Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

BROTHER'S DONATION SAVES HIS SISTER'S LIFE AS WE CELEBRATE 30 MONTHS FROM OUR SCRIPPS TRANSPLANT Emotions run high as a donor is wheeled Tuesday to surgery, to cheers balloons, whistles and applause from Scripps staffers. (patient's face is blurred to respect his privacy. ) STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and CM Checking the donate box on your driver's license could make a difference to someone. WE THANK the gods every day that we are on the planet. This

Road trip wildflowers in Montana

Hollywood special effects master Andy Schoneberg and Christene Meyers at the dedication. Schoneberg did the bronze of Bruce Meyers. The three acted in several theatrical productions. Flanked by Andy Schoneberg's bronze of Bruce Kemp Meyers, his widow Christene "Cookie" Meyers welcomes an overflow crowd to the first of 10 "Bruce Bash" festivals honoring the late professor, in May of 1993. POET ALLEN GINSBERG HEADLINED GARDEN DEDICATION TO HONOR HIS ONE-TIME STUDENT Famed poet

Cookie's favorite Thanksgiving meal is not turkey -- although it is available on cruise ships and in many hotels catering to Americans on Thanksgiving. It's rare lamb chops with asparagus, lentils and a balsamic drizzle. Story By Christene Meyers Photos By Bruce Keller "The Carpe Diem Kids" TRAVEL IS FUN for us, and no part of travel is more pleasurable than exploring the gastronomic pleasures of far-away places. Especially on holidays, a special meal is a highlight of the t

Family reunion and birthday weekend for Cookie Meyers, center, featured 45 family and close friends for meals and music, and 20-plus popping in and out to share the celebration. Here, the clan gathers from seven states and beyond. The oldest member of the family-friend clan was 92 and the youngest four, for a span of 88 years -- like the piano's keys! Cookie surrenders to the "getting ready" crew as nieces Amarylla and Kira, right, fuss with make-up and a new hair do. Gifts

MY MOTHER WAS determined to visit Ireland and play piano in an Irish pub. I'm proud to say I helped make that happen before she passed in 2008.

The Northern Rockies offer one of America's most rewarding road trip adventures. From towering mountain peaks and crystal-clear rivers to historic towns and endless open landscapes, Montana's Big Sky Country invites travelers to slow down and explore. Whether you're searching for scenic drives, outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, or unforgettable photography opportunities, this region delivers breathtaking experiences in every season.

From towering mountain ranges and crystal-clear rivers to golden prairies and unforgettable sunsets, Montana's Big Sky Country is a paradise for nature lovers. Join us as we explore breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the peaceful beauty that makes Montana one of America's most inspiring travel destinations.

Wading, not quite walking, on the water, sisters Cookie, left, and Olivia, make their way to the wedding on Beverly Beach. Behind them, sister Misha and family friend Virginia join the wedding party for Kira and Mike. Flower girls sprinkle rose petals along the sand, making way for the bride and groom. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Gallavant: to go from place to place seeking out entertainment and amusement-- Oxford Dictionary THIS SUMMER -- more than an

Transplant tale: Miracle unfolds with donor's gift, crack hospital, grateful couple

Jazzercisers hit the Midway stage in San Diego Saturday, raising voices and big bucks in the fight against breast cancer.

Nick and Nora love huckelberry ice cream, a roadie treat in Julian, California which they visit twice a year. "Charley is a mind-reading dog. There have been many trips in his lifetime.....he knows we are going long before the suitcase comes out, and he paces and worries and whines, and goes into a state of mild hysteria. - John Steinbeck,'"Travels with Charley." STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" WE CAN'T imagine a road trip without Nick a

Good-bye Marlee: We will miss your sweet smile, music and precocious wit. SATURDAY MEMORIAL CELEBRATES BRIEF, LOVING LIFE OF MARLEE CLUFF Marlee Rebecca Cluff loved singing and dancing and pushing the envelope. In top photo, near the end of her life, she tried a new hair color. "It wasn't quite what I thought it would be," she confided. "I wanted more purple." Marlee loved to sing and dance, here with her mom's good friend and landlord, James Hayes, on bass. STORY By CHRISTE

A black bear leaned against our window, broke into our Montana home, ate an entire cube of butter, and left buttery paw prints on the glass while trying to escape. What began as a startling return home became a powerful reminder that in Montana, nature is never far away. This unforgettable wildlife encounter taught Cookie & Keller about wonder, respect, and living in harmony with the wild.

TIME IN THE COUNTRY YIELDS CONNECTION WITH FAR-AWAY COUSINS IN SETTING OF RURAL BEAUTY

MY GRANDMOTHER Olive loved hollyhocks. She was my mother's mum, and lived next door. She taught me to separate and save flower seeds each fall. Revered among her many flowers were the faithful hollyhocks. Dad's mother, Grannie Annie, loved her lilacs, too. I remember a large crystal bowl filled with those soft, circular blossoms -- sometimes a clutch of all-whites, other times a profusion of pinks, purples, reds.

Yellowstone Park in our back yard! Time for our annual nostalgic pilgrimage celebrating a world wonder. To drive it, we plan at least a three-hour journey -- to one of the park's five entrances. Our favorites are the stunning Beartooth Highway to the Northeast Entrance, or the less frightening, equally beautiful road to Cody, Wyo., and the park's East Entrance.

TOP LIFETIME SHOWS LINGER IN ARTS REVIEWER'S HEART, AS SHE SHAMELESSLY GOES GAGA "I call her "firefly" 'cause oh, my. She radiates moon glow. Wants none of that noon glow. She starts to glitter when the sun goes down 'Bout 8 p.m., it's mayhem........."

AUF WIEDERSEHEN TO A BELOVED ICON: ACTOR, WRITER, CAT LOVER, GOURMET, GARDENER, TRANSLATOR, TRAVELER Hannelore Carter, left, her longtime companion and "son of the heart," Jason Webinger, and Christene Meyers, at a reception following a play. "The sun will rise and the moon will set and we learn how to settle for what we get. It will all go on if we're here or not, so who cares, so what." -- "So What?" from the score of "Cabaret" STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS

Every memorable novel begins with memorable people. Writer Christene Meyers shares how years of travel, theater, music, friendships and life's unexpected moments inspired the colorful cast of Lilian's Last Dance. It's a behind-the-scenes look at where fictional characters really come from -- and why readers often see a little of themselves in every one.