Of all the things that fuel my love for travel,
including exciting destinations and new cultures, I think the interesting people
I meet top my list. It doesn't matter where I go; people want to share
their stories. Maybe I have one of those
faces, or give off a vibe of approachability, but people always seem to strike
up conversations with me. On a plane, in
an elevator, at the hotel lounge, at a tourist destination or in a restaurant,
I always seem to have the privilege of listening to weird and wonderful people
share fascinating tales of insight, heartache, triumph, joy, tragedy, success,
and failure. And sometimes they just
want to bitch about life!
On a
recent business trip to Seattle, I spent an evening exploring Pike’s Place
Market and stopped by the Hard Rock Café for sustenance…and a rock and roll
memorabilia fix! As I scanned the bar
for a seat, a kind looking woman spotted me and said she would move her purse
to make room for me. We started to chat
and she shared her story. Her 17-year-old
son is a bull rider. He was trampled by
a bull, and subsequently spent the last
month in a Seattle hospital getting the specialized medical care he needed to
save his life. The woman’s husband and
three daughters were back in Montana holding down the home front while she
cared for and supported her ailing son 500 miles from home. As I bid the woman good-bye, she headed to Pike’s
Market to buy flowers for the nurses at the hospital. She wanted to show her gratitude for the
loving care they were giving her son. My hat's off to the mother of the young
bull rider from Missoula, Montana. Your courage, resilience and gratitude
touched my heart.Friday, October 2, 2015
Thursday, July 24, 2014
A Monumental Afternoon
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| McKinley Monument Canton, Ohio |
Canton, Ohio will be bustling this week as football
enthusiasts from all over the country will teem into the city to partake in the
myriad activities planned for the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement
Festival. While the Pro Football Hall of
Fame should not be missed, don’t overlook the The William McKinley Presidential
Library and Museum during your stay.
There you will find many interesting artifacts related to
the life and times of President William McKinley (the 25th President
of the United States) and his family. I
was lucky enough on my visit to be paired with a wonderful docent named Carl
Patron, who shared fascinating stories about the McKinley’s as they related to
the items on display.
If you are a “Pawn Stars” fan, you may remember a recent
episode featuring Ida McKinley’s now famous diamond tiara. The tiara was
purchased by Rick Harrison, co-owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las
Vegas for $43,000. Mr. Harrison was
planning to use the special tiara to raise
money for the National Epilepsy Foundation. According to Mr. Patron, “Ida McKinley had
epilepsy and so does Rick Harrison.” In
order to return the tiara to its rightful home, Rick Harrison agreed to sell
the tiara to the museum for the price he paid for it.
 |
| Ida McKinley's Diamond Tiara |
For the star gazers in your group, consider visiting the
Hoover-Price Planetarium during your time at the museum. Although the presentation lacked star quality, the equipment and
depiction of the night sky were out of this world.
The exercise enthusiast in your group will enjoy climbing
the 108 steps of the McKinley Monument to view the final resting place of
President William McKinley. The
impressive monument resides over the city and is a tribute to the President who
called Canton, Ohio his home.
 |
| McKinley Monument |
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Walk Like A Parisian
Bountiful bins full of colorful produce, fragrant flower
bouquets, the aromatic scent of fresh baked baguette, a vast array of cheese
and other gastronomic delights; too many to choose from. You will find all this and so much more as
you stroll the narrow cobblestoned street that is Rue Mouffetard.
Located in the 5th arrondissement, of Paris,
Rue Mouffetard is the quintessential Parisian experience. It is here that the locals catch up with
their neighbors, pick up their daily baguette, and purchase a variety of fresh
groceries for their dinner.
Known as one of the most reputable and renowned
pedestrian streets in Paris, Rue Mouffetard is the perfect place for visitors
to truly experience life like a Parisian.
From wine shops to chocolatiers, lively sidewalk cafes to street vendors
pedaling freshly made crepes; everything your heart and palate desire can be
found on the famed Rue Mouffetard. It is
a truly enjoyable experience you won’t want to miss. The next time you are in
Paris, take a walk on Rue Mouffetard and walk like a Parisian!
If
you go:
Take Metro 7: Les Gobelins / Place Monge.
Tuesday
to Saturday 7am-1pm for groceries
10
am-6 pm for shops, cafes, and restaurants
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Reims, France: Architecture, History, Champagne!
With its 13th-century gothic cathedral, its rich historical significance, and its vast array of champagne caves, the city of Reims makes a great day trip from Paris. Located 80 miles north-east of Paris, in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, this historic city is easy to reach by car or high speed train.
Rising up from the cobblestone streets in the center of the city is the magnificent Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral. Known as the coronation cathedral of France, French kings were crowned here for centuries. The cathedral itself boasts many historical treasures including exceptional statuary, rich tapestries, and amazing stained glass windows.
I personally enjoyed my visit to this cathedral better than Notre-Dame de Paris. It was far less crowded and touristy. Not to mention the fact that the Chagall stained glass windows are beautiful!
Although Reims has a modern day feel, it is a city steeped in history. On what was formerly a 4th century Roman chalk quarry, and later the site of The Saint Nicaise Abbey run by 13th century monks, Champagne Taittinger now makes it mark on history and wine making.
A tour of the champagne caves is well worth the trip and lasts about an hour. As you descend into the caves, you take the same journey into the cellars the early monks did before you, as they carefully crafted their wines. True to tradition, every bottle of champagne stored here today is still hand turned and cared for with exacting detail for a minimum of six years prior to being released for distribution.
Although many champagne houses in Reims offer tours, the Champagne Taittinger tour is excellent and available on a walk-in basis. Tours are offered in English as well as French, morning and afternoon. Check local listings for the tour schedule.
 |
| Notre-Dame de Reims |
 |
| Chagall Stained Glass- Notre-Dame de Reims |
Although Reims has a modern day feel, it is a city steeped in history. On what was formerly a 4th century Roman chalk quarry, and later the site of The Saint Nicaise Abbey run by 13th century monks, Champagne Taittinger now makes it mark on history and wine making.
 |
| Hand-carved stairway circa 13th century |
 |
| Champagne Taittinger storage process |
 |
| Champagne Taittinger caves |
Although many champagne houses in Reims offer tours, the Champagne Taittinger tour is excellent and available on a walk-in basis. Tours are offered in English as well as French, morning and afternoon. Check local listings for the tour schedule.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Not For Those of Nervous Disposition!
 |
| The Catacombs |
 |
| Bone display inside The Catacombs |
Although far older than 228 years, The Catacombs were officially blessed and consecrated in April 1786. It was then that city officials deemed the above ground cemeteries a public health hazard due to overcrowding.
Taking two years, and thousands of man hours, the bones from the Cimetiere des Innocents graveyard were transferred to this unique underground golgotha. Subsequent transfers from additional boneyards are represented in this gruesome crypt below the city.
 |
| Bones from St. Jean Cemetery |
Today, The Catacombs are officially part of the History of Paris Museum. They showcase millions of years of geological history, as well as the charnel house holding the remains of over six million Parisian souls. The bones are stacked and arranged in provocative displays in an attempt to honor the lives of those entombed here.
 |
| Inside The Catacombs of Paris |
If you go:
- Plan to arrive early. For safety reasons only 200 visitors are allowed in the tunnels at one time. Crowds circle the block waiting to purchase tickets for this intriguing tour.
- There are no restrooms once inside The Catacombs. Be sure to use the washroom before you go.
- The Catacombs are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5 PM. Closed Mondays and public holidays.
- Wear good walking shoes. A steep winding staircase takes you into The Catacombs, and once inside there is a 2 kilometer walk through the ossuary.
Monday, February 24, 2014
A Few of Our Favorite Places
By
Sharon
McKarns and Kendra Thornton
With all the great options
available for travel these days it can be difficult to choose where to go and
what to do when you get there. Some of the best places I have visited were
recommendations from friends, fellow bloggers, and travel experts who have been
through the trenches looking for that perfect trip or outing. Travel expert
Kendra Thornton and I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite
places with you.
Family Fun on the Strip by Kendra Thornton
Las Vegas is both a great place
to live and a spectacular destination for a family vacation. There is literally
so much to do here that you might find yourself feeling a little torn about
what to experience next. Don't waste a single minute of your trip trying to
decide.
Learn to Golf Like Tiger Woods
When my husband and his buddies
tried this, they had a great time! Tiger’s swing coach, Butch Harmon himself,
teaches the Butch Harmon School of Golf
in the Rio Secco Golf Club. While his expert staff heads most classes, Mr.
Harmon teaches in person once per year in three-day stretches. This activity
can be purchased along with a stay at Caesar's Palace, and transportation is
included. It's an ideal surprise for the man in your life, and it gives you an
excuse to hit the spa!
Unique and Interesting Museums
Despite the plethora of casinos
and bars, Las Vegas isn't lacking in the finer things. With a variety of unique
and interesting museums to visit, you'll find it easy to get your culture fix.
My kids really enjoyed the Discovery
Children's Museum. I particularly enjoyed the Neon Museum downtown, which
is an outdoor attraction designed like an artistic junkyard. It features
walkways, ramps and stairways that do a great job of highlighting the city's
neon tradition. Another great place to visit is the National Atomic Testing
Museum, only 65 miles from the Nevada nuclear test site.
Rock Star Mini Golf
My children are huge fans of
miniature golf, and I love taking them to new and interesting courses. Although
Myrtle Beach features pirates and dinosaurs, Las Vegas is home to Monster Mini
Golf's KISS course, a tribute to one of America's greatest rock bands. Here,
you'll find 18 holes of KISS-themed glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf. The
course consists of monstrous electric guitars, an animated imitation of the
group and a 12-foot Gene Simmons head to putt the ball into.
Family Vs. Food
Las Vegas affords ample
opportunity to engage in your own version of Man vs. Food, so be sure to come
very, very hungry. In the BRAND Steakhouse at the Monte Carlo, you can choose
to take on a whopping 7.5 pounds of steak, which comes with two special sauces
and a side dish. At a staggering $250, you have every incentive to finish it
all, because it's free if you do. The Monte Carlo also offers another
challenge: an 8-pound burger. It's so much fun to watch people test their
mastication mettle with these delicious challenges!
Las Vegas is truly a unique place
with one of a kind attractions and restaurants. Even the hotels are unique and
new ones are being built seemingly everyday. With so many options of places to stay,
sites like Gogobot make it easy to read user reviews so you can find the
perfect hotel for you and your family.
Beauty and Adventure in the Red Rocks
by Sharon McKarns
As one of my favorite
places to visit, Sedona, Arizona has something to offer everyone. There is plenty to do to keep you amazed,
entertained and challenged during your visit to this unique, world class
destination. You can bask in the glory of a beautiful sunset as it reflects off
the majestic red rocks of Sedona, or you can enjoy one of these great
activities:
The
Verde Valley Wine Trail
Sedona is a great
starting point to indulge your passion for wine in Northern Arizona. You can
visit one of several exceptional wineries in the region including Alcantara Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, Oak Creek Vineyards, and Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery. All four stops offer a unique variety of
wines to satisfy any taste. Consider
taking a tour with your girlfriends, or quench your palate with that special
someone in your life. The Verde Valley
Wine Trail makes for a great day or weekend!
The
Verde Canyon Railroad
 |
| Verde Canyon Railroad |
Slide Rock State Park
Beat the heat as you experience the exhilaration of cool mountain water thrusting you down the natural rock water slide at Slide Rock State Park, in Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona. Just a short drive from Sedona, Slide Rock is a thrilling way to spend the day with family and friends. Pack a picnic and enjoy the picturesque surroundings of northern Arizona. Don’t forget to take your bathing suit and a pair of water shoes. You’ll be glad you did. If you go, plan to arrive early as the park often fills to capacity.
Sedona is a scenic, extraordinary destination with noteworthy resorts, restaurants and activities. Visitors from all over the world savour the beauty of the red rocks and all that northern Arizona has to offer.
Now that we have shared a few of our favorite places, feel free to comment and share some of your favorite places. We would love to hear from you.
Contributing writer, Kendra
Thornton, appears as a travel expert on television stations across the country
to offer travel tips and deals to millions of people every year. She makes regular
appearances on ABC, NBC and CW stations in major cities such as New York, Los
Angeles and Chicago. She has also made special guest appearances on The Nate
Show, Fine Living Network and The Tyra Banks Show. Her firm, Thornton Public Relations LLC,
is an independent,
boutique public relations firm providing personal service and proven results.
The agency’s distinguished work ethic and deep industry knowledge have earned
it credibility with the media and respect from industry leaders. Contact Kendra
Thornton at:mail@thorntonpr.com
Sharon McKarns is a travel
writer eager to explore the world and share her travel experiences. Her goal is
to pack her blog with interesting stories, beautiful pictures and useful travel
information. Guest bloggers/contributing writers are encouraged to contact
Sharon at travelpacked@gmail.com. She is also on twitter: @travelpacked1.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
2013 Fiesta Bowl Parade
 |
| Fiesta Bowl Parade |
Onlookers lined the streets of Phoenix, AZ today to watch the 2013 Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade.
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| Fiesta Bowl Float |
Locals and visitors alike, including fans from Central Florida and Baylor, and Kansas State and Michigan cheered as floats and marching bands representing their teams passed by.
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| Tostitos Balloon Floats |
It was a beautiful day for a parade!
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