Go for the beaches, but stop for a heavenly donut

Most people visit Destin, Florida, for the startling white sandy beaches and breathtaking emerald waters. That's why we were there this past weekend, heading to the Florida Panhandle for a winter stroll at the Gulf water's edge. The problem was, a cold front had blown in and temperatures plunged into the 20s with a strong wind blowing from the north. We did brave the beach — had to walk on that sand created from quartz traveling down from the Smokies and listen to its unique squeaking sound — but we barely made 10 minutes before rushing inside.

Our tourism friends mentioned The Donut Hole, a popular spot on Harbor Boulevard that commands lines outside the door. We were told these donuts are something special, light and fluffy but oh so sweet. The Angel Donut was our friends' favorite and they couldn't stop describing its deliciousness. People come in and buy whole trays of them, they claimed.

So on the way back to our resort from dinner, we just had to stop at The Donut Hole Bakery Cafe. It was late so no Angel Donuts, much to our dismay. But a few others lined the shelves so we sampled the chocolate donut with a chocolate glaze and a regular cake donut that's akin to a glazed. We ordered our treats beneath a watching rooster (photo at left, and no, not a real one), then hauled our treats back to the hotel where we indulged.

The Donut Hole Bakery Cafe serves up breakfast that we've heard is to die for, as well as bakes up cakes, pies and other bakery treats. It's open for lunch and dinner too, but after hearing about those Angel Donuts and breakfast dishes, I would recommend saving this spot for the morning.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a food and travel writer living in South Louisiana who never says no to something sweet. She is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire and the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Take a walk on the wild side

It’s one thing to drive across the breath-taking New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. Quite another to walk across beneath the belly of a bridge.

Adventures on the Gorge offers hikes across a 24-inch-wide steel beam underneath the New River Gorge Bridge that’s almost 1,000 feet above the river! The 3,030-foot-long iconic West Virginia site was built in the 1970s and was for decades the longest Steel Arch bridge in the world (now the fourth) and is still the longest in North America. And for years folks would sneak on to the bridge to walk across, as crazy as that may seem.

Now, Adventures on the Gorge places participants into harnesses on a wire-and-pulley system and guides them through the bridge’s catwalk while discussing the natural history of the area as well as the bridge's impressive architecture. The cost of the half-day tour is $69 per person — minimum age is 10 — and tours are offered daily during the winter.

The New River Gorge Bridge is located along U.S. Route 19 near Fayetteville, West Virgina.

For more information about Adventures on the Gorge, which offers a wide variety of fun-filled adventures as well as accommodations along the rim of New River Gorge, visit https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/.

Note: Most of the information for this post was derived from a press release.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a food and travel writer living in South Louisiana who is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire and the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Drink the madness away with election-themed cocktails at several Southern hotels and resorts

Are you like us, counting the days to when this horrid election ends? Well, here’s one way to get through the next two weeks.

Destination Hotels, a collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences across the United States is offering election-themed cocktails, offerings and promotions such as the garnished cocktail embodying Donald Trump’s hair, right, and much more. Check it out.

Thomas Ludwell Lee never ran for office but he was a great family man. He ran the Coton Farm where the Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg, Virginia, currently sits. The resort’s Virginia Tavern is named in honor of the farm and their rye harvest. Guests who show their “just voted” sticker at Coton & Rye on Election Night will receive 30 percent off their bill.  

The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is serving up two cocktails (see photo left) to appease both sides of the aisle: the Trumpster (left) blended with Vodka, Triple Sec, Blue Curacao and Prosecco and I’m with Her (right) mixed with Aperol, Grenadine and Prosecco.

YVE Hotel Miami of Miami, Florida, prefers the FLOTUS AND POTUS. The FLOTUS cocktail is sophisticated and classy like the First Lady or First Gentleman and is a traditional rum mojito with blue curacao. The POTUS is made with Grenadine, Blue Curacao, Vodka and Club Soda. Customers who show the bartender proof that they voted will receive a 20 percent discount on the two presidential drinks. The hotel will also offer an upgrade on the next room type, based on availability, to any guest who has President, Vice-President, etc. on their business card.

 

Hotel Derek in Houston, Texas, wants you to play Presidential “Cards Against Humanity” V.S. Edition. Guests are invited to a politically incorrect night of Cards Against Humanity, Hillary vs. Trump Edition, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7.

The Embassy Row Hotel in Washington D.C. is featuring a “Vote for Cocktails”campaign in which guests who show their “just voted” sticker on election night receive 25 percent off their bill at Station Kitchen and Cocktails in Washington, D.C. They also offer the “Just Voted” Package, valid until Dec. 31, for overnight accommodations at the best available rate; food and drink credit to spend at Station Kitchen and Cocktails ($50 daily); a complimentary movie and waived hotel service fee (value of $19.95 daily). The rate code is VOTE16. Package rates start from $142 a night; election night starting at $289 a night.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a food and travel writer living in South Louisiana who can't wait until the election is over. She is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire and the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

The King reigns in north Georgia

Alex Swindle

The 13th Big E Fest (that’s Elvis in case you’re confused) & ETA (Elvis Tribute Artists) Competition will be Nov. 11 and 12 along Main Street in Cornelia, Georgia. In other words, it’s a celebration of males who like to dress up as the King.

The fun begins Friday when Demorest native Hendricks Coates warms the stage for Big E  Champion Alex Swindle from Birmingham, Ala. Door prizes will be distributed, snacks will be available and participants are encouraged to come dressed in 1950s or 1960s attire. General admission is $15 with front row seats at $20. The show starts at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 12, the Elvis Tribute Artists Competition begins at 1 p.m., where 12 artists will compete for the Big E Champion title plus $1,000, courtesy of Springer Mountain Farms. Participants (those watching the crazy people in Elvis attire) can enjoy some of Elvis’ favorite foods including the newly created Elvis S'more made with peanut butter, bananas, marshmallows, Graham crackers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Robby Dean the Spirit of the King will act as master of ceremonies and, according to the press release we received, will entertain with his famous rendition of “Polk Salad Annie.” Doors open at noon, tickets available at (706) 499-1370. We’ve been told the last two years sold out, so get your tickets now.

For more information, visit www.bigefest.com.

While you're in town, be sure and visit the Loudermilk Boarding House and Everything Elvis Museum. Built in 1908, the historic home houses 30,000 Elvis items, the largest collection of Elvis memorabilia in the world and listed in the Guinness' World Book of Records. Some of it's just plain weird, like the Elvis wart — yes, we said wart, preserved in formaldehyde — and the "Maybe Elvis Toenail." You can read more about Loudermilk at the blog, Roadside America. 

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. She is also the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.