I was lucky but didn’t know it. My high school years were spent at Queen Anne High School, nestled on top of one of Seattle’s seven hills. With views of the Space Needle, Puget Sound, downtown and Mount Rainer. We had a joke, if you could see this volcanic mountain, it meant it was about to rain. But we didn’t care, taking our lofty location for granted.

Mount Rainer was sacred to my family. It was where my parents had their first date, picnic prepared by mom’s mother. This time the joke was on my dad. He had thought that the elegant picnic basket, full of delectables, was made by my mom, later realizing she could barely boil an egg. Today, she can.

Mount Rainier National Park serves as an icon for Western and Central Washingtonians. The park is about 65 miles southeast of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area and 65 miles west of Yakima in the Cascade Range.

It’s an active volcano, strewn with glaciers, wildflowers, wildlife and well-designed hiking trails, ideal for seniors and children.

Mount Rainier National Park covers about 236,381.9 acres. This area includes all of Mount Rainier, a 14,410 foot stratovolcano (a tall, steep-sided composite volcanic cone built by alternating layers of hardened lava, ash, and rocks), along with surrounding valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and over 91,000 acres of old growth forests. Ninety seven percent of the park is designated as wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System.

The park spans a dramatic elevation range from roughly 1,600-1,700 feet at its lowest points to the summit of Mount Rainier, and it is home to more than 25 named glaciers, the largest glacier system in the contiguous United States.

Around 10,000 climbers come from around the world each year to attempt the summit.

Paradise, at 5,420 feet elevation, is my favorite. In August it is blessed with wildflowers, huckleberries and blueberries. Mount Rainier National Park was recognized by the United States Congress. This made it the fifth national park in the United States. The park was created to protect and preserve Mount Rainier, once again the tallest volcano in the contiguous U.S. outside Alaska, along with its natural and cultural resources.

Mount Rainier National Park was established by an act of Congress signed into law on March 2, 1899, by President William McKinley. While
McKinley signed the bill, the park’s creation was the result of sustained local advocacy in Washington state. Efforts began in 1893 when state lawmakers introduced multiple bills in successive
congressional sessions to set aside the area. The campaign drew support from local mountaineering clubs, newspaper editors, University of Washington faculty, and conservationists like John
Muir, who praised the region’s natural beauty.

Mount Rainier National Park is open all year, 24 hours a day. Visitation is at its peak in July and August, when the weather is warm and dry and the wildflowers are blooming. If you are planning a summer trip to Mount Rainier, consider visiting mid-week, which is generally less crowded..

For further information, visit Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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First, a little background. During the late 1800’s, distilleries in the area were abundant. The mountain geography provided secluded protection for hidden stills. Corn was plentiful and easily turned into whiskey – and making moonshine was profitable. And then Prohibition hit! Consensus thinking at the time was that it would inhibit drinking and the making of it. But, of course, that was nonsense. Binge drinking probably got its start during Prohibition.

The demand for illegal alcohol skyrocketed – and the Franklin County bootleggers were more than happy to oblige, developing sophisticated transportation routes to move liquor up and down the East Coast. It famously claimed to produce more illicit liquor than anywhere else in the U.S. during Prohibition, entitling them to the moniker of “Moonshine Capital of the world,” a label they remain proud of to this day. My recent visit to the area reinforced that impression. After all, there’s a museum devoted to the very idea – albeit with a slightly different orientation.

The Moonshine Explosion Museum is devoted to just that – a June 11, 1930 literal explosion of two over-heating Model T Fords that drove into a garage for repair. Why did they explode? Trunks full of illegal liquor also over-heated. Charred remains of the cars are still ensconced in the basement of the original building which was built in 1912, but they weren’t discovered until 2017 during basement renovations – although the story proliferated well before and after.

But despite the museum’s singular name, it also paints a much more complete picture of the still celebrated history of moonshine, which kept many an Appalachian family able to survive. The museum highlights the connection between “white lightning” (AKA Firewater, Hooch) and the community, fostering a sense of resilience and ingenuity – and, oh yes, a massive evasion of the law. Franklin County became known for its high-quality moonshine and the persistence of its moonshiners in resisting authorities.

And apparently, ramifications of that questionable ability exist today. Because many moonshiners modified cars to outrun law enforcement, the culture influenced early stock-car racing, and that tradition helped contribute to the origins of NASCAR. Not entirely sure how I feel about that particular legacy….

But back to bootlegging – and the notorious Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935, the second longest trial in Virginia history. It involved a high-profile legal case involving 23 defendants accused of multiple large-scale moonshine operations. Many were convicted but the illegal operations continued to thrive.

A visit to Twin Creeks distillery underscores the appeal of the original moonshine. For starters, Twin Creeks owner and master distiller, Chris Prillman, is the grandson of Peg Hatcher, one of the kingpins convicted in the Great Moonshine Conspiracy of 1935. That’s one hell of a family legacy! As much as it sounds like an oxymoron, they serve legal moonshine – slightly less high-octane than the mountain variety and government-regulated. It’s the only establishment in the area to do so. And Chris continues to pay tribute to his grandfather by crafting spirits just as he did.

So when I say master distiller, I mean Chris is still making his “bathtub gin” – the colloquial term for stills that are large enough to be utilitarian and small enough to easily hide — at home. Whether he’s still using a bathtub, I don’t know. Back at the distillery, I sampled – okay, guzzled — a coffee moonshine made by a local coffee shop owner who still refuses to divulge his recipe that far and away surpasses any Expresso Martini I’ve ever had.

Flights of “cocktails” adorn the menu. Apparently, fancy cocktails were the norm during Prohibition as bartenders had to get creative in order to mask the taste of poor-quality liquor. Of course, Franklin County probably didn’t have any poor-quality hooch…..

More family legacy is carried on by Twin Creeks’ manager, Kathy, whose father owns three of the original moonshine cars that led to NASCAR, with enhanced power and extra-large trunks designed to transport the profitable product.

According to Steven Ray Tickle, another proud moonshining legacy and star of the surprisingly popular TV show Moonshiners, “People mistakenly think moonshiners just want to break the law, but that’s not true. They just want to carry on a tradition that’s part of the American heritage. They helped found and fund the Declaration of Independence….If you really love your country, you’re gonna have to love moonshine.”

So if you’re thinking that pretty much brings the story of moonshine to the current day, keep reading. On yet another modern-day front, Franklin County’s moonshine era may seem like a relic of Prohibition, but the legal arguments surrounding home distilling are still alive. More than a century after moonshiners in Virginia’s Blue Ridge battled federal liquor laws, the question of who can legally make whiskey — and under what authority the government can stop them — remains unsettled. In an unexpected twist, a debate that once played out on the ridges and hollows of Virginia’s moonshine country – very much still “The Moonshine Capital of the World” — may soon be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. I’ll drink to that!

For more information, visit visitroanokeva.com; mainlymuseums.com; twincreeksdistillery.com.

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Known as “The Jewel” of San Diego, La Jolla is famous for its unique geography that combines rugged sandstone cliffs, hidden sea caves, and pristine beaches. But besides all of its natural beauty, the town is also home to the 113-year-old Grande Colonial, one of the most historic and charming hotels around. 

My family and I began a recent visit to the Grande Colonial by checking into a gorgeous suite overlooking the ocean and the round hotel pool. The rooms and suites maintain the same classic sophistication as the rest of the Colonial Revival-styled hotel. Each accommodation is outfitted with warm coastal décor, goose-down comforters, and luxury amenities. 

The rooms feature old fashioned windows that open to the sights and sounds of crashing waves just a block away. The windows also provide a perch for friendly seabirds, such as the big white seagull that stopped by our room for some bread crumbs. 

Outside the room, the hallways lead to more history, with a central outdoor balcony on each floor overlooking town, and old fire escape ladders on the side of the building. The story of this landmark began in 1913, when it opened as the Colonial Apartments and Hotel. Designed by architect Richard Requa, the original white, wood-framed structure quickly became a community cornerstone, famous for its pristine ocean-view sun parlor. 

When owner George Bane completed a massive renovation in 1928, the revamped hotel boasted ornate chandeliers, marble fireplaces, and leaded glass windows alongside groundbreaking infrastructure, including the first sprinkler system west of the Mississippi. Notably, the new design integrated a popular local pharmacy run by the father of a young soon-to-be actor named Gregory Peck.

Following World War II, the property earned a reputation as “Little Hollywood.” When local Gregory Peck co-founded the nearby La Jolla Playhouse in 1947, the hotel became the premier home-away-from-home for performing stars like Groucho Marx, Charlton Heston, David Niven, and Dorothy McGuire well into the late 1950s.

Stepping outside the hotel puts you right in the middle of the Village of La Jolla. During our stay, we grabbed burgers and ice cream for lunch at Burger Lounge, and then explored a myriad of interesting boutique shops throughout town. 

After window shopping we headed down to the waterfront. The Grande Colonial sits steps from La Jolla Cove, a spectacular small beach flanked by cliffs. Protected by an ecological preserve, the La Jolla Cove boasts a mild microclimate with comfortable year-round temperatures, making it a haven for swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling. It is also famously home to resident sea lions and harbor seals that love sunning themselves on the rocks. Just nearby, a walk along the seawall at the Children’s Pool offers gorgeous, sweeping views of the Pacific coastline.

After a day at the beach we returned to the Grande Colonial hungry and ready for dinner at NINE-TEN Restaurant, the property’s signature dining spot. Led by nationally recognized Chef Jason Knibb and Pastry Chef Jose Alonzo III, the MICHELIN Guide Distinction destination delivers an evolving California coastal menu rooted in a farm-to-table philosophy. Utilizing fresh products from local providers like Chino Farms, the daily offerings feature fresh seafood arriving from Hawaii and the North Pacific. 

Highlights from our dinner included house-made sourdough country bread; Hamachi sashimi with marinated baby shiitake mushrooms in a scallion vinaigrette; and grilled prime ribeye, with golden thread mushrooms, torpedo onions, mushroom butter, onion flowers, shaved asparagus, and sherry vinaigrette. Other menu standouts include smoked Liberty duck breast, and a Jamaican jerk pork belly served with Swiss chard, plantains, and a spicy jelly. 

Because we were hotel guests we enjoyed a 10% discount on food and beverages at the restaurant.

If you are planning your own escape, the hotel is currently running two notable promotional packages:

• Limited-Time Advance Purchase Offer: Save 15% off best available rates on select dates through July 9th when booking ahead. This deal includes a complimentary waiver of the $45 nightly hospitality service charge, covering your valet parking and added guest amenities.
• Suite Land of Liberty Escape: Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, this package features spacious ocean- or garden-view suites (some equipped with full kitchens and fireplaces). It includes a reduced $25 nightly hospitality charge, a $50 daily dining credit for NINE-TEN or room service, two welcome cocktails, complimentary valet parking, daily fitness club passes, and a self-guided walking tour of the hotel’s rich history. Guests can also enjoy the heated outdoor pool, complimentary beach gear (chairs, umbrellas, towels), and one hour of complimentary electric bicycle rentals to cruise the coastline.

The Grande Colonial Hotel is located at 910 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. The hotel also offers 5,000 sq-ft of indoor and outdoor event space, in-room dining and spa treatments, concierge-arranged ocean activities; airport shuttles and more. For more information and reservations, call (888) 828-5498 or visit: www.thegrandecolonial.com

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Despite his dream of building a capital city along the banks of the Potomac River and unlike the real estate cliché “George Washington slept here,” America’s first president never once laid his head down on a pillow within the District of Columbia, aka Washington, DC. The closest he ever got was a good night’s sleep at his homestead in nearby Mount Vernon, VA.

Some 228 years later, our nation’s capital welcomes more than 22 million visitors a year. A world-class city embedded with a vibrant history, spectacular monuments, outstanding museums, plentiful parks, lush gardens and exceptional chef-driven cuisine, Washington, DC is well worth a visit. But, don’t just take my word for it, join me as I take the lens cap off and document this monumental city originally planned by Pierre L’Enfant.

For starters, there’s the Smithsonian Institution, a collection of 19 massive, artifacts-filled museums and galleries and the National Zoo, many standing shoulder-to-shoulder on either side of the two-mile long National Mall, “America’s front yard.” Art, history — natural and chronicled — science, and red-white-and-blue ingenuity to rocket into space, are all on display inside these titanic buildings. And, the best part? Entry is absolutely free for we, the people.

Bookending the Mall is the Capitol Building at the eastern end, where the legislative branches of government apply their checks and balances atop old Jenkins’ Hill, and the awe-inspiring Lincoln Memorial, where Honest Abe sits in deep contemplation at the western edge along the banks of the Potomac. And, smack dab in the middle of it all stands the Washington Monument, a 555-foot marble obelisk — the tallest structure in the District — honoring the “Father of His Country” that’s encircled by 56 American flags, one for each state along with the five territories and the District of Columbia.

Our historical walk around the Mall also includes a bevy of memorials: Jefferson, Vietnam and Korean War Veterans, Martin Luther King, Jr., FDR and World War II. Join the lengthy queue to get inside the National Archives to view John Hancock’s John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Book way in advance for access to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the newest venue on the Mall. Spend an entire day exploring the myriad of exhibitions at the National Galleries of Art and Portrait. Reach for the sky and the stars beyond at the National Air and Space Museum. And, stop long enough to smell the plant life inside the US Botanic Garden.

The United States is a cultural melting pot and its capital reflects the nation’s sea-to-shining-sea international roots. Heavily influenced by Egyptian, Greek, Roman, medieval European and 19th-century French architecture, wherever you look, especially up, you’ll see an abundance of tall columns, massive domes and the occasional flying buttress. From the White House to the U.S. Capitol, from the Washington Monument to the Library of Congress, from Union Station to the National Cathedral, a simple stroll around architecturally impressive DC alone is well worth the airfare. Right?

The District’s a showcase of American performance arts and is home to such iconic venues as the National Theatre and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In the early 20^th century, jazz music had a dizzying effect here as DC natives, like Duke Ellington, played the night away on stages up and down famed U Street. Years later, homegrown go-go, a blend of funk, R&B and hip-hop set the beat around clubs and out on the street.

And, let’s not forget that John Philip Souza came marching down Pennsylvania Avenue at the dawn of the 1900s leading the Marine Corps Band, the oldest musical group in the US. Today, Souza’s iconic march music is one of the highlights at the annual A Capitol Fourth, the national Independence Day celebration that unfolds at twilight on the West Lawn of Capitol Hill.

The White House, Congress and the Supreme Court, the three pillars of the US government, all punch their clocks here, while the Pentagon, the State Department, the World Bank and embassies from almost every corner of the globe float around their orbit. Power, those that carry it and those eager to wrestle it away, is why DC emits such a 24/7/365 buzz. Can you feel it?

Washingtonians, all 700,000+ of them, know full well the difference between the city itself and the District of Columbia, aka “inside the beltway.”

Beyond the high profile attractions, the politics, the leaks, the lobbying and the “fake news,” the city, all 68 square miles of it, is made up of small, distinctive neighborhoods where normal folk live and breathe. Here, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs are hopping; Ubers are hailed and bicycles and electric scooters are shared via smartphone apps, and one of the cleanest metro systems in the world moves the populace quickly; and, where friends share a laugh, like my DC-based fam, on colorful row-house front porches or on terraces atop apartment complexes with fab views of their fair city spread out below.

While we’re here, let’s grab some cutlery and tuck in to one of the country’s hottest food scenes. The District is a can’t-miss epicurean destination touted by the likes of Bon Appétit, the Michelin Guide and Zagat, and where celebrity chefs like José Andrés, Tim Ma and Marjorie Meek-Bradley conjure up their culinary wizardry.

From food magazine-worthy dishes created and plated at coveted tables around Penn Quarter, to local favorite half-smokes served at a 24-hour diner up in Adams Morgan, to one-stop grazing at foodie mecca Union Market, just about every kitchen on the planet is represented within DC.

Regardless of your crave, one thing’s for certain: it’s all delectable no matter where you dine. Uh, I’ll have the Maryland crab cake sandwich topped with crispy bacon, please.

With loads of attractions and activities for every visitor, budget-minded and value-added, Washington, DC is teeming with a good-time vibe. Affording unmatched free access to museums, monuments and memorials and one-of-a-kind events, like the National Cherry Blossom Festival, not to mention five pro sports teams — Redskins, Nationals, Wizards, Capitals and DC United — the District is in a class all by itself.

Washington, DC, America’s monumental city that our first commander-in-chief envisioned, is all grown up now. I’m just happy that you let me show you around.

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Celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial Birthday

These are among examples of activities being planned, and undertaken, to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States on July 4, 2026. They recall the moment when the Founding Fathers, who had gathered in Philadelphia, declared independence of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. 

This historic event is being recognized in Virginia, where Jamestown was established in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in the New World. The Massachusetts Plymouth Colony, which was created in 1620.  And Maryland, founded by Lord Baltimore in 1632.

Solemn and serious activities will recall America’s 250^th anniversary

These and other states, and cities, have planned a year-long list of festivities to recognize and honor this special birthday.  Some will be solemn and serious, others less so. All will attract people from near and far  who are seeking to recall and commemorate the nation’s birth, and its past accomplishments. Wherever you live, whatever your interests there’s likely to be a choice of exciting, and educational, events that you may wish to take in.

Philadelphia will be a hub of celebration of the Unites States special birthday

Those activities in Philadelphia were kicking off a year-long party.  At the Museum of the American Revolution, located just steps away from Independence Hall, immersive galleries, interactive exhibits and theater experiences relate compelling stories of the people and complex events that helped to spark the American rebellion.

Celebration of the birth of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the self-proclaimed City of Brotherly Love got underway this fall with a parade of ships along the Delaware River, a Toast to the Navy gala, and a gathering at the tavern which was the birthplace of the Marine Corps.

States also will get into the action. A web-based hub has been posted which helps residents of, and visitors to, Delaware locate sites associated with the semiquincentennial remembrance. It includes a three-day Revolutionary War driving itinerary; a calendar of events listing special exhibitions and other related activities, and an overview of places with strong ties to the Revolutionary War. Among these are Cooch’s Bridge, sight of the only significant military action in the state, and the Grand Opera House, former site of a hospital that treated wounded from both sides during the fighting.

Massachusetts offers an immersion in early American history

A road trip through Massachusetts is like an immersion in history. That state kicked off its fetes by reliving the Battle of Lexington when – on April 19, 1775 – the British sent 700 soldiers from Boston to destroy ammunition and other supplies and the town’s militia confronted them, leaving eight colonists dead. George Washington then wrote “The first blood was spilt,” and the American Revolutionary War had begun.

After Lexington, the British marched to Concord to ransack more military equipment. Among displays at that town’s museum is the iron-and-glass lantern that Paul Revere famously carried during his “midnight ride,” which is recalled in the familiar poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 

Events in Philadelphia and along the Delaware River recalling and recounting the genesis of the U.S. Navy aren’t the only water-related activities planned. American Cruise Lines, the largest river cruise company in the country, will launch an array of extended sailings throughout the year in honor of the nation’s founding. They will include Great United States, Spring Across America and Civil War Battlefields itineraries.  

Whether you prefer to wander by water, mull over museum displays or check out places where important chapters of U.S. history were written, numerous opportunities will abound throughout the country to celebrate the nation’s special birthday.

For information about 250^th anniversary events throughout the United States, log onto america250.org.

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On the side of a brick building, at the corner of E 7th St and North Arizona Ave, a mural greeted me. This particular block of North Arizona was more of an alley than a street. It was open to cars, with a few parking spaces at an angle to the alley, but the short block was better experienced on foot.

Beginning at the mural — Greetings from Tucson, it said — any aimless drifter could wobble dreamily down the alley, past streams of ants, weeds, splotches of motor oil and a yard of broken air conditioning parts toward the best speakeasy pizza joint anywhere. Street art and ghost signs were included in the pilgrimage.

One block, this alley. That’s it. No more was necessary.

I started at the mural, a tourist attraction painted in 2017 by Greetings Tour, an outfit started by muralist Victor Ving and photographer Lisa Beggs, who traveled across the country painting postcard-style murals in various cities.

Across 7th St, a sprawling sports restaurant with a thousand televisions, a huge patio and pickleball courts blasted “All Star” by Smash Mouth-an unsettling hellish combo of everything I didn’t want to experience. Instead, I needed a dingy, hidden side street that nobody would possibly write about, or even think about. My speakeasy pizza waited.

I shuffled up the alley, inspired by a passage from the foreword to Tucson Salvage, a book by local columnist Brian Jabas Smith. Tucson was an outpost for the lost and weary, a sanctuary for misfits, miscreants and misers. These days, even tourism professionals used phrases like “Don’t Fit Right In,” branding the city as a place where people just don’t fit right in. However, Smith was better than anyone else at capturing this original desert slacker town, his home town, a place to which he never wanted to return, but did. Tucson Salvage, his anthology of alt-weekly newspaper columns, was the definitive guide to the gritty underbelly of the whole sweltering mess.

On one hand, it was only 92 degrees, manageable for Tucson. The concussive blast-furnace weather had not yet arrived – this was May, after all – yet the heat became part of the experience. The sun-parched asphalt was cracked in a hundred places. To my left was a dumpster. Along the opposite building, yellow weeds grew at the bottom of a chain-link fence topped with circular barbed wire, bent in several places. Streams of large ants crawled in single-file fashion toward some unidentifiable destination beneath the weeds. Steps later, I saw more dumpsters, along with cars, all of which seemed haphazardly dropped onto the asphalt from above. They sat in front of another gorgeous monochromatic mural, a black and white image in a pulp southwestern style.

Opposite me, right where another back alley came off 6th Ave and ran behind brick buildings, I spotted a yard of broken equipment. Air conditioning ducts. A pallet of bricks. Ripped fiberglass. It was a glorious view. I sensed beauty in the mundane, the Zen of the forgotten and the discarded.

Just as Phil Cousineau wrote, “the art of pilgrimage is the art of reimagining how we walk, talk, listen, see, hear, write, and draw as we ready for the journey of our soul’s deep desire. Try and see your next journey as more than an itinerary, to see it rather as the slow accretion of details.”

And that I did, as the sun continued to fry the pavement. Throughout my visit, locals told me to carry a water bottle. Some janky storefronts even kept a multi-gallon water receptacle out on the sidewalk, perhaps on a chair, just for homeless people, or anyone, to walk up and fill their bottles. The sense of community-people looking out for each other-was prominent. I loved it.

At the end of the alley, as it dumped onto East 6th St, I arrived at the Promised Land, my new favorite speakeasy pizza restaurant. A cozy joint offering wood-fired, sourdough-crust pizzas with an emphasis on local ingredients, Anello was its name. The best thing? Anello did not have a sign. Nowhere. This was intentional. Just look for the red light above the window, I was told. I arrived before dusk, so the light wasn’t on yet. But I found the place.

Oddly enough, Tucson was the first city in the United States to become a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Wait, what? Yes, it’s true. In 2015. So now the food scene was something to brag about.

Inside Anello, there was room for maybe 25 people, half of which were at a long, community table in the middle of the tiny space, where I plopped down right next to several others I didn’t know. A great idea. Within seconds we were talking about all sorts of stuff. Behind the counter, employees toiled away at a classic wood-fired oven from Italy. Waitstaff answered questions about the wine list. A takeout window opened up into the alley, which I had completely missed.

‘The Verde pizza came with smoked mozzarella, a parsley puree and tons of pistachios. I added pepperoni. It was perfect. Just perfect.

Anello was small. Very small. In all the right ways. The bathroom included a small bookshelf where food tomes held court. Another great idea.

The Promised Land of Speakeasy Pizza was worth the short stroll through the garbage, the ants, the dirt, the grime and the weeds. UNESCO knew what it was doing. My longing was fulfilled.

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My getaway began at the historic 1927 Winnedumah Hotel, where a couple friends and I met Cindy and Derek Abrahams, the property’s general managers. They told me about the fascinating history surrounding the Winnedumah and set me up in the Bing Crosby suite. That’s right, I stayed in the same room that the legendary actor/crooner stayed in while he was in town filming or sneaking away from Hollywood.

Vintage and charming, the Crosby suite features two rooms that share a Jack and Jill bathroom. The suite has a 1920s décor, with classic hard wood floors and furniture, metal framed beds and period-era bathroom fixtures.

There are no televisions in the hotel rooms, but the serenity of the property, with its gentle creaking wood floors and crackling fireplace in the lobby, inspire relaxation, book reading, or conversation with friends, fellow guests from around the world, or with Cindy and Derek, who are knowledgeable about the area and treat guests like family.

“When people visit Independence and the Winnedumah Hotel, they are going to get an authentic, historic Eastern Sierra Nevada experience,” says Cindy. “This is the old west and we’ve got the mountains, the high desert and quintessential small town USA. And when you stay here, you get a very personal, boutique hotel experience.”

Independence is located off U.S. Route 395, the main north-south highway cutting through the Owens Valley. The tiny town is a gateway to outdoor havens such as the John Muir Wilderness Area and Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks. Hikers pass through while trekking the Pacific Crest Trail, or on their way up California’s two tallest peaks, Mt. Whitney and Mt. Williamson. Others stay at the Winnedumah Hotel for quieter experience while skiing in busy Mammoth. Whatever the reason, the hotel gets about 60 percent of its clientele from international travelers.

But many of the Winnedumah’s first visitors were local, coming by way of Hollywood. Numerous early westerns were filmed in nearby Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills. This brought the likes of Roy Rogers, Gary Cooper, Gabby Hayes, John Wayne and Bing Crosby to the newly built Winnedumah Hotel. Wayne had a favorite room at the hotel and when Crosby visited, he was given the room above the managers’ suite so they could hear him sing in the shower. Even famed California photographer Ansel Adams sought comfort at the property while on photo shoots.

The hotel lobby still has the original 1892 piano that Bing used to sit at and sing as well as other furnishings from the 1920’s, including the overstuffed chairs in the lobby and the steel mesh chairs on the front porch which can be seen in Roy Roger’s first movie “Under Western Stars.”

Besides the Winnedumah, the town also boasts one restaurant, a sandwich shop and a taco truck. For culture there is the Eastern California Museum, located a couple blocks from the hotel. After a complimentary buffet breakfast at the hotel, we walked to the museum and discovered an incredible collection of beautiful, hand-crafted Native American baskets.

The display is one of the largest exhibits of local Paiute-Shoshone basketry in the nation. Ornamental and functional baskets, along with cradleboards, projectile points, bows and arrows, and rare examples of Paiute beadwork are included in the extensive exhibit. The basket exhibit includes more than 400 pieces and nearly 100 other, related artifacts, and is contained in about 14 large display cases.

The museum also showcases a large collection of historic photographs, Owens Valley history, scores of old west guns, and extensive mining and farming equipment and historic structures found outside in the museum yard. There is also lovely creek and pond outside, with majestic views of the Eastern Sierra mountains in the background.

Directly across from the Winnedumah Hotel is the iconic Independence Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1969 the courthouse held 24 members of the Manson Family for possession of stolen vehicles and property.

About five miles south of Independence, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, is Manzanar War Relocation Center, where Japanese-Americans were held during World War II. Visitors to this historic and somber site will find a Visitor Center with extensive exhibits, a short film and a bookstore. There are also two reconstructed barracks, a women’s latrine, and a mess hall onsite.

About three miles northwest of Independence is the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Built in 1916, it has supplied trout eggs to other hatcheries in California and other western states. It is the only hatchery to produce golden trout, California’s state fish.

If You Go:

Independence

Winnedumah Hotel or call (760) 878-2040.

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If I had to pick a favorite Southern California hotel for family fun and culinary delight, the Hyatt Regency Irvine would be near the top of the list. With a sprawling pool complex featuring two kid-friendly waterslides, a standout signature restaurant, and some of the most imaginative family suites in the region, the hotel delivers everything a family needs for a memorable getaway.

On our recent return visit, we checked into one of the property’s luxurious bunk-bed suites — an 850-sq-ft retreat designed with both kids and parents in mind. The main room features a king bed, a large TV, a stylish bathroom, and a full balcony overlooking the resort and cityscape. But the real showstopper is the private kids’ bedroom: a bunk setup with a queen mattress below and a full on top, plus a sleeper sofa, mini-fridge, large TV, and pool views. The kids loved it so much that we’re already planning another stay this summer. While the kids reveled in their “fortress,” the spacious living room became our own sanctuary — a place to catch up on sleep in the plush king bed or unwind on the balcony with views of the Irvine skyline.

When the kids weren’t in their room, they were at their favorite spot: the Pool Oasis. This family-centric area features two waterslides and a massive 20-foot LED video screen. The shallow play zone was perfect for our three-year-old, giving him a safe space to splash while we relaxed nearby.

On our first night, we stumbled into a bit of dive-in-movie magic, watching the original Muppet Movie — complete with Steve Martin — right from the water. Families laughed, splashed, and floated under the glow of the giant screen, creating one of those rare, effortless vacation moments you hope your kids remember.

For dinner, we headed to Warehouse 72, the hotel’s signature restaurant. The space itself is an experience, with 80-foot digital art walls displaying rotating scenes from cherry blossoms to Mediterranean coastlines. Executive Chef Jaime Salazar’s menu leans modern American with global flair. Our meal included pork belly kimchi fried rice and a 14-ounce Double R Ranch ribeye with bone marrow bordelaise, followed by the restaurant’s famous Frozen S’mores — torched tableside for a bit of theatrical fun.

The next morning, we drove to Irvine’s Great Park, a 1,300-acre urban playground built on the former El Toro Marine Base. Nearly twice the size of New York’s Central Park, it offers a huge range of free and low-cost activities. Our kids loved the Great Park Carousel and the Farm + Food Lab, an outdoor classroom where they learned about gardening. The highlight, though, was the Great Park Balloon — a bright orange helium balloon that rises 400 feet above the city for panoramic views.

We spent our final day back at the Hyatt pool, this time in a private cabana equipped with a fridge, TV, and comfy couches — the perfect shaded home base. Lunch came from the hotel’s Market Cafe: burgers, smoothies, and snacks enjoyed in the comfort of our cabana.

As the sun set, the kids retreated to their beloved bunk-bed suite while we relaxed on the balcony, watching the Irvine skyline light up.

The Hyatt Regency Irvine stands out as one of the area’s most refined full-service hotels. Its 516 newly renovated rooms lean into a “thoughtfully modern” aesthetic, with curated artwork and high-end finishes that feel more like a luxury residence than a standard hotel. The property also features a 24-hour fitness center and 56,000 square feet of event space, all just two miles from John Wayne Airport and centrally located for trips to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, or Newport Beach.

For families planning a summer getaway, now is a great time to book. World of Hyatt members can often find early-booking savings of up to 25% for summer stays, and the Hyatt Family Rate may offer a second room for kids at a significant discount when booked by phone. With its blend of luxury for parents and pure “fortress fun” for kids, the Hyatt Regency Irvine is an ideal home base for a Southern California summer.

Hyatt Regency Irvine is located at 17900 Jamboree Rd, Irvine, CA 92614. For more information or current specials, call 949.751.1234 or visit hyatt.com.

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The scene was different for Sam and Judy Crawford. While they also lolled on chaise lounges to soak up the sun’s rays and cooled off in clear water, they ended their relaxing afternoon silt and sting free. That’s because they were replicating a visit to a beach on the roof of the hotel where they were staying.

Rooftop swimming pools occupy the top of a number of lodgings throughout the country. They provide people with added appeal and places to replicate a seaside sojourn without having to travel from their place of accommodation. Many make up in attractions and ambience anything they might lack in ocean views.

With gas prices rising and airport congestion still unpredictable, many folks are rethinking long-haul trips in favor of closer-to-home escapes. Some are opting  for a “staycation” summer, finding an escape right where they live.

For residents of the Nation’s Capital, and those who visit it, that can include the hidden rooftop pool at the Arlo Washington, DC hotel.  Framed by plush loungers and set against a bold, colorful wall mural, it offers sweeping panoramic views of the U.S. Capitol Building and city skyline.

Art also enhances the experience for guests atop the Arlo Wynwood in Miami, Florida. Along with a 360-degree view of the city below, the heated swim bath is overlooked by a larger-than-life mural which was created by an acclaimed graffiti artist.

It’s oversize chess pieces that greet those enjoying the Rooftop and Pool Lounge at Hotel Effie in Sandestin, Florida. That is the only such installation along the self-proclaimed Emerald Coast, which stretches about 100 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. If they’re not relaxing in a private cabana or enjoying breathtaking views that stretch to the horizon, guests may participate in wine tastings, yoga, bingo nights and other enticing activities.

People travel far to gaze in awe at the New York City skyline and there are few more dramatic views than that from the rooftop pool deck at the Arlo Williamsburg Hotel in Brooklyn. A dramatic Water Tower Bar overlooks the pool and poolside cabanas. Guests of the property may book a complementary pool time slot, and others can make a reservation through resortpass.com.

For a classic yet unexpected location, look no further than the rooftop’s Water Tower. These kinds of structures are an iconic sight throughout the city, but at Art Williamsburg, that edifice can serve as your very own private event venue. Perfect for gatherings, photo shoots, weddings, cocktail and other occasions, the Water Tower has a private bar, can be furnished for your event, and is accessible by elevator.

Have you ever surfed on a rooftop?  You can at the FlowRider Wave Ride at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Its advanced waveform technology provides a safe, yet thrilling, environment where people may “hang ten” and test their boarding talents. The innovative design gently absorbs impacts, allowing everyone to master the waves with confidence and enjoy a unique experience right on the Las Vegas Strip. 

Another thrill awaits those checking out the rooftop pool at the Joule Hotel in Dallas. It’s cantilevered over the streets below, and the clear walled edge gives the fortunately false impression that swimmers might plunge off the top of the building.   

Worrying that you may fall to your death, or trying to surf high above city streets, may not be on your bucket list. However, they’re among unusual, and unexpected, activities that swimming pools perched on the roofs of some buildings offer, and are available to those who wish to take part in them.

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If there’s a destination in the United States with a more convergent personality than Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and Singer Island, Florida I can’t imagine what, or where, it is.

One morning, during my recent visit there, I observed nattily dressed men and women playing the genteel game of croquet. That pastime traces its roots back to England in the 1860s, when it was promoted by the Earl of Essex and became a popular, socially accepted form of leisure.

That afternoon, I watched a spirited polo match, which originated in ancient Persia more than 2,000 years ago and evolved to become known as “The Sport of Kings,” popular in high society.

When evening arrived, I ate dinner during my month-long stay at a number of what can only be described as “dive bars” which are dotted throughout the community. They compete for customers with white tablecloth fine dining establishments that offer excellent food at sometimes excessive prices.

This diversity is, to me, one of the Palm Beach area’s numerous inviting, and intriguing, traits. Walking or driving in the region introduces visitors to a smorgasbord of things to do and see which range from upscale to underprivileged, from interesting man-made attractions to some of Mother Nature’s magnificent handiworks.

Palm Beach, Florida has its share of inviting beaches – and more

For starters Florida means inviting seashores, and this location has its share of them.  Those seeking a serene setting and calm waters often head for Sandy Point Beach.  Trails meandering inland from the Riviera Municipal Beach cross dunes and coastal hammocks, and this stretch of sand offers excellent shelling. Ocean Reef Park is often pounded by powerful waves which can challenge all but the most accomplished swimmers.

This oceanfront location attracted Native Americans at least 3,000 years ago. Evidence of their habitation incudes pre-Columbian archaeological complexes consisting of a burial mound and cemeteries.

Early white settlers built the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse around 1860. Twenty years later, Standard Oil tycoon Henry Fagler constructed three resort hotels which transformed the tropical landscape into a winter resort for the wealthy, then he extended the Forida East Coast Railway to the area.

In 1902, Flagler built a spectacular mansion as a gift for his bride, a beaux arts–styled modern manor adorned with pink aluminum-leaf wallpaper which was more expensive at the time than gold. The 4,750-square-foot Grand Hall, Library with its painted cast plaster ceiling and silk- and wood-lined Drawing Room give visitors a feel for the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy at that time. So vast is that castle-like structure that my first thought upon entering was if I had ever lived there, I’d have needed a map to find my way around.

Reliving the Gilded Age in Palm Beach, Florida

Those who are there in mid-day may segue into a “Gilded Age Style” lunch in the Café des Beaux-Arts. It’s housed in the Pavilion, a 19th-century, iron-and-glass railway palace which also displays Flagler’s private railroad car.

Palm Beach continues to live up to its reputation as a retreat for the super-rich.  Several years ago, Forbes magazine reported that the city was home to at least 30 billionaires – that’s billion with a B.  As I strolled along Worth Avenue, past high-end stores like Valentina, Versace and Ralph Lauren, I agreed with its description as one of the most beautiful shopping venues in the country which combines European sophistication with elegant style and grace.

Hanging out with locals in Palm Beach, Florida

I also enjoyed the balance provided by stores, restaurants, bars and other establishments that cater largely to locals.  Along with their touches of resident vibe, they offer opportunities to meet and mingle with folks who live in the area. Often, they can recommend below-the-radar places to see, and things to do, that visitors otherwise might miss.

In an area where Technicolor flowers and multi-hued foliage grow wild, gardens might seem redundant. However, formal plantings add an inviting painter’s palette to the landscape.

Some, like the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, introduce human touches to Mother Nature’s handiwork.  Ann was a renowned sculpture whose works are displayed among some 250 species of rare tropical palms, cycads and native plants, as well as in her home.

Wildlife thrived in Palm Beach, Florida

Where there are sea, sand and soil there’s likely to be wildlife, and it abounds at this destination. The John McArthur Beach State Park offers sightings of sea turtles, osprey and pelicans.  Hikers in Phil Foster Park frequently encounter gopher, tortoise and herons. Droll-looking mammals referred to as sea cows congregate in large numbers in Manatee Lagoon, while in the visitor center there I enjoyed close-up views of animals of various sizes as they enjoyed a meal of lettuce and vegetables.

Getting close up and personal with those endearing creatures is one opportunity among many to meet and mingle with denizens of the Palm Beach area of Florida. Other experiences range from reliving the Gilded Age of high society to enjoying magnificent natural settings to checking out fun and funky places at which to sup and sip.

For more information, log onto thepalmbeaches.com.

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