Category: United States
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Newport, Rhode Island – Downton Abbey and the Inner Aristocrat
“Newport’s not a jungle. Not at all. But it is a little less formal.” – Martha Levinson in Downton Abbey The Downton Abbey cult-like following increases every week. I am happy to be one of those followers who enjoys superb acting, witty dialogue and engrossing character development, not to mention the historical setting that sheds an…
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Another SoCal surprise – the Palm Springs aerial tram
When I talk to people about some of the most incredible places I’ve traveled, I usually talk in terms of natural beauty and diversity, incredible food and friendly people. Places that come to mind are Morocco and South Africa. I’m all too quick to discount the place I am living at the moment, which in…
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Flinging dead fish and unexpected pleasures at California’s Salton Sea
Palm Springs was on our list. When we move somewhere new we make a list of five to eight places we want to visit before we move again. Palm Springs made the cut only because I read a brief article about it in a magazine. There’s so much more to the region than retro 1950’s…
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Lego life
One of the first Christmas gifts I remember from my early childhood was not one I received. When I was four or five my older brother received a Lego castle from Santa. It was the most amazing Lego set I had ever seen. I don’t know how long it stayed a castle before turning into…
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the Christmas tree is dead
Our Christmas tree is already dead. Yep. It’s been sitting in the tree stand for three weeks and before that it was transported on a truck from Oregon, hundreds of miles away. A dead tree by Christmas is normal. There is also no snow in forecast. But I live in San Diego, so that’s to…
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We keep going back
Honestly, at first it was awkward. For several weeks, maybe months, it was awkward. They didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Burmese. I brought my daughters along and committed to visiting them once a week for several months. I’m fairly certain I am their only American friend – at least the kind of friend…
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San Diego answers with a community Christmas Market
Last Thursday when I posted about German Christmas markets I admit I was feeling a bit sorry for myself that I couldn’t be there this year. Traditional food and drink, artisan wares, community gathering. I was pleasantly surprised three days later by a fest that took place not two blocks from our house and supplied…
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Taxpayer payback – toddler in the cockpit
As my daughter waited for her turn in the cockpit of the helicopter, I chatted lightly with the crew member monitoring the area. “How long does it take you to put all the switches back and get it ready to fly again?” “Quite a few hours. And there were only two things I really didn’t…
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The great American summer
Summer is nearing its end. For you summerphiles aghast that I should mention this – after all, summer is not technically over until September 22 in the northern hemisphere – I must tell you that I anticipate all seasons equally. Perhaps pumpkin spice latte season more equally. . . Anyhow, here are five activities that…
will travel with kids 