Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

So, as you know, Sunday is for lists; but I'm at a bit of a loss. I was this close to publishing my grocery list for your amusement but thought better of it. You're welcome. Instead, in anticipation of my upcoming inaugural trip to New Orleans, I am giving you the first edition of:

MY FAVORITE PLACES OF ALL TIME!!

(in no particular order)

1. New York. Duh. I think this would make many peoples list, but I don't care. I may be a born and bred Texan, but my family and my heart belong to the East. It's amazing for me to think of my mother walking along the Upper East Side toward her closet apartment she shared with another girl. Every time I'm there, I discover something new and (often) delicious. It doesn't matter where you stay, just make sure you're near a metro line. My favorite place to hang out is Greenwich Village, home of my favorite bar of all time: The Slaughtered Lamb . A "theme" bar based on the kick-ass Landis film "An American Werewolf in London", the Slaughtered Lamb features a wooden bar complete with wood-burning fireplace and at least 50 types of bottled beer. Try The Black Cat- delicious! Down the street, you will find one of my favorite German restaurants of all time: Lederhosen . While in the city, take a walk through Central Park and visit Belveder Castle. Spend the day at the Met. Skip the Statue of Liberty tour, and instead, save money and have more fun on the Staten Island ferry. Bring comfy shoes, and get a metro pass. After a night of drinking til 3 or 4 AM, administer your hangover cure at Grey's Papaya Dog. Yum!

2. Rock City. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Rock City was and still is one of my favorite vacation destinations. What began as the private garden, became a wonderland of natural rock formations, waterfalls, and views as far as the eye can see (up to 7 states are visible on a clear day). "Fat Man's Pass" forces even the thinnest guest to hold their breath while making their way through the rocks. Choose danger in the form of a rope bridge or pick the easy way out on a rock bridge that hovers above a beautiful waterfall. It is absolutely beautiful and a lot of fun! Click here for more info a pictures.

3. Pocono Mountains. I've already written about this one, so let's move on.

4. Aquariums. Two of my favorite: Baltimore Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium could not be more different or further apart! The first, a multi-leveled behemoth located near the harbor and countless amazing seafood restaurants. Housing everything from sharks, to dolphins, to a rain forest that takes up the entire top floor, it is not to be missed! The aquarium in Monterey Bay is located at the end of the famous Cannery Row off Highway 1. For Sci-Fi geeks, you might recognize this as the whale sanctuary from "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home", though that area is actually dedicated to a sea otter habitat. From the deck outside, you can whale and dolphin watch. It is absolutely beautiful.