National Park Service: The American Presidents

With the Presidential inauguration just a couple weeks away, it’s a good time to think about our former Presidents and the place they occupy in history.  Putting politics aside, that’s just what the National Park Service has done – put Presidential PLACES on display – with the new Discover Our Shared Heritage on-line travel itinerary site. The American Presidents itinerary explores the lives, contributions and historical sites of all 43 presidents.  (President-elect Obama is not yet on the list.)  Among the sites listed are birthplaces, home and memorials.  There’s also a general presidential itinerary that includes the White House, Mount Rushmore, and other general sites. The list includes over 70 sites spanning the country, all listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and about half part of the National Park System. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find: Description […]

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Travel Resolutions for 2009

My travel resolutions last year were sort of a mixed bag, but I have a feeling 2009 is going to be a year of more travel and more travel experiences. I want to discover some new places, but I also want to revisit some spots to see how they’ve changed, or how I’ve changed and now see them differently.  So my resolutions are a combination of old and new, all with the goal of seeing the world one place and one experience at a time. Here they are — Visit two new countries Visit two new states Re-visit five places that I’ve already been, but see and experience them differently Discover new restaurants, hotels, and resorts and share those experiences with you. Keep reading this year, and you can help keep track of how I’m doing. How about you?  What […]

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8 for 2008 – Reflections on the Year

I spent some time in personal reflection at the end of last year, and it seems like a good thing to continue. Here are a few special moments, thoughts, travel experiences, and ponderings on the meaning of life as another year comes to an end 8 Memorable Travel Experiences: Coming up from the metro in Rome and seeing the Coliseum looming in front of me Throwing three coins in Trevi Fountain Eating gelato (the real thing) in Italy Wine tasting in Tuscany The ruins at Pompeii Making some great new friends in Guadalajara, and practicing my Spanish a little more Pow-Wow in Las Vegas, a wonderful event in and of itself, but also one that gave me story ideas for the year and more The Vatican 8 Favorite Things: Family & friends Misha & Benjamin My passport which opens door […]

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2008: The Travel Year in Review

Looking back seems to be the thing to do this time of year.  So it’s time to take a look back at how I did with all the resolutions that I made for 2008.  How did I do? Here’s a recap: Visit two new countries – I can check this one off with my visit to Italy and Vatican City.  Visit two new states – Ooops, a big zero here.  Some plans fell through at the last minute, and never did get rescheduled. Visit four new cities in countries or states that I have already visited – I’ve been back to Guadalajara , Mexico, after a 20 year absence so that almost counts as a new city.  But that’s about it.  Lots of good intentions, but not much follow through. Try a minimum of one new restaurant a month (while […]

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Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade

Oh to be a Mummer, now that New Year’s is almost here! This is the 103rd year for Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, and this is one of those festivities that sound like so much fun.  I’m hoping that a few of my Philly readers chime in here and let me know if it’s as much fun as it sounds.  (Kelly?  Caroline?  Anyone?) The history of the Mummers goes back to the Roman Festival of Saturnalia.  Latin laborers wore masks and marched around giving gifts.  There was also a Celtic version that was a little bit more like trick-or-treat, featuring costumes and little gifts.  Both events were filled with pageantry, enthusiasm, and more than a little bit of noise. Philadelphia got into the act in 1901 with the first official Mummers Parade.  Unofficially large celebrations like this had been […]

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Back to Basics: How to Get Off the Plane & Not be Stressed

The best part about getting on the plane, is knowing that you’ll be getting off at your destination, and that you  have loads of great times ahead of you. For many travelers, however, the landing and deplaning process can be just as confusing and challenging as the boarding process. Here’s the scoop on how the landing process works and some tips that will make it easy for you to get off the plane.  Frequently flyers – pay attention, because you should take some of the suggestions to heart. Once the aircraft is on the ground and taxiing into the gate, most airlines allow you to use your cell phone.  What you cannot do, however, is stand up and get it out of the overhead, or unbuckle your seat belt and get it out from beneath your set.  If you’ll want […]

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Back to Basics: 10 Items to ALWAYS Pack in Your Carry On Luggage

Although I check my bags on occasion, I’m very vigilant in not packing certain types of things.  Some things go in your checked luggage, some go in your carry ons, and depending on space, some things can go either way. It doesn’t seem like I should have to spell this out, but most every day that I fly someone mentions packing one of these items in their checked bagged.  Usually, it doesn’t present a problem, but DON’T PACK THESE ITEMS IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE! Itinerary.  Keep a copy of your itinerary in your checked bag, but make sure that you have a copy with you as well.  If your bag does go missing, you’ll need to know what reservations you have, confirmation numbers, phone numbers, etc.  I keep my itinerary on my phone and computer as well, but have it […]

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Back to Basics: 8 Ways to Get to the Airport on Time

With all the rushing around during the holiday season, one place you won’t want to be rushing to is the airport. While you can get away with being fashionably late to your office or party or neighborhood gift exchange, airport counters and security lines are not that forgiving. This will be a busy travel season, despite the recession, and if you’re one of the ones who’ll be flying it’s time now to start planning on how you’ll be getting to the airport. As you’re making plans, remember to leave plenty of time to get to the airport, and make sure you take into account heavier traffic, less parking places, and longer security lines. Here are some options on how you can get to the airport.  Pick one that is economical – both in price and in stress level! Drive yourself […]

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Quilt Museum at University of Nebraska – Lincoln

  As the weather gets colder, I’ve been pulling my quilts out of the closet and getting them on the beds in the house.  Most of my quilts were made by family members, and have great meaning in both the design and the love and care that went into making them. Quilting is an art form that also shares a history – of a family, a community, a culture, or a country. The International Quilt Study Center & Museum is dedicated to the preservation, study and exhibition of quilts and to sharing the resources with the public. On display you’ll find a selection of approximately 50-75 quilts.  In addition to the permanent galleries, you’ll find rotating current exhibits include. The Museum is located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1523 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, Nebraska) and is open Tuesday – Saturday […]

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