TravGuides.com

By Janie Blank

I wrote an article recently on department stores on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago and they are just that, magnificent, especially at Christmas when decorated. There is nothing quite like it. However, if department store shopping is all you do when shopping in Chicago, then you are missing some real gems.

There are basically three types of small shops. One is the chain shop. This would include Talbots, Pottery Barn, Gap, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. Much like chain restaurants save these for shopping at home. As far as that goes, the same is true of department stores. The sales tax in Chicago is higher than in most smaller cities so if you can buy it at home it makes sense to do so. Unless, like my Ya-Ya girlfriend who works about twelve hours a day, your trip to Chicago is your only chance to shop. Then go for it! I have also found that even though these chains operate in our city, they do not always have the same selection that a Michigan Avenue store can provide. Often these are the flagship stores of the chain and the variety is much more extensive. I bought some cashmere sweaters at the Ann Taylor on Michigan Avenue a couple of years ago and then later decided to exchange sizes. I found out that the local Ann Taylor stores did not carry the full array of colors that were available in Chicago.

A store that used to be found only in Chicago is Crate and Barrel. For the first few years we shopped in Chicago we always bought gifts there and they were people pleasers because everyone had seen the catalog but most people had no opportunity to visit the store. Of course that has all changed but their three level store on Michigan Avenue still has the best selection. They have lots of things pre-wrapped and a lot of things in a reasonable gift price range.

The second type of store is the high-end shop. Michigan Avenue is noted for its exclusive, luxury boutiques such as Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany, Georgio Armani, and Bulgari and other famous names. You might find these shops in other places but only in very large cities or resorts. Although not unique to Chicago these shops are not on every corner or in your local mall. Chicago has a street at the far north end of Michigan avenue called Oak Street. This is where a lot of your designer boutiques reside such as Kate Spade, Donald Pliner (shoes), Hermes, Frette (luxury linens), and a branch of Barneys New York. The surrounding streets such as Delaware and Walton as they intersect with Rush Street (a block west of Michigan Avenue) also have fine shopping. As a matter of fact saying you are shopping on Oak Street denotes a certain panache. A number of years ago my daughter bought her wedding dress, a simple elegant gown, in Nicole Miller on Oak Street.

The third type of small shop is the one of a kind, or shop that you can find only in Chicago. You are more likely to find these boutiques in Lincoln Park due to the exorbitant rents for Michigan Avenue real estate but I will save that for a different travel guide. Sticking to the ones downtown, there is a cute shop on Delaware called Pistachio that now has a second store outside the Nordstrom Mall. They have a lovely selection of one of a kind jewelry ranging from $50 to $500. They carry tons of earrings and pendants. They also have some unique gifts. They wrap everything in bright colored little boxes at no charge. With each purchase they throw in a cute little bag of pistachios. Nice touch. We never miss this shop and always find something for our grown daughters in there.

A wonderful store is American Girl Place (www.americangirlplace.com) on Chicago between Michigan and Rush. If you do not have a young girl to buy for find one! If not, just go in for the sheer fun of it! If they had only had something like this when we were little girls! This store used to be unique to Chicago but I understand it now has New York City and Los Angeles branches. There is a restaurant inside where little girls take their dolls to lunch. Reservations must be made months in advance. The selection of dolls and clothes is beyond the imagination of many young girls and many older ones as well. Heck, I even drug my husband in there once when we were in Chicago. He loved it! Right now we are still lucky enough to have one niece still in this age range. Over all the prices are reasonable. You can buy a darling doll outfit for $22 but it does add up. This is a Do Not Miss!

Another small store on the Mile is Chiarascuro (www.chiaroart.com). It is located in Chicago Place. It has a large assortment of whimsical gifts. One of my Ya-Yas once had them hand paint dozens of champagne glasses to give to friends and business associates for the Millennium. They work with several local artists. This is a regular stop on our list.

On Rush Street at about Delaware on the west side of the street is, of all things, a button store. We usually visit this store just from a fascination standpoint. They have some of the most beautiful buttons you will find anywhere.

A really cute childrens store is called Madison and Friends (www.madisonandfriends.com). It is at the corner of Rush and Oak. They carry hip childrens clothes and a huge amount of denim for kids. They have more recently opened a second location but it is still a store unique to Chicago.

Almost every shop is friendly and will gladly mail your packages home for you. We have actually gotten to know the manager of Chiarascuro. We did have one experience with a clerk in an exclusive boutique in the Bloomingdale Building. Unfortunately she did not recognize my Ya-Ya friend who had purchased a very large amount of gifts the previous year and although it was a few minutes before the posted closing time she had already locked up and would not let us in. The stores loss for sure!

Once you get your bearings you will be able to discover the many great shops in this compact area for yourself. I recommend a glossy little fold up street map for your purse.
A good map you can find online and print for Magnificent Mile Chicago shopping is: (www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_magnificent_mile_shopping_map.htm). I wrote recent blogs on where to stay and department store shopping on the Magnificent Mile so you might want to check that out as well (www.travguides.com/2006/08/where-to-stay-for-shopping-in-chicago.html) and (www.travguides.com/2006/08/chicago-department-store-shopping-on.html).

For the average person, just the word "Hawaii" conjures up an array of images; white sand beaches, large-scale hotels, blue-green water, and many, many palm tree's. For the most part, these assumed images are right, that is, if you are traveling to Oahu, or Maui, which is almost always the case when making a trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu and Maui are the most tourist traveled islands in the Hawaiian chain, and are busy year-round with travelers from around the world, seeking a beach paradise vacation.

However, there is an entirely different Hawaii out there to experience. I speak of the ACTUAL Hawaii, commonly know as "The Big Island." The Island of Hawaii is the youngest of the Hawaiian Island chain, made from several erupting volcano's. You will find few to none white-sand beaches on this island, especially on the Hilo side. There is the famed Hapuna beach on the Kona side of the island which fulfills any "Hawaiian beach dreams" you may have. The rest of the coastline of the this beautifully lush, tropical island, is rough, jagged, lava rock. It may seem formidable at first, but it is surreal, beautiful in its own rite, and relatively easy to walk on. The exception to this coastline is another anomaly of nature: the black sand beach. Black sand beaches are made from ground, evolved lava rock, and feel and look similar to white sand beaches, only black. They are truly a sight to see!

The five volcano's that created Hawaii are the still active Mt. Kilauea Mt. Mauna Loa, the inactive since 1801, Hualalai, and the recently inactive Mauna Kea and Kohala. The Hawaii volcano's National Park is an awesome adventure for all shapes, sizes, and physical capabilities. You can go as far as to hike down to the active lava, or simple view the volcanoes from the walking path and look out points.

For those with a sweet tooth or a common salt-craving, the Mauna Loa Macadamia nut Farm and Factory is another place to have to go. You get to see everything from Macadamia nuts on the plants, right through the cleaning, roasting, flavor-adding, and packaging processes, with plenty of free samples and Macadamia nut products available for purchase.

Near the town of Hilo on the Western side on the Island are some naturally heated pools, heated by the lava flowing beneath the island, which happen to be home to some Great Sea Turtles. This is a terrific snorkeling experience if that is your cup of tea.

All in all, a visit to The Big Island is a great idea and a fun alternative to the traditional Hawaiian vacation. With lots to do, impressive scenery and many anomalies of nature, it is defiantly worth your time!

Tony and I took a trip to London while we were staying in France. We flew out of there at 11 in the morning and were in England by 2 in the afternoon. The flight landed at London Standsed airport, which is about 45 minutes out of London. We took the regional train system, which was much better than the bus that my friends and I had taken the last time we had gone to London. We got to see much of the English countryside and were able to relax and plan the rest of our trip.

We were staying at a hostel that was located near to an underground station; which made transportation for the weekend quite easy to access. It was a bit further out of the way than the hostel from earlier this year, but it was nice nonetheless. When we arrived at the hostel, we couldn't quite believe our eyes, it was like a fairy-tale hotel! We had to check the address twice to make sure that it was actually our hostel, because on the outside it looked quite beautiful. It was called the Clapham Common Parkside Hotel, and we had found it, of course, on the internet.

Before we could go check in, however, we had some business that we needed to attend to When I had gone to London with my friends the first time that semester, it had been a question of whether we wanted to see a show or not, which of course we decided in favor of. In this case, Tony and me, as most of you will recognize, it was never a question of IF we should go to a show. It was WHICH shows shall we see?

We had decided even before he had arrived in Pau that we would see two shows. One of them only played Thursday nights, and it was for THIS reason that we left for London on a Thursday. Therefore, as soon as the regional train let us off on the underground system, we headed towards Leicester Square, where we knew that we could find reasonable, perhaps half-price tickets to the show we wanted to see. After we had purchased our tickets for that evening, we headed towards the hostel.

It ended up being a very nice place indeed. It was also VERY cheap, for London, which is the main reason we had booked it. We were shown a rather large basement room that contained, for a mere 33 pounds a night, two rather good sized beds, a closet, chest of drawers, sink, AND fridge! Perhaps the drawback would have been that the windows were barred shut, and the fire door which was located next to our room appeared to lead to an abandoned hallway.

HOWEVER, such is the life of young students visiting their way through Europe, and such is a HOSTEL. We were pleased to be insured of the fact that the sheets had been changed, because as we arrived, a woman was actually DOING this, and we had to wait several minutes before we could put our things in the room, and head back downtown for our show.

On Thursday night we saw "The Bible, abridged" which was performed by the same company that had done "The Complt wks of Wlm Shaskp." that I had seen the last time I had been in London. It was a fantastic show, and was VERY funny.

Friday and Saturday we spent sightseeing in London. Friday afternoon we visited the wax museum, and took many interesting photographs. Tony and I were both able to stand with such celebrated figures as GW and Hitler, as well as the Queen of England and the Beatles. Being "theatre people" as we are, I can tell you that many of the photos were QUITE interesting indeed. We had a GREAT time wandering through the rooms and I believe that both of us took several rolls of film. It was a great day!

We ended Friday by taking a walk to Abbey Road. Its one of my favorite places to visit in the entire world. There is something just WONDERFUL about walking across that famous crosswalk and taking pictures of each other and ourselves together. Perhaps one of my favorite parts of being at Abbey Road is to read the scribbles of the people who have visited before.

People come to Abbey Road from all over the world to take their photographs in the very same crosswalk. The traffic stops of course, because the crosswalk is one that ALWAYS gives the right of way to people walking across the street. The drivers seem to understand that people will forever be walking across the street at this very point, and there aren't even too many horn honks as they come to a halt and wait for fans to cross. Tony and I dared even to step into the street and halt, waiting for another tourist to take our photo.

After you have walked across the crosswalk and found the studios, you write your name and date and place on the wall. This has been done for years and years, and it is beautiful to read. "Long live the Beatles!" "I love you John!" and "we will never forget!" are scribbled across the wall surrounded the studio. People want to leave their mark, and its expected to do so. There are things written in all sorts of languages, things drawn, song lyrics, and many, MANY different names.

And of course we added our own. "Here Comes the Sun, Tony and Liza" we wrote on the wall, and on the 'Abbey Road' sign, as well as on the light pole in front of the crosswalk. We then left Abbey Road, content in knowing that we, too, had left our mark.


ON Friday night we saw The Lion King. The show is absolutely fantastic and beautiful. The people who have done the sets and props and costumes have done a fantastic job of creating a truly African cultural experience. The songs and dances and bright colors work together to form an amazing show that simply leaves the viewer on the literal edge of the seat. Tony and I had a most fantastic evening.

On Saturday we tried our hardest to see all that there was to see in London. Of course, since Tony and I have both been to London before, there was no pressure to see EVERYTHING. We walked around the Tower of London and shared some Tango and Kindereggs in front of beautiful buildings. We saw some of our favorite sections of town, and even visited the mall that was near the place we had both stayed before, many years ago. It was a rewarding experience for both of us, and brought back many wonderful memories to share.

Saturday night was the only night we ate in a restaurant. We are poor students, you all realise. We ate some fantastic Mexican food and stood in Leicester Square sharing a bottle of wine. We watched people, and we talked to people. After about an hour, shortly after I had finally gotten a hold of my littlest brother to wish him a happy birthday, we heard a street preacher talking in a megaphone. Tony, who had been practicing his English accent the entire weekend, was keen to engage this man in a conversation about the bible and various religious things the man was saying.

I have to say that it was interesting to hear his opinions and views, and it was also interesting to see the way the street preacher, who at first glance might SEEM concrete in his ideas and views, had no answers for Tony other than more biblical quotes. The man got frustrated with him I believe, and left. Later on, we saw another preacher who was doing a much better job. While the first one was simply shouting quotes into a megaphone, this man was standing amongst a crowd of people and he was not simply repeating the same verses over and over again. He was preaching love, and he was using the crowd to make his point.

We very much enjoyed our evening, and managed to just barely catch the final train back to our hostel. The train was full, and we were talking rather loudly. Of course, by this time, Tony had convinced me to practice my own English accent, that I wasn't even aware I had the ability to do. I am sure I didn't do it WELL, but it was well enough for two young and very nice English men to turn to us and start a conversation. Wisely, I stopped talking, knowing of course that Tony's accent was by far the better.

The two young men tried to decide where on earth we were from. They knew that Tony's accent wasn't LONDON English, but they couldn't guess where else it might be from "Cyprus? Greece? Italy?" They guessed, over and over. The United States was about the 7th place that they guessed, and they laughed when Tony said he was from there. "We don't believe you!" They said, and we both laughed. They then asked Tony to "do your American accent!" And when Tony said, in his normal voice "I am an American from South Dakota" the two men laughed and looked at each other. "Wow! " They said "He does a GREAT American accent!"

Tony and I laughed as the men continued to try to guess WHERE on EARTH we could have come from. "Nah!" they finally decided "He's putting us on! He's English!"

Sometimes its fun to pretend to be who we are not. It is fun to talk to others and to try to figure out what others are thinking, and where they are coming from. Part of the fun of being an "actor" is trying to make other people believe you are who you are pretending to be. I haven't done theatre myself for quite a long time, but I remember the feeling very well. That of stepping into another's place and wandering, for just a bit, in their shoes. Sometimes, by listening to others as they try to 'devinir' where it is exactly you come from, one can learn a great deal about themselves.


Yes, it is fun to pretend.

And other times, it is important to be completely yourself. To leave your mark on society and be certain that the people around you know exactly who you are and what it is that you stand for. For much the same reason that people come to Abbey Road from all over the world to leave their own mark on the place that helped to contribute to some of the greatest music ever recorded, it is important to leave your own mark on the things that are important to you.

Sign a guest book for somewhere you have been. Scratch a smiley face into the dust of your best friends rear car window while you wait for them. Write your name in the sand on a completely empty beach and walk away before the words are washed out to sea. These things, too, are important.

When Tony and I boarded the plane that took us back to France, we left knowing that we had left our mark, in some small ways, in London. The young men on the train might not have been able to guess where exactly we were coming from, but the wall outside of Abbey Road bears to this day our own words.

"Here Comes the Sun, Tony and Liza".

Find your own symbolic things to leave your mark on. Have fun, sometimes, pretending to be what you are not, but always know for sure, who you are. And when it is important, leave something of yours behind to prove that you have been, that you are... that you exist.
Greece? Italy?" They guessed, over and over. The United States was about the 7th place that they guessed, and they laughed when Tony said he was from there. "We don’t believe you!" They said, and we both laughed. They then asked Tony to "do your American accent!" And when Tony said, in his normal voice "I am an American from South Dakota" the two men laughed and looked at each other. "Wow! " They said "He does a GREAT American accent!"

Tony and I laughed as the men continued to try to guess WHERE on EARTH we could have come from. "Nah!" they finally decided "He's putting us on! He's English!"

Sometimes its fun to pretend to be who we are not. It is fun to talk to others and to try to figure out what others are thinking, and where they are coming from. Part of the fun of being an "actor" is trying to make other people believe you are who you are pretending to be. I haven’t done theatre myself for quite a long time, but I remember the feeling very well. That of stepping into another’s place and wandering, for just a bit, in their shoes. Sometimes, by listening to others as they try to 'devinir' where it is exactly you come from, one can learn a great deal about themselves.

Yes, it is fun to pretend.

And other times, it is important to be completely yourself. To leave your mark on society and be certain that the people around you know exactly who you are and what it is that you stand for. For much the same reason that people come to Abbey Road from all over the world to leave their own mark on the place that helped to contribute to some of the greatest music ever recorded, it is important to leave your own mark on the things that are important to you.

Sign a guest book for somewhere you have been. Scratch a smiley face into the dust of your best friends rear car window while you wait for them. Write your name in the sand on a completely empty beach and walk away before the words are washed out to sea. These things, too, are important.

When Tony and I boarded the plane that took us back to France, we left knowing that we had left our mark, in some small ways, in London. The young men on the train might not have been able to guess where exactly we were coming from, but the wall outside of Abbey Road bears to this day our own words.

"Here Comes the Sun, Tony and Liza".

Find your own symbolic things to leave your mark on. Have fun, sometimes, pretending to be what you are not, but always know for sure, who you are. And when it is important, leave something of yours behind to prove that you have been, that you are... that you exist.

I was nearly to the point of not going on spring break because I couldn't find anything that fit my budget for this semester. However, 6 of my friends were heading to Barcelona at a VERY reasonable rate, so I decided to go along with them!

We left around 810 for Barcelona. This was a long process that took all of the day. We had a three hour train ride to Toulouse, which all of us slept through, and then another three hour trip from Toulouse to Le Tour de Carol, which is a boarder town with Spain.

If you have a map in front of you, you can see that Toulouse and le Tour de Carol are not really places that you would expect to travel in order to GO to Barcelona. However, the French train system, while it goes lots of places and is very affordable, is very time consuming because most little towns only have a couple of trains that go a couple of directions. The trains MOSTLY run from each town to Paris and back again, and they don't often run the directions in between. So we had to go to Toulouse, even though it is in the other direction from Barcelona.

At any rate, we were in Le Tour for about three hours before our train left for Barcelona.
The last train took us to Barcelona and we arrived at about 8:30 pm. We found our hostel with no problems and started to check in. This was the moment in which we all realized that perhaps 11 euros a night was a bit too little to pay for a decent place! When Lisa went to check in, she paid, like all of us had, with a credit card.

When she went to sign the slip, she noticed that the man had charged her 558.00 euros instead of 55 euros and 80 cents! It was obviously a mistake, but she was upset and the language barrier made it difficult to insure that the problem was taken care of...and the man was a little mean with us. However, a call to the manager and a check with the credit card company insured that it was, indeed, taken care of.

We had all been a little disappointed to discover that we were staying in a room with 18 beds. There were seven of us, and we had really wanted out own room. However, we found that through the five days, many interesting girls came and went. We met three from Germany, followed by three that we never spoke to because they danced all night and slept all day, followed by three from the states who gave us cookies because they had packed too many. Never underestimate the value of meeting new people. You just might get free cookies!

We spent the next four days sightseeing. Saturday we shopped a LOT because the stores in Spain were MUCH cheaper than the stores here in France. We went out on Saturday night and didn't come home until 4 in the morning. This is the way it goes in Spain! Many of the bars and clubs do not even open until 11 or 12, and if you show up before one you are looked at funny. So we went to the Hard Rock Cafe around 10 for dinner, and found a dance club after that! In Spain the night life doesn't seem to start until dinner does, and that doesn't start until after 10 PM. Bars are open AFTER dinner, and clubs are open after that. People make up for staying out so late however. We were frustrated to discover nothing open until 10 or 11 on our first morning there. We decided we would stay out late like the Spanish and sleep in like they did as well!

We had a fantastic time, but of course we didn't get up until 12:00 on Sunday. We bought ourselves 2 day passes on a hop-on hop-off tour of Barcelona. Sunday we rode the entire tour from top to bottom, seeing all of the sights from a double-decker bus... the houses of Gaudi, his Sagrada Famillia, the Olympic park and all of the buildings built for that, the pier and the beach, and the older downtown areas of Barcelona.

On Monday we rode the same tour again but this time we got off of the bus at various locations. We climbed to the top of the Sagrada Familia, a cathedral built by Gaudi, which is still being completed. Look it up on the internet, it is amazing!

This is perhaps the most beautiful building I have ever seen! We had so much fun wandering around and looking at it and also visiting the museum that showed us the history and CONTINUING plans for this remarkable building. We also saw the Olympic village and an old Spanish Village where we walked around and took more pictures. We took pictures for two days straight! It was a fantastic trip. On Tuesday we visited the Picasso museum and did some more shopping. Some people we love are getting lots of stuff from Barcelona! It was so cheap and SO much fun!

Yesterday was spent again on the train. I am beginning to really enjoy train rides. There is something wonderful about getting onto a car in a station and watching the countryside pass you by until the car stops and you are in another town. It is interesting for me because unlike a REAL car, in which you can go ANYWHERE, the train cars go from the same place to the same place, and back again. The track that you begin with continues without an end until you reach your destination.

I suppose this could be somewhat like lives. Some of us get in our cars and pick roads, and some of us stick to the same track until we reach our destination. The same track might be safe and predictable, and there might be an awful lot to see on it, but think of the train cars, and the monotony of seeing the same mountains and trees every single day of life.


While we were on the streets of Barcelona, some of the girls with us wanted to constantly be looking in the guidebook for a map to make sure we were always on some great big street and we always knew exactly where we were at all times. I put up with this throughout the sightseeing days, knowing that there were certain things that we WANTED to see, much like the fact that there are certain train stations you should ALWAYS stop at in your life. However, as we left the Picasso museum on Tuesday, and they hunted in their book for just the correct street to lead us SOMEWHERE, I decided that I had had enough. I reached over to Amy and shut the book.

"Listen up, guys" I said to the group. "My mom has got this great system for going places."

My friends all listened intently. In London, a few weeks ago, I had referenced my mother when we were lost and everyone was grumpy because we couldn't find our underground station. In the rain, I had stood in front of them and said "My mother says that ATTITUDE is the difference between an ADVENTURE and an ORDEAL" We had all smiled, laughed, and continued on our trip.

And so in Barcelona, when they heard me mention my mother, they knew that perhaps I was onto something. "My mom picks a road, you know;" I said.

And it's true. My mom picks a road and goes, and she sees what she sees and she always arrives at the destination, usually after having seen much more than the same mountains and trees. She always arrives where she meant to arrive. Of course, some days it might take her a couple of hours to drive across town, and some trips to North Dakota certainly have taken much longer than they should. But every time she picks a road, she ends up going exactly where she wants to, in a much better way than simply hopping on a train and taking the path of least resistance.

And so we picked a road at random, leaving the Picasso museum. We turned down an alley, and again it was raining a little. We splashed through the puddles and laughed and talked as we looked at buildings and explored the alley. One more random turn brought us to the most amazing shopping street that we had found yet, and we happily spent the afternoon going from shop to shop, finding great deals and fun things to see.

When the sun was setting, and people were getting antsy to head back to the hostel, we picked one more road, and took a turn, by random. And there, in front of us, was the street that led directly to the place we were staying.

"Hey!" the girls exclaimed. "This whole picking a road thing works pretty well!"

A track works great for a train, yes. And on days like Wednesday, when you are tired and your braids are VERY fuzzy, and all you want to do is get home, call the people you love, and go to sleep, a track is a great way to go. You don't have to think about it, you don't have to consult any maps or make any plans. You step up on the platform and choose a seat, and watch the world go effortlessly past your window. Trains are wonderful ways to travel. We enjoyed being on that track, twice. One time it took us to a beautiful city, and the other time it took us home again.

And tracks work well, too, for sightseers. Our bus rides might have taken us around the same track a few times, but we were sure not to miss any of the important things in Barcelona, and the bus was always waiting to pick us up when we were ready to head to the next stop. The bus was affordable, easy to use, and very useful. And it followed a track.

But by far our favorite day was Tuesday, the day that we picked a road. We all found the most amazing things, and saw things that we would have never seen on a track. We saw the little cafes and the small children playing in the courtyards. We visited tiny stands where the men in charge would bargain with us until we walked away with something wonderful for a very little bit of money. And we found a tiny diner to eat in, where the man fed us salads, roasted chicken, rice, diet cokes AND flan for desert, all for 7 euros and 50 cents.

We would all agree that picking a road works the best. Thanks, Mom.

It truly is a new century in France. After traveling abroad in France this summer, living and learning in a country different from my own, I was able to see this with my own eyes. It was enlightening to witness many of the things I had previously read and learned about while in France. As a traveler to France for the third time in eight years, I was able to see the changes that have taken place there even in that short of a time. A month and a half, this time, was much longer than any of my previous European travels, and allowed me to appreciate much more of the culture and social life of the French people.

While I was abroad, I was able to witness many things that I had read about in John Ardagh's book France in the New Century . The overviews presented in this book were detailed and descriptive, and provided me with much background knowledge to draw from. The discussions in class, personal experiences and conversations, as well as the other material that I read helped me to tie much of the information together and get what I believe is a firm understanding of the cultural and social life of the French people. I was able to witness, not just read about how they live, educate their children, work, play, and pay for what they want. All of my French experiences have tied into what I believe is a more culturally accurate and detailed knowledge of the Francophone culture. I am grateful to have had this experience, and plan on using what I have learned many times over in my life to come.

Knowing much about French social life, their customs and education, as well as the place of the French in the world must have its base in history. An overview of anything related to France must begin with the most obvious aspect of French life - their culture. The life of a French citizen is dominated by the French culture. Unlike America, where all cultures are celebrated and encouraged, the French culture is the only culture that is truly accepted in France. This is not to say that other cultures don't exist, or are not allowed, but simply that in France, people live like the French. Every aspect of the French culture is carefully controlled and regulated - the Minister of Culture maintains the "correct" way of French life, while the Academy maintains the French language.

It is important to be "French" while you are in France. This is made clear by the ideals and opinions of the citizens of this country. If you are not "French" you do better to pretend you are trying. I had been told dozens of times that French waiters will be rude to you - unless you try to speak French to them, in which case they will be considerably nicer. In French stores, if you greet them in French they will help you more. If you don't wear anything that screams you aren't from France you will be better off than if you do. These things I learned.

But what is "French"? What does it mean to be French? There are aspects of life that are very important to the French people. John Ardagh discusses these ideas fluently in his book France in the New Century and I have learned much about what it means to be French by living in France.

To be French means that great importance is placed on the family life. In chapter 8, Ardagh discusses the importance of a tightly knit French family. He explains that historically the French family is very close and important to people. Who you are in dependant on who you live with - literally who you are - who your parents are and who their parents were. Through the years the idea of family has gone from the extended family to the small family units, parents and children, which has become the most important aspect of a French person's life.

The family is central. In France, people don't have a lot of "stuff". They don't have things that cost money; instead they spend their money on people. They take long vacations to be with family and go out to eat or to concerts or events that they can all do as a family. To be French means you care about the people around you more than the things you own. The French spend their money on things like flowers and food, things that people think of as romantic and loving. It is important to a French family to get back to their "roots", or to re-discover themselves on vacations and trips together.

I did witness this in France. It seemed to me that it was true that people didn't have a lot of stuff. They had bookcases with just a few books on them, but they would spend hundreds of Euros to take their children to a fancy restaurant or rent a car to go to the seaside. It wasn't important for the French women to have fancy clothes, but rather to take an extra week to travel with their husbands.

The family and social life, therefore, that I witnessed, was all rolled into one. Most families would have large dinners at their house where the entertained all of their relatives. They would attend concerts in the park or take a vacation to England or Spain. It was apparent that even the poorest people would try to take a vacation rather than buy anything new for their house or themselves. It just wasn't as important to own things as it was to eat good food and enjoy the company of their loved ones.

Enjoying things together as a family is possible in France because of the huge emphasis that is placed on cultural activities. In France there are many opportunities to enjoy cultural experiences and to witness things that involve the French idea of culture.

Ardagh discusses the importance of French culture throughout his book, and I witnessed it throughout my stay in France and all of my travels. I found that above all else, cultural ideas were very important.

Perhaps the reason that culture is so important in France is that it is at the height of everything the people do. As Ardagh talks about in chapter 6, French people spend money on what they believe are truly culturally important things. 50 million Francs on the parade to open the World Cup, thousands spent to open museums and exhibits, money that the French will spend to celebrate a cultural event. Many times the French will spend money on cultural events rather than on remodeling their apartments with brand new furniture.

I witnessed this enthusiasm for cultural events while I was in France. The Tour de France - the parades and merchandise give-aways that proceeded and followed it - the crowds of people waiting in line, following the race, buying things for their racers. I also saw many festivals and exhibits while in France - everyone seemed to want to celebrate some aspect of the French culture. We walked through parks that were full of people sharing and buying French art, or music. We saw dancers in Paris and artists in Bayonne - all wanting to celebrate where they came from and allow others to help them maintain the French lifestyle.

Ardagh goes on to talk about, in chapter 6, that however much the French might want to celebrate culture, it is usually having to do with a group of people or performers rather than one single person or artist. This we saw also in great detail. Instead of having an art exhibit of one artist, we found exhibits of certain types or mediums of art. The focus never seemed to be on a single artist. While touring the Béarnaise cities, we saw a highly publicized exhibit about artists who worked with the clay medium. Most of the artists had a similar theme, but in the exhibit itself, the focus was on the medium. There were signs about the detailed work that had gone into the clay artifacts, but hardly anything about the artists themselves.

This was similar throughout the places I traveled in France. Even in Paris, many of the museums that we toured contained wings with focuses on the medium or the project, and almost on the side references to the artists themselves. Compared to the American style, where oftentimes you see exhibits of a particular person, it is different to see the people themselves not as important as the idea behind the art.

Performing Arts are also discussed in Ardagh's book. He mentions that performing in groups has become very important, while solitary performers are not as important. In the musical scene, I can see this trend. While we were in France, I saw many advertisements for musical groups - I did see advertisements for solitary musical performers, but many more for groups.

More importantly, regarding the arts, is Ardagh's point that France is slowly becoming a more artful society. This might seem strange, given the idea of France as a cultural and artistic place. It was once, but in the recent past France had fallen into a less artistic mind set. Ardagh explains that in these changing times, the French are beginning to be more involved and excited about music and art than they have been in the past - more comparable to the great traditions in years gone by. For instance, Ardagh notes that summer music festivals and amateur activities like choral singing and drama are becoming more and more widely accepted and performed. I witnessed this as well. France is turning away from the solitary closed performances of the past and the stuffy recitals and opera halls and becoming more and more open and excited in its music and arts scene.

While we were in France, we visited many such outdoor festivals. I saw a Blues Brothers concert which was quite enjoyable, where the people in the town sat around on the grass and enjoyed themselves. There were also large, open gatherings while I was in Pau. Free outdoor movies and concerts that celebrated the openness of summer and the delight that the French have for their cultural heritage.

Another aspect of the cultural importance in France and the way that it is changing is that the French are becoming more and more aware of the visual arts. Ardagh talks about the French people's continuing effort to bring new museums and exhibit halls into the French landscape. I also witnessed this while I was in France. Every town we visited, it seemed, was having the grand opening of some museum or another.

France is a cultural society. And the cultural ideas of the French citizens are extremely important. However, one of the things that I noticed the most while I was in France was that it was French culture that is important, not necessarily the culture of the people who are in France. As Ardagh discusses in chapter 3, the French are making social progress. The French have a great social welfare system. They take care of women who give birth, they take care of the poor and the sick and the children. Education is free, maternity leave is mandatory and paid. Doctors are free. In France the elderly don't have to chose between food and medicine like they do in America. It is important to the French to take care of everyone, and it seems that no one minds paying for it.

However, in France, it is almost always the French that benefit. The problem or racism is continual. Immigrants aren't considered to be "French." In chapter 3, Ardagh discusses some of these problems. He mentions that the poorest areas are those with the highest number of non-"French" born citizens. These are the places with the most crime, and least number of advantages, the worst schools. The technical stance in France, coming from the revolution, is that all citizens should have equal rights, and therefore their ethnicities don't matter. However, this is not the case in "life". There is much hatred towards minorities, and a general sense of French nationals being "better" than others.

While I was in France, I didn't see much racial violence. I think that I went to bed too early and stayed in safe neighborhoods. However, I did see a lot of graffiti that spoke out against the Arab population, as well as the United States. Also, I heard tales from students who were in Pau for longer periods of time about seeing violence among the races.

What I did see was an obvious distinction between the upper and lower classes. It seemed to me that an awfully large number of minorities lived in the high rise apartment buildings that would be called the "slums" in the United States. I don't know if I saw a single person of a minority who lived in the upper class neighborhoods I traveled in.

I also saw racial differences in jobs. Many people who worked as street vendors, or, worse, who begged for money on the streets were minorities. Banks and restaurants and stores employed "French" people only. I seemed to notice the racial differences more in the larger cities, but even in Pau it was important that the minorities lived and worked in a very different France than the natural born French people did.

Within all of these cultural aspects of French life, there is a struggle for Globalization. In the world today, there is a push for the countries in power to be more open and more accessible. The French are generally opposed to the issue of Globalization. According to Ardgah's book, it is hard for them to give up the cultural ideas that they have had for hundreds of years. The French are a proud country of people, and it is important to them to maintain life exactly as it has always been. In France, the people do not want to change, although they like the modern conveniences of the Globalized life. The Academy, for instance, strives to control the French language. Whenever a new idea or produce is introduced, the Academy will create a French word for it to prevent other languages from creeping into French. The French people, however, still use these words, whether they be American or otherwise. The Academy will give a word for something, but if the American way of saying it makes more sense to the French people, or if they are used to saying it that way, the French word might not be used as much, except in the highest society.

The French also try to globalize without losing who they are. In this Stealth Globalization, the French attempt to become a globalized nation without actually admitting they are doing it. Ideas that the French say they dislike do well in France because they are convenient. While I was in France I saw this in numerous ways. The shopping center, for instance, a purely American idea, is creeping into even the smallest towns in France. American music is thought of as being bad and not really music, but it plays on the airways. English is spoken more and more as the French people realize that speaking English is a necessity.

While I was in France, I began to realize that this is true. I saw many examples of anti-American sentiments. Graffiti on the walls, anti-American propaganda, and a general dislike for American ideas. However, I saw many examples of American things that the French people enjoyed. The computer - many French people have and use computers - to name one of many.

France is moving towards globalization. One of the oldest states in Europe, with a permanent seat on the security council, France has always been an important nation. The French people and the French government understand that to become globalized is to be important in the world, and they need to become globalized to continue to succeed in the world today.

However, it is difficult for France to become globalized because it is a centralized state with deep set traditions, values, and cultural ideas that make it nearly impossible to change quickly. The view that only the state understands the public good, and the idea that it is important to have a state that controls everything so it can look out for everyone are hard set ideals that people don't want to let go of. It is hard to imagine a France any different than the one there is today, but changes are slowly coming into it.

Although the Academy is in charge of the language, and although they continually recreate words to fit the new ideas presented, words like "week-end" and "Disney" creep into the vocabulary. When it comes to globalization, culture is the most easily affected and quickly noticed. American culture is becoming the most important culture in the world, and therefore Globalization is associated with America. This happens in France as well.

The French do not want to become American. They don't want American ideas or products to become the norm in their society, but it doesn't seem there is anything they can do about it. Take McDonalds, for example. Although the French will say they HATE McDonalds you can hardly ever get into one because of the vast number of people inside.

Globalization is a huge challenge for the French people. In his book, Ardagh tries to explain the ways that the French are attempting to become more global-minded without losing their ideas. While I was in France, I saw this.

From watching and listening to my host family, the teachers at the school, and the French friends we met, I realized that the French really are a people who are intent on keeping their culture while moving towards the future. If France is able to do that, it will continue to be a place that is truly a wonder to visit. This beautiful country full of culture and cultural ideas has the ability to become one of the world's strongest nations.

I have been very busy at school these past few weeks. They keep us busy with little bits of work every night, not enough so that we are swamped, but just enough to keep us doing well. I am very intent on learning as much as I can, so I try to do little bits of homework each night to improve my writing and spelling (and my accents, which I still cannot remember!) The snow has faded and has been replaced with very nice temperatures, around 8 and 9 C. I don't really KNOW exactly what the temperature IS, because I don't yet have a handle on the Celsius, but I know that it snows at 0 and BAKES at 35 (the temps we lived through two summers ago...) so for February, 8 and 9 and 10 is nice.

Last Saturday our excursion to Bordeaux was cancelled because of the half inch of snow. The bus company did not want to send out the busses in the case of accidents. On Sunday, however, we did have an excursion to San Juan de Luz, a coastal town that I had been to in the summer of 2003. It was a gorgeous trip through the country to get to the town. We had signed up for it on a whim, seeing the beautiful picture posted on the door of the office of foreign students.

"Randonnee!" The sign proclaimed. We didn't know what a Randonnee was, but the town looked beautiful and the trip was very cheap. We knew that Sundays in Pau can be a bit boring, so we decided to go. We were excited and the few of us that had signed up climbed on the bus and enjoyed beautiful scenery and a little bit of the town as it coasted by past the windows a couple of hours later. We were excited to visit this town, and watched the shops as we went past, glad to see that some of them were open, even though it was a Sunday. My friend Laila was wearing a brand new outfit and was excited to be headed to a new town to sightsee and do a little shopping. Laila came to the US from Brazil when she was 13. She has thick hair and calls me things like 'babe' and 'hon'. And she likes to shop, a lot. She showed me her brand new shoes the second we got on the bus, and I had told her that I thought they were GREAT new shoes for a day in a new town.

The bus seemed to be heading OUT of town though, before it stopped. We were slightly concerned with this, but as it began to climb a huge hill and wind in and out of tiny country roads we were excited that perhaps there was another winery, or some neat touristy thing at the top of the mountain. We arrived, the bus stopped, and we gazed below us, at the town of San Juan de Luz as it spread out beneath us. Tiny houses gleamed in the sunlight, roofs of spectacular colors shimmering like jewels in a long forgotten lake of some distant fairy tale, the kind where mermaids are nice and will share their treasure with you. The town was very small beneath us and the rain clouds that were coming in off of the mountains made the view quite distracting. So much so that we didn't see the leader of the group changing her own shoes.

There was a despairingly long path leading down the face of the hill and into the forests that separated us from the tiny French town. A VERY long path. I snuck a glance to the other people in the group. Some were lacing up running shoes, some were stomping out hiking boots. No one seemed to be wearing brand NEW shoes, like Laila, nor fake converse All Stars (paid for during the SOLDES, 4 Euros a pair!) like myself.

Worried now, I pulled out my trusty little yellow dictionary. Of course, my friends and I had signed up for the excursion thinking it was simply a tour of this town and another in Spain. "Randonnee" the little dictionary innocently proclaimed "drive; ride; walk; hike." My brain attempted to process those words as the occupants were shuffled onto the deserted forest ground, and the bus doors firmly shut. Hike?

Laila was trying not to get her new shoes muddy while at the same time reaching for her camera to take a picture of the beautiful town, the obvious, to her, reason the bus had stopped so far out of the way of the quaint streets and little, tame shops. She grabbed my arm and turned in quiet surprise as the bus threw itself in gear and back up quickly, heading down the windy mountain road.

"It's a HIKE, Laila."I said, and she laughed at me, at first, until she noticed the others hefting their backpacks onto their shoulders with determination and following the leader through the undergrowth that clawed at their feet, like a tide rising to drag them out to sea. The town was MILES away.

We followed the leader for quite some distance through trees and forests and mountains, keeping the view of the town and the spectacular sights in the foreground, hoping that a trick of the air made them seem quite further away than they were. Eventually we were amongst the trees, which made it hard to SEE the town stretched out before us, and I convinced myself that this was a GOOD sign, that perhaps it would just jump out of the forest like a jack in the box and scare us all silly. "Here I am!' It would say "Come shopping!" and we would laugh with delight and scrape the mud from our shoes and join it for tea in a nice, pleasant, climate controlled cafe.

But it did no such thing. In fact, before we knew it we were somehow in a residential district on the outskirts of town and the leader of the group was squinting at street signs and regarding her map. She had left the path behind, and we were finishing our hike in a suburbia that had quickly become hell. Our feet hurt, we were hungry, and every French car that drove past seemed to contain a driver who most certainly did not understand why a French woman was leading a scraggly group of tourists through the neighborhood. And it had begun, of course, to rain.

Three hours after the bus had left us on that muddy forest path, we arrived in the center or San Juan de Luz. We DID at last scrape the mud from our shoes and settled on benches that seemed very appropriate to the location. The woman in charge looked us all over as we collapsed gratefully and pulled out the sandwiches we had brought, expecting to eat them sitting beside the water, enjoying the view.

"We meet the bus in 30 minutes." She said, not at all unkindly. We hadn't complained much during the hike. Most of us had been too tired to mutter more than simple words under our breath. The woman gave swift directions. "Over there. Find a bridge, then take a turn, and find the bus." Before we could even remember how to tell her in French that we didn't understand, or manage to ask which direction to turn, she had pivoted and vanished into the crowds on the street. Laila sighed into her sandwich which was no good anyway: it was soggy with the rain, and stood up on her now muddy and broken-in new shoes.

"We had better head that way. Find a bridge, or something." We laughed, and we did.

We found a souvenir shop that happened to be open on Sundays and I bought some items with the Basque symbol on them. I did NOT buy any shoes. And that was all the time we had in the French Basque country. The bus found us and we climbed back aboard. Once upon it, I frowned and looked at the schedule. There was another town on the list.

Our bus took us across the boarder into Spain, to a town called Hundarrabia. I vowed silently to watch the leader and see if she put her hiking shoes back on. If she did, no way was I going to get off of the bus, adventure or no adventure! She left her regular shoes on, however, and we got off the bus in the center of town. The day was cold and everything was closed because it was a Sunday. However, we ended up walking around and taking pictures of the buildings and trees that looked like fingers spread out into the sky. We made Brenda practice her native Spanish and all bought pastries to eat. We met the bus and were back in Pau by 7 PM on Sunday night. We were exhausted and none of us felt much like walking anywhere, so we all went home.

My mother has always taught me to treat each experience like an adventure, and to learn from it. I have generally thought that this was good advice. I certainly DID learn a lot on this trip, and I saw things I had never seen before. Tiny houses, shimmering like diamonds, trees with fingers that reached heavenward. It had been quite the day to see new things. Even so, I would like to add one small piece of advice to hers, however wise it might be on its own. It's all nice and dandy to have adventures all of the time. But look up words you don't know BEFORE you leave on them. At least that way you can take along the right kind of shoes.

The St. Lawrence River is a body of water that runs from the Atlantic Ocean through to the Great Lakes. The river pours out like a tap running into a sink in a downward motion. The Seaway enables large ships come into the heart of North America by way of these Great Lakes.

The St. Lawrence River is sandwiched between the Appalachian Mountains to the south and the Canadian Shield to the north. The Canadian Shield stretches across most of Northern Canada up towards Hudson Bay. The river runs the length of 1,290 km from the Atlantic to the edge of Lake Ontario and allowed early settlers to make their homes in Canada. In 1535, Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence to modern day Montreal to make his home. He, like his predecessor, John Cabot was searching for a route to China and instead they discovered a gateway to a new continent.

For these early settlers, the St. Lawrence River was seen as the only practical means of moving both people and goods in towards the heart of the continent. Overland routes were too difficult (because of weather) and very dangerous. Between the Atlantic Ocean towards Montreal, the water was smooth sailing. However, the rapids just upstream from Montreal, made it almost impossible to navigate small boats through to take goods upriver, thus was the beginning of canals, dams and locks being built in the river.

As the ships became larger and as early as 1833, the first canal was built to bypass Niagara Falls. In 1855, the Soo locks and Canal were built allowing the first shipment iron ore from Lake Superior soon after.

Fast forward to the present. If you travel to the province of Ontario and northern NY state, you will find a series of ship elevators that allow ships (both lakers, which are longer and allow for more content) and salties, which are shorter than lakers and are ocean going vessels). This series of lake elevators run through the St. Lawrence River all the way to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan which enables these ships to deliver their goods to American ports such as Duluth, MN, Detroit, MI, Cleveland, Milwaukee, WI and Toledo, OH and as far south as Chicago, IL and includes Canadian ports such as Hamilton and Toronto, ON which in turn allows the goods to be shipped farther over land either by truck or by train.

Between Montreal, Quebec and Lake Ontario, there are five Canadian Locks and two that are American. Between Lakes Ontario and Erie, there are eight Canadian, not to mention the Sault St. Marie locks and that is just the beginning. The St. Lawrence Seaway was first opened in 1959 by Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower and took 15,000 people to build beginning in 1954.

Maybe not a tourist site that you would think of visiting, but it is definitely a place to consider. These locks are quite a sight to see. They are quite literally, a ship elevator that carries a ship to the next level. The Great Lakes are at different heights with Duluth (on the top corner of Lake Superior) is at 183 metres above sea level, where as Lake Ontario is only 75 metres above sea level. The amount of time it takes to go through a lock takes about 45 minutes per lock and for instance, between the eight locks of the Welland Canal (between Lakes Erie and Ontario) and getting through the canal takes about eight hours from end to end.

It is something for the whole family to see. I live close to the Welland Canal and have always taken visitors that are visiting from other places there. It is a marvel of man’s technology to view it and to that end and to encourage visitors, several of the locks have built visitor friendly viewing platforms and have added restaurants, gift stores and rest stops. For instance, on lock 3 of the Welland Canal, you will find its viewing centre. It has a platform for looking down into the lock itself, a gift store, a museum, washrooms, a playground for kids, a snack bar and a restaurant.

Not only for lakers or salties, the St. Lawrence River as well the other locks are also open to pleasure crafts, so viewing the locks from the water is also a possibility. Tours with stop overs in cities such as Prescott (to see Ottawa), Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Kingston or the Welland Canal to visit Niagara Falls are even available if you do a little bit of research. One I found comes out of Quebec City and ends up in Buffalo, NY. Massena, NY also offers some special events to encourage people to visit the Eisenhower locks and would be a great place to visit during the fall months.

While you are visiting the locks you can learn a lot about on how they work, how many ships travel through them (the Welland Canal is open from the end of March till the end of December) and sees about around several hundred ships pass through its locks every season. There are a lot of opportunities to visit the various locks, both in the United States and in Canada and should be viewed at least once during one’s life time. Besides airplanes and trains, it is another of man’s wonders in seeing these big ships and how they travel into the inner parts of North America.

By Brandi M. Seals

The Northwest corner of Arkansas has gone through a boom recently. People from all around are moving here because industry giants like Tyson, Wal-Mart, and J.B. Hunt are headquartered here. With these people come visitors. No longer is Arkansas being thought of as a hillbilly state. It is now joining much of the rest of the country as a tourist destination.

While you may come to Northwest Arkansas for work, pleasure, or to live, there are destinations that everyone should check out. Whether you have got only a day or the rest of your life, make sure to pop in at one of these great Northwest Arkansas locales.

1.) The 112 Drive-In
The 112 Drive-In movie theater, located on Arkansas-112, is a rarity. Only a handful of drive-in theatres remain in use across the country and Northwest Arkansas is home to one.

The theatre shows double features every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the Summer and in early Fall visitors can catch movies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Larger vehicles, like SUVs, vans, trucks, and RVs are restricted to the last four rows while cars are given free reign. Every spot has a great view of the screen and no one needs to worry about parking close to the speaker stands. Most of the original speakers have been removed (though visitors can spot a few in the last few rows). Instead movie-goers turn their radios to 92.7 FM to catch the movie feed.

The drive-in is the place to be, so arrive early to get your spot. Guest can bring food and drinks or purchase something at the concessions stand. However, alcohol consumption is not permitted on the grounds. Call 479-442-4542 for the current week's movies and show times.

2.) Devil's Den State Park
This gorgeous state park is located south of Fayetteville in the small town of West Fork. Set back away from modern conveniences, entering Devil's Den is like wondering into the forest of yesteryear. There is a feeling of calm and serenity that takes over in Devil's Den State Park.

The park offers several hiking and biking trails, along with camping opportunities, rustic cabins, caves and waterfalls. If you like nature, you will love Devil's Den. While there, you will not notice many bugs. The bat population in the park is surprisingly high and they control the pests through out much of the northwest corner of the state. If you are afraid of bats, do not worry. They are rarely seen in the park during the day. They mainly stick to the caves.

Next time you feel the urge to see green trees and hear running water, pack up your family and head to Devil's Den. Pack a picnic and spend the whole day exploring.

3.) Walton Arts Center
The Walton Arts Center is located on Dickson St. just off the University of Arkansas' campus in Fayetteville. The Art Center always has something going on. From ballets to productions of Aida and The Producers, there is something for everyone. See what will be playing while you are in town by visiting Walton Arts Center (waltonartscenter.org).

4.) The Jones Center for Families
This wonderful center in Springdale offers children and parents alike something to do. Go ice skating with the kids. The Jones Center has an indoor ice rink. Be sure to brink a thin jacket or a sweatshirt. It can get cold in the ice arena. Check their website (jonesnet.org) for open skate times. If you are a horrible skater and don't want to let anyone in on it, opt instead to use the center's pool. There are hours set aside for lap swimming and for open swim.

Aside from the skating and swimming, the Jones Center offers more recreation and a few programs. The building has a multi-purpose gym with various courts and track. Check with the Jones Center for a listing of current programs.

In the summer time, the Jones Center for Families' parking lot also serves as the location of the Springdale Farmer's Market. While the kids are indoors working up a sweat, you can be outside loading up on the freshest peaches, tomatoes, and much more. The farmer's market is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7am to 1pm and Saturday 7am to 7pm.

Chicago is very well known for its Magnificent Mile, and well it should be. Where else can you cover such ground in such a short distance?

Department Stores
Just about every well-known name is represented on Michigan Avenue. Starting at the South end is the relatively new Nordstrom Mall with a nice Nordstrom store as anchor. This is not as large or as glamorous as some in the chain but it does have a fine selection. Their customer service is second to none. Last year my girlfriend, and fellow Ya-Ya, bought me a beautiful nightie and robe as my Christmas gift and somehow managed to misplace it before returning to the hotel. She went back and tried to see if she had left it there in the store and they ended up ordering her a new set and only charging her for postage! Now that is world-class service. Of course maybe they checked to see how much she spends in their store and figured she was worth it, ha, ha!

As you move North along the avenue you come to Chicago Place which contains the Saks Fifth Avenue womens store. The mens store is across the street and down the block. The stores that are in malls are kind of nice because we go in the first week of December for Holiday shopping so being able to get inside out of the cold and hit a lot of stores at once is as Martha would say, a good thing.

Across the street and down another block on the east side of Michigan Avenue is Neiman-Marcus. They have the most incredible cosmetics department I have ever encountered. They have lines I have never heard of and the more expensive ones that the normal chains do not carry as well as all the well-known brands. My daughter has a girlfriend that works there and she is a floor salesperson. Rather than working for an individual cosmetics line, she actually works for Neiman-Marcus. When you work with Reena she can sell from any counter so you feel like you are getting the best recommendation, not just what a particular line has to offer. The cosmetics person at the counter where she leads you still helps out with specialized knowledge of that brand. Lets face it one size does not fit all and as we age, there are certain products that suit us best that come from a variety of manufacturers. She also throws in a lot of samples. I try and save up my cosmetic buying needs for this trip so I can work with Reena. She also can gather information on you and let you know when there is a sale and ship items to you.

As you continue north a couple of blocks you come to the famed Watertower Place. This mall contains two departments stores, Lord & Taylor and Marshall-Fields, soon to be Macys much to the chagrin of almost everyone. This is a smaller Marshall-Fields and in my opinion cannot hold a candle to the main store in the Loop. The flagship store contains the famous Walnut Room where people line up for hours to have lunch in a room with a massive multi-story Christmas tree.

Lord & Taylor is nice, if not a little crowded. Most of the other stores are less cluttered with merchandise spread out a little more. Some of this depends on your taste. I am not fond of the stores that have narrow aisles and a crowded feel. But they usually have very good sales during the Holidays.

The final department store on the Mile is Bloomingdales. For this you need to go one more block and cross the street back to the west side to the 900 North building. My favorite part of the Bloomingdale store is the shoe department. Most women love shoes, but this shoe department is exceptional. It is located on the first floor and back to the right when you enter from Michigan Avenue.

There are some good Chicago shopping websites that also might help when trying to decide the best hotel location for shopping but one of the best is this map that details where each store is located.
(www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_magnificent_mile_shopping_map.htm). I wrote a recent blog on where to stay so you might want to check that out as well (www.travguides.com/2006/08/where-to-stay-for-shopping-in-chicago.html).

In ages past, the great transatlantic and transpacific ocean liners were all the rage. After all, there was no other way in the days before plane flights that one could cross the ocean or travel around the world. Even when airlines started to become successful the great ocean liners were still popular. But, all eras come to an end and, in time, these great ocean liners were retired do to lack of interest. Yes, there are cruise ships a plenty. But the days of using a ship to travel around the world have become a thing of the past. Or have they?

Anyone who has watched an old B-movie is probably fairly familiar with the cliche of the stow away on a freight boat who volunteers for duty. This was, the adventure seeker could see the world by conning the people in charge of a great freight ship into joining their journeys. These days as well belong to an era that is no more. Haven't they?

Well, while no one will accept a work for passage deal, quite a few freight ships will take on a passenger if the passenger buys a travel tickets with them. Yes, while they are not all that well known, freight cruises have grown in popularity in an amazing fashion in the last decade. The idea of visiting anywhere in the world in any manner one sees fit appeals to those who will enjoy the comforts and the fairly reasonable tickets prices of a freighter ship cruise.

For those unfamiliar with what a freight ship does, it is no different than a tractor trailer that one sees on the road. Freight and cargo are loaded upon the ship and then transported from port to port where drop offs and pick ups occur. It is not uncommon for a freight ship to be at sea for three or four months in a row, making several overnight stops in ports all over the world.

Some of these freight ships have a cabin or two that they are not using and they offer their cabins as a place to stay on the boat while one travels to a multitude of destinations (or even just one destination, depending on how long one wishes to stay at sea). Meals are also included as part of the trip which makes this quite a fabulous deal.

Is freight passage inexpensive? Freight passage usually runs $75-$100 a day. This is not a bad deal. Considering that three meals a day and a hotel room can run $200 a day and the hotel is traveling across the world. Booking a freight travel trip is kind of unique as most destinations are one way tickets and one will need to purchase another ticket on another freight cruise to get back home. (If one decides to return at all, that is!) Because there is quite a number of freight liners that accept passengers and the fact that each freight ship is following a different path across the world, one can create a wild adventure comprised of several composite tickets that will result in bouncing the traveler all over the planet!

For those interested in this type of travel, the website http://www.freighterworld.com/ is a great place to check out for news, information, bookings and articles. Freighter World is not the only site, however, as there are many others out there providing valuable information as well. In fact, when one takes all these sites into consideration, then it becomes fairly obvious that freight travel is far more common and popular than one would think. It is, however, far more popular with college age adults than with families. Perhaps this type of travel, since it suits the adventurer, attracts young males traveling solo a lot? Maybe. But it is a form of travel that can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a fun traveling experience.

Looks like the days of the great cruise liner traveling across the world still live. And, mercifully, because of the nature of what a freight cruise is, this type of trip will always be an intimate experience and not one that a person would have to share with a hundred other vacationers. Hopefully, freight travel will never suffer the poison of over-commercialization and stay such a wonderful little secret.

By Brandi M. Seals

Finding something new to do when you have lived in state all your life can be difficult. Visitors can also find it tough to find something to fill their time between dinners and sleeping in at their favorite hotels.

Next time you are in Michigan or are otherwise just looking for something new to do, stop by one of these great places:

1.) Visit Ojibway Island. Pronounced Oh-jib-way, Ojibway Island is located in the Saginaw River in Saginaw. It is wonderful place for concerts, riverside walks, biking, picnics and other family activities. It is also home to several large concerts throughout the year and probably offers the best spot to catch the Saginaw fireworks on the 4th of July.

If you and your family are looking for a good time outdoors try out Ojibway Island. It is named for the Ojibwa Indians that used to inhabit the area. It is also close to several great Saginaw locales.

2.) Drop by the Binder Park Zoo. Binder Park Zoo is located in Battle Creek (home of the Kellogg Cereal Company). It is home to several unusual animals that cannot be found at every zoo. Go see the red pandas. Check out the ring-tailed lemurs. Or, feed the giraffes that wonder through an open range that also houses ostriches, zebras, and other African animals.

The zoo is divided into two sections. The first features animals from the Americas. The African animals are a short train ride away. One the way over to the train, visitors pass under flags from nations around the world as peacocks mill about. This zoo is perfect excursion for any animal lover.

3.) Stop in at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. This wonderful locale is right on the Grand Rapids East Beltline. It is easy to get to and showcases some magnificent plants that would be hard to find in the cool Michigan climate.

There are Venus fly traps, several types of cacti, palm trees and much more. The gardens are mainly indoors, but there is a large outdoor sculpture park. The sculpture park is home to over 170 magnificent pieces, most notably a sculpture known as the American Horse by Nina Akuma. It pays homage to the Leonardo Da Vinci plans to create the largest horse statue.

During the springtime visitors will be delighted by flutter butterflies. Frederik Meijer Gardens is home to the largest butterfly garden in the United States. Over 6000 tropical butterflies from Central and South America and Asia are on display each spring in the Lena Meijer Conservatory.

4.) Experience Dutch Culture. Drop by Holland, Mich., on the coast of Lake Michigan. Here there is a thriving Dutch community that offers visitors a glimpse into Dutch traditions.

Holland was settled in 1847 by Dutch Calvinist separatists who were escaping persecution in The Netherlands. At the time the land was inhabited by the Ottawa, but they relocated after a clash with the Dutch settlers. Upon setting Holland, their leader Dr. Albertus Van Raalte established a congregation of the Reformed Church in America. Now known as the First Reformed Church of Holland, the religion has strong roots in the area.

Holland is known for its annual Tulip Festival and its unique charm. The Tulip Festival has been going strong since its start in 1930 and features approximately 6 million tulips around town.

Visitors can also stop by Dutch Village, a theme park and shopping center. Watch performers do traditional Dutch dances; workers dip and carve candles or the making of wooden shoes. Vendors also show the process of making delft, a blue and white pottery that the Dutch are known for.

5.) Visit the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. This area located along the Eastern coast of Lake Michigan is a National Lakeshore. It covers 35 miles of coastline. Get out a break a sweat climbing the sand dunes or if you are looking for a little more leisurely fun, try taking a Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This 7.4 mile self-guided auto tour features spectacular views from the top the dunes.

The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes are said to get their name from an Ojibwa story of a mother bear and her two cubs. The story goes as follows:

One day, a mother bear and her two cubs were in the Wisconsin woods searching for food when a fire broke out. To escape the blaze, the mother bear and her cubs swam across Lake Michigan to Michigan. It was a very long swim. It was so long that the two cubs grew very tired and fell behind their mother. When the mother bear came to the shores of Michigan, she climbed to the highest point she could find, a large hill made of sand. She waited for the cubs but her cubs could not make the long journey. Instead, the Great White Spirit, who watched over all the animals, turned the cubs into two islands. The mother bear, who soon grew tired, saw the two islands form in Lake Michigan and knew they were her cubs. Knowing that her cubs were safe, she soon fell fast asleep. Now, the cubs are known as North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island. Their mother was covered with sand to keep warm by the Great Spirit. She now watches over her cubs from her spot atop the giant hill made of sand. We call her Sleeping Bear Sand Dune.

By Misti Sandefur

Scattered throughout North America and various other locations are numerous indoor amusement parks you can enjoy with your entire family. Don't let rain and thunderstorms put a damper on your vacation or fun again. An indoor amusement park is the solution!

If you want to still experience the outdoor surroundings then take your family to The Park at MOA (formerly known as Camp Snoopy).The Park at MOA is 4.2 million square foot, and includes over 50 rides, arcades, unique shops, electronic shooting gallery, petting zoo, dining and much more.

The Park at MOA is located inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. -- roughly five minutes from the airport.

Load your family in the car and head to Ohio to visit the I-X Indoor Amusement Park at the I-X Center in Cleveland. I-X Indoor Amusement Park has 30 rides for the kids, over 30 rides for teenagers and attractions and entertainment for everyone! Note: I-X Indoor Amusement Park isn't open year-round. Check their Web site (http://www.ixindooramusementpark.com) for dates, times and admission fees.

Jeepers presents fun and excitement for kids ages 2 to 12. Their indoor amusement park provides families with rides, games, a playground and events. This indoor amusement park is located on the Northwest corner of Alma School Road and Guadalupe in Mesa, Ariz.

Go Bananas in Norridge, Ill., has rides and entertainment for the young and young at heart. Bumper cars, roller coasters, trains, games, bowling, simulators and more are part of the excitement awaiting your presence at Go Bananas. Go Bananas is less than 30 minutes from Highland Park.

Visit Disney Quest's Indoor Interactive Theme Park where you can experience 3-D and virtual reality -- entertainment in five levels. One of the many experiences you can participate in while visiting Disney Quest's indoor theme park is creating your own roller coaster -- oh what fun! You can construct your roller coaster however you wish, then, once complete, get into the simulator and ride the roller coaster you just created. Oodles of fun for everyone!

Disney Quest is located in the West Side section of Downtown Disney. Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to midnight.

Not into gambling, but still planning a trip to Las Vegas? Stop at The Adventuredome Theme Park where there are no slot machines but still loads of fun! Behind the West Tower at Circus Circus is five acres of rides and attractions for the entire family. The Adventuredome Theme Park is proof that there is more to Las Vegas than just casinos. Besides, wouldn't you rather blow your money on fun and excitement with your entire family instead?

Some of the rides at Adventuredome include the double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster, the Rim Runner (water ride), the Sling Shot, bumper cars, pirate ship, carousel and many more.

When you need a break from the rides, you can enjoy some of Adventuredome's attractions: miniature golf, simulators, interactive games, video games in the arcade, clown shows and more.

West Edmonton Mall in Canada is home of Galaxyland -- the world's largest indoor amusement park. While visiting Galaxyland you will discover roller coasters, a backwards tilt-a-whirl, a freefall ride, a pirate ship that swings, swings that swing and move in a circular motion and much, much more!

Cosmo's World Theme Park in Asia features 14 rides. Cosmo's World Theme Park is located in Berjaya Times Square, and covers over 300,000 square feet of floor space. Enjoy rides, live entertainment, games, places to buy snacks and more.

Wild Zone Adventures in Ontario, Canada (a short drive from the U.S./Canada border) has something for everyone no matter what your age. Some of the fun rides at Wild Zone Adventures include Emerald Mine (rollercoaster), a ferris wheel, flying airplanes, flying bus, laser rescue, bumper boats, go-karts and more.

Ontario, Canada is home to Fantasy Fair, another indoor amusement park. Fantasy Fair is located on the second level inside Woodbine Shopping Centre. At Fantasy Fair you can take a ride on the Fantasy Fair Express, enjoy a ride on their antique carousel, or make yourself dizzy in Ships Ahoy (you control how fast you spin).

No matter which indoor amusement park you plan to go to see, make it a family adventure! If you cannot decide on the amusement park you want to visit first, then you can always visit one amusement park, and the following year you can load up the family car again to visit another amusement park. Make your family adventures an annual event and try out all the indoor amusement parks listed above.

By Brandi M. Seals

Mackinac Island has long been a tourist destination in Michigan. This island, located in the Straights of Mackinac, is located in Lake Huron as it separates the Upper Peninsula from the Lower Peninsula. Visitors that take the ferry from Mackinaw City to the south or St. Ignace to the north will have a 20 minute boat ride to the island that features views of the Mackinac Bridge to the west.

Mackinac Island is like a place out of time. The 4.4 square mile island features Victorian architecture and does not allow motorized vehicles on its streets. Those that live, work and visit the island get around on foot, horse, carriage, and bicycle. An 8 mile long road encircles the island and interior of the island is carved with roads, and trails. Maps of the island can be obtained at the visitor’s center located near the docks. The road that surrounds the island stays close to the shoreline. It is M-185, a state highway. It is one of only a handful of highways in the U.S. that does not allow motorized vehicles.

The island features a small airport, Fort George, tourist shops that sell the best fudge ever, and the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel is a large beautiful hotel near the center of the island and serves as the only large-scale housing option available to visitors. The Grand Hotel opened in 1887 and features 385 rooms. Each room is unique. No two are the same.

The Grand Hotel is elegant and formal, like something out of "The Great Gatsby." When dining at the Grand Hotel, guest must dress for dinner. That means a coat and tie for the men and dresses or pantsuits for the women. While staying in the hotel, keep your tips to yourself. Tipping is not expected and it is not permitted. Instead it is an added charge included in your daily room rate.

If the Grand Hotel is not your cup of tea do not worry. There are also several smaller hotels and bed and breakfasts that guests can stay at.

Mackinac Island gets its name from the Ottawa or Chippewa word, Michilimackinac. The word has been translated to mean "large turtle" which the island definitely resembles. Note that Mackinac is pronounced Mack-in--w. The c is silent. Most places with the word Mackinac in it retain this original spelling, but Mackinaw City, on the coast of the Lower Peninsula, is spelled with a W so that it the word looks the way it sounds.

The island was at the center of the area fur industry starting in the 17th century and continuing as such up into the start of the 19th century. The Mackinaw Fur Company merged with the Southwestern Fur Company and formed the American Fur Company.

Mackinac Island was once in the hands of the fur-trading but the island changed hands to the British during the French and Indian War. The British maintained control of the island for awhile, even following the Revolutionary War. They built Fort Mackinac on the island in the late 1700s before giving the Fort to the United States in 1796. The British were not gone for long. They recaptured the fort in the War of 1812 and held it despite attempts by the Americans to regain control. The British held the fort until the end of the war, when it was returned to U.S. control by the Treaty of Ghent in 1815.

Mackinac Island went through some changes and has been a tourist destination since the early 1900s. It was once the second made national park in the United States. In 1875, most of the island was named, Mackinac National Park. Yellowstone was made the first national park only three years earlier. After Fort Mackinac was decommissioned in 1895, the land was returned to the state of Michigan and the area became Michigan's first state park, Mackinac Island State Park.

People live on Mackinac Island year round. Approximately 500 call Mackinac Island home 365 days a year. The residents live mainly in a historic community located on the southern tip of the island and in the community of "Harrisonville" which is farther inland. During the resort season the population increases 30 fold. The island can accommodate an average of 15,000 people per day.

Florida's fun and sun is great, but most of us want a more filling vacation, one that has more attractions than just shopping, Disney characters, and the beach. If you are one of those people, a terrific attraction to consider is the space-related adventure you'll have at Kennedy Space Center. It doesn't matter if you're not really interested in space travel and rocket-ships; I wasn't particularly thrilled with these things when I visited, but the excitement Kennedy Space Center provides proved to be an unforgettable fascination. The only big obstacle is the security issues that have become so much more important in recent times. Take care to cooperate with guards and make sure not to bring anything that could pose a problem. By complying with security standards before entering Kennedy Space Center, you will save yourself tons of trouble later on.

Kennedy Space Center lies across the East Coast near Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is easily accessible from well-known Florida cities like St. Augustine and Orlando. You can also get here from the popular I-95. It's wise to have an itinerary before arriving or you will be wandering around and wondering what to do next. Kennedy has a lot to offer and you don't want to miss out on any of it. If you're only looking for the attractions that are unlike anything else, don't forget to stop by "Astronaut Encounter." A real live astronaut graces the stage to answer queries. If you're lucky, there will be photo ops afterwards where your child (or you!) can get pictures taken with the astronaut in question. Find out if your trip will coincide with a particular encounter.

The Rocket Garden is one of the most interesting things you will see at Kennedy. This is actually what it sounds like; a "garden" filled with huge rockets, noses pointing to the sky. It is a very unique sight and a wonderful photo spot. Relatively near the garden you will see a big piece of metal that resembles a decorative steeple in an old church. This is actually an engine from Saturn V F-1. As you walk along there will be tons of places to snap a memorable photo, and to stop and explore. Murals and historical information are scattered across the grounds as you enter the complex. Many of the exhibits are indoors in various multimedia rooms and museum areas.

One of the strangest attractions at Kennedy is one that I am not sure still exists. People lined up to take a picture of an astronaut in a head-to-toe space suit. The "suit" was moving, but no one had any way to know whether there was actually a person inside or not!

You can board a special bus and take a trip to some Space Center buildings most visitors don't normally get to see. Kennedy is also home to theaters and interactive programs that give the illusion of actually being part of space exploration. If you find yourself getting hungry while visiting Kennedy Space Center and expect to wait hours to pick up fast food, fear not! There are some great restaurants here. One of the best recommendations is to make reservations for a special meal where you can actually eat with one of Kennedy's astronauts! This is guaranteed to be a time you'll never forget, and one that kids will store in their memory banks forever. If you don't plan to be visiting at a time when this is possible, another great restaurant is The Orbit. This, in my opinion, is a terrific place to eat. Instead of the regular boring sit-down, the food is constantly revolving, and you get to grab what you want as it goes past.

Check out the Astronaut Memorial for a somber yet fascinating side-trip. It is a huge mirror that reflects the names of the casualties of space travel. One thing visitors usually don't expect to see at Kennedy is alligators! Yes, when you stop by one of the small ponds in the area, you will probably see gators lounging in the sun. What would be a trip to Florida without seeing scaly creatures? It seems out of place for a NASA administration, but kids will love it.

You should be able to find anything your heart desires in Kennedy Space Center's gift shop. Two levels chock-full of all kinds of souvenirs and oddities, it is a space-lover's heaven. From "normal" offerings like t-shirts and plush, to more unique things such as space blankets, if you leave Kennedy empty-handed it is by your own choice! For those who like jewelry, there are even tiny rocket-ship necklaces to show off your love for the Space Center.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

by Janie Blank

I have two girlfriends I worked with when we were all just starting our careers and we have remained friends over the years. One way we have found to stay in touch is to go on what we call our Ya-Ya trip to Chicago to do Holiday shopping each year. We set the dates for next year before we leave this year. These dates go in the Palm Pilot or Blackberry and are in stone. By setting our trip so far in advance no meetings get scheduled for those dates. Another added protection is that the trip is always Sunday to Wednesday so family and social obligations do not interfere.

This will be our tenth year for the annual Ya-Ya event in Chicago. For the first eight years we stayed at the Lenox Suites. We loved the location at Rush and Ontario. It was just a short block off Michigan Avenue and a good place to start the mile. We always had a large suite on the northeast corner, only the floor varied. The room was always the same. It had a kitchenette and a bedroom with enough room for rollaway bed, as well as a pullout in the living room. The first year one of the Ya-Yas, as we call ourselves, had a weekend business conference that delayed her by a day so she got stuck on the rollaway. The other Ya-Ya did so much shopping the first afternoon before the other two arrived that she had already surrounded the hideabed with shopping bags so that became her bed of choice. So the tradition started. I am the lucky one who got the real bed but I am also the oldest, if not by too many years. I always tried to take my turn on the rollaway but no amount of insistence on my part ever changed it.

Before last years trip I got ready to book our suite and found that the hotel would be closed all of December for remodeling! Oh my! I did some online research and came up with the Omni at Michigan and Ohio. If a location could be more perfect than what we had before this would be it. The room description was even better with a hideabed in one room and TWO double beds in the other. No more rollaway. No more guilt for me. The price seemed right as well. The reservation clerk assured me we would NEVER go back to our old hotel. This I doubted but thought I would wait to reserve judgment.

When we got to the room we were pleasantly surprised. The countertops were granite. The linens were downright luxurious. The TV was a flat screen. Believe me there was nothing not to like. The bathroom in the old hotel could only be reached by walking through the bedroom. This one was larger and nicer and had an entrance from both rooms.

The shopping habits of the three Ya-Yas vary quite a bit. I do a lot of my shopping as the year goes by so that by the time I get to Chicago I only have a few people left to worry about. I like to walk in the morning, and go to the museum and see my two daughters and another girlfriend who live there. The second Ya-Ya is usually in the same mode I am so we hang out together, do a little shopping now and then, meet our friend for lunch and finally drag her off to dinner in the evening. She has a very high-powered job and just leaves no time for Holiday shopping but this trip. We always say she is on a mission.

As our Ya-Ya friend ran from one store to the next, shopping bags overflowing, she would need to come back to the hotel periodically to unload. In the process of this she discovered that the Omni has a limousine that will run you to, for instance, the old Marshall Fields or down to the Watertower at no charge! This is just part of their service! I doubt wild horses could move her back to the old hotel but being the one who always does the booking, I called the Lenox Suites this year and found out they have a new name! They also have a new, much higher room rate of over $100 more per night! It is amazing how quickly we were able to start a new tradition. Needless to say, we are booked into the Omni again this year.

During my youth, Covington, KY, the city I was raised, endured a face lift much like many cities go through. The stables that used house horses at the end of Scott Street next to the Suspension Bridge have given way to the River Center buildings and the used car lot at the beginning of Madison streets has moved so that Northern Kentucky could have parking for its own convention center. Even though Covington, KY has changed its skyline to attract corporate revenue, the city has not abandoned its old world charm. In 1988, Covington adorned its historic Riverside Drive with several statues that commemorated those who have crossed the shores of the Ohio River in the past. Statues depicting John Roebling, designer of the first suspension bridge that connects Covington to Cincinnati and Simon Kenton, pioneer explorer and name sake of Kenton county, in which Covington lies, are just a few of the statues that add to Riverside Drive's historic aroma. Among these life-size representations of historic Northern Kentucky figures, the statue of James Bradley, a former slave who did who followed his life-long dream to become educated, is one of the most astonishing.

James Bradley started his life as a child in Africa. Early in his life, young James was stolen from his family and brought to the Unites States. Young James arrived in South Carolina and immediately sold to a slave handler who brought him to Pendleton County. Within several months, young James was sold to Mr. Bradley, which whom James gets his surname.
James grew up on the plantation in Pendleton County, KY and by the age of eighteen James managed the plantation. James' master decided to move his family and the plantation to Arkansas and after the move; James sought out to purchase his freedom. James worked for his master during the day and at night worked for himself, often only able to muster a few hours of sleep during the night. After the death of his master, it took James over five years of working over time, to save seven hundred dollars and purchase his freedom. Once a free man, James crossed the Ohio River at the banks of Covington, KY. It was not too long after he taught himself how to read that James was admitted into Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. Being the first African American student admitted to Lane Seminary, James was instrumental in aiding the abolitionists during the infamous Lane Debates of 1834. After the rebellion during the same year, James attended The Sheffield Institute for one year, but nothing is known of James Bradley after that.

The James Bradley Statue, created by George Danhires, is made of bronze and has the dimensions of 49"x29"x53" with a base of 28"x8'x17". The statue is placed on an actual park bench over looking the Ohio River on Riverside Drive in Covington, KY. Tourists and residents alike have taken pictures of themselves reading along side of Mr. Bradley or sitting on the park bench next to him. The pages that are in Mr. Bradley's open book are blank, but they do not symbolize the emptiness of his life, but reinforce that fact that life is like an open book waiting for the written word.

Harriet Beecher Stowe, Slavery to Freedom Museum (1807 -).

This brick townhouse, fashioned in Georgian and Federal styles, is located in Washington, KY. In 1833, when owned by Marshall Key, nephew to Chief Justice John Marshall and brother to Col. Thomas Marshall who served as a Staff Officer under George Washington, his daughter became the pupil of Harriet Beecher (Stowe) (1811-1896), author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Upon a visit, Beecher (Stowe) received the inspiration for the book's characters, "Uncle Tom" and a "Topsy". Topsy's real name was Jane who later married Isham Anderson. Behind the museum is a small brick structure, known as an "Indian Fort." The Fort helped settlers ward off Indians who often crossed the Ohio River at nearby Maysville. Included in this museum are original mantels, woodworking, floor, doors, slavery artifacts, period furnishings, slave leg irons and Civil War artifacts. This museum is included on the "Underground Railroad Tours."

RiverCenter (1990-)

Master planned as an urban redevelopment that encompassed all aspects of private and public cooperation, RiverCenter was officially proposed to the city of Covington in 1988. Opening May 1990, RiverCenter composed of an eleven acre complex which included an eighteen story office building, a two-hundred and thirty roomed Embassy Suites hotel and Covington Landing which had two floating facilities that housed restaurants, shops, entertainment activities and riverboat excursions. At the time, Covington Landing was deemed the largest floating entertainment facility on a US inland waterway. Corporex Companies Inc of Ft. Wright was commissioned to develop the on land portion of RiverCenter. BnW was commissioned to develop the floating portion. North/south oriented, RiverCenter is bound by Court St., Second St., Madison St., and the Ohio River. Champion Ice Co. building, which was on the National Register of Historic Buildings, was demolished in to make way.

In the hustle and bustle of downtown living, mornings could prove a daunting time. There are only a few short hours where most people are going to work or trying to get their children (or themselves) off to school. This is why coffee and the shops that sell them have become so very popular. This is also why coffee shops have expanded to serve much more than just your regular cup of java. Large coffee chains have added to their menus a different bevy of barista wares. This phenomenon has not been lost on the smaller, locally owned coffee corner stores. Coffee Emporium is a perfect place to find the regular cup of Joe and more. For one thing, they roast their own coffee beans and have a marinade of selections to choose from. They only have a select few that are readily available for the drink and go crowd, but you can wait a few minutes longer for whichever flavor you want.

Saturday morning is one of the better times to go because you miss the sometime hurried bustle of the downtown crowd. Along with my Grande Carmel Latte, I order a sausage, egg and cheese croissant. Again, something else that can not be found at that larger coffee store based in Seattle, Washington. Not only are the baristas very pleasant, the also know how to make a sandwich, clad with wireless internet access, I park myself on the very comfortable couch and place my lap top atop of my lap (to actually write this article) and await my order. After many pleas form me to let me come up to the counter to get my order, the workers still make every effort to walk around the large counter and bring my food out to me. All though I would love to one day try their home made soups that are from Myra's Dionysus restaurant in Clifton, I never seem to surpass that craving for their breakfast sandwiches. Stay awhile, relax with your cup of coffee and maybe you will run into a marinade of Cincinnati's who's who. Coffee Emporium has another location in Hyde Park. After my breakfast sandwich, I come to the end of my latte but still craving more. I decided to leave with a Grande Carmel Frapichino (pictured below).

Grade: A

110 East Central ParkwayHistoric Over-the-RhineDowntown Cincinnatit: 513.651.5483 Store HoursM-F 7am - 4pm

When looking for a touch of French class in Cincinnati, there are a few different places one can frequent. Un-surprisingly there are all run by the famous Jean Robert. One type of French cuisine that was assuredly left out was that of breakfast.

This changed just a few moths ago when Jean Robert branched out and scudded across the Ohio River to quaint street of Greenup Ave to open the Greenup Cafe.

This cafe on Greenup surprisingly brings a touch of Rue De Champs Elysee to this Northern Kentucky city. Its outdoor seating, a few tables in the front and the side and a larger number in the back, was a perfect compliment to a Saturday morning of next to perfect weather.

Remembering this recently opened cafe, we ventured to try the new digs. Expecting to have a wait, or at least be seated by a server, my friend and I walk inside the small service area where there were customers lined to by freshly made pasties on display. Speaking with a server, we were told that we seat ourselves, a great way to cut the tension and relax the customer. Obviously, we chose to take advantage of the summer's fall-like weather and sit outdoors in the back.

Seating ourselves, it was not long before a slight speaking server approached our table and took our drink order. That was the fastest service we would get that morning. Having ample time to look over the breakfast menu before our drinks were served, I decided to order the Omlette Medley and my friend, an order of buttermilk pancakes.

From the wait for our food to arrive, you could tell that the space between the tables was not made for the servers to quickly move from table to table. The waters and waitresses did not look rushed at all. After about 30mins (despite the great conversation with my friend and those whom I knew who happened to be there fro breakfast as well), I started to wonder if our server had forgotten our food, let alone a re fill of our drinks.

When the food finally arrived, it was well worth the wait. My Omelet medley was filled with mushrooms, tomatoes, gruyere cheese, asparagus and crème fiache, topped with parsley. I was surprised that the omelets was accompanied by home-style potatoes, cut in quarters and seasoned with a slight spicy Cajon sprinkle.

My friend was not too impressed with his pancakes, mostly due to the lack in number of the patties, but I would suggest the omelet, for sure!

308 Greenup St
Covington, KY

M-Sa
6am to 4:30

My good friends who had relocated to Ashville, NC were in town for a few days so before they left, I wanted to treat them to dinner. The last night that they were in town, we scudded across the Ohio River into Covington, KY to try our taste at Korean cuisine. Riverside Korean Restaurant, located just blocks from the Ohio River on Madison Avenue, is so named because of its close proximity to the water of both the Ohio and Licking Rivers. This small and quaint restaurant is nestled in Covington's old downtown district. Opened limited hours during lunch and dinner (as are most restaurants in this area) a reservation is not necessary at dinnertime, but they are taken and highly encouraged.

Like many other Asian cultures, it is customary to serve dinner ban-chan, a number of small dishes that we would call appetizers. These are pictured in the white bowls. The ban-chan included kimchi, dried radish, cold kimchi, cooked yams and spinach, all delightfully seasoned with authentic Korean flavor. There were six of us but because of previous visits, decided to only order 3 entrees and share among the six of us.

Surprisingly, there are a number of selections for such a small and limited restaurant. As I looked over the menu, I skipped over the grilled cow tongue decided that I wanted to chomp my bit on Corn Hen Soup cooked with Ginseng (pictured below). Our other two dishes were Korean barbecue, tweegi bulgoki and stir-fried chicken and vegetables, tak doritang.

Not too used to spicy food, it was the consensus to order all of the dishes mildly hot, which we had requested to be mildly hot, seasoned with visible flecks of hot pepper. I do have to say that there are a limited number of establishments that serve authentic Korean faire (I do believe there are only a handful in the entire Cincinnati area) but being a former Korean Linguist in the US Army and obtaining a degree in Korean Studies, after tonight's meal, I thought that I was once again in Nam Tea Buk.

Grade: A+

512 Madison Ave Covington, KY 41011-1506 (859) 291-1484
Mon-Fri 11:30am- 2:00pm Fri-Sat 5:00pm-10:30pm Sat 12:00pm- 2:00pm Sun-Thu 5:00pm- 9:30pm

If you're planning a trip to the New Jersey shore, there are several things to consider. Because there are so many beach towns, you should do your research ahead of time. If you're looking for a quiet seaside town, you may want to vacation in a small town like Avalon. If you want to be closer to the action and excitement, Wildwood or Atlantic City may be more your speed. If you want to see historic sites, consider Cape May. Luckily, no matter where you stay at the shore, you will likely be within 45 minutes of most any other town. On my family's recent trip to Avalon, we made several day trips to some of Jerseys other seashore towns.

Avalon. Avalon is a quiet town. If you're going strictly for the beach, it's wonderful. With nary a boardwalk in sight (there is a very small "boardwalk" with a small arcade and an ice cream shop-- that's pretty much it). Avalon is still my favorite place for a family-style vacation. This summer they had free movies on the beach every Tuesday night. Restaurant stop: Tortilla Flats, for some authentic Mexican food.

Stone Harbor. Stone Harbor is a charming town, with some great little shops. I stepped into a Christmas shop in July! There are also some great restaurants, including Henny's, which is a Stone Harbor tradition. Restaurant stop: Henny's-- and check out the early bird specials if you like to eat before 5.

Sea Isle City. Sea Isle offers bicycle rentals on their boardwalk. We rented a big carriage style pedal bike for my husband and I and our two kids. Very fun indeed! Restaurant stop: JR's Chicken & Ribs

Ocean City. If you're looking for a boardwalk, OC's is one of the best. Look for the guy that makes the huge sand sculptures. Restaurant stop: Cousins, for Italian food.

Wildwood. Wildwood also has a great boardwalk, featuring Morey's Piers. There are also arcades, old fashioned photo studios, games and tons of places to eat and buy fudge and salt water taffy. The boardwalk tends to be less crowded during the afternoon hours, so if you have young children who want to go on the rides, this is the best time to go. Restaurant stop: Menz Restaurant--check out the cool artifacts throughout the restaurant!

Cape May. Cape May is a great day trip if you're down at the shore. Look for the old lighthouse. There's also great shopping. Best of all, Cape May has a large zoo, The Cape May County park and Zoo, which is free. We took our kids there and they had a great time. Also, take a cruise on the Cape May- Lewes ferry. Restaurant stop: the Mad Batter, for a delicious breakfast.

Atlantic City. Known as the home of the East Coast's casinos, AC has a lot more to offer. If you want to check out the casinos, try the new Borgata, which is elegant and sleek. Atlantic City also has plenty of things for the kids to do-- just 10 miles west of AC is the famed Storybook Land, which is a story-themed amusement park. Restaurant stop: Cuba Libre, inside the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, for awesome Havana style food and drinks (it's a rum bar).

There are so many more Jersey shore towns-- many, many that I have never been to. But I've heard great things about Long Beach Island (not to be confused with New York's Long Island), Sandy Hook, Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant beach.

Wherever you decide to stay, make sure to take advantage of all of the fun things you can do at the Jersey shore--from renting a jet ski to going to the top of a lighthouse to taking a walk on the boardwalk for ice cream. If you have kids, make at least one stop at a water park or amusement park-- and don't forget to play a round of miniature golf (miniature golf places are all over the place at the shore). And remember, when all is said and done, nothing is better than taking an early morning walk on the beach. Get up as early as you can and take a stroll with only the seagulls-- and maybe a few fisherman-- as your company.

It actually is possible to plan a French vacation where Paris is not the main attraction. Yes, it is a beautiful city, but your trip to France should not be limited to one place. Consider visiting the Loire Valley for some great photo ops and a vacation that will have everyone talking. This region of the country is home to castles, churches, scenery, and a medieval abbey where you will find the remains of legendary royalty. The Loire Valley is storybook France, with its medieval villages and stunning architecture.

For an idea of how many castles and chateaux you will see in the Loire Valley, here is the tally: Chateau d'Amboise, Chateau d'Angers, Chateau de Saumur, Chateau de Ducs de Bretagne, Chateau du Plessis-Bourre, Chateau de Blois, Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau, Chamont-sur-Loire, Chateau de Chinon (the medieval castle made famous by its role in the movie 'The Lion in Winter'), Chateau de Brissac, and Chateau de Serrant. How in the world can you decide which places to visit? Decide what you are most interested in. If you want only to visit the castles or forts that are most famous, check out Chateau d'Amboise, a beautiful Renaissance castle with striking architecture and a beautiful view of the town of Amboise.

Chateau de Chinon, though much of it is ruined now, is a great vacation stop. It was in royal hands for years and was a favorite of King Henry II of England (father of the infamous King John) who had made a grasp for French lands and finally succeeded. Walking among the ruins will send a shiver up the spine of anyone daring enough to visit. Chaumont-sur-Loire is an ancient castle that had its beginnings in the 900s but was rebuilt and beautifully furnished throughout the ages. The castle that stands today has more of a 15th or 16th century look, with its high round towers and pointed roof. In the mid-16th century, the castle was home to Catherine de Medici, Queen of France. Another woman with royal connections, Diane de Poitiers, was given dominion over the chateau in the years to come.

What about the churches that dominate the Loire Valley? Stop by the romantically-named Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul (which translates to the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, though it doesn't sound nearly as exotic). It is located in the city of Nantes (pronounced "nahnt"). You will find some important burial sites inside the church. The cathedral's construction began in the 15th century and was not finished for hundreds of years. You will be amazed at the spires and its sheer height; the plain exterior, devoid of much color and variation, is severe and yet elegant.

The Cathedrale St-Maurice is another old church that is well worth the visit; it can be found in Angers. Don't forget to look for the stained glass, one of the most interesting facets of its architecture. In another part of the valley stands Sainte-Croix Cathedral, only one of many churches built here. Local history says that as far back as the 4th century, a church of some kind stood at the same place.

For a different kind of religious experience, visit Abbaye de Fontevraud (Fontevraud Abbey). Built in the 1100s and patronized by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (mother to King John Lackland and King Richard the Lionhearted), Fontevraud is also this royal family's burial place. This beautiful abbey has the imagery of a peaceful spiritual retreat, but it wasn't always so. For over a hundred years it even served as a jail.

You will also find museums and other historic sites in the Loire Valley, such as an ancient town where the inhabitants cut their homes directly from stone. This area is known as Rochmenier and it is actually classified as a troglodyte village. Check out the Dungeon of Eagles to see amazing animals. And for more prehistoric fascination, visit Le Grottes Petrifiantes where you can "walk beneath the earth" to see natural beauty in fantastic caves.

What is the best way to see the Loire Valley? Well, I wouldn't suggest walking unless you have very sturdy feet. Take a boat down the river and make sure to have your camera handy for all those beautiful shots of castles, villages, and scenery. You can do some walking in the villages you will find along the way, such as Amboise, Angers, and Montresor. Montresor, not often mentioned, is a wonderful architectural gem. Here you can find many old homes that have stood for over four hundred years (and some cases, probably much longer than that). Montresor has its own chateau, and everywhere you look you will find medieval flavor.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By Christina VanGinkel

With Labor Day weekend only a few days away, deciding on a destination for a weekend getaway might seem like it is too late to accomplish, but it is not. If you do not want to travel far, especially if you will be getting to any destination you choose by driving, consider some of the many options open to last minute travel on the long weekend. While you might think many locales would have no openings available late in the season, with many colleges and schools now starting before what was once the traditional step up to the school year, you can often find openings for getaways that at one time would have been booked solid long before the holiday weekend.

County fairs are happening in all sorts of communities at this time of year. If one is within driving distance to you, make it a day trip or even an overnighter. Fairs often have a variety of fast foods, games, amusement rides, and down home attractions such as beef sales and horseshows. Stock racing is increasingly becoming popular at fairs, so if you are a fan, you might even be able to take in a race or two.

Camping is always a great way to spend Labor Day weekend. Check with local or not too distant campgrounds to see if any spaces are available. Whether you are camping roughing it style with a tent and not much more, or you have a camper and want to set up camp at a location that has electricity and running water, a three day weekend is a perfect time span for a quick camping outing. Go on a hike, get in some geocaching, grill out, sit under the stars and stargaze, roast marshmallows around a campfire, in general just spend the time relaxing once camp is set up.

If you happen to have a Bed and Breakfast close by, consider checking in for the weekend. Maybe you have always wanted to check it out, but figured taking a vacation so close to home was not really a vacation, but if you would really like to spend the time relaxing, what better way than to save your sanity by not spending it traveling. Once you have stayed there and checked it out personally, you can also give first hand recommendations to out of town guests.

Check into a spa. With three days to spend there, you can actually get into the relaxing part of the stay that you may not have the time to accomplish with just a conventional two-day weekend. Book a full body massage, a pedicure, and a facial. With three days to fill, you can take part in many more treatments and activities than you would think possible.

Is there an attraction close to where you live that you have always thought you might like to try, but you never seem to have time to check it out? A hot air balloon ride, a river rafting excursion, paragliding or hang gliding, or how about a beginner's set of lessons on a hobby such as surfing or scuba diving are all choice options for the long weekend. Check with a local travel agency to find out what might be available this late in the season. Last minute bookings can be a bonus both ways. The travel agent gets to fill otherwise empty spots and you might even discover a bargain or two amidst the late holiday season.

Shopping might not be everybody's idea of a vacation, but with malls and stores everywhere offering up sales on Labor Day weekend, if you enjoy shopping, the three-day weekend might be your dream come true. Maybe you have always wanted to check out a large mall that is a few hours away, but figured that by the time you arrived on a Saturday and would have to head home on Sunday that it was just not worth the drive. With Monday added to the queue, you can be assured you will have plenty of time to hit all of the stores you want. Be sure to call ahead to arrange lodging, and plan to check out a few of the local eateries to round out the weekend.

If you want to spend Labor Day weekend taking a mini vacation or occupied doing something you have always dreams about, it is not too late. Pick up the phone and make a few calls, and spend the weekend having fun instead of home thinking about all the places you might have gone or excursions you might have enjoyed!

Michigan is a great state to visit for young and old alike. There is a lot to see and plenty to do. Home to 5 Great Lakes, Michigan is known as the Great Lakes State for good reason. Sit on the beaches of Lake Michigan and watch the sun set or travel north and take a step back in time as you visit Mackinaw Island. Besides the beaches, Michigan has a number of pro sports teams, magnificent lighthouses, ship wreck museums, and much more.

Northern Michigan

Visitors often refer to the Upper Peninsula as Northern Michigan. However, any Michigan native will be quick to point out that northern Michigan is actually part of the Lower Peninsula.

Northern Michigan includes places like Traverse City, known for their annual cherry festival, Charlotte (if you want to fit in with true Michiganders you will pronounce this as Shar-Lot), and Mackinaw City.

Mackinaw City serves as the gateway to the Upper Peninsula. Here is where the Mackinac Bridge sits, where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet, and where Fort Michilimackinac still stands. Visitors can stop by the fort that was built in the 1700s as an outpost for fur trappers and Native Americans. Actors dressed in period pieces still carry on as if it were a working fort.

Within view of the Mackinac Bridge that connects the upper and lower peninsulas sits Mackinac Island. It is like taking a step back in time as the ferry pulls up to the docks. No cars are on the island; only horses and bicycles. Walk around and visit the stores by the docks. There are gift shops and several places known for their Mackinac Island Fudge. I suggest stopping by Joann's Fudge of Mackinac Island. It is the best around. Also on the island are wonderfully ornate homes, the Grand Hotel, another fort and a cemetery in the woods. Ferries are available from St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula or take of from Mackinaw City on the Lower Peninsula.

Southern Michigan

Southern Michigan is home to number of great travel destinations. Stop by Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, or Ann Arbor.

Battle Creek is home to the Kellogg's. Stop by Kellogg's Cereal City USA and check out the museum and factory tour that are all part of this theme attraction. Afterwards, stop by Binder Park Zoo. This zoo located on Division St. offers visitors a chance to see Wild Africa. Free range animals like giraffes, zebras and ostriches mingle together on an open range. The park also features a number of other unique animals. Check out the red panda. Though not actually bears, these red pandas are distant relatives of the panda and are closely related to raccoons.

Check out the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. There you will undoubtedly find the university's sports teams and the Charles Baird Carillon. This carillon is the third heaviest in the world and features 55 bells, each weighing 21 pounds to 12 tons.

Ann Arbor is also home to a number of wonderful shops, spas, and museums.

West Michigan

If you will be in West Michigan you definitely have to stop by the beach-side towns of Grand Haven and Holland.

Grand Haven offers spectacular beaches and lake views; not to mention a boardwalk, singing fountain, and a lighthouse all within a short distance of one another. Stop by Snug Harbor, a beach side restaurant feature excellent food. I suggest trying the Jerk Chicken Nachos. Also across the street from the state beach is a road that dead ends into an overlook of the city.

Holland, located just to the south of Grand Haven is home to a large Dutch population. Stop by in the spring time to see all the tulips in bloom at the annual Tulip Festival or go out and see the large traditional Dutch windmill. Holland is also home to a number of outlet stores and a mall.

East Michigan

Probably the best known part of East Michigan is Detroit and its suburbs. Stop in and see one of the pro sports teams play. Detroit is home to the Red Wings, Tigers, Pistons, and Lions. Visit Greek Town for some excellent food. Take in a concert at the DTE Energy Music Theatre. There is something for everyone in the Detroit area.

Upper Peninsula

Sit along the shores of Lake Superior or go down in a copper mine on the Keewana Peninsula (the northern most point of Michigan). Catch a glimpse of the Presque Isle Light House near Marquette or head over towards Munising. Munising is home to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore- colorful 50-200 foot sandstone cliffs that line the lake. It is also home to the Shipwreck Museum. Visitors can even take a glass-bottom boat tour of the shipwrecks off the cost.

Want to know where you can find the most haunted building in London? Opinions differ, but many will tell you that the most haunted is, without a doubt, the infamous Tower of London. There have been numerous stories and unexplained incidents throughout the years that are difficult to brush away as mere coincidence. Before you visit this place, you should have some basic background information that makes it easier to understand the Tower's purpose and history. Although the structure's origins date back to the time of King William the Conqueror, whose Norman troops (French descendents of the Vikings) took over England from the native Saxons, the ground was occupied much earlier. Roman troops once built fortifications here.

The Tower of London's famous moat was not constructed until the 13th century when King Richard the Lionhearted of Crusader fame deemed it important to have this feature. Throughout the centuries, as is common with European structures, different parts and rooms were added until it became the Tower we recognize today. Sketches from as far back as the 16th century show us that very little has been changed architecturally; those of us with English ancestry can imagine any of our forebears walking London's streets and seeing the exact same scene.

Part of the Roman structure can still be seen if you look hard enough; ruins are scattered about, and the walls bear witness of the older building. If you like ghost stories, make sure to visit Tower Hill. This is where many hapless criminals (and perhaps the innocent as well) were executed after a nasty meeting with the lawmen of the time. It is chilling to stand here and contemplate how many people met their deaths without a fair trial. In the times of the Tower, very little evidence was needed to condemn a person. All a king needed to do was claim his wife had been unfaithful, or was perhaps dabbling in witchcraft, and it was "off with her head." There did not need to be conclusive evidence, if the general public believed his story.

At one time, animals were a part of the Tower of London, amusements for whomever happened to be king at the time. There was actually a section known as the Lion Tower, which has since been stripped of its title and used for tourist purposes. The Middle and Byward Towers are huge, imposing structures that resemble miniature castles. Anyone walking through these might just feel they've been transported to the Middle Ages (and hopefully allowed to keep their heads).

If you like haunted places, the Bell Tower will probably be your favorite part of the Tower complex. Constructed in the Middle Ages, the bell in the ancient tower is used to this day but for a different purpose. This is the place where prisoners languished before justice was meted out. Among those people were Queen Elizabeth I (who fortunately was let out and allowed to continue her reign until her death in the early 1600s) and Sir Thomas More (who fell out of favor with the king and was not so lucky). Another place that may bear some emotion of the past is the Traitors' Gate, aptly named since it was one of the final "ports of call" for many who arrived there.

Would you want to live in a place called the Bloody Tower? According to ghost enthusiasts, some spirits have made this their permanent home. Most students of English history have heard the story of the "Princes in the Tower," young boys supposedly killed by a relative who wanted the throne for himself. It is widely thought that some sort of foul deed took place, but the 17th century discovery of bones in the tower was fodder for the imagination. Although the princes' memory has been honored by a decent burial at Westminster Abbey, there is still a decidedly odd feeling in the area of their death. Sir Walter Raleigh's fate was also intertwined with this particular tower, since this was his prison for years before his death was ordered.

Perhaps the most beautiful of the towers and buildings that make up the Tower of London is the sturdy White Tower, an edifice still standing proudly from the difficult days of the Middle Ages. This was actually the royal home, and the king took care of business here with his court presiding. This is one of the places where you can see stones from a much older structure, attesting to the age of the grounds.

Be warned that few people visit the Tower of London without either feeling, sensing, or seeing something out of the ordinary. If you don't believe in supernatural things you'll still have a good time, but keeping your mind open will definitely enhance the experience.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada is located on the St. Lawrence Seaway in the southern part of the province of Quebec and has enjoyed its place in Canada for many years. Quebec City is one of North America's oldest cities and in 2008, the city will be celebrating its 400th birthday, so if you don't have the time to visit now, plan to come in '08. There is so much to see and do in a city that is steeped with so much history.

The old part of the city is lined with narrow streets. Some of these streets are so narrow that a car complete with mirrors will just fit through with mere inches to spare on either side (then you will hit sidewalks and buildings). But don't let that deter you from coming to see Quebec City. It is worth the trouble, believe me!

Besides history being a focal point, you will also find all amenities that are typical in any large city. From great motels to great restaurants there is no shortage of places to eat and stay while in the city.

Since Quebec City is almost 400 years old, you would expect to see history come alive in its architecture. And you would be correct in that assumption. Architecture built from as long ago as the city's earliest beginnings and up to the present, following the styles of the particular time in history they were built. Military has played a large part in Quebec City's history as well. The area played a large part in the War of 1812 and you will find the city has fortresses and battle fields. One battle field is called "The Plains of Abraham" and is the site of one of the war's famous battles and where Generals James Wolfe and Louis-Joseph de Montcalm were fatally injured during the battle.

Religion has played a large part in the history of Quebec City as well. Founded by Catholic missionaries, the area and in fact the whole province has remained largely Catholic throughout the years. There are many an old basilicas and churches that are interesting sites to see. One of the most famous of these is The Notre-Dame-de-Quebec-Basilica-Cathedral which features several impressive pieces of art that have to be appreciated in person. Of course, there are many parks and other museums that you will want to make time to see while you are visiting the city.

The Chateau Frontenac is supposedly one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Located on bluffs over looking the St. Lawrence River and more than one hundred years old, it stands as a window to the past, present and even the future. Containing a beautiful hotel and fabulous restaurants, the building also offers daily guided tours and should be at the top of your list to visit while in Quebec City.

Strolling throughout the many quaint streets of the city can be a treat in itself. No matter if you are looking for gourmet food or chocolatiers or fashionable boutiques or handcraft stalls or art galleries, Quebec City is for you. You will find over one thousand boutiques throughout the streets and malls.

Quebec City is known for its European flavour and is mostly French speaking (Montreal has more English speakers than Quebec Citydoes), though in saying that, with tourists and the many tours that are run to the historic sites, quite a bit of English is spoken there. It might not hurt to pick up a few French phrases that will be helpful, such as 'Parlez-vous Anglais?' (Do you speak English?) 'Ou Sont Les Toilettes?' (where is the bathroom) are some of the more important phrases you will want to pick up. You might even want to invest in a French/English phrase book. But there are tours that are often given in Spanish, Japanese and German besides English due to the influx of tourists that come to the city on a regular basis, so English should really be a problem. However, if you travel into rural Quebec, keep in mind that French is the main language spoken.

What to bring with you on your trip will depend on the time of year you come and visit. In the winter you will want to bring boots, mittens, a hat and a scarf because of the winter temperatures that are usually slightly below zero and snow is evident on the ground. In the summer you will want to dress comfortably for humid weather and bring comfortable sandals. In the spring and the fall, layers work best because as the day heats up, you can remove a layer.

No matter what you come to Quebec City for a romantic get-away for two, a business trip or a family vacation, you will enjoy the sights and sounds and surroundings are you spend your time in fabulous Quebec City.

Traditionally, Cincinnati has been the gateway to the liberal north and away from the Confederacy of the South for many who were trying to run away from the enslaving conditions. Despite its now conservative values, there are many gay and lesbian travelers who find solace in the small city appeal, and big city attractions that Cincinnati has to offer.

Pleasantly nestled on the banks of the Ohio River, downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by seven hills that add to its solace location.

How to get here

With the ever-increasing cost of travel, Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, located in the northern Kentucky city of Florence, may be one of the most expensive airports to travel in and out of, but its close proximity to the city and easy access to the city makes the flight well worth the price. If you are looking for a less expensive way of travel, Greyhound Bus terminal is located directly downtown Cincinnati, within walking distance of area hotels and hotspot. Megabus is yet another way of getting to and from Cincinnati, but only available if you are traveling from another city located in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois' adjoining states.

http://www.cvgairport.com/

http://www.greyhound.com/

http://www.megabus.com/


Where to stay

When thinking about where to stay in any vacation, you want to make sure that you find a place that is in close proximity to everything that you want to do, is safe, and most importantly, is inexpensive. Extended Stay has several locations through out the Greater Cincinnati area, but has a prime spot, located on the south shores of the Ohio River in Covington, KY. If you want to stay cozened up in a national chained hotel, but want to experience a hotel stay unique to the area, try the Radisson, also in Covington, KY. Its cylindrical shaped hotel is topped with a circler; revolving restaurant that will give you an experience that you are not soon to forget. If class is what you looking for, make sure you check in to the Netherland Plaza Hotel, located downtown Cincinnati. This luxury hotel is bellied up next to a fine, indoor, downtown shopping mall. Both are house in the Carew Tower, Cincinnati's tallest building.

http://www.extendedstayhotels.com/

http://www.radisson.com/

http://glass.typepad.com/journal/2005/03/omni_netherland.html


Where to Eat

For the most part, there are not any specifically gay themed hotels to stay in Cincinnati. I am not sure if the city is ready for something like that. On the other hand, the city has opened it s hearts and arms to eating establishments where you can really show your rainbow colors. Universal Grill (formally Hamburger Mary's), boasts having the best Karaoke in the city and along with its tropical hamburgers coupled with Friday evening cabaret, by the time you leave you will definitely be screaming for a flying pig! If you do not want to brave the crowds, the noise and the hot bois that frequent this newly renovated watering whole, head just a few blocks east to Union Station and watch one of their several big screen televisions or play trivia. If you stay the weekend are not too hung over from the night before, make it to Bella for Sunday brunch. An upscale establishment that is not accompanied by the snootiness, the Sunday brunch that you have here will rival some of the best in the city, with out breaking what's left of your pocketbook.

http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/Dining/detail.asp?RestID=7566

http://www.bellacincinnati.com/contact_index.html



Where to site see

Depending on what you want to see, you may decided to forgo the usually touristy sites and, depending on if it is near the holidays, make it up one of the seven hills of Cincinnati to Clifton and spend some time grazing on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Its newly renovated Tangeman Hall, Main Street attractions and sports complex draws in college boys from all over the area to run shirtless on the outdoor track and practice their backstroke in the Olympic size swimming pool. If you are looking for an older and more sophisticated sort of eye candy to suckle on, your best bet is to tread your way through majesticique Eden Park and take a stroll through the Cincinnati Art Museum. There you can find works of art by some of the area's greatest artists, to include Frank Duvenek. If you are not worried about looking at some of the most spectacular bodies in the Greater Cincinnati area and have your sites set on more natural phenomenon, take a wake to the top of the Purple People Bridge. That way, your eyes will be filled with more that just last night's escapade.

http://www.uc.edu/

http://cincinnatiartmuseum.org/

http://www.purplepeoplebridgeclimb.com/



Where to play

Its too late to lay by the pool, but if you are gearing up for next summer's trip to Cincinnati, make sure you make it to Adonis Night club, where the pool is open during the summer. Here is where you can baste your eyes on a bevy of bronzing Betties while sipping a margarita, poolside. If you a bit shy, you can also head to The Dock, located in the packing district along side the Ohio River. The not so populated evenings make for great cruising grounds. If an older, more mature crowd is what you are looking for, head up to the Gaslight District and take in one of the campiest drag shows at the oldest gay establishment still in operation. Golden Lions is you can feel like a hometown Joe without pretending that you are looking for a G.I. one.

http://adonisthenightclub.com/

http://thedockcomplex.com/

I love Nevada!

If you tour Nevada, you will find that it contains an abundance of other sites and sounds just as exciting as the casinos and shows on the Las Vegas Strip. The Sagebrush State is more than Las Vegas, magic, showgirls and gambling, although there is plenty of glitz and glamour to enjoy in all that. Nevada is also the home of the London Bridge, Area 51, atomic testing history, The Star Trek Experience and the Pony Express!

In fact, the top 10 Cities visited in Nevada each year are these:

Top 10 Cities in Nevada

Las Vegas
Reno
Laughlin
North Las Vegas
Henderson
Carson City
Elko
Boulder City
Stateline
Mesquite

THE PONY EXPRESS LANDS

Among the beautiful desert country lays a particularly interesting spot near its center. The Pony Express region of Nevada stretches across US Route 50, tracing the historic Pony Express route that extended from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California in the early 1860s. Some of my ancestors from Ireland and Scotland traveled this stretch of land to arrive in California at about the time of the Pony Express, and they were witness to its magic. This a region both reminiscent of the 19th century and firmly rooted the future, and the Pony Express will never die here.

Only a few towns exist now along US 50, called “The Loneliest Road in America” by the media. Lonely motorists and folks who leave the frenetic pace of the big city both are lulled by the tranquility in the magnificent peace of the desert. Pony Express lands are full of undisturbed natural creations and historic mining towns that you will enjoy. Going from east to west the next stop on US 50 is Great Basin National Park. Filled with giant bristlecone pines that grow only at elevations over 10,000 feet above sea level, these forests live up to 4,000 years. There are hiking trails leading to alpine lakes and Nevadan mountain tops worth seeing. Lehman Caves in the park displays stalactites and stalagmites that have been developed over several thousand years, perhaps as old as the earth itself. The town of Baker, five miles east of the park, welcomes you with several restaurants, a motel and a gas station.

About an hour northwest of Great Basin is Ely, an old copper mine town that makes a good base camp for trips to local recreation areas and historical sites. Ely has several restaurants, hotels and RV camp spaces, with murals that bring you up close to Nevada’s history. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely includes the rail yards and shops of the Nevada Northern Railway, a short line that ran for almost 80 years from 1906 to 1986. We wish it were still running today. The refurbished train depot includes a museum, a gift shop and rides on “The Ghost Train of Old Ely.” This would be great for those of you who love Halloween activities and steam engines. There is even the opportunity to drive a locomotive on a trip up the narrow mountain canyon. Exciting!

Seventy-eight miles to the west is Eureka, a 19th-century mining town founded in 1864. It still has many of its original buildings, including the Eureka Courthouse, opened in 1880. Across the way sits the Eureka Opera House, a renovated building that is now a convention and performing arts center. The Eureka Sentinel Museum displays local history and features the press equipment used to produce the town newspaper for 90 years from 1870 - 1960.

To the west is Austin, another mining camp. Silver was discovered in Austin, Nevada in 1862 and within a few years, Austin was the second largest community in the state. Don’t miss the three historic churches: St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, built in 1866; the Methodist Church, also 1866; and St. George’s Episcopal Church, 1878. Austin and the nearby Toiyabe, Toquima, and Hot Creek mountain ranges are popular with mountain bikers.

On the way west from Austin to Fallon, Sand Mountain is a two-mile-long, 600-foot-high sand dune that attracts dune buggies, dirt bikers and sand skiers. The Sand Mountain Pony Express Station is just south of the dune, a large rock enclosure used by Pony Express riders 150 years ago. Further west on US 50 is the Grimes Point Archeological Site and interpretive signs guide you along a trail lined with petroglyphs, which are the rock drawings made by Native American peoples living there from 5,000 B.C and 1,500 A.D.

MORE PONY EXPRESS LANDS ATTRACTIONS

BHP Mining Tours
Enjoy a mining video, guided tour of the mill and operations in the pit from an overlook; seven miles west of Ely on US 50. Call 775-289-7000; or P.O. Box 382, Ruth 89319. Hours: Call for hours and reservations. Year-round Admission: FREE.

McGill Drugstore
Explore the inventory of 50s and 60s memorabilia plus a working 1930 vintage soda fountain. Call 775-235-7082, 11 Fourth St., P. O. Box 757, McGill 89318. Hours: Call for information. Year-round Admission: FREE.

Eureka Opera House
Built in 1880, restored in 1994. Original 1924 hand-painted stage curtain. Unique historic experience. Information: 775-237-6006; P.O. Box 284, Eureka 89316. Hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Year-round except state holidays. Admission: FREE.

Eureka Sentinel Museum
In the old Eureka Sentinel building, site of the town's longest running newspaper, museum displays artifacts from 1870s lead and silver mining era. Information: 775-237-5010; P.O. Box 284, Eureka 89316. Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Apr.-Sep., daily; Oct.-Mar., Tue.-Sat. Admission: Donation.


Nevada has my favorite! – Native American Indian Country.

Thousands of years ago, Lake Lahontan, an ancient inland sea covering parts of Northern Nevada and Utah, was full of fish while the land was roamed by mammoth, bison, antelope, deer and big cats. While ancient American peoples left few artifacts, they did create petroglyphs, the rock writings found throughout Nevada and the Western United States today. The etchings show a variety of designs and stick figures, big horned sheep, lizards, and other animals.

At Grimes Point east of Fallon on US 50, there are some very good petroglyphs. They can also be found at Valley of Fire State Park. As Nevada grew dry in the past, larger animals went extinct and the Native Great Basin Peoples adapted to the changes. Lake Lahontan receded and became two small lakes, Pyramid and Walker. The shores were called home by the Northern Paiute. To the South, the Southern Paiutes lived near Las Vegas Valley and the tributaries of the Colorado River. Other tribes, including Western Shoshone and Washo, settled in the mountains.

The descendents of the original Native Peoples continue to occupy their ancestral lands. Pyramid Lake north of Reno is on the Northern Paiute Indian reservation. Pyramid Lake Rd. (State Rt. 445) is a National Scenic Byway, the only federal scenic byway entirely on an Indian reservation. Pyramid Lake has some of the best fishing in Nevada and Pyramid Lake Visitor Center houses a great museum of natural history and Native culture.

Parts of Walker Lake and the town of Schurz are on Walker Lake Indian Reservation to the south. The Lake offers trophy fishing, dramatic desert landscapes, and wide-open spaces. Native tribes have been in Nevada for many thousands of years, but were preceded by a culture known as the “Anasazi” or ancient ones. These people built elaborate adobe villages along the Muddy and Virgin rivers. Today, you can visit the Lost City Museum in Overton, with Anasazi artifacts and adobe buildings and pit houses. The Nevada State Museum in Carson City has a large display of Native Nevadan artifacts and the Stewart Indian Cultural Center, south of Carson City, was a federal boarding school for Indians up until recently in 1980. Today, it is a museum for the school.
Nevada’s Native American nations are involved today in many profitable businesses, from Native American traditional crafts to golf ranges to smoke shops, tobacco being a specialty. The Las Vegas Paiute Resort, owned and operated by the Southern Paiute Nation, includes two championship golf courses just 20 miles northwest of Las Vegas.


MORE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN SITES TO SEE

Humboldt Museum
Three turn-of-the-century buildings with antique autos, farm collection and Native American exhibits. Information: 775-623-2912; Jungo Rd. and Maple Ave., P.O. Box 819, Winnemucca 89446. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Sat. Year-round except major holidays. Admission: Donation

Pershing County Marzen House Museum
An 1874 two-story house, mining equipment, home fixtures, Native American artifacts, Indian Cave exhibit. Information: 775-273-2115; 25 Marzen Ln., P.O. Box 212, Lovelock 89419. Hours: 9:00 a.m.-l:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri., Nov.-Apr.; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Year-round Admission: Donation.

The Eagle's Nest
Panoramic vistas of the Ruby Mts., wagon/sleigh rides, barbeques, studio/gallery featuring Western art and memorabilia. Information: 702-744-7370; JC 30-449 Box 4, Elko 89801. Year-round Admission: Call for rates; reservations required.

Grapevine Canyon
Seven miles west of Laughlin, ancient Native American petroglyphs above the springs. Information: 702-298-3321; 800-452-8445; c/o Laughlin Visitors Bureau, 1555 S. Casino Dr., P.O. Box 502, Laughlin 89029.

Rainbow Canyon
Self-guided tour with map, petroglyphs, geologic features; allow at least two hours. Information: 775-726-8100; Bureau of Land Management, Caliente Field Station, U.S. Hwy. 93, P.O. Box 237, Caliente 89008.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Wetland oasis supports rare fish, plants, native wildlife. Information: 775-372-5435; HCR 70, Box 610-Z, Amargosa 89020. Hours: Sunrise to sunset; Year-round Admission: FREE.


VIVA LAS VEGAS

No travel piece about Nevada can be complete without looking at Las Vegas. This city is the site of 18 of the 20 largest hotels in America and visitors will be overwhelmed by the entertainment, tours, shopping and dining. Las Vegas has more lights than any other city, and is an adult’s Disneyland of wonders. Visiting the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll see a pirate ship battle, an active volcano and laser light water shows. Hotel-casinos present ancient Egypt, King Arthur’s Court, Rome, Venice, New York, Monte Carlo and the tropics. There is 24-hour gaming, restaurants of the most famous chefs in the world and many a star-studded show. Downtown Vegas is enclosed by a canopy of lights for five blocks. Called the Fremont Street Experience, the canopy lights up night with powerful light and sound shows.

Las Vegas is also a center for history and the fine arts. Art and historic museums range from classic and contemporary art, to archaeological and anthropological exhibits of the Native American Peoples. And not to be ignored is the museum of Liberace! Amusement theme parks in Las Vegas pit do anything in the rest of the USA. Recreational sports nearby include golf, boating, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, car racing, and sand and snow skiing.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, formerly owned by Howard Hughes is now a retreat for outdoor concerts. Half an hour north of Las Vegas is Mount Charleston, like a garden island in a sea of desert. Visitors can stay cool their without air conditioning. In Boulder City, southeast of Las Vegas. is Hoover Dam, a 726-foot- high concrete dam that holds back Lake Mead. It is one of the seven man-made wonders of the world, with tours of its hydroelectric system completed in 1935. Lake Mead is actually the largest man-made lake in the Western Hemisphere. With Lake Mohave, it is in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which offers five beaches and marinas, campgrounds, boat and Jet Ski rental, sightseeing boats, and other activities. Valley of Fire State Park is 55 miles to the northeast of Lake Mead, with bright red sandstone mountains and valleys.

Mesquite is a city located northeast of Vegas on the Virgin River, a resort with golf and spas, horses, trap shooting and indoor activities for which Nevada is famous. Mesquite is conveniently located for side trips to nearby Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. In the extreme southern tip of Nevada on the Colorado River is Laughlin, which in 1966, consisted of just a small motel and restaurant that catered to local fishermen. Fishing is great and Laughlin is a lively resort full of 5-star hotels offering big-name entertainment. You can water ski, swim, boat or relax on the nearby beaches. Laughlin’s water taxis are available to take passengers from Arizona to Nevada and back. Make sure to visit a town halfway between Laughlin and Las Vegas: Searchlight. You’ll find an interesting little museum in Searchlight, full of mining memorabilia and local historical color.


MORE LAS VEGAS THAN MEETS THE EYE – DON’T MISS ANY OF THIS

Closing October 1, 2006 -- ELVIS-A-RAMA EXPERIENCE – Not much time left!

The Elvis-A-Rama is an 85-foot-long, 10-foot-high painted mural of the legendary life of Elvis Presley. It was painted by an obscure country music songwriter, Mitchell Torok. The mural was bought in 1994 by another obscure musician, Jimmy Velvet, and moved to Branson, Missouri. Four years after that it was bought by another Elvis collector and moved back to Vegas, where it now stands behind a velvet rope at a mall near the strip. The Elvis-A-Rama Experience displays celebrity autographs of Chet Akins, Archie Campbell, Sonny James, and Maria Shriver.

Elvis tribute performances are given in a small theater by Elvis impersonators. The original blue suede shoes are here, along with his first Cadillac and his turquoise karate outfit with the eagle rhinestone appliqués. One display holds the hotel bill from Elvis's first gig in Las Vegas, and shows that in two weeks he spent only $207.07. Meanwhile, Graceland has paid $68 million for Vegas property next to the Harley-Davidson Cafe, where an Elvis museum and casino resort is to be built.

Elvis-A-Rama Experience: 3401 Industrial Rd, Las Vegas, NV. One block west of The Strip West side of Industrial Rd, behind the Fashion Show Mall, just north of Spring Mountain Rd and Sands Ave. Admission: Adults $12.95 Hours: Until October 1, 2006 only! Phone: 702-309-7200)


American Heroes Veterans Museum
Priceless memorabilia recognize America's Veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 pm with a large WW II collection, and displays honoring Korea and Vietnam Veterans. A multi-media show, On the Wings of Eagles, pays tribute to American courage. Four screens show scenes of combat from WWII to Desert Storm. Attached to the hotel casino, admission to the show and museum is FREE year-round! Information: 702-298-4200; 800-243-6846; Ramada Express Hotel Casino, 2121 S. Casino Dr. Laughlin, NV. 89029.

Atomic Testing Museum
The Testing Museum opened in Las Vegas with exhibits that chronicle the history of US nuclear weapons testing. This includes a realistically simulated atmospheric blast in Ground Zero Theater. The museum is at 755 East Flamingo Road and Swenson Street, just east of the Las Vegas Strip in the Frank H. Rogers Science & Technology Building. Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. $10 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and older, children 7 to 17 and members of the U.S. armed forces. Children 6 and under are admitted free.

Cowboy Trail Rides
Red Rock Canyon riding stable. Guided horseback riding, mustang viewing, campfire, music cowboy poetry. Information: 702-387-2457; 1211 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas 89104. Hours: 8:00 a.m.-dark, daily. Admission: $25.00 and up.

Guinness World of Records Museum
See the amazing facts and feats of the Guinness Book of Records brought to life via replicas, videos and hands-on displays. Information: 702-792-3766; 2780 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89019. Hours: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., daily. Season: Year-round. Admission: Adults-$4.95; seniors, students and military-$3.95; children (12 and under)-$2.95.

Imperial Palace Auto Collection
Displayed in a plush, gallery-like setting are over 200 antique, classic and special-interest automobiles, including Model J Dussenbergs. Also a gift shop with memorabilia and books. Information: 702-794-3174; Fax 702-369-7430; www.autocollections.com or 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., daily. Season: Year-round. Admission: Adults-$6.95; seniors-$3.00; children (4-12)-$3.00; children (3 and under)-free.

Laughlin River Tours
Steamboats on the Colorado River. Available for weddings, special events and dinner cruises. Information: 702-298-1047; 800-228-9825; P.O. Box 29279, Laughlin 89029. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., daily. Season: Year-round; winter hours may vary. Admission: Adults-$10.00; children-$6.00; children (under 3)-free.

London Bridge Jet Boat Tours
Scheduled 6-hour round-trip jet boat tours from Laughlin to the London Bridge on Lake Havasu. Leaves from the Pioneer Casino. Information: (702) 298-5498 or (888) 505-3545; P.O. Box 508, Laughlin 89029. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily form mid-Feb.-Nov. $52.00 per person; over 65-$47.00; children (under 12)-$32.00.

Liberace Museum
Memorabilia from the world-famous pianist and legend, including a rare piano collection, automobiles, the world's largest rhinestone plus samples from his glittering wardrobe. Information: 702-798-5595; Fax 702-798-7386; www.liberace.org or 1775 E. Tropicana, Las Vegas 89119. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mon.-Sat.; 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Sun. Year-round except major holidays. Admission: Adults-$12.00; seniors-$8.00; students-$8.00; children (10 and under)-Free.

Star Trek: The Experience
See the USS Enterprise bridge, ride a turbo lift and experience a shuttlecraft mission. Enjoy dining, shopping and gaming in the 24th century. Information: 702-697-8751; 888-462-6535; www.startrekexp.com; Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas 89109. Hours: 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. daily, year-round, Admission: $14.95. Live long and prosper!

Zoological-Botanical Park
Endangered cats, the last of the Barbary Apes, chimpanzees, eagles, ostriches, emus, parrots, wallabies, flamingos, exotic reptiles. Information: 702-647-4685; http://www.lasvegaszoo.org
1775 N. Rancho Dr., Las Vegas 89106. Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily, year-round. Adults-$5.95; seniors 62 and over and children 2-12 - $3.95; children (under 2)-free.

NEVADA FACTS

Capital: Carson City
Population: 1,998,257
Governor: Kenny Guinn(R, to January 2007)
Entered the Union: October 31, 1864
As the: 36th state
Motto: All for Our Country
Nickname: Sagebrush State, Silver State, and Battle-born State
Flower: Sagebrush
Bird: Mountain Bluebird
Song: Home Means Nevada
Sports Teams: None
Origin of Name: From a Spanish word meaning snowcapped

Major Industries:
Hay, Alfalfa Seeds, Barley, Wheat, and Potatoes; Gaming Equipment, Lawn and Garden Irrigation Devices, Titanium Products, Seismic and Machinery Monitoring Devices (Plus Divorce and Gambling!)
Historical Sites:
Las Vegas Mormon Fort, Stokes Castle in Austin, and the Pony Express Station in Elko
Points of Interest:
Hoover Dam, Pyramid Lake, Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lehman Caves at the Great Basin National Park, Las Vegas, and Reno
Bordering States:
Nevada borders California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona.

Growing up in the mid west (if you call Cincinnati the mid-west), and having traveled to Korea, Los Angeles, San Francisco, France, and a whole bevy of other cities around the world, you would think that in the 28 years that I have been alive, that I would had made it to Chicago.

Well, Kids, the joke is on you.

It was not until last month that I made any time to spend more than a couple of hours in the Windy City. I traveled there, specifically, on the happen chance that I would meet Keith Boykin, who was participating in the 2006 Gay Games.

When I first read that Keith Boykin would be participating in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, the wheels in my head started churning, trying to figure out ways that I could make it there just on the chance that I would be able to see him at a venue in person.Because I was already going on vacation to Michigan the week before the Games, I decided to take an extra few days of vacation days and try to spend them in Chicago. It just so happened that a Cincinnati friend of mine had already rented a three bedroom apartment in Chicago because he was participating in the Games and was driving to Chicago the day after I returned to Cincy from Michigan.

PERFECT TIMING!

Running into my hometown buddies and hanging out in the VIP lounge of the House of Blues was
not on my agenda during my stay in the Windy City, but since it happened, I did not complain too much. Not with the great food that I experienced at Red Light and amazingly cool evening with friends at Crew.

Yesterday was the last day of my Chicago vacation. My bus for Cincinnati was scheduled to leave at 3pm so I did not have that much time to explore the city more before I had to get ready and head out of town. I did meander to Evanston, IL where the Keith Boykin and the Gay Games' Wrestling event
were.

I guess I thought it would be cool if I could just see Keith in person. According to the website, the wrestling event was to begin at 9am, so when I arrived at 10am my hopes to see Mr. Boykin had left me as fast as the L-train leaving Belmont Station.

On arrival I see that there are many wrestlers on the large, tri-serviced mat, but it seemed as though they were taking a break, so I walked half way up the stands where there was a walking row that went around the entire gymnasium.

Standing there alone and taking in the sites, I turned my right and less than 5 feet away from me is Keith Boykin walking towards me!I had a split second to think and the only thing that came to my mind was to say his name. We shook hands and after a couple of seconds of stuttered speech (done by me of course) he resumed on to his seat.

TOO LUCKY!

Time was running short and I was not sure if I would be able to wait until Keith wrestled, but a few moments later the competition started and Keith was the first match. He lost the first match, and I had to leave, but his other matches he won and went on to win the Gold in his division. So if you read this
Keith, great job, but I wish I could have watched you win a match.

Today, I spent my first full day back to work and it was definitely sobering. It's ok though.

PS-I promise that the subsequent post will be a bit more informative...


Needless to say, that I had the time of my life. Here are some of the places that I would suggest hitting up if you have a few days to kill in Chicago.

To Party
Hydrate
3458 N. Halsted St.773-975-9244Hours: 6 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday; 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Monday though Friday; 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday

To Eat
Red Light
820 W. Randolph Chicago, IL 60607 312.733.8880
Hours: Lunch: Monday - Friday 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner: Sunday - Thursday 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday 5:30pm - midnight
* Between June 1st and August 31st we will open for dinner at 6 PM every day

To Chill
House of Blues
329 N. Dearborn Chicago, IL 60610

Vancouver, positioned between the Pacific Ocean and beautiful mountainous terrain, is one of Canada's great cities and because the weather stays so temperate (it doesn't get that cold and also doesn't get much snow, the precipitation comes in the form of rain) that it is a favourable place to live, work and play.

When visiting Vancouver and its surrounding suburbs including North and West Vancouvers, Coquitlim, Burnaby, New Westminister, Victoria, you might want to spend some time downtown first. Plan to spend a few days in and around the city to fully enjoy all that the city offers.

Like most downtowns, Vancouver is not that much different. Here you will find upscale boutiques and restaurants, sumptuous motels as well as places of business. But the difference in the downtown is that it is surrounded by waterfronts to the south and north of the city core and to the west is Stanley Park (more about the park later) and to the east is Gastown and Chinatown. If you want to travel around the city, its best to walk or travel by skytrain, the skytrain is much like a subway that goes underground but goes above the city as well. Driving is ok, but be prepared for traffic, lots of it. So you might want to think of alternate transportation.

Gastown is Vancouver's designated historic section. Gastown was named after Gassy Jack Leighton, an Englishman who arrived on Canadians shores shortly after Confederation. He set up a saloon that did a marvellous business in selling libations. The Government of the day quickly acted (as usual, they wanted a piece of the action..) They forced Leighton to install bedrooms to make the bar legal. Shortly there after a second bar followed and the area was christened "Gassy's Town" Leighton was known for his long winded speeches or "gas" and thus the area was named. This area was a pre-curser to modern day Vancouver.

There are many things to do and in see in and around Vancouver and here are a few things you wont want to miss:

Stanley Park is one of Canada's renowned parks and rightly so. It is second only to the CN Tower in Toronto for its number of visitors per year. The park is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean it is definitely a 'must see' when you are in Vancouver. The park features woodlands, marshes, gardens, children's play parks, a miniature railway and much more. The park's other main attractions are its marine centre and Canada's largest aquarium and its many Totem Poles. The best thing about Stanley Park is that is so close to the downtown core.

Canada Place with its IMAX theatre and other museums such as the Musuem of Anthropology on the ground of UBC (University of British Columbia) as well as the H. R. Macmillan Space Centre are sure pleasers for the younger set

Finding a place to eat offers no challenges but deciding where, does! With Vancouver's influx of immigrants from Eastern Asia, the city offers a great deal of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean eateries to choose from. These are followed by Ethiopian and Mongolian followed by old favourites such as Italian and Greek. Of course being beside an ocean offers the best seafood and there is no lack of seafood restaurants to be found either. Besides these, there are also a liberal amount of cafes and fast food joints as well. And if you are interested in doing some dancing while you are eating, the night life is alive and well and living in Vancouver. There are plenty of bars, clubs and discos to dance the night away in.

Throughout the year, special events happen and one of these is the Du Maurier International Jazz Fest. Held in June, it brings together some of the world's best and well known artists to perform. Other festivities during the year are a Moon festival that is held in October; Molson Indy that is held in September and several more in different months.

The downtown of Vancouver can be quite exciting but if more quaint picturesque times and surroundings are more to your liking, then Victoria is what you need to see. Victoria is situated on an island just outside of Vancouver and is accessible by bus and ferry, car and ferry or sea plane.

Victoria is British Columbia's capital city and the second largest in size next to Vancouver. The island features several motels, hotels and bed and breakfasts, but be sure to make reservations as they fill up quickly during the summer months.

Things to do and see on the island include the Parliament buildings, The Royal British Columbia Museum and a few other museums, castles and parks. While you are there you might want to go on a whale watching journey. There are tours and charters available and this is definitely a not to miss opportunity!

Although not as well versed in food as its sister city, Victoria still has its choice of restaurants and eateries. But while on the island, you may want to go to a restaurant for High Tea. It is a copy of the British tradition, but still worth doing just once.

If you are interested in skiing and travel to British Columbia during the winter season, you will want to travel north of Vancouver to places such as Whistler and Blackcomb. It's a several mile drive outside of Vancouver up the Sea to Sky Highway. It is a pricey place to play and stay, but it ranked amongst the best place to ski with in the country of Canada. Going there in the summer and are into mountain biking? The same areas apply to that as well and are also ranked amongst the best in Canada.

No matter what interests you have and enjoy, you will be sure to find them with in and around the city of Vancouver. It is definitely the toast of the west coast.

The idea of traveling around the world without any responsibilities or cares is a great notion, but although we can most certainly travel, we can't disregard basic rules and regulations. The sad truth is that, with security being what it is, it takes longer and generates more havoc to travel across the world than it used to. You can avoid most of the fuss and have a stress-free vacation, if you follow some simple tips.

No matter where you are planning to disembark, there are papers such as passports, entrance Visas, and personal information that you *will* need to have; you'll be turning right around if you don't have positive identification to give authorities. Make sure all your international travel papers are properly acquired, filled out correctly, and easy to find when it is your turn to pass. Another good idea is to call or write the embassy of each country you are planning to visit, asking what papers you will need, what things to avoid, and any security concerns that may currently be relevant for that particular country. The old adage "better safe than sorry" never meant more than it does now.

Airline security has tightened its restrictions so thoroughly that if you plan to travel by plane, you will need to be very careful in the items you pack. Many simple things such as toiletries and drinks will probably not be allowed. Carry a list of souvenir stands or convenience stores, terminals, etc., where you can pick up any needed items once you reach your destination. Don't pack anything you would absolutely hate to lose, like expensive clothing, because on the off-chance that your luggage would be lost, it would be a terrible stress to undergo. Make sure to also know a place in your destination city to buy any clothing or items you may have forgotten to pack.

Traveling internationally with kids can be fun or challenging depending on each individual child. A car trip is nothing compared to hours of airplane travel. Make sure you know what to do if kids get sick at high altitude, and pack games or other forms of entertainment so boredom doesn't have them bouncing off the walls (I guarantee other passengers will thank you for keeping your kids entertained also). Air travel shouldn't be scary or boring.

Once you reach your destination, be prepared for a shocker; depending on the country, everything will either look exactly the same or completely different than what you're used to. In countries like England, you'll probably discover that scenery really isn't that much different from your own back yard. In smaller places that aren't so big on the map, however, the culture shock is inevitable. Strange languages will probably be one of your biggest stumbling blocks. If you know in which country the majority of your vacation will be spent, it's always helpful to learn a few words that will let you navigate a little better.

Make sure to learn some local customs so you don't find yourself in an embarrassing situation. In Middle Eastern countries, only one hand is used for eating. In India, animals are sacred and may be allowed in places you'd never imagine seeing one. In certain parts of the Holy Land visitors are asked to dress modestly and cover up before entering holy places; the list goes on. Being a world traveler means respecting and having interest in the differing customs and cultures of our neighbors around the globe, so try to learn at least one custom in every country you visit.

Ordering food in foreign places can be especially challenging. Don't be afraid to look for someone who knows the language and can translate for you. After all, if you thought you were ordering a plate of spaghetti and end up with sheep guts, it may not be the happiest vacation experience. A translator also comes in handy as a tour guide. Someone shouting out famous sights in a language you don't understand is only going to result in confusion and won't do justice to the terrific things you are seeing.

Getting money converted is another thing you'll need to be prepared for. Find out what currency is used and how to go about converting your cash; be prepared for the chance that it will take longer than you think. Find out if haggling or bartering is allowed in your "port of call." In some countries trying to get a lower price is expected and even encouraged, but in others, it may not make vendors very happy. This is another area of international travel where using the Internet to study customs and techniques is always a good choice.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

If you are planning a trip to Canada’s East coast province of Nova Scotia and you are an art lover, then you are in for a treat! Take the time to learn about one of Nova’s Scotia foremost folk artists, Maud Lewis. Maud was a gutsy lady who refused to allow a physical handicap to determine her direction in life. Read on to learn more about this Nova Scotia woman who even after her death continues to be an inspiration to many …

Nova Scotia born folk artist Maud Lewis brought vibrant life to all the paintings she created. Maud painted to bring color, happiness and enjoyment to her quiet, rural life. Maud was not a formally trained artist, indeed she knew no one else who painted and had never even set foot in an art gallery before but she had a unique vision and that vision has shaped an international awareness of the “folk art” creations of Nova Scotia, the second smallest province in Canada. A renewed interest in, and appreciation of, her simple yet breathtaking work has brought richness to the art world that it has not seen for quite some time.

Who was Maud Lewis?

Maud Lewis (nee Dowley) was born on March 7, 1903 in the small farming community of South Ohio in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. Maud suffered her share of problems from an early age, beginning with the debilitating disease polio, which served to cripple her hands, arms and neck. Maud was also born with little if any chin and was very tiny in stature.

As a youngster Maud spent a great deal of time alone, on account of the fact that other children treated her badly. As time went on her physical handicaps gave rise to rheumatoid arthritis. But Maud had an enduring spirit and an exceptionally courageous, joyful attitude that saw her through the bad times. She enjoyed playing the piano and assisted her mother with constructing and painting Christmas cards to sell to friends and neighbors, as the family was poverty stricken. It was a humble beginning for a budding artist- an artist who did not, throughout most of her life, comprehend her true potential as a painter. Her talent was lost on her; she simply painted to make herself, and others, happy.

Married Life for Maud

In 1938 Maud married a fish peddler named Everett Lewis. She used to accompany him as he went about from place to place selling fish. To make some extra money Maud returned to doing what she loved most- making her own unique Christmas cards and selling them to interested parties. From there she began painting and in painting she discovered a lifelong enjoyment.

The Simple Life

Maud never did any traveling outside of her home province of Nova Scotia. In fact the only time she went anywhere was when the couple moved to Marshalltown (a short distance from Digby) so her husband could obtain employment as a night watchman at the local “poorhouse.”

The couple lived for thirty years in a small one-room house that had no electricity or indoor plumbing and very little furniture. The house was heated by a large wood burning stove and nothing else. The only contact the gifted painter had with the outside world came by way of a small battery powered radio. The couple never owned a television set during their life together. Maud, with her spirited attitude, did her best to make the house cheerful for them both. She painted every available surface with colorful pictures of birds, butterflies and flowers. Maud had a love of living things therefore she surrounded herself with pets and plants. She had many cats, dogs, a tame crow, a trout named Fred and a flourishing vegetable garden that yielded some of the best sweet peas around.

Maud’s Work

Maud Lewis painted simplistic pictures of pleasant scenes. Her paintings would give pause to even the world’s greatest cynic. They spoke of a quiet existence and tranquility with nature. All of her paintings were of outdoor scenes. Not one shows what her view of “indoors” might have been. She painted pictures of dogs, horses, deer, country homes complete with fences and beautiful big trees, birds, fishing boats, lighthouses and a model T. But her favorite thing to paint was oxen. Maud painted pictures of gigantic oxen pulling sleighs filled with logs, or just standing looking with big eyes and earnest looks, almost as if they are staring back at the observer.

Maud had her own unique way of painting, uninfluenced as she was by the style of other painters. She did not believe in any sort of blending or mixing of colors. She used very simple and inexpensive material for her craft- wallboards and tubes of Tinsol (an oil based paint). When it came time to create, Maud would cover the piece of wallboard with a coat of white, draw an outline of what she intended to paint and then she would proceed to add in the colors to her work. Her only limitation in painting was due to the lack of mobility in her arms, therefore the size of her paintings were neither big nor expansive.

Spreading the Word

In 1959 word spread as people outside of Digby County became aware of the immense talent of a painter named Maud Lewis. Suddenly orders began coming in from other places and the money was extremely welcome for the couple. Besides her wallboard paintings and Christmas cards, Maud extended her work to include the painting of household items such as baking tins, scallop shells and rocks. In 1965 she gained national (and international) acclaim when she was featured on CBC-TV’s Telescope broadcast and in a number of newspaper stories. The publicity from these stints increased her sales tremendously.

The Death of a Talented Artist

Upon her death in July 1970 and her husband Everett’s nine years later, the couple’s tiny, beautifully decorated home fell into terrible disrepair. A group of local citizens eager to preserve the home where Maud Lewis had spent the majority of her life, were concerned about what would become of a place so steeped in Nova Scotia art history. Her house was acquired by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and put on display in Halifax, the province’s capital, as a part of the permanent Maud Lewis exhibit. Everyone is welcome to come see the dearly loved structure for himself or herself.

Erected on the site of the original home in Marshalltown, Digby County is a memorial sculpture paying tribute to the work of the talented Maud Lewis. As befitting it, the metal sculpture is in the shape of the original Lewis house and is practically life size.

Maud was laid to rest next to her husband’s parents and for reasons unknown, Everett had Maud’s maiden name, Dowley, engraved at the base of the stone.

Maud’s Legacy Lives On

Besides the Art Gallery, Maud Lewis’ work can be found in the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Her life was written about in a book entitled, “The Illuminated Life of Maud Lewis,” and she has also been the subject of a stage play. The National Film Board of Canada has made two documentaries about her- in 1997, “Maud Lewis- A World Without Shadows” and in 1998, the same name as the book, “The Illuminated Life of Maud Lewis.”
Today Maud’s work is worth plenty and her paintings grace both public and private collections throughout the world. To be in possession of a Maud Lewis original is to be blessed indeed.

References

Marie Ellwood, Folk Art of Nova Scotia (1976); Kobayashi/Bird, A Compendium of Canadian Folk Artists (1985); A.G.N.S., Nova Scotia Folk Art- Canada’s Cultural Heritage (1989); Blake McKendry, An Illustrated Companion to Canadian Folk Art (1999).
Excerpts from the brochure, “Maud Lewis: A Nova Scotia Native Artist,” (1974).

If your travels take you to Canada, whether it is for business or pleasure, then take the time to learn what you need to know if you choose to rent a car while you are there. Canada is a large country and from coast to coast is rich in color and diversity. Not to mention the fact that the people are very welcoming to travelers from all over.

In order for an individual to rent a car in Canada, it is necessary to have a valid driver's licence from where ever you are visiting from. If your driver's licence does not have a photograph some automobile rental companies will require you to provide a major credit card and/or your passport, while other companies might be willing to settle for another type of photo identification (such as an ID from your place of work) along with your driver's licence.

Foreign visitors to Canada must have drivers' licences that are either written in English or French (the two official languages of Canada). An International permit is necessary if drivers' licences are in any other language. Visitors from the United Kingdom may be required to bring both sections of their licence with them in order to rent a vehicle. The reason for this is because information on both sides is relevant to Canadian authorities- car rental agencies need to view both parts and the counterpart is important in case of a motor vehicle accident.

A driver's licence from anywhere other than Canada that clearly shows the following information- date of birth (DOB), class, expiry date and any special conditions- can be used in Canada for up to a period of six months, but no longer than that. International driving permits on the other hand, can be used in Canada for up to twelve months provided that the permit holder is a visitor to Canada and not a resident of the country. These special permits must be obtained from the visitor's country of residence before they embark on their trip to Canada.

Car Rental Reservations in Canada

It is a smart idea to book a car rental well in advance of your trip to Canada. In order to get the best rate possible, it is highly recommended that visitors to Canada book a rental car at a weekly rate (which is generally considered across the board to be five to seven days) as opposed to a daily rate which can be a costly option. This suggestions makes sense the longer you expect your trip in Canada to be. Motor vehicle rates are based in part on how many cars the rental company in question has available at the pick up location.

Relevant Information for Reserving a Car

Make doubly certain that you have all of the relevant information before making a car reservation. This information includes:
*Verifying the date and time for the pick up and return of the automobile.
*Size and/or class of car you wish to rent. The majority of rental companies break down the cars they have available into classes. These classes include compact, economy, mid-size, standard, full-size, premium, mini-van, SUV and luxury. Many smaller Canadian rental companies have only three classes or categories of vehicles and these include compact, economy and mid-size.
*Name of the individual who will be picking up, and therefore responsible for, the vehicle.
*Special requests, if there are any. For example, some select car rental companies in Canada can accommodate the special needs of their customers such as providing car seats for babies and children, air conditioning, a luggage rack, automatic vs. standard (or manual) transmission and an extra key (for those who have a tendency to lose or misplace items easily!).
*If you qualify for any discounts whatsoever don't hesitate to inquire before you make arrangements to pick up the car. This might include for example a senior's discount.

Driving on Canada's Highways

In the country of Canada drivers drive on the right hand side of the road. The speed limit in Canada is according to the metric system. In other words, it is measured in kilometres as opposed to miles. As a rough estimate, if you are used to calculating your driving speed in miles, 90 kilometres per hour (abbreviated to km/h) is approximately 60 mph and 50 km/h converts to 30 mph. On the majority of Canadian highways, with a few exceptions, the speed limit is 100 km/h but can change suddenly therefore being aware of the speed limit signs displayed along the side of the highway is extremely important to driving responsibility. Law in Canada mandates wearing a seatbelt in a motor vehicle and those who drive motorcycles are required to wear helmets, as are all of the passengers they are carrying.

The Las Vegas Hilton is rapidly becoming the place for Star Trek fans. First it's where the Official Star Trek Convention (which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the cult TV show) is held, but secondly and more importantly the hotel is home to the attraction Star Trek: The Experience. Part indoor theme park, part museum; the $70-million attraction is composed of several components that all faithfully recreate the science fiction world of Kirk, Picard and the show's other heroes.

Visitors are greeted by a hanging mammoth model of the original Enterprise at the entranceway. Inside the main circular area (the Experience's fact sheet claims that the entire area is 65,000 square feet), other models of ships from Star Trek's many incarnations are a sight to behold (for the record, they are the Enterprise D from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Voyager from Star Trek: Voyager and a Klingon Bird-of-Prey seen from the movies). Guests can come in for the food in the area's center, do some shopping off to the left and take in the sights. As they gawk at the intricate detailing of the place, actors dressed and made up as aliens from the shows such as Klingons and Ferengi interact with visitors and stay in character.

But most come for the main attractions. Originally, that was just Klingon Encounter and the History of the Future Museum, but BORG Invasion 4D was added in 2004 and now there are plans to add another area devoted to the original series that featured Capt. Kirk and Spock. Fans pay admission for both shows and can experience them as many times as they want. Once the fee is paid, they turn a sharp right of the circular area and go up a long twisting walkway that takes them through the museum. It features an exhaustive timeline of our history and that of the shows and movies. But what is of most interest is the huge collection of genuine Star Trek props going back forty years. In fact, the people behind the attraction claim the museum has the largest, permanent collection of props. After browsing through the winding museum, visitors choose which attraction they want to try first.

In the Klingon Encounter, guests are somehow transported (through backstage effects) onboard a flawless recreation of the Enterprise D's interior complete with actors playing futuristic spacemen. Guests are given a quick tour of the bridge and are then whisked away into a simulator ride which concludes the show. The future is also visited in BORG Invasion 4D as fans enter a futuristic space station that comes under attack by the villainous cyber beings, the Borg. Unlike the first attraction, this one concludes with guests viewing and being part of a 4D interactive film that's similar to what you would find in the Disney or Universal parks with tactile experiences enhancing the show.

In 2005, a backstage tour was added for those wanting to know more about the Experience. Lasting about an hour, small groups are given an exhaustive behind-the-scenes look at how both shows are prepared. In some respects it does spoil the illusion once aspects of the shows are revealed but fans should love it. But be aware that all photography is strictly forbidden and you have to sign an agreement promising not to divulge what you have learned at the tour.

After the attractions, visitors can dine at Quark's Bar & Restaurant which is in the center of the main area which is a is a recreation of the Deep Space Nine space station seen in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The restaurant is named after the fictional eatery and pub in that show. Menu items include the hamborger, flaming ribs of targ, and final frontier desserts, while alcoholic beverages also have exotic names. A popular drink is the Romulan ale, which is actually beer with blue food coloring.

There are also a couple of stores; one of them sells authentic props from the shows which are quite expensive but worth a look. And what is a Vegas attraction without a wedding ceremony? Believe it or not Trekkers in love can make or renew their vows at the Experience onboard the Enterprise bridge and that's just one of many available packages. The Las Vegas Hilton offers overnight packages for fans that include admission tickets and meals at Quark's. Star Trek may be gone, but it lives on at this hotel, and it's just one of many non-gambling attractions that Sin City offers.
By J.L. Soto

Newcomers to San Antonio are fascinated by the sight of a little green river snaking through the bustling business district. There it is, 20 feet below street level, framed on either side by a paradise of cypress trees, banana plants, crepe myrtle, palms, willows, caladiums, and ivy.

The river's dim, murky past is all but forgotten as million of visitors each year make the River Walk - or the Paseo del Rio, as it is commonly known - the city's leading tourist attraction. Ultra-modern office complexes continue to spring up throughout the river's 21-block area, but the gentle river meanders along, creating a charming and secluded world of its own in a city of more than a million people.

It is in the bend of the river, in the center of downtown, that the pace picks up. This spot is a favorite of natives and tourists alike. Tempting fare such as chicken-friend steaks, beer-battered shrimp, fried catfish, and Mexican delicacies like enchiladas and chile rellenos, to name a few, can be enjoyed in settings ranging from a sidewalk cafe to an elegant restaurant, backed by the sounds of everything from Mexican mariachis to a country-western group to a Dixieland jazz band.

The cultural amalgamation of the River Walk is best reflected in its food. You can be sampling an appetizer of nachos with a pitcher of margaritas one minute and digging into a meal of Texas-sized sirloin and German beer the next. Pastas and pastries, continental cuisine and German sauerkraut - there's something for everyone on the River Walk.

There's also someone for everyone, it seems. With its gently flowing water and sidewalk cafes, the spot is a favorite romantic idyll for honeymooners past, present, and future. Above all, the River Walk is a people place. Visitors from all over the world become neighbors for a time as they pass each other in barges, or waving to one another at neighboring restaurants.

"People who wouldn't dream of talking to each other at street level will strike up a conversation down here," commented one River Walk boutique owner. "I've had customers in here from out of state discover that they live within 20 miles of each other back home, and then go off to have lunch together."

Tourists are particularly enchanted with the Arneson River Theatre. The theatre's stage is on one side of the river, and the grass-covered "bleachers" seating up to 1,000 are on the other. People on river barges often become part of the audience as they glide by on the water that separates the stage from the audience. During the summer, Fiesta Noche del Rio is a lively showcase of Mexican song and dance that has been delighting audiences for decades.

Strangely enough, the river wasn't always the source of pride to San Antonians that it is today. After a devastating flood in 1921, city officials considered filling in the river bends with concrete, until a small but vocal group of conservationists fought to save it. By 1929, the river that had irrigated the five 18th century Spanish missions that were to eventually evolve into the city of San Antonio had degenerated into such an ugly health hazard that there was talk of hiding it beneath a highway and converting it to an underground sewer.

It took a visionary architect in 1938 named Robert H. H. Hugman, who dreamed of what the San Antonio River could become, to turn the tide. Supported by a group of citizens who recognized the unlimited aesthetic possibilities of a downtown River Walk, sketches were made and plans were drawn up. The plans showed curving flights of steps leading down from every street bridge to a River Walk lined with flowers, trees, and shrubs, and a string of shops beside the water. The idea was to transform the river into a Venetian-type canal with the ambience of Old Spain in a unique and multicultural combination it retains to this day.

Because of San Antonio's mild climate, the city's love affair with the River Walk is a year round pastime. People travel from everywhere to stroll down the picturesque sidewalks and float leisurely on barges that feature guides explaining the river's rich history.

With year-round art shows, band concerts, festivals, dance performances, the River Walk comes alive with more than 11 major special events each year, sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association in conjunction with business and civic groups throughout the city. Partygoers turn out by the thousands to eat, drink, and be merry during celebrations from January through December.

If you have to pick only one time of year to see the River Walk at its best - you can't. You have to pick two! Fiesta Week and the holidays are the two must-sees at this captivating spot that will leave you raving to your friends about this delightful destination:

First, Fiesta Week. Have you ever seen a parade where the floats really float? The 10-day celebration in April features one the most beautiful sights to behold that week - the River Parade. Thousands of residents and visitors stake out their places along the River Walk to ooh and aah over dozens of lighted barges that wind their way along the parade route. The festive event is called the King's River Parade in honor of "King Antonio" and his make-believe court, chosen each year to preside over the festivities. More than 150 separate events entertain a city that's more than ready to put everything on hold and party hearty.

The River Parade is truly one of the week's most stunning sights as a sparkling lineup of barges make their way through downtown San Antonio representing nearly 100 organizations and corporations. Barges from businesses, civic groups, the arts, social service agencies and more are strung with lights and flowers and occupied by the usual array of parade staples - brilliantly costumed singers, dancers, clowns, beauty queens, and an occasional VIP and celebrity waving to the crowds on either side of the river.

Music covers the full scale - everything from footstomping flamenco to symphony classics, from mariachi bands to country-western combos.

The custom of sending a parade up the river began in 1941, soon after a group of San Antonians took a trip to Mexico City which included a visit to Xochimilco, the famed "floating gardens" near the capitol. The flower-covered boats and barges gave the travelers the idea to introduce King Antonio in style, overseeing the festivities from his very own barge in the first river parade that same year.

Today, tens of thousands of volunteer hours go into the making of the two-hour River Parade, which is viewed by another half-million or so on area television. The viewers at home do have one advantage - they don't have to scramble for that last grassy spot from which to enjoy the view. Others watch the parade in high style from one of the several elegant hotels along the River Walk that have rooms with a river view. Reservations are needed at least a year in advance for these coveted spots, and no wonder: You can have dinner and drinks sent up to your room, push a few chairs out onto the balcony, grab a frosty margarita or cold beer, and watch the parade float by.

As spectacular as Fiesta Week is, many visitors prefer to visit the River Walk during a cooler time (for Texas, that is) - the holidays. From Thanksgiving weekend to New Year's Day, there are few sights as dazzling as the downtown River Walk. If you're lucky enough to visit during this time, you're in for a treat. The River Walk takes on a special glitter with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights that cast a magical spell. And yes, there's another River Parade, this one on the Friday after Thanksgiving when the giant tree in front of the Alamo is lit up to signal the beginning of the holiday season. The fun continues as shoppers, diners, and visitors are entertained by carolers and mariachis singing holiday favorites each evening from floating barges.

As if zillions of tree-strung lights weren't enough, the Fiesta de las Luminarias (Festival of Lights) adds the soft glow of thousands of candles along the sidewalks lining the River Walk. This tradition continues one started in the 1500s representing the lighting of the way to Bethlehem. Another living tradition is Las Posadas, a re-enactment of the Holy Family's search for shelter. The poignant, song-filled procession winds its way along the River Walk and ends at the Arneson River Theatre.

Shoppers looking for those last-minute gifts can browse among the River Walk's assortment of shops and booths featuring handmade arts and crafts along with quality goods from every corner of the world.

Residents are truly spoiled by the riches of the River Walk, and sometimes take for granted what countless visitors come to enjoy and marvel at. The lovely spot has become so much a part of the life of San Antonio residents that some natives can recall growing up under the impression that every city had it's a River Walk of its own. Amid today's enthralled tourists and loyal residents are echoes of past San Antonians' triumphs in the river's long history. First, the victory of the 1920 conservationists who rescued it, then the vision of architects and civil leaders in the 1960s who created the River Walk's business community, right up to today with ongoing improvements, new hotels, exciting restaurants, and colorful shops. But beyond the history, the legends, the ghosts from the past and the plans for the future, there remains the River Walk's most lasting legacy - its enduring and indefinable charm.

By Julie Young

Tucked away in the countryside, Illinois' Spoon River Valley is showcase to many natural wonders. Woodlands, river valleys, and farms. And every fall they are touched with a spectacular palette of colors.

Each October, thousands of people flock to Fulton County, Illinois, the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive. This is a very unique fall festival. It's the largest of its kind, as well as being a free. And is a great event for families and folks of all ages.

Inspired by the nationally known writings of Edgar Lee Masters, author of the "Spoon River Anthology", the Scenic Drive founders decided to hold a fall festival. Even though the drive is open year round. The unusual beauty of the fall colors throughout the Spoon River Valley was too awesome to be ignored. So back in 1968 they organized and planned their first fall drive. That first weekend was such a success and brought such great numbers of tourists, that it was held a second consecutive weekend. The Scenic Drive has been held the first two weekends in October for almost 40 years. And it now attracts over one hundred thousand visitors over the two consecutive weekends.

Visitors come from all over the country to behold the glorious beauty of fall. Following the self-guided tour through seventeen little boroughs like London Mills, Farmington, Avon, Waterford, and Astoria, there are over one hundred forty miles to be enjoyed.
Each town features many, many historical attractions. As well as booth after booth of arts and crafts, with the crafters and vendors dress in turn-of-the-century period costumes.
There are exhibits, demonstrations, antiques, collectibles, produce, and entertainment, all surrounded by a backdrop of nature's autumn hues.

Food, of course, can be found anywhere and everywhere during the fall festival. While you can find many varieties all along the drive, each area is known for its particular items. Where else can you go to see apple butter made outdoors in huge iron pots but the historic town of London Mills? Stop in Farmington for baked potatoes and hot cider. Or at Smithville's Red Brick School for chicken and noodles. Ellisville boasts of Ellisville Hams. Lewistown fries funnel cakes.

Here is just a sampling of the wealth of historical sites you can see along the tour:

London Mills - Old Mill Wheels, Restored Ross Hotel (an early 1900's rural hotel), a replica of the Statue of Liberty
Middle Grove - 1894 Schoolhouse, Rapatee Coal Mine
Lewistown - Edward Lee Masters home, (where the famous poet and biographer spent his childhood years. And based upon his own childhood experiences wrote his most famous creation "Spoon River Anthology" in 1915. )
Oak Hill Cemetery, Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop and Museum
Avon - many historical homes, Railroad Museum
Ellisville - old store fronts, restored turn-of-the-century Opera House, the Sullivan house, and the smallest Public Library in IL
Mt Pisgah Park - site of an early Indian village, and a high overlook of the Spoon River Valley
Fairview - 1838 Dutch Reformed Church, Octagon-shaped Village Hall, picturesque store fronts
Canton - many historical mansions and homes including the Orendorff Mansion (http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/fulton/orendorff.html), the Fulton County Playhouse (www.fultoncountyplayhouse.com), Civil War Monument in Greenwood Cemetery, historic Train Depot
Cuba - Underground Railroad Station, 1895 Cuba Christian Church
Smithfield - Old City Jail, Red Brick Schoolhouse, Welch Art Studio & museum
Bernadotte - the only Dam site on Spoon River, 1915 Iron Bridge over Spoon River
Farmington - Shad Hill Culteral Center, Luther Birge Home (Underground Railroad Station)
Ipava - Quaker Cemetery, restored Log Cabin, world famous stained glass windows in Ipava Presbyterian Church
Duncan Mills - Isabel Town Hall, replica of Covered Bridge, Tarvin Horse Farm
Waterford Area - Dickson Mounds Museum (ancient burial grounds and village) (http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/)
Waterford Plank Road Ticket Office
Astoria - Village Bandstand, South Fulton Church
Vermont - Civil War cemeteries, Historic mansions, Masonic Hall
Table Grove - Camp Ellis Memorial (WWII army training camp)

There are also many areas which offer camping, fishing, canoeing, and other recreational activities on the Spoon River. Plus motels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants. (http://www.fultoncountytourism.org/foodandlodging.htm#fultoncoconservationanchor)

The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive is worth taking the entire weekend for. In fact, you still might not have enough time...and will have to make it part of your autumn tradition. Returning each October to experience more. More of the smells of autumn, like wood smoke and hot apple butter. More of the tasty yummy-ness of rib-eye sandwiches or pumpkin fudge. More time to walk slowly through the crunchy falling leaves.
It will definitely be an experience unlike no other. One you will not soon forget.

By Jessica Takach

If you often find yourself thinking, hey, I would really like to get away from it all, then this is just the place for you. But only if you really mean it, because you are really, really away from it all when you drive down the muddy, pot hole-ridden logging road to the Last Resort on Long Pond in Jackman, Maine. This is also a great base camp to do some fun day trips from.

Jackman is the last town before you cross over into Canada, on your way to Quebec City. It is a quiet town with a few restaurants, a hardware store, and a bar or two. That is about it. But you aren't here for the town anyway; you're here for the wilderness. But these few shops and buildings will be the last of civilization you will see, so if you need a gallon of milk now would be a good time to remember it.

My fiancé, father and I made the journey to stay at the aptly named Last Resort on Long Pond in late June. I didn't know what to expect, other than rumors of wild bunnies and lots of moose. Word to the wise: Do not visit in June unless you have a very high tolerance for mosquitoes. Bring a lot of bug spray. You would be much better off later in July if you are squirming at the idea. Here is a picture of our fire pit where we grilled corn, steaks, and "tin foil dinners" (hamburger, cut up potatoes, carrots, onions and seasoning all wrapped up in tin foil and then thrown on top of the fire until its done -- tasty and EASY!).Luckily there are a few fish-shaped signs posted to trees as you slowly make your way down the dirt road, otherwise you may lose heart and turn around. The fish cheerfully exclaim, "You're almost there!" or "You Can Get There From Here." You by no means need a four wheel drive vehicle if you are coming in late June (earlier in the season, in May, it is nearly impassable) but be prepared to be bounced around a lot.

When you finally arrive--and thank goodness there is something at the end of this awful road and it's not some sort of awful trick--you see a rugged red log cabin that serves as the main lodge, and the new shower house to the right. At this point, it is as though you have stepped into the past. The cabins were originally built in the early 1900s to serve as hunting lodges. The lodge has a pool table (25 cents a game) as well as many wildlife guides, books to borrow, games, and even penny candy that actually costs, yes, a penny. This was the deciding factor that really made me love the place. There is a TV and DVD player which can be used from the hours of 6 PM to 10 PM, when the generator is running. I suppose that is a good point to mention: there is no electricity in the cabins except for the evenings when the generator powers the lights. But you have gas lamps in your cabin and besides, you will really find yourself out on the lake most of the day anyway. Just take a look at that picture above. It is taken from the sandy beach at the end of the lake.

Tim or Ellen, the very pleasant owners of the Last Resort, will meet you and take you to your cabin. There is a gas-operated refrigerator and stove for cooking in each cabin, as well as a fire pit and picnic table outside. Most cabins have screened in porches which is a nice addition. You will need to bring your own food, but that is part of the fun. It is like camping, but you have a solid roof over your head, a fridge and stove, and surprisingly not-too-scary port-a-potties at each cabin. Sheets and pillows are supplied.

What also stunned me was that upon stepping out of the car and looking across the lake, I saw a moose. And another. And another. If you have always wanted to see a moose, this is the place to come, because literally within minutes you will see some. They stand on the other side of the lake munching on seaweed. Granted, they are pretty far away, but you can see them. If you hop in a canoe and quietly canoe over, they will look up at you from their meals rather perplexed, like this guy:






Once you have checked into your cabin, you can take a boat ride or paddle a canoe across the lake to get a better view of the moose. The Last Resort provides canoes and small motor boats at very reasonable prices (for instance, $3/hour for a canoe. Pretty reasonable compared to other "resorts" I have been to, where $25/half hour sounds like a bargain). Like I said, they will look at you for a while, not sure what to make of the canoe and these strange humans staring at them. They will continue grazing. Eventually, they will bolt off like this one did. This was an enormous moose, and the noise of his galloping was very loud. Be cautious and don't get too close, especially if they have a baby with them.

Relax, read a book, if you have your fishing license grab your reel and try to catch a brook trout. There is a brook next to the Last Resort which is full of these tasty fish, but they are quite hard to be caught. But many a good fly fisherman has been well fed. There are many hiking trails around the Last Resort as well, and Tim and Ellen will likely provide a map which sketches out the local hiking trails. Also, keep an eye out for wild blueberries! There are bushes of them sprinkled around the cabins, as well as in open fields you may come across in your hikes.

Day Trips
If you want a break from your cabin and the moose, there are a couple of options. If you want a foreign city experience, Canada is really not too far away at all. Quebec is probably about an hour and a half away, so it would be easy to make a day of it, and it is a beautiful historic city which is worthy of its own travel guide.

Another trip that would be easy to embark on from this direction is Moosehead Lake. If you drive East from Jackman you will be there in approximately an hour or so. It is an enormous lake, and lots of hiking abounds in that region due to Baxter State Park.

So if you are one of those people that wants to get away from it all and really means it, look this place up. Even if you don't really mean it, it has the modern amenities that make life more comfortable, like showers and pool tables and toilets, all things which don't exist when you are truly roughing it. But it also has the aspects that make it more rustic and really "out there" (like only one telephone and TV). Cell phones do not work in the town of Jackman, but don't be alarmed. It is O.K. That's what you came here for. Actually, most cell phones come in crystal clear on the lake, which is a new development thanks to a new cell tower in the region. In fact, you might just want to turn your phone off and pretend it doesn't get any signal, lean back in your chair on your porch and moose-watch between the pages of a good book.

Niagara Falls is one of the southernmost points of Canada and is just a hop, skip and a jump across the Niagara River from the border of New York State.

Niagara Falls consists of a group of 3 different water falls that make up the entire Niagara Falls. These are the American Falls, The Bridal Falls and the Canadian Falls (otherwise known as the Horseshoe Falls because they are in the shape of a horseshoe). The Falls were undoubtedly caused by the last ice age (as were all the Great Lakes) and started to become a tourist destination as early as the mid 1800’s. The city of Niagara Falls was also site of a battle from the War of 1812 (the battle of Lundy’s Lane).

Enough history for now. Since Niagara Falls is such a tourist site, you would think there are lots to do there, right? Well, you are correct! There are tons of great hotels to stay in and some even look out over the falls. Hotels such as the Ramada, Sheraton and the Holiday Inn are usually within most people’s budgets and have indoor swimming pools and pretty much everything one would look for in a hotel.

Eating out isn’t a problem because there are so many great restaurants. One memorable experience you might want to try is eating at the top of the Skylon Tower. It features a revolving restaurant that turns every 15 minutes and since the Falls are illuminated at night, it is truly an experience to remember.

Up for a little adventure? Why not try the Maid of the Mist boat ride? This small boat takes passengers on the Niagara River and up under the Horseshoe Falls (raincoats are provided). Or how about walking under the Falls? How about being suspended over the Falls? There is a ride called the Spanish Areo Car that takes passengers on a round trip from the Canadian side to the US side and back over the Falls. This ride is not for the faint of heart! If you come in the summer, you are in for a treat. The City of Niagara Falls holds fireworks over the Horseshoe Falls which are cool to see. Also during the Christmas season, they hold a large light display which features Disney charachters and hold night parades (yes, that’s what I said) with about a dozen floats and fireworks as well.

There is a lot to do and see in Niagara Falls if you don’t want to get wet. Check out Louis Tussauds’s Wax Museum or how about the Guinness Book of World Records or Marineland Canada or Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory? There are two Casinos in Niagara Falls if winning or losing money is more to your taste. Niagara Falls is also home to a Hard Rock Café and many other places of note such as a Hershey’s store. There is an IMAX Theatre that is also worth checking out to see what’s playing. Hordes of busloads come to visit the Floral Clock that is in the City of Niagara Falls, built in 1950 by Ontario Hydro, it is quite a site to see. If you still want to get wet, the Falls is home to a new indoor water park called Great Wolf Lodge Water Park. This short list only scratches the surface of things to do and see in Niagara Falls, so be prepared to spend some time when you come.

The Falls can also be viewed from the US side. There is a State Park on the New York side that offers a good view of the Falls (not as good the Canadian side, though). My family and I have crossed the border to view the Falls in the winter from the state park. It was cold, but worth it!

If wine and wine tasting is more up to your liking and you have a car or can rent one, it is a good day’s trip to visit the various wineries that are located within the Niagara Region. There are about forty-two wineries in and around Niagara Falls that give free tours and wine tasting. Interested in some history? There are a few forts around Niagara Falls, Fort George is in Niagara on the Lake(a short drive up the Niagara Parkway); Old Fort Erie is in Fort Erie (just a short drive down the Niagara Falls Parkway).

If you are looking for a quaint village to visit, look no further than the village of Niagara on the Lake. Niagara on the Lake was a fort during the war of 1812 and remains today to be a small and interesting town. It features little boutiques, parks and fabulous restaurants and can be a little pricey, but is worth visiting.

The Welland Canal Corridor is also quite interesting place to visit. The 27 mile long Canal is literally a ship elevator that take both Lakers (Great Lake ships) and Salties (ocean going ships) from one lake to another. The Canal runs between Lakes Ontario and Erie and quite interesting to see as well. If you want to visit this, you will want to head towards Lock 3 with its viewing tower (located in St. Catharines, Ontario)

So why has Niagara Falls been called the “honeymoon capital of the world”? It is because in 1802, the daughter of US Vice President Aaron Burr’s daughter celebrated her honeymoon in the Falls, followed by Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon. The phrase ‘honeymoon capital of the world’ began being touted in the early twentieth century and still lives up to this reputation today.

Whether you come for a few days to the Niagara region of a little longer, it is an experience that you will remember for a lifetime!

Canada's capital city is Ottawa and this city can be found in the province of Ontario.
Situated on Ottawa River and snuggled up against the Canadian Shield, it offers great scenery and it is a great place to visit. A holiday in the city of Ottawa will not only net you an education about the history of the country of Canada but you can also discover great and new things about the country as well.

Ottawa has been Canada's capital since before the confederation of Canada in 1867. Ottawa was chosen as the capital of the Province of Canada in 1859 and finished building the parliament buildings shortly after that in 1866. Back then, it was a small industrial town, but kept growing virtually without any city plan. In 1900, much of the city was destroyed by fire as most of the building were made with wood and in 1916, a large portion of the parliament buildings were destroyed, also by fire. And today the city boasts a population of 774,072 making it Canada's fourth largest city and second largest in the province of Ontario (following Toronto, and just slightly ahead of Hamilton.)

If you are interested in the beginnings of Canada and its political system and wish to tour the parliament, tours are available and are free (it depends on what season it is and if the parliament is in session, call first.) There are many other historic and interesting sites to see in Ottawa including The Bank of Canadian Currency Museum (very interesting…shows you the history of money); The National Gallery of Canada (features all types of arts); Canadian Science and Technology Museum; Canadian Museum of Civilization and Canadian War Museum, just to name a few.

Not only the capital but a vibrant and current city in the country of Canada, the city boasts over thirty museums as well as fifty galleries and theatres Do you need a place to stay for a few days while you visit Ottawa? There are almost 100 hotels and motels to choose from including three Comfort Inns placed strategically in and around the Ottawa area. Other hotels include The Sheraton; several Holiday Inns and many other to choose from. Whether you want an upscale place to spend the night or something that leans more towards your budget, there are many to choose from.

Want to go on a shopping trip and pick up some souvenirs? Check out Ottawa's historic ByWard Market. It is not your average shopping mall (though Ottawa does have several of those too). The ByWard Market is an outdoor 4 block radius which consists of many farmer's stalls as well as contemporary shops, boutiques and restaurants. Established in 1826 by Lt-Col. John By (the legendary builder of the Rideau Canal), it is one of Canada's largest and oldest markets. Situated near to the Parliament buildings, the location makes it a must see during your visit to Ottawa.

Everyone has to eat and Ottawa offers so many choices. You can have a North American Breakfast, walk a short distance and go to Italy for lunch and see the sites in the afternoon and then go to Thailand for supper. The options are almost endless. It depends on what kind of food interests your palate that particular day. Ottawa is also home to a Hard Rock Cafe which is located within the ByWard Market and with lots of other bars that one could spend some fun filled hours during an evening at.

The city of Ottawa boasts that it is one of the coldest capital cities in the world, but rather than huddle around the fireplace, the city's inhabitants celebrate the weather. The Rideau Canal (built over the years 1826 to 1832) freezes during the winter and a large section of it becomes an ice rink. Interested in in-line skating during the summer? The city of Ottawa boasts 170 kilometres of pathways that can be used for skating, biking and walking, not to mention other parks and greenspaces.

The city of Ottawa is also one of the best places to learn and with more than 5 colleges and universities to boast about, it makes the city most prominent in the country with one college and one university's courses being delivered in the French language. Since Canada is officially bi-lingual, the city operates in both languages. But not to worry if you don't speak any French, you can still manage to navigate the city without being bi-lingual. But now might be the perfect opportunity to pick up some words or phrases, right?

No matter what you come to Ottawa for (Ottawa has been host to the G-8 Summit in past years) and even if you aren't a world leader, whether you come to Ottawa for business or for pleasure, with a little planning, you can make your trip a very memorable one.

By Jessica Takach

3.6 million tourists visit the largest city in Maine each year, and they are coming here for a reason. Quaint cobble stone streets of the downtown "Old Port" flow into the working docks and ships of the harbor. There's a lot to do and see here, whether you are in town for the shops, museums, or the lobster. Bring your walking shoes!

The Old Port: This is the oldest part of town and arguably has the most charm. Some of the original cobblestone streets remain (which can be trecherous in heels!), and many of the buildings are hundreds of years old. You can see the harbor from Commercial Street, the main street with many interesting and unique shops.

Dining in the Old Port: Portland residents and visitors like their food, and maybe that is why Portland has more restaurants per capita than any other city-and luckily they are all very good. If you are looking for a gourmet meal, try Street & Company, located on Wharf Street, which has plenty of charming cobblestones. The lobster di friavlo for two is a fantastic deal, and you will not go hungry. Other downtown dining destinations include: Mims, Walter's, Flatbread Company, Five Fifty-Five, Downtown Lounge, and Fuji Restaurant, just to name a very few. The price range varies greatly between all of those. The best meal for your money would probably be at the Downtown Lounge, which truly serves gourmet food for around $7.97 an entrée. It is small and is also a bar, so arrive early for a good table and an even better meal.

Museums and Historical Options: The Portland Museum of Art is an excellent museum that has changing exhibits as well as a permanent collection. It is certainly worth checking out. Other nearby historical fixes are the Longfellow House, where Wadsworth Longfellow lived and wrote. Also, as you explore the downtown area, you will see many galleries lining the streets. Check them out! Often the first week of the month many galleries have wine and cheese receptions.

Casco Bay Islands: To truly appreciate Portland, you need to get out in the Harbor to see its coastline and its exit to the sea. You can do all of this for around $6 round trip on the Casco Bay Ferry! Take a trip to Peak's Island for dinner, ice cream, or just a stroll around this small island. The houses are lovely and the view incredible.

Catch a Play: If you are here in the right season, you can catch a play at the Portland Stage Company. In May, the Little Festival of the Unexpected is put on and is always a treat to see.

Catch A Symphony: The Portland Symphony Orchestra puts on delightful performances each fall and winter in the beautiful Merrill Auditorium. If you are up to see the leaves, I would recommend taking in a concert if you have time. These performances range from classical to Pops performances of modern music.

Go to a Game!: Portland is home of the Portland Sea Dogs and if you'd like to support the home team, grab some tickets! Tickets are very inexpensive and you get to see a pro game at beautiful Hadlock Field.

Get a bite to eat at the Portland Public Market: The Portland Public Market is a beautiful building which houses local vendors. There are tons of fresh flowers, organic produce, and excellent meats and seafood. If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, pick something up here to cook at home!

Just WALK!: There is no better way to see Portland than to walk. It is very much a pedestrian town, so feel free to explore on foot.

Catch Lobsters: That's right, you can catch your very own lobsters. Check out the wharf area to find a lobster boat company that will take you out to learn about lobsters as well as bring in the traps. The company I have gone with is Lucky Catch Lobsters! You have the option of purchasing the lobsters you catch at the end of the cruise. Word to the wise, check out other wharf markets beforehand, so you know if you are getting a good deal. Oftentimes those lobsters you worked hard hauling up yourself are more expensive!

These are just a few activities to get you going in Portland, Maine. Enjoy your travels!

By Brandi M. Seals

The National Park Service is a wonderful part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the preservation and maintenance of several unique parks, monuments, forests and more across the nation that are home to amazing sights - like the geysers in Yellowstone National Park or the naturally formed arches that dot across Arches National Park.

The National Park Service's mission is "...to promote and regulate the use of the...national parks...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." (www.nps.gov/legacy/mission.html)

President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that creating the National Park Service on August 25, 1916. The National Park Service was deemed responsible for the protecting the 40 national parks and monuments in the United States at the time of its signing as well as those that would be formed later.

The first National Park to be founded in the United States was Yellowstone National Park. Created by Congress on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park was located in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming at the time of its founding. The park is now located in the northwest corner of Wyoming.

When looking for an excellent vacation destination, simple turn to the National Park Service for help. Today the National Park System of the United States is an extensive network comprised of 384 areas that cover more than 83 million acres in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Nature lovers will want to head to the southwest. Here they can visit Canyonlands National Park. Located in the southeast corner of Utah, Canyonlands feature vistas more beautiful than the Grand Canyon. Because it is further from the beaten path, Canyonlands is a lot less crowded then the Grand Canyon.

The park is separated into four distinct districts - Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. Island in the Sky is the most accessible region and provides breathtaking views of the Green River below. Travel the .25 mile trail down to see Mesa Arch and see a more spectacular arch then can be seen elsewhere. Visitors can check out all four districts or as many as they like.

Located only a stones throw away from Canyonlands are Arches National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Glenn Canyon National Recreation Area, Hovenweep National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Yucca House National Monument, and Navajo National Monument. With so many parks and monuments so close together, this area makes for a great travel destination; just be sure to dust off those hiking boots. Many of these locales offer wonderful hiking trails and offer an opportunity to get a look at some wild horses. Just be careful while driving in the area. There are lots of open cattle ranges and it is not uncommon to find cows in the road.

Civil War buffs will want to check out the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. This park marks the site of where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865 which marked the end of the Civil War. While in the area, stop by the Manassas National Battlefield Park which preserves the site of the Battles of First and Second Manassas (also known as Bull Run). Both are located in Virginia amongst several other great parks and monuments.

If heading to multiple National Park destinations check into getting a National Park Pass. The passes, sold at the entrance to most national parks and online, runs $50 and gets the cardholder and anyone in his private vehicle in for free at National Parks charging an entrance fee.

It may not be feasible to check out all the National Parks in an area, but with a National Park in every state except Idaho (which does feature the Nez Perce National Historic Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Minidoka Internment National Monument and the City of Rocks National Reserve) there is one nearby for almost everyone. Get out and see what your country has deemed important enough to be preserved by the federal government.

By: Lindsey Rawson-Lin

If you are looking to migrate to the calm solitude of mountains and lakes for a summer filled with boating and relaxing, or are looking to escape to powdery snow, warm fireplaces, and skiing during the winter months, look no further than Lake Arrowhead, California. Nestled 5100 feet above the deserts of San Bernardino, California, about an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles, Lake Arrowhead offers a multitude of enjoyment, recreation, and relaxation for the entire family.

Driving up the Pacific Rim Highway on a clear day you will be marveled by the panoramic views of the valleys of Southern California and ocean below. As you focus on driving the winding road up to Arrowhead, through forests and cliffs, you will feel yourself leaving the stresses of modern day life behind.

Lake Arrowhead is the outdoor enthusiasts playground. In the summer there is hiking, boating, horseback riding, water skiing, fishing, golf, and much more. Just about any mountain activity you can think of you will find there. In the fall you can hike amongst the brilliance of the leaves changing. In the winter cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and curling up by the fireplace are musts. Downhill skiing is only a short drive away in the famed mountain resort community of Big Bear Lake (about 20 miles away).

The towns and villages around Lake Arrowhead are charming and remain untouched by modern civilization. It is hard to believe you are only an hour and a half from the hectic pace and concrete of Los Angeles.

Blue Jay is a small village a few miles from Lake Arrowhead that is the home of the famous Ice Castles skating rink. In Blue Jay you will find a movie theater, restaurants, grocery store, and a few fast food restaurants. Crestline is also not far away. Crestline offers dining, eclectic shopping opportunities, and its' own lake, Lake Gregory. All of the communities in Lake Arrowhead are within a six mile drive of each other; connected by winding mountain roads nestled into the rocky hills and tall pine trees.

Lake Arrowhead also offers world class entertainment. In July and August there is the Blue Jay Jazz festival which offers some of the best jazz entertainment in the area. There is also a summer concert series that offers live entertainment, good food, and views of Lake Arrowhead. In December Blue Jay hosts Christmas activities and a Christmas parade.

There are many types of lodging to choose from in and around Lake Arrowhead. You can find hotels to stay in for a few days at a time or a cabin. On holiday weekends there is usually a three night minimum. There are rustic cabins that take you back to a place in time when life was more simplistic. These no frills cottages offer the basics. If you are looking for more luxury in your travels there are many cabins that offer decadent bathrooms with jacuzzi's, granite fireplaces, and first class kitchens. My advice is to do your research, I would not book a cabin without seeing pictures. Most cabins have websites and you can see pictures of the rooms and amenities online. Some cabins also cater to pets. Cozy Cabin Rentals of Lake Arrowhead and Arrowhead Pine Rose Cabins have a good selection of cabins. If you are looking for something that requires even less maintenance there are many Bed and Breakfasts. Broken Arrow B & B offers rooms decorated in Native American and mountain art. The Storybook Inn is a B & B that offers panoramic views of the San Bernardino mountains, first class rooms, and lets you bring along your well behaved pet. If you are looking for luxury directly on the Lake try the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. This resort offers worldclass rooms, a private beach on Lake Arrowhead, and an on-site spa.

If you do not feel like cooking your own food, fear not; you will find many restaurants to cater to your dining needs. Lake Arrowhead is a true mountain getaway, but that does not mean there are not a multitude of delectable restaurants to choose from. If you are looking for something ethnic, Papaya Thai offers good quality Thai food with calming views of the Lake. If you are looking for something more gourmet try Chateau Gourmet Restaurant in Crestline. Looking for a cozy mountain restaurant that offers home cooked delights? Try historic Antler's Inn Restaurant in Twin Peaks, there is even a cozy fireplace that adds to the ambiance.

Shopping is another great past time in Lake Arrowhead. After a day of boating or communing with nature take some time out to shop at the world class stores of Lake Arrowhead. Lake Arrowhead Village offers an outdoor shopping center on Lake Arrowhead with a multitude of shopping pleasures. This shopping center has mainstream stores like Coach, Jockey, and Bass. Looking to pick something up for the home to remember your travels to Lake Arrowhead? Check out Acorn Hollow or Promenade on the Lake. Missing your furry friend? Buy your four legged friend a gift at Just Browsing Pet Boutique and Paws Spa.

Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a week long family vacation, Lake Arrowhead has a lot to offer. There are so many activities to chose from you will never be bored. Before you know it, you may become so enchanted with Lake Arrowhead, that you may find yourself running to the nearest real estate office to purchase your own piece of mountain paradise.

By Jessica Takach





Tropical rainforests, deserts of cacti, molten lava, snow covered mountain peaks: All of this can be found on the Big Island of Hawaii and it doesn't have to break your budget. I will outline here the ultimate tour of the Big Island (literally the biggest island, so large that all the other Hawaiian islands could fit within its outline, but still small enough that you can circumnavigate it in just a few hours). Since I grew up in Hawaii I can share with you some insider tips, but I have also traveled back to visit for many years, so I have experienced the island from a tourist's standpoint as well. The following itinerary and tips are largely from a trip I took last February with my fiance--and we did it on a shoestring budget.

PREPARATIONS:
First, arrange to fly into the Kona airport. You can oftentimes get flights directly from the mainland, or you can fly in from Honolulu on a connecting flight--but, FYI, frequent flyer miles probably will NOT cover the inter-island flight. It also tends to be sunnier on this side of the island, which is a great way to start any vacation. It is very dry and covered in lava, but don't be scared. You have not landed on the moon. The other side of the island is a tropical rain forest, so you will have the opportunity to experience all the various landscapes during the course of your trip. It is nice to start it off with a good tan though.


First of all, I would highly recommend that you rent your car through Discount Hawaii Car Rental. You will need a car while on the island because there isn't much public transportation, and it is much more fun to explore the island on your own time rather than with a tour. If you intend to be a real adventurer, you may consider renting a Jeep. To be honest, I was hesitant to believe that this website could possibly be true, because it seemed too good. We dreaded our arrival at the airport, fearing we would find we had been duped. But this did not happen, thank goodness! Since we are under 25, most car rental companies charge AT LEAST $25/day extra for the under 25 crowd. We simply could not afford this on a 12 day trip, it would break our budget. So, we did a little research on the internet and found this website, which waived the $25/day fee and also gave us a much better rate. I believe we paid somewhere around $200 for an entire 12 day trip. And, when we arrived at Budget and checked in, we were upgraded to a convertible because they were out of economy cars! Our vacation was off to an excellent start. Here is the site: http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/


KAILUA-KONA: First, visit the city of Kailua-Kona: Getting to Kailua-Kona from the airport is about a fifteen to twenty minute drive. There is basically one major road that loops around the island, so don't worry about getting too lost. While driving away from the safety of the airport, DO NOT PANIC. You have not landed on the moon, and yes you have actually come to the tropical destination of your choice for your vacation although it may not appear that way right now. You will be seeing different shades of rock for miles upon miles, with the occasional hearty shrub poking through. This is the dry side of the island, and an excellent way to start your vacation, since the weather tends to be much drier and sunnier on this side of the island. Word to the wise: start your tan now! I hope you rented a convertible. You may be disappointed, of course, that you are vacationing on lava rock and the rainforest that you had expected to greet you upon arrival is not there, but don't worry, you'll see it soon enough as well as a bit of rain with it, most likely!. But like the Sahara desert, there is much more than meets the eye there is life, history, and stories to be found in this barren landscape. Kona is the most "touristy" town on the island, but it is very quaint and gorgeous, right on the ocean. You can walk around here and visit all of the shops and pick up a few souvenirs. If you stay in Kona, I would recommend staying at the Kona Seaside Hotel because it is within walking distance to everything and extremely cheap compared to other area hotels. Expect to stay there for between $80 and $100, which isn't bad for in-town accomodations with a peak of the ocean. It is not a luxury hotel, at all, though. Request to stay in the tower, otherwise you may be put in the older section of the hotel which tends to be noisier.


While in Kona...
The following day, go on a Fair Wind Snorkel Cruise out of Kona: I have been on this a number of times and it is simply amazing. You sail along the coast from Kona until you reach Kealakekua Bay, where the Captain Cook monument is (and where he was killed!). It is a beautiful spot and is protected--the Fair Wind is the only ship allowed there, and that is why I recommend this cruise. If you want to snorkel, this is the place to do it -- the fish and coral are stunning. You can opt for the breakfast or lunch onboard, which is buffet style and very nice, or the PM snack cruise which is cheaper. If you don't mind spending a bit of money I would really recommend trying SNUBA. Basically, it is like scuba diving but without all the tanks and scaryness. The tanks remain on the surface in a small little floating boat, and then you take a breathing tube with you so you can stay underwater as long as you like and dive down to 20 ft or so if you want. It is like being a fish! It is, however, very expensive. I was able to try it once for just for a few minutes when I was little, and have never forgotten the experience. So, it is something to consider. Here is their website: http://www.fair-wind.com/


HILTON WAIKALOA: After you've gotten your fill of Kona, I would recommend driving out to stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort for at least one or two nights (about 20 minutes from the Kona airport, and about 40 from Kona-the airport is between Kona and the Hilton). It is my favorite hotel of anywhere I have been--it is an amazing resort, constructed by the Japanese in the 1980s. It has a monorail, and you can also travel by boat around the hotel because it is so large. You can also swim with dolphins here! It is rather ridiculously expensive to do, so if you opt not to do that you can still enjoy seeing them jumping around in their lagoon when you have lunch, or on an early morning jog. There are a bunch of pools and waterslides as well. We dined at the Kamuela Provision Company, and although it severely offset our budget for the rest of the trip, it was an incredibly delicious meal and you simply could not beat the atmosphere: overlooking the Pacific ocean, sipping a pineapple mango martini, with tiki torches blazing. In the past I have also eaten at Donatello's, which is a really great Italian restaurant that overlooks the little river the boats travel up and down. Here is the website: http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/index_flash.asp


KAIWAIHAE: : Once you've tanned, swam, and frolicked at the Hilton enough, drive from the Hilton towards Waimea. But WAIT! You are going to pass the island's, and perhaps the world's, most delicious mexican restaurant, Tres Hombres. Here is a brief segway on the town of Kawaihae, home of the best shredded beef taco. To get to Kawaihae, you will drive out of Kailua-Kona the way you came in and follow that road all the way until you come to a fork with road signs pointing to Waimea (y-may-ah) and Kawaihae (ka-y-hi). Go towards Kawaihae and keep an eye out on your left for a sign that says Puukohola Heiau, a leftover relic of the native Hawaiians. After you visit here, continue towards Kawaihae. It is the major shipping port of the island, and there isn't much here, so you might miss it. But I would recommend eating at Cafe Pesto while taking in views of the harbor, and then heading upstairs to the ice cream store for the best tahitian vanilla bean and passion fruit sorbet. A little fact of interest: the film Water World starring Kevin Costner was filmed here. Some of the remains of the huge water island seen in the film were used at local schools for sets for plays. I have a friend who had a sister who had a friend that Kevin Costner stayed at their house while filming. Yeah, pretty cool, I know.


WAIMEA (KAMUELA): After a delicious meal or hike around the heaiau, it is time to head to Waimea. This is cowboy (or "paniolo") country. This is where we lived for the majority of our time on the island. It is absolutely gorgeous, although it can be quite windy. I went to school at HPA which you might see when you're driving through town. There are quite a few bed and breakfasts in the area, although I can't say I have stayed at any of them. You might consider taking a horseback riding trip while in the area because the views are phenomenal. There is another trip in the area called "flumin' da ditch" in which you boat down the old ditches in the mountains. They also have Humvee tours. You can find both here: http://www.flumindaditch.com Pay attention to the environmental changes that you will experience on your ride from the Hilton up to Waimea. You go through an extreme elevation change, and the lava rock gradually turns into desert, and then becomes lush, green hillsides. As your journey progresses to the other side of the island, it will become more and more green. Because of the way the mountains on the island formed, all the water tends to form on the Hilo side of the island. From Waimea you will also have a phenomenal view of the major volcanoes: Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Holualoa. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and the Kek observatories sit on the top, an excellent spot to view the stars and gallaxies from. Mauna Loa is predicted to be active again sometime in the next few hundred years, as well as Holualoa. From the Hilo side you will see Kiluea, the currently active volcano on the island.



TEX'S: Continuing your island tour, you will drive from Waimea to Hilo but on the way there are a few important stops. The first of these is Tex's. You've got to stop here to try some real local food (and hopefully your stomach will survive). On your drive from Waimea to Hilo, you will pass through Honoka'a. On the lefthand side of the road (I believe) you will see a sign for TEX'S MALASADAS. They have the most delicious portuguese donuts here, and it is famous on the island. Even though they are probably very bad for you, you should at least try one.

WAIPIO VALLEY: After you've fueled up, head to Waipio Valley: Near Tex's you will see signs for Waipio Valley. You could spend an entire day here hiking down into the valley. It is gorgeous. It probably takes a good 4 hours to hike down and back. If this sounds like too much there are many different tours that take you to the bottom of the valley. I highly recommend it. You will pass through roaring streams, see taro fields (which poi is made out of), and be able to walk on one of the most beautiful and physically remote beaches of the islands.


HILO: Next, continue your drive to visit Hilo: Hilo is the major town on the island, other than Kona. It is on the opposite side of the island. This is the "real Hawaii" and not nearly as touristy. This is also the rainier side of the island, which is why it is primarily rainforest.

Things to do in and around Hilo:
Visit the Big Island Candy Factory (delicious cookies and candies, all made right at the factory! Free samples)
Visit Rainbow Falls
Visit Akaka Falls (some light hiking)
Visit the Botanical Gardens/scenic drive
Go to Richardson's Beach (public black sand beach with good snorkeling)
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory
Hilo Public Market (see picture -- all the most amazing fruits and veggies, extremely inexpensive!)


Dining in Hilo: Cafe Pesto, Harrington's, Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm ( http://www.seasiderestaurant.com/)

Cheap Lodging in Hilo: If you don't mind staying in a hostel, the Hilo Bay Hostel is extremely affordable, clean and in the downtown Hilo area which is very fun. You can walk to all the shopping and the bay. You can have your own private room with a view of the bay, but you will have to share a bathroom and kitchen. I'd consider doing this just because it is a really charming place, and it will save you money so you can do fun things like go on the snorkel cruise or a horseback ride. Here is their website: http://www.hilobayhostel.com/

Other things to do around Hilo:
Swim In Natural Hot Ponds: You can find these in any guidebook. There are some near Hilo and are really fun—they are heated by the underground steam from lava..

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK: When you enter the park, the first stop you'll want to make is the Volcano House. It is the original and only hotel inside the park, with a visitors center and an amazing view over Kilauea Crater. This is much larger than the Kilauea Iki but you can also hike this crater. Here is the official website: http://www.nps.gov/havo/ This is really one of the major highlights of the trip. There are many opportunities for hiking and lots of sights to see. Brendan and I hiked the Kilauea Iki Crater and that was a lot of fun. You hike around the top of the crater through an ohia forest, and then you eventually get down to the crater floor and hike across. It isn't TOO strenuous but it does take a couple of hours. It is a pretty amazing experience though.


THINGS TO DO AND SEE AT VOLCANO:
Thurston Lava Tube: This is in Volcano National Park and is really fun. You walk through a real lava tube! Lava tubes are formed when flowing lava hardens on the outside, and liquid lava continues to flow through until a hollow tube remains.

Dining in Volcano: If you want to have a fancy dinner in Volcano I would highly recommend the Kiluea Lodge: http://www.kilauealodge.com/

Where to stay in Volcano: Although the Volcano House is right on the crater, the rooms are old and the rates are quite expensive. Brendan and I stayed in a little bed and breakfast cottage about 2 miles down the road from the entrance to the Park in a fern forrst and it was really nice. Here is the website: http://www.volcanoplaces.com/
We stayed in Kate's Cottage and loved it. We only stayed one night but would have stayed longer if we had known it would be so pleasant. They provide juices, pastries and breakfast foods in your fridge for the morning--it was also very cheap compared to hotels.

See Real Lava: If you have the time and the lava flow is good, you can drive down to where the lava is flowing into the ocean. This is NOT an easy hike and you'll want to start the hike right before nightfall. They have made it progresively harder to get near the lava with barriers and such, because chunks of land have been known to randomly fall into the ocean (a few people have died). It is a few mile hike across lava fields in the dark (bring a flashlight) but if you do get to see some lava it is a pretty amazing experience.

Volcano Winery: Take a tour of the United State's most southern winery and sample their assortment of wines: Hawaiian Guava, Macadamia Nut Honey, and our favorite, Symphony Dry. The wine tasting is a lot of fun, and they have an excellent staff that explains each wine clearly and in interesting detail. Also, free wine is just simply always a good time. The winery is also open 365 days a year! It is a pretty impressive little winery.

At this point you have seen all of the island that I would highly recommend. But the most important aspect of this trip I cannot explain to you: explore. Drive off south of Hilo towards the southern most point of the United States. I guarantee you will find some incredibly interesting houses, people, and views. When in Hawaii, I highly recommend just setting off and seeing where you end up. If you simply stay on the Kona side of the island at a resort, you will have a lovely time, but it will be like any other vacation--and you sat on a plane for a very long time to get here. Make it worth it! Be an adventurer! That is the biggest piece of advice I can give when visiting Hawaii.

This is the end of the tour, but it takes you through all the major sites that you should definitely see while on the Big Island of Hawaii. All of this can be accomplished in 10 to 12 days, but of course I would recommend staying as long as you possibly can. At this point in the trip, you could go back and re-visit parts of the island that you liked a lot and would like to spend more time exploring. You can then gradually return to the Kona side of the island for your return trip home--not that you'll ever want to leave this beautiful place.

When you think of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, you probably think of ice and snow and how cold their winters are, but not too much else, right? But there is so much more to that great city than meets the eye or the imagination.

Toronto is the capital of Ontario and the financial capital of Canada and a busy metropolis. Found on the shores of Lake Ontario and on the St. Lawrence Seaway, it is important port and is city is a beautiful place to spend a day, month or a lifetime or anything in between. The temperatures can range from well into the 90’s during the summer and hover around freezing or up to 10 degrees below in the winter with an average of five inches of snow per winter.

In and around the city of Toronto there are plenty of things to see and do and experience! There is so much that make the city of Toronto the exciting, vibrant city it is! It boasts many cultural areas such as a large China town, Little Italy, Greektown and even a French quarter. Toronto is a world class city with an excellent subway system and a large concourse of underground shopping malls running through out the downtown core. With many large highways and a major airport nearby, it’s easy to get to as well for the long distance traveler.

All through the year, you can find many activities and different venues of entertainment that fit into everybody’s interests and tastes. And speaking of tastes, in Toronto there is almost every country of the world represented by way of restaurants. There are a huge number of first class restaurants down town and through out the city. Feel like eating some Chinese today and may a Mexican dish tomorrow? No problem at all! You could go out to eat every night and almost never go to the same restaurant twice. Along with different and exotic foods, you can find a great restaurant to grab a burger at after a day or shopping or sightseeing.

Shops and boutiques are plentiful in and around the city. The stores of Hazelton Lanes can compare with the boutiques on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles or the one’s on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Who knows you meet even meet a star or two catching a bargain (the American dollar gets a little extra bang since the Canadian dollar is worth slightly –about 10 cents less than the US dollar). Toronto is dubbed “Hollywood North” by many producers and directors and many movies are filmed there. Hey, I have even seen Robin Williams walk past me down Yonge Street! (Yonge Street is one of Toronto’s major thorough-fares and Ontario’s longest street) So if you are lucky, you might even see stars when you venture in and around the city!

Toronto also has many 5 star hotels in its exciting downtown area to spend a few days in. Hotels such as Intercontinental, The Sheraton, Holiday Inn, and The Delta-Chelsea to name just a few of the major hotels that are in the immediate downtown area, put you in the center of the city’s non-stop action and are a treat to stay at and feature amenities that some only dream of.

Special attractions that will interest the whole family can be found such as the Royal Ontario Museum, The Ontario Science Centre, The CN Tower (the world’s tallest free-standing structure), The Metro Toronto Zoo, Paramount Canada’s Wonderland (a huge amusement park), and Centre Island. These venues along with many others make it a very appealing city for a family get-away.

Do you have a sports fan in the family? Come and visit the Hockey Hall of Fame (the home of hockey!) Toronto also is the home to 4 professional sports teams: The Toronto Blue Jays (Baseball); The Toronto Raptors (Basketball); The Toronto Maple Leafs (Hockey) and The Toronto Argonauts (Football within the Canadian Football League or CFL – Canada’s Version of the NFL). It is also home to such exciting sports events as Dragon Boat Racing and The Molson Indy that was held here in Toronto just a month ago. The city also is the home to Skydome, - known as the Air Canada Center, the world’s first multi use stadium with a retractable roof which houses these venues along with concerts and more.

Culture, theatre and music are also very much alive and well in Toronto. Plays such as “Cats” and “Mamma Mia” have enjoyed successful runs in the various theatres such as The Princess of Wales Theatre and Pantages Theatre here. Acts such as Hillary Duff, Sarah McLachlan, WWW Raw, U2, Elton John, Duran Duran, Van Morrison, Shakira, The Foo Fighters, The Black Eyed Peas and Hall and Oates have played or are playing at the in venues including the Air Canada Centre or are doing so in the near future. There is also great Jazz clubs, beautiful symphony music and pretty much any type of music, film, comedy (home of Second City), well just about anything that would appeal to the creative side of you, you are able to find it here in the city of Toronto.

Special events and cultural events are held at different times through the year, these are the Gay Pride Parade and other events such as The Canadian National Exhibition, Caribana (the largest celebration in North America of the Caribbean way of life and features a massive parade that is the highlight of every year’s festivities and draws people from all over North America to enjoy these happenings.

Toronto also boasts several top rate universities and colleges, like the University of Toronto (opened in 1857) is Canada’s largest and York University, Canada’s 3rd largest university and along with a great public school system, it’s a great place to raise a family. Housing can be reasonable or pricey depending on the part of the city that you live in, but with a great transit system, you are within hours of the downtown, no matter where you live.

No matter what you find yourself doing in Toronto, whether it is business, living there or visiting there on a vacation, you will find that Toronto is a great place to visit, work, and play and live!

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By Brandi M. Seals

Grand Rapids, Mich. is the second largest city in the state and a great place to visit. Located within an hour of the shores of Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids is home to several malls, an international airport, one-of-a-kind restaurants and great museums. The Grand Rapids area offers visitors a lot to see and do.

Shopping
If shopping is your thing head down to the southeast side on 28th Street and check out the Centerline Mall or head a couple miles further east to visit the Woodland Shopping Center. Located in the city of Wyoming, these malls will give visitors an opportunity to peruse the aisles and find just what they are looking for. Across town in Grandville is the Rivertown Crossings Mall. This two-story mall has all your favorite shops and a carousel by the food court. Kids can take a spin for $1.

Museums and More
While in town be sure to head over to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Located at 1000 East Beltline N.E. in Grand Rapids, the park opened April 20, 1995. It is the second most-popular tourist destination in Michigan The 125-acre Gardens feature Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; indoor gardens, outdoor gardens, sculpture galleries, outdoor sculpture park; and more.

Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens near Christmas and see their annual display of "Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World." The display features Christmas trees decorated for different countries. Or, stop in during Spring and see beautiful butterflies throughout the gardens. It is the largest tropical butterfly exhibit in the nation.

Downtown Grand Rapids is home to the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum. From being the only person ever to become president without being elected to an attempted assassination plot by a Charles Manson follower, everyone will learn something new about the 38th president of the United States.

If you have children, be sure to stop by the Grand Rapids Children's Museum, also located in downtown Grand Rapids. While several of their exhibits are constantly changing, kids will guaranteed a good time at the Beehive Exhibit. A real live beehive is viewable within Plexiglas. Kids can see the bees make bees wax and honey, as well as see the bees in different stages of their lives.

Or why not stop by the John Ball Zoo? This small zoo has a friendly staff and over a hundred animals to see. There are more then the typical lions, tigers, and bears. Be sure to visit the nocturnal animal exhibit and see the unusual animals here. Watch the kinkajous play, see the pygmy marmosets navigate their way through the trees, and take in the long claws found on the Hoffman sloth, the most relaxed animal in the zoo that rarely moves.

Food
The Grand Rapids area has all the traditional favorites - Carrabas, Lonestar, Red Lobster, etc. But, there are also a few one-of-a-kind restaurants that feature excellent food for those will to try something a little bit different.

San Chez a Tapas Bistro serves up traditional Spanish appetizers, called tapas. Each table picks out a few tapas to order and shares the food. All the names are in Spanish, but do not worry, servers can explain what anything on the menu is and will even help you with the pronunciation.

Don't know what kind of food you want? Stop by the B.O.B. The B.O.B. (which stands for Big Old Building) is a former warehouse that has been renovated and now houses several restaurants and a microbrewery. Dine at Judson's Steakhouse, The Blue Crab Lounge, Auburn, Bobarino's or Kabobs. Stay late and dance the night away at Crush, or see a comedian at Dr. Grin's, both are also located at the B.O.B.

If the thought of an Italian bistro titillates your taste buds, drop by Bistro Bella Vita. Enjoy some calamari marinated in pesto sauce and served over pomodoro sauce with lemon and aioli or why not get the steamed mussels that have been steamed in white wine butter sauce with roasted tomatoes, garlic, capers, onions, basil and toast points.

Low Cost Tourist Attractions
If you are looking to save a little money on your vacation, there are plenty of free and exciting things to see in the Grand Rapids Area. Downtown is spotted with sculptures, free for all to see. Be sure to see La Grande Vitesse by Alexander Calder (by the way the name of the piece translates to "the grand rapids").

You can also pick up a free map for a walking tour of Heritage Hill, an area of East Grand Rapids known for its Victorian homes, including a few designed by the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright. Visit the Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association (http://www.heritagehillweb.com/) for your map.

Planning a trip to Orlando? Perhaps the most important item on your packing list is your camera. Many people would argue that money is the most important, but even if you travel to Florida without a penny to your name, it would be a shame not to capture its natural beauty on film. With digital photography gaining rapid ground as America's top choice, taking pictures is incredibly easy for every member of your family. If your Orlando itinerary includes Disney's EPCOT, your camera will be put to good use.

As with any camera, digital or 35mm, it's important to remember to check three things before you leave on your vacation; film (if you have a 35mm camera), batteries, and memory card (if you have a digital). If you're lacking one or all of these things, your photography experience will be impossible. It's a good idea to keep your camera in a case when you're not using it; the hot Florida sun can damage a camera that is left on a console or inside a car or outside place. Also, it will keep dust out so you won't have to constantly clean it.

EPCOT is a wonderland of photographic opportunities, from the high-tech wonders of Innoventions to the quaint European charm of World Showcase. One thing I particularly like to keep in mind concerns visitors who have been to EPCOT before. If you already have ten dozen pictures of the EPCOT ball (which, by the way, houses the popular ride Spaceship Earth) you might want to forego another picture or take it from a different angle. Taking pictures of kids? Don't take the traditional route; turn your camera sideways, on photograph them in different positions and angles than usual. Pictures that look posed will probably not be the happiest vacation photos.

Some great photo spots in World Showcase include the replica of the Eiffel Tower at EPCOT's France, the Aztec temple in the Mexico pavilion, and the beautiful Temple of Heaven in the China pavilion. Keep in mind that even in World Showcase, you can occasionally catch costumed Disney denizens such as Mickey or Goofy and these make for great photos. Don't forget to ask if you can get a picture before parading your kids over to Mickey, because even though they probably do hundreds of photos like this a day, it's still nice to be polite. And if *you* want a picture with a Disney character, don't be afraid to ask for that either! Everybody's a kid in Orlando.

If you're going to be taking pictures in dark areas, such as the interior of the Norway pavilion's stave church or the beautiful shadowy boat ride "El Rio del Tiempo" in the Mexico pavilion, you'll need to adjust your camera's settings to make the most of the dim light and shadows. Nothing is worse than thinking you got a wonderful shot and seeing it's all dark and you can't see a thing. If you're going to be outside, you might want to change the tint or flash on your camera (if you have a digital) because changing every little setting makes a noticeable difference in how your photos come out.

If you plan to ask another person in the park to take a group shot with your camera, there are some precautions you may wish to take. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable handing my digital to a stranger and assuming they'll stay to take a photo of my family without fleeing with the camera, but that's just my opinion and mostly this would not apply. Just incase, you may want to download the pictures if you've brought the laptop that would make your possible; that way, even if the worst happens, you would still have your treasured photos.

Always make sure to *keep track* of your camera. EPCOT is a huge place with hundreds of people milling about in one place every day, and you want to keep it safe. Also, if you wear the camera case on your shoulder or keep the camera strap around your wrist, one jostle from an onlooker can send the equipment crashing to the ground (and there aren't too many soft places to land on the pavement). Always be alert.

If you use a laptop on vacation it's great fun to download digital pictures in your hotel room at the end of the day so everyone can see their photography results. This way, if you're going back to EPCOT two days in a row and see that a picture didn't turn out the way you planned, you can always retake it.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

Arkansas may not be what one automatically thinks of when deciding where to go on vacation, but the state of Arkansas is not only wonderfully filled with natural expanses, it is also home to happening towns like Little Rock, Bentonville and Fayetteville. Whether you are a little bit country or a little bit rock and roll, there is something to suit everyone's fancy in the Natural State.

Northwest
Northwest Arkansas is home to the Wal-Mart and Tyson corporations and is a fast growing area. New malls and new attractions are coming in at an ever increasing rate. People are moving to the northwest corner from all around and have created a housing boom.

Sites to see in the Northwest include the Walton Arts Center. The Walton Arts Center is located in downtown Fayetteville along Dickson Street. It is home to ballets, concerts, plays and more. Come see Aida, take the kids to see Jeff Corwin and a parade of unusual animals, or enjoy the Nutcracker.

While in the area why not visit the Wal-Mart Visitors Center. Locate in downtown Bentonville, the Visitors Center is housed in the original Wal-Mart store. The Center looks like an old five and dime store and tells the Wal-Mart story of success.

If you are a history buff, visit the Pea Ridge National Military Park. It is the site of one of the largest Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River. The park is 4,300 acres and includes a self-guided tour with 10 stops.

For the nature lovers, stop by Devil's Den State Park in West Fork. The park encompasses Devil's Lake and is home to cliffs, waterfalls, and caves. Visitors can camp, canoe, hike, ride bikes, or ride horses.

Northeast
Northeast Arkansas is home to Davidsonville, the oldest city in Arkansas, and the first post office and courthouse in the state. Cities like Jonesboro, Batesville, and other down home cities are located in the portion of the state. Johnny Cash grew up in this area and graduated from Dyess High School.

Drive down the Crowley's Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway which passes by several parks and civil war cites. This 200 mile passage is full of breathtaking views.

Visit the Arkansas Craft Guild Gallery in Mountain View. It houses and sells crafts by some 300 plus artists in the south.

Stop by the Forum Civic Center and Theatre in Jonesboro. This one day movie theatre has been revamped and now serves as a performing arts center. Come see Steele Magnolias or take the kids to see Aladdin or the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Southwest
The Southwest corner of the state is home to such travel destinations as Hot Springs National Park and Texarkana.

Visit a city in two states. Texarkana straddles the Texas-Arkansas line and is home of the Texarkana Museum of Regional History. Learn about the agricultural, industrial, and civil rights history of the region.

Take a relaxing bath in the natural springs in Hot Springs National Park. This federally protected land features 47 hot springs with a temperature around 147 degrees Fahrenheit. Or tour the town as it is Bill Clinton's hometown. See the sites he would have seen as boy and eat where he would have eaten.

Southeast
The Southeast region is home to the largest city in Arkansas, Little Rock and is full of plenty of things for visitors to do.

Little Rock is the capitol of the state and has many exciting sites to see, including Little Rock Central High School, the Little Rock Zoo and the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. Stop in and take in a concert at the Alltel Arena or visit during the summer and catch the Riverfest. This three day event features multiple bands play on several stages on both sides of the river that separates Little Rock from North Little Rock.

Listen to the sweet sounds of symphony at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Twice a year the professional regional musicians that make up the Pine Bluff Symphony give a concert.

Check out Cedar Falls or the gorgeous overlooks within the Petit Jean Mountain State Park near Oppelo. Picnic, fish, hike, or swim at this wonderful state park. It features breathtaking views and lots to do. Any outdoor adventurist would love it here.

For a short side trip from the bustling city of Atlanta, Georgia, there is only one clear choice: Breathtaking Stone Mountain with its endless shows, attractions, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences for the whole family. No matter what your interests may be, you *will* come away from your Stone Mountain vacation with a sense of awe. The biggest draw of the park is the huge reliefs carved directly into a huge mountain, representing major Confederate heroes (this is Georgia, after all).

There are activities for kids and adults from playground lovers to experienced thrillseekers. If your children are showing signs of boredom, head down to a huge 19th century barn. Does it look like fun to you? Maybe not, but once you're inside you will find various floors filled with all kinds of kid-friendly activities. Also in this area you can find a reconstructed pioneer-era village and other fun stops. Remember to research before you go to Stone Mountain, because you will find a lot of helpful information that you'll want to know during your vacation.

Now, to appease the thrillseeker: Try the Summit Skyride for a healthy dose of heartpounding fun. Remember to look for Stone Mountain's famous reliefs when you're high in the air. Be warned: If you don't like heights, this isn't the ride for you, because the cable car lifts higher than 800 feet. Can't imagine visiting any park that doesn't have a water ride? Stone Mountain has you covered. The great ride known as "Ride the Ducks" gives you a chance to actually step aboard a 1940's "DUWK" (which is somewhat like a half-boat, half-Jeep) and take an action-packed journey that ends in Stone Mountain Lake when the vehicle glides into the water (you *will* get wet).

Train rides may not normally seem exciting, but at Stone Mountain everything seems to have a measure of excitement. You'll also like this ride if you love history, because the train has been around since the era of World War II. The train winds around five miles of scenic track and adds soundtracks that help to pass the time in a fun way. Perhaps the most beautiful attraction at Stone Mountain is the laser light show, held seasonally. Check ahead to see if the show will be held when you plan to attend. Fireworks and lasers turn the park into a fantastic visual effect. This event is free after your parking has been paid.

You will also find many festivals and special events at Stone Mountain; check ahead to see if anything will be happening at the time of your visit. Events such as "Pumpkin Festival" and "Highland Games" add a flair of culture and provide fun for every member of the family. Even if there isn't a particular
event at the time of your visit, don't worry; there are plenty of fun pit-stops to make.

Did you think there are no restaurants or places to shop in Stone Mountain? Quite the opposite, actually; this is a great place to buy souvenirs of all kinds. From "general store" gifts at Crossroads Outfitters to goodies that will tempt the sweet tooth from Candy's Corner Confectionary, you certainly won't leave with empty hands. Other gift shops offer blown glass, candles, and Stone Mountain-related memorabilia. Hungry? Visit Miss Katie's for a great meal. Most items on the menu are fairly inexpensive, and the old-fashioned atmosphere is a bonus. It's always a good idea to try authentic Southern food in the great state of Georgia.

If you don't want to suffer the hassle of finding a hotel nearby, consider taking advantage of Stone Mountain's campground. This striking, woodsy setting can be found at Stone Mountain Lake; it'll be like you're not even staying a huge tourist attraction! It's recommended you book your stay about a year before you plan to visit. You can even book a campground spot online. If camping isn't your thing, the Stone Mountain Inn is another possibility. Even the inn blends in with the 19th century theme; it resembles an antebellum plantation.

Now for the low-down on the park: You'll have to check opening times for your particular visit. Admission fees are extremely reasonable; you pay $8.00 to park, and this same $8.00 lets you visit the attractions, trails, kids' play places, and the laser show. However, if you wish to visit most of the rides and attractions not normally included in the fee, you can get a one-day pass that allows for this. The price is $22.00 for adults and $18.00 for kids. A child's fee becomes an adult's fee at age 12.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By Christina VanGinkel

As geocaching, a form of treasure hunting with the aid of a GPS unit, takes hold as a popular hobby nationwide, it is not a stretch to realize that sooner, rather than later, people who find this hobby exciting would want to make it a valuable part of their next vacation plans.

With the aid of online groups or in person groups, either where members trade information in regards to various caches that they know about or created themselves, other members can then plan their next vacation with aid of this knowledge.

If this sounds like something that would be of interest to you, consider the following steps to make your next geocaching vacation a success.

Consider how experienced you are at geocaching. If you are a brand new owner of your GPS and are still learning how to turn the gadget on, you might want to include a cache or two on your next vacation, but not plan the complete excursion around this newfound hobby. If you are an experienced geocacher though, and can think of no better way to spend your down time than looking for the next cache on the list, then a vacation based on geocaching might be just the vacation you have been in search of.

If you have been considering buying a new GPS unit, consider buying it before you go, but make sure to take along the GPS unit that you are most comfortable with too. If the new unit turns out to be more frustrating than fun, your vacation will still be salvageable with the GPS you are use too.

Make a hard copy list of the caches you intend to search out. If you do most of your primary searching online and you will not have Internet capability while on vacation, download all the info to a laptop or handheld, or at least print it off. If kids will be part of your trip, make a hardcopy for each child so that they can feel like they are more coordinated with the search than if they had to keep asking you what is next on the list, and if there are any details, they could know to help them search. For example, one of my favorite geocaching websites has a decryption mode for many of their caches they have listed. Before heading out on any search, my son and I often decrypt the encrypted clue, especially if we have any suspicion that finding the cache it is in reference to might be more difficult than we can handle.

If you will be vacationing by family or friends who are also geocachers, ask them to stash a find for the youngest members of your family that includes something special for them. When we vacationed by family in Colorado a few years ago, they stashed a container with a treats for our kids on their property. While the adults relaxed on the deck, we were able to watch as the kids searched with the aid of our GPS on their own. It made for good practice for the kids, when they found it they were treated to some treats put together especially for them, and the adults got to spend some time kicking back and relaxing as every good vacation should include.

While this sounds like common sense, not everyone might think about it, but be sure to plan your stops in an orderly fashion. Nobody wants to spend more time in a vehicle each leg of a trip than they have too. Consult your maps and GPS units to make as organized a route as you can. Try to include some other excursions on those days where the cache might be easily and quickly found.

Be sure to bring along some good exchange goods in various sizes for the caches you will be visiting. I always like to add something extra to those caches that are some distance from my home that relate to where we are from. My favorite is a gift certificate for a small restaurant in our town. That way, if any future cache visitors are headed our way, lunch is on us. We have also included coupons towards local sightseeing stops.

By Misti Sandefur

PUERTO VALLARTA RESTAURANTS

The restaurants in Puerto Vallarta (PV) are amazing! They say there are 250 fine restaurants in PV and I believe it. They have so many chefs that have come from Europe: France and Germany and Switzerland in particular. The good news is there are fabulous restaurants everywhere. The bad news is you can spend a lot of money! The ambiance is amazing. There are wonderful restaurants along the beach in the Zona Romantica in all price ranges. As you move up the hill in El Centro there are so many fine establishments you can literally dine at a new place every evening! The outdoor dining is the mainstay. Most have charming outdoor gardens as well as inside with air conditioning, although this is usually not needed. Several are noted for their sunset views so take advantage of this by making a 6:45 reservation so you are seated for the main event. I may do a posting some day naming some of my favorite restaurants but suffice to say you will eat well. Although prices in the nicest places are similar, if not slightly lower, than an equally nice place in the US, the tip expected is more like 10-15%. But remember, tips are not included in the check in Mexico. By the way to get your check just say La Cuenta, por favor! My husband doesn’t do much Spanish but he definitely has mastered this!

PV has very drinkable water. Their ice is all OK. With the exception of a tiny cantina in an all-Mexican neighborhood or a street vendor you can feel very safe in Puerto Vallarta. They make their money from tourism and they do not take chances. We have never been sick in the four winters we have spent there. On the other hand, I have had food poisoning three times in my home city in the US over the years!

The fresh fish is more often than not, Mahi Mahi. The best is Sea Bass but availability depends n the warmth of the water. The Red Snapper is usually great and if you like it that way you can get it whole. Red snapper is called Huachinango.

Breakfasts are usually inexpensive. You can have toast or tortillas, refried beans or hash browns. I love my eggs scrambled with peppers called Huevos Mexicana. Almost everywhere they have fresh squeezed orange juice, jugos naranja. Of course they also have huevos rancheros, which are more familiar. And the pancakes are the best ever!

ENTERTAINMENT. If you spend the winter in PV, you will end up with guests almost every week. That is what leads to gaining weight and spending lots of money eating out! I already have talked about the cheap produce in an earlier post, but because your friends are just there for a week they want to try all of these fine restaurants you have been raving about! The good news is, less time in the kitchen. The bad news is the waistline expands as the pocketbook shrinks!

Seriously though, there are so many fun things to do. On either Wednesday or Thursday mornings the International Friendship Club sponsors house tours of the finest home around PV. For $30 USD you board a shuttle bus and go to three wonderful venues. Usually one on the beach, one up the hill and one in the city. They never fail to please. You meet at a downtown hotel and it takes about 2-3 hours, dropping you off in time to go lunch. This is not just a girl thing. Lots of guys go as well. Take your camera. These are multi million dollar homes!

Every Wednesday evening about 6:00 is Art Walk. There are probably a dozen galleries open each week with wonderful pieces to thrill any taste. The prices can run quite high although there is something for everyone. There is wine in almost every gallery and one even serves pina coladas! All free, by the way! Some even have appetizers. This is a great thing to do followed by a reservation at one of the wonderful restaurants you will pass along the way. It is also a great way to spot some of the restaurants and shops. Each gallery will have a map of all of the galleries open on the art walk. This is a mainstay for those of us wintering in PV.

More about Wintering in Puerto Vallarta.

Speaking Spanish is not really necessary. I work at it but mostly for fun. Cab drivers will help you if you pronounce something wrong. But always in a kind and informative way. Be careful if you try to negotiate in Spanish because if they think you understand they will give you the price in pesos and your Spanish might not be that good! There is a club you can join for $30 USD a year called the International Friendship Club and they have informal Spanish lessons two mornings a week for $25 pesos ($2.50 USD) that is also a good way to meet people. They do lots of charity work in PV and it is a way to get involved in the community.

Cabs are plentiful and there is also cheap bus service. Cabs charge by the zone. So the cost from one zone to the next is about $30 peso ($3 USD). Add an extra $10 pesos ($1 USD) per zone. This price includes your tip. That being said, you still need to negotiate the price before you get in. Cab drivers are very friendly and speak more English than most of us speak Spanish. The one exception to cheap cab fares is coming from the airport. They have white vans that are regulated and cabs cannot come in to pick you up. So you will pay about $30-$40 USD for your first cab ride then everything after that is inexpensive and regular cabs are small Nissans. The ride back to the airport is around $10. Go figure! I guess government bureaucracy is everywhere!

They also have good bus service for 50 cents if you don't mind a little local flavor. They are hot and full of locals but everyone is friendly and the front window has all of the stops listed. They come quite frequently, as a matter of fact they are privately owned and compete with each other so there will be more buses than you can imagine! Make sure you rent a couple of blocks away from the main bus routes as they are very noisy. But if you are out at the Marina or down in Conchas Chinas they can come in handy. They even have a bus route to Sam's Club and Wal-Mart...

This brings us to Shopping. There are numerous grocery stores. The ones used by the locals are the best and the least expensive. I have bought three avocados for 58 cents! The one in the Zona Romantica is nice but a little more expensive. The produce in Mexico is by far the best buy. If you are willing to take a cab a little farther north you can get much lower prices but then you have a $4 (USD) cab ride back. Still worth it if you have the time and are there for awhile.

As to clothing, this is not America. The styles are different and more beach wear.
But the gifts are interesting and the art is fantastic, if not still a little expensive. The deals of a few years ago are basically gone. I was in the market in the Cuale (River then that runs perpendicular to the ocean) and a young man was waiting on me while busy text messaging his girlfriend! They start out at a price and you can basically barter down to about 1/3 to 40% off of the original asking price. It is part of the game. But if it a regular shop, there is usually no negotiation.

BEACH BARTERING. Some people love it, some people hate it but sit at a bar at the beach and have a beer or a Margarita and the beach sellers invade! Each year they come up with new things and, truthfully, many are very nice. We bought a bunch of beautiful shell and abalone bottle openers that are gorgeous. We ended u buying quite a few as gifts and got them down to $10 a piece. No doubt next year there will be something bigger and better. The jewelry is amazing, both in the regular shops and along the beach. I recommend checking out the shops first then seeing what the beach vendors have. At that point you have a much better idea of the value. The shops will weigh all of the silver and give a 10% discount for cash. The negotiations on the beach are always fun when you are with friends! Again even a beach seller has better English skills than you do Spanish. Don't underestimate them!

Someone just asked me some good questions about spending the winter in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. I thought this information might be helpful to others out there and since we have spent the last four winters there, I am willing to share.

Overview. Many places in Mexico such as Cabo San Lucas are full of fabulous resorts, but there is not enough to do if you plan to spend the winter. If someone wants to spend more than a couple of weeks then Puerto Vallarta (PV) is a good choice. It is a pretty good-sized city with an incredible array of really nice restaurants. PV has a large middle-class and Mexicans and tourists mix freely which is one of the things we really like about it. Every Wednesday evening they have an "Art Walk" with drinks and appetizers served at a variety of Galleries. PV has great public art as well. The city is perched on the 2nd largest Bay in North America that is 20 miles wide and 27 miles out to the ocean. The city starts to elevate as you leave the beach so most places have a nice view as the city is stacked. The main part of town has what is called the Malecon, a pavered walkway that runs for a mile or two along the water. Along the Malecon they have great public sculpture, and amphitheaters. The area is full of street performers, sand sculptors, rock balancers and it is teeming with people and music at night and lots of art during the day. Another neat thing- especially compared with the Caribbean is that PV is in the Central time zone, rather than Mountain where it would logically be, so the sun does not set until around 7pm at night in the winter. Compare this to the east coast of Florida where it is dark before 5:00 and you can see what an advantage that would be! Speaking of which sunset over the water is magnificent!

Are there apartments for rent? The best thing to do is to rent a condo. There are numerous condos for rent in a variety of price ranges. You can rent by the week, or by the month. They are well-equipped and beautifully furnished. Most are in complexes with pools, although beware, most pools in PV are not heated. If you do a search for "condo rentals in Puerto Vallarta" you will come up with lots of real estate sites that specialize in these properties.

What neighborhhod is best? Is it a town you can get around in easily? Would you need a car or can you walk? Assuming you are pretty mobile and like to walk then there are some good neighborhoods to choose from. PV is very safe. We have no fear of walking anywhere at night. However, depending on your mobility, you need to consider how steep the area is where you are renting. The good news is cabs are very inexpensive so you can always walk down to the Bay and cab back. There are various neighborhoods and the most popular kind of run together and you can walk across a bridge from one to the other. They are called "El centro" and "Zona Romantica" or "Old Town". If you do not want to have a car there - we have never had one with the exception of renting one for a day - you will want to rent in one of these areas. If you rent in Conchas Chinas, which is just south of town, you are too far from town to walk and the beach has a lot of rocks and is not really accessible from town except by cab or bus. However, that being said, if you are a beach person and want to walk outside your door to the water then by al means look at what is available there. If you like to see the sunsets the view high up in the El Centro will please you. You will need to walk for ten minutes to get to the water but the sunsets from a high perch are magnificent. I would suggest avoiding the Hotel Zone. This is strictly for tourists, many of whom do an "all-inclusive" and never see the light of day, let alone tour the city or eat in the fabulous restaurants PV is noted for. Some people prefer the Marina but it is a $60 peso ($6 USD) cab ride to the Malecon and you really cannot walk to the City from there. There is also no beach. If you like to look out on a marina, though, it is pretty. It is also very Americanized, which might appeal to those a little nervous about being in a foreign country. It reminds us too much of Florida.

More about Puerto Vallarta shopping and cabs in my next post!

Georgia is thought to be one of the most beautiful states in America, with good reason. Everywhere you look, beauty both natural and architectural meets the eye. From the allure of Old South plantations to the wonderfully preserved charm of Savannah, a visitor to this place should never use boredom as an excuse! The only problem is deciding exactly where in Georgia you want to go.

Atlanta is a good choice for a fun vacation for many reasons: some of the most family friendly attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, Botanical Gardens, the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum, and the Atlanta History Center. If you're traveling as a family, the majority of history-related attractions you choose will probably have a lot to do with the interests of the younger members of the family. Atlanta is a great place to merge vacation fun with learning experience. Does anyone in your group love animals? Try Zoo Atlanta. Do you have an interest in government? Check out the Georgia State Capitol building.

There is a distinct difference between the modern hubbub of Atlanta and the charming, old-fashioned pull of Savannah. Savannah is a great place to visit even if you only have a few hours in the area. You will notice that the ambiance is an attraction in itself, and that the historic homes beautify the old city streets. Some of these homes include the Owens-Thomas House, Green-Meldrim House, and the Davenport House, all built during the 1800s. Countless other old homes can be spotted; if you are interested in this sort of thing, it may be handy to take a list of notes and directions so you can photograph many of these venerable homes. Many historic churches can be found in Savannah as well, including a cathedral and the First African Baptist Church.

If your interests run toward art, you will love the Telfair Museum of Art. Do you love all things ocean? Your longings should be satisfied at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Savannah, while keeping its distinctively antebellum ambiance, satisfies modern cravings as well.

There are a few different ways to tour Savannah. Of course you can use your car, but traffic being what it is these days, you may opt for another choice. To fully immerse yourself in Civil War times, take a trolley for a sightseeing tour of the city. After all, it's much easier to relax on your vacation if you don't have to navigate crowded streets! You can also choose from a tour bus (this comes in handy if you happen to visit during rainy season).

Old Fort Jackson is another possibility for a tour that will probably take a few hours. The fort dates from the early 19th century and contains a wealth of information for the history lover. For a different twist, tred off the beaten path and consider Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge. Savannah is a very diverse place with many different vacation options, and it's good to know there is something for everyone.

Another old and stately Georgia city is Brunswick, forever associated with English General James Oglethorpe. From personal observation, part of Brunswick is like a small cozy town, inviting and rustic, but once you explore further you will see there are many hidden things to discover. One of the secrets is that there is a large number of old buildings that have stood the test of time, though they may not be as famous as those of Savannah. Also, you will find everything from music to ghost hunting if you only know where to look.

Don't forget the shopping and restaurant opportunities tucked among Brunswick's homey streets. It is almost a rule (well, at least in my eyes!) to eat the famous Brunswick Stew while in the city. You can buy a can at a local store, or visit a restaurant that serves this yummy concoction. What better lunch to have during your stay in Brunswick? It is actually like eating a Philly cheese steak in Philadelphia.

After exiting Brunswick, the Golden Isles are never far away. Two of these are St. Simons Island, with its historic Christ Church, Bloody Marsh Battle Site, Gascoigne Bluff, Lighthouse, and many other attractions, and Jekyll Island, more of an island resort for the wealthy than a touristy destination. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the Marshes of Glynn, a beautiful wild swampland that is so much more beautiful in person than even in Sidney Lanier's famous poem.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By: Lindsey Rawson-Lin

You don't always have to go far to find paradise. Sanibel Island, off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida, offers many of the experiences of an exotic island getaway, and it won't cost you the stress, cash, or headaches of an international vacation.

Rolling waves caressing white sandy shores, the smell of the ocean in the air, and quiet...much needed quiet is what you will find in this lazy tranquil Southwestern Florida vacation spot. The treasures that Sanibel Island offers are endless; colorful restaurants, sandy streets, pleasant inhabitants. The beaches are quiet, the sunsets are indescribable, and you can't help but put your diet on hiatus, because the food is fantastic.

Crossing the causeway from Fort Myers, Florida onto Sanibel you are transported into another world. A world that artists dream up and writers pen, of pink houses, white sandy beaches, and warm gulf waters. A place that is special, that many people come back to year after year. You won't find chain restaurants except for a Dairy Queen, and you won't find high-rises dotting the beaches like most of present day Florida. What you will find is a special haven in this chaotic world of over commercialization and technology.

A week is a must on the Island. Anything less and you are teasing yourself and your loved ones. It is the ideal family trip, the place for making castles out of sand and dreaming and experiencing a world where peace and harmony commune with nature.

The beaches and sunsets are only a few of the highlights. Bowman's Beach offers the milkiest beach and best sunset views on the island. Blind Pass offers the best shelling. Just about anywhere on the Island, whether it be the main drag of Periwinkle or the secluded areas of Captiva, you can find wonderful fresh food and fare. If you have never been to Sanibel try the Mucky Duck (and ask for a window seat) or McT's, famous for its' all you can eat crab and shrimp.

For activities besides beach bumming, bike paths are located all throughout the island. There are many nature preserves that are a part of J.N. Ding Darling Nature Preserve where you can visit the local Florida wildlife in its true essence. If you feel like leaving your chaise lounge chair, try the canoe trips at Tarpon Bay, a fun and exciting journey through Sanibel's backwaters. You might see alligators, you might see sea turtles, you will definitely see plenty of pelicans and exotic birds.

There are many resorts on the Island catering to all. If you want a condo with hotel amenities, try the Sundial Resort, it's wonderfully luxurious and has restaurants, activities, and a bar on-site. If you like it quieter go for one of the condo communities, like Sand Pointe. Most places will offer up close and personal ocean views so you can fall asleep to the calming waves or rest on your screened porch in the afternoon, close your eyes, and take a much needed siesta.

If you're looking to escape a hectic life, or just looking to spend some time on a little piece of heaven that isn't too far away, check out Sanibel Island. It is a place where even the most cynical of souls will lighten up, relax, and have a good time.

By Robert Rousseau

Traveling north in the United States along the eastern sea coast, eventually you'll hit a state that looks quite different than the others you've passed through. The trees on both sides of the highway will become a tad thicker, the air will be as crisp as a fall leaf, and then, if you open the car window, you may begin to smell the sea. This is the state of Maine, a place where much of the land is still undeveloped; a destination that reminds that nature is still alive in some parts of the world. And if you travel to the northernmost sections of this great state- where the wilderness seems to take over- eventually you'll find yourself on Mount Desert Island in the bustle of a harbor town that was once called Eden.

Now it's called Bar Harbor; a perfect place to travel with your dog during the warmer months. Here are some things you'll want to know about canine travel in the region.

Acadia National Park:
We decided to visit Bar Harbor because we felt we'd enjoy the area for the same reason our dog would- Acadia National Park. Acadia is a huge park (more than 4,000 acres). You and your pet (leashed dogs are allowed in most of the park), will enjoy the cool breeze that finds its way there in the summer, the walking trails, the hiking trails, and the deep forestation of birch, aspen, oak, and spruce- firs (once the area was dominated by spruce- firs until The Great Fire of 1947 destroyed 10,000 acres of the park, leading to the arrival of a more diversified woodlands). But before you do anything in the park, go to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center- just follow the signs- where you can pick up a pamphlet, ask questions, and pay the $20 week long park entrance fee (without this you will not be able to go to several places in the park).

At the visitor's center, you'll learn that the park has 45 miles of carriage roads to walk or bicycle (graveled or partially graveled), 27 miles of paved roads, and 120 miles of scenic hiking trails. In other words, Acadia is a dog's walking and sniffing paradise. There are also guided tours if you want them. To ask about the tours or anything else, contact the park (contact information is below). In addition, if your dog is the kind that can run alongside you on a leash as you bike, you may want to rent a bike for the carriage roads (see Acadia Bike Rental Information below).

The views in Acadia are tremendous, and certainly there is scenery along some of the hiking trails that you will enjoy while your dog searches for just the right spot to mark his or her territory. But getting to some of the breathtaking scenery on hiking trails may be difficult for you and your dog (the carriage trails really don't offer anywhere near the same level of picture quality beauty). If either you or your pet are unable or unwilling to travel some of the more difficult paths, you'll want to drive Park Loop Road, a 20 mile scenic road that connects nearly every major site in Acadia. Perhaps tire your dog out and then try it as the drive can be long (get going as soon as you see the sun- remember, the fog can roll into Bar Harbor fast and without warning, seemingly intent on ruining your pictures). Park Loop Road will take you up Cadillac Mountain where you'll have the opportunity to take some breathtaking shots of cliffs, valleys, and Frenchman's Bay. Along the loop you'll also be able to access some of Acadia's mountain- fed lakes and Sand Beach (dogs are not allowed on this picturesque ocean front). However, the breathtaking cliffs along Sand Beach and crisp clean salt water air you'll encounter there may compel you in for a look- see anyway. The great thing about northern Maine is that at times it's cool enough to leave your dog in the car with the window open, depending of course on your dog, the day, and your pet's medical circumstances, (while you explore for a short period of time). Of course, never take a chance with this when it's hot.
Last, there is a piece of privately owned land within Acadia near Seal Harbor called the Little Long Pond Leash Free Area. There you'll be able to let your little (or big) buddy off the leash to frolic if you wish.

Though Acadia is the Bar Harbor attraction that best dually suits you and your dog's vacation needs, there are hosts of other things to do. Check out these and other things you may want to know about traveling to Bar Harbor with dogs below.

Acadia National Park (207-288-3338)
Acadia Bike (207-288-9605 or toll free at 1-800-526-8615)- On Cottage Street.

Bar Island:
At low tide in Frenchman's Bay, the water recedes and an island of sorts forms called Bar Island. During low tide one can walk out on land where only water had been earlier and take in the scenery (your dog can come and marvel as well). You can even take your car out there if you wish. However, make sure you don't venture onto Bar Island when the water makes a turn for high tide. The locals tell plenty of stories about people getting stuck out there (either individually or with their cars!).

Bark Harbor:
This is a pet store unlike any other that your loyal buddy is invited to enter (kind of like their version of an amusement park). They have all types of gifts for them there, and it's sure to be a hit. Please note that Bark Harbor is located right on Main Street in town. Be sure to stop there.

Bark Harbor (207-288-0404 or toll free at 877-462-2659 to place orders)
Another good thing about Bark Harbor is that the staff there can point you in the right direction regarding things to do with your pet on the island. Ask them. For example, after contacting them, I can tell you unequivocally that they know a little something about the following sections.

Doggy Day Sitting:
Bar Harbor is known for its whale, seal, and house watching boat tours. Of course, your dog isn't allowed on most of these types of excursions- though there are some they may be allowed on, contact Bark Harbor or individual tours for more information. Further, some hotels won't allow you to leave your dog in the room unattended. To combat this problem, you may need some doggy day care.
We left our dog for the better part of a day in Acadia Woods Kennel (see contact information below). There was a flat fee at the time of $25 per day (no matter how long we left him for one day). The place looked clean, the workers were friendly, and we came back to the same dog we left there. They provide private covered runs and heated indoor areas for each dog. One thing of note is that the kennel is a bit farther from town than one would think (I believe it took us nearly 20 minutes to get there). So, keep that in mind in your travels.

Acadia Woods Kennel- 207-288-9766

Dog Friendly Restaurants:
Generally, Bar Harbor is a dog friendly place (many establishments, you'll notice, actually leave out water dishes and treats for pets). Perhaps it's because the deep forestation and abundance of nature beckons to the type of person that likes dogs. For whatever reason, check out these places if you want or need to bring your dog along for a bite to eat (always make sure that these restaurants have not changed their policy on dogs before going). Most of these establishments, if not all of them, require that your dog be leashed with you at all times.

China Joy (207-288-8668)- On Main Street in town.

Fish House Grill (207-288-3070)- On West Street in town.

Jordan Pond House Restaurant (207-276-3316)- Look for it near Jordan Pond in Acadia (it's on Park Loop Road).

Jack Russell's Brewpub (207-288-5214)- On Eden Street. Leashed dogs are allowed at the outdoor tables.

Mama Dimatteo's (207-288-3666)- On Kennebec Place.

Not Quite on the Corner Deli- On Main Street in town.

Ocean Drive Dairy Bar (207-288-5239)- On Main Street in town.

Parkside Restaurant (207-288-3700)- On Main Street in town.

The Lobster Claw (207-288-0058)- On West Street in town.

Timmy B's (207-288-4383)- On Cottage Street.

2 Cats (207-288-2808)- On Sand Point Road.

West Street Cafe (207-288-5242)- On West Street in town.

Dog Friendly Lodging:
We stayed at the Wonder View Inn. The staff was courteous, dog friendly (when we used their restaurant, they didn't make a big deal about leaving the dog in the room), and willing to accommodate. In addition, the grounds were superb with a beautifully manicured front lawn that could've easily been used for an outdoor wedding. The inn is actually a part of author Mary Roberts Rinehart Estate, and the name Wonder View is fitting (the views of the bay from almost every vantage are outstanding). It was also helpful that the grounds were set back from the road so we weren't worried about our dog escaping into traffic, and he wasn't stressed by the motorists. The only negative- our room, a suite, was in need of interior updating, though it was quite clean. However, the other rooms in the Inn may have been quite modern.

More places to stay in Bar Harbor that take pets are listed below (this information was gleaned from online hotel information, Bark Harbor staff- they're the best- and individual contacts with the establishments). Please always follow up on this when making reservations as policies may sometimes change without warning. Also note that most establishments charge fees for pets. Ask when making reservations.

Aurora- 207-288-3959

Balance Rock Inn on the Ocean- 800-753-0494 (AAA Four Diamond Accommodation)

Best Western Inn- Bar Harbor- 207-288-5823 or 800-937-8376

Ledgelawn Inn- 800-274-5334 (they take pets at present, confirmed via email, for $10 per day)

Ocean Drive Motor Court- 207-288-3361

Primrose Inn Bed and Breakfast- 877-846-3424 or 207-288-4031 (they take pets currently, confirmed via email, for an extra $25)

Rockhurst- 207-288-3140

Summertime I and II- 207-288-2893

Wonder View Inn- 888-439-8439 (they take pets currently, confirmed via our visit, for $10 per day)

Happy dog travel in Bar Harbor, Maine!

If you have ever been to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, you might have noticed that the town really isn't very big. The battlefield's many winding roads seem to cover a vast area, but everything is actually very close together. If you have a tour map, you can easily navigate between major sights on the field, and one of the most major sights is the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy," also known as Pickett's Charge. Most people have heard of this great loss of life at one time or another, but it is one thing to read about it and another thing entirely to stand on the spot where it happened.

Let's say you are driving up Cemetery Ridge to Hancock Avenue; the huge white monument you just passed is the Pennsylvania State Memorial. As you climb a slight hill, you will see a small stone marker with a pointed tip off to your left. This is where Union General Winfield Scott Hancock was wounded during the third day of battle, July 3rd, 1863, the day when Pickett's Charge occurred. Keep driving.

To your right will be an open field that tapers off to a road that winds into the woods. Up further on the right you will see a huge statue of a dignified-looking man on a horse. This is none other than Union General George Gordon Meade. One interesting tidbit; way off in the distance to your left, you'll see a equestrian statue across the fields in another wooded area. This is Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and the statues of Lee and Meade stare at each other across the divide of Pickett's Charge.

Park your car alongside Hancock Avenue (you won't be the only one doing this; there are always other vehicles parked here no matter the time of day) and take a look around. To the left you will notice a small clump of bushy trees with a black iron fence surrounding them. This isn't the National Park Service's attempt at beautification; it's the Copse of Trees, General Lee's famous objective on which he set his sights as his men crossed the field. Union cannons are scattered across the top of the field from the Copse of Trees past the small stretch of land known as the Angle.

Way off in the distance, a beautiful red barn is visible. This is the Nicholas Codori Barn, and the huge farmhouse stands closeby. The Codori Farm is famous for its location directly on the field of Pickett's Charge, but unfortunately, this is not the original barn. Most people are uncertain of when the reproduction replaced the original, or how closely its design mirrors its battle counterpart.

Especially if you visit at night, Pickett's Charge has an eerie quality to it. The carefully-maintained fields and wooden fences look no different now then they did in 1863, except for the tourists tramping here and there. Although you probably won't walk to trek across the field, you can walk around the grassy areas between the Copse and the Angle. You will see many monuments along your walk, and one of them in particular will catch your eye. It looks like a huge boulder, and it actually *is* a giganic piece of granite. Interestingly enough, this same rock once stood in Massachusetts but was transported to Gettysburg in the 1880s to be part of the 20th Massachusetts Infantry's regimental monument.

The 106th Pennsylvania Infantry monument stands right in front of the Copse of Trees near Hancock Avenue. It is tall and mostly rectangular with a replica of three drums as a crown. Perhaps the most important monument at Pickett's Charge is the huge bronze book that rests between two cannons directly in front of the Copse of Trees. It was dedicated in 1892 and is a memorial to the Confederate regiments that fought at Pickett's Charge. On the right side of the road, a crouching soldier tops the monument to the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry. The 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry's musket-wielding soldier is one of the field's most handsome monuments, especially when caught in the right light.

One last thing to remember is this: The time you go to Pickett's Charge should be determined by your purpose. If you want to photograph striking scenery, like the black shadows of monuments against a sunset sky, you should time exactly when the sun will be starting its descent. If you want to go when there are not many people, try early morning, because the closer to closing time it is, the more people might try to rush down to Pickett's Charge to catch a last glimpse. This is a wonderful place full of reverence, awe, spirituality, valor, and intrigue. Those who travel to Gettysburg shouldn't miss it.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer