top of page
Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Spanish explorer sailed into San Diego Bay 50 years after Columbus met the New World
Cabrillo Monument is a lovely day trip. CABRILLO DISCOVERED LAND WHERE TIDE POOLS NOW ATTRACT VISITORS Cabrillo National Monument and its...

Christene Meyers
Apr 11, 20143 min read


Queen Mary floats on with flair, history, as a legend in Long Beach
VISIT TO GRAND DAME SHIP REKINDLES DREAMS OF HER GLORY DAYS The Queen Mary is aglow with lights and a special Diana Exhibit, along with her hotel and dining options. Parties are a Queen Mary tradition; these two "put on the Ritz." STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IN MY DREAMS , I'm holding my grandmother's white-gloved hand as we enter the reception area of the Queen Mary. It's the 1950s and I'm a little girl. We're setting off on a glamorous Atlantic cro

Christene Meyers
Feb 11, 20144 min read


Back stage on a cruise ship yields neatly packaged treats, treasures
For this couple, the world's great cruise ship lines offer opportunity to perform magic, dancing, and other treats. SINGERS, HOOFERS, MAGICIANS ANSWER SEA'S SIREN CALL TO ENTERTAIN PASSENGERS Gowns, boas, beautifully pressed and stored, await their time in the spotlight. A stage hand does inventory. An actor's life for talented singers and dancers aboard Royal Caribbean. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SPACE IS SMALL , but spirits soar for thousands of

Christene Meyers
Feb 7, 20143 min read


Steamboat Natchez chugs and whistles back in time
The New Orleans skyline is bathed in light as Natchez departs the dock. Lively evening on the Mississippi harkens back to Mark Twain days and life on the river "The Mississippi is well worth reading about. It is not a commonplace river, but on the contrary is in all ways remarkable. Considering the Missouri its main branch, it is the longest river in the world--four thousand three hundred miles." From Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS

Christene Meyers
Jan 24, 20143 min read


Landmark 100th cruise excites our cruise-crazy lovers
Escape to a world of dreams, moonlight and indulgence on a barge trip or cruise. We celebrated our 100th cruise on Carnival Miracle. Try a relaxing week on the water for a rejuvenating break I have sailed the world, beheld its wonders, from the Dardanelles to the mountains of Peru..... --from "Sweeney Todd" and the song, "No Place Like London" STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER One of the world/s prettiest harbors is in St. Thomas. LIKE Anthony in "Sweeney Tod

Christene Meyers
Sep 28, 20134 min read


Sunset sail shows off Puget Sound as ferries, tour boats beckon
Seattle is at its best viewed from the water. Options include ferry, Argosy boat or private sail on lovely Far Niente yacht. FAR NIENTE...

Christene Meyers
Sep 14, 20134 min read


Why you should cruise Alaska - glaciers, ice, fjords and splendid port stops. It's my 100 cruise!
Cruising's pleasures heightened by exhilarating Alaskan adventure

Cookie & Keller
Sep 7, 20134 min read



Christene Meyers
Aug 27, 20135 min read


Finding Home in Nature - Montana and California offer nature's bounty to welcome
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.

Cookie & Keller
Aug 14, 20135 min read
Our language includes bountiful gifts from the sea (change title to "ship talk" or something nautical)
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

Christene Meyers
Jul 24, 20135 min read


Sail on Jada a delightful yacht - San Diego's jewel for a magical time
A delightful San Diego experience. Sailing onboard Jada a classic sailing Yacht

Christene Meyers
Jun 15, 20134 min read


Paradise Point Resort San Diego: A Must-Visit Mission Bay Escape with Sailing, Waterfront Fun & Sunset Views
Tucked along the shores of Mission Bay, Paradise Point Resort & Spa offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. With affordable sailboat rentals, inviting aquatic amenities, and the lively Barefoot Bar & Grill for sunset gatherings, it’s a can’t-miss destination for anyone visiting San Diego.

Christene Meyers
May 25, 20134 min read


San Diego waterfront itinerary
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.

Christene Meyers
Mar 2, 20135 min read


Interlude a vintage sailing gaff rigged cat ketch
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

Christene Meyers
Feb 11, 20134 min read
bottom of page
