May 17, 2007:

Bio Bliss

IT encourages volunteering—especially if it's for our organization—so come help us take a species inventory of Rock Creek Park this weekend. The 24-hour BioBlitz—hosted by National Geographic and the National Parks Service—will bring together leading scientists (including E.O. Wilson), naturalists, and volunteers of all ages in an attempt to better understand, appreciate, and protect the biological diversity of the 1,783-acre park. Aside from collecting bugs and wildflowers, attendees may also listen to talks by experts, visit displays, and participate in a variety of children's activities. Personally, IT hopes to wade in the creek to find fish and catch bats with nets at night.

Can't make it to D.C. this weekend? National Geographic plans to sponsor a BioBlitz every year in a different city for the next nine years. We'll keep you posted.

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The Beauty of Bathing

Assistant researcher Emily Haile recently spent a few days with family in upstate New York. She visited the Roosevelt Baths in Saratoga Springs, and wrote us this blissed-out post:

"Roosevelt Baths' classical architecture and the pristine landscape of the surrounding Saratoga Spa State Park make you feel as if you've stepped into an Edith Wharton novel. For $25, you'll get a private room to relax in a golden, hot mineral bath that feels like being immersed in a glass of bubbly—the rising fizz that tickles your skin is said to increase circulation. For an extra $5, add scented oils like Minty Muscle or Adirondack Woods to complement your mood. After 30 minutes, an attendant knocks softly and you are given the option of staying in the tub or spending the last 10 minutes of your treatment lying on a massage table, blissfully wrapped in a warm towel. If soaking in curative waters isn't enough, the spa also offers a variety of services and packages including facials, manicures, scrubs and massages.

"Arrive early for your bath—the price includes the use of the spa's facilities for the entire day including a steam room, fitness center, and locker room. For maximum effect, refrain from showering after your mineral bath and instead let the nutrients seep into your skin. The spa leaves you feeling and smelling like a rose–so much so that I didn't even care when I learned that it was recently exposed to be topping off its baths with—gasp—ordinary tap water!"

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From May 15, 2007:

San Antonio Sandbar

IT constantly craves Tex-Mex, and until recently, we never knew that too many tacos, burritos, and beans—smothered in cheese and salsa—(and washed down with several frosty margaritas) could ever be a bad thing. But after several days of such gluttonous eating in San Antonio, Emily had an epiphany (er, stomachache) and ushered her still-hungry family to the most Anti-Alamo establishment possible: The Sandbar Fish House and Market, at 152 E. Pecan St.:

"Owned by chef Andrew Weissman—whose tutelage at San Antonio's five-star Restaurant Le Rêve earned him a Best Chef: Southwest nomination at this year's James Beard Awards—the Sandbar reminds you of that magical San-Fran oyster bar scene where small tables are crammed together and loud clanks from plates and glasses echo from wall to wall. We ordered a selection of seafood—tuna sashimi, sea urchin, oysters, lobster bisque, shrimp salad, and ceviche—and asked that the dishes be delivered one at a time. The two-hour process of plate-passing, bite-size eating and Pinot Grigio sipping proved the antidote to our earlier overindulgence…until our waiter set dessert on the table. The chocolate cake was forgettable, but the key lime pie was so impressive I vowed to blog about the place as soon as I returned home. Tart, creamy, explosive, slightly crunchy—I can't do it justice in words."

IT can't quite understand why this gem de la crème doesn't have a website, but we recommend it wholeheartedly. Get there early (but after opening at 5 p.m.)—the place fills up quick.

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Reno-vated

Krista Rossow, Traveler's assistant photo editor, recently did her bridesmaidly duty and took three planes to get to Reno for her future sister-in-law's bachelorette party. She thinks she's unlikely to return to "the biggest little city in the world," so IT is honored to share with you the details of her once-in-a-lifetime experience:

"Nestled below mountains including the breathtaking Sierra Nevada, Reno itself is an expanse of strip malls, chain restaurants, and neon-laced casinos. Its location, however, makes it a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts in every season because of its proximity to Lake Tahoe and the great skiing at Heavenly.

"We hit the ground running on Friday night, heading to the Eldorado's popular martini bar, Roxy's. This European-bistro-style bar is located in the underground labyrinth connecting three downtown casinos, the Eldorado, Circus Circus, and Silver Legacy. 

"If Reno knows how to drink (and it does), Roxy's knows how to pour. The many martini concoctions served up by our exceptional waitress not only packed a punch, they tasted great. I enjoyed the people-watching while sipping raspberry lemonade martinis at our perch above the pseudo-rococo Fountain of Fortune.

"For the obligatory night of dancing, we made our way to the BuBinga Lounge, also in the Eldorado, where we grooved to the hip-hop beats. The DJ kept the tunes rolling and was kind enough to do a shout-out for our bride-to-be. Upon the arrival of what appeared to be a couple of gangs, our resident Renoites decided it was time to exit stage left. 

"Even in Reno you have to sleep. A bunch of us shared a double room in the Mandalay Bay wing of the Peppermill. Confusingly, getting to our room required us to go up to the third floor skybridge, over to our wing, down one floor on the elevator, and then down a small flight of steps to the third floor, where all the room numbers started with 2. The Peppermill gets great reviews, but I think the place is in need of a major update. Although the solar-system-and-rainbow patterned carpet is charming and looks like Rainbow Brite on a space odyssey, it shows its age. Fortunately for the Peppermill and unfortunately for tired bridesmaids, major renovations are in the works, so we awoke to the construction sites beeps and growls outside our window.

"The last night we toned down the party and headed to Rum Bullions inside the Silver Legacy to see their famous 'dueling pianos.'  I have to admit that the three talented and witty pianists and their raunchy humor were quite entertaining, at the very least for their shock value. Apparently, taking the most innocuous song you know and making it as crass as humanly possible will get you a roomful of exuberant (ok, drunk) people shoving large bills onto your piano begging you for more."

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Emily King, Traveler's assistant to the editor, is sad that her partner in blog will be moving to Ghana mid-July. Researcher Jessie Johnston says "Shhhh, I wasn't going to tell them yet!"