Mt. Rainier National Park - If you are in the great state of Washington, USA consider a visit to its most famous mountain, Mt. Rainier. This mountain is one of the tallest mountains in the lower 48 states, topping out at 14,410 feet under its huge jagged upper glacier covered slopes. If you plan on climbing to the top, having a guide is recommended unless you have prior roped up experience with glaciers, crevasses and rock falls. For the less … [Read more...]
Choquequirao – the Real Lost City of the Inca
Machu Picchu is one of those things you can't miss, even if you hate crowds and band wagons. It is undoubtedly gorgeous and profound. However, all that 'lost city' stuff sounds like a cheap cliche these days. What is so lost about a shiny train, a bunch of new coaches, international cuisine, inflated tourist trap prices, tactical formations of retired Japanese and millions of North-American kids screaming for mommy? Machu Picchu is a Very Much … [Read more...]
Language Abroad: When Your French is Bad, An English-Speaking Stranger Can Become an Intimate Friend
It was five days into my research trip to Rennes-le-Chateau, a village in the French Pyrenean foothills, and I was lonely. Gathering details for my novel, I had hiked the hilly red dirt of the countryside dotted with helm oaks and dry broom, had walked the narrow roads of the village to the accompaniment of squawking roosters, and had admired the humble stucco houses. I stood in the rooms of the presbytery where my characters -- a priest and his … [Read more...]
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
"So what do you make of this?" said Xavier. I watched, from behind a cordon of yellow police tape, Antonio Banderas in a mariachi outfit, and Salma Hayek in far less, dangling from cables affixed to the rooftop of the Hotel San Francisco in San Miguel de Allende's central plaza, el jardin. Walkie-talkies crackled in Spanish and English. A utility van edged slowly past with a card taped to its windshield reading Once Upon A Time In … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – City Parks
As of last count,there are over 600 public parks within the Los Angeles city limits - ranging from tiny green spaces to larger parks tucked away in the Hollywood Hills. We continue to explore the city's public park terrain and will update this page as time permits. Barnsdall Park is located right off Hollywood Blvd in East Hollywood (about 2 miles East of the 101 Freeway) on top of a hill ("Olive Hill") which affords one superb views of much … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is located just under 2 hours east of downtown Los Angeles and the lake and its nearby surroundings are without a doubt among some of the most picturesque natural beauty easily accessible from the Los Angeles basin and its communities. At nearly 7000 feet, the elevation outnumbers the population here. If your looking for LA "glitter" this is not the place to go. Rather it *is* the place to go to get away from people (especially in … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Mt. Wilson Observatory
Live Webcam - www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/towercam.htm This is a drive to the sky that quickly gets you out of the LA Basin. Take the Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) out of the town of La Canada Flintridge off of the 210 Freeway, north west of Pasadena. It is about 19 miles from La Canada Flintridge to the actual observatory. After about 14 miles driving on Highway 2, you have to turn onto the Mt. Wilson Observatory road which goes another 5 … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Skiing
Skiing - No you cannot ski in Los Angeles proper but there are a number of places to get to the snow during reasonable snowfall years within about 60 to 120 minutes drive of downtown Los Angeles. Big Bear Mountain is the most popular southland skiing area and boasts three ski areas: Bear Peak, Silver Mountain, and Goldmine Mountain. This is a bit further from Los Angeles than Mt. Baldy - with no traffic a drive will take about 2 hours … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Theme Parks
Disneyland Park is located at 1313 S Harbor Blvd off on the South West side of the 5 Freeway. You can take a free tram to the main park entrance from one of the parking garages. If you know where to look you can actually see parts of Disneyland peaking above the rest of the buildings as you zip down the 5 freeway. Everyone has heard of Disneyland with its theme rides, entertainment & attractions for all ages. This is the original Disneyland … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood. Few locations in the world have the instant International recognition and exposure that Hollywood has. Hollywood is only a name that most movie goers associate with the Film and TV industry. However, most people have no idea that its only a cog in the wheel of the vast movie making business which is centered in Southern California. In fact, of the major studios, only Paramount Studios is still located within Hollywood … [Read more...]
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