USA MAINLAND — May 18, 2012 at 01:18

By staff writer Vicki Lathom. Photos Copyright © Vicki Lathom. The Great Dismal Swamp, in the North Carolina and Virginia section of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, sounds like a depressing place. Think dark, craggy trees draped with moss, stagnant water and strange noises coming from within. However, to my surprise, this swamp is not dismal. Somewhat mysterious, perhaps, since swamps tend to be that way—but...

The Great Dismal Swamp

May 18th, 2012 | USA MAINLAND | Read More

The Salt Mines of Turda

By staff writer Estrella Azul. Photos Copyright © Estrella Azul. I ONCE VISITED the Salt Mines of Turda when I was in fourth grade or so. I can still recall mostly everything from then. Once my mom got some time off work last summer, I decided to go for a little road trip with her. While she has never...

May 15th, 2012 | STAFF | Read More

How to Relax on a Cruise Ship

Story by staff writer Ann McElfresh. Photos Copyright © Ann McElfresh. I FEEL THAT in today’s crazy, hectic world there isn’t enough relaxation to go around. There are times that even travel-for-pleasure can be tiring. How many times have you heard the phrase, “I need a vacation to recover from...

May 11th, 2012 | STAFF | Read More

Taos Is for Writers

By guest blogger Deonne Kahler. Feature photo Copyright © Brian Williams. Story photos Copyright © Deonne Kahler except where credited otherwise. WRITERS AND ARTISTS have been hanging out in Taos, New Mexico, seemingly forever. D.H. Lawrence, Willa Cather, R.C. Gorman, Georgia O’Keeffe, John Nichols,...

May 1st, 2012 | WRITING | Read More

The Intracoastal Waterway . . . a simpler life runs through it

By staff writer Vicki Lathom. Photos Copyright © Vicki Lathom. IT’S CALLED THE Route 66 for boaters. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, also known as “The Ditch,” is the inside route for cruisers to go north and south along the east coast without going out into the ocean. Made up of rivers...

April 24th, 2012 | USA MAINLAND | Read More

Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park, San Diego

By staff writer Cathie Nichols. Photos Copyright © Cathie Nichols. One of the great benefits of living in a tourist destination is that there are days when I get to be the tourist. Believe it or not, even after nearly 25 years, there’s a lot of San Diego I have not yet seen. On the first really...

April 20th, 2012 | USA MAINLAND | Read More

Postcards from Pittsburgh No. 3: Phipps Conservatory

Story by Milli Thornton. Photos Copyright © Milli Thornton. Part of the mission of the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is to “inspire and educate visitors with the beauty and importance of plants.” The building, with its glass peak and dome and sweeping staircases,...

April 17th, 2012 | STAFF | Read More