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
West Stockbridge, MA
Yesterday was the first day of a one-week road trip. I’m heading up to Southern Vermont and New Hampshire. I decided to take it slowly, less driving, more sightseeing. But as usual plans and reality didn’t quite mesh. What should have been about a 2-1/2-hour drive took a whole lot longer, thanks to two massive traffic jams involving serious accidents. … Read More
Untermyer Garden Conservancy, Yonkers, NY
I’d only been to the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy – which is about 15 miles north of New York, in Yonkers – once before. That was years ago for an outdoor concert. While lovely, the garden hadn’t been well maintained and so I forgot about it, with so many other beautiful options to choose from. Recently I saw photos and read … Read More
Columbia River Gorge — Oregon
(Excerpt from my travel journal in 2001 when I was on a 9-month road trip) On the drive to the gorge the sky was a patchwork of clouds and hints of blue but not a single ray of sun. Paralleling I-84 and the Columbia River, but a whole lot more interesting, is the old scenic road. The road includes a … Read More
American Museum Of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History, New York City
The newly reopened Hall of Gems and Minerals is a stunner. If you have any interest in geology, this is the place for you. If like me, you just like seeing beautiful things, get yourself to the museum—the displays are breathtaking.
I think of diversity in the living world but the range of minerals on display is extraordinary. There are colors I’ve never seen in any plant, crystal patterns that look like 3-D architectural blueprints, light absorbing, reflecting and translucent surfaces and that only touches on the numerous distinctive qualities exhibited.
Plus, there are cut gems and a display of outrageous jewelry.
Fes, Morocco
As I passed through ancient key-hole gates, I traveled to the past. A world heritage site, this medina is believed to be the largest walled city on earth. Narrow lanes create a massive maze; without a guide any non-local is certain to get lost. There is little evidence of the twentieth century. With a young guide, Said, I ventured into … Read More
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
Twenty years ago today, I was was well into my 9-month road trip. The first sign I saw upon entering Lexington read “Leave racing to horses – work zone ahead”. It was non-stop horses for days; the town is horse crazy. There was horse statuary everywhere, tourist publications advertise equine jewelry, fine leather tack, riding apparel and saddlery, horse racing, … Read More
Seneca Falls, NY
Most people know Seneca Falls as a central location of the women’s rights movement. It is certainly that, but also so much more. But let’s start at the beginning. We started this morning at Connie’s, a timeless diner. Apart from having the right décor and great food, the prices were also retro. In New York City you can barely get … Read More
Andamooka
My first book, Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust will be released in a few weeks. I’m already at work on the second book—more travel tales. Today I’ve been revisiting a trip to a very remote town in the Australian outback, Andamooka. When I visited, nearly forty years ago it was about as isolated and desolate a place as I could … Read More