Some things to do if you have a layover in LA Several years ago we learned the exhausting way that if we are flying to Los Angeles en route to another continent then we need to spend the night on our layover in LA. When we didn't do this we arrived at our destination drained of energy for the beginning of a trip. On the way home from Australia Blonde once spent 5 hours in … [Read more...]
Miami Beach Art Deco Walking Tour (the AARP goes to Spring Break version)
When we decided to attend the event Cruise Shipping Miami we simultaneously decided to make it a mini-vacation. After researching walking tour providers on TripAdvisor we booked a top-rated one for a tour of the Art Deco buildings of South Beach. We did not give a thought to the fact that it would be Spring Break - a time famous for lewd behavior, public intoxication and … [Read more...]
Long layover at LAX? Enjoy it!
A long layover in LAX can be a great opportunity or a living hell. The first time we had a long layover was on the way home from Australia. Blonde had to sit, exhausted and jet-lagged, for over 5 hours waiting for her flight to Boston. She spent the vast majority of that time actively trying not to cry and vowed never to do another long layover at LAX. This year as … [Read more...]
Rookery Bay Reserve in Southwest Florida
For the last 6 months Blonde and Brunette have been talking about taking one of Rookery Bay's educational boat trips. And we did, when it was 90 degrees and one day before the trips end until November. Rookery Bay Reserve is a very cool research center between Naples and Marco Island in Southwest Florida. Their mission statement is: "... to provide a basis for … [Read more...]
Quiet, beautiful Marco Island, Florida
Where is Marco Island and what's it like? Marco Island is as far southwest as you can go in Florida without plunking into the Everglades. It's a beautiful island with a massive network of canals and a laid back vibe. The Ten Thousand Islands , small mangrove islands full of all types of native (and a few invasive) species, lie close to the beaches of Marco Island. Marco … [Read more...]
Boston Travel Suggestions
Boston transportation options for travelers Boston is a beautiful city, full of history and easy to walk. So walk. It isn't easy to drive, or park, so don't even consider driving in the city if you're just visiting. If you don't want to or can't walk you can rent a bike for a pittance using the city's Hubway bike sharing program . They have more than 1,500 bikes at 155 … [Read more...]
A decidedly non-hostile hostel in Boston
Blonde had actual work that she would be well paid to do sitting on her desk at home, a Spanish class to study for and a house to get ready to put on the real estate market. She considered those options then went out for a walk and ended up spontaneously interviewing a very patient, charming young woman with hair better than a best-in-show Irish Setter's and a mini-nose … [Read more...]
Is it time travel if you don’t know if you traveled in the time?
Huh? OK, that was an obtuse question for most people but for Blonde, it's a real question. Last Sunday Blonde spent 11 hours in the emergency department of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Why? Was she sick at her stomach? Did she have a high temperature? Had she broken her leg? Gone in to see if she actually has Tourette's? Ruptured her appendix? Was she having … [Read more...]
Inspiration from a visit to Canyon Ranch, Lenox, MA
Sometime in early fall of 2012 Blonde entered an online contest, sponsored by Pure Wow, for a free stay at Canyon Ranch. Both Blonde and Brunette have entered hundreds of vacation giveaways over the years never winning any and then within 6 weeks time Blonde won two - a trip to Puerto Rico and the one to Canyon Ranch. Bl and Br went to Puerto Rico in early December as that … [Read more...]
Breaking news: There is a heaven and a hell! ( Boston and Marco Island)
This what it looked like on February 9th outside Blonde's home in Boston. Blonde thought the driving ban in Massachusetts had been lifted so maybe she'd go survey the damage. Well, OK, maybe it's a good day for a bike ride. Well, you go can always go shopping in Boston. OK, maybe a walk in the park would be fun. Defeated, Blonde … [Read more...]