The best place to walk in the footsteps of John Muir is Yosemite National Park, where the famed naturalist and conservationist hiked and climbed granite domes, lovingly surveyed plants and animals, studied with rapt eyes “cloud mountains” in the sky, and developed his passion for wild spaces. Another place that evokes feelings for one of the visionary creators of our national park system is his old home in Martinez, California, about an hour … [Read more...]
A Wild Ride in West Africa
Even the driver seemed surprised! Bad sign, these guys have seen it all. In the center of the brightly painted wheel, where the hub should have attached to the axle, was a jagged gaping hole. We’d already used our spare wheel and our jack wasn’t working anyway, so we did what anyone in West Africa would do in this situation: we settled in to wait for help. The merciless sun bullied most passengers into the shade of a nearby tree. They sat … [Read more...]
CicLAvia – When LA Ditches the Car
Pity Angelinos, the unhappy residents of the City of Angels Automobiles. Few cities in the world are as car-centric as theirs. From the world’s first freeway (Pasadena Freeway) to the world’s busiest interchange (I-105 and I-110), Los Angeles was developed in the early decades of the 20th century as a marvel of modern transportation, the ultimate exemplar of mobility in a spectacular new era. Street cars, subways and light rails of east coast … [Read more...]
Three California Roads Less Traveled
It's easy to argue that California is the land freeways and automobiles. And with its massive scale and incredible geographic diversity, there are plenty of scenic routes to explore. We've all heard of the world-famous drives, like the section of the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur or Mulholland Drive through the Hollywood Hills. While I have plenty of favorites, I'd like to share three lesser-known routes. There are, of course, many more … [Read more...]
How to Throw a Good Bachelor Weekend
Every bachelor weekend needs to be an ‘all out’ affair. You only get one chance of this before you get married so make sure you remember it for all the right reasons. Let’s look at some of the things you need to throw a great bachelor weekend, wherever you are in the world. A Great Location It all starts with the location. Not every bachelor weekend has to involve staying at home or going to Vegas (although the latter is highly … [Read more...]
Je Me Souviens Quebec / I Remember Quebec
“Quebec is the most beautiful city in North America I’ve seen.” – Sebastian Bach Leaving aside that Sebastian has quite clearly never been to Puebla, Mexico, I am inclined to agree with him. Quebec, indeed, is a most fanciful city, romantically trapped in an era long gone and full of Old World charm. I first visited it on a day trip from Montreal with my dad fifteen years ago. Dare I steal Quebec’s honored motto of “Je me souviens” (I … [Read more...]
48 hours in Los Angeles – Fast, Furious and Fun!
When you think of Los Angeles, the first thing you think of is Hollywood. But there are many other things to do there that are not related to tinsel town. Recently, I spent a whirlwind weekend in Los Angeles. I hurried off my delayed Southwest flight, found the shuttle bus to the Westin Hotel at Los Angeles Airport. Fifteen minutes later, a quick ride by LA standards, I flew into the hotel room where my friend had already arrived. A quick change … [Read more...]
Two Lovely Days, Where? Gorgeous Catalina Island, California
On an unusually gloomy day I found myself hanging out in the Commodore lounge on board a Catalina Express ferry with my friend Jacki. I promised her I would not continue to whine about the weather but that was a promise I soon broke. We were on our way to Avalon, the urban gem of Catalina Island. 22 miles from the mainland, in the 'olden days' this ride used take up to 4 hours to cross. On the Catalina Express ferry boat it took us only 60 … [Read more...]
Cruising into Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
The day dawned clear on the Holland America Line MS Eurodam after the stormy nauseating seas of the past few days. This was a welcome relief visually and for the stomach which has been struggling with all the back and forth rocking. We pulled around the point of the north east part of the island and passed the historical fort. From a distance we could have been pulling into a port in Greece or perhaps the Middle East - the white buildings … [Read more...]
Far and Away, Flat Out, The West’s Best Road Trip
It feels like we’re driving to the edge of the world where the water falls off. Infinity is just ahead. To the right are mountains that arc up from the basement of time. On the left, a dry lakebed now glassed with salt. This is the driest state in the country, not so surprising, but it is also the most mountainous, with some 300 ranges. If you look at a satellite photo of earth at night one of the brightest pixels is Las Vegas in … [Read more...]
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