The Happiness of Travel
You might wonder why we are posting a travel blog given COVID-19 and the impact it is having around the world. While we acknowledge the severity of the issue, we hope to raise your spirits through the happiness of travel. In these unprecedented times, we look to travel to inspire us and bring us together. We are sharing recipes from abroad, listing our favorite films and dreaming of the travel that awaits. Above all, we are staying in touch because information changes at lightning speeds and we want to share what we learn and stay connected.
For the next few weeks we are all going to be arm chair travelers — exploring the world from our living rooms. In time, we will once again journey to the lands outside our backyard. But as we dream of the places we want to go, perhaps we may feel a little more comfortable staying closer to home. Your Travel Designer calls the Pacific Northwest home, so here’s to the beauty just beyond our doorstep: The Great American West.
When you’re ready to reach out, we’d love to discuss our favorite getaway spots, within driving distance or short flight.
To inspire upcoming getaways, here’s an easy-to-make recipe. Thank you to the culinary team at Brush Creek Ranch!
Wagyu Beef Stew
Ingredients
3 TBS. OLIVE OR VEGETABLE OIL; MORE AS NEEDED
3 LB. BONELESS WAGYU BEEF CHUCK
4 TBS. KOSHER SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER
2 MEDIUM ONIONS, DICED
3 LARGE CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED.
2 BAY LEAVES
2 SPRIGS THYME LEAVES
3 TBS. ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
1 CUP FULL-BODIED RED WINE
1 CAN WHOLE TOMATOES
3 CUP CARROTS (PEELED AND CUT INTO BITE-SIZE PIECES) AND TURNIPS (PEELED AND CUT INTO BITE-SIZE PIECES)
1/2 LB SMALL RED OR NEW POTATOES, HALVED IF LARGE
3 TBS. COARSELY CHOPPED FRESH FLAT-LEAF PARSLEY, FOR GARNISH
Equipment
1 HEAVY METAL POT
1 BOTTLE OPENER
Instructions
Pat the beef dry with paper towels, trim away any thick pieces of fat, and cut into 1-inch cubes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 Tbs. of the oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-based pot that’s 9 to 10 inches in diameter. As soon as the oil is very hot, add a quarter of the beef cubes, taking care not to crowd the pan. Sear the beef until two sides form an impressive dark-brown crust, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to a bowl and continue to sear the remaining beef in batches, adding more oil to the pan if needed. It’s fine for the pan bottom to darken, but if it smells like it’s burning, lower the heat just a little. Set all the seared beef aside in a bowl.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions and garlic to the empty pot, adding another 1 Tbs. oil if the pan is dry.
Add the carrots and turnips over medium heat until just tender, about 15 minutes. Add the potatoes and brown them lightly.
Cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the bay leaves and thyme and continue to cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in the flour and
Deglaze with red wine and 2 cups of stock and the tomatoes. Return the beef and any accumulated juices back into the pot.
Turn heat to simmer and put lid on pot.
Let stew simmer for about 12 minutes, the meat should still be tender along with the vegetables. You might adjust your seasoning and may add Tabasco and Worcestershire to enhance the stew.
From the Ranch
“Our beef program on the Ranch is very special. We have Akaushi and Black Wagyu that we raise on site and is an incredible resource to have so near.
Supporting our efforts to educate, enhance and enjoy, we raise our own cattle that reflects our centuries-long heritage as a working cattle ranch. Our 100% American Wagyu is created by cross-breeding purebred Wagyu cattle from distinguished Japanese bloodlines with high-quality continental breeds of cattle. Brush Creek's American Wagyu is served across the Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection and is known for its intense marbling and high percentage of unsaturated fat, which gives this delicacy a melt-in-your mouth buttery texture, subtle sweetness and lasting finish.”
Let’s Explore the American Outdoors Soon!
Films that Inspire
Our Favorites
Out of Africa
A romantic drama starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, Out of Africa is based on Danish noblewoman Karen Blixen’s life spent running a coffee plantation in British East Africa (now Kenya) and her love affair with the aristocratic big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton. The film captures the golden hued terrain and the part of Africa known as the Mara Triangle.
The Way
A father journeys to France following the death of son, killed while walking the Camino de Santiago, a Catholic pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. His purpose is to retrieve his son's body, but through grief and to pay homage, he continues to walk the spiritual trail, taking his son's ashes along the way.
Paris, je t'aime
Also known as, Paris, I Love You, the film is an anthology – a series of eighteen short films set in the different arrondissements of Paris. Each short film is shot by a different director and stars different actors. Following the success of this film, other Cities of Love films have been produced or are set to release, including New York, I love You and Rio, Eu Te Amo.
Our Travel Knowledge
Keeping You Up-to-Date on All Things Travel
As seasoned travel professionals, it is our job to know what the internet doesn’t. We appreciate that you turn to us for more than value added amenities and benefits when we design your long awaited trip. You look to us as a valuable resource. There is a lot of misinformation out there and we are here to be an advocate for you and your travels.
Through our relationships with suppliers and partners around the world, we are learning at lightning speed the changes that are happening within the industry and what measures are taking place in face of current events.
Hotels, cruises and airlines reach out regularly to share information. Many of them are changing policies almost daily to make it easier for you to cancel and rebook—in some cases, reducing or waiving penalties.
Know Before You Go
Our Thoughts on Traveling
Let us help you make an informed decision and get all the facts. The following are helpful links that we use on a daily basis: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of State.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to continue to reach out to us as a source of information during these unprecedented and challenging times.