Most of the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill, the first major British-Colonial battle of the Revolutionary War, didn’t take place on Bunker Hill at all — most of the fighting took place on Breed’s Hill. But the geographical error continues to this day, and the 221 foot tall Bunker Hill Monument stands proudly on Breed’s Hill. Construction of the monument was an on again, off again process, building furiously when funds were available, then halted when funds were gone. Eventually, battlefield grounds had to be sold off to help complete the monument, leaving only the summit where the monument stands. The monument was dedicated in 1843, with remarks from noted orator, Daniel Webster. The Monument is an obelisk, that is, its tall, narrow, granite sides taper into a pyramid at the top. In front, is a statue of William Prescott, memorable for […]
Read More10 Money Saving Travel Tips for Fall. . . or Any Time at All!
If you haven’t already done so, you need to book your holiday travel. Many flights and hotels are already full for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. There aren’t a whole lot of bargains to be found at this time, and if they are out there, you’ll need to be doing a lot of research and digging deep to find them. If, however, you’ve got a hankering to travel, fall many be a bargain filled time to do so. It’s known as a soft travel time — after the summer is over, and the schools and universities are back in session, and before the rush of the holidays. It’s a time when those of us who are in the travel business predict that we’ll FINALLY be able to get on a flight and enjoy our own travel plans. Here are a few […]
Read MoreAstoria Column Depicts Pacific Northwest History
The Astoria Column overlooks the mouth of the Columbia River from its vantage point on Coxcomb Hill, Oregon’s highest hill, in Astoria, Oregon. The 125 foot high tower was built in 1926, at a cost of a little over twenty seven thousand dollars, with funding from Vincent Astor (great grandson of John Jacob Astor for whom the city was named) and the Great Northern Railroad. The monument has 14 pictorial scenes reflecting, in chronological order, the history of the Pacific Northwest Coast: the arrival of the European settlers, the westward expansion, and the development of a continental nation. The earliest scenes are at the base of the column and progress upward. The location on Coxcomb Hill is the site of the first permanent American Settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Although the site itself boasts spectacular views, even more spectacular are the views […]
Read MoreThe Franklin Institute in Philadelphia
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is one of the oldest science museums in the country. Founded in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the Institute consists of three centers, The Science Center, The Franklin Center, and The Center for Innovation in Science Learning, with a mission to create an understanding of, and passion for, science and technology. I visited The Franklin Institute Science Museum earlier this year when I visited Philadelphia to see the King Tut Exhibit. The Science Center is hosting the traveling exhibit Tutankhamen And The Golden Age of The Pharaohs, which will run through September 30th. There are lots of things to see at the Science Museum, and while we were waiting to get into the Tut exhibit, we wandered around looking at the other exhibits. The exhibits are simply presented, and designed for young minds to learn about and develop […]
Read MoreKnow the Driving Laws When You Travel
If you’ll be traveling to Washington State, don’t text and drive! Washington became the first state to enact legislation prohibiting drivers from reading or composing text messages while operating a motor vehicle. The law goes into effect January 1st, 2008. Driving laws vary from state to state, and this is a good reminder to check the traffic laws in the state where you are driving. Don’t assume that the laws in your home state apply when you are traveling to another state or another country. It could be a very expensive mistake! If you are doing some interstate driving, you might want to check with the Governors Highway Safety Association for a basic overview of the traffic laws of each state. Photo credit: Morguefile _____________________________________________ Technorati Tags: b5media, Flyaway Café, flight attendants, travel, vacation, travel information, travel tips, driving laws, car travel
Read MoreThursday Night Villagefest Along Palm Canyon Drive
The weekly Thursday night Villagefest is one of my favorite events in Palm Springs. The event was originated by former mayor Sonny Bono, and for over 16 years has been the home for local vendors of food, fresh produce (straight from the farms), music, art, handicrafts, and entertainment. Villagefest operates year round, from 6 – 10 pm, October – May, and 7 – 10 pm, June – September, along Palm Canyon Drive between Baristo and Amado. This weekly event has become as popular with local area residents as it is with tourists and visitors. Many of the shops and galleries along Palm Canyon Drive stay open late on Thursday nights, and the Palm Springs Art Museum offers free admission. Over the many years that I’ve been going to Villagefest, I’ve purchased tasty local produce, a couple of pieces of art (including one large, stunning, […]
Read MoreSail Over to Catalina Island
Catalina Island is located off the coast of southern California, about 22 miles southwest of San Pedro, near Los Angeles. It is part of the Channel Islands. The only city on the island is Avalon, and although over a million tourists visit the island every year, the population hovers around five thousand people. When I’ve visited Catalina, I’ve taken the ferry from Long Beach. You can also get there by ferry from Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro, and Marina del Rey. The last time I took the ferry to Catalina, I had a very serious case of sea sickness, so I don’t have a terribly fond memory of the boat trip. I think, however, that it took a little over an hour to get to the island from Long Beach. You can also get there by helicopter. Motor vehicles […]
Read MorePrincess Grace Returns to Monaco
If you’re looking for one more reason to visit the French Riviera this summer, you may find it in the life of Princess Grace, and the exhibit “The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco.” This year marks the 25th anniversary of Princess Grace’s death. From July 12th through September 23rd, you can see an exhibit of Grace Kelly’s life at the Grimaldi Forum (10 avenue Princess Grace, Principality of Monaco) shown in 15 rooms that follow her life from her childhood in Philadelphia, to her life as a Hollywood star, to her meeting and 1956 marriage to Prince Rainier, and her role as a Princess, Mother, and fashion icon. Admission to the exhibit is €10 for adults, €6 for students under 25, no charge for children under 12. Here’s a sample of some of the rooms you’ll see: The New […]
Read MoreArkansas: The 25th State
Today is Admission Day for Arkansas, our 25th state, admitted to the Union on June 15th, 1836 Arkansas is one of those states that I just don’t know much about. Yeah, I know that it’s in the south, and I know that President Clinton was from there. Oh yeah, and Little Rock is the capital. Other than that, Arkansas just hasn’t been on my radar scope much. Calling itself the Natural State, Arkansas tourism focuses on its outdoor activities: camping, fishing, National Parks, hunting, watersports, and hiking. Arkansas geography has a little of everything — mountains and valleys, forests, plains, rivers and lowlands, and even a number of underground caverns — so it offers a little something for everyone in terms of outdoor activities. This variety also makes for some pretty dramatic scenery, as with the Royal Gorge (in photo). […]
Read MoreKentucky: The 15th State
Today is Admission Day for Kentucky, the 15th state, admitted to the Union on June 1st, 1792. The first time I was in Kentucky, I thought I was in Ohio. If you’ve been to the Cincinnati airport (airport code CVG), you know what I’m talking about. The Cincinnati airport, which I foolishly believed was in Cincinnati, Ohio is actually located 13 miles south of that city. Not in Cincinnati (which I could understand), but not even in Ohio. Nope, it’s in northern Kentucky. Since I spent time in the surrounding area, during some very long time on the ground, I can say that I have been in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky is one of four states established as a Commonwealth (the others are Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts), and while that designation has no constitution significance, it means that its […]
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