Travel Tips & Adventures

There must be something magical about boardwalks, since so many cities have them. People stroll, check out the scenery and window shop.

On a recent trip to Wilmington, North Carolina, we took our time exploring the sites from the boardwalk that looked out over the Intracoastal Waterway.  Putting one foot in front of the other, we received the benefits of an energetic walk as we saw the USS North Carolina, numerous boats, and many shops and restaurants. (more…)

When you’ve finished visiting Old Town Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Center, there is more shopping up the road!  Shopping in Scottsdale could be a daily experience for weeks and you might still not see everything!

Traveling up Scottsdale Road, you see other major retailers like Crate & Barrel, restaurants like Cheesecake Factory, and several shopping plazas.  Although it might seem counterintuitive with Arizona’s months of extreme heat, most of the newer shopping locations are open air centers  where you travel outside from shop to shop.

A street in Kierland Commons

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Previously, we’ve visited Scottsdale in this blog, but we have some new items to share and some new perspectives.  Scottsdale really is a state of mind, like being in Boca Raton or Palm Springs.

Trendy Kazimierz World Wine Bar calls itself a speakeasy and has its entrance around the back!

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Traveling to Spooky Jerome, Arizona

A few miles and up the hillside – a very steep hillside/mountain – from Clarkdale and Cottonwood, Arizona is the historic town of Jerome, Arizona.  The fact that residents pride themselves on their probable insanity is based on the location of the former mental asylum and the fact that the town is perched precariously on hillsides.  Ironically, you drive through “Deception Gulch” to reach Jerome.

Sign in shop window - the mental state of Jerome

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San Felipe has become quite the hang-out for American and Canadian ex-patriots – or just, sometimes, visitors.  Although Rocky Point has a following, the name says a lot.  Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) has rocky beaches, but a lively repeat crowd. (more…)

Introduction to Bisbee, Arizona

As you drive into Bisbee from the north, you enter through a tunnel, as if you are going back in time.  To an extent, you are.  The town is nestled into a hillside and the feel is of the 1950s – or before. (more…)

Thinking back on 2009, a very hectic year of travel, there are a number of items that could make traveling a more pleasurable experience for everyone.  I’m sure many people could add to this list. (Feel free to write in and add your comments!)

1. At restaurants, (more…)

As a frequent traveler, the new year has me wishing for the following in my travels – actually, in general.

1. Genuine courtesy.  Not forced, but real manners.
2. Airlines that don’t charge for everything under the sun. Give me a real price.  Don’t I need to sit for the flight?  So, why do I need to pay for my seat?
3. Equal opportunity security at all airports.  In one airport, I forgot to take out my quart-sized bag of 3 oz items.  They never stopped me. In another airport, they checked me until I was almost embarrassed.
4. Restaurants that remember to ASK if you’d like anything else. I’m tired of them trying to turn tables when we’d really like to be asked about dessert.  Wait staff show up with the bill before asking. Wouldn’t they like to earn a bigger tip for dessert?
5. Unscented bath items.  The floral scents are driving us nuts!  My husband would prefer not to smell like he was wearing a bad woman’s perfume.  I just can’t tolerate scents. We are trying to cut back on how much we carry (see #3, above.)
6. Earlier check in times at hotels.  We never seem to get somewhere when it’s time to check in yet.  Just a coincidence of scheduling.  Sometimes hotels are ready and willing to have us check in, but sometimes not. Think about it – you rent a room for about 19 hours at some hotels – if check in time is 4 PM and check out time is 11 AM.  Do they really need all that time to clean a room? (Especially when maids come knocking on your door trying to get in early!)
7. People turning off their cell phones when they are in theaters, meetings and gatherings.  Do they really want us to hear about all of their issues and dirty details of their life, love and hygiene?
8. Lighting that actually lights a room.  I actually like to see to get around.  With the new LCD lights that use less wattage, that shouldn’t be such a big deal or cost to hotels.
9. “You’re welcome” instead of service and other people saying, “No problem.”  I didn’t expect that what I’ve requested or paid for is a PROBLEM.  If I did you a favor – changed seats, offered a courtesy, etc. -Try the ever popular – THANK YOU!

10.  And, last but not least, remember that we are all passengers on this “Earth Ship.” – Be nice to each other and the environment.  I’m tired of people dropping their cigarettes, refuse and leftovers for me to squish with my shoes or sit in.  Yes, be nice!  A little kindness goes a long way!

What do you think, readers?  Do you have some things you’d like to see more – or less of- in your travels? Write in and I’ll post them!

Enjoy your travels – even if it means just taking an elevator with someone.  Try smiling and giving someone eye contact!  That will really shake people up!  They won’t believe you are just being friendly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Don’t forget to check our SHOP for items to order with our memorable images.  Our blog is unsubsidized and we’d like to keep it that way!  So, if you like our blog, buy something, would ya?  (If you’d like to see one of our images that we haven’t already turned into a mousepad, shirt or other collectible, please let us know.  We’ll be glad to oblige!)

Prescott Arizona has many restaurants.  Per capita, they’re way up there in the number of restaurants per person.  On this winter trip, we chose venues that were cozy and had comfort food. (more…)

When you’re traveling in Tucson, it seems natural to want to eat native food.  Since Tucson was briefly part of Mexico, it seems only natural to eat Mexican food.  They come by it honestly. (more…)