Thanksgiving in Virginia

The other great colonial communities (other than the one in Plymouth, that is), was in Virginia. Jamestown and Yorktown were two of the first settlements in the New Country, established as early as 1607. For an authentic Thanksgiving experience, head out to these famous landmarks in Virginia. (Quiz your kids—they should definitely be able to [...]

Wine spas in the U.S. (mainly California)

Now there’s a concept. I only recently became introduced to the concept of the “wine spa” recently when I treated my girlfriend (who is now an ex-girlfriend, but I promise it was not spa related) to a weekend up in Wine Country that included some spa going. We discovered that it’s quite a trend to [...]

Ski season already? Early season ski resorts get ready!

I was watching the news the other day and heard “lizard watch” which I thought was odd. My friend said that they had said “blizzard watch” but I dismissed that because I thought it was an impossibility for blizzards to start so early in the year. But he was right—a blizzard watch started in the [...]

Happy Thanksgiving Month!

In my classroom, November is Turkey Month. Why celebrate a fun and meaningful holiday for only one day when you can celebrate all month long? Besides spending a lot of time focusing on what we are thankful for, collecting charity for those less fortunate than we are, and learning about (and cooking) traditional American and [...]

Some more places to go Golfing

A while ago I posted a list of 10 Great Places to go for the Green (Golfing) and now I was browsing a blog I follow and found another list. This is from The Golfer’s World and highlights the best U.S. public courses. Larry Olmsted is the author of the blog and has started with [...]

Real Men go to Spas

There is nothing unmanly about relaxation. Some guys play video games, some guys work out, and some guys go to spas. When I leave a spa, either after a simple shiatsu massage or after a full day go at skin care and specific body work, I feel so relaxed and distressed that I feel the [...]

San Francisco

I can’t believe our family trip has already come and gone so quickly! I don’t think I have ever had such a jam packed vacation. Usually we’ll go somewhere A LOT smaller and spend most of the time on the beach or hiking, with a museum or theme park thrown in for kicks. This time, [...]

Business trip to Austin, Texas

I’m in Austin, Texas for five days, spending three nights at the Hilton near the Austin Convention Center, and two nights at the Lake Austin Spa Resort, which I am really looking forward to (last two nights). As you know by now, I don’t ever plan a business trip without a significant pleasure portion. I’ll [...]

Dog-Friendly Ski Resorts in California

I know ski season is over, but I just came across this great resource that lists pet-friendly ski resorts by state. And since I myself have needed a list like this, I thought I’d share. First, from the website, www.petswelcome.com:
“Okay, you’re probably thinking that dogs and cats aren’t meant for skiing. But neither are people. [...]

10 Great Places to go for the Green (Golfing)

Amelia Island Plantation – Amelia Island, Florida
Barton Creek Resort & Spa – Austin, Texas
The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Kapalua Resort – Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
Pebble Beach Resorts – Pebble Beach, California
Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Mauna Lani Resort – Big Island, Hawaii
Pinehurst Resort – Pinehurst, North Carolina
Reynolds Plantation – Greensboro, Georgia
Turning Stone Resort [...]