Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Planning the perfect San Diego getaway? This San Diego waterfront itinerary highlights sun-soaked coastal adventures, must-see attractions, and unforgettable experiences along one of California’s most beautiful shorelines.

COOKIE RECALLS MISS AMERICA, PROTESTS, PLAYBOY AND HER FEMINIST GROUNDING STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS THE SUMMER of 1968 was a memorable...

I miss them. On a recent, rare melancholy rainy San Diego day, I thought of them: Of all the plays they’ve missed since they died – mum in 2008 and Robbie two years later in 2010. Of how much joy they received from travel – we had many trips together. Thinking how they'd both have voted

Editor's Note: This story was written a few years before Meyers and Keller were married in a pop-up ceremony during a family reunion in her native state, Montana. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS: VINTAGE and BRUCE KELLER The famous photo taken on VJ Day at Times Square,1945, inspired the "Kiss" sculpture that inspired this column. Top photo: Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers on a date in San Diego. THIS VALENTINE'S week, with "The Kiss" statue back in San Diego, I'm taki

The Interlude on a happy outing in Mission Bay in this Bruce Keller photo. Hark, now hear the sailors cry smell the sea and feel the sky let your soul and spirit fly --Van Morrison A floating piece of San Diego history is in danger of sinking. Interlude, a beautiful classic wooden boat, long cared for and housed near Mission Bay Aquatic Center, needs money and man hours to restore and maintain her. Without those, her sailing days are over. So

Bruce Keller training for his diving instructor license, earned in 1976 You’ve got to love a town where National Public Radio news includes the morning surf report. Start your San Diego day with the weather (usually gorgeous) then get tips on the waves and where to catch them. When I listened to the Beach Boys in the 1960s, rockin’ out to “Good Vibrations,” I had no idea that some day I’d experience southern California culture as a resident. Land-locked in the northe

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER It’s spring in San Diego! The dolphins are racing, the whales are heading south...

PENY WAS BORN in 1949. Christa was born in 1948. They would have been friends. Both were gregarious, over-achieving, loving, fine teachers, intrepid adventurers, with daring, charisma and humor. Christa became famous as the first teacher to train for a space flight. Peny was a ground-breaker, too.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Carpe Diem Kids Today while perusing journals, I began a tally of cruises I’ve taken. The result surprised me! View from the promenade deck on our ship where art is part of the enticement. The grand total: 99! So my next cruise will be my centenary. I am excited. What and where will it be? Crystal, Oceania, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Cunard, Holland America, Carnival, Disney? Although born in land-locked Monta

Morning sun lights up the port of Alexandria, Egypt. -- Photo by Bruce Keller Just a note to let you know that our Middle East feature is available for viewing -- Cookie's story and Keller's fabulous photos. Please enjoy (click the link below or copy and paste into your browser). And please remember to sign up for our posts, which include our travels both internationally and locally with lots of good stuff on nature, theater, art, film and "Downton Abbey." The informati

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Blog tidings – from the Beartooths of Montana to the coast of southern California. In...

Cousins gathered at High Chap memorial for mum's memorial STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By COSGRIFFES THE COSGRIFFES are gathering again and the time is fast approaching. The clan will convene in August to celebrate the brief but influential life of Eric Kenzo Otokawa. We miss him terribly and send love to his mother, Misha, and to his siblings, Kenji Christopher and Kelly Midori, who will draw on their strength and our support as we pay homage to a young man beloved b

Robbie helped choreograph several European trips with mum “I’m home,” she cried, lifting her hands heavenward. “I feel their spirits.” Then she wept. My sister and I looked at one another, blinking back our own tears. Then we hugged mum and all of us cried. I remembered watching “The Wizard of Oz” as a five-year-old, with my mother at my side. Near the end, when Dorothy wakes up safely back in Kansas, her auntie and uncle at her side and the scarecrow and his pals tu

Discover the charm of Pisa, Italy, beyond its famous Leaning Tower. From riverside strolls along the Arno to quiet piazzas, this Tuscan gem blends history, architecture, and authentic Italian moments perfect for curious travelers and first-time visitors alike.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS Theater in San Diego is as varied as the jewels in a royal crown, each one offering its own unique light and sparkle. In five years of reflecting on the gems here, I’ve never seen a “faux stone.” The talent pool is large and varied, the fare is a lively mix of drama, musicals and new experimental work, and – this is a critical element – the actors, musicians and crew are passionate. It shows. Sunday’s matinee of “Man of LaMancha” at Cygnet Th