Over the steady drone of lawnmowers tending to the 14 lush acres of surrounding lawn and garden, tour guide Dennis Orwin delivers instructions on how to conduct ourselves inside the Miller House in Columbus, Ind. “Don’t sit on anything,” DennisRead more
Tours and Sightseeing
Small and Mighty Mecca of Modern Architecture in Columbus, Indiana
Morning sun glints off the Robert Stewart Bridge as we drive on Indiana State Road 46 above the White River at the entrance to Columbus, Indiana. Like a giant fan, four fire-engine-red steel supports connect 40 steel tension cables spreadRead more
Mountain Highs and Family Ties in Grindelwald, Switzerland
I awoke this morning in the shadow of the snow-capped Eiger Mountain to the chorus of bells worn by cows grazing upon the rolling hills of Grindelwald, Switzerland. Now, I’m standing 11,333 feet in the open air at Jungfraujoch, knownRead more
Provençal Charms and Personal Challenges in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
In a flash of self-pity, I think about what I’m not doing while staying in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France, the enchanting and historic island town ringed by the Sorgue River in the Luberon region of Provence. I’m visiting nearby Gordes, one of theRead more
Diversions and Destinations in Sonoma County Wine Country
Hiking atop Tomales Point’s craggy cliffs on the California coast, dense fog swirls with abandon, obliterating my view a few yards ahead. Just as quickly it shifts, allowing a fleeting glimpse of scrubby vegetation hugging the sandy trail. Save forRead more
Art of Reading Tours Marry Art and Literature at The Mint Museum
I’m hopeful Mr. Darcy will magically materialize and join our Art of Reading tour at Mint Museum Randolph. The Art of Reading tour is a free program that draws connections between art and literature, two of my passions. Our guide, docent Debbie Struble, spearheaded developmentRead more
Rocking On in California’s Joshua Tree National Park
Our plan for this sunny day in Southern California seemed straightforward enough – drive about 60 minutes from La Maison, our French-inspired boutique hotel in Palm Springs, to Joshua Tree National Park for a desert hike. Instead, we’ve either materialized onRead more
Blowing in the Wind at San Gorgonio Pass Wind Park
It’s a sad day at San Gorgonio Pass Wind Park on the northwest outskirts of Palm Springs, CA, laments Randy Buckmaster, our guide from Palm Springs Windmill Tours. Wind – the element that makes one of the deepest mountain passesRead more
Small-Town Charms Amid Minnesota’s Lakes
Competition is fierce, but my money is on the turtle named “Speedy,” the one the announcer says has been training by running, lifting weights, and swimming laps. I have no idea which turtle among the dozens is Speedy because theyRead more
Timeouts and Turning Points on Kiawah Island
My pulse quickens as always when my husband, Bill, and I cross Maybank Highway and head straight on Bohicket Road for the final stretch of the drive through Johns Island to Kiawah Island. It revs up more a few hundredRead more