Surf's Up at the SpringHill Suites in Oceanside

I love to travel. In particular I love going when it is off-season, because you get more for your money, and the crowds have dissipated.

I had heard about a new property down in Oceanside, and since I’m a sucker for views of the Pacific, we decided to plan another excursion. Boy, were we in luck! 

SpringHill Suites by Marriott just opened in February, and I’ve got to tell you, this is a real bargain for being by the ocean. Many places that I visited in Southern California are far more expensive.

A roomy suite with a great view of the ocean

This stylish surf inspired retreat offers a coastal casual vibe. The rooms are finely appointed with a beachy decor, and modern amenities that discerning travelers expect.

View from the roof

Step outside and you have panoramic views of the Pacific and a long lazy pier that welcomes your attention. There was even a triathlon going on while we were there, and we both enjoyed the plethora of hard bodies traipsing through the hotel.

Kick back and enjoy the twilight

Nearby, Oceanside’s sunset market was in full swing. This street fair takes place on Thursday from 5 to 9 PM but it’s advisable to get there early because this place gets packed. I gobbled a few samples before heading off to dinner and I was wowed.

For dinner we dined at Hello Betty Fish House adjacent to the hotel, a seafood inspired hangout, with that cool coastal vibe. Dan, our server, was as bright as a 200-watt light bulb, and gave us a nice tour of the menu. We settled for a variety of seafood dishes with accolades going to their halibut with a citrus lime sauce. Gaze out at the Pacific and be thankful. What a way to end the evening.

A cool place to eat

Enjoy the complimentary breakfast

The following day we headed out to Bates Nut Farm, a wonderful place for children or the young at heart. Enjoy a hayride, a petting zoo, or simply stroll the grounds for a leisurely afternoon. There is also a wonderful gift shop with all types of goodies available for purchase.

Got any food for me?

Thanks to Ellie at the front desk, we were able to obtain detailed directions to the farm. In fact in general, the hotel staff was impeccable in their level of service and attention to detail. Clearly they’re doing their best to encourage business and make travelers feel welcomed.

If beer is your thing you won’t be disappointed with the offerings in Oceanside. Oceanside’s craft beer scene is booming and in the last year alone almost a dozen new venues have popped up. There are even pub-crawl itineraries available showcasing hot spots that offer both sensational beers and delicious local eats. In particular Bagby Beer Company looked promising, and I was sad that we had had made other plans for dinner.  The place was packed.

Surfers know Oceanside for its outdoor activities, and they even have a Beach Bum Package available to encourage visitors. The hotel's beach bum package includes overnight accommodations, daily breakfast buffet, two drinks per stay from the hotel's market, a souvenir beach towel, a beach bag and a $25 gift card to Hello Betty Fish House. Such a deal!

Enjoy all the surfers as you stroll the pier

Oceanside is still one of the more affordable beach destinations in Southern California, and it’s known for its many outdoor activities that everyone can enjoy. But as you look around you can see that the density of fine dining options and things to do are on the rise, so plan a visit soon and enjoy the fact that your wallet will be happy as well.

Day is done

For more information:

www.shsoceanside.com

Mary McGrath's Projects: Preview "Confessions of a Freelance Writer"

Mary McGrath's Projects: Preview "Confessions of a Freelance Writer"

Architectural Photography

Architecture is one of my favorite photographic subjects. It doesn't squirm. It doesn't need make-up. It is always in a good mood. I like the mathmatics of architecture and its multitude of fuctions in our culture. Whether it's the old relics of Europe, or the modern skycrapers of New York, I find the angles and curves mesmerizing, much like viewing a beautiful woman or a well-chisled man.

The World of Composing

I have to admit that I don't have alot of formal musical training. I've dabbled a bit with theory, but I don't really have the patience to study music formally. I compose by ear, largely putting together sounds that seem cohesive to me. With jazz vocals, I prefer to improvise, and enjoy being given phrases left to my own interpretation. It works for me. What more can I say?

The World of Travel

As a freelance writer and photographer, I've had the opportunity to visit a number of remarkable places. Some of these include Barbados, Bora Bora, Bahamas, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Ireland, England, Wales, France and Mexico. Over the past 3 years, I've been writing about several of them, combining my photography with my stories. Traveling fundamentally alters anyone who is open to the experiences travel has to offer. I always find that I am amended in some way whenever I have the opportunity to get out of the country.

Here are a few links for your enjoyment:

One of my many helicopter tours!
http://www.travelroads.com/article/id_1582

How about Rosarito, Mexico?
http://www.travelroads.com/article/id_1387

Vienna Anyone?
http://www.travelroads.com/article/id_1381

Paradise found at Paradise Island, Bahamas
http://www.travelroads.com/article/id_1384

The World of Sports

Although I'm an athlete, I couldn't tell you the first thing about which teams play what sports. Dolphins? Don't they swim in the Caribbean? Lakers? Aren't they fishermen?

But, I've played a multitude of sports throughout my life, and now I primarily enjoy swimming, cycling, basketball, golf and hiking. Working out cleanses my body, my mind and my spirit, and allows me to eat whatever I want, for the most part. And that's a good thing for this travel writer.

I'm extremely active, and workout at least an hour a day. For me, I simply need to keep moving. Maybe it's ADD, who knows....

The World of Music

Creating has many faces, and I find that many artists are versed in several avenues of creativity. For me, it's pretty much narrowed down to photography, writing and music. I can't cook, that's for sure. Sewing? Give me a break.

As a vocalist, I love jazz and the freedom it allows with improvisation. Some of my influences include Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sting and Stevie Wonder. I can't really read music, and I don't have the patience to learn, so I rely on my right brain for inspiration.

I also fool around with the keyboard, and have created a number of songs through Garageband. Most of my original material reflects my many travels, and my interests in ecclectic styles of music combining a variety of genres.

To hear some of my music, go to:
http://www.icompositions.com/artists/grathy

Here are the links to my CDs:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/mcgrathnasr
http://cdbaby.com/cd/marymcgrath

The World of Photography

I began shooting fairly seriously when I was in my early 20's. Since then, my passion for creating images has increased to the degree that I decided to park my career in ad sales to pursue my love of writing and photography.

Things have been working out well, with my work appearing in several magazines, newspapers, books and on several web sites. Some of these include:

Newsweek.com
MSNBC.com
The National Lampoon
Copley Newspapers
Rangefinder Magazine
Shutterbug Magazine
After Capture Magazine
WPPI
Professional Photographer Magazine, etc.

A full list of my credits is viewable on my web site at:
www.marymcgrathphotography.com

The World of Writing

Sometimes the world of writing can be a very solitary experience. I'm always curious as to what makes writers write. For me, it's a compulsion which began in my teens as an escape from my family problems. Throughout the years, I have always written in one form or another, but have invested much more time and energy into this endeavor over the past few years. I find the publishing process, although daunting at times, very rewarding when your work appears in print. It's a birth of sorts and something that can't be taken away from you.

To see some of travel pieces, please go to:
http://www.travelroads.com/article/id_1369

Hello to all of you and welcome to my blog.

Inside you'll find a wealth of information regarding photography, writing, music and a variety of other topics.

As a freelance writer, photographer and composer, my work has appeared in a number of magazines, newspapers, books and on several web sites. Hopefully you'll find my work informative and perhaps entertaining.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mary McGrath
www.marymcgrathphotography.com

Lake Powell-Arizona

Visitors are humbled by the great expanse of terrain evidenced at Lake Powell. Enjoy a powerboat, rent a houseboat, or simply kick back and pretend you're visiting Mars. This oasis is a welcomed sight in this desert terrain.

Glenn Canyon Dam-Arizona

Enjoy the amazing vistas of this terrain, as you meander above Glenn Canyon Dam. Cars are dwarfed as the expanse of this structure looms over, under, sideways and down.

Monument Valley

The architecture of this area is simply stunning. Enjoy the otherworldly views of the vistas, the plunging terrain and the rustic simplicity, reminding you of how small we are in the vast scheme of things.

The World of Inspiration

What is inspiration? Is it synthesizing something and converting it to a new form? Is it approaching everyday things from a new perspective? Some say creativity is born of pain. I say creativity is in all of us, if we simply find those things that are of importance to us, and then indulge our passions accordingly.

The Sandy Lane in Barbados

Along with the Crane Beach Resort, the Sandy Lane is one of the more notable properties in Barbados. From the balcony, you can see this great visual. There are so many points of interest in Barbados. This is but one example.

To read one of my pieces on Barbados, please go to:
http://www.doubleexposure.com/BarbadosDream.shtml

The World of Creativity

I believe we're all inherently creative. Some of us are creative in publically acclaimed areas. Others are creative in quiet ways that rarely receive attention. How do you muster up creative juices? Sometimes it's by simply taking another route, trying something new, getting out of your comfort zone. For me, I try to describe the mundane in an unusual fashion. Use new verbs. Try new adjectives. Look at the object and throw new words at it. In photography, I try to approach the subject from an unusual angle, often rendering it in an abstract fashion. In music, I try to break the barriers of musical styles. What is music anyway, but a symphony of sounds that render themselves pleasant to the ears?

The Locals of Barbados

When I was in Barbados recently, I had the opportunity to witness many sites. But sometimes you can't find a photo. You have to wait for it to come to you. This was the case when I was at the Crane Beach Resort and this coconut man walked by.

To read more about my Barbados trip, please go to:
http://www.travelroads.com/article/id_1380

Floral Photography

Sometimes photography is all about getting out of your comfort zone. I've published many "how-to" pieces related to photography, with one specific to floral images. To read this post, please go to:


http://www.takegreatpictures.com/Articles/Details/params/object/10841/default.aspx