Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

MIGRATING CRANES THRILL ROAD-TRIPPERS AS THEY SWOOP DOWN FOR A STAY BY FISHTAIL

RIGHT ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP, LEGENDARY HOTEL HOSTS PARADISE FOR FEATHERED FRIENDS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER A flightless pelican -- wounded by fishing line and unable to fly -- is among pampered guests at the Flamingo's wildlife habitat. These unusual Asian white-faced ducks whistle not quack. You'll see flamingos in the art at the legendary hotel -- and in the bird habitat. THE BEST KEPT secret on the Las Vegas strip is not the view from a fancy hote

THE ODDITY and variety of the Southern Hemisphere birds has helped biologists define a larger group of mostly extinct birds, many of them flightless. They're called paleognaths, who knew?

You're sure to find a wilderness preserve or wildlife and bird refuge near you. Check it out for a relaxing, cheap diversion. STORY By...

Glacier Park's beauty reflects millions of years of changing ancient rock formations. Here, summer meets winter as canoes of the warmer season's activities sit idle with early winter snows. Snow has already come to Glacier National Park in northern Montana but melts quickly on warm days. "Today, for the first time in my life, I have seen Glacier Park. Perhaps I can best express to you my thrill and delight by saying that I wish every American, old and young, could have been

THE APPLE CAPITAL of the world has a nice rhyming nickname. It also offers a get-away both soothing and exciting. Julian, California, a small, quaint mountain town in southern California, offers history, fun hotels, shopping, scenery and perhaps the best fruit pies in the state.

Red Lodge, Montana, offers spectacular scenery and one of the world's most stunning drives.

Glacier National Park is widely considered one of the most beautiful places in the United States, often referred to as the "Crown of the Continent". Summer is the most popular time to visit because it is the only season when the entire park is accessible, the trails are snow-free, and all facilities are fully open.

Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Montana, Fairfield Park Inn offers travelers a relaxing retreat and road trip with easy access to nature, small-town charm, and unforgettable Big Sky views. It’s the perfect base for exploring Montana’s rugged beauty while enjoying comfort and convenience.

Wapiti Valley Wild and wonderful

AUTUMN COMES TO THE NORTHERN ROCKIES OFFERING SPLENDID PHOTOS, SUNNY HIKING, FROST ON THE PUMPKIN BUT WARMTH IN OUR HEARTS At top, the Tetons are in full fall glory and in the Beartooths to the north, photographer Rick Cosgriffe takes aim on autumn. AUTUMN LEAVES BEGIN TO FALL, DAYS GROW SHORTER, SHUTTERBUGS TAKE AIM ON THE GLORIOUS CHANGING SEASON STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The road to High Chaparral, north of Nye, awaits fall's golden touch. IF, AS t

This Montana visitor may be a grizzly -- we can't quite see a hump. Several neighbors spotted him recently. The nearby Nye Church in Stillwater County, has had grizzlies in the yard and a grizzly is meandering the West Fork this week. HIGH CHAPARRAL, MONTANA, ATTRACTS WILD LIFE: LIONS (NO TIGERS), & BOUNTY OF BEARS AND DEER This bear is definitely a grizzly, as evidenced by the hump. He was photographed near Lake Louise in Canada. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE

HISTORIC HOTEL LURES VACATIONERS FOR A DAY, A WEEK OR A FINE MEAL The venerable Pollard, with the year's first snow, welcomes visitors from around the world. Below, a sampling of its atmosphere, where diners sip cocktails, and await the feast. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER RED LODGE – Since the Pollard Hotel began a serious spiffing up more than a decade ago, its inviting atmosphere continues to lure vacationers, locals and regulars for fine food and a s

CHIEF JOSEPH HIGHWAY PROVIDES THRILLS, PANORAMIC VIEW OF SUNLIGHT BASIN AFTER CLIMB UP SPECTACULAR BEARTOOTH PASS The aptly named Sunlight Basin is aglow in autumn as the colors change and the air grows crisp and cool. Keller and Nick and Nora pause for a picnic with view near Sunlight Bridge. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IMAGINE you'd never been to the northern Rockies. What would you expect? Stunning mountains, clouds out of a Hallmark card display,

The ranch, located on the banks of the Clark's Fork River, provides a peaceful escape from the challenges of a busy life. A family-operation for over seventy years, the Cary's pride themselves in a well-kept and clean facility, amazing food, a relaxing atmosphere, and clients who return year after year, inviting their friends and family to join.

Cows graze contentedly in a thunder storm earlier in the week. Workers on the new roof took a rain day Thursday. CONSTRUCTION CHAOS IS GETTING UNDER CONTROL, WING IS HEALING AND WILD LIFE'S FANTASTIC UNDER THE BIG SKY Berries are ripening this week, ready for the bears and birdies. Hawks are on the watch for food, fall. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Cookie and Keller load up on Park City, Montana, corn. THERE'S SOMETHING GLORIOUS a

Master builder Bruce Keller, whose specialty is high-end La Jolla, Calif., projects, is spending part of his summer in the Beartooths, helping Cookie with their summer home. REMODELING POINTER: YOU WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE BEAUTY,BUT AT A PRICE! PATIENCE IS A PREREQUISITE Expert framer Tom Giamanco traveled from San Diego to help. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WAAAAAAAAH. RICKY. I've been making my own personal "I Love Lucy" home movie. I'm thinking of the fam

Sacramento's Old Town offers fun, frolic, history, horses, railroad and food food

The cliffs leading up to the beautiful Beehive Canyon are enjoyed on the river with Absaroka River Adventures. ABSAROKA RIVER ADVENTURES BRINGS RENEWED COURAGE, SHARES MONTANA'S STILLWATER BEAUTY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS A family suits up at the Absarokee gathering with life preservers\. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER CALL ME a coward. Water scared. Battle scarred. A sissy. Pansy. It's true. It WAS true. But now I'm a recovering rafter. Two rafting accidents decades ago prevente

You might not expect a northern California wildlife preserve along the rugged coastline. But B Bryan Preserve has been actively committed to the breeding and preservation of African hoof stock for over a decade.