Top Places To Go

Fall Festivals

2011-09-19T13:43:00.001-07:00

As fall starts and the weather cools our thoughts turn to going outside and having some fun before the really cold weather sets in. This is the time to look around your area to see if there’s a state or county fair, fall festival, or some event in your town. North Carolina and Tennessee fairs are known for their apples and homemade quilts, German clubs all over America celebrate Oktoberfest this time of year and we have many Halloween events in Florida, some take place at out our theme parks. Many communities have events, a ‘boo at the zoo’ is always a safe bet for the family, so if you have a local zoo be sure to check.

Fall Festivals are always a great place to take the family, most of them have food and games, some have live music and midways with rides and prizes. You can get homemade pies, jams and jellies or quilts. You can see livestock shows, there maybe a chili cook off or some kind of eating contest, that's right good old fashioned American fun. There seems to be a new trend in festivals however. Some ask that you bring a can of food or a bag of gently used clothes for the needy, there is even a pumpkin festival where you bring your own carved pumpkin and they display them, it’s really cool. Another trend at fall festivals is health screenings; some of festivals are starting to include blood pressure, diabetes or glaucoma tests and at some, you can even get a flu shot. From the old tyme country fairs to the heath wise and socially conscious now is the time of year when all the fall festivals happen and everyone gets out and enjoys them, so find one in your area and go have some fun.

Cruisin'

2011-06-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

If you’ve never been on a cruise you’re missing out on a really great vacation. I always ask people who tell me they’ve never been on a cruise, why not? I’m always amused when they tell me that they think they’d feel too confined or get bored. I’m telling you cruise ships now days are floating cities. Take the Allure of the Seas for example, it’s the newest ship of the Royal Caribbean’s fleet its 1,187 feet long and can accommodate 5,400 people, currently the largest cruise ship afloat. They have an ice rink, two surf pools and a Zip Line, the ship has seven "neighborhoods". The inside staterooms have balconies overlooking the park so you don’t get that ‘closed in‘ feeling. Disney’s newest ship, the Dream has a thrilling flume ride called the AquaDuck, the first-ever shipboard water coaster. There are many dining options from the chic to the family style the entertainment is Broadway caliber and the shops, don’t even get me started on them. There is so much to do and see on ships now days that you’ll never get bored and unless you spend a month on one I doubt you’d see everything either.

Florida has five different cruise ports and three Port Canaveral, Port Everglades and the Port of Miami are among the busiest cruise ports in the world, if not the busiest. From one of our ports you can easily reach anywhere in the world really but the Caribbean, being so close, is a popular choice. Cozumel, St. Thomas, San Juan, George Town, Belize City, Grenada and Barbados are just of few of the exotic destinations and or ports of call offered. A port of call is a place you cruise into for a day or just a few fun filled hours. Nassau has a great straw market, which is a place where you can purchase trinkets for the folks back home; when you come into Port Canaveral you’ll find it has a whole row of restaurants that offer some the best seafood you’ll ever eat and they’ve started a market place of their own. Key West is another popular port of call that has a little shopping area called Key West Bite, you come in on lower Duval Street which is the heart of everything fun going on in Key West. While in port you can also go on shore excursions which normally highlight the local sites like churches and museums but also include tours of harbors, diving and snorkeling trips. Then, after a day of shopping and or sight seeing, head back to the ship and on to more places and more adventures.
So, I hope you’d agree, on and off the ship cruises are a great vacation and one, I feel, everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

Spring Break

2011-03-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

After the long hard winter of snow, sleet and freezing rain there is a ray of light, just head due south for some warmth, sun and sand because Spring Break is once again upon us. From the end of February to the middle of April each year many college students from all over the country and Canada flock down south, and especially to Florida, to thaw out and to give their brains a little R and R. In the Florida panhandle places like Destin and Pensacola are crowded with guys and girls looking for a good time a good tan and to hang out with thousands of people just like them.

In Panama City Beach a popular spot to be is Club LaVela. It is a massive club with many themed rooms that change all the time allowing them to stay on the cutting edge of nightlife. They host a whole month of Spring Break events and concerts during March. Their Concert Coliseum holds over 3,000 people, their huge pool and is where they host all sorts of contest like bikini, wet T-shirt, and male hard body contests during the day. MTV and many others have also hosted Spring Break events in the panhandle and all over Florida. If your look for happening but less crowed Spring Break spots Cocoa Beach and Fort Myers are gaining in popularity.

All along the East Coast of Florida hotels are packed as well. While Miami is always a popular spot no matter what time of year it is and two of the most popular Spring Break destinations are still Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach. Fort Lauderdale was popular in the 50’s and 60’s and still gets its fair share of the Spring Break crowd. Daytona Beach is also a great place to spend Spring Break, the live music, bikini, best buns and hot body contests are legendary. Spring Break is meant to be just that, a break from your studies, a break from the cold, a chance to get away and relax. Florida has anything and everything you could possible want or need to have a good time and a great break.

Home for the Holidays

2010-12-03T10:42:00.000-08:00

Have you ever made plans to try and get home for Christmas from another state? If you have you know how difficult it can sometimes be, between the weather and the traffic, heading home for the holiday can be a down right battle. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the busiest travel time of the year overall. Between the weather and airlines over booking holiday travel can be quite an ordeal. When the weather gets bad airport closures affect everyone all over the country, flights get canceled and delayed, people miss connections it can ruin ones holiday spirit, but still we go.

According to Orbitz.com 2 of the most traveled to Christmas destinations happen to be right here in warm, sunny Florida. Miami is #10 and Orlando is #2 but the fact that Orlando is #2 can’t surprise many people; it’s one of the most traveled to destinations in the world any time of the year. The Disney parks and Universal Studios are common destinations but have you ever considered Christmas at Sea World? It’s a great place to learn about the oceans that surround our state on three sides and they have great holiday themed shows and a Christmas Luau. I’ve been to it, it’s great.

So why do we do it? Why do we risk getting stuck in some stuffy, smelly airport with tired, rude, strangers potentially eating bad institutional food out of styrofoam risking missing a delicious meal off our Grandmother’s china prepared by people who love us? Well that’s just it isn’t it – being with family. In 1954 Perry Como recorded that timeless classic (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays and apparently that’s how most people feel about it, get home to the ones you love at all costs.

It seems that some of the most popular, best loved movies about the holidays involve someone trying to get home. Two of the best are Planes, Trains and Automobiles starring John Candy and Steve Martin and who can forget poor little Kevin McAllister who gets left Home Alone while his family heads to France for Christmas, worse yet thieves try to break in and he has to defend his home. There were 4 movies in this series, it was pretty popular.

Another great thing about getting and being home for the holidays is all the local festivities and the hometown happenings where you meet up with old friends and people you haven’t seen since the last time you were home. One of my family’s traditions is to go around the neighborhoods looking at all the decorations and lights. Everybody puts up Christmas lights in Florida, there’s no reason not to, we don’t have bad weather and it doesn’t really get all that cold so things don’t blow down or fall over covered with snow. Our decorations keep longer; I think that’s why so many people put in the time and effort to do it.

Wherever you find yourself this holiday be it with family and friends or quietly at home I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season.

Florida - the Winter Playground

2010-11-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

Most people in Florida know what a ‘Snowbird’ is but for those of you unfamiliar with the term, it's a word used to describe people, usually from up North, who come down to Florida for the winter or longer. These people can come from as far away as Canada and as close as Alabama, they ‘nest’ from St. Petersburg to South Beach and all points in between. Some of them have homes here others rent for three to six months at a time and others just stay for a few weeks and we're happy to welcome them all.

South Florida, as you’d imagine, is probably the most popular place for the ‘rich and famous’ to winter. We have places like Fort Lauderdale which is known as the Venice of America because of its many canals and waterways and Palm Beach which is know for its fabulous designer shops and second to none accommodations. Then there is the crowing jewel, South Beach which is about as European as you can without hopping on a plane. South Beach is always a hot spot but in the winter, oddly enough, it heats up even more. Come down to South Beach in the winter and you’ll likely see a photo shoot on the beach or with one of the fabulous art deco hotels as the back drop. The sidewalk cafes are always busy, Mango's Tropical Cafe is a favorite any time of year, and all the hot night spots like the Mansion are always happening. Many famous people winter in SoBe, as it’s called, you may run into Donald Trump or some other famous familiar face, so be sure to stop and say ‘Hi’.

State Fair

2010-10-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more fun than a state fair; all over the country they are different. In the Midwest, places like Oklahoma and Kansas they are normally held in the late summer, around August or early September or in the Northeast, places like North Carolina and Virginia they are normally held in early fall, late September or October. In the Midwest state fairs are all about prize winning bulls, cows, cherry pies and homemade preserves. In the Northeast state fairs are famous for their apples and handmade quilts. Here in Florida it’s too hot to really get out until November so that’s when a lot of communities host state fairs.

State Fairs in this area include everything from the small local ‘church’ fairs to the big traditional livestock and homemade things kind. One thing they all have in common though is the food. Greasy fried fair foods like funnel cakes, corndogs and ribbon fries; sweets like candy apples and cotton candy and I’ve even seen fried peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwiches. It’s all so overwhelmingly decadent, thank God they only happen once a year or we’d all be dead or weigh 3,000 pounds.

Another overwhelming thing about state fairs is the midway. All those rides with their loud music and flashing lights and then there are all the booths with the games and the promise of a big prize if you’re just willing to keep trying then, 20 dollars later, you actually win one of those big prizes but hey, it’s the fair. There are also all those people, ‘Barkers’ they’re called, enticing to you come on over and try their 'simple' games or the thrilling ride they operate, do you have your tickets? Grab a hand full of them, tickets that is, round up a car full of friends and head to the local fair when they get to your area, who knows you may come home with a pet fish.

Haunted Houses

2010-10-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

The wind howls through a dark, tree lined street scattering leaves that chase each other down the lane. The end of October is approaching so it’s chilly outside causing you to shiver as you walk along the sidewalk. Then you see it, looming ominously in there distance. Is it haunted? Maybe, maybe not, but it still gives you and everyone else in the neighborhood the creeps. There is nothing spookier than a haunted house and there is no better time to celebrate them than Halloween. All over the country Haunted Houses will be springing up and, for a fee, you can get the wits scared out of you too. Florida’s Haunted Houses are always a blast and, of course, the Orlando theme parks have special events where the whole park is taken over by ghosts and ghouls.

One of the main elements of any really scary movie is a haunted house and the classic movie about a haunted house is, of course, the Amityville Horror, which is based in a true story. Now I realize I may be 'dating' myself by saying that but I don't care. There was a newer version of the movie released in 2005 for all who might not remember the original. I think one of the scariest ‘haunted house’ scenes I’ve ever seen was the last few minutes of the movie ‘Carrie’, I know it’s too old but I was very young at the time I saw it and what can I say, it made a lasting impression. Here's the scene: A girl is setting flowers on the lot of Carrie’s burned down house and as she sets them on the ground a charred hand reaches up and grabs hers, the scene and the movie ends there, it was very scary!

Make the most of efforts of those in your area, grab some friends and get out to those demonic domiciles this year, and see how spooked you can get.

Oktoberfest

2010-09-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

200 years ago a lovely young couple in Germany got married, not only did the whole town celebrate it but once a year to this day people come from all over the world to celebrate it and those that can’t make it to Germany celebrate in their own town. Who was this young couple? The young man was Prince Ludwig of Germany and his bride was Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 18, 1810 and by 1960, it had turned into an enormous world-famous festival which is replicated all over the world over. If you live in Florida here are some suggestions of Oktoberfest celebrations, find one in your area.

Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September that runs into to early October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year. Since 1950 the traditional festival opening has been a twelve gun salute and the tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest beer by the mayor of Munich with the cry "O'zapft is!" which means "It's tapped!", in the Austro-Bavarian dialect, opens the Oktoberfest. Thus starts the flow of beer, the sounds of bratwursts, knockwurst sizzling, the smell of fresh baked soft pretzels and more authentic German food and desserts. Be sure to celebrate this year especially.

Picking

2010-08-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of year for many reasons. I love the way the air starts to smell all crisp and clean, I love the fact that it’s starting to cool off, especially at night and I love the fact that it’s almost time for the holiday rush to start. Kids have just gone back to school and families are rushing to get that last little get away planned for the Labor Day weekend before everyone buckles down.
When I was a kid growing up in Georgia one of the other things I loved about this time of year was that the peaches were just starting to come ‘in’, the harvest was starting. Many fruits and veggies are harvested in the fall like corn, blueberries, peaches, plums, raspberries, squash, strawberries, grapes, apples, pumpkins, cranberries, pomegranate and sweet potatoes.

Another fond memory is of my Dad taking us to pick fruit. We’d all pile into the old station wagon and head out for a day in the field. We picked peaches, strawberries, squash, apples and whatever else was ready to be harvested. Then we’d take it home to Mom and she’d make a, casserole, cobbler, jam or jelly out of whatever we returned with. I know it sounds old fashioned and maybe it is, but it’s a great way for a family to spend a day, out in the fresh air away from all the computers, electronic games and distractions of life that separate families these days. I know it’s a little early to mention pumpkins but we always went out to a field and picked our own then, as Dad and we kids were carving it, Mom would roast the pumpkins seeds. It’s not too early to see if you can find a place for your family go picking something this year. If picking just really isn’t your family’s idea of a good time here’s another outdoor craze that’s becoming popular all over the country: Corn Mazes. Here's how you do it: You drive up to a field that has either corn or a tall hedge growing in it, pay a small fee and head out to the field. The fields are cut in different patterns that you can make your way through. You are given a map at the beginning of the maze, with exits and routes on it and there are different levels of difficulty, it’s a lot of fun for everyone.
So no matter what you do, take advantage of the cool weather to get out and spend some time together as a family.

Water Parks

2010-07-21T11:14:00.003-07:00

It’s the middle of the summer and it’s HOT. Everyone all over the country is blazing, the Northeastern part of the country is having a record heat wave, the Deep South is baking the Midwest is sizzling and the West Coast is melting. Take heart because even though it's warm out there relief is obtainable. All over the country people have come up with a heat beating idea, full of summertime fun; the water park.

Water parks are all over, some of the best Florida water parks are in and around Orlando but what about the rest of the country? Here are just a few to check out. In Greensborough North Carolina there is Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe, it’s about 80 miles from Raleigh and boasts the Daredevil Drop, a hair-raising 76-foot plunge down a chute; there’s also a better known Wet N Wild in Orlando. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina they have the Myrtle Waves Water Park that has enclosed body slides, a wave pool, LayZee river, and ride called the "toilet bowl". There’s also children's play area with water mushrooms and child sized tubes and slides.
On Jekyll Island in Georgia you’ll find Summer Waves Water Park which is 11 acres of rides including the Pirates Passage a totally-enclosed speed flume where you ride in the dark and the Force 3 two person inner tube flume, they have a wave pool and a Slow Motion Ocean you can grab a tube and float down.

The Beach Water Park is located in Mason Ohio, 25 minutes north of Cincinnati Ohio. This 35 acre park has 2,600 tons of white sand and 175 real palm trees; you’ll think you’re in Florida. It also has over 50 water rides and attractions, the main attraction is the Aztec Adventure, one of the only water coasters in the Midwest, the Cliff and Volcanic Panic are two more crowd pleasers. There is a kid’s area and a lazy river type ride with reggae and island music providing the soundtrack for your day. It’s everything your family needs for a tropical getaway in the middle of Ohio.

Texas has three similar waters parks that make up the Hawaiian Falls Water Parks: the Colony, North Garland and Mansfield. They all have water slides, an interactive rain-fortress wave pool and kids area. Utah, believe it or not has several water parks, the largest one is the Seven Peaks Water Park in Provo. They have 16 waterslides, one with a 100 foot drop, a Wave Pool, kid’s area and a giant Half Pipe tube ride. California has a series of waters parks in three different cities Sacramento, San Jose and Sam Dimas, called the Raging Waters Water Parks. The Raging Waters Parks are the largest in California and range in size from 23-50 acres. Their signature ride is the Dragon’s Den; it’s a water slide that keeps you in the dark. They have many other slides too even some with multiple shuts for racing. There's a wave pool, kid’s area and a lazy river through each. There are rides and slides unique to each park and they all offer a day of family fun.
So be sure to pick your area of the country, find a water park and get your family ready for some cool, wet fun.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

2010-06-23T10:24:00.001-07:00

If you’re any kind of fan at all you’ll be happy to know the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is now open at Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios Orlando. Florida is a major vacation destination worldwide and with this to add to the list of Orlando attractions the crowds promise to be even larger this year. Anticipation has been building for years and no one was disappointed. Over 5,000 people were there for opening day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including me, all the fans that were there were very impressed with how authentic everything was.

When you walk under the archway into the area the first things you notice are the snow covered buildings of Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts Express replica. There are three rides; Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is set in Hogwarts Castle, it was amazing. Walking up to the castle you’re greeted by Hogwarts ‘students’ who welcome we ‘Muggles’.
There are all sorts of things in the castle from the books and movies like the four cylinders of house jewels, the Hall of Portraits and the Sorting Hat. Then you meet Dumbledore in his office and then Harry, Ron and Hermione who invite you to skive off History of Magic class and go with them to a Quidditch Match, and that’s when your adventure begins.

The Flight of the Hippogriff, the next ride, is a ‘kiddie coaster’ and is based around Hagrid’s. It’s also where you’ll be able to meet and greet Buckbeak.
The last ride, The Dragon’s Challenge, is based on Harry’s experience in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Here you get to see the Tri-Wizard cup, the Golden eggs and banners from the different schools among other things.

The shops in Hogsmeade include Ollivanders, Dervish and Banges, Zonko’s Joke Shop, Honeydukes, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, the Owl Post and Owlery.
Throughout the day different performers from Harry Potter’s world show up to entertain the crowd, the frog choir, the men from Durmstrang and the lovely ladies of Beauxbatons.
The main place to eat was the Three Broomsticks, but there was a three hour wait to get in on opening day and then there was the Hogs Head which serves several drinks brewed just for the Wizarding World, Hog’s Head Brew and White Rat Whiskey. I didn’t get to try either of them because you couldn’t get near the place, but that’s ok it just means I’ll have to go back.

I was looking forward to tasting both Butterbeer and Pumpkin juice. I wasn’t disappointed here either they are both delicious, cool and refreshing. Butterbeer is a blend of cream soda, without the fizz, and butterscotch, it’s a little thicker than Pumpkin Juice, but not too thick and they added a foam head on top of it which makes it even more delicious. You can get it frozen or chilled and you can get it in a souvenir mug, which I did. Pumpkin Juice is light and sweet; it tastes like a mix of Apple and Pumpkin juices with a lot more of a pumpkin flavor and is equally delicious.

One of the best things about opening day was all the fans we got to meet and talk to. There was a guy with the Gryffindor Emblem tattooed on his arm and the Deathly Hallows symbol on his ankle. One girl had drawn the Dark Mark on her arm herself, it was very impressive. Many people were dressed in robes and their favorite house colors; it was a sight to see. If you’re any kind of Potter Fan at all and you have the means you have to make it a point to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it’s just that spectacular. Here are pictures of the Harry Potter Wizarding World.

Napa Valley

2010-05-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

Napa Valley in California is widely considered one of the premier travel destinations in the world. Its history dates back to the early nineteenth century and by the end of that century there were more than one hundred and forty wineries in the area. Several of those original wineries like the Charles Krug Winery, Shramsburg, Chateau Montelena and Beringer, still exist making wine in the valley to this day. Prohibition and an infestation of the phylloxera root louse stalled the growth of the wine industry in Napa County until after World War II then it began to thrive again. The Robert Mondavi Winery was the first new large scale winery to be established in the valley since before prohibition. The number of wineries continued to grow, along with its reputation and today there are over three hundred wineries in Napa Valley. The views in the Valley are breathtaking, there are rolling hills covered with vineyards and wineries of every size and shape dot the landscape. As many as five million people visit Napa Valley each year; they have many quaint bed & breakfasts, hotels and resorts so you’re sure to find somewhere to stay that suites your ‘tastes’.

The wineries in Napa Valley grow many different varieties of grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and others. No matter what kind you prefer red, white or blush, you’ll get a chance to taste many different kinds considering almost every winery you go to will offer some sort of wine tasting. Here are some of the basics of wine tasting:
- Start with a clear wine glass, this allows you to really get a good look at the wine.
- Only pour a small amount of wine into you’re glass, an inch or less.
- Take in the color of the wind by holding it up to the light or hold it against a white background.
- Now take in the aroma. To release the aroma, hold the glass by the stem, and swirl the wine a couple of times then put your nose right over the rim of the wine glass and breathe in the characteristic aromas, or bouquet, of that particular wine.
- Now take just a sip, letting the wine slide across your tongue from front to back and side to side. If you are tasting a few different wines your host will provide a vessel for you to spit the wine into instead of swallowing, this is perfectly acceptable.
- You may swallow a small amount of wine and note the “finish”, the taste it leaves in your mouth.

Every wine is different and the bottom line is that a good wine should always give pleasure, be smooth and satisfying by itself or the perfect compliment to whatever you’re eating. It should smell good, look good and taste even better, it’s all part of the fun of wine appreciation.

Tybee Island

2010-04-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

One of the best places to visit in Georgia is has got to be Tybee Island. Tybee Island is an island that sits 18 miles east of Savannah in Georgia; it's the easternmost point in the state of Georgia and is the northeastern-most of Georgia's Barrier Islands. Tybee, which is a Native American word meaning “salt”, is best known for it’s many restaurants, quaint inns and cottages, luxurious condominiums, and many modern hotels and motels. This low key, seaside resort town has a wide, 3-mile long beach where you can do all the normal things like sunbath, look for shells and build sand castles. At the south end of the there is a pier and pavilion, the pier is great for fishing and the pavilion is great for people watching, should you be inclined to do either.

If you’re a history lover Tybee Island is rich in that as well. You can visit Fort Screven, nearby Fort Pulaski National Monument and The Tybee Island Lighthouse and museum. The lighthouse has been guiding ships into the Savannah River port since 1732. The first light was destroyed by a storm in 1741 a second light was put up but then a third was needed because of erosion. During the Civil War the top part of this light was destroyed by the Confederate troops stationed at Fort Pulaski so it couldn’t be used by the Union Navy that was stationed along the nearby coast. The current, fourth, lighthouse was built after the war. The lighthouse has 178 steps to the top and once you’re there the view is spectacular.
They do charge a small admission fee to tour the Lighthouse and Head Keepers Cottage, the tours are self guided but there are volunteers on hand to answer questions. They also have a gift shop where you can buy a memento to remember your visit.
Tybee Island has all the southern charm you’d expect to find in any town in Georgia, it’s a great vacation destination.

The Outer Banks

2010-03-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

The Outer Banks of North Carolina have been a popular stop for many types of travelers for years, starting in the 18th century with pirates. Some of the most notorious pirates to grace the Outer Banks were Capt. ‘Calico’ Jack Rackham and his two female co-pirates Anne Bonney and Mary Read but perhaps the most notorious is Blackbeard. Born Edward Teach Blackbeard was a fierce man; he was killed in 1718 on his ship “Queen Anne’s Revenge” in Ocracoke Inlet. After his death the era of the pirates ended and the Outer Banks were visited by Conquistadors and settlers. Some stayed and some moved on but they all left their marks. One of the most enduring remnants of this era are the Banker Ponies, they stand only about 5 feet tall live on a tiny island called Shackleford Banks.

The Outer Banks are also the place where the Wright brothers took the first of their famous flights; they lived in Kitty Hawk but took off from Kill Devil Hills which is the oldest township in the Outer Banks. North Carolina has been featured in many films and T.V. series and the Outer Banks have been featured prominently in some such as the 1999 tragic romance Message in a Bottle staring Robin Wright and Kevin Costner. The Outer Banks are a great place to spend a few days too, there are many wonderful, romantic little bed and breakfast Inns nestled along the shores here, it’s really a very beautiful place.

New Orleans

2010-02-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

One place that’s never needed and excuse to throw a party is New Orleans but this year between the Saints victory at the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras starting up this city is bound to go all out. Mardi Gras is the traditional celebration that precedes Lent, 40 days of repentance including prayer, fasting, abstinence and confession. If you’ve ever been to or even seen pictures of Mardi Gras I’m sure you’ll agree that it probably takes that long to get everyone through confession.

WHO DAT!! Love ‘em or hate’ em you have to give the New Orleans Saints there do and what they are do is congratulations for winning the Super Bowl this year. They also embody the never-say-die spirit that has become the backbone of rebuilding the city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina all but annihilated it in 2005. Many people took refuge in the Superdome, where the Saints played their home games, during the storm. We all saw the news and all the people stranded in the Superdome and thought it would never be able to recover, but it did and so did the city of New Orleans itself and now they have a Super Bowl winning team. Hallelujah!

Skiing in North Carolina

2010-01-11T15:16:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when people all over the world hit the ski slopes. Most people in this country tend to think of Aspen, Vale or Telluride or some other place out west, but the east coast has many great places to ski as well. When I was younger we lived in North Carolina I loved it there, especially in the winter; this, of course, is before I had to drive in it. I also remember the first time I ever went skiing, it was down Beech Mountain. I don’t remember exactly how old I was but I was younger than 15 and I had a blast.

The two main, skiing mountains in North Carolina are Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain. These beautiful mountains are great to ski, snowboard or ride a tube down. They have wonderful shops, spectacular resorts, fantastic restaurants and all the amenities you'd expect. Nestled between the two mountains is Banner Elk which has been called the ski capital of the South and is also a popular place to visit or stay as you enjoy the area. So next time you plan a ski trip look up these places as well, you might just have a blast too.

The North Pole

2009-12-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

This time of year ask any little kid where they’d like to be and undoubtedly the overwhelming response would probably be the North Pole. This is the mythical where, as everyone knows, Santa has his workshop and all those elves making toys all year round. They presumably have stables there for Rudolf and all his friends and of course a nice big log cabin for Mrs. Clause, we can only imagine.

Did you ever wonder what about the real North Pole? Technically the North Pole is defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets the Earth's surface, the northernmost point on Earth, lying diametrically opposite the South Pole. It is the direction of True North.
The first sighting of the North Pole was for many years credited to American Navy engineer Robert Peary, who claimed to have reached the Pole on April 6, 1909, Peary’s claim remains controversial because the distances and speeds that Peary claimed to have traveled seem incredible to many people, almost three times faster than anything he had done up to that point. The first undisputed sighting of the Pole was on May 12, 1926 by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen from the airship Norge.

San Francisco

2009-11-23T17:43:00.001-08:00

I was a big fan of the TV series Charmed which was set in San Francisco a place I’ve always wanted to visit. Watching this series gave me a peek at the city and I love the look, the steep, rolling hills, the trolley cars, I’d love to ride one, it just looks like a great place to visit. I think I’d, of course, have to go to the famous Fisherman’s Warf and Pier 39 to see all those seals lying around the docks. Then I’d want to hop on sight seeing cruise through the Bay and see the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, Angel Island and of course go explore Alcatraz. There are other things to do and things to see but I think that’s a pretty good start.

One of the most iconic and easily recognized symbols of America around the world is the Golden Gate Bridge. This is a 1.7 mile long suspension bridge that you can drive, bike or walk across you and park at either end of the bridge to get a picture or just stare in awe at it as so many people do. The Golden Gate Bridge was designed in an Art Deco fashion with towers that rise 500 feet above the road below it was also modeled after the Brooklyn Bridge which was completed in 1883. The Golden Gate Bridge was completed in May of 1937 after more than four years of being under construction the amazing thing is that it opened ahead of schedule and under budget – way to go guys!

Telluride, Colorado

2009-11-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

Telluride, Colorado is a place some may have heard of and some may not, it’s located in the mountainous region of south West Colorado. Some famous people who live or have lived there are Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, not bad neighbors if you can get them. Telluride has plenty of things to do all year round and hosts several festivals like Telluride Film Festival, the Telluride Balloon Rally, Telluride Jazz Celebration and more, if you’re the ‘artsy’ type.

Being in Colorado, Telluride is, as you’d imagine, a very popular ski destination. The resorts there are upscale and posh, a hot tub on every patio and a fire place in every room. The look of downtown is what you’d imagine an old western town to look like. Skiing isn’t the only winter sport popular in Telluride however, ski boarding is fast becoming just as popular, the truth is you’ll see as many snowboarders on the slopes as skiers anymore.

The mountains around Telluride make it a great place for the latest outdoor extreme recreational and competitive flying sport – Paragliding. A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing. The wings shape is formed by its suspension lines and the pressure of air moving through vents in the front of the wing. There are several ways to launch a paraglider, the ones that I’ve seen launched involve people running off the side of the mountain, it looks fun if not a little nuts. So go visit Telluride, but you’d better love the outdoors.

Coney Island

2009-11-04T08:28:00.001-08:00

Ask any New Yorker over the age of 70 or so about Coney Island beach and boardwalk, located in southern Brooklyn New York, and more than likely a dreamy smile will wash over there face and a mist will form in their eyes, with good reason; in its hay day there wasn't a boardwalk more famous than the one at Coney Island.

They had a midway with rides, popcorn, cotton candy, big, salty pretzels, hot dogs and loads of people milling around and taking in the sights and sounds. After World War II the boardwalk area fell into disrepair and it wasn’t until recent years that it’s made a come back. Today with the opening of KeySpan Park, home to the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team and certain festivals and events like the Coney Island Mermaid Parade that is held every year in June and rivals anything you’ll see in Key West, things are certainly look up and coming to life again.

One of the most familiar and loved, icons on the boardwalk at Coney Island is Nathan’s Hotdogs. Nathan’s Hot Dogs is famous all over America; you can now buy then in many grocery stores in many states, and have always been an anchor business on the boardwalk. They are the sponsor of the I. F.O.C.E. Nathan's International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest held annually on the 4th of July. This past year was the ninety-fourth annual contest which was won by two-time defending champion Joey Chestnut who set a new record of 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes - yummy. If you’d like to watch the carnage live next year tune in to ESPN and you won’t miss a bite. I wonder how much ketchup, mustard, onion and relish they go through…

San Antonio, Texas

2009-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

San Antonio, Texas is a beautiful city with a distinct Latin flare and a very religious element; in fact there are many missions and cathedrals in the city including the famous San Jose Mission Church. One of the most visited sites in San Antonio is the World Famous Alamo where a handful of men fought the Mexican Army and died, including one of the best known men at the time Davey Crockett.

San Antonio is also a very happening place know for its art, music and night life. One place people flock to both day and night is San Antonio’s Riverwalk. The San Antonio River runs right beside it and the bridge has been used in a number of movies. You can shop, go to a museum or gallery, grab a bite, hear great music or just stroll long with your sweetie.

The Seattle Space Needle

2009-10-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

Even with the notoriously inclement weather, Seattle is a great place to visit. I love coffee, they are the birthplace of Starbucks, and I’d love to visit one of the famous fish markets there like Pike Place, being from Florida I’m also a big fan of seafood, but one of the biggest draws for me is the Seattle Space Needle. This tower is a landmark of the entire Pacific Northwest, not to mention a big part of the fantastic Seattle city skyline and having lived in Atlanta I appreciate a beautiful skyline.

The Space Needle is located at the Seattle Center and was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. The Space Needle weighs over 9,000 tons is 605 feet high and 138 feet wide, it has 25 lightening rods, can stand winds of up to 200 mph, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake and when it was completed it was the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River. In April of 1999 the City’s Landmarks Preservation Board designated the Space Needle a historic landmark.

The Space Needle has an observation deck at 520 feet and offers spectacular views of the nearby Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Elliot Bay. At 500 feet there is a gift shop and the SkyCity restaurant that rotates offering you a panoramic view of the city and at 100 feet you’ll find the SkyLine Banquet Facility that can accommodate 20-360 people, party anyone? See you there.

Grand Tetons National Park

2009-10-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

My Dad grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming and when I was younger we made several trips to visit family out there. I’ve always loved the wide plains and grassy meadows and I’ve actually been where ‘the deer and the antelope play’, you see we were driving along the highway and some antelope had indeed stopped to graze just over the fence, it was amazing.

One of the most beautiful places in America is no doubt is Yellowstone National Park famous for the geyser ‘Old Faithful’, everyone’s heard of Yellowstone but have you heard of the Grand Teton National Park , they are part if the same ecosystem. Grand Teton National Park was established on February 26, 1929 and covers 484 square miles in northwest Wyoming and has almost 200 miles of trails for hikers. The Tetons got their name from a French trapper who thought they resembled a woman’s breasts, Tetons means “nipples” or “Teats” in French. The tallest peak of the Teton Ranges is the Grand Teton itself which has an elevation of 13,770 feet. The Park is home to hundreds of species of both plants and animals including moose, elk, wolves, grizzlies, Bald Eagles, Osprey and many more. I hope to visit there someday soon my Dad says you have to see it for yourself to really appreciate it.

Weekend in New England

2009-10-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

Fall is the time of year that there a many things to look forward to, many areas have craft shows, county and state fairs, Oktoberfests and various other festivals and outdoor events. Football season starts for both college and professional teams while people and retailers start to gear up for the holidays, overall it’s a great time of year. Some people look forward to the weather cooling off the most while others can’t wait for the leaves to change, in fact some people plan their vacations around this event each year.

While leaves change colors all over the United States, New England is one of the best overall areas to watch this happen. Maine, because it gets cold there first, is normally earliest place to see anything, and then Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts follow it. The leaves’ changing is such a beautiful sight to see that it makes New England one of the best places to visit in the autumn.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

2009-09-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I lived in North Carolina for a few years and loved it. One of the things I lived the most was going to the mountains as we often did, especially in the fall and for Thanksgiving. I’ve skied down Sugar Mountain, been to Cherokee and traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway; one of my favorite places however is Blowing Rock.

Blowing Rock stands at an elevation of 4,000 ft and of course gets its name from the high winds that always seem to be blowing in the area. While I’m sure the local weather man can explain it all logically here’s the story I prefer – back in the 1700’s the Cherokee and the Catawba Indian tribes lived in the area and were enemies. Two lovers, one from each tribe, were walking by the Rock late in the day. The brave was so distraught at having to leave his lover that he threw himself off the edge, the bereaved maiden prayed to the Great Spirit to bring him back to her. The winds of the John’s River Gorge blew her lover back into her arms, and the legend was born. It’s said to this day that of you drop something off the Blowing Rock it’ll be blown back to you.