If you think a beach view isn’t important, just think about how relaxing it is to enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee and look at this view from your hotel balcony.
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Hollywood Bowl Concerts: Amphitheater Beneath the Stars
An evening of music under the stars doesn’t get much better than when you’re sitting in one of the most legendary natural amphitheaters — the Hollywood Bowl. And if your California holidays permit, scheduling in a concert or visit to this venue is a wonderful summer treat. The Hollywood Bowl was originally built in 1922 and it first consisted of simple wooden benches set against the natural hillside of Bolton Canyon. That same year the first Hollywood Bowl concerts were scheduled when the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra began its first season of “music under the stars,” a tradition that continues today as the Bowl serves as the summer home of the orchestra. Fast forward to today: With seating of about 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural amphitheater in the United States. It is still the summer home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and […]
Read MorePostcard from Seattle: Lake Union Floating Homes
Some of the hundreds of floating homes (don’t call them houseboats) on Seattle’s Lake Union. Permits are limited, space is at a premium, and these homes go for hundreds (and hundreds) of thousands of dollars.
Read MorePhoto Essay: A Day at Woodland Park Zoo
While Seattle may not be fully engaged in Spring, let alone tiptoeing into summer, there’s no denying that it’s been a lovely holiday weekend. So with the sun peeking through, I headed off to Woodland Park Zoo, one of my favorite things to do in the nice weather. Plus, the zoo has a few new exhibits that I hadn’t seen yet including Warthogs and the endangered Warty Pig. First stop was the Family Farm, a kid friendly stop just to the left of the South Entrance. It’s mostly farm animals, like this goat, with a few other animals rounding things out. I love watching the little kids pet the small animals; for many it’s the first glimpse at rural life. Wandering about the family farm were a few peacocks and pea hens. This guy spent some time preening before his admiring audience. […]
Read MoreFREE Things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas
If you’re watching the budget, it’s no problem in Little Rock, Arkansas. The largest, and capital city of Arkansas, got its name from a small rock formation – la Petite Roche – that was once used as a landmark for traffic on the river. Today Little Rock offers a vast number of FREE activities that will keep you entertained for days and days. Take a look — History Learn about Civil Rights History with a visit to the circa 1927 Gothic-style Central High School, which received international attention during the Civil Rights Movement, and stop in at the museum in the restored service station across the street. The interactive exhibit “All the World is Watching Us” tells the story of the nine black students who made civil rights history when they entered Central High in September 1957. Location: 2125 Daisy […]
Read MoreBrand USA: Land of Dreams by Rosanne Cash
Brand USA officially launched at this past week’s USTA PowWow in Los Angeles. Brand USA was created in 2010 to encourage travelers from all over the world to visit the United States. The public-private marketing entity works in close partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel in communities around the country. Through its website, Discover America, Brand USA will inspire travellers to explore America’s boundless possibilities. As part of the new branding campaign, Brand USA commissioned Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash to create a song that could serve as a new anthem for America. An anthem that represented the diversity of this country and that would invite and welcome visitors from around the world to our country. Featuring guest artists that include Los Lobos, Bebel Gilberto and TREME, I think the video captures […]
Read MorePoverty Point State Historic Site on UNESCO Nominee List
The U.S. Department of the Interior is nominating Poverty Point State Historic Site in northeast Louisiana for the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. The 3,500-year-old site is considered one of the most culturally significant American Indian sites in the U.S., and is already designated a National Historic Landmark, National Monument and Smithsonian Affiliate. Poverty Point is the largest, most complex U.S. archaeological site of its age. No other site in the country matched its size until 2,500 years later. In addition to its impressive size and design, the site is outstanding because of its widespread trade network. The site’s design is unlike any other site in the world, including a massive earthen complex, with five mounds (the largest in photo above), six concentric, C-shaped ridges and a large, flat plaza. Archaeologists believe Native Americans moved millions of basket-loads of […]
Read MoreKing Cake: Louisiana Mardi Gras Tradition
One of the rich traditions of the Mardi Gras season is the King Cake, and with only a couple day left until Fat Tuesday, bakeries are madly trying to fill the last orders before the Lenten season begins. The history of the King Cake dates back to the celebrations of Epiphany, the 12 days after Christmas. Epiphany is more widely celebrated in Europe than in the United States, but Louisiana adopted the King Cake and made it a part of its Mardi Gras traditions. The King Cake is served throughout the Carnival season – Epiphany, or 12th night, until Fat Tuesday, this year February 21st, 2011 – and is a part of this time of celebration, feasting and partying. During the Mardi Gras season, king cake parties are popular, and date back to the 18th century, but increasingly King Cakes […]
Read MoreHistory & a View From the Top of the St. Louis Arch
Presiding proudly over the city of St. Louis, the Gateway Arch is the most recognizable building in the city’s skyline. It’s that iconic symbol, often photographed, that helps identify the city to millions of people who have never, and perhaps will never, visit. The Gateway Arch is located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, near the location where the Lewis & Clark expedition started, giving rise to its moniker Gateway to the West. It was designed by Eero Saarinen, the renowned Finnish architect, and completed in 1965. It wasn’t opened to the public, however, until June 1967. At its tallest point, the arch stands 630 feet tall, the same dimension as its base from leg-to-leg. That’s the equivalent of 63 stories. At the bottom of the arch is a visitor center and a Museum of Westward Expansion. Visitors are required […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Spokane, Washington
Spokane, the second largest city in Washington, is about 275 miles east of Seattle. But to many of us, it might as well be a million miles away, another country even. Those of us on the west side of the Cascades tend to forget that Spokane is coming into its own, creating a vibrant food, theater and arts scene, promoting area wineries, and taking advantage of the four distinct seasons its location offers to visitors. I’ve visited Spokane several times over the past couple of years, and each visit I’ve discovered something new, interesting, and often tasty. Here’s a look at some things that I think make Spokane a great location for a Pacific Northwest getaway weekend. Where to Stay Offering accommodations at all points in the value luxury spectrum, Spokane has plenty of options – whether you’re looking for […]
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