My father, usually a quiet man, burst through the door and hustled the family in front of the television set. He said we were on the verge of something terrible and we needed to see and understand. It was October 22, 1962. My father, a career officer at the C.I.A., seemed distressed with things he knew that others did not. We then watched in horror as John Kennedy described the Russian missiles west of Havana, capable of reaching our home in … [Read more...]
Arizona’s Queen Creek Olive Mill and The Farm at Agritopia
It may be hard to imagine an olive mill in the middle of the desert, yet it exists at Queen Creek Olive Mill. For over a decade, Perry Rea and family have owned and operated Arizona’s only working olive mill and farm, pressing their olives for high quality extra virgin olive oil and olive oil-based products. Located just east of Mesa, this area is known for sunny days, cool nights, and fertile soil, producing ideal conditions for growing a … [Read more...]
The Beauty of Bordeaux Revealed
Today was arguably the highlight of our visit to Bordeaux as part of our Viking River Cruise, Château, Rivers & Win). We spent the day touring the Left Bank (Gironde River) of Bordeaux including Medoc and Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux. I don't think I've ever seen as much white river cobble as I have in the vineyards of the Medoc region. It seems the higher the volume of these rocks in the soil, the higher the quality of wines and the … [Read more...]
Redondo Beach, Plenty to Do Despite the Drizzle
The morning that I woke up to go to Redondo Beach, I checked the weather. Rain and lightning storms. I thought about canceling my plans, but luckily I didn't. I knew it wasn't a long drive, so I decided to go for it. Redondo Beach is only 40 minutes south of where I live in LA, and I was dying to get back on a paddleboard. When I arrived at the Redondo Beach Hotel, the sky was blue and it was surprisingly warm. I hoped the storm had blown past. I … [Read more...]
Road trip to Lompoc … Discover what’s Around the Bend
Lompoc, CA – An emerging destination on Highway 1 along the California Central Coast, Lompoc blooms big in spring and summer with fields of flowers, vineyard vistas, and scenic backroads for visitors to explore. With premium quality wines, larger-than-life outdoor murals, an awe-inspiring mission, and festive seasonal events, Lompoc awaits, and is rolling out the welcome mat for travelers to discover the uniqueness of the Lompoc Valley and what’s … [Read more...]
No Plans Today, Just Driving – #Iceland
After driving out of Reykjavik towards the mountains - I spotted a road that climbed the slopes. Soon I was in the snow line; then I almost ran into a helicopter. Out of nowhere this chopper came racing low across the slopes towards the parking lot I was just about to pull into. After it landed safely I got out of the car and quickly realized how nice it is to have a cocoon of warmth (the car) to drive around in when the air temperature is around … [Read more...]
Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: The Center for Sustainable Landscapes
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a great steel and glass Victorian greenhouse, once part of a dirty steel mill city has now been transformed into one of the world’s most energy-efficient structures. With the greenest public gardens of the world, it has put Pittsburgh on the map serving as a model of sustainability for the next century. Located in Schenley Park, one of Pittsburgh’s largest wide green areas, the Conservatory complex is … [Read more...]
Winding the Watch of Island Time
I was in such a hurry to get to the Micronesian island of Kosrae, such a hurry to see its isolated beauty, such a hurry to begin my first year of teaching—in such a hurry to be out of my old life and in this new. After arriving, I wanted to jump right in, get my new house settled, fill it with food, set up the computer, arrange my classes and office, drive the length and breadth of the landscape and snorkel my fool head off in the island’s … [Read more...]
Crossing the Pond, Start of Bordeaux Viking Cruise
Usually when I have a bulkhead seat I end up with families seated nearby; I have always referred to these seats as 'bulkhead babies' as a number of flights I've been seated here next to crying babies. Fortunately there were no crying babies seated next to me. The only eventful happening was about half through the flight in the darkened cabin - I jumped up in my seat startled by a loud noise. It turns out a woman had fainted and crashed to the … [Read more...]
Gambling at Casinos Around the WorldGambling at Casinos Around the World
You may be able to walk in any Las Vegas casino sporting flip flops and a tank top, but try that in Monte Carlo and you'll probably be stopped at the door. Casino culture can be extremely different from place to place and if you're one of the many people who enjoys gambling as a regular part of their travels, then you'll need to be aware of how the rules change from standard American casinos to those in other parts of the world. Take a look at … [Read more...]
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