Happy Thanksgiving!

The turkey is in the oven, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is on television, mimosa's are flowing and happy faces are all around. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

A Perfect Day - Autumn Hiking

Northern Arizona - A chilly hike followed by hot coffee equals a pretty perfect day. The land around the Nordic Center of Northern Arizona is the perfect place to escape modern life. Limited cell phone signal, few (if any) people, and crisp fresh air. The only other beings you are likely to encounter are herds of elk or pronghorn antelope. Vistas like this at every turn. Just gorgeous!

Philadelphia - Hometown Holla!

Recently, I was excited to learn that my hometown of Philadelphia was named the first UNESCO World Heritage City in the United States. I've long known about the abundance of history and culture the city has to offer, but I got little pangs of pride when I read the article from Travel and Leisure. If you need to decide on a domestic destination for an upcoming vacation, start with Philadelphia. Food, culture, history, art, sports, and recreation, it really does have it all!

“As a World Heritage City, Philadelphia is being officially recognized on the global stage for its wealth of contributions to the world as the epicenter of American democracy and for its enduring commitment to preserving the unique historical and cultural assets in our diverse community.” - Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

Read the whole article here: Philadelphia - UNESCO World Heritage City 

(image courtesy of Getty Images, featured on TandL website)

Travel Tuesday - Travel Wisdom From Michael Palin

Today's entry comes from my favorite traveler, Michael Palin. Yes, he was funny in Monty Python, but his travel writing and television shows are what cemented my crush. Check out his website to buy his books: http://www.themichaelpalin.com/

Oh, Paris

No words can express my sorrow at what Paris is going through right now. They will persevere, just as we have after 9/11 and other cities affected by terrorism have done. But today, the heartbreak is fresh, the shock is palpable.

Ukulele - A Hobby to Come Home To

I travel a lot and when I am not on the road, I enjoy spending time with my dog, cooking for 'he who shall not be named', reading, and watching movies. Lately, though, I've wanted to try something new.

I was in a hotel room, it was late night, and I found myself browsing Amazon. The next thing I new, I'd purchased a cheap soprano ukulele.

As of yesterday it has been 2 months since I started playing and I am in love! I could wax poetic about the joy I feel when plinking out a simple tune, but I won't bore you. Instead I will bore you with photos of my new tenor ukulele. I can't believe it took me so long to discover this joyful little thing. I will never be a Jake Shimabukuro but I now have another way to spend my free time that keeps me grinning like an idiot the whole time I am playing. Now, I just need to find one that is small enough to fit in my laptop bag!

Dulcinea (soprano) and Rogelio (tenor)

 Diego and Rogelio, getting to know each other.

Backyard Tourist - A Picinic at the Preserve

Over the weekend, we finally found our way to the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. It's been on my list of local things to do for about 3 years, but 'he who shall not be named' finally made it happen. We grabbed some sandwiches on the way and set out for an afternoon of sun, relaxation, and picnicking. The Preserve features a variety of habitats and is home to countless varieties of birds (local and migrating) and other desert denizens. Even my fear of rodentia didn't spoil the day. The numerous desert rats looked content to munch on vegetation and left me along for the most part.  There was only one time that I wanted to climb on S's shoulders to escape a rabid rodent. =)