Traveling Boy

Images of Basel: An Alchemical Crossroads

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 16:55:00 PDT

In the Swiss city of Basel, I am between everything. The city is not "at" the intersection of three countries; rather, it "is" the intersection of three countries. Positioned in Switzerland, but with suburbs in both in France and Germany, Basel exudes a distinctive between-ness. From all sides, from every which direction, Franco-Germanic influence permeates and seeps.

Promise of The Real: Not Just Another Southern Rock/Blues Roots/Surfing Jam Band

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:05:00 PDT

If you can't quite put your finger on how to describe the music of Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, well that line starts right here - behind me. But, if you like your rock and roll wrapped in something decidedly different, original yet familiar, and with enough juice to light up a good portion of the California coastline, then you're really in luck...

Ride Into Taiwan

Mon, 28 Feb 2012 17:55:00 PDT

Sipping on a flavorful beverage that I was told was merely "plum juice." I relaxed at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, watching a cultural performance given by a group of indigenous people of Taiwan. Yes, Taiwan. As an American Indian, I'm embarrassed that I forget that I'm one of many aboriginals in the world.

Consuegra's Rose of Saffron Festival

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:35:00 PDT

Many Mediterranean cuisines use the delicious and colorful seasoning known as saffron in their regional recipes. The bright red-orange threads of saffron are the dried stigmas, or female portion, of the flower of Crocus sativus, the autumn flowering, or saffron crocus. Each bulb can produce several flowers, while each flower produces just 3 stigmas.

How I Spent My Spring "State-Cation"

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:35:00 PDT

Each spring break the Steve and Wendy Erskine family of Sherman Oaks, CA, load up their Volvo station wagon for a week-long vacation to one of California's most spectacular destinations. Yosemite? The Redwoods or Joshua Tree? Wrong. The Erskine's destination of choice is nestled along the Pacific Ocean, less than a two hour drive south of Los Angeles. Their home for the week is Laguna Beach - The Riviera of California.

Images of Laguna Beach

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:35:00 PDT

Deb Roskamp continues with her photographic exploration of the world's great vacation destinations. The photographs were taken in Laguna Beach, California in October of 2012. Nestled between San Diego and Los Angeles, Laguna Beach has evolved into a world-class destination for art masterworks with its 20 coves and pristine beaches, stretching 9.1 square miles.

Utah's National Parks

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:25:00 PDT

Driving along a winding, narrow cliff, a 1300-foot drop on the driver's side, I clung to my heart, with the rest of me halfway out the passenger-side window. Hiking slick rock at seemingly a 90-degree angle, I came to a visual wonder, and understood why so many made the climb. Gaping at high cliff walls adorned with sharp pinnacles leaping skyward, it looked like the earth had been splashed with multi-hued red dyes.

Edward Burns Interview - Up Close and Personal

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:05:00 PDT

Die-hard New Yorker Edward Burns first captured cinematic attention in "The Brothers McMullen," a story about the struggles of three Irish Catholic siblings, which he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. The film won the Grand Jury prize at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival as well as the "Best First Feature" at the 1996 Independent Spirit Awards. His break-out acting role was in "Saving Private Ryan," elevating his status to a bankable movie star.

Flagstaff, Arizona: An All Season Destination

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:50:00 PDT

Nestled below the San Fransico Peaks on the Colorado Plateau, Flagstaff, Arizona is an all season destination. Well known as a ski resort in winter, Flagstaff is a very special place in the summer. Only a two hour drive from Phoenix on Interstate 17, this University town seems a million miles away. Cool breezes off the mountains are redolent with the scent of pine, an easy escape from Phoenix triple digit heat.

London is Now (Much) Closer to Paris and Brussels!

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 16:32:00 PDT

London, Paris and Brussels recently got a whole lot closer! When you read that did you, perhaps, think there'd been some major geographic shift of land that was not reported by the world's press? No, there was no land movement, but there was a dramatic shift in speed that came about not due to an airplane, boat or some new fangled supersonic craft, it happened because of a train called Eurostar.

Alaska Marine Highway

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 17:40:00 PDT

Sometimes you just don't want to spend $1,500 a week on a cruise ship to see some spectacular bidness. If that's your story, and you really want to get out of the house this summer and take a great vacation with a budget in mind along the western coast of say, Canada and Alaska, for example, conveniently located geographically just outside of the evil clutches of the former Soviet empire, then an Alaska Marine Highway vacation is for you.

Waterfalls, Volcanoes, Resorts and Winter on the Big Island

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 17:40:00 PDT

It's not every day one hikes through a giant lava tube or cuts through a lush rainforest in a raging downpour to stand at the precipice of a thunderous waterfall. And it's not often one stays in a room overlooking volcanic rocks, giant manta rays and dolphin either. But then, Hawaii's Big Island is not an everyday excursion.

Inland Empire Community Welcomes Pendleton Warrior

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 17:40:00 PDT

In today's environment of talking heads and finger pointing, one Southern California community has embraced the concept that action truly does speak louder than words. The Temecula City Council voted unanimously in January to assist and support the building of a specially-equipped 'smart home' in Temecula for a Camp Pendleton wounded war veteran, Marine Cpl. Juan Dominguez.

Sam Worthington Interview: Musings on Actor Responsibility, Weird Phobias and "Avatar 2"

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 17:40:00 PDT

British born, but raised in Australia from the age of six months, Sam Worthington is yet another hunky Aussie actor joining the action hero ranks of his fellow Aussies - Russell Crowe, Mel Gibson, Hugh Jackman, Paul Hogan, Heath Ledger, Eric Bana and the original swashbuckler hero, Errol Flynn.

Is "A Picture Worth A Thousand Words?" - The Answers

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:00:00 PDT

As John promised here are the answers to the four photos in his previous article, "Is A Picture Worth a Thousand Words?"

To the Marquesa Islands on the Freighter Aranui 3

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:25:00 PDT

It's an odd duck of a ship: a wide deck with two yellow painted cranes dangling over it and a six storey, or so, aft structure bringing up the rear like a mini skyscraper -- taller than the distance from the deck to the waterline. It's the Aranui 3, the lifeblood to the Marquesas. Those islands, a cluster of volcanic terrain just below the Equator, lie almost 1000 miles from Tahiti.

Switzerland Tourism's Intellectual History: Born in the Romantic Movement

Tues, 24 Jan 2012 19:20:00 PDT

Despite Harry Lime's assertion in Graham Greene's "The Third Man" that Switzerland's contribution to world culture is the cuckoo clock and chocolate, there is a long tradition of artistic achievement in this tiny country of six million. In fact it is a country that so loves their artists that their profiles grace Swiss Francs rather than those of politicians.

Renewal: Corregidor Island

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:00 PDT

It was my grandson's first visit to the Philippines. What better way to introduce him to this land, than to plunge him right away into the historic sea of this country's fight for freedom during World War II? The island bastion of Corregidor, with its fortifications across the entrance to Manila Bay was the site of the Americans and Filipinos' last stand in 1942 in the Philippines.

Mexican Jews

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:00 PDT

Two old Jewish men, Sid and Mark, are sitting in a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles. One day Sid asks Mark, "Do you know of any people of our faith born and raised in Mexico?" Mark replies, "I don't know, let's ask our waiter."

The Caesar Salad

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 PDT

Today, the whole world knows of the Caesar Salad -- a salad generally consisting of romaine lettuce and croutons, dressed with parmesan cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Curiously enough, many people attribute its birthplace to the nation of Italy. Most dispute this claim, and credit the Caesar Salad's creation to restaurateur Caesar Cardini.

The Road to Hana: The Road More Traveled -- and With Good Reason

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:50:00 PDT

Just as the queasiness in my stomach from the continuous onslaught of curves and cutbacks along the narrow uphill road began to subside, we rounded yet another 180- degree bend. The first waterfall with whipped cream waters dripping down deep-creviced cleavages appeared by the roadside, its beauty washing away all my remaining reservations.

Angelina Jolie Interview - Up Close and Personal: Frank Talk on Family Values and Her Humanitarianism - Part 2

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:50:00 PDT

In Part 1 of this interview, Angelina Jolie, whose body of work as an actor includes the "Lara Croft" series, "Salt," "Changeling," "The Good Shepherd," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," and "A Mighty Heart," discussed her first directorial effort in "The Land of Blood and Honey," which she also wrote and produced. In Part 2 of the interview, Jolie talks in depth about her humanitarian awakening and how it impacts on her family.

Angelina Jolie Interview - Part 1: Frank Talk on Her Directorial Debut

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:20:00 PDT

What can you say about Angelina Jolie that hasn't already been said? She is the most famous, most photographed woman in the world whose significant other, Brad Pitt, is equally as famous as both an actor and activist. In addition to this award-winning actress' films generating big box office, her humanitarian activities are legion and have culminated in her debut as writer/director/producer of "The Land of Blood of Honey."

Berlin's Hoppegarten: A Day at the Races

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:05:00 PDT

Powerful horses, with jockeys astride in their brilliant silk colors, are loping towards me. I stand in the middle of the turf track staring through the camera viewfinder while my "All Access Press Pass" clings to my wrist. The brilliant green splendor of the scene captivates me. Lush green forest all around the glimmering green race course and the magnificent movement of the horses are all nicely framed in my camera lens.