Years later, when all my friends were watching American Bandstand, I was hanging out at Yankee Stadium. But years pass; my sports team loyalty switches from baseball to football – and now a native of Washington, DC, maybe the Capitals hockey team. But it was an upcoming trip to Cooperstown, NY – home of the Baseball Hall of Fame – that brought me six decades back to that baseball-crazy little girl – and the fear that I wouldn’t even care.

So here I am. And I do. Hard not to focus on baseball when the whole town is obsessed, as noted on well-worn t-shirts sporting (pun intended….) the mantra: “A drinking town with a baseball problem.”

Just walking along Main Street is a not-so-subtle introduction to the local past-time. A quick bite at the Dugout Bar and Grill; a storefront promoting Safe at Home collectibles; Shoeless Joe’s – a Field of Dreams reference – promises more baseball memorabilia; a Baseball Town Motel offers lodging, and the Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum provides a niche version of the usual famous figures. Want a bat with your name inscribed on it – and who wouldn’t? Visit the Bat Store. Okay, I get it – it’s a baseball town. But does it have to be everywhere???

Apparently, yes. Several folks in baseball uniforms strolling the street without drawing any attention. And because it was fall, there were pumpkins displayed along the street – all sized like huge baseballs.

Even the toothpicks in the The Otesaga Resort Hotel Restaurant have tiny baseballs attached to their tip.   Baseballs apparently come in many sizes… A TV in one of the diners had a football game on – man, did that seem out of place!

At the Doubleday Café, I snarkily asked if it would be more appropriate to be called the Doubleheader Cafe, until someone patiently – and no doubt a tad pityingly – explained to me that Abner Doubleday was credited with inventing baseball. I slithered away from the café and was only slightly mollified to later discover that actually he hadn’t….

Want to literally walk in the steps of Hall of Famers? Plan to stay at the stately The Otesaga Resort Hotel, an historic Cooperstown landmark, that houses new inductees, their families and former Famers every Induction year. Apparently, pretty much every Hall of Famer ever has stayed at the resort. And has probably had one of their toothpicks holding a cherry or an olive in a drink.

Which brings us back to the Baseball Hall of Fame – clearly the rest of the town is just an extension thereof. Where to begin? An introductory movie starts with a trivia quiz of memorable moments – and then tells you where in the Hall you can get more information or find the famous memorabilia referenced on film. In case you want to see a ball from the first game at which admission was charged – September 10, 1858 – you’ll know right where to go.

Lou Gehrig. Cal Ripken. Sandy Koufax. Nolan Ryan. Willie Mayes. Despite my many years away, I still knew a surprising number of players. And it was still thrilling.

Traversing the many hallways of the Hall, it was like walking on sacred ground. You could spend two hours – or two weeks – and still find stuff to see. The first, a photo gallery covering generations of greats, of course has write-ups of those on exhibit. But it’s the intimate quotes from the players themselves that humanize the entire sport.

And when I got to the Yankees Highlights Era, I was channeling a very excited 10-year-old self. I found Mickey and Yogi and felt an immediate kinship. It was like they knew I was coming back after all these years just to see them. Or maybe not…. Ten-year-olds can be very unreliable narrators.

Of course, there was also Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron and Satchel Paige. I wouldn’t say that even if you have no interest in baseball, you’ll be enthralled. But still, if only a fair-weather fan there will be something that will delight you.

A large display that caught my interest was devoted to the origin of women’s baseball teams – 1943-54 – which inspired the movie A League of her Own. It warmed my little 10-year-old heart. In my high school days, there was no Title IX, no girls’ baseball team, no opportunity for me to play a game I already loved – and I felt deprived my whole life. I coulda been a female Moose Skowron….

Later at another local baseball-infused tavern, three TVs were tuned to baseball games. After spending so much time at the Hall of Fame, I didn’t know whether they were historic replays – or current games.

But yes, if you happen to go into baseball overload, there are other Cooperstown diversions to be enjoyed. A Glimmerglass Queen boat tour on Otsego Lake, a living history farm museum that takes you back to 1840’s rural life, the Fenimore Art Museum – and yes James Fenimore Cooper, author of the Last of the Mohicans, was a Cooperstown native in the town his father founded. Also Fly Creek Cider which is a museum in its own right with so much to see and sample.

But if the 10-year-old inside me has a say, I would never leave the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mickey and I still have some unfinished business….

For more information, visit baseballhall.org, www.otesaga.com and www.thisiscooperstown.com.

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Catalina is not just an island paradise; it’s a very close island paradise, which makes it a perfect day or weekend getaway for Southern California residents. In fact, at only 22 nautical miles across the sea from Long Beach, the island can be reached by boat in one hour. With this in mind, the family and I recently escaped to the island for a memorable getaway.

Our journey began in downtown Long Beach at Catalina Express where we boarded one of the company’s sleek, catamaran-styled vessels for a one-hour trek across the Catalina Channel.

Featuring comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, lots of big windows and a full bar and snack shop, the boat makes for a fun trip. Highlights of the crossing included incredible views of the legendary Queen Mary; the giant, white geodesic cruise ship dome (former home to the Howard Hughes “Spruce Goose”); the beautiful Long Beach cityscape and a few playful dolphins following the boat.

For our crossing we upgraded our seats to the Commodore Lounge, where passengers enjoy priority boarding and check-in privileges, roomier and more intimate seating areas, and a complimentary beverage and snack.

When we reached the island, the captain anchored in the harbor at Avalon. Here we were greeted by schools of bright orange Garibaldi – the California state fish, along with a bustling little town, full of colorful boats and yachts, boutique hotels and shops, and scores of vacationers.

We then strolled a few minutes to the Avalon Hotel where we would spend the next three days and two nights.

Located on a hill, in the heart of Catalina Island, The Avalon Hotel overlooks the island coast in all its splendor. The property offers 15 luxurious, boutique rooms. Some are uniquely configured with an assortment of balconies offering sweeping views of Avalon and the harbor. All rooms include comfortable beds, premium linens, flat-screen TVs, a desk, microwave, refrigerator, and private bathrooms. Select rooms include a wet bar and an option of a Murphy bed.

We stayed in Room 101 and it was unforgettable. The first thing we saw when opening the door to this room was a gorgeous view of Avalon Harbor coming from a large window. The scene was so beautiful and colorful that it looked fake. But it was as real as the rest of this charming hotel.

The room also came with a huge, open balcony, with comfortable chairs and more impressive views. Other highlights included a Murphy bed, handmade natural soaps, fully lined bathrobes for guests to use, and a stately bathroom with tub and shower, upscale amenities, and signature toiletries.

Our room was next to the lobby and the lush, peaceful courtyard. Adorned with plants and trees, a trickling fountain, and a koi fish pond, the courtyard is where complimentary breakfast is held each morning.

Once acquainted with the hotel, we walked a couple minutes for a delicious lunch at Bluewater Avalon. Located on big wooden piers, overlooking the water, the restaurant boasts a tantalizing menu, specializing in fresh seafood and tender meats.

Our lunch began with fresh baked bread and a tasty jumbo shrimp cocktail appetizer. I then enjoyed a delicious bowl of cioppino, with clams, shrimp, calamari, local fish and vegetables in a rich tomato broth. Next we shared a plate of light and crispy fish and chips, while the kids had chicken tenders and a hamburger.

After lunch we walked next door to tiny Avalon Beach, where we played in the water and made sand castles and watched people swim back and forth to their boats that are anchored in the harbor about 50 yards offshore. We then headed back to the Avalon Hotel and relaxed on the rooftop deck, admiring expansive views of the beach, hillside homes and hotels and the iconic Catalina Casino.

Probably the most famous structure on the island, the round-shaped Catalina Casino was built in 1929 as one of the first theater’s in the world to be designed specifically for the new “talkie” movies. The building features hand-painted murals, by John Gabriel Beckman, whose work also adorns Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

The casino was also a popular spot during the Big Band era, when each week hundreds of people would sail to the island to see big bands with the likes of Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Gene Autry and other greats play on one of the biggest wooden dance floors the world had yet seen.

The next morning we enjoyed a healthy and hearty complimentary breakfast in the serene courtyard at the Avalon Hotel. The breakfast included hard boiled eggs, toast and muffins, cereals, coffee and juices.

After breakfast we walked to Catalina Golf Cart Rentals for a fun and unforgettable, 90-minute golf cart ride around the island.

Beginning across the street from the beach, our journey took us up a steep hill, where we encountered spectacular views of the ocean and coastline. We then winded through the island’s beautiful and rugged interior, passing hidden homes and numerous tiny vans and cars. Because the island is so small, golf carts and tiny, imported cars are what locals use for transportation.

At one point in our journey we came to a dead end street at the base of a hill, where a group of deer came up to our cart to share our sunflower seeds. If you wanna see the island, a golf cart is one of the best and most fun ways to do it.

After touring the island we experienced lunch at Lobster Trap.

The restaurant is owned by commercial fisherman Caleb Lins, who searches the fertile waters off the Channel Islands in his 40-foot boat, looking for the freshest local fish and California spiny lobster to catch for his customers.

Our Lobster Trap lunch began with fresh Hawaiian poke, with tuna sashimi on a bed of salad. Next we shared a creamy bowl of clam chowder with lots of tasty clams and potatoes. We then sampled fish and chips and a delicious lobster sandwich, while the kids had a burger and chicken tenders.

After lunch we grabbed ice cream at Lloyd’s of Avalon, a Catalina tradition for more than 80 years that is famous for its saltwater taffy and one-time patron, Marilyn Monroe, who used to live on the island. We then spent the afternoon relaxing on the beach.

For dinner, we got sandwich stuff at the local market and enjoyed a lovely dinner on our balcony at the Avalon Hotel. As the sun went down, we watched boats bob in the harbor and waves crash on the shore.

We concluded our island visit with breakfast in the courtyard and then an exciting voyage back to the mainland aboard Catalina Express.

For more information on visiting Catalina Island visit the Catalina Express (or call 800-613-1212) and the Avalon Hotel (or call 310-510-7070).

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Things I am not doing: I am not calling home for messages. I am not reading texts or emails on my phone. I am not scrolling for news. My phone, in fact, is in my bedside drawer at the hotel. The hardest part for me: not doing Wordle.

Going for walks is an allowable do nothing activity so strolling – as distinguished from scrolling….– around the cute beach-side town of Rehoboth, Delaware a couple of hours east of Washington, DC is allowed. Shopping, not so much. Reading t-shirts in a shop, okay. “If a man says he will fix it, he will. There’s no need to remind him every six months.” Now that’s worth an appreciative look. “I’m going to go stand outside, so if anyone asks, tell them I’m outstanding.” “Exercise? I thought you said extra fries.” That could be a Thrasher’s reference but more on that later…..

Maybe I’d better explain. I travel a lot. It’s my work and most trips are filled with story-gathering activities round-the-clock. Have to do all the must-sees and track down those unknowns off the beaten track. Lots of planning, organizing, researching – even the restaurants have to be studied. So the idea of a do-nothing vacation had a lot of appeal. Relaxing. Stress-free. Laid-back. I just didn’t know how much work it was going to be.

Restaurants are tricky. Rather than seeking out the umbrella-clad cocktail du jour, I was much happier hanging out at a local bar mid-day with my go-to Fireball over light ice. I’m an exercise fiend at home but here, raising a glass from the top of Whisky Jack’s bar – could any name be more perfect for what I was seeking out? – was about as much exertion as I could muster. The resultant smile on my face almost pushed me over the top. I think I was getting the hang of this do-nothing concept.

Rather than research the de rigueur restaurants of Rehoboth, I opted instead to stop for ice cream and the area’s famous Thrasher’s French Fries. Reading the weird ice cream flavors in the street-front parlor that boasts 100 different flavors was almost as much fun as reading t-shirts: “I Don’t Give a Fork,” “May the 4th be With You,” and “Better than Sex.” Reading a hundred ice cream flavors is time-consuming. How fortunate there was nothing I actually needed to DO.

Sitting on a boardwalk bench with my fries – somehow unlike any other (Thrasher’s refuse to provide ketchup because, I assume, that would tarnish the original flavor) – and people watching. Does that count as an activity? So many different humans going in so many different directions, all so intent on their own drummers – it was exhausting to watch. I was just happy to stay exactly where I was, watching the seagulls, busily squawking and hurtling toward a dropped French fry. Seagulls are actually more exhausting. I felt even more of a need to just unwind.

Truth be told, at one beach bar it was so bright and noisy I found it very hard to chill out the way I’d envisioned. Next time – dark, quiet and low key. So first night out, big mistake.

Feeding – so to speak – my preference for down-and-dirty restaurants as opposed to white-tablecloth, the comfortable and casual Gogg’s perfectly matched my mind-numbing mood on night out number two.

Alright so there was a menu with 100 rums, rivaling the 100 ice cream flavors. Could get testy. Resisting the threat of stressful decision-making angst, I simply opted for my favorites, thus enjoying the novelty of such variety while avoiding indulging in executive-level anxiety. A win-win. I didn’t have to do anything but eat and drink.

But, of course, any further activity-involved nightlife did not qualify. Back to my do-nothing balcony. Listening to waves never disappoints.

So yes, there are arcades in Rehoboth I didn’t go to. I didn’t bike-ride on the Boardwalk. I avoided mini-golf. Although I did at times find myself lusting after all the emails I wasn’t reading. Again, hard work to do nothing.

The next day, on the beach again, I didn’t for one minute miss playing frisbee while relaxing on my chaise lounge.The one exception to my inactivity, however, was to indulge in one of my most fun undertakings: diving into waves! I allowed myself that delightful diversion before returning to a renewed level of slothness. And maybe one more relaxing drink at Whisky Jack’s.

So is this all much ado about nothing? You bet!

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The Corning Museum of Glass (located, as its name cunningly suggests, in Corning, NY, and referred to as CMoG), is a Mecca for all things glass. And after one experience within the campus footprint, the Make Your Own Glass experience, I was hooked. And so will you be, if you make the pilgrimage to this highly fascinating and educational Mecca.

The original CMoG structure, designed in 1951 by the renowned architect Wallace K. Harrison, has long been home to an exciting exhibit space, a formidable research library, a cutting-edge education center, and more. Today, however, having expanded dramatically over the years, the entire campus comprises a unique collection of award-winning, modern, glass structures, stretching over 10 acres and housing even more glass and glass-related archives, exhibition, and participatory programs.

The newest expansion includes The Studio, a state-of-the-art center for glass, glass, and more glass, including the Make Your Own Glass workshop, allowing devotees of silica and sand to explore not only glass blowing (make a flower, a pumpkin, a Christmas ornament!), but also fusing, sandblasting, flameworking, and other glass arts. (Prices for these hands-on experiences range from $15 to $150.)

The Studio, established in 1996 by CMoG, was then a 24,000-square-foot facility that soon garnered an international reputation and became a sought-after destination, offering instruction across a spectrum of techniques and skill levels, as well as residencies for artists, and rentals of furnace, kiln, and cold-working space and equipment. Enter StudioNEXT, a visionary project created to expand the facility’s footprint to a staggering 60,000 square feet and which transforms the already exciting and educational experience to a preeminent global center for artists and students of glass. The $55.3 million project is CMoG’s largest and most forward-looking initiative to date, underscoring the Museum’s commitment to glass as a major medium for contemporary artistic expression, doubling down on the Museum’s support for artists and designers who are innovating in glass.

The Studio offers instruction across a spectrum of techniques and skill levels, residencies for artists, and rentals of furnace, kiln, and cold-working space and equipment. By expanding and enhancing the infrastructure, this expansion creates the only facility in North America that can accommodate large-scale works in cast glass; deepens glassmaking educational programs for students of all levels; offers expanded residency opportunities; and serves many more visitors each day.

Over the years, CMoG has also assumed stewardship of the illustrious and historic Steuben art glass brand, and Corning still produces some select Steuben pieces; proceeds from the sale of Steuben pieces benefit the educational mission of the non-profit Museum. The historic ventilator building Steuben once inhabited, located on the CMoG campus, was renovated and repurposed as the 500-seat Amphitheater Hot Shop – one of the world’s largest space in which to watch live glassblowing demonstrations. Although no longer under the umbrella of the Corning Incorporated brand, the household name Pyrex, also, has its roots in the Corning community.

The Rakow Research Library includes world’s foremost archive and reference collection on the history of glassmaking. A center for scholarship, CMoG publishes glass-focused periodicals, books, DVDs, and exhibition catalogs.

Another jewel in the crown of CMoG is the collection itself, home to more than 50,000 extraordinary works in glass. Spanning the globe and encompassing more than 3,500 years of human ingenuity, the collection includes masterpieces from the great civilizations of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as glass from other parts of Europe, the Far East/Asia, the Americas, and other far-flung melting pots of humanity.

Some of the highlights of the Museum’s 35 centuries of glass include:

• One of the earliest known glass portraits, a rare ancient glass sculpture of an Egyptian king, dating from the late 18th Dynasty, about 1450-1400 B.C.
• The earliest known example of an Islamic drinking horn (only two others are known)
• The Behaim beaker, a Venetian enameled glass that commemorates a marriage heldin 1495.
• One of the earliest known pieces of American glass, a covered tumbler produced at the factory of John Frederick Amelung.

Highlights of the contemporary art and design wing include:

• “The Continuous Mile,” a mile-long sculpture composed of over 4.5 million glass beads created by Liza Lou and more than 50 bead workers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
• “Virtue of Blue,” a self-sustaining chandelier constructed completely out of blue solar panel butterflies

Some of my favorites among the more modern pieces include:

• Celebrated artist Lino Tagliapietra’s “Endeavor” installation is a seemingly in-flight flock of birds, or a graceful, gliding school of fish, or even a waltzing fleet of boats. It features a dozen-plus, colorful,glass swirls and swooshes, suspended from the ceiling. The viewer is metaphorically invited into it, to experience its movement, grace, weightlessness, and elegance

• Also suspended from the ceiling is Silvia Levenson’s “It’s Raining Knives,” an arresting forest of cast-glass knives, which are ground and polished to many a striking point!

• “Forest Glass” by Katherine Gray is composed of some 2,000 found glass objects – mostly tumblers of one form or another – that are arranged on clear shelves, forming three “trees,” recognizable by their brownish”trunks” and greenish, “leafy” canopies. The didactics adjacent to the piece state that the “The title refers to the Waldglas, translated from German as ‘forest glass,’ the typically dark green and brown glass made during the Middle Ages in northern and central Europe. The wood burned to fuel glass furnaces resulted in widespread deforestation. Here, Katherine Gray re-created trees out of the material that destroyed them – ‘recycling’ the trees with recycled glass.”

• Set against a backdrop (on the floor) of a flattened black and white schematic of the world, “Global Cities,” by Norwood Viviano, tells the story of global population change through the individual histories of 33 cities around the world.The bright blue top-like floating forms correlate to populations. It is a striking and evocative piece.
• Beth Lipman’s “All in All” is a typical tablescape for which the artist is known-blown glass forms are the fare of the tabletop – pre-historic plants comprise the design.
• “Lynx after a Sketchbook Page by Albrecht Dürer,” by Polish-born Marta Klonoska, employs thousands of pieces of cut glass, creating the “fur” of the lynx. He looks so cute you might want to pet him, but this lynx is more like a porcupine…and hands off, anyhow – you’re in a museum!
• A charming and inspired work, “108 Meditations in Saffron” by David Chatt is a vitrine assemblage of found objects, covered in intricate fiery-orange beading. Everyday objects – found tchotchkes, if you will – form the basis of this arresting agglomeration of mere stuff!

CMoG is committed to exploring glass in many ways and recently mounted an outstanding show, “Disclosure: The Whiteness of Glass,” which explored subtle racism within this ivory-tower pursuit. It was riveting and as a viewer, you were forced to ask uncomfortable questions and explore emotions.

Additionally, CMoG has a truly fabulous, 18,000-square-feet gift shop – think fine art objets along with gewgaws, fanciful “stuff,” sparkling jewelry, and utilitarian must-haves – that vends everything from books about glass, to ornaments, to functional and stunning or mundane and utilitarian tools. For your comfort, as well, there is a very decent restaurant and other visitor amenities.

Additional info: home.cmog.org
© 2024 Ruth J. Katz All Rights Reserved

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But then I started thinking. He has a good point. The tropical island-inspired Catamaran has everything a kid and his family loves. It offers a big, beautiful swimming pool, a sandy beach, spacious rooms and suites, bike rentals, a video arcade, an onsite restaurant, and lots of opportunities to make new friends. 

Our getaway to the Catamaran Resort began recently when we checked into a gorgeous Bayfront Suite overlooking San Diego’s stunning Mission Bay. Spanning 438 sq-ft, the room was highlighted by a large patio that is literally steps from the sandy beach. 

The suite also boasts a big private bedroom, with two queen beds and a large TV; a separate living area with another big TV, a pull-out sofa, a wet bar with a refrigerator, and a dining area. A large, spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, completes the room’s layout. 

Beyond the suite, the rest of the property is just as impressive. Featuring 310 rooms, the sprawling Polynesian-themed resort is surrounded by palm trees, waterfalls, koi ponds, exotic birds and lush vegetation.

The hotel is located in San Diego’s Pacific Beach community and sits on the shores of Mission Bay, a large, artificial saltwater bay created for recreational activities such as wakeboarding, jet skiing, sailing, camping, cycling, jogging, roller skating, skateboarding, and sunbathing. 

One of my family’s favorite spots at the resort was Mission Bay’s sandy beach, located steps from our patio. Here the kids made sand castles and played in the water, while we relaxed in lawn chairs, soaking rays and admiring the coastline.

The beach was also where we rented a 21-ft Hurricane powerboat and cruised around the bay for a fun-filled hour. We got the boat from Action Sports Rentals (www.actionsportrentals.com/catamaran-resort-hotel-spa/), which has a booth on the dock in front of the Catamaran Resort. 

It was an epic voyage. After learning how to control the vessel and the proper speed for the bay, we cruised into the morning sun. Along the way, we waved to boaters and paddle boarders, sailed beneath an old bridge and past expensive condos and luxury hotels. The boat was easy to maneuver, had lots of seating and shade, and was a perfect family outing for the afternoon. 

After mooring the boat, we went to the resort’s large pool area, where my kids played in the water and made new friends. Secluded behind tall palm trees, the pool is a tropical oasis, with lots of seating, a Jacuzzi, and a bar. Each day, the pool area offers a free kids program for hotel guests. 

Next to the pool is also a video arcade, full of free games for kids and their parents. My son and I had a great time here, shooting basketballs, racing cars and playing foosball. 

From the pool, we walked along a lush, tropical path to Oceana Coastal Kitchen, the resort’s onsite signature restaurant. Boasting beachfront dining, with spectacular views of Mission Bay, Oceana serves creative, coastal California dishes with an eclectic flare. The restaurant, led by Executive Chef Paul Arias, won TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Restaurants for Everyday Eats, ranking 10^th best in the U.S. 

Our dinner at Oceana began with a delicious bowl of New England style clam chowder, with bacon, red bliss potato, thyme, cream, and steamed little neck clams on top and mixed in. I am a major chowder fan and this bowl had the perfect amount of creaminess, along with clam and potato ratio, making it one of the best I’ve had. 

The restaurant also specializes in sushi and when we sampled the Oceana House Roll, we fell in love. The rolls are exquisitely filled with eel, tempura shrimp, crab, nori, avocado and unagi sauce. This dish is a work of culinary art. 

We completed our dinner at Oceana with a succulent grilled prime hanger steak with smoked potato puree, watercress, cippolini and macadamia chimichurri; and  a tasty Hawaiian style pad thai with stir fried vegetables, tofu, pineapple, chili, macadamia nuts, cilantro and soy. 

After dinner we strolled along the beach and watched the sun fall into Mission Bay. 

The next morning we had potatoes and eggs, and a plate of Chilaquiles for breakfast at Oceana, and then rented a surrey bike from Action Sports Rentals. We then pedaled around the bay. Along the way we saw sailboarders fling over waves, and then stopped at a park for the kids to play. 

Back at the resort we watched a demonstration featuring the hotel’s exotic parrots,  

including vibrant macaws, beautiful cockatoos, and a lilac-crowned amazon. Some of the birds talk and can say things like “hi,” “hello” and “goodbye.” The parrots are available to view outside daily, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. pacific time, depending on the weather.

We concluded the day at the resort’s Sunset Luau. Held on the shores of Mission Bay, the luaus are a festive celebration of Polynesian food, music, and dances perfect for family and friends. The party begins with a lei with real flowers and a delicious Mai Tai. This was followed by an all-you-can-eat buffet with Hawaiian-inspired rice and salads and various succulent meats, including pork, chicken and fish. 

Local luau group Pride of Polynesia provided authentic island music and dance, featuring hula and fiery torch dancers. Kids also got a chance to hula dance and participate in activities at the Kids Corner, where they made flowered leis, festive crafts, colored and played with stick-on tattoos.

Catamaran Resort and Spa is located at 3999 Mission Boulevard, San Diego Ca 92109. For more information and reservations call 858. 488-1081 or visit: www.catamaranresort.com

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After years of long winter months with nonstop rain and a sun which refused to shine, I packed up my car in Seattle and followed the sun to the warmth of San Diego. I was not disappointed; the city was blessed with 12 months of sunshine with an average temperature between 55 to 75 degrees. Plus, it is now a model for urban renewal where having a car isn’t even necessary. Never-the-less, I would think of my family living in my ancestral homeland of Washington State often. While exploring San Diego’s infinite treasures, I lamented that I always seemed just too busy to explore the wonders in my own home state. My brother-in-law suggested that I should check out the Palouse, a sweeping pastoral area in the eastern region of the state. It’s a four-season destination, he added, and in the spring and fall the sun is always out. Then he said something that really stuck with me: ‘It is paradise found.’ Next family vacation I was off and running.

First Stop — Spokane

Nestled on the far eastern border of the state, Spokane was originally the home of The Spokans (“children of the sun”), who were drawn to the hunting grounds and abundance of salmon in the Spokane River. This changed with the arrival of the first European settlers who established a trading post and eventually a railroad industry that built the city.

Spokane — now the second largest city in Washington — was put on the national radar when it hosted the world’s first environmentally themed World’s Fair in Expo ’74. The event transformed the city’s urban core, removing the rail yard along the river, converting it into the 100-acre Riverfront Park, the centerpiece of the fair. Its legacy remains today with many of the attractions still in use.

On what was a perfect Sunday afternoon, I strolled through the park, watching families frolicking on the Looff Carrousel and the Skyride which glides over the Spokane Falls. As I branched out into the city, it was easy to see that Spokane boasts the best of both worlds: a setting in spectacular natural beauty, but with a plethora of urban pleasures of a re-invented downtown, restaurants, book stores and vibrant nightlife thanks to the presence of Whitworth and Gonzaga Universities. I was hungry to see more. So I rented a car for an exploration of the Spokane Region, where I discovered a world of ancient cedar forests, pristine rivers, quaint small towns, deserted ghost towns and scores of golf courses.

Where to Stay in Spokane: The Davenport Hotel

The iconic Davenport Hotel is a grand hotel of the gilded age. It helped transform Spokane’s dying city core into a vibrant destination where people have returned to live. The district is even named the Davenport Arts District. With that said, it is well-worth a self-guided tour, but it can be hard on the pocketbook.

The Montvale Hotel

A pleasant alternative to the Davenport is just down the street: The Montvale Hotel. On a much smaller scale than The Davenport, this property has re-imagined itself as a premier boutique hotel with a modern twist, while still maintaining the ambience of the downtown’s bygone era. If you’re in town just for the day, it too rates a tour.

On to the Palouse — The Seven Wonders of Washington State

In October 1805, Lewis and Clark arrived in the Palouse region. They were stunned by the beauty and magnitude of this sweeping landscape of rolling hills and plateaus. As with other tribes on their historic exploration, they made friends with the nomadic Palus tribe, renowned as expert equestrians. The term Appaloosa is a derivation of the Palouse horse. Traditionally, the Palouse region was defined as the fertile hills and prairies north of the Snake River in southeast Washington and north central Idaho.

Today The Palouse Scenic Byway combines 208 miles of sweeping hills and spectacular vistas, expansive wheat fields of amber autumn gold, lentil farmlands, and small towns with distinctive, rich history and unpretentious charm.

There is no center to the Palouse Scenic Byway; it is a place to simply leisurely drive along the gentle curving highways, sprinkled with antique shops, wineries, easy access venues for hiking and biking, and, above all, photography. If you ever needed to stop the world and simply relax, this is the place for it.

Selected Stops

Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is a restored dairy barn surrounded by a fence consisting of more than 1000 wagon wheels. Here you can watch local artisans at work. It’s also a great place to shop for regional gifts. Then head down the road to the historic St. Boniface Catholic Church (circa 1904). The church houses the original stained glass windows.

From Kamiak Butte’s 3,641 feet crest travelers enjoy awesome panoramic views of the Palouse’s rolling hills, and a patchwork of the fields and farmlands below. Its 298 acres is ideal for hiking, picnicking, camping, and sightseeing. For wildlife viewing, the Kamiak Butte area features over 130 species of birds, 170 species of plants, and close to 30 species of mammals. Make sure you hike to the crest for unsurpassed photography opportunities.

Steptoe Butte presents a spectacular 360 degree view of the Palouse. Drive or hike the three miles to the top of the 3,618 feet butte for bird watching, hang-gliding, paragliding, photography, and picnicking.

The Snake River Trail, nestled at Boyer Park & Marina, is a four mile trail that leads to the banks of historic Almota Creek, which was a resting place for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail offers a series of interpretive signs explaining the Columbia and Snake River’s system, dams, river geology, and hydroelectric power.

A hidden oasis rests a short drive off the byway:  the Palouse Falls State Park.  The off-the-beaten-path will lead you to stunning views of waterfalls, cascading 198 feet into a round salt-rock canyon. Just outside the park is a small cluster of historical basalt houses and cabins.

Other highlights include the J.C. Barron Flour Mill, built in 1890; the Tekoa Train Trestle that leads to the John Wayne Trail; the Rosalia Visitor Center, housed in a historic Texaco gas station; the four-acre Steptoe Battlefield State Park in Rosalia, the 1858 site where Lt. Col. E.J. Steptoe led 159 U.S. soldiers in a running fight with a large band of Spokan, Palouse and Coeur D’Alene American Indians. Make sure your day ends or evening begins with a visit to one of the many wineries or pubs in Pullman.

Pullman — My Home Base

With a population of 27,030, the charming town of Pullman is similar to the much larger Spokane with spectacular natural beauty surrounding its core, plus offering urban amenities due to Washington State University towering above it. It’s also located right smack in the middle of The Palouse. There’s a refreshing small town feel, and the locals are welcoming and excited that you are exploring their area. Just across the river is the university town of Moscow, Idaho that also makes an attractive home base.

A number of Pullman restaurants have embraced the slow food movement with the emphasis on seasonal and locally grown food. With bread made from local wheat, produce from nearby farms, Cougar Cheese made at WSU, and fish from the Snake and Columbia Rivers, you are quite literally tasting the landscape.

Recommended Pullman Restaurants

Southfork Public House is the brain child of co-owner Jim Harbour, who is also a professor at WSU. Utilizing regional ingredients, it is known for its wine and beer pairings with seasonal local food items. My favorite dish: MAC & CHEESE — penne noodles tossed in WSU-made Cougar Gold cheese sauce, topped with locally smoked bacon & seasonal scallions. The torpedo-like grissini, made with Palouse wheat, is ideal for dunking.

The Black Cypress is a venue that reflects the qualities of the Palouse region that have kept people living here. A hybrid of Greek and local food items, owner Nick Pitsilionis places an emphasis on an appreciation for honest regional food, company and drink. Many of the produce items come from his own farm. A hybrid of Greek and local food items,  many of the produce items are grown on his own farm. My favorite dish: GOLDEN LENTIL SOUP — Washington is the US’ leading producer of lentils — served with seasonal bruschetta that consists of grilled local Panhandle Bakery bread made with Palouse Sheppard’s Wheat.

Where to Stay in Pullman

A Holiday Inn may not seem regional or unique, but there’s something about Pullman’s Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites that takes service and amenities to the next level. And even better, with many self-guided tours beginning and ending in Pullman, the Palouse is right at your doorstep.

Southwest Airlines offers non-stop flights from Seattle to Spokane.

Pullman Chamber of Commerce

The Palouse Scenic Byway

Visit Spokane

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Located at 5,174 feet above sea level in the San Bernardino Mountains, the 173-room Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa sits on the edge of one of California’s most beautiful bodies of water. The property resembles a modern alpine chalet and exudes an historic lake atmosphere. 

Our deluxe room at the resort was perfect for the family. We had two queen beds, an office desk with complimentary WiFi, a large screen TV, big bathroom with a tub and shower, mini-fridge and microwave, and lots of storage space for our clothes and supplies. 

The best thing about our room was the balcony overlooking the lake and private beach. From here we could see birds playing in the tall pine trees, boats bobbing in the water, and beautiful lake-front mansions lining the rocky shores. 

When not in our room, we were exploring the rest of the resort. One of our favorite spots was the grand lobby, which features timber walls, Native Serrano Indian art, and a large stone fireplace, crackling amidst cozy leather chairs and sofas. 

The lobby is a great place for families because every night it offers special programs for kids. During our visit, a real-life “elf,” dressed in green clothes and long striped socks, read books, told stories and played games with the little ones. My kids loved it! Besides elves and other characters reading books, the resort also shows kid-friendly movies nightly at 6pm and at 8pm. 

Another fun spot is the resort’s private beach where guests can relax on deck chairs, play in the water, barbecue on the sand, and admire the lake. In winter guests can also frolic in the snow. 

A five-minute walk from the resort is Lake Arrowhead Village, a charming little shopping area with numerous unique shops, a McDonalds and a Stater Brothers grocery store. A walking path surrounding the village lets you get close to the lake to see fish and feed ducks. I recommend bringing a piece of bread or a cracker for the ducks because there are lots of them and they are always hungry. 

While strolling around the village, we got a good view of how big and beautiful the lake is. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains on Little Bear Creek, Lake Arrowhead is an artificial lake with a surface area of approximately 780 acres, a shoreline covering 14 miles and a maximum depth of about 185 feet. It is surrounded by the unincorporated community of Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County, California.

The lake was formed by the construction of Lake Arrowhead Dam in 1922 by the Arrowhead Lake Company, as part of a plan to develop the area into a resort. The private lake is operated by the Arrowhead Lake Association, which maintains the lake for the recreational use of its members.

After touring the village we walked back to the resort for lunch at BIN189, the hotel’s award-winning gourmet restaurant, which serves creative “up-scale mountain cuisine,” accented with Mediterranean flavors. Led by Chef Krista Stone, the menus showcase locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted dishes.

For lunch we enjoyed blackened shrimp tacos with avocado, garlic aïoli, marinated onions and jalapeños, on corn tortillas. We also experienced fish and chips, with pale ale battered halibut, fries, and lemon garlic tartar sauce; and a Bin 189 Burger with bacon jam, tomato aioli, and wisconsin cheddar on a brioche bun. 

After lunch we relaxed in the resort’s outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, which both overlook the lake. We then discovered the game room, where we played ping pong, air hockey and foosball. 

For dinner we were back at BIN189 for a delicious meal highlighted by boneless, braised short ribs with mashed potatoes; mushroom ravioli with fried basil; and seared miso salmon miso with honey garlic glaze, jasmine rice and asparagus. 

We concluded the day in the lobby with a live show called “Fun with Forest Friends,” that was led by a friendly elf, who read books and played games with all the kids staying at the resort.   

Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa Renovation is located at 27984 Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead, 92352. For more info, current specials and reservations call (909) 336-1511 or visit: www.lakearrowheadresort.com

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Prohibition Museum, Savannah, Georgia:
When alcohol went from savior to sinful – and back again

The entrance way immediately transforms you to the era just preceding Prohibition from 1920-1933. A larger-than-life 1918 street scene of a truck transporting alcohol being prevented from moving by an angry crowd of protesters sporting signs reading “Liquor is a curse,” “Alcohol is poison” and “Bread not beer.” The protesters somehow felt uncomfortably reminiscent of today…

Welcome to Savannah, Georgia’s Prohibition Museum, the only museum of its kind in the country, where you don’t just learn about prohibition, you actually re-live it. The visit is only one of the many enticing excursions aboard American Cruise Lines Intra-Coastal Waterway Cruise from Amelia Island, FL to Charleston, SC – also the only cruise of its kind in the country.

Back to the immersive 1920’s, famed evangelist Billy Sunday is railing against “King Alcohol,” loudly proclaiming Savannah as the wickedest city in the world. Life-size re-enactments of the many facets of prohibition from the massive attempts to rid the sinners of demon drink to the creative efforts of moonshiners to replenish the loss greet you around every corner. Political cartoons lining the walls elucidate the conflict: what caused prohibition, how people responded to it, got around it and eventually over-rode it. Vintage newsreels – for example, of a coast guard vessel chasing a rum runner boat – further bring the era to life.

As I made my way through, I was mesmerized by how clever the whole presentation was. “Moderation is the key, not prohibition,” says August Busch, of the famed Anheiser-Busch Company. Literally says! He’s just a picture on the wall before he starts talking. And then gets into a fiery debate with a lady of the Temperance League several picture frames down. They really go at it. How can you not delight in such an imaginative historical spectacle!

The 18th Amendment prevailed enabling barrel bashing and bottle breaking while the economy itself tanked. People out of jobs, taxes lost, manufacturing hobbled – pretty sobering news, I’d say… But there were those who thrived. Al Capone, for instance. Also Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Moran and their compatriots.

Observed Capone: “When I sell liquor, it’s called bootlegging; when my patrons serve it on Lake Shore Drive, it’s called hospitality.”

A separate observation came from famous raconteur Will Rogers: “During prohibition it was said tailors would ask customers what size pockets they wanted: pints or quarts. “And others found ways around the restrictions. Pharmacists issued prescriptions for liquor for “medicinal purposes.” Take three ounces every hour for stimulant until stimulated. Doctor’s Orders.

And, of course, moonshiners across the country reaped in the prophits from the grain alcohol produced secretly at night. Ergo, the famous moniker. Another of the life-size exhibits had one such backwoods culprit talking directly to us about his business. Eerie – and effective!

The tour ends at a nondescript wooden door – somewhat imposing – but what kind of Prohibition Museum would it be without a speakeasy. Immediately, you know you need a password. A knock brings a small open slit in the door with a pair of menacing, shifty eyes behind it and a growl that says, “Who sent you?” The temptation, of course, is to say, “Al did,” until you notice scratchy chalk marks close by with Al crossed out and an admonition to say Gus. So you say Gus, and the voice behind the eyes mumbles something and then says okay. And in you go. The menu includes a long list of libations famous at the time and the modern versions they most represent. I had a Mary Pickford and my husband, the much-revered prohibition Boilermaker. Apparently fancy cocktails were the norm as bartenders had to get creative in order to mask the taste of poor-quality liquor. But at least these drinks were legal!

Throughout the bar, not surprisingly, are newspaper headlines announcing the end of prohibition: Happy Days are Beer Again and Sober City Hails Liquors Return. And apparently, the ramifications of that era exist today – at least according to the museum. There’s a whole section celebrating the fact that moonshine runners were the origin of Nascar. Not entirely sure how I feel about that particular legacy….

And like every other museum tour in the world, there is a gift shop with the de rigueur t-shirts that say: “Alcohol will not solve your problems (but neither will milk)” and “Technically speaking, beer is a solution.” Some teetotalers might regret the failure of the Prohibition Era but for one, a Fireball aficionado, certainly do not. For more information, contact americancruiselines.com; americanprohibitionmuseum.com.

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I looked tentatively at the load of shrimp, blue crabs, gar, sea trout and other nameless denizens of the deep as they were dropped into the boat. I volunteered to hold one even more tentatively — much more tentatively. But then I was making eye contact with a very cute sting ray and I’m pretty sure we had a moment.

My trip upon the Lady Jane Shrimp Boat in Jekyll Island, Georgia, in which naturalist Jeffrey explains the whole process of commercial net trolling and the many water creatures they catch along the way -several of which became fast friends — is but one of the many adventures to be had on the American Cruise Line Historic South and Golden Isles Intra-Coastal Waterway Cruise from Amelia Island, Florida to Charleston, South Carolina.

We learned a lot about the mouths, gills and tails of individual fish which I actually found more interesting than I would have expected. There are some very weird fish tales out there! But take time to look up at the flocks of birds following the boat. They knew what we had on board.

Overheard from a colleague on the way back to the ship: “If they wouldn’t serve us all that shrimp at meals, we wouldn’t have to go out and catch more….”

So we might as well first discuss mealtimes aboard the American Eagle. Maybe mealtime is more applicable because you can literally eat 24/7. There’s an Early Riser breakfast before the dining room breakfast; there’s a pretty much all day cafe in the Sky Lounge bracketing the more formal lunches and dinners; Cookie time at 10 and 3 provides obviously very necessary sustenance in between meals; one would think the cocktail hour and hors d’ouevres prior to dinner might interfere with the more than generous dinner options but of course that doesn’t happen — and an hour later, no one skimps on the open bar, ice cream treats and popcorn that accompany the evening entertainment. Did I mention that snacks and beverages are available 24/7 in the Sky Lounge?

Rest assured there’s a Fitness Room to counter all those calories but seriously, no one goes there. The saving grace? All meals come in half-portions, which themselves are more than sufficient in this close to 5-star restaurant.

The staff — who are not allowed to accept gratuities — are still remarkably agreeable. How often do you request a drink at an establishment that they don’t carry — and by the next night, it’s there? So it was with my Fireball. Need I remind you that we were on a ship at the time? Just as an aside, this ship — accommodating only about 100 passengers — is part of the only line in the world offering small US ships that operate like river cruises along US coasts.

If you can find time in between all the food, multiple daily excursions are offered to St. Simon and Jekyll Islands, Savannah, Hilton Head, Beaufort and Charleston.

On the trolley tour of Savannah, a city I’ve never been to before. I wasn’t expecting much, just another nice southern town. I was admittedly skeptical when the trolley driver started the tour by claiming that Savannah is the most fascinating town in America — but by the time the tour ended 90 minutes later, I was in total agreement.

The constant patter from Miss Pearl brought this historic wonderland to life. The picturesque streets just begging to be strolled upon with singular homes and stores; houses dating back to the 1700 and 1800’s with architectural flourishes of graceful, lace-like iron-work adorning balconies, columns and brackets. Wraparound porches adorned with decorative balustrades and whimsically designed gingerbreading give each structure its personal charm and distinction.

So much history visible right in front of you, peppered everywhere with almost two dozen parks and squares, ennobled by a famous statue. Even chain stores such as Starbucks, Five Guys and CVS blend into the historic ambiance. Surrounding the immersive history are huge oak trees, their gnarled branches dripping with Spanish Moss, forming canopies over the streets. I laughed when I passed a sign declaring “Savannah’s Historic District.” Kind of felt redundant at best.

The next mode of transportation was a golf cart traversing Pat Conroy country. You probably ought to know the author of The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, The Water is Wide and others to appreciate even the idea of such an excursion. I qualified. But even if you’re not familiar with his books, you may be with the many movies made of them, all of which take place in the city where he lived. Beaufort, SC is another historic small town, with houses from the 1700’s, that delights even without the Pat Conroy connection.

Nor are they the only movies for which the town is famous – and whose settings are great fun to visit. Perhaps you’ve heard of Forrest Gump? Maybe even The Big Chill? Forces of Nature with Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock? Glory with Denzel Washington? You pass scenes from the movies, houses the stars rented during filming, and the chocolate shop whose candies filled the famous box of chocolates Forrest Gump ate in the infamous bench scene.

A visit to the Prohibition Museum doesn’t teach you about that era – you instead inhabit it. From one life-size, immersive exhibit to another, you viscerally experience the hows and whys of alcohol’s early 20th century journey from poison to party staple.

And should you wish to stay on board — few people do, no matter their disabilities — ship activities abound. There’s Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader; movie trivia; an Outrageous Laws game – you probably didn’t know that in Alabama, it is illegal to drive while wearing a blindfold — and the ever-popular Boozy Bingo. As silly and/or intimidating as they may sound, they are always fun. And the same can be said of the whole cruise!

For more information, visit americancruiseline.com.

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Denali National Park is larger than the state of Massachusetts and tenderly watched over by Denali — “the high one” — at over 20,000 feet the highest mountain in North America.Weather can be an issue. For current conditions, please follow this link here: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

On an African safari, the goal is to spot the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, cape buffalo. In Alaska, the concept is the same — just the names are different: moose, bear, wolf, caribou and Dall sheep. But when we initially stopped to see a rabbit — okay, our guide called it a Snowshoe Hare — I thought, “This is not a good sign.” And in truth, you can’t always accurately decipher what you see in the distance: snow fills are mistaken for sheep; large boulders for bears. Hopes rise and are dashed and the guide takes refuge in another Snowshoe Hare.

But this is a tour for the long haul — and you’re not likely to be disappointed. And even more impressive, our driver/guide, with infectious enthusiasm, kept up a constant patter covering vegetation, history, animal lore, Alaska peccadilloes, personal experiences and other tantalizing tidbits for more than five hours. The fact that it was still interesting by that fifth hour is even more of a phenomenal accomplishment. The running commentary that accompanied our guide’s driving along narrow, winding roads clutching the mountainside while he rapidly gazed right and left for any movement that might indicate animal activity was a heroic act of multi-tasking I didn’t want to think too much about.

And there was always something to see –over the course of the tour, we saw numerous Dall sheep, occasional moose, caribou (the North American relative to the reindeer),the ubiquitous snowshoe hares, of course, and other native wildlife. And should the animals play hard to get for a period of time, just lifting your eyes to the proverbial snow-capped mountains in the distance is enough to keep you enthralled until the next native creature reveals itself.

Because the bus is so big, the sound of recognition travels like a wave from front to back — and there’s always a risk the animal the front has viewed is gone by the time the back of the bus catches up. But never fear. On the off-chance you miss the mama moose and her calf or the Dall sheep straddling a steep slope, it will magically appear on the TV screens lowered above the seats in the bus. Close-up images from the driver’s video camera are reflected on the drop-down screens. I was torn between resenting seeing my”in the wild” Alaska wildlife resembling a Discovery Channel documentary and feeling grateful I could see them at all — and close up at that.

But, in truth, I was in it for the bears. Earlier in the trip, I had discovered that we were there too early in the year (June instead of July) for the peak running season of the sockeye salmon and, therefore, too early for the bears to gather around the streams just waiting for those happily spawning salmon to fly into their mouths. My own mouth had been watering at the very thought of watching such a spectacle.

So once in Denali, I hoped at least to finally get my chance to see bears. Our guide kept reassuring us we would certainly see grizzlies, but by hour number five, when only a glimpse of brown had been seen once in the far distance, he finally, guiltily, sorrowfully, very apologetically acknowledged that maybe we wouldn’t this trip.

And then suddenly, the cry went out — waves of wows traveled along the bus — as a momma and two bear cubs came into view. “Hallelujah,” cried one excited passenger; “Thank goodness, we paid $5000 to see that critter,” noted another. Our guide admitted he was getting quite nervous — only 20 times in 18 seasons had he not seen a bear. It was far away and it clearly wasn’t catching any fish, but I did feel some sense of vindication.

At the end of the trip, our guide played back the video that captured the highlights of our bus trip from hare to bear and all the other denizens of Denali in between: the many Dall sheep, mama moose with twins, caribou, golden eagle, ground squirrels, ptarmigans(the state bird) and, of course, the bears. We just missed Alaska’s Big Five by one wolf. Not surprisingly, like the ubiquitous gift shop at the end of every museum tour, the video was for sale.

But Denali was only one stop on the Gray Line escorted Alaska Explorer Tour. There were also glaciers and mountains and gold mining history and native cultures and whale watching tours and frontier towns and backcountry plus a myriad of experiences I’ve had nowhere else.In the process, I learned to appreciate not only America’s Last Frontier but the hardy, independent-minded people who inhabit it. Still next time, I want to see more bears.

For more information, visit https://www.denaliparkvillage.com/tours/tundra-wilderness-tour or call 888-452-1737.88-452-1737.

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