I had two days off, three friends, and the urge to find a Carnaval celebration close by. I could have looked in my city of San Diego, but Mexico continually draws me in. Enter Ensenada. …
February 20, 2010
North America
Carnaval in Ensenada, Mexico
Winter Olympics Backgrounder
The first time I visited Vancouver was in the late ’60s. I was living in Fairbanks and decided to spend the winter outside, which is what we called any place not in Alaska. Since it …
February 17, 2010
Walden Pond, Concord, Massachusetts
“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” This thought was expressed by Henry David Thoreau over 160 years ago while living in the one-room cabin he built overlooking Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau conducted …
February 16, 2010
Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
The Huddle House diner is inviting and cozy on an early November morning. While it isn't that far off from the Waffle House visited the previous morning (the signs are practically identical), it’s a far …
February 15, 2010
Biking Tahoe (and Other Activities)
For some, a visit to Lake Tahoe means time away from the frenetic scenes of everyday life. Libation in hand, it’s a time to listen to the wind waft through swaying pine trees, to enjoy …
February 10, 2010
Vancouver, B.C.
My first impression of Vancouver was that the general vibe is less hectic than in most U.S. cities. People are friendly, and when they ask “What do you do?” it seems they’re more interested in …
February 8, 2010
San Juan Islands, Washington
Our one-week journey takes us to an archipelago in the Puget Sound, just off the United States’ northwest corner: the San Juan Islands. It’s a perfect trip if you don’t mind taking on a cooler …
February 3, 2010
New York City Weekend
New York City was more than I expected this time around; however, it was colder than my feet at night. My numb fingers fumbled for my MetroCard, dollars in my pocket, then a beanie for …
Constanza and El Castillo, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a rich tapestry of colors, geography, cultural influences, even climate – all enhanced by a rich history. Upon its discovery in 1492, it was described as a “paradisiacal island of high …
June Lake, CA
“We’re going to June Lake!” We tell that to friends often – we travel to the Eastern Sierras up Hwy. 395 at least four times a year. “Where’s that?” most say. By simply describing it …
January 28, 2010
Wintertime in Zion and Bryce Canyon
Hopping out of the van, we were greeted by the cold like a slap in the face. Our fingers working slowly as we struggled to strap snowshoes to our boots. The day started out with …
January 27, 2010
Fun and Games in Coba, Mexico
The site of pre-Colombian ruins on the Yucatan peninsula, Coba, reachable on a day trip from Cancun, was at one point inhabited by over 50,000. Coba’s Nohoch Mul is the highest pyramid in the Yucatan …
January 27, 2010
Dog Sledding in Alaska
If the lure of adventure is calling you northward, you won’t find a more unique experience than dog sledding in our 49th state. Dog sledding (or mushing) affords you thrills, challenges and opportunities to view …
Escape to Puerto Rico
When I think of Puerto Rico, I remember pulsing Latin and reggae music, sunsets that look poured from an artist’s palette, inviting stretches of beaches and colorful towns bustling with shops, art and tantalizing eateries. …
January 19, 2010
Purification on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
If you thought life in the Caribbean was laid back, Vieques, an island municipality to the east of the Puerto Rican mainland, takes it to the extreme. Most of the island looks and feels like …
January 8, 2010