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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Celebrate each day, take the trip, book the train, take the cruise
Cruises to her ancestral homes -- Norway and Ireland -- were gifts to Ellen Cosgriffe from her daughters, Robbie, standing, and Christene...

Christene Meyers
Mar 17, 20223 min read


World famous Hilton Waikoloa a Luxury Hotel with art creates intriguing walk-through museum in resort
This larger-than-life-size chariot with driver is among 1,800 stunning artworks at Hilton Waikoloa Village. The resort acquired a multi-million dollar collection of fascinating multi-media artwork. MAGIC OF PACIFIC OCEAN LIFE INSPIRES UNIQUE HOTEL ART COLLECTION STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER A classic selection of art pieces includes a variety of oars and weapons. Here, Bruce Keller admires them. A LUXURY HOTEL WITH its own museum. That's an apt description

Christene Meyers
Feb 17, 20224 min read


Flying high above Kauai -- splendors in the sky await in airplane tour
Hawaii's fourth largest island, Kauai, is captured from high above the coast in an Air Ventures plane. SMALL PLANE, GREAT NARRATIVE WITH...

Christene Meyers
Feb 3, 20223 min read


Dolphin encounter: Swimming with dolphins a is a treat to cement bond between species
IF YOU YEARN to connect with another species, and have watched the joyful antics of dolphins, there's no better place to bond with these intelligent creatures than a dolphin encounter at Hilton Waikoloa Village's Dolphin Quest.

Cookie & Keller
Jan 27, 20224 min read


Key West Food Tour: Dining delights in munching our way on a tasty, Cuban inspired path through a colorful town
ONE CAN dine like a king, snacking your way through a leisurely few hours in Key West, where the scents and tastes of Cuba and the Caribbean are a very real part of life.
We took a fun foodie's walking and tasting tour and we're going back for seconds!

Cookie & Keller
Jan 20, 20224 min read


Morro Bay: play, stay on the bay, with seals, otters and great seafood
Morro Rock stands imposingly and majestically in the waters, as it has for centuries, welcoming tourists and modern-day explorers. The...

Christene Meyers
Dec 16, 20213 min read


Astoria Maritime Museum offers superb look at Pacific Northwest's stormy sea connection
Crossing the fabled bar where the Columbia meets the Pacific is the focus of several exhibits at the engaging Columbia River Maritime...

Christene Meyers
Dec 9, 20213 min read


Astoria Oregon Trolley, culture, fun, food, maritime wonders
Perched where the broad Columbia River meets the Pacific, the historic port town of Astoria blends maritime heritage, artsy charm, and sweeping riverfront views into one unforgettable stop along the Pacific Northwest. Visitors arriving on a voyage with American Cruise Lines often find that the town feels both timeless and lively, where fishing boats, Victorian architecture, and coffee-roasting cafes share the same scenic streets.

Christene Meyers
Dec 2, 20214 min read


Travel Benefits: Family, friends, fitness and the arts
WE SANG this song with gusto, to please our grandmother Olive who taught us the melody and her revised lyrics. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Coming shortly after her Nov. 19 birthday, it was an extension of that -- a bonus time together to play music, Scrabble, pinochle and cribbage, to visit, cook and feast.

Christene Meyers
Nov 25, 20214 min read


Magnificent mariachi band tours, delights, breaks ground for LGBTQ
Founder and band leader of Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, Carlos Samaniego, is a talented, classically trained musician who formed the...

Christene Meyers
Nov 18, 20214 min read


Lewis and Clark Caverns delight and surprise
The eerie and colorful formations of the Lewis and Clark Caverns await inspection. CLIMB INTO THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF LIMESTONE CAVERNS...

Christene Meyers
Nov 4, 20214 min read


Show time: Zoppe Italian Family Circus hits the mark in the Big Top
Acrobats and trapeze artists exhibit their prowess and daring in a jaw-dropping act. Zoppe Italian Family Circus is on tour in...

Christene Meyers
Oct 21, 20214 min read


American Cruise Lines offers close-to-home cruising in stylish safety
The new, streamlined ships of American Cruise Lines are luxurious and beautifully designed to accommodate small passenger loads,...

Christene Meyers
Sep 30, 20216 min read


9/11 Memorial & Museum - RISING FROM THE ASHES, NEW TOWER REFLECTS AMERICA'S SPIRIT
Located on eight acres of the 16-acre World Trade Center complex, the 9/11 Memorial is a place of remembrance and contemplation within the bustle of lower Manhattan.

Christene Meyers
Sep 9, 20213 min read


New York's Little Island offers a creative, restful oasis in the busy city
New York's Little Island offers a creative, restful oasis in the busy city

Cookie & Keller
Aug 19, 20213 min read


Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga rock Radio City Music Hall in bravura birthday show
Two glitzy birthday concerts this week were an unadulterated love fest for Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto 95 years ago on Aug. 3.

Cookie & Keller
Aug 4, 20214 min read


Sedona train trip - splendors unfold in trip through red rock country
Discover Arizona's Verde Canyon Railroad while researching Sedona train trip and what to do during a week of work and play.
The popular four-hour trip takes the passenger on a relaxing journey into wilderness thick with willow, juniper, oak and the shrubs of chaparral country, all framed by towering pinnacles of red rock, synonymous with this part of Arizona.
The Sedona's train trip journey begins in historic Clarkdale, where the Box Car Gift Store and Whistlestop Shop

Cookie & Keller
Apr 22, 20214 min read


Best Road trip - Montana to California wonders - stopping to 'smell the roses'
Road trip wonders -- stopping to 'smell the roses' from Montana to California. We relish stopping to admire the landscape, perhaps exploring a bluff or bridge we haven't noticed before. We smell the roses, as Keller says, "as we stroll through the garden of life."
Often we pull over to give ourselves and the dog a break. This leads to taking a few photos, studying a roadside plaque or grabbing a milkshake at a newly discovered diner.

Cookie & Keller
Nov 27, 20203 min read


Road trips Torrey Pines State Reserve and other stops offer peaceful time, uncrowded parks, spectacular scenery, laughs along the way
Whether you're headed east of west, it's freeing to be off and driving on a road trip, Tips and recommendations included below
While our American goldfinches have fled Montana, we found this one in a rest stop farther south in Nevada.

Cookie & Keller
Oct 16, 20204 min read


Buffalo Bill Dam near Cody boasts spectacular views, history
The Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center offers a sweeping view of the reservoir. Writer-photographer Rick Cosgriffe takes his camera for...

Christene Meyers
Oct 9, 20204 min read
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