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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Virginia City Montana road trip delivers the goods with a step back in time
Step back into Montana's gold rush era with a visit to Virginia City, one of the West's best-preserved historic towns. Stroll wooden boardwalks, explore authentic 19th-century buildings, ride the historic train to Nevada City, and experience the stories that helped shape the American frontier. Virginia City is a fascinating stop for history lovers, photographers, and road-trippers alike

Cookie & Keller
Aug 5, 20164 min read


Dog's life with Travel Bloggers Cookie and Keller is a pretty dog-gone good gig
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

Cookie & Keller
Jul 22, 20163 min read


Flagship dinner cruise unfurls an evening for the memory book
Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller take to San Diego Bay and a Flagship dinner cruise, with spectacular views. TAKE YOUR PICK OF...

Christene Meyers
Jul 15, 20163 min read


Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve recalls long-ago California: A bit of country in the midst of a busy city
WE WERE delighted to discover that remains of the prehistoric culture can still be found, with artifacts and fossils in the ranch house named after those lovely "little cliffs" on the hills.
A plaque denotes Rancho Santa Maria de los
Penasquitos, with parts of the original walls.
The ruins of stalwart structures of adobe are fascinating, and the splendid canyon and walking trails wind through 4,000 acres of the Penasquitos and Lopez canyons. It's one of the largest urban

Christene Meyers
Jul 8, 20164 min read


Tippet Rise: Magic arises from imagination, deep pockets and prime location
"Daydreams" by Patrick Dougherty, under construction last fall at Tippet Rise, is part of a glorious landscape merging art and nature, with indoor and outdoor performance spaces, world known sculpture and a roster of international performers. Tippet Rise Olivier Barn concert hall going up in October. Tippet Rise CONCERTS, SCULPTURE, 'GREEN' THEME WILL ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER TIPPET RISE spared no expense in hiring the

Christene Meyers
Jul 1, 20164 min read


Tippet Rise: Philanthropists' love of landscape and the arts creates world class venue in Stillwater County
Tippet Rise MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ARTS, MUSIC ENTERPRISE WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL ROSTER OF PLAYERS

Christene Meyers
Jun 24, 20164 min read


Viator: victory and variety with lively, well organized tours
Singapore's sound and light show attracts visitors from all over the world. Highlights are these magical "lit-up trees." The Grand Palace in Bangkok is best visited through a tour. Our Viator cut through the throngs. If you're with a tour, there's power in numbers. IF YOU DON'T MIND GROUPS, A GOOD TOUR'S THE TICKET TO MAKING THE MOST OF TIME, MONEY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IN OUR COMBINED decades of global travel, we have always taken tours, chiefly a

Christene Meyers
Jun 17, 20165 min read


Mob Museum Las Vegas offers thrills, chills, colorful history of crime
Step into one of Las Vegas' most fascinating attractions at the Mob Museum, where the true stories of organized crime, law enforcement, and the city's colorful past come to life. Through immersive exhibits, authentic artifacts, interactive experiences, and engaging presentations, the museum offers visitors a deeper understanding of how the Mob helped shape modern Las Vegas. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking for something beyond the Strip, the Mob Museum is

Cookie & Keller
Jun 10, 20164 min read


Red Rocks of Nevada just a fast drive from famous Vegas Strip
Red Rock in Nevada is famous for its towering red sandstone cliffs, ancient petroglyphs, and a 13-mile one-way scenic drive.

Cookie & Keller
Jun 3, 20163 min read


Asian cuisine travel guide: culinary traditions at a variety of restaurants, from colorful salads and soups, fish, dumplings, dishes across cultures
Step into a Vietnam restaurant and discover the vibrant world of Asian culinary traditions. Colorful salads burst with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and bright citrus flavors, while steaming bowls of soup deliver comfort and balance. Across Asia, cuisine reflects culture, history, and a love of healthy ingredients. This Asian cuisine travel guide explores dishes that are as nourishing as they are beautiful, offering a flavorful glimpse into traditions shared across cultures

Cookie & Keller
May 27, 20163 min read


South Lake Tahoe takes one back in time: delightful inn, fun dinner cruise, friendly folk, gorgeous scenery
On a half-dozen visits since 2010, we've found Lake Tahoe's scenery some of the most beautiful in the western United States. Dixie II offers a fun night on the lake, even on a recent rainy evening. "It is a vast oval, and one would have to use up eighty or a hundred good miles in traveling around it. As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords.” -- M

Christene Meyers
May 20, 20163 min read


Elephant seals on California coast bring larger than life charm on a road trip
Witness one of California’s most unforgettable wildlife spectacles along the rugged shores of Central Coast, where massive northern elephant seals gather in astonishing numbers. At places like Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, these remarkable marine mammals transform the coastline into a living stage of raw nature—complete with dramatic battles, tender moments, and the rhythms of life by the sea.

Cookie & Keller
May 13, 20163 min read


Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library offers travelers a fascinating look at one of America’s most recognizable presidents, with exhibits, personal memorabilia, historic artifacts, and spectacular views across Southern California. Whether you are interested in presidential history, American culture, or simply discovering an unexpected destination, the Reagan Library is a memorable stop worth adding to your travel itinerary.

Cookie & Keller
May 6, 20163 min read


Point Arena Lighthouse: History, landscape, sea life and a guest house to stay over
The Point Arena Lighthouse has history dating back to 1870 when the original lighthouse was erected. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL TOWN OFFERS HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE, FUN FOOD, ZEBRAS AND WELCOMING COTTAGES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Point Arena Lighthouse includes lodging and a nice gift shop with handmade aquatic-life magnets. The views are stunning. PEOPLE COME from cross-country and overseas to visit the historic Point Arena Lighthouse in California's p

Christene Meyers
Apr 29, 20164 min read


How to get around in Asia - bucket list travel tips by junk, sampan, bullet train, bike & more
From drifting through limestone karsts by junk boat in Ha Long Bay to gliding across Japan aboard the lightning-fast Shinkansen, Asia is a traveler’s dream of unforgettable journeys. Paddle a sampan through jungle waterways, bike ancient streets, and ride legendary trains—each adventure revealing culture, color, and landscapes that belong on every Asia bucket list

Cookie & Keller
Apr 22, 20163 min read
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