TRAVELS NEAR AND FAR
It’s hard to keep me away from Colorado. The state’s diverse and dramatic landscape is a commanding draw and its magnetic and dynamic attraction is strong. Whether it’s a National Park, Old West mountain town, archaeological site or unique geological formation, Colorado offers plenty of choices for all vacation appetites.
It's big. It's bold. It's the Colorado National Monument
It’s hard to wrap your head around the Colorado National Monument. It holds you spellbound as you look out at this famed, rugged landscape of the American West. Towering sandstone monoliths as tall as 450 feet act as sentinels in a vast plateau with sheer-walled canyons as deep as 500 …
Lincoln's legacy is alive and well in Springfield
I was born and raised in the Chicago area and recall visiting Springfield, the Illinois State Capitol and land of Lincoln, just once in my life. That was decades ago and my child’s memory of the place is very hazy. Flash forward to this past summer when, on my annual …
Chicago Botanic Garden is an Edenesque paradise
For much of my youth, I lived minutes away from the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. I would go there frequently, always with my parents. They loved the place, as it was a beautiful respite for them, and served as fodder for many of my father’s wonderful photographs. After …
An architect and an heiress leave their mark on Springfield
Growing up in Chicago gave me access to several of Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the Midwest. I learned to appreciate the architect’s style and to value his vision for creating buildings that are tied to the natural world.
Much to love about the Rogue Valley
I began falling in love with the Rogue Valley years ago, when I first went to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, then later when I returned to explore Crater Lake National Park and again, to do a multi-day rafting trip down the Rogue River. After my most recent visit, …
Covered wooden bridges are iconic Vermont
The covered bridges of Vermont are often found on postcards, in books and stories about the state and on many different social media sites. They’re the settings for idyllic, scenic drives, weddings and ghost tales.
Bishop’s Lodge melds luxury with authenticity for an enchanting respite
The wait is over. After a $75 million restoration, Bishop’s Lodge, now an Auberge Resort, has reopened its doors and the excitement is palpable. Situated on 317 acres bordering the Santa Fe National Forest, this famed New Mexico property offers a crafted approach to luxury, imbued with a southwestern aesthetic.
Space collides with earth in the Arizona desert
The signs called to me in persistent fashion, as I drove towards Flagstaff, on I-40. I decided I simply could not pass up the opportunity to see the Meteor Crater - “the best-preserved meteorite impact site on Earth” – so I made the easy detour to satisfy my curiosity.
Bewitched by Salem
The first tarot card the psychic at Pentagram turned over was a sun, which I was told signifies optimism, success, vitality and fun. She then proceeded to tell me I would have several opportunities coming my way soon. One would be career related; the other not. And a third was …
Enjoy a slice of Austria in Vermont at the Trapp Family Lodge
I could almost hear the cowbells and picture Maria traipsing down the mountains, singing, “The Hills are Alive,” as I looked out upon the pastoral scene. Though it was Vermont, and not Austria, the movie’s images were omnipresent everywhere I looked at the Trapp Family Lodge.
Best Places to Retire in Washington
One Washington city made Forbes’ top 25: Wenatchee
A Tourist's Guide to Hollywood in Washington
Revisiting a “Road Trip” spotlighting easily found movie and television scenes shot in the Evergreen State
Timeless elegance and more at the Woodstock Inn
Audubon effortlessly glided from a nearby perch, making a beeline for my heavily gloved arm. He snatched up the beef bit and then proceeded to use my limb as his throne, while the paparazzi took pictures. He knew he was a good-looking guy and soaked up the attention. Occasionally, he …
