some of her mom’s most loved childhood pets. She and Pal are already BFF. She didn’t quite know how to handle Tana (not that anyone does). She reacted pretty similarly to her sis, Hattie, and tried to pull her entire cage to the ground. The abuse that poor bird endures.  

Finley stayed with Gigi and Grandpa Pierson while I jetted off to Hong Kong for a week with Ross. It was absolutely as hard as I imagined to leave her but the benefits to all far outweighed how much I missed her. Ross had already been in HK for a week before I got there and I could tell he was lonely. We practically got a second honeymoon and my parents (from what they told me;) loved every minute with our precious little Finn.

Can’t wait to fill you in on our adventures in Hong Kong!

[hattonandfinn]

The next big adventure: Mommy & Finn

On to the next adventure.

In August, I submitted my resignation to ISN, my place of employment and family for the last 7 years, to be with my beautiful daughter Finley. Ross is on the road most weeks working as a consultant so we’re excited to keep him company on some of his (more exotic) trips! 

More to come on our first adventure: Eastern Washington > Hong Kong

[hattonandfinn]

Look who made it to Jackson Hole! Let the festivities begin.

[hattonandfinn]

Brewery smiles! Had a great stay in Sacramento. Pleasantly surprised by this awesome city. They have 52 breweries and everyone has been so welcoming (and absolutely obsessed with our puppy). We decided one reason we love breweries so much is they’re a place we can bring our crazy pup and baby. At Track Seven getting some work done now.

[hattonandfinn]

Made it to Sacramento! Think Hattie is ready to move in...

[hattonandfinn]

The Hills Go West

Dallas, TX (Quanah, TX) > Amarillo, TX (Tucumcari, NM) > Santa Fe, NM (Albuquerque, NM) > Kingman, AZ (Flagstaff, AZ) > Los Alamitos, CA (Needles, CA)

Leg 1 - Dallas to So Cal

The first leg of our epic road trip out West was a huge success. Seriously, it went better than Ross and I ever imagined and all thanks to our amazing puppy and happy baby. I have a feeling both have been to more states and definitely more breweries than the average adult human ;)

Day 1 

We left late on Wednesday afternoon, February 15th, 2017. Ross had flown in from Detroit that afternoon and met me and Finn at Baylor Medical Center. I had noticed a lump on my breast just a couple days before. Finley and I saw Dr. G on Tuesday and were able to line up an appointment the day we left. Thank goodness it was just a cyst with milk that needed to be drained, but it set us back a fair bit and we didn’t head out of Dallas until 5pm. We got a slow start but by 6:30 and a stop and Starbucks, our little girl was fast asleep and we were on our way! We made it all the way to Quanah, TX for our first of many stops at a Sonic Drive In.  It was heaven! A corndog for me and breakfast burrito for Ross… and THAT LIMEADE!! The perfect treat. Hattie got a nice little walk and Finn an after dinner snack. We did have a bit of a scare when Ross’ window wouldn’t roll up after getting our food delivered…… turns out there is a bug in the F-Pace where you have to do this laundry list of things from opening and closing doors, unlocking and re-locking and starting and killing the ignition…. Good news is it worked! Safe to say we were all relieved since I wasn’t thrilled about the possibility of staying the night with all the truck drivers in the Casa Royale Motel down the street.

We made it to the Drury Inn & Suites in Amarillo around 12:30am – Ross had to wrap up a few things for work and Finn and I went straight to sleep.

Day 2

We had a relaxing morning watching Cupcake Wars and got on our way around 10. We headed straight to Evocation Micro Coffee Roastery. Wow! It was awesome; such a pleasant atmosphere complete with a pour over coffee and homemade waffle. Finn was lulled to sleep before we even hit the road.

We made it to Santa Fe after another meal at Sonic in Tucumcari, NM and went straight to Z Pet Hotel to drop Hattie off for a little retreat with her four legged friends. It was less expensive (and although we love her, way less stress) to leave her there versus keeping her at our hotel. We stopped at Iconik Coffee Roasters on our way into town for a little pick me up, blueberry muffin and diaper change. Before making it to our hotel, we hit Rowley Farmhouse Ales to check off another brewery on Finley’s list. Ross set a goal of hitting 52 in her first year of life (one per week)! 

Our hotel was awesome – La Posada de Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa. With Hotwire, it was only $112 per night! We thoroughly enjoyed the hotel bar which was rated the coziest in Santa Fe. Finley slept in my lap while Ross and I enjoyed Spanish tapas and red wine in front of the fireplace. 

Day 3

Spa day!! I enjoyed a massage first thing in the morning while Ross and Finley got a little father daughter time. It was a welcome treat after 10 weeks of motherhood. Ross got a good workout in, I napped a bit then we headed to Mucho Gusto for some authentic New Mexican, Mexican fare. A local spot with fresh new Mexican chiles, enchiladas and local beer to boot!

We strapped Finn into her carrier and made our way to the Plaza de Santa Fe. First stop (after gelato of course;) was the Cheesemongers of Santa Fe! We couldn’t quite decide if Santa Fe was cool and historic or touristy and kitschy. The jury is still out. It’s safe to say Ross, Finley and I didn’t fit in incredibly well with the dreadlocked men and Native American pattern/mismatched outfit wearing women.

A day with the Hills wouldn’t be complete without a brewery stop so off we went to the Santa Fe Brewing Company which is the oldest in NM established the year Ross was born (1988). The beer was on point but Finley was not. Just as we sat down with our freshly poured brews, she as you would say, ‘lost it’. We grabbed a 6 pack and a couple stickers to go and hit the road. Brewery 16 checked off.

Had another awesome night at Staab House in our hotel finished off by a glass of red wine and chocolate mouse in our room. 

Day 4

Up and at ‘em! We headed to Arizona on day 4 of our trip. First goal – make it to Flagstaff. First stop after grabbing Hattie was of course, a coffee shop – Prismatic Coffee in Albuquerque. For years to come, you can probably ask the staff if they remember the three ring circus that was our family on that Saturday morning. After a nursing baby, family diaper change, barking dog and stop at the brewery next door, we were off. We didn’t have a beer but grabbed a bottle of the sour saison for the road at Ponderosa Brewing to check off Finn’s 17th brewery. 

Finley was an absolute angel on our longest travel day so far. She slept for almost 4 hours and woke up about 40 minutes outside of Flagstaff. Got her a snack and diaper change and we were off again. The pink elephant rattler from Gigi saved the day and got us into Flagstaff with a happily entertained baby. 

We had to hit Wanderlust Brewing Company – Beers for the journey. Definitely a name we relate to with our insatiable love for travel. Ross thoroughly enjoyed his Belgian Pale Ale and I got a few samplers including their bock and blond. The taproom was local and authentic but a little cramped with a dog and a baby, so we fairly quickly headed into the town center to Dark Sky Brewing Co.

Dark Sky had one of the best IPA’s I’ve ever tasted! In their first year of business, they met their goal of making 100 different beers. This is a place we could have settled in for awhile with their tasty beer and pleasant atmosphere, but with a 2-hour drive to Kingman ahead of us we enjoyed one and got a ‘crowler’ to go of their jalapeño pale ale. Last stop on our way out of Flagstaff was Matador Coffee Roasting Company. We were served by the sweetest girl in a Chi O shirt. She took good care of us before we hit the road with Ross’ short mocha, my double shot iced vanilla latte and a little H2O for our first born, Hattie.

We arrived in Kingman at 9pm which was just in time for a chipotle burrito bowl and 6 pack of local IPA from Walmart at the Springhill Suites.

Day 5

California here we come… 5 hours to go and we just have to make it before Finley’s grand debut at 4pm. Her California Sip & See! We hit Beale Street Brews Coffee Roasting Co. on our way out of town and made the excellent decision of stopping a couple hours later for pancakes at The Wagon Wheel in Needles, CA. It was fun to get a little taste of classic Route 66 and the wait staff couldn’t have been sweeter to us or our little girl.  

By 2:30pm, we arrived in Los Alamitos and Finley met her California family!