Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Family reunion and birthday weekend for Cookie Meyers, center, featured 45 family and close friends for meals and music, and...

Internationally known sculptor Mark Di Suvero 's brightly colored "Proverb" has a pendulum element that moves. Happy after a recent...

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers atop the Space Needle in Seattle, planning their time there and another few tickets in the...

Elliana Broscious, eight, had never touched a cello, but was making a pleasant sound by the end of an impromptu lesson. FAMILY CONCERTS...

T he Hotel del Coronado is a landmark in southern California, known around the globe. It was built in 1888. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ON APPROACH , the stately Hotel Del Coronado looks like a setting for "Masterpiece Theatre." It has that lofty look of an important location. Built in 1888 -- the largest wooden structure of its day. Tourists pause to take a few photos of "the Del" and enjoy the view. AThis San Diego property is know affectionately as "th

Penelope Margaret and James Brian Ganner prepare their take off for a day of frolic at Legoland, north of San Diego. Ready for their...

Saluting the hat -- not just for Easter but any time to spiff things up

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 Louvre Museum stands proud into the centuries, photographed from the Seine on a recent trip. And don't miss our favorite Musee d"orsay nearby. Housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900, it houses many well known works of a more contemporary vein. The Pont Alexandre is one of the world's most lavish bridges, and a much photographed Paris icon. MONUMENTS, MUSEUMS, MUSIC AND MEMORIES LURE LOVERS BACK TO THE LORE, ROMANCE,

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is known worldwide for its dramatic bridge towers. Since 1941, it has been featured in a wide range of movies -- from suspense dramas to family fare and science fiction. WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BRIDGE CELEBRATES 81 YEARS WITH DOZENS OF FILM APPEARANCES -- CAMEOS TO STARRING ROLES Tourists and locals alike traverse the bridge on foot, by car, bike and even aboard a vintage fire truck. Hollywood has shot many pictures on and around her. 'San F

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a not-for-profit wildlife park and educational facility opened in 1993 that is located in West Yellowstone, Montana, United States. It is open 365 days a year, and admission is good for two consecutive days.

The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles is the perfect venue for a beautifully staged "Bright Star," with a bluegrass band on stage, and a full pit orchestra in the traditional place below. The show is spectacularly staged. MUSICAL EARNS BRAVOS, STANDING OVATIONS IN ITS TOE-TAPPING REINCARNATION Carmen Cusack's lovely leading lady role makes the audience laugh -- and cry -- in "Bright Star." The actress played the role of Alice on Broadway. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By B

Cookie is at her happiest playing piano. Here, she entertains at a housewarming party. Cookie serenades at friend Corby Skinner's on the...

GLORIOUS CONCERT HALL, SCULPTURES, WORLD CLASS ARTISTS COMPLEMENT NATURE'S OWN GRAND STAGE AT TIPPET RISE

BIG SKY COUNTRY OFFERS MULTITUDE OF GORGEOUS SIGHTS, EVEN IN FIRE SEASON

OREGON HAS a special place in my family's heart. And, like memories of family, Oregon's coastal towns have a timeless quality. Coos Bay evokes happy memories of a bygone time. It's retained that small-town charm that means the cafe waitress greets you and knows how you like your coffee. Yet it has big-city attractions and amenities -- a lovely resort hotel staffed by friendly folk, proud of the area and eager to share their knowledge. Fine shopping. Nature.

Discover the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon—one of America’s premier theater events. Featuring classic Shakespearean plays and modern productions, this iconic festival delivers world-class performances in a charming, walkable town known for its vibrant arts scene.

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 a

What do a bell, a wheel and a pendulum have in common? You'll find out at the Exploratorium. Sights and sounds merge and dance as Steve Ganner shares the wonders with his mesmerized daughter Penelope. KIDS OF ALL AGES ENJOY EXPERIMENTATION, DISCOVERY AT UNIQUE INTERACTIVE MUSEUM ON SAN FRANCISCO'S WATERFRONT James Brian Ganner and sister Penelope Margaret have fun with a magical spinning cloud chamber. Bruce Keller has fun with invisible forces and spinning effects in o

SeaWorld San Diego the major change in the new program is that trainers no longer swim with the orcas. But they still interact and touch and play with the orcas. And, yes, people in the splash zone still get mighty wet, as the animals splash their mighty tails to the delight of the audience.