gaycation magazine - issue 13 the southwest issue
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February 2015 Issue 13
m a g a z i n eGaycation
Responsible Eating in the Caymans
The Heart of the West: Ft. Worth Oklahoma
is OK
Tempe, AZ: The Little
Big City
4 | Gaycation Magazine www.gaycationmagazine.com
www.gaycationmagazine.com
Founder/Editor-in-ChiefDJ Doran
Editor/IT/MarketingJoe Morales
Social MediaGregory L. Kiep @gregorykiep
ContributorsJames Careless
Aaron Drake @theaarondrakeDee Farrell
Jessica Fest @jessonajourneyGregory L. Kiep @gregorykiepBen Lambert @highsocietyhobo
David PerryStevie St John
Advertising [email protected]
Subscription [email protected]
Article and Photo [email protected]
General [email protected]
Social MediaGaycationMagazine
GaycationMag+Gaycationmagazine1
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February 2015 Issue 13
About the Cover Photo:
Send address changes and subscription info to:Gaycation Magazine
931W 75th St Suite 137-215Naperville, IL 60565
Gaycation Magazine | 5www.gaycationmagazine.com
CONTENTSLetter from the Publisher 6
The Wire 10LGBT travel news and information
Feature: Heart of the West 22Anybody who calls it “Dallas-Ft. Worth” clearly never went to Ft. Worth
Events 29
Found It 30Must have” travel items for everyone from the novice weekender to the seasoned globetrotter.
Feast 34An exploration of a traditional local dish and how it connects to the culture.
Postcards 40Photos of your favorite gaycation destinations from all over the world.
Feature: Oklahoma is OK...For LGBT Travelers 44A look inside Oklahoma.
There’s This Place... 54Recommendations of unusual LGBT destinations. Tempe Arizona, the little big city.
Feature: Babi Guling 60Dining on roast pig in Ubud, Indonesia
What Was I Thinking? 66Stories submitted by Gaycationers about crazy experiences. My Phuket Road Trip.
Book It! 70Recommendations of LGBT friendly hotels and resorts. Vegas Baby!
Gaycationers 74Photos of people showing off their best gaycation.
Advertising Index 86
COLUMNSCrusing Corner 80Gregory Kiep takes a break from Greg’s Gaycations to bring you the latest tips on gay cruising.
About the above photo: The Desert Botanical Garden has been teaching and inspiring visitors from the local community and around the world.
6 | Gaycation Magazine www.gaycationmagazine.com
Letter from the Publisher
Sometimes as the saying goes, you just have to do it! Such was the case one summer day in 2012. Joe and I we’re visiting a friend in San Francisco after living aboard our 60’ sailboat for 3 ½ years. After some crazy twists and turns which ended our live aboard boating life, we suddenly found ourselves free to go wherever we wanted to. We had been invited to Palm Springs for a week and after a brief discussion about which route to take, we decided to pack up our Jeep Wrangler and GO!
The Jeep was filled with enough luggage for every contingency (we are 2 Gay men after all) and a tank of gas. The 7½-hour drive out of the bay area was typical, with TRAFFIC. We headed south on I-5 toward the mythical gay destination of Palm Springs via Bakersfield and soon the traffic congestion began to thin and it was smooth sailing. As we drew closer to Bakersfield, the weather became increasingly warmer and drier.
Our Jeep was running like a top so far, but the lack of air conditioning suddenly became an ugly reminder of what not to take for granted (especially during August). I watched the gauges
to be sure we would not end up stranded in the middle of nowhere like Lawrence of Arabia without the robes, or camel…
As we passed through the vastness that is the Mojave Desert I couldn’t help being awestruck by the beauty of the landscape. We drove for miles without seeing anything but sand and the foliage; which thrives in the harsh environment. It appeared that my initial concerns about driving our Jeep through the desert were for naught. We passed through the worst part of the desert and began our southbound heading toward San Bernardino and the highway that would take us directly into Palm Springs.
My feeling of relief was shattered by the sudden appearance of a thick plume of blue smoke trailing behind us. As I cursed and pulled over to a sandy area off the road, I could smell some sort of fluid was burning. I stepped out and could see immediately we were leaking something near the front of the Jeep. Joe, comfortable in his seat and waiting for me to assess the situation told me to “Watch out for scorpions” as I lay on my back to get a better look at the situation. Finally after a few minutes of sifting through the dripping fluid I can see the problem. A transmission hose had come off. Luckily it could be easily reattached and tightened but did I remember to pack some extra transmission fluid? Why yes, yes I did! I asked Joe to step outside and keep a look out for scorpions or any other creepy, crawly thing while I made the necessary repair and in a few short minutes we are on the road again.
We arrive in Palm Springs later that day and meet up with our friends. A few drinks later and a walk to the 80-degree swimming pool, life is good. Sometimes the best trips are the ones that you least plan for and this one was shaping up to be one for the books, now where to go from here…