Oct 9, 2012

In the very center of Provincetown is a food court.  One might expect food courts to only exist in malls, and while Provincetown is decidedly mall-like in many respects, this food court transcends the expectations of the common mall goer.  Top shelf sea food is sold alongside hand-churned ice cream.  Meals are enjoyed on a patio overlooking the...

Oct 4, 2012

As I stood watching the enormous, multi-colored hot-air balloon come to life before me, all I could think was, “How did I get myself into this, and how do I get myself out?” But in spite of my trepidations (a minor fear of heights as well as the conviction that a nylon balloon cannot, in fact, support the weight of twelve people), I hoisted myself into the...

Oct 2, 2012

Cape Cod’s scenic 6A is always worth a day trip.  Spend it driving from Boston, perusing antique shops, arriving in Wellfleet at nightfall just in time for a drive-in movie. A little way down the road from the well-hidden but singular antique stove store you may be tempted to drive by The Barnstable Inn.  I suggest you stop and enjoy the...

Aug 13, 2012

The A/V Club in Los Angeles Giant sparklers stream out of the hands of glittering bodiced hostesses who parade through the crowd with giant bottles of champagne, pausing occasionally to erupt like human welding torches. Trained dancers in faux-ballet attire cavort and twine themselves round poles in the corners of the room. One lace-encased entertainer...

Apr 15, 2011

I’m lucky enough to be a local, but I recently took a tour of the Four Seasons Hotel Austin and it actually made me jealous of tourists. Especially since the exceptional hotel, located in the heart of downtown, on the shores of picturesque Ladybird Lake and in walking distance of several of the city’s main attractions, is offering visitors amazing specials...

Mar 14, 2011

Lonely Planet is eleasing a brand new iPhone city guide for Austin and it will be FREE from March 9-15 for those heading to SXSW! Even if you spend most of your time at the festival venues, you’ll want to take advantage of everything Austin has to offer. With the new location aware app, you’ll know the best place to grab a late-night meal at the end of...

Jan 29, 2011

Although today it’s a tame four-lane highway, the road up the mountain still has that 18th century Oregon Trail feel. This piece is named the Barlow Road after the entrepreneur who built a toll portion on this otherwise free emigrant route, and it cuts a wild and treacherous course over the crest of the Cascades.  Imagine being one of those early travelers...

Sep 19, 2010

A feeling of controlled fear grips me as the raft begins the freefall. In that moment the outfitter’s favorite quote pops into my head – “Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.” Thunderous walls of big water surround me and instantly I understand I’m involved… Day Four Morgan’s forecast of...

Sep 16, 2010

A feeling of controlled fear grips me as the raft begins the freefall. In that moment the outfitter’s favorite quote pops into my head – “Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.” Thunderous walls of big water surround me and instantly I understand I’m involved… Day Three After breakfast we...

Sep 13, 2010

A feeling of controlled fear grips me as the raft begins the freefall. In that moment the outfitter’s favorite quote pops into my head – “Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.” Thunderous walls of big water surround me and instantly I understand I’m involved… Day Two I rolled out of my bag...

Sep 6, 2010

Condé Nast Traveler magazine named it the Number One Destination Spa in the U.S. in their Readers’ Choice Awards for 2010. I’m not surprised. It’s one of my favorite places on earth. I like to call Lake Austin Spa Resort my lake house. Not just because I wish it was mine. But also because it feels like home. I always have to remind myself I’m even...

Jul 29, 2010

It was my first time ever climbing a rock wall. And I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t terrified. But it was my last day at Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona and I had already conquered several activities, challenging both mentally and physically. So, I figured, what the heck? I had a private session with Matt Walker, author of Adventure in...

Jun 23, 2010

A year ago I would have never guessed that this weekend I would be participating in Battle on the Bank III – the third annual national banked track roller derby tournament. This year the tournament will be hosted by the San Diego Derby Dolls at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, California from Friday, June 25th through Sunday, June 27th. I’m not a...

Nature’s mean of transport, our feet, is still the best way to explore any destination. This is particularly true for discovering the wonders which await visitors around Manhattan. Here are just two examples of what I discovered that I would have never seen if I had taken a car: An amazing art deco head just sat in the front yard of a brownstone in East...

If you thought, that Wall Street is deserted after dark and on weekends when all the money-spinning worker bees have gone home, think again. The area has become very lively at all hours, with new bars, clubs and restaurants springing up everywhere. Taking advantage of this new development, Hyatt has opened the first ever hotel with an address directly on Wall...