July 31, 2013

Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile: Visit a penguin colony; things to do


Visit a penguin colony near Punta Arenas, Chile



Seno Otway penguin colony near Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile
Seno Otway penguin colony near Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile

at Seno Otway  

43 mi. NE.  This colony of Magellan Penguins (also know as Jackass penguins) has approximately 3,000 members.  Reached via dirt roads, it is accessible only from September to March, and is best November through February. 

at Isla Magdalena  
20 mi. NW.  The Magellan Penguins here are more timid, but there are more than 120,000 of them.  Reached via ferry, it is a pleasant half-day afternoon excursion. 



More things to do in Chile.

More ideas for exploring South America.

More animal attractions.


image copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

July 29, 2013

Santa Clarita, California: Attend a Cowboy Festival; things to do

cowboy with guitar on horse in Santa Clarita, California

Attend a Cowboy Festival in SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA

Whether or not you were raised on cowboys like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, you’ve probably heard of them.  What you might not realize is that these rough, tough, gun-totin’ guys loved to sing in the saddle.  It’s an old cowboy tradition, as is spouting straight-shooting, and sometimes downright silly, poetry.
Read more . . .


More things to do along Highway 5.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

July 26, 2013

Introduction to Punta Arenas in Patagonia, Chile


Introduction to Punta Arenas in Patagonia, Chile



colorful overview of Punta Arenas in Patagonia, Chile
colorful overview of Punta Arenas in Patagonia, Chile




PUNTA ARENAS is situated picturesquely at the western edge of Patagonia, across the Strait of Magellan from Tierra del Fuego.  The southernmost city in South America, it was named "Punta Arenosa" (Sandy Point) by J. Byron who discovered it in the 17th century.  It was settled as a penal colony in 1848, then attracted immigrants and became one of South America’s most prosperous cities.  That changed when the Panama Canal was built in 1914.  The weather is unpredictable, and I’ve heard people say you can experience four seasons in one day.  Residents counteract the long, gray winters by painting their roofs and houses in bright colors.  It is a popular departure port for Antarctic expeditions. Pack hiking shoes and a windbreaker jacket to wear over layered clothing.  It can get chilly in Chile.



More things to do in Chile.

More ideas for exploring South America.

image copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

July 24, 2013

Bermuda: Something for Everyone in this Island Paradise

Bermuda scenic

Bermuda:  Something for Everyone in this Island Paradise 


Looking for a good night's sleep?  Instead of buying that new mattress you've been thinking about, perhaps you should instead sock the money into a vacation at the deluxe Cambridge Beaches resort in Bermuda.  You'll fall asleep to the song of singing frogs, awaken to a cheery call of "Room service," then dine on your balcony to the sounds of the sea lapping below while you stare out at the blue, blue sea.  Perhaps if you stay here long enough, you might be able to develop a healthy sleep habit that translates to your bed at home. Read more. . .





article and image by Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

July 22, 2013

Things to Do: Kier Design & Gift Garden Antiques, Pacific Palisades, California

15260 Antioch St., (310) 459-0980.  This tiny shop is stuffed with a mixture of home decorating accents and antiques that lean to the beachy.  Everything from a dinner plate-sized dried starfish to a silver candelabra.

china at Gift Garden Antiques in Pacific Palisades, California

Gift Garden Antiques  

15266 Antioch St., (310) 459-4114.  M-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5.  Next door, this shop has a browse-worthy collection of silver, china, and crystal.










July 18, 2013

Santa Monica, California: Number One Beauty Center; things to do

1426 Montana Ave. #3, (310) 656-2455. 

My hands-down favorite beauty shop anywhere, this small store is stocked with everything to make you look gorgeous.  They seem to carry it all, from a variety of shower caps to the most luxurious body creams, and items in between such as wide-tooth combs, hair clips, and nail polish.  You name it, they usually have it, plus the clerks are knowledgeable and helpful.  And the stars shop here--keep your eyes peeled!


July 17, 2013

Westwood, California: UCLA Thrift Shop; things to do

1601 Sawtelle Blvd./Massachusetts Ave., 310-479-4133.  Daily 10-5. 

Operated as a charity for the UCLA Medical Center, this small thrift store stocks designer clothing, large pieces of furniture, and bargain books.  An annex (across the street at 11271 Massachusetts Ave., (310) 478-1793) contains a nice selection of children’s clothing and toys plus household linens and accessories.


Things to do in nearby Santa Monica.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

July 15, 2013

Oakland, Oregon: Olde Town Antiques; things to do

Oakland, Oregon

A scenic back-country loop leads past cows munching contentedly on the bounty of the area’s lush, green rolling hills, and on into the low-key, old-time town of Oakland featuring a small museum and brick buildings dating to the 1890s.  You’ll cross a one-lane concrete bridge on this freeway loop. 

Olde Town Antiques  

110 SE Locust St., (541) 459-1479.  M-Sat 11-4, Sun 12-4.  Five dealers operate within an atmospheric former tavern featuring three brick walls, a very high ceiling, and the original black bar.



More things to do along Oregon's Highway 5.


image courtesy of Historic Oakland Oregon

July 12, 2013

Pacific Palisades, California: Casa Nostra; restaurant review

Casa Nostra  

1515 Palisades Dr., off Sunset, (310) 454-8889.  L-D daily; $$.  Reservations advised. 

wine, water, and a view at Casa Nostra in Pacific Palisades, California
wine, water, and a view at Casa Nostra in Pacific Palisades, California


Tucked away in a canyon in the Santa Monica mountains, this Italian spot provides a spectacular view of the hills from its parking lot and a satisfactory view from the front of its extensive sheltered patio.  The large and open indoor dining room is pleasant, too.  The menu features many usual items, including pizza, but it is worthwhile to note that the ravioli, pappardelle, and gnocchi are housemade and delish.  My dining partner and I split a colorful bruschetta plate piled high with colorful diced tomatoes, a satisfying chopped vegetable salad, and a perfect order of pumpkin-stuffed ravioli in a sage butter sauce.  We left stuffed, and happy, too.

bruschetta at Casa Nostra in Pacific Palisades, California
bruschetta at Casa Nostra in Pacific Palisades, California




More places to visit in Pacific Palisades.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

July 10, 2013

Santa Monica, California: Palisades Park + Camera Obscura; things to do

Runs from Colorado Ave. to San Vicente Blvd., north of the pier. 

This long, narrow, cliff-top park features expanses of grass, sheltering shade trees, and ocean views.  It is a popular jogging-biking-skating-walking path.   

The Camera Obscura is accessed through the Senior Center (1450 Ocean Ave., (310) 458-2239.  M-F 9-3, Sat 11-4.  Free.).  Camera obscuras are thought to date back to at least ancient Greece and maybe before.  It is believed that Renaissance painters--perhaps even Leonardo Da Vinci--might have used one to project live images onto their canvases.  In Victorian times, the cameras were a popular seaside attraction in both the U.S. and Europe.  To see the one here, situated within an 1889
entrance to Camera Obscura in Santa Monica, California
building that is adjacent to the Santa Monica senior center in Palisades Park, you need only deposit your driver's license at the office in trade for a key to the very dark room the camera resides in at the top of some stairs.  There you will turn a wheel in the center of the small room to steer the lens and mirror located in the turret above, which will then project an image from outside onto a large white disk.  We saw the traffic on Ocean Avenue, some strollers in Palisades Park, and got a glimpse of the ocean.  Built in 1898 and given to the city in 1907, this camera was installed here in 1955.  I was able to find only three other camera obscuras in the U.S. that are open to the public--all in San Francisco:  one by the Cliff House and two at the Exploratorium.



July 8, 2013

Santa Monica, California: Huckleberry Café; restaurant review

Huckleberry  

1014 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 451-2311.  M-F 8-8, Sat-Sun 8-5; $$.  No reservations. 

A good spot for casual dining, light meals, and people watching, this bakery-cafe is well known for its delicious breads and pastries--muffins, Valrhona chocolate-stuffed croissants, cinnamon rolls, cakes, pies.

dessert case at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California
dessert case at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California


The breakfast menu is available all day and includes green eggs and ham, maple bacon biscuits, and duck hash.  But lunchtime sandwiches can bring a smile to your face, too.  My favorite is the marinated red pepper-burrata mozzarella-prosciutto with basil dressing on a baguette, but next time I plan to try the housemade brisket on ciabatta.  The BLAT is also awesome.

red pepper-burrata sandwich at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California
red pepper-burrata sandwich at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California


A large selection of salads are available as sides (I loved the roasted baby carrots with avocado, cumin seeds, and lemon juice (get the recipe)

carrot-avocado salad at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California
carrot-avocado salad at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California


and the colorful red beets with kale.)

beet salad at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California
beet salad at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California


From among the dazzling array of desserts, I chose well--an exquisite salted-caramel square.

salted-caramel square at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California
salted-caramel square at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California


Counter service is fast and friendly.

interior of Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California
interior of Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California


Take-out service is busy, and from behind that counter you can see the workings of the partially visible kitchen.

pick-up counter at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California
pick-up counter at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica, California



Bag'n Baggage 

travel supply store is next door.  Stop in for a browse of suitcases, clothing, and accessories galore.

cape for sale at Magellan's travel supply store in Santa Monica, California
cape for sale at Magellan's travel supply store in Santa Monica, California


More things to do in Santa Monica.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated July 17, 2015 & July 7, 2018

July 5, 2013

Wolf Creek, Oregon: Wolf Creek Inn; hotel review

100 Front St., (541) 866-2474.  9 rooms.  B-L-D daily. 

The  oldest continuous-use hotel in the state of Oregon, the Wolf Creek Inn was built in 1883 as a "first-class traveler's hotel" for people journeying on the 16-day stagecoach route from San Francisco to Portland.  An orchard north of the dining room holds  mature apple and pear trees planted in 1885.  President Rutherford B. Hayes, Clark Gable, and Carole Lombard have all slept here, and Jack London wrote in a room on the second floor.  An annual Oktoberfest is held in late September to early October. 



image courtesy of inn

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