In San Francisco’s Pioneer Park (map), atop Telegraph Hill (map), stands the 210-foot tall, art deco, Coit Tower. The tower was built in 1933 with funds donated by Lillie Hitchcock Coit. Folklore claims that the tower was designed to look like a fire hose nozzle, and was a tribute to the firefighters of the 1906 earthquake fire. Although this version is disputed, and it’s not clear if it’s true or merely urban folklore, the story is widely retold and is consistent with the general quirkiness of the donor. Today, Coit Tower has become as much a part of the San Francisco landscape as the Golden Gate Bridge (map) or the Transamerica Pyramid (map), and is one of the recognizable pieces of architecture in the San Francisco skyline. It went through a major restoration in 1984, and remains one of popular […]
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Las Vegas Predators at Shark Reef Aquarium
For the price of a hand of blackjack or a roll of the dice, you can spend some time with predators of a different kind — at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium. The only predator-based aquarium in the United States calls the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino (3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, map) home. What predators lurk here? Tigers Sharks. The second deadliest specie behind the Great White, these two females are quickly becoming the prima donnas of the aquarium, and it’s the only place tiger sharks are available for viewing in the US. You’ll be able to spot them easily with their tiger-striped markings and sharp-serrated teeth. Komodo Dragon. What they lack in looks, they make up for in speed, and the world’s largest lizard uses both its speed, cunning and power to track and kills it’s […]
Read MoreKarne Garibaldi: Good Food Fast in Guadalajara, Mexico
Fast food can be good food, and Karne Garibaldi (website is in Spanish) in Guadalajara, Mexico proves the point over and over again. Whenever I’m in Guadalajara, you can bank on my having at least one meal at this casual restaurant whose claim to fame is the Guinness Book of Records (1996) entry for the fastest service. They set the record at 13 1/2 seconds for a table of six. The service is so fast that before you’re even seated a group of waiters will arrive at your table bringing you appetizers to get started. It’s a plate for of fresh, warm tortillas, served along with delicious grilled onions, refried beans with bits of corn in it (this Karne Garibaldi specialty is available for purchase by the can), and other condiments (chopped green onions, radishes) and salsa. This is what […]
Read MoreAn Italian Retrospective
It’s with mixed feelings that I’m back in Seattle after three and a half weeks in Italy. It’s always good to come back home, of course, but there is a part of me that was left behind, waiting patiently until I come back to claim it. The pace was both busy and leisurely, with a day or two of activity followed by a day or two of rest. Leisure days were spent by the pool, taking naps, drinking wine, eating pasta and lots of gelato. Activity days were full of exploring, sightseeing, discovering new things, and lots and lots of walking to counteract all that pasta, gelato, and wine. It was the perfect combination of Adventure Holidays and Walking holidays, with plenty of rest to get ready for it all. Here are some of the highlights of the trip: Climbing […]
Read MoreClimbing Mt. Etna: MJ vs. the Volcano
One of the things that I was excited to do in Sicily was climbing Mt. Etna. At approximately 10,922 feet high, this largest active volcano in Europe was visible from the back deck of our villa. Every morning I’d take a look at how beautiful it was, it’s very top visible in the earlier morning hours, and then watch as the clouds circled about it come mid-morning. The presence of Mt. Etna, along with its history – both true and legend, dominates the island of Sicily, Make no mistake about it, this is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. This decade alone has seen two major eruptions, in 2001 and 2002, both of which caused damage to both the mountain and surrounding areas. The three of us were all interested in climbing Mt. Etna, and our choice […]
Read MoreExperience Space Travel at the Astronaut Hall of Fame
At the US Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida, you’ll have an opportunity to experience both the technical side of space travel, as well as the very personal side of it, with exhibits tracing our race into space, not only historically, but also from the personal perspective of participating astronauts. The Science on a Sphere exhibit offers a wonderful 3-D view of what the earth and the solar system look like when seen from space. You’ll see a season of hurricanes, watch the spectrum of commercial air traffic move across the world, and take a look at how space technology and meteorology intersect. You’ll see spacecraft from the Mercury and Apollo days, and be fascinated by the personal memorabilia on display. These artifacts tell the personal stories of the astronauts, their thoughts and dreams and goals, and speak volumes […]
Read MoreBottoms Up: Grappa in Italy
Everywhere you turn in Italy you’ll find grappa, a clear alcoholic beverage sure to knock your socks off. Grappa is made from the grape residue left over from the crush of grapes during the winemaking process, and includes the grape skins, stems, seeds, and everything else. Like many food items in Italy, the beverage originally began as a way of reducing waste and using everything up. Today, however, grappa stands on its own. Like wine, the flavor of grappa will depend on the type of grapes, growing conditions, and terroir. But grappa isn’t wine. It;s a clear liquide, with an alcohol content ranging from 35-60%, and is thick in taste and feel like Brandy. In fact, you’ll often hear it referred to as Italian Brandy. Production is a strictly regulated process, and for a liquor to be called grappa it […]
Read MoreIt’s Sicily!
It took the better part of 24 hours, but I’m finally settled into my villa in Sicily. The day started with a 3:30 am car service pick up, which started the day’s travel with a flight to Chicago, then connecting to an overnight flight to Rome. The group met up at the Rome airport, thankfully everyone’s flight was pretty close to being on time, and we caught a quick commuter flight to the island of Sicily. The villa has exceeded expectations. It’s a beautiful 4-bedroom place, surrounded by lemon trees. There’s also two dining areas, two living room areas, a kitchen with a pizza oven, and a huge wrap around deck/patio. I’ve included a few photos, but these first 24-hours are pretty much for settling in and relaxing. We’ve gone to the supermarket, set in some provisions, and the rest […]
Read MoreHistorical London: Visit 4 UNESCO Sites
Thinking about a vacation in historical [amazon_textlink asin=’1631215612′ text=’London’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’travelingwithmj-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ffde2fe5-6a62-11e7-9b32-d3dbf8308ba0′] can evoke a frenzy of thoughts about this major continental city that is the UK’s financial center, seat of politics, and hub for fashion, entertainment, and the arts. But don’t forget that London is an old city, steeped in culture and tradition. In a city of hundreds (if not thousands) of wonderful historical sites, four have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. They’re worth a look-see! Tower of London: Located on the north bank of the Thames in central London, the Tower is actually a compound of multiple buildings – and a moat. It’s currently the oldest British governmental building but has an impressive history as a fortress, palace, prison, and place of execution and torture. Must see sites there today include the Crown Jewels, the […]
Read MoreLotus & Lilies at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Located on a 14 acre parcel along the east bank of the Anacostia River, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the only National Park that is devoted to the propagation and display of aquatic plants, with a history that is of great significance to the botanical study and development of water plants. The gardens were initially a hobby for Civil War veteran W.B. Shaw. With a few water lilies from his estate of Maine, and a single pond, he started his hobby venture. As the the plants thrived, he dug more ponds and experimented more in developing hybrid lilies, turning a hobby into a burgeoning business. In 1921, Helen Shaw Fowler (W.B.’s daughter) agreed to let the public in for a viewing of the lilies one day a week during the blooming season. It’s estimated that up to 6,000 people a day lined up to […]
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