Today is the start of a ten-day road trip up the New England Coast. I’m with my friend Sue, a wonderful travel companion. We had a plan, and then abandoned it completely. Driving up Interstate 95 I saw a tiny sign, “Pez Visitor Center.” How could we resist? It’s a totally silly place that brought me back to my childhood. … Read More
Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs Arkansas
If you have no other reason to visit Eureka Springs (Arkansas) you should go to see Thorncrown Chapel. E. Fay Jones, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed it. The small mountainside chapel has received many prestigious architecture awards, including being named one of the top ten American buildings of the twentieth century by the AIA. It’s easy to understand … Read More
Fantasy Destinations
Yesterday the subject line on an email from Conde Nast Traveler read “Fantasy Destinations.” It intrigued me and I clicked to see where they had chosen. I’d been to many of the locations selected, from India to Italy, Spain, Morocco, Russia and Cambodia. That leaves many to still explore. But I was surprised by some omissions. I would have included … Read More
Excerpt from the new travel book I’m writing
Patagonia – Chile: 2009 The highlight of the cruise was a four-hour journey in a small ice cutter through the iceberg-strewn waters of a fjord. Because there were so few passengers, we all managed to squeeze onto the small ship. The bow was narrow and sharply pointed and looked quite battered. Unlike most ships, ice cutters have reinforced hulls and … Read More
Springfield Massachusetts and Hartford Connecticut
I knew that Dr. Seuss grew up in Springfield because years ago I’d been to a small exhibit there about his childhood. When I read that a whole museum is now dedicated to him, I had to see it. Part of a larger complex that includes art, history and natural history museums, the Dr. Seuss exhibition is the most unusual … Read More
Shelburne Falls and Smith College, Massachusetts
As I sped down the highway on my way to Northampton, I saw a small sign indicating an attraction— “Bridge of Flowers.” At the next exit I got off and followed the signs to Shelburne Falls. It was a twelve-mile detour, but when you have no set plans that’s not an issue. When I’d done a google search the night … Read More
New Hampshire Coastline
New Hampshire has a very short shoreline on the Atlantic, a mere eighteen miles. Yesterday I explored most of it, going from pristine to honky-tonk. Most of the day was spent in Portsmouth, a town I’m astonished I’ve never been to before. It is utterly charming. Yes, it is a tourist town, but with good reason. It’s got a lovely … Read More
Canterbury, New Hampshire
The torrential rains have disappeared, and the weather has rebounded to perfect blue skies and warm temps. I’ve left Vermont and am spending time in southern New Hampshire. First stop was the Shaker Village at Canterbury. Unlike the Shaker Village in Enfield, this one was open, and in a lot better shape. Over the years I’ve been to five different … Read More
Hanover, New Hampshire
Over the years I’ve visited countless college campuses in the United States and abroad. For one memorable assignment, a client had me interviewing graduate students at some of the best European Universities—The Sorbonne, Oxford, Cambridge and more. But I’d never seen Dartmouth. Only about twenty minutes from where I was staying, I was hoping to walk around before the predicted … Read More
Southern Vermont
Yesterday I traveled north from Massachusetts into Vermont. First stop was Bennington, a town I’ve been through numerous times. I stopped off to see the wildflower and sculpture garden at the Bennington Museum and visit the farmers’ market. What I didn’t spend time at was with Grandma Moses or any other exhibit inside the museum. Hurricane Henri is heading in … Read More