December 28, 2011

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Mummers Parade; things to do


Philadelphia Mummers Parade 

part of the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
part of the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


The festive Philadelphia Mummers Parade has marched down Broad Street every New Year’s Day for more than 100 years. One of the longest running traditions in the country, it began in the 1800's as a way to celebrate the New Year and became an official city event n 1900. Participants wear elaborate costumes made with feathers and sequins galore, and you’ll see plenty of cross-dressing.



Mummers Parade in North Wildwood, New Jersey.

More Mummers.

Even more Mummers.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 21, 2011

Paris, France: Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore; things to do

Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore 

This attraction just might be enough for you to finally go buy a ticket to Paris.






December 19, 2011

What luggage should you buy?


What luggage should you buy?

Are you in the market for new luggage? Check out the comments about what luggage you should buy and why, and also about airlines and theft.


More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

December 16, 2011

Troutdale, Oregon: Edgefield, The Poor Farm; restaurant review

Edgefield: The Poor Farm  

2126 SW Halsey St., (800) 669-8610, (503) 669-8610. No pets.

outdoor picnic tables at the Power Station Pub at Rhe Poor Farm in Troutdale, Oregon
outdoor picnic tables at the Power Station Pub at Rhe Poor Farm
in Troutdale, Oregon


Located next door to now-trendy Gresham—it was once just a simple farm town where my own Grandpa lived his life farming strawberries and raising cattle—this fun-filled complex once actually was a real poor farm that rescued folks who had fallen on hard times. Now The Poor Farm is like a little village, with a Georgian Revival-style manor house B&B as well as many out buildings, and visitors can have a great time just wandering the property—stopping for a beer and some exceptionally tasty oversize peanuts in the Little Red Shed, followed perhaps by pizza and more beer at an outdoor picnic table at the Power Station Pub. The farm also has a fancier restaurant, a movie theater, a winery and distillery, two golf courses (1 12-hole, 1 20-hole), a spa with a saltwater soaking pool, and expansive gardens.




image courtesy of venue 

December 14, 2011

Exuma Key, Bahamas: Swim with the pigs on Exuma Key in the Bahamas


Swim with the pigs on Exuma Key in the Bahamas


You've heard about swimming with the dolphins? Get ready for swimming with the pigs! (Did you know that a group of hogs is called a "drift"?)




catch another view:






December 8, 2011

Jackson Hole, Wyoming: National Elk Refuge; things to do

National Elk Refuge 

800-772-5386, 307-733- 0277.  Sleigh rides mid-Dec through first weekend in April; adults $18, 5-12 $12.

draft horse-drawn sleigh tour at National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
draft horse-drawn sleigh tour at National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming


Take a draft horse-drawn sleigh tour of North America’s largest established elk preserve. Featuring the spectacular Grand Teton Mountain Range on one side and the Gros Venture Mountain range on the other, the National Elk Refuge is not a zoo.  Some of the thousands of elk migrate here from as far as 100 miles away. Sleighs are a cheery photogenic red with black trim and have padded seats. From them you’ll see wildlife up close and in motion. I heard the 4-year-old daughter of a park ranger exclaim with glee, “Wow, look at all that poop!” After, you can pet the horses and take pictures with them.


National Museum of Wildlife  

Warm up across the street within the impressive stone walls of the National Museum of Wildlife, where galleries let you get even closer to a wide array of wild animals.


More animal attractions.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 7, 2011

NYC: Radio City Christmas Spectacular; things to do

Radio City Christmas Spectacular  

Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, 212-247-4777.  December. 

At least once in a lifetime everyone should see this extraordinary Radio City Christmas Spectacular show. Excitement grows as high as the Rockettes kick as Santa flies and fireworks light up the stage. The storyline features the famed synchronized chorus line dancing on the block-wide stage as snow falls and music rings out from the largest Wurlitzer organ ever built (it has more than 4,000 pipes).



 


December 5, 2011

Portland, Oregon: International Rose Test Garden; things to do

400 SW Kingston Ave., in Washington Park, (503) 823-3636. Daily 7:30-9. Free.

The International Rose Test Garden began in another location in 1915, when a rose hobbyist got city officials to approve a garden dedicated to saving European roses from World War I bombings. Roses arrived from around the world. The garden moved to its current site in 1917, and now covers 4.5 acres. You can see more than 8,555 rose bushes representing some 722 varieties--including the almost black "Black Magic" rose, which is actually a deep blood red and the sweet smelling magenta "Firefighter Rose” named in honor of firefighters lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. In 1940, the garden became a testing site for the All-America Rose Selection.





More gardens around the world.

More things to do in Portland. 

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 2, 2011

The best time to purchase an air ticket


The best time to purchase an air ticket

Ever wonder when the best time is to buy an air ticket? Well, here you go.


More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.


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