Before the internet, I almost always bought books when I traveled to refer back to. Whether on a guided tour or exploring on my own, I wanted the facts about what I learned and to understand better what I experienced. From 20-page pamphlets to massive hardback books, I was always loaded down with reference material when I returned home. As
Relax and Renew at Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil
When I traveled to Ecuador to visit the Galapagos Islands, my tour coordinator AdventureSmith Explorations arranged my pre- and post-hotel accommodations in Guayaquil. The reason this is a suggested part of the entire package is to ensure a buffer in case there is a delay in the flight into Ecuador so that visitors can make the flight from Guayaquil to
Santa Fe Museums Showcase Art and History
When it comes to museums, Santa Fe has a lot to brag about. From art museums, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, to the Santa Fe Children’s Museum, there are more than a dozen museums to tour in this city of just over 80,000. On a recent visit, I chose to tour three; each with a different story to tell. Museum
Celebrating Natchez, Mississippi Tricentennial
It’s hard to fit three centuries of history into a weekend, but that’s what I attempted to do on a recent visit to Natchez with my daughter Olivia Moore and my one-year-old granddaughter Ainsley. The city is celebrating its 300th anniversary throughout 2016. The date the city considers is beginning is August 3, 1716, when the French completed Fort Rosalie
Finding Vicksburg History at Baer House
Baer House is a lovely bed and breakfast located on a quiet street in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It is also a historic reminder of the past when Vicksburg was a prosperous 19th century river town before and after the Civil War. In addition to being excellent overnight accommodations, the house, built in 1870, is also open for tours. On the day
Along the way: Bessemer, Alabama
In search of railroad information for a magazine article, I stopped at a passenger depot in Bessemer, Alabama, just outside Birmingham. Today the depot serves the community as The Bessemer Hall of History and, although I found very little train history, what I did find was an excellent local collection pointing to the wonderful history of this city of 30,000.
The Birds of Galapagos
As a passenger on Galapagos Eclipse Genovesa Cruise with AdventureSmith Explorations, I visited six islands including Genovesa, or Tower Island. The northernmost island allowed to be visited by naturalist cruises is home to millions of birds belonging to many different species, many unseen anywhere else in the world. The ship accommodates 35 to 40 passengers. Divided by three, groups have
Three days in San Diego
San Diego is known for its zoo, wide sandy beaches, Coronado Island, del Coronado Hotel and rich history dating back to 1769 when the first Europeans arrived. Its Old World charm and contemporary amenities make San Diego the perfect getaway destination. Day 1 – San Diego Zoo Although 3.3 million residents call this southern California city home, it is very
The art of carry-on travel
The positive part of checking luggage is you can take more to your vacation destination and bring back more souvenirs. The negative side is the addition fees for domestic flights and some international flights, collecting luggage for customs on internationals flights when connection times are tight, and the possibility of your luggage being lost or delayed. So what’s the solution?
Photo Essay: The Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch, California
Whether you stay a half hour or half day at The Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch, there is something magical about the acres of colorful blossoms overlooking the Pacific Ocean. More than 50 acres feature Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers with smaller flower beds of snapdragons, roses and other colorful blooms. The Southern California fields are a direct result of more