Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Catalina Island

A mother's love of all things theatrical inspires lifelong affection for drama, movies, costumes and the Land of Make Believe Rudolph...

Throughout Egypt, handsome and friendly children greeted American visitors who wonder if they are safe now. Friendship with brilliant guide, encounters with children, foster worry for their safety Adept as a guide and translator, Amr took the photographer and writer through Egypt, proudly sharing his country's wonders. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER AS NEWS of bloodshed in Cairo commands our attention this week, we wonder about our friend Amr. We met this

Split between Montana’s wide-open landscapes and California’s coastal beauty, we’ve discovered that “home” isn’t tied to one place, it’s rooted in nature. From mountain air to ocean breezes, the natural world connects our lives across distance, grounding us in a shared sense of comfort, belonging, and peace.

This birthday, Keller takes Cookie sailing off La Jolla Shores. Ringing in another year brings time for reflection, joy, humor and appreciation "...all the gardens of spring and summer were blooming in the tall tales Beyond the border and under the lark full cloud. There could I marvel my birthday...." --Dylan Thomas STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" AS I MARK my birthday tomorrow, I am thankful that I, too have "lark full cloud" and a

The family run Crazy Mountain Inn against a lovely rainbow sky in the small Montana town of Martinsdale. Guest house, cafe in the middle of nowhere offer guests opportunity to go back in time STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Scenery surrounding Crazy Mountain Inn is serene and green. GLISTENING in the rain, the Crazy Mountain Inn looks like a setting from an Agatha Christie novel. She could be perched high upon a cliff, or set back deep

The Bair family home in tiny Martinsdale may be toured, its treasures viewed. Montana sheep baron Bair made millions; daughters' left...

Child born with Down Syndrome sparks love, unity, courage in Cosgriffe family Christena's auntie Misha bestowed a pretty new dress!...

We've borrowed many terms from life aboard ships; whether you "know the ropes" or not, come have fun If you "know the ropes" you have proficiency in your task, a term which comes straight from sailing. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" AHOY , avast and shiver your timbers! Much of our language comes from the sea, from the early Phoenician and Greek cultures, on up through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when British naval vessels

Remembering 'Uncle Cog' for his wry wit, Harry A. Cosgriffe, above right, poses with his siblings, circa 1930.From left, Richard (the writer's father), twins Nancy and Mary, Harry. "Uncle Cog" was the oldest child, but outlived his three siblings. In left photo,Cog with his daughters,"my girls," he called them,Susie, Colleen and Kathleen. attention to detail and devotion to family In left photo, Cog with his daughters, "my girls," he called them, Susie, Colleen and Kathleen

GLIDING BUFFS are fit, trim and healthy looking. And if you're looking for a romantic adventure with your sweetheart, you can fly tandem. What a thought! Keller could nudge me to consciousness if I fainted from terror.

Make your journey fun, safe and smooth sailing when you're traveling with four-footed pals

HORSE HAS BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN WE THOUGHT STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and JANE MILDER This scene, of horses in pasture framed by the Crazy Mountains, epitomizes the grandeur of Big Sky Country to many Montanans. No horsing around. The horse goes back farther than we imagined. So an homage seems in order. With Fourth of July parades and the horse the star of the rodeo, we have new scientific information about his history. But first, allow me so

Jazzercise was born in California. This group works out in San Diego. That's Debbie Walters in the center, one of Cookie's Jazzercise coaches

A delightful San Diego experience. Sailing onboard Jada a classic sailing Yacht