Travel Tips & Adventures

When I lived in Germany, I was trying for an authentic experience while living in a rural community near Stuttgart. My local market had an array of items, some of which I was familiar with, some not. But, sauerbraten had to be the quintessential German fare. I was so excited when I saw a vacuum packed pre-soured sauerbraten waiting for me! (Keep reading for recipe!) Read the rest of this entry »

Following the Apache Trail in Arizona, you can just imagine what it might have been like in the days of the gold rush. Horses and stagecoaches traveled the rough mountains and winding paths back in the 1800s to reach Globe from Phoenix. The romantic imagery of the old west is palpable!

Apache Trail Scenery

Nowadays, a four-wheel drive vehicle makes the trip in less than three hours (traffic permitting). In some areas, the road is reduced to a narrow, unpaved one-lane road that dangerously skirts the edge of a mountain with the valley spreading out below. Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes, travel is not at all what you had hoped to experience. Despite best intentions and great facilities, a stay becomes memorable for the wrong reason.
I can give several examples of travel that should have been great, but wound up being anything but.

Photo better than the reality

For several years, I had saved a promotional card for a hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico that looked perfect for a romantic stay. The photo made the place look perfect for an opportunity to be really immersed in the culture and center location of the old Santa Fe. I couldn’t wait! Read the rest of this entry »

Out on the highway caught up in traffic, speeding is not an option.  Join a Bondurant SuperKart class and speeding is required. Read the rest of this entry »

Scotland: Fall 2009

Since last week, I have decided to cut back our trip from three to two weeks due to some timing issues that have come up.  So, there needed to be some consolidation.

It was then that I began to wonder if it was any cheaper to find a company that could consolidate all of my independent travel needs. Read the rest of this entry »

Traveling in Germany with a friend, neither of us was fully conversant in the German language.  So, it is no surprise that we saw a number of “Einbahnstrasse” signs and did not register what that meant.  Read the rest of this entry »

So Sedona has red rocks.  You may ask, “What’s the big deal?” The big deal is an impressive natural wonder that extends across a region, bringing an awe-inspiring display that makes visitors feel “at one with nature.”   Plus, you’ll find great hiking, terrific restaurants and amazing shopping!

Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine trees that lived millions of years ago were all on view to examine! One of the images at the top of this blog is just such a tree in the Petrified Forest National Park.  (It is orangy and multi-colored. Reboot/refresh this site if you’re not seeing the petrified tree at the top of this blog.) Read the rest of this entry »

Despite the critics and naysayers, Phoenix, Arizona finally joined the modern world by developing and running a light rail, which debuted in late December, 2008.  Although I’m lucky that I don’t need to commute daily with the light rail, trying the rail sounded like fun! Read the rest of this entry »

Scotland – - Fall – - 2009

It’s been a week since my first installment of planning a trip to Scotland on my own.  Have I come to my senses and handed it over to a travel agent yet?  Have I scrapped the whole idea and decided to sit on my sofa the entire time talking to people at my office on the company provided cell phone? 

Absolutely not! 

Actually, I’ve been on line looking for a kilt to wear to one of the Whiskey Week dinners! Read the rest of this entry »