Travel
Squeezing out those last drops of summer – on the beach in Sperlonga
I love summer. And yet, it’s the season that always seems to race by fastest. So when my younger son asked me if we could go on a beach get-away for our last summer weekend, he didn’t exactly have to twist my arm. I was happy to make a weekend escape to Sperlonga, one of…
Read MoreSpectacular views from the top of England’s Durham Cathedral
Earlier this month, I made my first visit to the northern town of Durham, England to atend the Historical Novel Society’s biannual conference. For each conference, they choose a historical city in the UK – so it was a great chance to explore a new destination I hadn’t yet seen. Durham is a beautiful, medieval…
Read MoreDucking in from the heat in the US Botanic Garden
The US Botanic Garden has a long history. It was established by US Congress in 1820 – and had been the dream of America’s first President, George Washington. Washington wished to establish a botanic garden that would serve in an educational function – teaching visitors about plants. The Botanic Garden celebrated its bicentennial during our…
Read MoreCooling off in Rome’s Piscina delle rose
Anyone who knows Rome, knows that Rome is hot in summertime. And this summer was no exception. To cool off this summer, my younger son and I were often spending Sundays ar Rome’s outdoor public pool, Piscina delle rose. This pool was built in 1960 – the year in which Rome hosted the summer Olympics.…
Read MoreBirds’ eye view of Dallas, Texas
When my younger son and I were in Dallas, Texas on a hot August day last year, we were melting as we explored the city. We decided it would be best to get the lay of the land from up on high – from the (air-conditioned!) observation tower of the Dallas Reunion Tower. The 561…
Read MoreAdmiring the Roman aqueducts during cross country races at Rome’s Tor Tre Teste
For years, I would rise early morning Sundays in the fall and winter to take my youngest son to compete in cross-country races. Now he competes exclusively in track and field, which means early weekend mornings are at tracks instead of cross-country sites. Kind of a shame because the cross-country sites in Italy are spectacular,…
Read MoreWatching the cross country runners around Veneto’s Fimon Lake
Last October, my younger son had a cross-country championship up on northern Italy – near the spectacular town of Vicenza, located in Italy’s Veneto region. I decided to drive up to watch the race – and lucked out with a spectacular, sunny weekend. The 5K race itself was held on a beautiful course – along…
Read MoreThe Duck March at Memphis’ historic Peabody Hotel
Years ago, as a kid, I visited Memphis’ historic hotel, The Peabody. I was fascinated by its twice daily Duck March. So when I was planning a road trip with my younger son, I decided to make a stop in Memphis, Tennessee with a stay at the Peabody, and a chance to see the Duck…
Read MoreA year later – and still thinking about the brisket at Black’s BBQ, Austin, Texas
I still have to write more about my trip to Austin, Texas, but as mentioned in my overview: this city as it is currently run seems to be a mecca for addicts, not tourists. But the one amazing discovery that still finds us thinking about Austin, even a year after our visit, was our stop…
Read MoreIn love with Galveston Island’s historic Hotel Galvez Resort and Spa, Texas
This was truly a highlight of our 2021 American road trip. After a week of training near Dallas, my son and I were looking for a good coastal spot to relax and uncharge – and we settled on Galveston Island, Texas. Neither of us had been here before, but we both left Galveston as concerted…
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