Naked Jay Journey

9.5 miles.  That's how long it took Jason and me to drive from our house to the VA ABC store at the Fair Lakes Shopping Center.  Surely, you think, there must be one closer, within a 5 mile radius perhaps?  True, but not one that carries a very special product, a little something called Naked Jay Big Dill...

Buying his first case of that crazy "pickle vodka" dream come true!

And so begins a different kind of journey... One that's not traveled by car or by plane.  No, this one comes from the heart via determination, passion and courage.  It's finally happening and I am so proud...

OBX obsessed

As mentioned, travel this summer is a little slow for me.  But for Jason, he's already been on 3 trips in the past month!  Typically, the areas he travels to are not ones I am dying to see, but he recently returned from a FG opening in Kill Devil Hills, NC.  How jealous was I?!  He got to "work" for a week in my most favorite beaches on the East Coast - the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a 200-mile string of barrier islands.

When I was younger and to this day, Northern Virginians still have a serious obsession with OBX.  And Jason considers himself to be a connoisseur on the area.  So, we sat down for a little interview about his top must-see-and-do's...

L:  What's your favorite beach in the Outer Banks?

J:  Carova - Just north of Corolla, you take four-wheel drives up on the beach (there are no paved roads connecting) and can see the Banker horses.  With no commercialism, it's a very peaceful place!

L:  Why is OBX a surfer's dream?

J:  There are so many places that are good for waves!  For instance, Rodanthe has great breaks and s-turns, plus very secluded beaches (not to mention there was a movie made about it).  And on Hatteras, there is an awesome break at the Cape Lookout lighthouse.  I could go on forever...

L:  Where do you love to eat?

J:  Can't miss Mama Kwans - get the fish tacos, blackened!  And JK's - I always get their ribs.  They also have amazing bacon-wrapped scallops!

L:  Where do you shop?

J:  I have a huge spot in my heart for Corolla Surf Shop.  Opened circa 1996, they have a great selection of boards and give the best lessons (J should know, since he taught for them).  You also have to hit up the Stop N Shop.  They have everything you need in one stop - grab a pair of flip-flops, some surf wax, a case of beer and a koozie, a beach chair, a Boar's Head sandwich, and you're set!

So, there you have it, a quick visitor's guide to what NoVa considers our real beaches (sorry Virginia Beach!).


This post is dedicated to Jason's dad, Bob Zimecki, who, on Father's Day, is surfing somewhere for sure...

Peoria, IL

This will be the first installment of a little section I like to call "Zoolander's Travels."  Jason (or Zoo to his buddies) travels all over the country to many cities outside the major ones with his job.  From time to time, we'll check in and give a little account of his adventures along the way!

Peoria (pee-or-ee-ah) is the largest city on the Illinois River.  A population of 372,487 in 2008 made it the third largest metropolis in the area after Chicago and St. Louis. And currently, it’s where Jason is opening the newest “burgers & fries” store.

While back home in the DC-Metro area this week, we’ve had our first “major” snow of the year at 1-2 inches and temps in the low 30s, Jason’s been battling highs in the 20s with a quarter or half inch of snow accumulation almost daily!

So, what’s there to do when he’s not staying bundled up in his hotel room or training the team on the grill? Here are just a few highlights I certainly hope he’ll take advantage of!

 

The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway unites more than 100 nature-based destinations throughout the Illinois River Valley.  The Byway guides through the Valley, showcasing great places to discover and experience the region, and some of Illinois’ most treasured, natural gems.

 

Housed in the Donald B. Cerf Center at Eureka College, the Ronald Reagan Museum features over 2,000 items from Reagan's student days at Eureka, movie and TV career, governorship of California and two terms as President of the U.S. The majority of artifacts were donated by Reagan himself. The Peace Garden located on the historic campus includes a bust of the 40th president and a section of the Berlin Wall. The garden commemorates Reagan's 1982 campus speech that initiated the "beginning of the end" of the Cold War by proposing the elimination of an entire class of nuclear weapons.

 

Light up the night at the East Peoria Festival of Lights (FOLEPI)! The 26th annual Festival of Lights is a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacular. Journey through the Winter Wonderland which features two miles of captivating beauty while driving through a glowing park with an electric bill of $50,000!

 

Now J, make sure to go out and get all of this done, but be on the lookout for any approaching snow storms! I need you home to me by December 22nd. “All I want for Christmas is youuu!” (Picture me in my favorite flannel PJs, belting at the top of my lungs.)