January 27, 2010 | Snapshots
Sorry for the iPhone photo but you get the idea: Just another winter day in Blustery Buffalo. So what do Western New Yorkers do to escape the cold? Eat, for one. Here’s a list of some of my favorite Buffalo foods.
Solo Adventures
Vacations and traveling are usually happy occasions but have you thought what would happy if you died while traveling? Making my connection at Chicago Midway for Buffalo last week I saw something unexpected: a man dying on the concourse.
Heading home knowing my father had bypass surgery the week prior and just receiving a text my mother was in the ER, the sight was even more disconcerting. That man on the ground was somebody’s son and possibly someone’s husband and/or father. (more…)
January 20, 2010 | Snapshots, Solo Adventures
A decent camera or more muscle to pony-up to the stage would have been useful when I attended the Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball a year ago today. President and Mrs. Obama are pictured in this “abstract” image. (more…)
January 18, 2010 | Solo Adventures
I returned from the SATW Institute of Travel Writing & Photography this evening and my mind is swimming with ideas. I first attended five years ago and while some things have remained the same in the travel writing industry (i.e.: networking, protecting work, pitching an editor), much has changed. (more…)
January 14, 2010 | Disclosure, Solo Adventures
Less than 48 hours from now I’ll be heading to Orlando to participate in the 15th Annual SATW Institute for Travel Writing & Photography for the weekend. I attended in May 2005 and am really looking forward to learning about the changes in travel writing since then, especially in technology. (more…)
January 13, 2010 | Snapshots
My grandma would have been 87-years-old yesterday but she passed away a year ago. Her final wish was to have her ashes dispersed in the Gulf of Mexico (although at one point she wanted her ashes placed in the trash so no one would have to worry about what to do with her) and family made it happen. (more…)
January 10, 2010 | Solo Adventures
As you recall, last October I ventured down to Sanibel Island for a solo, mid-week getaway. In addition to a kayaking trip, walking the beach and soaking in the pool of the Holiday Inn Sanibel Island Beach Resort, I spent a good portion of the getaway eating my way through the island and everywhere I ate was gooood.
Here’s an article I wrote listing four places to eat on Sanibel Island (with one being on nearby Captiva Island) but by far, my fave was The Bubble Room on Captiva Island. What a trip! (more…)
January 7, 2010 | Solo Adventures
Kabul, Afghanistan Airport Security Officer, March 2006
There’s been a lot of media attention over TSA’s new security measures for international flights into the U.S. You can read TSA’s statement about those procedures here. Basically, passengers flying into the U.S. from or through 14 high-risk nations (i.e.: state sponsors of terrorism) are to receive the thorough, full-body pat-downs along with search of carry-on luggage.
What I find interesting is how media outlets seem to be portraying the procedures as new. Plus, most people seeing broadcasts showing reporters receiving pat-downs for the cameras, won’t have the privilege of receiving one, unless traveling from or through one of those high-risk countries (i.e.: Afghanistan). (more…)
January 6, 2010 | Snapshots
Everglades Footprints, March 2008
Having just finished a 4,000+ word essay on living in the Everglades to be considered for an antholgoy about living and working in national parks, I’m in a mellow, national park mood. Photo was taken at Eco Pond at Flamingo. Enjoy
January 5, 2010 | Solo Adventures, Solo with Others
My Passport
2009 was the first year in a long time, perhaps nine years, that my travels didn’t take me abroad. I didn’t even visit Canada! Although my work travel was reduced, the stupid recession really cramped my traveling style this year. Can’t change time but can look forward to new adventures in 2010, my decade.
I turn the big 4-0 this year, yikes! Never suspected 40 felt like this, I mean, I really don’t feel “old.” Sure, I can tell a difference in my vision, I need to hold things away from me to read them, but other than that, I don’t feel limited in any way.
In fact, I feel somewhat liberated and empowered. Being “older” seems to come with some kind of unspoken respect. The mall rats seem to shy away from me and I no longer feel the need to let my elders go ahead of me in the grocery store line. I’m one of them now – look out!
As usual, I’m digressing… (more…)