Solvang Viking Museum - 2 Replica Viking Ships on View reposted by Ruth Paget

Vacationers looking for an overnight recharge trip with a cultural outing to write about might be interested in the Solvang Viking Museum on California’s Central Coast.

One of the current exhibitions is about Viking ships.  Two reproduction ships the Snorri and Godfried are on view.

There is a weapons exhibit for lovers of Norse myths as well.

Minecraft players would probably find the whole town interesting and the Viking restaurants.

For more information, check out the Solvang Viking Museum website below:

https://solvangvikingmuseum.com/

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Jack's for Latte and Pastries in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Jack’s for Latte and Pastry in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

Jack’s in Salinas, California is located on a small business island in the parking lot of Nob Hill Foods by Weinerschnitzel.

Jack's is a drive-thru, locals place for strong espresso-like lattes like the ones I drank in Germany with cinnamon rolls and other pastries for sale.  It is a little less expensive than other local coffee chains and has many of the same kinds of products. 

When I go to Jack’s, I like to think that I am doing a Swedish fika or coffee break. The cinnamon rolls at Jack’s are flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, and sugar like the ones in: 

Fika: The Art of Swedish Coffee Break with Recipes for Pastries, Breads, and Other Treats by Anna Brones and Johanna Kindvall (Available on Kindle) 

The only thing you have to know about Jack’s Drive-Thru is that you order, pay, and get your coffee at the same window. The first time I went to Jack’s, I ordered and pulled around to the other window. I got my coffee, but not without a little giggling. 

Once you have your coffee, you can drive down Blanco Road to get your oil changed at Valvoline (you can sit in your car while they do this and sip your coffee) or go to the self car wash next to Valvoline and reward yourself with sips of coffee.

If you do an oil change or car wash and still have energy, you can return down Blanco Road back towards Main Street to do recycling of plastic, aluminum, and glass beverage containers in the Star Market parking lot or drop things off at Goodwill behind Ace Hardware, also in the Star Market Plaza. 

Jack’s is open till 2 pm in case you need to get another coffee after doing errands in town. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Click for Ruth Paget's Books