Fires continue to destroy structures mid-day Wednesday. Containment percentages are increasing, according to L.A. mayor. Because of long, costly recovery, officials are concerned about major events scheduled: World Cup matches in 2026, 2027 Super Bowl and even the 2028 Summer Olympics. The Griffith Observatory is still a perfect place to view the famous Hollywood sign. The icon remains safe while wild winds contribute to the worst fires in the state's history. FIRES DESTROY, THREATEN LANDSCAPE, ICONIC BUILDINGS, HISTORIC LOS ANGELES LANDMARKS MANY HELP AS TRAGEDY BRINGS OUT BEST AND WORST IN HUMANITY Editor's Note Jan. 15 : We're updating this story daily with new figures and progress on containing Palisades, Eaton and 6 other fires. The fires began early last Tuesday, Jan. 7, 9 days ago. The Los Angeles Equestrian Center has organized a large animal rescue center, a Noah's Ark for horses, donkeys and other critters escaping the fire. Many horses have been rescued from the Pasadena, Eaton and other areas where many have long enjoyed the bond between human and horse. --photo courtesy Reuters Thursday update: Some good news: the Los Angeles Equestrian Center has been transformed into a modern-day Noah's Ark. Over the last week, it has taken in hundreds of horses and other animals from the disaster as part of its official role as one of the city's largest animal Finally some good news: Fires are contained at 21 per cent. Anticipated 70mph Santa Ana winds did not yet occur but more red-flag winds are predicted for next week. People are being turned away from assessing damage of their lost homes because of hazardous conditions -- precarious structures, smoldering embers, downed power, gas and water lines. National Guard, LA police and fire departments continue to work overtime. LA's fire chief cautioned Thursday: "We are still not out of the woods." The city desperately needs rain as the drought continues. Although Santa Ana winds are less, they are still slowing efforts to control the burn. Palisades and Eaton fires continue to be the most deadly with steep, dry, complex terrain. Hundreds of fire crews, police and National Guard continue to work overtime. More than 300,000 residents continue under evacuation orders or warnings. Officials have cut power as far away as some Ventura and east San Diego County areas as preventative efforts. This firetruck is one of hundreds fighting fires on the Pacific Coast Highway and several nearby areas. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER & courtesy Los Angeles Times & Associated Press We often stopped at the Rosenthal Wine Bar and Patio on the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. The length of the highway from Malibu to Santa Monica has been closed. JUST 8 DAYS ago, we drove through Pacific Palisades, admiring the artful wooden homes, the variety of architecture and lushness of landscape along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. We travel sections of it each year. Nothing like it anywhere else in the world, and we are proud to live in a state with such verdant landscape. Even with 15 million people, there are pockets of peace and beauty. That's now changed. We're tracking the fire -- the worst in Los Angeles history -- and it makes us sad. It also makes us feel lucky since we were in the city and on the highway less than a day before devastating fires that continue to rage. 25 PEOPLE have died, many are missing and being treated for burns and smoke inhalation. Officials say the death toll is likely to be higher. More than 20,000 structures have burned and at least 180,000 residents have evacuated or are under evacuation warnings, as of Wednesday. Experts say even downtown L.A. is far from out of danger. The fires are the worst in the state and considered the costliest wildfire caused catastrophe in American history. Because of long, costly recovery efforts, officials are concerned about major upcoming sports events, including the 2027 Olympics. PLACES WE know and love are gone or badly damaged. The city's 100-year old NBC building was damaged but not destroyed. A friend's daughter evacuated and sought refuge near us in San Diego while her friend lost her home. Cousins of our Tel Aviv friends fled from their home in Hollywood Hills, not knowing if they'll find it intact. Multiple wildfires fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds, have burned nearly 110,000 acres in at least five fires. The winds, which occur most often in the fall and winter, push dry air from the desert. That coupled with drought caused the record breaking devastation. 1,300 fire engines, 84 aircraft and 14,000 people are fighting the fires. Palisades High School, photographed before fires burned part of the grounds and delayed term opening. Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers stopped at Santa Monica Pier often, as recently as last Monday. The beloved playground and area closed Thursday indefinitely. AS WITH most tragedy people show their true colors. Heroic rescues of horses, dogs, cats and birds are widespread as people show compassion and help others. One rancher is transporting horses to safety for free in her new 10-horse trailer. Our San Diego hotels are offering half-price rooms. Humane societies are full of abandoned and fire damaged pets, many lost in the confusion as their owners hurried to evacuate. One man dressed as a fireman was arrested while scouring burned residential areas. Looting, pillaging and pickpocketing have increased as others take advantage of the situation. Officials warn people to be vigilant, knowing there is shock and confusion. Palisades Charter High School, training ground of many celebrities and the high school where Brian De Palma brough Stephen King’s “Carrie” to life, was covered in smoke. In San Diego, we have smoky sunsets and smoke from fires both north and south of us. MOVIE BUFFS may not know its name, but they've seen footage of the beautiful campus and school, which was to start a new term on Monday. It caught fire last Tuesday, burning athletic facilities, bungalows, and parts of rear buildings and landscape. Will Rogers’ historic ranch house at Will Rogers State Park was destroyed and a motel owned by William Randolph Hearst -- the beautiful Topanga Ranch Hotel -- burned to the ground. One of the city's fabled viewing sites, Griffith Observatory, was engulfed in smoke and evacuated, but safe. It's a beautiful place to admire the famous Hollywood sign. The sign is still intact, albeit shrouded in smoke. Nearby celebrity homes labeled at risk as the blaze grew. Both the Getty Center and Getty Villa Museum are closed. The Villa sustained smoke damage as nearby landscape was burned but its fire-resistant structure saved it. The Center closed out of precaution, although it is presently not endangered by the fires. The Pasadena Humane Society is rescuing hundreds of animals, both wild and domestic. Hundreds of horses and donkeys have been relocated to stables not in danger. ONE OF OUR favorite stopping off places and a beloved Malibu institution is gone. The Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio along the Pacific Coast Highway was badly damaged by the the fire, along with other popular restaurants in the area. Photos from the Rosenthal scene showed debris and damage surrounding the location's popular oversized chairs, table and wine bottle. There are multiple fires. The Palisades and Eaton Fire, between Malibu and Santa Monica, has burned more than 12,000 homes, while 30 miles inland, Eaton officials warn of "an immediate threat to life" in Altadena, near Pasadena. More than 20,000 acres have burned there. The Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley northwest of downtown L.A., has forced hundreds of residents to leave. Eaton Fire photographed Thursday afternoon. MID-DAY last Thursday as fires raged across the greater Los Angeles area, 335 schools had closed, affecting more than 211,000 students. When I updated this story, Jan. 16, parts of the 8 fires were slowly coming under control and many buildings partially saved. Other parts of the fires blaze on. Rain is hoped for, naturally. As for the land -- trees, birds and critters -- this cannot be replaced and takes decades to restore. I THINK of the Yellowstone Park fires of 1988 which burned nearly a million acres -- at least 800,000 acres by even the most conservative estimate. One still sees fire damage -- 37 years later -- so we know it will be decades before Los Angeles recovers to anything recognizable. As frequent visitors, we mourn the loss of life, landscape, animals, birds and buildings. We'll find ways to help. A few of the hundreds of stars interviewed by Christene Meyers, in a promotion her newspaper created during her long career. Meyers founded the arts section of The Billings Gazette with her mentor Kathryn Wright, and interviewed stars during her long career. UP NEXT: A love story to Los Angeles. Through the years, writer Christene Meyers has spent at least 2,500 days -- or about seven years of her life -- in Los Angeles. This explains the grief she shares with millions as the horrible fires change the city forever. Walk with her back in time to a city beloved by legions, founded by the Spanish in 1781 and now home to stage and screen stars and Hollywood studios. It's a nostalgic piece about theater, movies, hotels, and a woman's lifelong attraction to a city she describes as magic. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh look at the arts, travel, nature, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com

Crowds on our recent crossing of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence illustrate the overcrowding which is taxing the patience and pocketbooks of locals, causing anti-tourist demonstrations across Europe. The complex problem of over-tourism is the focus of today's column. We experienced protestors and understand their view. LOCALS PROTEST AS TOO MANY PEOPLE TAX FOOD & TOUR SERVICES, WATER SUPPLY, DRIVE UP HOUSING STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE MEYERS We photographed this scene in the Canary Islands earlier this year. We viewed the rally from our bus. FOR THE day first time in many trips to Europe, we experienced "tourist go home" demonstrations. We sympathize with the protestors, but it's a strange feeling. We have mixed feelings about this phenomenon. On the one hand, we travel to enjoy ourselves, relax, as we spend money to take in familiar and new sights. We are courteous and tip well. But not all locals want us in southern Europe. The day we docked in Santorini, above, three other ships were in port. Seven ships have docked on other days. WE UNDERSTAND their feelings because while many businesses rely on tourism, others view increasing crowds as a plague. They claim over-tourism is damaging the land, economy and spirits. It's a fact that in some places, rents have more than doubled in five years and lines to access museums, buses and cable cars can wrap around a city block. Recently, we experienced crushing crowds in Santorini. This caused residents of this idyllic island to balk when they were told to stay home last week. Why? Because in a single day, 17,000 tourists descended on their lovely land, famous for its blue and white architecture and hilltop vistas. One way to avoid crowds is to rent a car as we did a few weeks ago in Lanzarote. We saw protestors in the Canary Islands, too, where locals are insisting that the government rethink tourism policies. This "Tourist Go Home" mentality was on signs, on banners and on the lips of protestors as anger rises. Crowds and lines to book tours and get a table at a resident are a common sight these days. It's a complicated issue. Over-tourism is putting pressure on health services, waste management, water supplies and housing at the expense of residents. Restrictions are inevitable as crowds cause a rise in real estate prices, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, general overcrowding and a water shortage. Crowds overflow in Santorini, awaiting sunset. Bars and cafes are packed these days; but many locals are not happy. Still ship passengers are flowing into southern Europe by the thousands. Venice is expected to attract 540,000 cruise ship passengers this year, a near 10 percent increase from 2023, according to the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority. As the city is overrun by tourists, a visitor's tax has been implemented. Cruise lines are now docking farther from city center which helps the structural and environmental integrity of over-touristed cities and ports. Of course it it makes transportation into "the action" more difficult and expensive for us. Again, we understand and try to do our part to preserve these beautiful places for a return visit. Somehow, a compromise must be reached. Queen Mary 2 awaits passengers in Southampton, where passengers board for a crossing to New York. UP NEXT: The world's most famous cruise line, Cunard, has the corner on the market in a number of areas. For one, it boasts the world's only true ocean liner. We hop aboard Queen Mary 2 for a nostalgic crossing -- "brilliant," as our British friends say. We explore Cunard's small but stylish fleet of four ships which take passengers back to the golden age of ocean voyages. As a luxurious liner, QM2 sits sleek and sound on the water and can achieve higher speeds and smoother rides than cruise ships, which are designed for leisure and recreation. QM2 offers plenty of that, too. Come join us, remembering to explore, learn and live: www.whereiscookie.com

Yorkshire farmer and world traveler, John Speight, and his wife, Sue, enjoy a laugh with friends Bruce Keller, left, and Christene "Cookie" Meyers, with their dog Lola front and center at Primrose Farm. Greatly loved, deeply missed, he enjoyed life and lived it with joy, kindness and laughter STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER On Palm Springs tram, John and Sue are framed by Keller and Cookie on the world's largest revolving tram. JOHN AND SUE have been our friends and fellow travelers for nearly a decade. Our friendship began at a table for six aboard a Celebrity cruise in Southeast Asia. We were relieved the third couple didn’t show up because we four immediately “clicked.” WE CELEBRATE John's life here this week -- as his family prepares a July 3 celebration in England honoring his life. Sadly, John, 81, lost a ferocious battle with esophageal cancer which was diagnosed before last Christmas. He fought heroically in perhaps the only struggle he ever lost. Sue, Cookie, John and Bruce share a tuk-tuk in Bangkok, where they spent time touring. WE DISCOVERED we had much in common early in our friendship: love of nature, fondness for cruising and travel, a yen for adventure and discovery, an affection for dogs and horses. The two were considering a trip on the Mexican Riviera, so we invited them to our home in San Diego. And when they learned we had a Montana summer place, they were elated. "Yellowstone Park is on our bucket list," John exclaimed, clapping his hands. As our similarities accumulated, we found we both owned Yorkshire terriers. We had Nick and Nora, and they had Bridget, one of a long line of Yorkies they've owned and loved. They also had a bull mastiff, Lola, whom we would meet soon, just as they would greet Nick and Nora in visits to both Montana and California. Sue and John Speight have a smile and a laugh before an outing. John’s kindness extended to his human circle and all creatures great and small. On the last leg of a mile-long hike, little Nora stopped, sat down on the trail and barked to tell us she was tired. John scooped her up and carried her to the car. He was generous, but frugal. He liked a good price, like me. He loved when I secured a 30 per cent discount at pricy Lake Hotel in Yellowstone, claiming he and Sue were fellow travel writers. TYPICAL OF this big-hearted, full-throttle man, he opted for the "full Monty" treatment for his cancer, undertaking a grueling battery of radiation and chemotherapy, dozens of hospital visits, doctors and consultants -- all the ups and downs that come with life-threatening illness. We shared many good times with John and Sue, and we will keep her in our circle of friends, one of the luckiest meetings of our travels. Bruce Keller, Sue and John Speight with Bridget spent a day touring Yorkshire's beautiful abbeys and monasteries. GUIDING US, they shared their love of their native land in visits to Yorkshire's beautiful abbeys and castles. We shared the pleasures of a century-old steam train, a night at the theater in Richmond, and we four journeyed to the depths of a coal mine. In the U.S., we visited state and national parks, took back roads to show off our western farm and ranch land, introduced them to favorite hotels in Red Lodge and Palm Springs, enjoyed a Frank Sinatra tribute concert and in Las Vegas, a mesmerizing Cirque de Soleil show. In Yorkshire, John guided a tour of the couple's egg processing operation and the two told stories of rain-soaked rescues of confused chickens. "Well you just grab them by the neck, five at a time. Right as rain they were," John said, as we listened wide-eyed. John, Cookie with Nora, Sue and Nicky, and Bruce exploring on the trail in Yellowstone National Park. WE'D HOPED TO welcome them back to Montana after John's full recovery. It was obvious that John and Sue loved one another – adored is a more apt description of their relationship. Like the two of us, they laughed a lot, poked gentle fun at one another and finished each other’s sentences. Speaking of language, John and Sue taught us a whole new vocabulary. Despite my English degrees, I achieved a new level of linguistics when I added these charming “Yorkshirisms” to my vocabulary: “donkey’s years, proper gander, right shuffed, crickey, Bob's your uncle and our favorite: gobsmacked." John Speight enjoys a birthday surprise during one of many American visits, here at La Casa del Zorro, Borrego Springs, Ca. JOHN PUT his heart and soul into beating the odds, but this kind hearted Yorkshireman crossed the finish line sooner than we all hoped. He leaves a legion of friends and a devoted family, a legacy of love and kindness, and memories of his Yorkshire practicality and wit and a sense of fun. We are thankful our paths crossed for a delightful decade of shared love of family, nature, travel, dogs, horses, the occasional stiff G&T, tours of both our home turfs and a cherished, enduring friendship. Thank you, John’s family, for the privilege of asking us to participate from afar in the July 3 homage at 2 p.m., White Syke Fields, Sand Hutton, Yorkshire, a much loved venue for a much loved guy. With this homage, we are there. The Statue of Liberty is a glorious sight, here from the Queen Mary 2, as she entered the harbor to dock in New York City. UP NEXT: No sight is more beautiful after two months traveling abroad, then Lady Liberty. We set our alarm at 4 a.m. as we cruised into New York Harbor on Queen Mary 2. The captain had announced the arrival time the night before and we didn't want to miss it. For July 4, we celebrate our country's most beautiful monument and nearby Ellis Island Museum. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on friendship, travel, nature, family, the arts and more: www.whereiscookie.com

Expert tango dancers move with the music at Pampas Argentine Grill. STORY: CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Is there a dance more sexy than the tango? Is there any ballroom movement more appealing? More showy? More bold and dramatic? In a lifelong fascination with the form, I've taken tango lessons in Argentina! That takes chutzpah! I've applauded tango shows every chance I get -- in many other places in the world, including smokey basements in Manhattan, and spacious ballrooms in London. Tango is intimate, calling for quick, decisive moves as a couple dances. Imagine my surprise and delight to find that San Diego is tango crazy! I love it. There are tango clubs, an abundance of world-class instructors and several venues which feature tango and welcome newcomers. A North Park Club even celebrates tango love on a regular monthly basis, with parties and dances every fourth Sunday from 8-11 p.m. It's Tango Addicts Milonga. (Google San Diego tango and you'll find a wealth of references and information and fine teachers to encourage.) A tiny venue in San Diego features magnificent tango in a setting that might surprise you! In the heart of busy traffic and city life, Pampas Argentine Grill in a small shopping mall at 8690 Aero Drive offers enthusiastic tango and tasty fare. Legwork is part of tango teamwork. We sampled the enticing package with our sailing buddies, Melanie and Larry Cogsdill. We laughed and sighed and applauded -- a tango-tinged, bang-up evening -- and we recommend it to tango aficionados and fans of small clubs. The much larger and opulent Tango Del Rey can accommodate parties of 50 to 250 and is glorious for its decor and drama. The intimate atmosphere at Pampas lends itself to tango up-close and personal. It's great to be close enough to observe and enjoy the chemistry between the dancers, and to see, savor and appreciate the intricacy of the quick, precise moves and steps. Pampas provides that, with a dozen tables and a small but ample square wood dance floor on which the performers do their thing. Tango has been around for at least 150 years, and most historians believe it was born in the working class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Its success before and after the First World War took tango to international heights and its Golden Age from the mid 1930s until the coup in Argentina in 1955. For a time, tango was in the closet. The art form experienced a "dark ages" when the dance was pushed underground and persecuted, and the fabulous Tango renaissance which has spread the dance once again all over the world. It's sexy, romantic, beautiful -- to watch or try yourself. So I'm exercising, practicing my turns and polishing my red heels! Keller is hat-shopping! Larry Cogsdill delights in the dancers. COMING SOON: Our tango loving travelers take a turn at the glider port, sail on the vintage yacht Jada and celebrate the glories of Montana summer. Remember to explore, learn and live! Check us our Wednesdays and Saturdays at: whereiscookie.com

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER It’s  spring  in San Diego!  The dolphins  are racing, the whales are heading south and the harbor seals are giving birth! We watched with wonder for several hours this week – critters relaxing, playing, moving.  The dolphins are fast and agile.  The seals seem cumbersome out of water but they, too, have bodies of amazing grace in the water. The whales always intrigue. Dolphin at the bow! Wow! We’ve been dolphin watching with friends from Montana, enjoying the whale watching enterprises out of both San Diego Bay and Mission Bay. We can recommend both H & M Landing and the Quivera Basin whale and dolphin watch boating operations. Excellent naturalists give commentary on board and adventurers have the opportunity to watch the grey whales enroute to Baja to give birth – through March.  Dolphins aplenty are a bonus! These intelligent, playful creatures follow the boat and dip and splash along. If you’ve never taken a three-hour whale and dolphin excursion, now’s the time. (We hope to have Bruce Keller’s short but sweet dolphin video up next week.) Papa seal at the watch. And if you want to “seal the deal,” San Diego is the place. It is now possible for the world to watch the mothers and pups frolicking and enjoying the good life. What a treat. Thanks to a progressive move by city hall, a new “seal cam” is up and running at the Children’s Pool beach in La Jolla.   Installed above the lifeguard station, it will photograph the seals in action.  The mayor’s idea is to share this natural wonder with the rest of the world, sending out online video of the frolicking and birthing seals, creating interest in wildlife and giving researchers immediate information and photos. The seal activity is being filmed with a high-tech $40,000 camera which will be on duty round-the-clock.  The gift comes from the Western Alliance for Nature and the pool and its inhabitants will be on camera with state-of-the-art equipment.  The camera is equipped with windshield wipers for stormy weather seal-viewing.  Its infrared capabilities will even capture mother seals birthing their pups at night. Besides charming viewers – probably millions worldwide -- the footage will aid researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their study of harbor seal reproduction. In the five years I’ve been a regular visitor to San Diego, Children’s Pool has been controversial.  Donated by the Scripps family, the pool beach was built in 1931 as a place for children to swim safely in a calm inlet. Through the years, the children have been outnumbered, and in the past 12 years, the beach has become a refuge – not just an occasional destination -- for harbor seals, since it is safe and protected from crashing waves.  The popularity of the area by seals has spawned a clash between naturalists/activists and people who believe the pool should be returned to the kids.  Others, taking a middle ground, lobby for a way for humans and the engaging mammals to share the space. Nature lovers enjoy dolphins, seals and  migrating grey whales.-- Bruce Keller photos  Last year the city split that territory, leaving part of the sand to beach-goers while ceding the tidal zone to seals.  Still, the camera has critics, some of whom claim it raises privacy issues.  Most people we know are excited at the opportunity to see more of these fascinating creatures with whom we share the planet and our ocean. See more at EarthCam.com or ht tp://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/31/new-seal-cam-streams-wildlife-footage-from/

Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller take to San Diego Bay and a Flagship dinner cruise, with spectacular views. TAKE YOUR PICK OF FLAGSHIP'S FUN, FESTIVE OUTINGS -- from whale watching to elegant dining Time to enjoy aquatic life, with a look over the ship's side. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IMAGINE YOURSELF at sea with a glass of champagne, a lovely meal, gorgeous scenery and the one you love. After a stroll on deck and a leisurely meal, he asks you to dance. It's your favorite Cole Porter tune. What could be better? Flagship Cruises has been at the entertainment business since 1915, plying the waters of San Diego Bay and sharing the wonders of the beautiful southern California harbor and coastline. San Diego's USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier Museum, as viewed from Flagship. The Spirit of San Diego resembles a yacht or cruise ship, with daytime nature watches and weekend champagne brunches, and evening dinner cruises. WE RECENTLY enjoyed a Flagship dinner cruise -- a nicely presented and tasty meal, with fabulous scenery to complement our gastronomic indulgence. We'd boarded with a celebrating family, honoring a daughter who'd just earned her doctorate. Together, we watched the harbor fade from view as Flagship's Spirit of San Diego traversed the big bay, winding under the Coronado Bridge and into Glorietta Bay Marina with a spectacular view of the famous Hotel Del Coronado. As a bonus this summer, and into September, fans of fine dining and gorgeous views from the water may also enjoy fireworks over the bay. Flagship is offering dinner and dancing during the leisurely three-hour excursion, ending with fireworks over the bay. CALL IT GILDING the lily -- the allure of San Diego's famous waterfront, kicked up a notch with fireworks. Dates are July 29-30, and Aug. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. The fireworks-dinner combo continues through Sept. 3. A celebrating family poses for the photographer, celebrating a graduation. WE THOUGHT of our a recent cruise ship adventure as we boarded the elegant double-decker Spirit. We strolled the 2,700-square foot observation deck as we pulled out of the harbor, enjoying a glass of bubbly, wishing it were a week long venture, not just an evening! That night, the Flagship clientele ranged from couples enjoying a date night, to three-generations celebrating a doctoral degree, to newlyweds, a bar mitzvah party and retirement fete. All were enjoying the impressive San Diego skyline from the lush outer decks and cozy cherry wood inner rooms. Cocktails were We left our pretty table for a stroll on deck. available at several stations and a DJ circulated, schmoozing with guests and taking musical requests for dancing. FLAGSHIP'S impressive nine-vessel fleet includes a new yacht, the California Spirit, the Princess, for fairytale weddings, the Marietta for whale watching, the Quiet Heart, and a pair of ferries. Glorietta, a small water taxi, is also under Flagship's purview. If you're feeling like treating 52 of your favorite people, the Spirit's VIP Captain’s Salon awaits, complete with tinted windows for privacy. It seats 52 guests and offers spectacular bay views. www.flagshipsd.com/flagship UP NEXT: It's a doggone good dog's life, when you're a canine traveling with Cookie and Keller. Nick and Nora, the couple's Yorkshire terriers, have logged over 60,000 airline miles (no frequent flier credit, darn!) and are always a part of the couple's road trips. Tips on making travel with pups easier for you -- and your four-footed pals. Remember to explore, learn and live. Keller takes a trip to Avalon, Catalina Islands, with Nora having a wee siesta while Cookie and Nick take photos! Tips on making pet travel both fun and relaxing.

When the grey whale "breathes," it's through his blowhole, the equivalent of a nostril, a magnificent sound and sight. SETTING SAIL IN SEARCH OF THE GREY WHALE YIELDS PLEASURES GALOR AND LESSONS ON ECOLOGY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Around the blowhole are both lice and barnacles. Neither does harm. Barnacles on the grey whale are kind of hitchhikers, using the whale for free transport while they hunt for food. Whale lice are also found on this whale, and they pick off pieces of dead skin and flesh. WHAT COULD be more exciting than looking a grey whale in his gorgeous eye, being so close you can hear the sounds of his blow, marveling at the barnacles encrusted on his hide. Yes, if you're quiet, you can really hear the sound of his blowhole -- a mighty whosh of air expulsion. Thus the expression, "thar she blows." EACH YEAR, more than 20,000 gray whales make an impressive 10,000 mile round-trip journey from Alaskan waters to the lagoons of Baja California, where Flagship departs daily from mid-December into April for whale watching from San Diego Bay. Scripps Aquarium naturalists enhance the experience. Keller and Cookie on the whale trail -- this time, they spotted seven whales. the females give birth to their calves. We lucky San Diegans may watch the journey close-up, so this time of year, look for us on the water -- on the several boats offered by Hornblower, Flagship and a couple smaller venues. Sailor Keller has even piloted our own craft. But it's more fun for him to let someone else do the driving so he can take photos and enjoy the spectacle. WE CAN CATCH the grey whales multiple times during their coming and going -- because after spending time in warm Baja California waters so their young can grow strong, they make the journey north again later in spring. This remarkable trip represents the longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis and for this Montana girl and my San Diego born partner, it is an extraordinary spectacle to observe. This year, we've been out a seven times, exploring the 70 miles of coastline in the migration path. We've seen whales every time -- now nearly 40 outings in the near decade I've been a grateful part-time San Diegan. Michael, a knowledgeable Hornblower volunteer, instructs kids on baleen, made of the same keratin as our finger nails. Gentle touching is allowed as part of the teaching. While we've observed the aquatic parade of gentle giants from land -- at the Torrey Pines Glider Port, Cabrillo National Monument, the lovely Birch Aquarium and from our favorite picnic spot in the La Jolla hills, we prefer spotting them on the water. Then we can see the rainbow in the spray from the blow and hear them breathing. We can even see the lice and barnacles that grip their skin for a free ride -- and we can admire the baleen which acts as a food filter as they suck in the water and its contents, straining the protein rich fish and shrimp for nutrition. WHILE HORNBLOWER has a delightful arsenal of knowledgeable volunteers and naturalists, all the whale watching ships have articulate, passionate friends of the whale aboard. Flagship's are from Birch Aquarium. Hornblower's are from the San Diego Museum of Natural History. Flagship's Patriot also offers a high-speed chance for a thrill ride of your life We always chat with the naturalists, and learn something each time. We've delighted in our study of the greys, who usually travel alone or in pods of two or three. We've seen more -- in peak migration season -- each one about the width of a basketball court. They always know we're nearby and don't seem to mind. They travel at about five knots (about six miles per hour), so when a boat captain or passenger spots one, we slow down -- usually from about five or six miles out, although we've seen them at closer range. Playful dolphins are a bonus on a whale watch. Check out Hornblower, Flagship and San Diego Whale Watch websites if you've got company coming -- for an experience unique to San Diego: flagshipsd.com or hornblower.com You'll board either one on North Harbor Drive just south of Broadway Pier. Please don't overlook San Diego Whale Watch, which boards from "the other bay," much smaller Mission Bay near SeaWorld. Both spirited and knowledgeable, naturalist Dani adds immensely to the pleasure and education of the day. sdwhalewatch.com. The whale experts from all three operations enhance the outings, and you'll be amazed that each venture is different from all others -- sometimes hundreds of dolphins escort the ship. Occasionally, whales are spotted just a mile or so out. Other times, particularly with the more illusive northbound whales, they might not appear until near the end of the three-hour venture. You may be able to get a close-up view of a whale. Perhaps even a turtle. Connecting with another species: priceless. We've NEVER failed to see at least a couple whales whenever we go, morning or afternoon, December or April. FOOD AND DRINK are available on all the vessels. But the best "food" is the mental and emotional nourishment you'll enjoy. BEST BETS: If you're a theater buff anywhere on the North American continent, head to San Diego for a fabulous array of quality productions as this lively community celebrates Theatre Week. Behold and buy tickets for a variety of riches from comedy to tragedy and musicals: sandiegotheatreweek.com/theatre Clifton's is downtown Los Angeles is a splendid survivor of the cafeteria age. NEXT UP: Venture down the rabbit hole when you visit Clifton's in Los Angeles. California’s lone survivor from the Golden Age of cafeterias gives new meaning to "dining experience" with stuffed animals, a giant tree growing through a couple floors, a “Cabinet of Curiosities” and more to celebrate California’s diverse natural and cultural legacy in a forest themed environment. Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekends for a twist on the arts, nature and travel.

A gray whale breaches off San Diego's Point Loma. The action isn't completely understood, but may be "spy hopping" to get a physical reference from the land to anchor their journey enroute to Baja to mate, give birth and care for young. GENTLE GIANTS OF THE SEA PASS BY SAN DIEGO NOW -- LISTEN FOR A THRILLING 'THAR SHE BLOWS!' One of a variety of Flagship vessels awaits passengers for a whale watch. Happy Cookie and Keller at sea, on a successful Flagship whale watching venture this week. Several adults and a calf! A gray whale shoots to the surface to gulp tons of krill for breakfast. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER CALL US WHALE-watching junkies. We answer the call whenever we're within 50 miles of a whale watching port -- anywhere in the world. But when we're watching whales in various corners of the world -- Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland -- we always feel a bit guilty. Why? Because we have whales in our backyard -- beautiful migrating whales we can see from land or by boat. We have the good fortune to follow them five or six times a year, here in southern California. We never take this wondrous opportunity for granted. NOW'S THE TIME the great grays are heading south from the chilly Alaskan waters to either give birth, or fatten up their young and themselves in the welcoming warmth of the waters off Baja before returning to Alaska. A quintet of a larger pod of dolphin ride the bow wave of our boat as it pushes through the water in the ocean miles off Point Loma. Birch Aquarium docents explain and offer a look at tiny krill whales consume by the ton, through their baleen. Southbound gray whales usually travel in pods of two or three and each year, more than 20,000 gray whales make an impressive 10,000 mile round-trip journey to the southern lagoons. We lucky San Diegans may watch the journey close-up, so this time of year, look for us on the water -- often on Flagship, but also on a couple smaller venues. Sailor Keller has even piloted our own craft. But it's more fun for him to let someone else do the driving so he play photographer. While we've observed the aquatic parade of gentle giants from land -- at the Torrey Pines Glider Port, Cabrillo National Monument, nearby lovely Birch Aquarium and from our favorite picnic spot in the La Jolla hills, we prefer spotting them on the water. THEN WE SEE the rainbow in the spray from the blow and hear them breathing. We can even see the barnacles that grip their skin for a free ride -- and we can admire the baleen which acts as a food filter as they suck in the water and its contents, straining the protein rich fish called crill -- a small shrimp-like critter which is the gray's main nutrition. Whale watching ships have articulate, passionate friends of the whale aboard. The spray of a gray whale creates a beautiful rainbow. A mile away, we see the exhaled breath from a 40-foot gray whale. That's a thrill for whale watchers. Flagship's are from Birch Aquarium. THIS WEEK we saw about 10 whales -- in peak migration season -- each one about the width of a basketball court. They know we're nearby and don't seem to mind. They travel at about five knots (about six miles per hour), so when a boat captain or passenger spots one, we slow down -- usually from about five or six miles out, although we've seen them at closer range. Someone hollers "thar she blows." Flagship vessels offer wonderful whale watching as well as harbor cruises, holiday and dinner cruises, and a jet boat thrill ride aboard the Patriot. flagshipsd.com to book or inquire. A group of small sailing tourist vessels await crew and passengers on a sight-seeing tour. The hill-top city is behind. UP NEXT: Santorini has an ancient history and a famous tram, along with volcanic sites and two major villages set atop the mountains. As one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, Santorini was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, houses are distinctive landmark. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, nature, family and the arts.

Tango began in brothels and tawdry dance halls to become a much admired and very popular dance form, known for its fabulous dancers and always a core of first-rate musicians accompanying. TANGO RISES FROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO INTERNATIONAL FAME POPULAR WITH RICH AND POOR, TOURISTS AND LOCALS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER These dancers headlined a show at El Milongon in Montevideo. Tango excellence depends on quick, precise moves, as at Michelangelo Legend in Buenos Aires, known for its fabulous dancers and the city's best musicians. THIS WEEK, we offer a photo essay on the artful dance of tango. We took several hundred tango photos during seven recent performances in Argentina, Uruguay and on our ship, Celebrity Solstice. With so many good ones, we decided "more is more." We hope you'll enjoy.TANGO IS one of the most influential and famous dances of modern history, originating from the brothels and streets of 18th century Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay. Both countries claim to have invented this favorite dance of European immigrants. Historians believe that tango evolved in the late 19th Century -- around 1880 -- in African-Argentine dance venues, This tango show was part of an evening celebrating tango's Golden Age, in Buenos Aires at Tango Porteno. expanding to other venues where dancing also took place: bars, eateries and dance halls. In Buenos Aires, tango shows the influence of Spain's national dance, flamenco. In Uruguay it blends African and Cuban influences, is less formal and invites audience participation at show's end. We saw the sensual, speedy milonga and habanera merging with tango in Uruguay. Some considered it a disreputable dance but it survives and is well loved today. TANGO EVOLVED. By the early 1900s it was socially acceptable. Tango's moves are fluid and graceful, a kind of ballet. The first documented tango music was published in 1910; by 1915, tango was the craze in fashionable European circles. Street dancers perform lovely tango for tips in Punta Tombo, on Argentina's central coast. It's serious business here, as these two busking dancers illustrate. Its popularity was evolving from the working classes to a dance form celebrated throughout the world, known both for its fine dancers and expert musicians. It has influenced the creation of many modern styles. Tango shows often feature other dances, evolved from Africa. Early tango was spirited and lively, but by 1920 the music and lyrics had become intensely melancholy. Tango steps evolved from early exuberance to smoother but still energetic ballroom steps and tempos. MANY RECOGNIZE "Le Grand Tango," a spirited piece for cello and piano by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. The work expresses the vibrancy of nuevo tango --new tango -- a melding of modern tango trends with a nod to 18th century tango in Buenos Aires and Montevideo. flamenco, fado The mellow squeeze box, called the bandoneon, is an essential instrument to tango. Strings, including cello, are also integral to tango. Tango has evolved from the favorite dance of European immigrants, former slaves, working and lower classes of people to an art form beloved by all classes. Its quick rise in popularity enabled this famous dance to expand out of South America, to Europe, North America and the rest of the world. Keller and Cookie pose beside a tango tableau at a Montevideo tango show. Fast, sexy footwork and quick, precise movements are tango hallmarks, here at Michelangelo. One is reminded of Barcelona's flamenco, because tango is influenced by that dance. With its rich history, variety of styles, and undisputed appeal, tango remains one of the most popular dances in the world. So who "invented" tango? The "credit war" continues in good natured fashion. Carlos Gardel (French born in 1890 as Charles Romuald Gardès) lived in both Argentina and Uruguay. Both countries claim this influential interpreter of their favorite dance form. Our tour guide had an authentic pumpkin gourd cup for her mate, and a thermos of very hot water to refill the cup as she and the driver sipped. It's okay to share a straw, she said, and they did as we toured. UP NEXT: Another tradition -- mostly in Uruguay -- is the constant consumption of a bitter tea, Yerba mate, also known as mate. The herbal drink is served in a mug, with hot water from an accompanying thermos. While it's a traditional drink in Latin and South America, it is most popular in Uruguay, where it is carried around by nearly everyone in two containers -- the cup with a bag of the herbal tea ready to mix, and a thermos of hot water to keep the buzz going. The mate is made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in the hot water. It is left to steep and can be served cold or hot. We were fascinated by the proliferation of the mate cup and thermos on tours, in parks, on streets and in airports and ferry stations. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on the arts, culture, performance, nature, family and more.

Cygnet Theater in Old Town is a fantastic night out, with a stop at nearby Hacienda de las Rosas Winery before or after. 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' with a twist opens this weekend in at Old Town venue STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS                 PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER  and courtesy Cygnet Theatre                                                                       Lively direction, fine singing entertained in Cygnet's "Little Shop of Horrors." THE WORD  cygnet means many things, from an obscure city in Tasmania to a fancy automobile, to its more familiar meaning, a young swan. "A Christmas Carol" promises the familiar story with a twist! In San Diego, Cygnet means quality theater. The delightful venue in Old Town serves up a feast of hard-hitting drama, musicals, comedies and just up, a new twist on an old favorite. We've seen dozens of fabulous productions at Cygnet in the eight years I've been a part-time San Diegan. "Sweeney Todd" was gangbusters, with actor-director Sean Murray a charming menace in the title role. "Cabaret" a la Cygnet and "Little Shop of Horrors" were delightful, too, and I've seen Broadway versions of "Sweeney," "Sweeney," "Cabaret" and "Little Shop." Antonio TJ Johnson as one of a magnificent quartet of actors in Sam Shepard's "Fool for Love." Sean Murray wins accolades for both direction and acting. SPEND  part of each year in London, where  "Noises Off" remains a favorite in my West End repertoire.  Cygnet's lively  production held its own against the formidable London version. Ditto for Cygnet's "A Glass Menagerie." Hacienda de las Rosas Winery offers  fun before or after a Cygnet play. CYGNET'S 'MAN  of La Mancha," a musical I hold dear for having conducted 27 performances myself, was moving, remarkably true to the spirit of the noble Don Quixote. Sean Murray's portrayal of the idealistic dreamer of the title, would have brought a tear to the eye of Cervantes!  I saw Richard Kiley in the Broadway production and Murray did the role proud. (Murray's versatility garnered a "best actor" award for "La Mancha"  and "best director" award for Cygnet's cutting edge production of "Cabaret" with a female emcee!) Cygnet's name is a nod to the Old Globe of London, and its rival in Shakespearean times, the Swan. San Diego's Old Globe was honored and amused when Cygnet' chose its name. The intimate, award winning 246-seat venue is located in Old Town. RECENTLY,  we took in Cygnet's Sam Shepard plays, a pairing of two of the playwright's evocative, disturbing and elegantly written short pieces.  Stage direction was inventive -- again, thanks to Murray -- and the acting superb. Carla Harting and Francis Gercke were the tormented mismatched lovers, Antonio TJ Johnson the conscience/father and Manny Fernandes the play's voice of reason. Fantastic, thoughtful work. Cygnet's current season features a new twist on "A Christmas Carol." On tap: the perennial favorite "My Fair Lady," the provocative Pulitzer Prize nominee, "Sons of the Prophet" and more: www.cygnettheatre.com And try this pairing: before or after Cygnet, we like to visit Old Town's nearby Hacienda de las Rosas Winery for a glass: www.sdwinery.com COMING SOON:  Acting, performance and the lively characters who make the magic... these all play parts in our novel, "Lilian's Last Dance," hot off the presses on Amazon eBooks.   How did we come up with these characters, their values and eccentricities? A famous Broadway director played into the story. Remember:  carpe diem!  Take time to explore, learn and live, and visit of Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com CLICK HERE ==>> Lilians Last Dance  e-book on Amazon ( This review is from: Lilian's Last Dance (Kindle Edition) Here's what Billings, Montana reader, Carole W. Baumann said: "Such an entertaining read about the beginning film industry and the traveling showmen that bring it to life as they cross the nation. "Lilian's Last Dance" informs as it amuses the reader."

We stopped for a spot of ale, after touring Hobbit homes. Where else, but at The Green Dragon? A trek through Hobbiton in New Zealand's lovely South Island attracted our travelers to visit the Hobbit holes and homes. BE A HOBBIT FOR A DAY AT THE GREEN DRAGON AND MILL Visitors from around the world come to be Hobbits for a day. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER >>buy Lilian's Last Dance e-Book<< WHEN SIR PETER Jackson found his ideal setting for "The Hobbit" movies, he was anxious to get moving. The year was 1998 and he'd coaxed the Alexander family in the south of New Zealand's lovely north island into sharing their spectacular 1,250 acre sheep and beef ranch with show business. His lure to the ranch couple: a long, paid vacation to anywhere! Just clear out and let him do his thing! Jackson was so smitten with the scenery that he canceled other land deals, made the Alexanders that offer (which they couldn't refuse) and set to building his spectacular sets in New Zealand's verdant south forests. BY 1999, earth moving machinery began constructing a road into the site and creating 39 Hobbit holes and homes, a double-arch bridge, elaborate gardens and footpaths, The Green Dragon pub and fabled Mill. A stunning oak tree overlooking Bag End was cut down and transported from nearby Matamata. Authentic looking leaves were crafted in Taiwan, flown in and individually wired onto the spectacular tree. Few people can tell the difference. hand-painted fake leaves. No one notices. This venerable oak tree, top right, is really an oak brought in from nearby Matamata with "The set is maintained to keep the magic of the Shire alive," our guide said. At its peak during filming, 400 people were on site, including Jackson, actors Elijah Wood (Frodo), Sean Astin (Sam), Ian Holm (Bilbo) and Sir Ian McKellen, who played the wise wizard Gandalf. "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" opened in theaters worldwide just days before Christmas last. When director Jackson began filming 17 years ago, dispatching the Alexanders to a glorious months-long all expenses paid trip, he sequestered himself on the set, appropriated their home for his quarters and built a movie studio for viewing dailies. Keller emerges from tea and crumpets in a Hobbit home. THE BUCOLIC film setting for the famed Shire, home of the Hobbits, has thus been immortalized and Jackson was knighted for his Oscar winning film work. Under his artistic direction, "The Hobbit" became a movie series of three epic fantasy adventure films based on the 1937 J.R.R. Tolkien novel. The property-owning family is happy with the results: their land looks good and people don't mind the hour-plus drive from the nearest big city, Wellington. The farm is still operational and one of the Alexander sons runs the profitable tourist destination of Hobbiton, which has entertained thousands of Hobbit-loving visitors since opening its doors to tourists. An uncle and one of his nephews greet visitors to a Maori village near Napier. COMING UP: The Maori people of New Zealand have their own magic -- in music, stories, weapons, games, dance, food (yes, cannibalism at one time) and their intricate tattoos. Come with us to two Maori villages, where Cookie gets a tat and we sing, play games and touch noses and foreheads with our hosts, young Maori school children. Explore, learn, live and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com And watch for a new blog: www.lilianslastdance, about our new ebook, soon to be a paperback. We'll let you know book tour dates, signings and more!

Veteran cruisers, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller have made travel and cruising the world a priority. They offer enthusiastic endorsement to those "on the fence" about cruising. Below, Bruce Keller, Christene Meyers, Rick Cosgriffe and Jane Milder at Rome's Trevi Fountain. QUEEN MARY, NCL's VIVA, CELEBRITY SHIPS SET SCENE FOR A SUMMER OF BUCKET LIST BUSTING ATLANTIC CROSSING, DEATHS OF LOVED ONES ENCOURAGE TRAVEL WRITERS TO SHARE GOOD TIMES, URGE READERS TO 'DO IT NOW,' EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS AND START EXPLORING THE WORLD Afternoon tea aboard Queen Mary 2 is a delightful, albeit decadent, indulgence, here enjoyed by Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers. If you've dreamed of crossing the Atlantic in style aboard this true ocean liner, now's the time. We're only here a brief time, so make the most of it. "We are always getting ready to live but never living." --Ralph Waldo Emerson STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER YOU CAN'T TAKE it with you. Dear friends John and Sue lived life fully and traveled the world before his death this week, after a 7-month battle with cancer. We just lost a dear friend in Yorkshire who lived life to the hilt. While John is deeply missed, it is a comfort to remember that he and his beloved wife, Sue, worked hard for many years before they began a few years ago to travel the world. Sure, they had more trips in mind, but they packed a lot into their years together. (I'll write more about John and Sue nearer the celebration of his life in July.) Here in the serene setting of our Beartooth Mountains retreat, I urge readers to "do it now." Robins sing, a pair of young rabbits just hopped by on their way to raid our petunias and hummingbirds are dipping into the nectar. We both wanted to see the penguins off the southern tip of South America. Dream fulfilled, a huge thrill. Life goes on, despite accidents, tragedies, death. The sun rises and sets with or without us. Why wait if there's something you dearly want to do. Why not now? Cookie and Keller on a drizzly but glorious Atlantic crossing aboard Queen Mary 2. IF YOU'VE thought of a trip, perhaps treating the family or a dear friend, do it. If you haven't yet made the first steps, grab your phone. Start a trip NOW. Do you dream of climbing Mt. Fuji, eyeing a Galapagos tortoise? Have you longed to stroll the streets of Paris and have dinner with an Eifel Tower view? Time's a wasting. I WOULD NOT trade a single trip I've taken, since my first road trips as a child with my parents and grandparents. Journeys to see great-aunties in Kansas, Oklahoma and Chicago, then more trips in my er's airplanes: a Cessna, Mooney, Bellanca. On this last long trip, Keller and I traveled more than 22,000 miles. Each day, we thanked our lucky stars that we could see the world together, enjoying peaceful Atlantic crossings, a train adventure in the Swiss Alps, concerts in Spain, a tuk-tuk ride in Portugal, and a reunion with my brother Rick, our third meeting in Europe, each one decades apart. The cave walk in Zion National Park is a wonder. WE BOTH realize that life is short and each day precious. The simple act of getting on a train and hoisting a suitcase can be taxing if one is battling illness, or the exigencies of aging. If you're feeling fit now, remember the clock is ticking. Sure, not everyone can afford travel outside the country. But you can get a taste of foreign lands right here in the U.S. Visit Europe in the USA Cookie and Keller a few weeks ago, ending a two-month trip which explored three continents. Solvang, California, for instance, is a charming Swedish village. Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., are built around water and offer European and British sophistication. OUR NATIONAL parks are treasures, and for most of us, a park is nearby. It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to plan a weekend camping trip or a park drive. For us, travel is a priority and we cut back on other areas to take the trips we so cherish. So even if you have limited funds, it is possible to achieve travel goals. Make a plan, draft a budget, cut back on something you won't miss. Do you really need a Starbucks every time you go grocery shopping? Do you need that new blouse or shoes? . A swim with dolphins was on the bucket list for Keller and Cookie, here at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii. How about doing your own nails or having a friend cut your hair in exchange for something you bake or a musical afternoon if you're talented. Do you need the regular housekeeper, or can you clean yourself? You'll be amazed at places you could save. TRAVEL'S BENEFITS are multiple: stress reduction, memory building, friendship forging, horizon expanding. Travel encourages flexibility, creativity and improvisation. If your budget is stretched this year, and a big trip is not possible, consider a visit to a nearby forest, botanical garden or national park. For me, travel reduces stress and anxiety, and helps me disconnect from the pressures of daily life. It promotes happiness, makes me feel calmer and more content. Travel helps me realize my capabilities by putting me in challenging situations where I am forced to improvise, navigate the unknown and accomplish new things. Without the stretch and its creativity, I wouldn't have pushed myself, set new goals. Travel teaches life skills, helps me adapt to new environments, appreciate diversity. Travel is the enemy of racism and prejudice. It increases tolerance and acceptance of others as we realize how much we have in common as humans. You don't have to be a millionaire to follow your dreams.... Remember what the bard said: "I wasted time, and now doth time waste me." For itineraries on your dream trip, or to book, check out our favorite cruise lines: www.cunard.com www.celebritycruises.com www.ncl.com And for answers to your national park questions: www.nps.gov Concert goers make the climb to Domo, for a concert by world class musicians. The season is underway for 2024, with various bike, hiking and geo tours planned along with the season of concerts by famed musicians. Domo is inspired by Italian cathedrals, as a kind of "open air" concert hall with splendid acoustics. UP NEXT: The season is beginning at Tippet Rise Art Center, an internationally acclaimed arts venue located on an 12,000 acre working ranch not far from the writer's summer home, in southcentral Montana. Various activities are offered at the sculpture and music venue , north of Yellowstone National Park. We were on the ground floor, writing the first major article about the unique and appealing center. Established in 2016, Tippet Rise presents concerts of classical music and exhibits large-scale contemporary outdoor sculptures, including an Alexander Calder piece which greets visitors.