Japan's complex but efficient transportation system is known throughout the world. Here, one of the beautiful corridors connecting the city. It features both moving walkways and an option to walk on immaculate tiles. Story By Christene Meyers Photos By Bruce Keller "The Carpe Diem Kids" The Tokyo Pass and Rail, Metro Tips & What Travelers Should Know to Navigate Japan’s Efficient Transportation System Japan's transportation system is efficient but complex. Preparing before your trip will help. The first time most travelers enter a major Japanese train station, they experience a moment of awe followed by confusion. Streams of commuters move with precision beneath glowing signs filled with Japanese characters and color-coded lines. Trains arrive exactly on time. Escalators hum with orderly rhythm. Music plays, arrivals and departures are announced as bullet trains move in and out at breathtaking speed. If you aren't prepared, you could feel lost. Many rank Japan’s transportation system as the best in the world. In many ways it is. Yet its brilliance comes with complexity. Understanding how to navigate it -- before your trip begins-- will transform Japan from stressful to seamless, from intimidating to unforgettable. That's Cookie, second from left, resting on a hectic travel day, a rookie with a sea of polite local commuters. Japan Travel Transportation Guide: Pleasures of Traveling There Our Japan travel transportation guide shows that Japan’s transport system is part of the cultural experience. We rode the Shinkansen, took many subway trips, followed Japan transit etiquette. In three weeks, our confidence increased. Still, navigating Tokyo Station and other major hubs is not for the timid. Japan feels almost impossibly efficient. Trains routinely arrive within seconds of scheduled times. Stations are clean. The movement of millions of people seems calm and organized. We sometimes felt we were the only ones who didn't know what we were doing. But we met a confused New Zealand who made us feel less alone; they were challenged, too. Once we studied and did a bit of homework, travel in Japan actually became fun. Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet train resembles a James Bond car -- sleek, modern, efficient. The famous Shinkansen bullet trains glide smoothly through the countryside, turning long-distance travel into something serene rather than exhausting. A trip from Tokyo to Kyoto takes many hours by car, but by train took us just over two hours. We watched Mount Fuji outside the window while attendants passed through the cabin, bowing politely. It all felt distinctly Japanese: elegant, respectful, quietly theatrical. Bruce Keller contemplates the journey, sitting with Japanese commuters on a busy day. On local trains, we watched uniformed school children take their seats. Elderly passengers carried produce. Neatly dressed workers dozed or checked their phones. It was a cultural experience. Subway stations have personality. Some feature beautiful geraniums or other pretty potted plants. Some play traditional music. Some have elaborate underground shopping arcades, bakeries, bookstores, art installations. Stations like Shinjuku and Tokyo Station are subterranean cities. First-Time Traveler’s Biggest Shock: Scale Nothing prepares visitors for Japan's massive transportation infrastructure. Tokyo has the world's most complex rail network. Multiple companies run overlapping systems, including Japan Railways (JR), Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway and private lines. One area may contain several stations with similar names operated by different companies. Tokyo Station feels like a combination airport, shopping mall and labyrinth. Shinjuku Station handles millions of passengers daily with dozens of exits. It often took us twenty minutes to find the correct platform or exit. Locals do it quickly. This complexity at first frustrates. While Japan's efficiency is real, efficiency and simplicity are not the same. But Japan’s transportation is well organized once you know fundamentals. The Essential Secret: Use an IC Card Immediately. We recommend Suica One of the smartest decisions we made was to first obtain an IC transit card. Cards such as the Suica or PASMO function like rechargeable transportation wallets. Instead of purchasing individual tickets for each ride, we simply tapped into our gates and tapped out at our destinations. When we needed to replenish our cards, we found convenience stores to add more yen. If you have an Apple phone, you can add money from your wallet. We recommend the 72-hour Tokyo Subway Pass, which we obtained through Tokyo Pass. Various options for time are available. Tokyo Pass also offers unlimited access to nearly 40 different attractions. The cards work on trains, subways, buses, and even vending machines and convenience stores. Without an IC card, we would have spent time at ticket machines trying to calculate fares. Our cards made the process dramatically easier. The freedom of simply tapping in and out of gates turned Japan’s transportation network from intimidating to manageable. Tokyo Pass: Why This Valuable Pass Is Worth It We appreciated the Tokyo Pass. It offers foreign visitors to Tokyo unlimited access to a variety of excellent museums, parks, gardens, zoos, and aquariums with the convenience of cashless admission. The Tokyo Pass is convenient and made it easy for us to explore the city. For a a fast-paced itinerary involving Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and back to Tokyo, visitors may consider the Japan Rail pass with access to Japan’s famous trains, including the fast Shinkansen bullet trains, plus a range of buses and a ferry. For many, it’s the key to exploring multiple cities quickly, easily and for less money than buying individual tickets. Travelers staying primarily in Tokyo need only the Tokyo Pass, both useful and convenient. Our trip from Tokyo to Kyoto during Golden Week meant we needed reserved seats. The Shinkansen was crowded but comfortable and we were grateful for having reserved ahead. The Beauty of the Shinkansen Riding the Shinkansen has been a defining pleasure in our multiple trips to Japan. The trains are smooth, quiet, and comfortable. Seats are spacious. Windows are large. Luggage storage is organized. Stations operate with extraordinary precision. Yet there are practical details visitors should know in advance. Pack reasonably sized luggage. Large suitcases may need reserved luggage storage seating. Not all Shinkansens are equal. Some stop frequently, others are express. Understanding the difference between Nozomi, Hakkari, Kodama, and other train categories saves travel time. Many Japanese travelers bring an ekiben, or box lunch. The word is a combination of eki (train station) and ben (short for bento, or boxed meal). They are tasty and beautifully prepared. Reserved seats are worth the additional cost during busy seasons. We learned this during Golden Week. Other crowded times are Buddhist Obon holidays, cherry blossom time and autumn foliage period. Consider your dates and book accordingly. A traveler stands patiently in line before boarding. Many travelers buy an ekiben -- an artful bento box. We found that eating quietly aboard the Shinkansen while countryside scenery glides by to be memorable. Japan's subway system is elaborate but efficient. Do some homework first to make it easier. Timing, Luggage and Etiquette Matter in Japanese Culture Japan’s transportation system rewards punctuality. If a train departs at 10:03, it genuinely departs at 10:03. Arriving at 10:04 can mean missing the train entirely. We learned to budget additional time inside major stations. Finding the correct platform in Tokyo or Osaka took us longer than expected, particularly with a month of luggage. Savvy travelers increasingly pack lighter or utilize Japan’s excellent luggage forwarding services. Companies transport suitcases between hotels, allowing travelers to move with just overnight bags. Experienced travelers arrive at major stations at least 20–30 minutes early. Quiet Is the Rule Japan’s transportation culture is built upon consideration for others. One of the biggest cultural surprises for foreign visitors is how quiet trains are. Even crowded commuter trains are nearly silent. Phone calls are discouraged although many people text and read email. Loud conversations are considered impolite. Music should never leak from headphones. Travelers line up neatly on platforms. Escalator etiquette varies, but locals generally stand on one side and leave the other open. Sides change from city to city. Backpacks are often carried low or moved to the front during crowded rides. Eating is common on Shinkansens. Always use trash dispensers built into hallways between cars. Understanding transit etiquette helped us feel comfortable and respectful. It works. Millions of people participate collectively in maintaining order and calm. Avoid Commuter Times We learned years ago to avoid major commuter travel windows, especially in Japan between 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. This is important on weekdays in Tokyo and Osaka. The difference between riding at 8 a.m. versus 10 a.m. feels huge. The Emotional Side of Japanese Transit What surprises many travelers most is both the efficiency and a quiet yet emotional atmosphere. There is dignity. People move with mutual awareness, orderly despite crowds. Employees bow as trains depart. Conductors point at signals, in precise safety protocol. For visitors like us from car-dependent countries, Japan’s transit culture feels oddly peaceful. We found our green Suica transit cards to be helpful and easy to use in Tokyo. As we traveled, we walked more, observed more, becoming part of the city's rhythm. We realized that Japan’s transportation system reflects broader cultural values: respect, precision, patience, cooperation, and collective responsibility. Final Advice: Preparation Creates Freedom Travelers who struggle most in Japan are those who arrive without preparing. Japan rewards preparation. Download navigation apps before arrival. Learn basic station terminology. Understand IC and Suica cards. Reserve major train journeys during peak seasons. Pack light for ease. Study your hotel’s nearest station exit. Most importantly, allow yourself patience during the first few days. Most travelers get lost at least once. Almost everyone boards a wrong platform or feels confused. With preparation that changes. The maps begin to make sense. Transfers become easier. Tapping through ticket gates becomes second nature. Japan’s transportation system may initially appear overwhelming, but for travelers willing to prepare and adapt, it becomes one of the greatest pleasures of visiting the country. For Tokyo travelers, we recommend the Tokyo Pass, a digital, smartphone-based sightseeing ticket that grants travelers cash-free entry to Tokyo's top museums, gardens and cultural attractions: mytokyopass.com; jrailpass.com; Helena's Montana Historical Heritage Center is the setting for a visit from travel writers and photographers Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers, framed by a vibrant mural above the gift shop COMING SOON: In Helena, Montana, the Montana Heritage Center has become a major new destination for anyone who wants to understand our state beyond its breathtaking mountains, wide-open highways and legendary cowboy image. Admission is free, and various exhibits give a feel for Montana that enriches a visit to the Treasure State. Exhibits range from the Ice Age to Native American culture, present day attractions, animals and the state's extraordinary wildlife, plus much more. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, history and more: www.whereiscookie.com

Peny Jil Cosgriffe Hayes was a beautiful and talented sister who died 27 years ago this week. REMEMBERING A LIFE WELL-LIVED:BLITHE, BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT PENY Editor's Note: This essay, by Christene Meyers, was published in 2013 and has appeared in various versions in newspapers and magazines. It was reviewed in 2026 and is reprinted by request, to honor Peny's Oct. 15 birthday TWENTY-SEVEN years ago, the world was mourning the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Our family was saying good-bye to our beloved Peny Jil, my sister, who was enduring the last few days of a nine-month battle with leukemia. Space shuttle Challenger explodes in a fiery cloud against a dark sky, leaving white smoke trails and horrified witnesses watching below. I was on my way from Montana to University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, on one of 25 flights to see sis since her diagnosis on a dark dawn, April 5, 1985. It was the morning of Jan. 28, 1986, and I’d raced into an airport lounge in Salt Lake City to watch the Challenger launch. Waiting for my connection, I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed for the TV. I watched in disbelief as the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into flight. Soon, everyone knew that all seven crew members had perished. I’ll never forget the anguished faces of Christa McAuliffe’s parents, Ed and Grace, as their joy turned to horror. "Evita" was the last pay the sisters saw together. Theater was a tradition. FOR MY family, it was sorrow upon sorrow. Losing My Sister Peny and Christa is Still Traumatic for the Families My father and mother, Richard and Ellen, were experiencing their own grief as the doctors in San Francisco told them that morning that Peny would not survive. The ardors of chemotherapy, radiation and failed bone marrow transplant had weakened her beyond recovery. We had been so hopeful – battling the odds – conferring with doctors, reading everything, hoping for a miracle. She slipped into a coma the night before and although I had just left San Francisco, hope in my heart, I headed back to say good-bye. Christa McAuliffe left the planet the same weekend as did Peny, 27 years ago during space shuttle Challenger's launch. PENY WAS BORN in 1949. Christa was born in 1948. They would have been friends. Both were gregarious, over-achieving, loving, fine teachers, intrepid adventurers, with daring, charisma and humor. Christa became famous as the first teacher to train for a space flight. Peny was a ground-breaker, too. She left Montana to live in a commune in northern California. There she met Jim Hayes, a New Yorker who left a successful law firm for a simpler life. They established a porcelain pottery studio and had two delightful children, Amarylla and James. Peny taught aerobics, grew vegetables, was an accomplished cook, singer and seamstress and made black berry pies instead of birthday cakes. She was a fine swimmer, sly prankster and never missed an opportunity to hear a jazz concert or take in a play. Peny, on mother Ellen Cosgriffe's lap, and Cookie, 1952, right. The sisters performed and dressed alike until their late teens. As children, she and I were known as Cookie and Peny and we toured a song-and-dance act to Montana towns, performing for many functions, including a gubernatorial inaugural. Our musical mother dressed us like twins until we were in our teens. In our last years together, we began a tradition of sister weekends in San Francisco, seeing plays, going to clubs, ordering room service at midnight. The Hayes family visited Montana and we met in Hawaii when the kids were young. Our last play together was “Evita” and I think of Peny every time I hear “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.” I wonder if Christa’s sister, Betsy, thinks of Christa every day. Even after 27 years, I’ll bet she does. Cookie, left, baby Amarylla and Peny sunbathing on Kaanapali Beach, Maui, in spring of 1974. PENY JIL Cosgriffe Hayes had gorgeous red hair and a lilting soprano voice. She learned to play the viola in two days. She loved to dance and stopped the show with her passionate movements. She also mastered piano, guitar, trombone and flute. In her last weeks, she played her flute in the cancer ward, greeting other patients, her instrument in one hand and her portable IV in the other. She was also an accomplished artist and was building a successful porcelain business with her husband Jim when disease struck. Both Peny and Christa were married happily and had small children. Christa’s children, Scott and Caroline, were nine and six when they lost their mother. Peny’s children, Amarylla and James, were twelve and nine. I am devoted to my niece and nephew and follow their lives with pride. I wonder how Christa’s kids are, how their lives have gone, what they’ve become. From left, sisters Cookie, Olivia and Misha, with their niece Amarylla, Peny's only daughter, of whom she was proud. I KNOW Christa would be proud and I’m certain Peny would be pleased that her children have full, happy lives. She loved both town and country and her kids have many of her wonderful traits – one each living in the two worlds she loved. James is the country boy, settled in rural northern California where he grows and markets organic vegetables and eye-popping flowers. Amarylla lives in the Bay Area where she is taking time off from her marketing and catering career to be a busy mom. Both have loving partners. I gave each couple a holiday gift of a video my partner put on a DVD. In it, their mother sings a leading part in a Christmas cantata in 1984. That long-ago rehearsal is one of the few remnants we have of Peny in action, along with a funny tennis match with her husband Jim, filmed at Flathead Lake in Montana during the summer of 1983. My late husband, Bruce, provides a hilarious commentary for the match, the youngsters’ antics in the lake and the picnic we shared later in the day. Peny, left, and Cookie, sing a holiday song. ONE OF MY late mother’s favorite Cookie-Peny stories was of a holiday performance Peny and I gave in the Congregational Church in Columbus, Montana, in the early 1950s. We were singing “The Lord’s Prayer,” with our grandmother Olive accompanying us on the organ. I was four; Peny was three, “Irish twins,” as we were known. When Peny began fidgeting with the brass rings on the velvet curtain framing the altar, I slapped her hand. She slapped me back. The fight continued, all without our missing a note and offering a teeth-clenching “amen.” The congregation was in hysterics and the minister was laughing so hard he had to remove his glasses. I CELEBRATE my sister’s rich but brief life and her robust 36 years on the planet. Christa had only a year longer. How much more could these two wonders have accomplished had they lived? How I wish Peny were here with me now, for I’ve recently settled in California. We would see even more of one another, enjoy nightlife, museums, jazz and plays. She would cherish her grown children, and her adorable grandson. We’d meet again at the Fairmont or St. Francis to toast with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and order clam chowder at midnight. WHAT I KNOW about loss is that it becomes a permanent part of our lives. Each fallen loved one holds a sacred place in our heart and history. Our affection never changes. Our sadness in their leaving never abates. But slowly, miraculously, the debilitating sorrow gives way to wistful thanks. Thanks for their having been here. For since their existence has altered ours, they are forever with us.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, New Year's Eve 2015. Cookie, Keller had ringside seats to ring in 2015! They also saw Bennett and Gaga at his farewell concert in New York's Radio City Music Hall. Bruce Meyers and the Kit Kat Girls. The actor and writing teacher was emcee in a 1977 production of "Cabaret" for which writer Christene Meyers was music director and head of the Kit Kat Band. DANCING THROUGH LIFE, FAVORITE PLAYS AND PERFORMANCES, INTERVIEWS, CHANCE MEETINGS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER (and newspaper archives, studios) "The Carpe Diem Kids" Cygnet Theatre moved from its Old Town venue to Liberty Station, naming its primary theater after one of its largest donors, Joan Jacobs. IN THOUSANDS of plays, concerts and star interviews, I've collected a steamer trunk of programs, playbills, ticket stubs, autographed photos. Notes from chats with hundreds of stage and screen personalities. Film reviews. Observations on live productions. Notes for my annual Oscar predictions. Academy Awards reports. Scribbles on napkins from surprise meetings. Sitting by Christopher Plummer to watch his daughter, Amanda, in her Tony nominated portrayal of a young nun in "Agnes of God." Harry Belafonte: activist, brilliant singer, played to a sold-out gala at the Alberta Bair Theater. Orchestra seats across from Indira Gandhi at that same New York production, days before she was assassinated in India. Getting a last-minute "okay" for a 10-minute interview with Sammy Davis Jr. at his final Sands performance in Las Vegas. Interviewing Harry Belafonte in Billings, Montana, and learning that Martin Luther King wrote his most famous speech while a guest in Belafonte's New York town house. Meryl Streep, a delight to interview. I treasure interviews at world premiers with the greatest actress of our time. Ditto, Gene Hackman, who gave me a private interview at "The French Collection" premier because he liked my questions at the round table. Christopher Reeve as "Superman" before a riding accident changed his life. Thoughtful, kind Christopher Reeve, a gentleman to all, gracious and intelligent interview, super "Superman" in so many ways. His humanitarian contributions and heroic dealing with a crippling horseback riding accident endeared him to me and millions of fans. Grace under pressure. ROBERT REDFORD was our traveling companion on a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to New York. He sat in 2A, quietly reviewing the script for "A River Runs Through It." We didn't bother him-- we'd just interviewed him at Sundance. But we overheard him ask the flight attendant to switch his first class meal of tenderloin for the coach fare of fried chicken! "Can you bring me whatever they're having back there?" he asked. "It smells good." LIFE WITHOUT performance, literature -- interviewing dancers, writers, painters and directors-- would be a dull proposition. Sammy Davis Jr. sings to a sell-out audience in the Sands' Copa Room in Las Vegas. Show Biz Journey of Christene "Cookie" Meyers: both sides of the footlights MY MOST vivid memories are shaped by theater, books, museum visits, concerts and film -- drama experienced on both sides of the footlights. As a kid, I watched movies in the Erie Theater in Columbus, Montana. I saw hundreds of movies in my reviewing career, acted and played piano for many shows, interviewed directors, playwrights, writers, singers and dancers. Barysnikov at the Kirov, Pavarotti in Milan-- each seen with a much loved late husband. "Cabaret," at Montana's Billings Studio Theatre. My first spouse, Bruce Meyers, was emcee; I headed the Kit Kat Band. Brilliant Skip Lundby directed. Performance keeps me going. As my gran Olive said, "We can't choose the tune we're played. We can choose how we dance to it." 'MAN of La Mancha" is a treasured memory. I saw it first on Broadway with Richard Kiley as Don Quixote then performed it two dozen times at Der Schwartzwald Dinner Theater in Montana with Bruce Meyers in the title role, a fundraiser to "Save the 1931 Fox" I was musical director and pianist. In San Diego, Cygnet Theatre's "La Mancha" evoked happy flashbacks via Sean Murray's sensitive "Don Q." I vieed this fabulous production with my third husband, Bruce Keller, in his hometown. OTHER highlights of the show biz journey of Christene Meyers: Maggie Smith patting my nervous hand in 1969 when she knew I was nervous about the interview. Kind, gracious, talented "Miss Jean Brodie," only 35 herself then. I was a greenhorn reporter on one of my first big interviews. Maggie Smith was gracious and kind at a 1969 interview for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie." She wasn't honored as "dame" until 1990. This interview was long before her fame in "Downton Abbey" and "Harry Potter." ...Folies Bergere in Paris with mother Ellen and sister Robbie. Dame Joan Sutherland in concert at Sydney Opera House with my sailor turned play-going pal, "Keller." A lively interview with writer Frederick Forsyth, working on his next novel, prowling Montana's backroads. The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles is a regular part of Cookie and Keller's theater life, seeing and writing about an average of 100 plays a year. Disney Concert Hall is in the complex, too. A FULL day spent at “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” in New York, with a brief break for wine, a nosh and quick interview with star John Howard. I MET DUSTIN Hoffman in 1970 when I interviewed him on the Montana set of "Little Big Man." So seeing Hoffman’s Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman” in London was exciting. But my most thrilling production of that brilliant Arthur Miller work was in a Beijing theater. Despite my limited knowledge of Mandarin, I was mesmerized. This fine play moved its Asian audience as deeply as it does American fans. When Willy's widow, Linda, delivered her “attention must be paid” line near the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. MY MARLON BRANDO interview wasn't the favorite in the journey of Christene "Cookie" Meyers. It was short. The brilliant actor was distracted, perhaps because he had gained weight. He was also having trouble with his lines on "The Missouri Breaks" set. This annoyed Jack Nicholson, who said the prompter was annoying. Burt Bachrach's sell-out concert christened the renovated Fox Theater as the Alberta Bair Theater. During 45 years interviewing stars at the old Fox now Alberta Bair Theater, two "ABT gala" interviews stand out: Burt Bachrach and Harry Belafonte. Both were gracious and loquacious in the renovated ABT green room, a far cry from its musty, decrepit Fox days. I REMEMBER a favorite actress, Mary Tyler Moore, not just for her brilliance in two Emmy winning TV sitcoms, but for her Tony winning performance in "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" that searing, but warm and touching study of end-of-life questions. In 1980 I interviewed her at the premier of "Ordinary People." She portrayed a mother struggling with the death of a son, rejecting her remaining son's affection. (It was Robert Redford's directorial debut. Moore was delighted when I expressed Mary Tyler Moore, at the world premiere of "Ordinary People," directed by Robert Redford. my fondness for earlier work: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show.") I also interviewed two of her longtime collaborators, Betty White and Cloris Leachman on the "MTM" set (and Leachman again at the world premier of "Young Frankenstein.") What a kick in my theatrical pants. Both White's and Leachman's impeccable comic timing had reporters in hysterics as the two actors bantered and ad-libbed one-liners. Leachman did a little curtsy at interview's end. White blew reporters a kiss. Manhattan Transfer in San Diego's Balboa Theatre. Founder Tim Hauser, is second from left, Great performances -- drama, concerts, ballet, on stage or screen -- move us as few other experiences do. WHEN OUR family saw “Oliver!” in July of 1964 at the Imperial Theatre in New York, it left indelible marks on us all. We still sing “Consider Yourself,” “As Long as He Needs Me” and “Where is Love” at family reunions. Even the youngest remembers the lyrics to "Food Glorious Food" and Fagin's nimble dance as he sends his charges off. We tear up remembering our heartbreak when Bill Sikes murders Nancy. We recall my dad hailing two yellow cabs from after the matinee, off to Sardi's for dinner, surrounded by stars’ portraits. Our orchestra seats were $4.75 each, taxi rides were $5 and we all dined splendidly for $128! Thanks to our theater-loving mother for organizing it all. Cirque du Soliel's Beatles show, "Love," in Las Vegas. Cookie and Keller are Vegas regulars -- for shows of course, and perhaps a bit of gambling. Fishtail, Montana, hosts Shakespeare in the Parks in July at the town park across from Fishtail Store . I'VE SEEN our beloved “Oliver!” in London revivals – in 1984, in 2008 and again 2025. A few years ago, I took the family to "Oliver" at Venture Theatre in Billings, Montana. It was all I could do to keep myself off the stage. Seeing this revered musical with brothers Rick and Patrick and sister Olivia, who flanked me so long ago in the Imperial, was a treat. Now the tunes are beloved by my niece Aurora and great-nephew Connor. ...I've lost track of my Elvis impersonator shows -- dozens. I love seeing multiple productions, always a new twist. I never miss "My Fair Lady," one of my childhood's Broadway favorites, which we've seen brilliantly delivered at Welk Resort, Cygnet, Ahmanson and at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival with two pianos instead of an orchestra! The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's "My Fair Lady" featured two grand pianos instead of an orchestra. I LOGGED three productions of "Sunset Boulevard," with Patti Lupone, Glenn Close and Betty Buckley. Each gave it her own unique spin. I saw Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett in the original production of “Sweeney Todd,” then Lupone and three others. All fabulous, on both coasts -- New York and in San Diego. At the film version, I sat between nephews Kenji and Eric, clutching their arms as blood flew and Sweeney's razor did its job. Who’d have thought Johnny Depp could sing (he can) or that Helena Bonham Carter would be such a mesmerizing Mrs. Lovett (she is.) Stephen Sondheim is on my bucket list of most coveted interview subjects! Cookie lands in Paris, heads for the Folies Bergere. Cher's show featured this poster at Caesar's in Las Vegas. It sold out the Colosseum show room. I'VE COVERED the Academy Awards, interviewed dozens of stars of stage and screen, previewed and reviewed hundreds of productions. I try to be kind, appreciating the energy and effort that actors, musicians, directors, dancers, designers, prop people and technicians give. I’ve done time on that glorious side of the footlights, conducting and playing piano to raise money to save our beloved Fox, in its reincarnation as the ABT. When I took the helm of the “Save the Fox” endeavor, in Billings, spring of 1976, the future of the Fox was doubtful. Would the building be leveled? Would it be a parking lot? Helping save that gem is one of my proudest endeavors and led to many delightful interviews. IN LAS VEGAS on the grounds of the venerable old Sands Hotel, now stands the flashy Venetian, with gondolas and glory. But this reporter remembers seeing a dozen headliners in the Copa, interviewing them in the Sands' elegant showroom. I heard the ghosts of the Rat Pack, honest! I've savored a string of cabaret shows in the Carlyle Hotel in New York City's upper east side -- Bobby Short, Mary Martin, Rosemary Clooney, Debbie Reynolds, Judy Collins -- in cozy Bemelman's Bar cabaret. Dolly Parton -- king, smiling, smart and gracious to reporters -- here in a black sequined top answering questions at the world premiere of "Nine to Five" Dolly Parton remains a highlight. Warm, funny, sharp. She was gracious and kind -- completely herself -- confident and teasing at the premieres of "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "Nine to Five." Her fellow stars spoke highly of her -- everyone loves Dolly. At the Fairmont in San Francisco, "Bruce the First" and I saw Duke Ellington, Bernadette Peters, Liza Minnelli. We hit showrooms and concert halls in Vienna, Paris, Rio, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Milan. Many of my icons were backed by a full orchestra before taped scores became the norm. Dean Martin, Donald O’Connor, Liberace, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Short, Marian McPartland. Peggy Lee. I saw them all, interviewed them. I have the Playbills and notebooks to prove it! Aerial view of tugboats towing a cargo barge through a Panama Canal lock. The canal is one of the world's great engineering marvels, worthy of inspection from travel lovers around the world. UP NEXT: The Panama Canal. Transiting the canal's massive lock system is intricate. As your cruise ship enters the locks, columns of water lift or lower the massive vessel with pinpoint precision. You stand on the deck and watch the stone walls inches from the ship. Small locomotives, known as "mules," guide the vessel safely through the chambers and workers make sure all goes well. It's a wondrous experience. This is just one stop on the journey find more destinations, itineraries, and travel tips at WhereIsCookie.com

The gondolier is perhaps the most famous symbol of Venice. Here, he makes his maneuver with passenger in tow. FAMOUS CITY DELIVERS FOOD, FLAIR, FUN, ART, HISTORY AND SINGING GONDOLIERS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Cookie and Keller toast Venice with a view of the lagoon in starlight, from Hilton Molino Stucky which offers unique and artful surroundings, water views and a water taxi to city center. MORE THAN any other city in the world, Venice speaks to the soul of the romantic. A Venice visit to this vital city brings out the poet in nearly everyone. There's history at every turn, and romance just around the corner in a Venice visit, possibly the world's most enchanting city. You'll see couples strolling and stealing a kiss on the Bridge of Sighs, as old ladies put down their canvas bags of cucumbers and fish to admire the young lovers, perhaps remembering when they did the same thing. Piazza San Marco, known as St. Mark's Square, a famous Venetian landmark. The Bridge of Sighs -- with its lovely white limestone -- is one of the remarkably well preserved bridges in the city Napoleon loved. He called the famous Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) "the most beautiful drawing room in Europe." Vital Venice is a city for celebration and has been for centuries. Among notables who visited and bought homes are Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde and Cole Porter. Our knowledgeable gondola driver pointed out Coward's palazzo, between bursts of Italian arias. Few places in the world feel as unique as Venice, where winding canals replace roads and centuries of history echo through every narrow alleyway and sunlit piazza. From the grandeur of St. Mark's Basilica to the quiet charm of neighborhood cafés along the canals, Venice offers visitors an unforgettable blend of art, architecture, music, and Italian culture. WE BASED our recent stay at the lovely Hotel Hilton Molino Stucky, a converted flour mill with a million dollar view of the lagoon and picturesque Venice skyline. Set on the peaceful banks of Giudecca Island, the Hilton Molino Stucky is refurbished with gorgeous antiques, elegant Murano glass pieces and rich mahogany furniture. Peggy Guggenheim turned her millions into one of the world's most prestigious art museums. This Venetian masterpiece features a rooftop swimming pool and the largest spa in town. Its, modern amenities fit nicely in a centuries old environment. Everything about Venice seems unique. We boarded the hotel's complimentary water taxi after a delightful breakfast of meats, cheeses, warm pastries and cappuccino and in less than 10 minutes were making the short walk to Piazza San Marco. The heart of the Venice draws tourists from around the globe and we joined the throngs of admirers to take a selfie or two. The atmosphere is one of carnival -- everyone seems happy, and why not? St Mark's Square is like an enormous stage, with a dozen restaurants offering everything from a slice of pizza to a gourmet feast, beverages and sweets, seafood plucked from the nearby ocean and of course champagne if you're celebrating a visit or return to one of the planet's most famous cities. View of Venice from the rooftop bar of Hilton Molino Stucky. OUR GOAL was two-fold: a visit to The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and a half-day trip to the famous lagoon islands near Venice. The Guggenheim is one of several world class museums and you'll want to see the Frari, Venice's largest church, filled with artistic masterpieces. Strolling along the canals of Venice is one of the great pleasures. The Guggenheim is one of the most visited attractions in Venice. Guggenheim, a self-described contemporary art addict, amassed her astonishing collection in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, one of the city's distinctive buildings. It's fun to linger in Venice, and wonder if there are more pigeons or people. Elizabeth Barrett Browning write in 1851 that the hungry birds in St. Mark's Square descended on her husband, poet Robert Browning "like a cloud." We took the elevator to the loggia in the 323-foot-high campanile for a breathtaking view of Venice in its vast misty lagoon. Manning his souvenir stand, a merchant reads the news. Beyond the square, Venice is a delight to explore on foot -- a joyous jumble of marble, orange rooftops, twisting canals, majestic domes, church spires and marble. You must pause, too, for a famous Venetian ice cream. We like to munch on appetizers posted in front of the cafes: shrimp, squid, cheeses, salads, pastries. Our favorite way to dine in southern Europe is by "grazing" -- fun, tasty and reasonably priced. You can bargain for a gondola ride, too. Plan at least $100 for 25 minutes. Serenade included! The pretty pastel houses of Burano make for lovely photos. UP NEXT: While we're in the neighborhood, consider a visit to the quaint and quiet "lagoon islands" near Venice. Murano, Burano and Torcello are a world apart from the cultural overload of Venice. Each has its own distinct personality and charm, with beautiful small churches, local crafts and fun little restaurants serving fresh pasta, local fish and homegrown vegetables. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a novel slant on travel, the arts, nature and family, at whereiscookie.com

Travel writers Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers pose outside the Romanesque style Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana. The museum is a treasure trove of Montana artifacts, photos, historical documents and more. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Kiem Kids" The museum's center space displays a variety of changing exhibits offering insight into Montana life -- its people, history, hobbies and work. I grew up near Billings but I didn't realize the scope of the Yellowstone Valley until I visited the city's Western Heritage Center. This classic building and its fascinating contents took me beyond modern streets, restaurants and growing downtown to another time, when Billiings was forming. Located in the beautifully preserved 1901 Parmly Billings Memorial Library building, the popular Montana museum opens an intriguing window into the people and events that shaped this corner of my homeland, known as "The Treasure State." "Man's Best Friend" showcases photos of people with their beloved pets. It is on display through year's end at Western Heritage Center. From Native American history and pioneer life to ranching, railroads, photography, art, business, pets, hobbies and everyday life, the Western Heritage Center brings the past to life through artifacts, photos, oral histories and changing exhibitions. For travelers exploring Billings and the Yellowstone River Valley -- as well as native westerners -- it gives meaning and context to this corner of the great Rocky Mountains. Ledger art drawings on loan from Montana State University Billings offer studies of native American life in vivid detail. A Museum About People and Place Founded in 1971, the Western Heritage Center's mission does more than draw a stereotypical picture of the American West. Its focus is the history of the Yellowstone River Valley and the Northern High Plains, with appropriate emphasis on south-central and southeastern Montana. The museum's collection includes more than 40,000 artifacts and archival materials and it borrows artifacts and materials from other institutions to assemble special and changing exhibitions. This wealth of resources makes the museum a great stop for travelers by offering insight the region's development. Western Heritage Center, Billings, Montana, Showcases the Region A huge beer bottle makes a unique transport in one of the photos in the beer exhibit, through December. This vintage photo shows an advertisement for a Billings brewery. The Yellowstone River has been central to life here for generations. Native peoples, explorers, farmers, ranchers, railroad workers, entrepreneurs, immigrants, artists and families all contributed to the story. The Western Heritage Center neatly brings those stories together rather than presenting Western history as a single narrative. That's part of what makes a visit worthwhile. You aren't simply looking at old objects behind glass. You're learning how the past connects to the Billings you see today. Step Inside a Historic Billings Landmark The building itself is worth a look. The former Parmly Billings Memorial Library which houses the museum is a distinctive historic and much loved Romanesque style structure dating to 1901. The architecture provides a perfect setting for a showcase to local history. Walking through the building adds another layer to the experience. Many of the center's historic photos are explained with excellent text, here outlining the bravery of native Americans in the 1930s, risking their lives to defend their rights and homelands as Americans. Once inside, the helpful staff helps visitors through galleries devoted to changing exhibits rather than one enormous permanent display. The museum changes exhibitions often, drawing from new research and enabling visitors to return for fresh stories and displays. The museum staff left to right are director Becky Jeter, office manager/visitor services Danette Stephan, community historian Lauren Hunley and collections manager Cecelia Gavinsky, framed by the oak doors and panels of the historic museum, former longtime Parmly Billings Library. Exhibits That Bring History to Life One of the museum's strengths is its willingness to include light-hearted subjects. We enjoyed "Having a Beer in Billings," which focuses on the city's early breweries, lively saloons and the role they played in Billings' social and economic life. Artifacts, photographs and stories show how beer was part of the community's history. The show is up through the year. The museum's changing exhibits offer engaging insight into good times and tough times in the Yellowstone Valley, here "Hope in Hard Times." Another 2026 exhibition, "Let Wonderland Tell Its Story: William Henry Jackson's Albertypes," examines early photographic depictions of Yellowstone National Park. Jackson accompanied the 1871 Hayden expedition and photographed Yellowstone when it still largely unknown. Another exhibit, "Hope in Hard Times" examined Montana during the 1930s' Great Depression and drought years. A fun new show, "Man's Best Friend: Historic Photographs of Dogs," explores the long relationship between Montanans and their dogs through historic photos from the museum's collection. Montana Through the Camera Lens Photography is an important part of the Western Heritage Center's storytelling. The Western Heritage Center's impressive collection of historic photographs shows how everyday people lived and worked near Billings. Historic photos show what people wore, the animals in their lives, where they lived and worked and how communities looked. Besides photos, the museum has an impressive collection of historic textiles and clothing, Native American beadwork, western art, architectural drawings, memorabilia and oral histories. These feature everyday Montana rather than just famous names and dates. For visitors interested in genealogy or family history, the museum is fascinating for its many Yellowstone Valley archives. Regional history, culture, heritage and people who shaped Montana The Western Heritage Center also offers lectures, educational programs, historic walking tours and other public events. Its "Hoof-It with a Historian" walking tours take visitors interested in history outside the museum and into the streets where it happened. An 1884 drawing of a buffalo hunt by New Bear, a Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) artist, one of sophisticated pieces in the region's historic collections. This piece belongs to the celebrated Charles H. Barstow Ledger Art Collection on loan from Montana State University Billings. The museum also hosts a well received High Noon Lecture Series, bringing historians and other speakers to Billings to explore subjects of regional history. Check the museum's calendar before your visit. You may discover that a lecture or walking tour coincides with your trip. Because exhibitions change, check the current lineup. If a particular subject interests you, plan your visit around it. A Great Stop for Travelers The Western Heritage Center is a great choice for travelers who enjoy museums but don't want to spend a whole day. We explored the galleries at our own pace, learned about Billings and the surrounding region, and walked out on colorful Montana Avenue to explore downtown. Group tours are available by booking in advance. The Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana, takes a changing look at south-central Montana's people, their lives, families, traditions and more. Plan Your Visit Location: 2822 Montana Avenue, Billings, Montana 59101. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed: Sunday, Monday & holidays. More information: www.ywhc.org/ Admission: adults $8; students and seniors $5; children under 6 and members, free. The museum also provides an accessible ground-level entrance to the right of the main staircase. Visitors needing that entrance can ring the doorbell. We found close street parking and the downtown location is convenient to visit other Billings attractions. We take guests from other countries and states because it is an affordable way to discover the history beneath the modern face of Montana. Our visit reminded us that the American West is more than the cliches about cowboys, cattle and wide-open spaces. It is about real people -- their ambitions, hardships, traditions, inventions, businesses, families and communities. In Tokyo, a moving walkway takes tourists and commuters to their destinations in a clean, modern corridor. COMING SOON: Japan’s transportation system is renowned for its efficiency and advanced structure. But to the novice or first-time visitor, it can seem complicated and overwhelming. We offer tips on the country's vast, modern and efficient transportation network. It serves not just as a means to commute, but as a reflection of society’s values. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, history, performance, nature, the arts and more: www.whereiscookie.com

Story By Christene Meyers Photos By Bruce Keller "The Carpe Diem Kids" Transiting the Panama Canal's massive lock system is intricate. As your cruise ship enters the locks, columns of water lift or lower the massive vessel with pinpoint precision. You stand on the deck and watch the stone walls inches from the ship. Small locomotives, known as "mules," guide the vessel safely through the chambers and workers make sure all goes well. It's a wondrous experience. Why Everyone Should Transit the Panama Canal A Panama Canal cruise isn't simply a way to get from one ocean to another. It is a journey into history, geography and engineering -- and one thousands of travelers each year experience from the comfort of a cruise ship. A Guatemalan boy in a colorful hand sewn poncho and straw hat plays a metal drum during a cultural tour. Panama Canal ports offer tours to villages, gardens, rain forests and Mayan ruins, revealing insights into rich and varied cultures near the canal. We've experienced the adventure five times and have booked our sixth canal transit. We love the shore excursions, with their tremendous variety -- from bird watching to hiking, zip lining and touring native villages with ancient ruins. The Canal cuts approximately 50 miles across Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and eliminating the need for ships to make the long journey around the southern tip of South America. The waterway -- encouraged by President Theodore Roosevelt -- opened with great fanfare in 1914, and more than a century later remains one of the most important transportation routes in the world. Glassblowers in a workshop in Cabo San Lucas on a Panama Canal transit maneuver glowing orange molten glass rods. One of the delights of a full-transit Panama Canal cruise is stopping in various ports along the way for shore excursions. Panama Canal Magic Unfolds from Your Balcony or Deck For cruise passengers, the magic is watching the process happen right outside your balcony or from the deck. Your ship enters a lock chamber. Enormous gates close. Water flows into the chamber, raising the ship. Gates ahead open, and the ship moves forward to the next stage. And then it happens again. And again. It is thrilling to simply stand and watch. Explore Mexico, Central America, Take Shore Excursions Beyond the Canal At Pura Vida in Costa Rica, we photographed a Cherrie’s Tanager is a specifically found in the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica Our recommendation is to build extra time into your trip beyond the Canal transit and to use the transit as a way to determine which countries you'd like to revisit for longer periods. We also like to add a few days before and after to get to know a departure port and unwind in the final destination port. Panama itself deserves more than a glance from a cruise ship. In fact, each country visited on a transit is worthy of extra days. You can't take all the ship's tours; a return visit can pick up the ones you missed: A Panama Canal transit reveals lush tropical forests, hazy green mountains and valleys, a fascinating contrast to the technology of the canal itself. Rainforest Treks: Walk through dense jungle trails filled with exotic plants. Wildlife Spotting: Look for exotic birds including the colorful toucan, playful howler monkeys and slow-moving. Boat Expeditions: Take smaller skiffs into secluded eco-systems along the Chagres River or Lake Atitlán in the southwestern highlands of Guatemala,. Rich Cultural Encounters The countries on a Canal transit are part of the experience. A cruise through this region connects you deeply with local history and indigenous cultures tours in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. We were thrilled to examine Mayan ruins up close. Some of the best preserved are at Tikal in Guatemala and Copan in Honduras. Other port stops in Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia offer diverse cultural experiences. Choose your cruise based on ports of interest. Make notes on places that call you back. The new canal, which opened in 1916, added a third lane accommodating larger ships. The Old Canal and the New Canal When most people picture the Panama Canal, they imagine the original locks at Gatún, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores. Those are the locks of the original Canal, dating to 1914. The original chambers are around 1,000 feet long and 110 feet wide, and for decades they determined the maximum dimensions of ships that could make the transit. That size became known around the maritime world as Panamax. How the Canal has grown. In 2016, Panama opened the Expanded Canal, adding a third lane with the much larger Neopanamax locks at Agua Clara on the Atlantic side and Cocolí on the Pacific side. Those locks are 1,401 feet long and 180 feet wide, allowing larger ships to make the journey. The new locks also use a fascinating system of water-saving basins that recycles some of the water used during the lockage. Norwegian Cruise Line's Bliss passes through the new Neopanamax locks (Cocoli and Agua Clara) on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides. Today's cruise passengers can experience either the original locks or the expanded locks. It isn't a matter of one cruise line being an “old Canal” cruise line and another being a “new Canal” cruise line. Size and design of each ship determine which locks it uses. During the 2026 cruise season, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are offering both full and partial Canal transits. Large ships including Norwegian's Bliss, Joy and Encore are now transiting the larger Neopanamax locks. So do some homework. Consider specific ships and itineraries rather than simply looking at the cruise-line name. Full Transit or Partial Transit? This is one detail travelers should understand before booking. Transiting the Panama Canal by cruise ship on a full transit means the ship actually crosses the Isthmus of Panama from one ocean to the other. You experience the locks, Gatun Lake and the central portion of the Canal before eventually emerging into the opposite ocean. A partial transit gives you a taste of the Canal experience without crossing the entire waterway. So you'll likely sail roundtrip from Miami, as opposed to sailing from one coast of the U.S. and passing through the canal to the other coast. Both can be fascinating, but if your dream is to say, “We sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific through the Panama Canal,” make certain your itinerary is the full transit we do, from San Diego or Los Angeles to a Florida port or vice-versa. A concrete dam provides rain water for the Panama Canal, here rain clouds and green trees, and a power tower beside the spillway Another Amazing Part: The Canal Runs on Rainwater Here's the part that fascinated us most. The Panama Canal is not a giant ditch at sea level. It is essentially a gigantic freshwater elevator. Ships are raised approximately 85 feet above sea level into Gatun Lake. They cross the lake and the Continental Divide at that elevation and are then lowered again toward the opposite ocean. And here's the truly remarkable part: there are no pumps doing the lifting. Gravity does the work. Rain falls over Panama's tropical watershed and fills the lakes, dams and reservoirs that supply the Canal. When a ship enters a lock, water flows into or out of the chamber by gravity. Water itself is the mechanism that raises and lowers the ship. Happy Keller and Cookie enjoy Norwegian Cruise Line for transiting the Panama Canal. Several ships of her fleet transit the canal. A full canal transit is recommended for every avid traveler. Think about that the next time you stand on the deck of a cruise ship as millions of gallons of water move around you. The ship isn't being mechanically lifted. The ship is floating on rainwater. That is one of the most elegant pieces of engineering in the entire Canal. It explains the Canal's greatest modern challenge: water. The project is a hydraulic staircase across Panama and because it relies on freshwater from watershed, drought affects how many ships can transit and how much cargo they can carry. Watch the Locks, But Watch the Jungle and Soak Up the culture, too Our Canal transits have visited seven countries, two dozen villages and several major cities including Cartegena, birthplace of the magnificent writer and Colombian native son and Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez. One of our tours passed his home; we chose it to fit our interest in music, history, art and literature. Tours give you the option to tailor. A tour guide describes Mayan ruins at Iximche offering unique historical insights and archaeological significance. One of our greatest pleasures on a Canal transit is that we aren't just looking at concrete and steel. We pass through a tropical landscape with much to explore -- cities, nature and ancient cultures. We've admired green hills, dense vegetation, Mayan ruins, islands and an extraordinary variety of wildlife. The Canal zone feels surprisingly wild considering it's one of the world's busiest commercial waterways. Huge container ships appear around the bend as cruise ships pass. The contrast between tropical wilderness and modern maritime commerce makes a Canal adventure visually fascinating. A Little History Makes the Transiting the Panama Canal By Cruise Ship Even Better The story of the Panama Canal is filled with ambition, tragedy and engineering determination. Good to do a bit of homework. We read David McCullough's famous book on the making of the Panama Canal. "The Path Between the Seas" is an engaging and award winning narrative chronicling the monumental engineering feat and its historical significance in transforming global trade routes. Book cover of David McCullough's "The Path Between the Seas" -- recommended reading as you prepare for your Panama Canal transit. The French began to build a canal in the late 1800s under Ferdinand de Lesseps, famous for his role in constructing the Suez Canal. Tropical disease, difficult terrain, engineering problems and financial collapse ended that effort. The United States took over the project in the early 20th century and completed the lock-based Canal on Aug. 15, 1914. The human cost was enormous. Workers battled malaria and yellow fever as well as mud, torrential rainfall and excavation to cut through the Continental Divide. When you cruise through the Canal today, you see gorgeous scenery and impressive locks. Knowing what it took to build it all adds another dimension. The Canal Today -- and the Problem of Water The Canal's future isn't simply about how many ships it can accommodate. It is about water. The drought of 2023-24 demonstrated how serious that issue can become. The Panama Canal Authority pledges to protect water supplies and maintain reliable operations. Water availability is a central issue in long-term planning. Now Panama is advancing the Río Indio Lake project, a multipurpose reservoir to increase water storage and provide greater long-term security for both human consumption and Canal operations. An ambitious Canal improvement accommodates large Neopanamax cruise ships and containers. The project intends to secure water for more than half of Panama's population while supporting Canal operations into the future. Difficult questions are on the table: land use, communities and relocation, so it is more than an engineering project. The focal point of the Canal's future is not concrete, steel or locks. It's water. What About Canal Fees? The Panama Canal is also a business, and using it isn't cheap. Ships pay tolls based on factors including their size, type and the locks they use. The Canal Authority continually adjusts its maritime tariffs and services. For cruise passengers, these costs are buried inside the economics of the cruise itinerary, not as a separate bill. A large cruise ship with thousands of passengers is an expensive vessel to put through the Canal. So larger Neopanamax ships generate greater tolls than smaller ships. As water becomes more precious, the balance among tolls, ship size, water conservation and the number of daily transits will become increasingly important. Our Highlights of Our Transits of the Panama Canal Watching our ship enter the first lock. Seeing the enormous gates close behind us. Feeling the ship rise as the lock fills with water. Calm Gatun Lake scene with winding waters through dense forested hills during a Panama Canal transit Watching locomotives guide ships through the original locks while tugboats maneuver larger ships and cargo vessels through the Neopanamax locks. Crossing Gatun Lake. Seeing the Canal Zone's tropical landscape. Visiting Miraflores Visitor Center. Adding days before or after the transit. Exploring Panama City. You'll want to be on a deck or your veranda -- it typically takes about eight to ten hours to make a complete transit. The overall experience feels happily longer because of time approaching and leaving the locks. There are many beautiful places and exciting cruise destinations. Why the Panama Canal is unique. It combines history, tropical scenery, engineering and the thrill of watching a modern-day wonder operate. Don't simply book a cruise that passes Panama -- make the Canal itself part of trip. Add a few days before or after your transit to explore Panama and the locks. Cruising the canal is an experience every traveler should have at least once. We recommend Cunard and Norwegian Cruise Line; both offer splendid in-depth itineraries. ncl.com cunard.com The historic Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana, is a beautifully preserved building, the former Parmly Billings Library. Its exhibits provide a thoughtful and engaging commentary on the development of the region and state's largest city. COMING SOON: Montana is a vast and intriguing state, the nation's fourth largest and the biggest land-locked state in the union. The Yellowstone Valley is an important part of the state, with Billings the center of activity. The Western Heritage Center there is a marvelous place to learn more about the valley, which intrigued Lewis and Clark and attracts thousands of visitors each year. We take readers to this vibrant museum on historic Montana Avenue to experience an eye-opening range of exhibits. Learn things you didn't know about the Yellowstone Valley's history, the adventurous people who shaped it, and the art it has produced -- both from indigenous people and a range of authentic folks who made Montana home and invented themselves in Big Sky Country. If the Panama Canal story sparked your wanderlust, there’s plenty more waiting for you. Remember to explore more travel stories and inspiration at WhereIsCookie.com

Whirling waters of the Stillwater in south-central Montana lead the way to Sioux Charley.The trail was wiped out in the 2022 floods but by summer of 2026 is under extensive albeit partial repair. Much of the trail was obliterated. The U.S. Forest Service created a lovely path to Sioux Charley Lake. In the summer of 2026, it is under repair after being wiped out in 2022 floods. MONTANA GORGE MAKES FOR MAGICAL HIKING STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: Historic 2022 floods wiped out the beloved Sioux Charley trail. By summer of 2026, active trail reconstruction and blasting operations were underway to rebuild and restore 1,000 feet of severely damaged path providing access to Sioux Charley Lake. Our story and photos appeared before the flood. There’s something special about the places that don’t try too hard to be found. Sioux Charley Lake, reached by following Stillwater Trail #24, is one of those places. We are among the thousands who love this peaceful stretch of water surrounded by rolling hills, native grasslands and big Montana sky. Not far from Billings, this lesser-known destination offers a different kind of beauty than the state’s more famous parks and mountain towns. Friend Lynn Pitet and Cookie pause on the trail. Slow Down, Savor Montana's Nature Here, the pace slows, the crowds disappear, and the landscape feels wide open in every direction. Whether you’re hiking, wildlife watching, or just looking for a quiet place to breathe, Sioux Charlie Lake is worth the journey. EACH YEAR, rain or shine, we make a point to hike one of the most spectacular trails on Earth. To our good fortune, this splendid place is just a few miles from our home on Montana's West Fork of the Stillwater River. Even in a skiff of snow, we can safely maneuver from our gravel road to the blue highway that leads to the trail head of the hike to Lake Sioux Charley, named, many believe, to honor an Indian guide. The entire trail is 26 miles long, the first part following the river to the lake. The trail follows the Stillwater River for three-fourths of a mile, (trail number 24), and goes to Sioux Charley Lake. It is now under repair. The popular trail is much loved by hikers, horseback riders and tourists. Hikers Find Stillwater's Roaring Cascades THE HIKE into Sioux Charley in the Beartooth Mountains is a pleasant six mile out-and-back hike. It takes lucky nature lovers past roaring cascades of the Stillwater River to a peaceful, wide stretch of the river perfect for a day hike and picnic. I've taken my watercolors many times, or the latest New Yorker. The trail begins at the Stillwater River Trailhead at the end of the road past the tiny town of Nye and the Stillwater Mine. Here, on the northern front of the Beartooth Mountains, hikers behold a glorious sight. THE FIRST half-mile of the hike leads wanderers through what we locals call the Stillwater Gorge. Its breathtaking features include tight cliffs on each side of the river with bird's eye views of the churning river, boulders and waterfalls. This beautiful stretch makes the hike worthwhile, and leads to a tranquil meadow. People often meet horseback riders, and well behaved leashed dogs. Hikers, Horseback Riders, Tourists Enjoy We see hikers, horseback riders and tourists from all over the U.S. We always look in the parking lot to note car licenses, recently Ohio, Kansas, Nevada, Vermont, New Jersey, California and nearby Wyoming and Idaho. A few have tried their luck on rafts and kayaks. Since an unfortunate fatality a few years ago, we have not seen rafters. One of the chief pleasures for me is stopping to "smell the roses" -- in the case of the Sioux Charley hike -- a gorgeous array of wildflowers along the path. We've seen bears and bighorns, too. We've never had a bad trip up the gorge. It's a family tradition and a treat for visitors. If you're our way, be our guests. More information: Lovely wildflowers dot the way to the lake. The trail goes much farther, but most people only do 3.5 miles. Where: The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness can be accessed via the Woodbine Campground trailhead along the Stillwater River. Trail Specs: Approximately 3 miles one way (plan a 6 to 7-mile round trip depending on parking/route), featuring a gradual climb and popular for family-friendly day hikes. Lake Specs: Elevation at approximately 5,651–5,668 feet, characterized as a wide, flat river-widening rather than a deep alpine lake. Fishing & Wildlife: Home to wild brook trout and cutthroat trout; located in grizzly bear territory where carrying bear spray is required. Helpful Resources Check current trail and recreation updates via the Custer Gallatin National Forest portal. Read detailed hiking guides and route conditions on MontanaHikes.com. A well tended wolf, rescued because he was injured, pauses in the Discovery Center after a meal, and is much admired and photographed. UP NEXT: The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone cares for both bears and wolves that cannot be returned to the wild. This wonderful place is a fine educational tool for tourists and families. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh new look at travel, performance, nature and more. Please share the links: www.whereiscookie.com .

Hollywood special effects master Andy Schoneberg and longtime friend and newspaper colleague Christene Meyers brave a windy day at the garden dedication for Bruce Meyers. Schoneberg did the bronze of longtime professor and actor Meyers. The three friends acted and performed together in several theatrical productions. POET ALLEN GINSBERG HEADLINED GARDEN DEDICATION TO HONOR HIS POETRY STUDENT STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS ASSEMBLED & DIGITIZED By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was reviewed and updated in October of 2026. ON A BALMY spring day in May of 1993, poet Allen Ginsberg helped celebrate the life and legacy of Bruce Kemp Meyers. The famous beat poet paid homage to the popular actor and teacher who once took a workshop from Ginsberg and taught the poet's work for a quarter-century. It was a day I'll never forget, full of talent, emotion and love. When my husband, Bruce Meyers, died suddenly of an aneurysm in February of 1992, I vowed to honor his life and contributions to culture and education in some unusual way. WE WERE in Las Vegas on President's Day weekend, about to interview and photograph Frank Sinatra when he developed chest pains. He died in Las Vegas at Desert Springs Architect Ted Wirth, left, and college president Bruce Carpenter confer as the Poets' Garden took shape. Hospital on Flamingo Road, not far from where we were staying at our favorite Sands Hotel (imploded to make way for the Venetian.) As therapy, for 15 months after Bruce's death, I designed the Bruce Meyers Poets' Garden on the campus of Montana State University-Billings. Bruce taught creative writing and English there for 25 years, after receiving his MFA at Kent State University and "going West, young man." Artistic collaboration for Bruce Meyers and Christene Meyers The program for the 1993 christening of the Bruce Meyers Poets Garden and the first of seveeral arts festivals honoring his legacy. Poet Allen Ginsberg was featured performer with many supporting acts. WE MET IN 1967, the same year he began his teaching career, at a dinner party hosted by his colleague and our friend Sue Hart, now also sadly gone. Sue knew we were both musical and enjoyed acting and theater. She hoped we might hit it off. She was right. Our 25 years together included global travel and hundreds of plays. Together we acted and performed in more than Billings 50 productions, from "Cabaret" to "Our Town," "Man of La Mancha," "Play It Again, Sam" "Promises, Promises," "I Do! I Do!," "Annie," "The Pirates of Penzance" and many others at Billings Studio Theatre, der Schwartzwald Dinner Theatre and the old Fox, now the Alberta Bair Theater. Our endeavors helped raise the $6 million to save that building. Famed poet Allen Ginsberg christened the Bruce Meyers Poets' Garden in May of 1993, singing, accompanying himself on several instruments, appearing at Writer's Voice. My musical family and our large circle of theater and arts-loving friends adored Bruce, so I had no trouble assembling a stellar cast to christen the garden 15 months after Bruce's death . I designed it with celebrated architect and friend Ted Wirth, consulting with Bruce Carpenter, president of the college and a member with Meyers of the faculty poker club which met monthly, sometimes at our home. THE GARDEN took shape, with Ted's creative design incorporating both formal and natural elements -- benches, river rocks, the aspen trees my late husband loved. I wanted open areas and places for students and faculty to stroll, sit and ponder. A grassy area would welcome professors and their classes to create art and writing, as Bruce had done with his students in that very spot for many years. The Cosgriffe clan assembled at Corby Skinner's home during a reception for poet Allen Ginsberg, who extended his Billings Writer's Voice stay to be part of the dedication. I wanted poetry, Bruce's passion when he wasn't acting or teaching. Ted loved my idea of incorporating engravings of several of the poems on marble and granite. Sculptor Lyndon Pomeroy would create a metal sculpture of our beloved Airedale, Gandalf. Finally, I wanted a bust of Bruce. I called our mutual friend, now noted Hollywood special effects wizard Andy Schoneberg to do the bronze. Hollywood artist created Meyers bronze "It was an important way for me to say farewell to Bruce," Schoneberg recalls, explaining how the lifecast he'd made for his old friend was critical to his crafting of the bronze. Schoneberg's lifecast of Meyers was used by the actor for 17 performances of the Der Schwartzwald dinner theater production of "Annie." Bruce played the role of Daddy Warbucks and for that production, Schoneberg working with Meyers made a Corby Skinner and Christene Meyers finalize the introduction of poet Allen Ginsberg at the dedication of the Bruce Meyers Poets' Garden on the MSU-Billings campus, May, 1993. life cast to use in crafting a durable latex bald cap for Bruce’s character. "I used that cast later to take key measurements to sculpt the MSU-B bust," Schoneberg said in an interview. He is proud that his bust of his colleague and fellow actor Bruce Meyers is on the Smithsonian Institution's Art Inventory. AS THE DEDICATION approached, family and friends made plans to fly in from all over the U.S. A talented ensemble of actors, poets, playwrights, singers, dancers and instrumentalists performed for a two-day fete, highlighted by Ginsberg's readings and musical presentations. The Bruce Meyers Poets' Garden photographed before flower planting. Geraniums, petunias and perennials that Meyers favored will be planted soon. --photo courtesy MSU-B Foundation and the Bruce Meyers English Scholarship Ginsberg's appearance was 'meant to be' Writer's Voice Billings liason Corby Skinner recalls, "Ginsberg wanted to spend a couple days in Montana. We took him to a ranch, and had a wonderful reception at the Castle. When he heard about the Bruce Meyers garden dedication, he immediately wanted to be part of it. Christene was thrilled and the connection was so appropriate -- that Bruce had studied with Ginsberg before coming to Montana. It was meant to be." On the "Godfather" trail in Savoca, Italy, are Cookie and Keller, aka Christene Meyers and Bruce Keller. The town is still relatively quiet, but now relies on tourism as well as farming for its income. It also honors Coppola in a dramatic sculpture. UP NEXT: Join us on the trail of "The Godfather," in Savoca, Italy, where the Sicilian towns of Savoca and Forza d'Agro outside of Taormina were used for many of the scenes in Francis Ford Coppola's award winning film. Coppola is remembered fondly by the locals of this still quiet village, which stood in for Corleone, now much too developed to pass for the quiet little "Godfather" town depicted in the film. We'll visit Bar Vitelli and the church Michael was married in. Remember meanwhile to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a novel look at travel, the arts, family, health and nature at: www.whereiscookie.com

Hooray for Hollywood, where the famous letters stand in a well preserved forest near Griffith Observatory. A day on the road with Hollywood Bus Tours is strongly recommended. Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers stroll the famous Santa Monica Pier. Hollywood Bus Tours WITH MOVIE LORE, FAMOUS STREETS, PARKS, MANSIONS, BARS, CARS AND MORE STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was reviewed and updated October of 2026. WE VISIT Los Angeles six or seven times a year, but we'd never seen some of her most delightful sights until this latest trip. We had a quiet day between plays, friends and museums, so we booked a lively half-day jaunt with Hollywood Bus Tours. Our comfy, small tour bus took us all over the city, to highlights ranging from Santa Monica to the Hollywood sign. Hollywood's famous Wall of Fame includes stars from long ago, here the great Italian opera singer, Enrico Caruso. Why we were glad to discover Hollywood Bus Tours What a delight the day was. Our tour guide Jeff, a San Francisco transplant, now a devoted Angeleno, has an amiable nature that set the tone for an easy-going day with congenial, global people. Jeff's comfortable, joking nature encouraged conversation and new friendships in a tour both informative and fun. He took us through Hollywood and Beverly Hills, where we saw dozens of expensive autos and lavish gated homes of stars past and present. The drive aboard Hollywood Bus Tour takes curious guests through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and varied neighborhoods from the beach and villages to the surrounding woods. WE TOURED both familiar landmarks and undiscovered parts of the city in our "Taste of L.A." It took us past Hollywood's famous bars and nightclubs, Beverly Hills with its five-star hotels, mansions and parks, Rodeo Drive with its gorgeous shops, and on to both iconic and little known corners. THE TOUR takes a leisurely look at both the city's hot spots and its quiet treasures which was a pleasure for us. Jeff threw in tales about movie shoots and stars' deaths, including that of the great comedian John Belushi who died of a drug overdose at Chateau Marmont in 1982. While Hollywood is only a part of Los Angeles, it's what most tourists come to see because of its connection to glamour, money and power. It's the show-biz capital of the world, home to famous television and movie studios and well known record companies. Jeff drove us past a half-dozen of these. Los Angeles, "City of Angels," made room for two more potentiall angels, travel writers Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers, here posing by the famous angel at the Griffith Observatory. Farmer's Market offers shops and pleasant places to relax. EVERYONE KNOWS of Santa Monica Pier, perhaps the west coast's most famous. We walked to the end of it, past the roller coaster and cafes, enjoying an ice cream as we watched fishermen and tourists mingle. We were thrilled to visit Griffith Observatory, that stately treasure at the city's top. We stopped there for a splendid view of the famous Hollywood sign and the valley that became Los Angeles and hoe to Leonardo DiCaprio, Elvis, Madonna, Tom Cruise, Marilyn Monroe and countless other stars. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction. Besides those splendid views, it boasts and an extensive array of space and science-related displays, all thanks to its benefactor, Griffith J. Griffith. Admission has been free since the observatory's opening in 1935, honoring Griffith's will. While Jeff had plenty of anecdotes about the town's glitz and glamour, he also paid homage to its humble, agricultural roots. He described the Los Angeles of more than a century ago -- long before it became the sprawling city we know today. A stop at the famous Farmer's Market, founded in 1934, revealed the city's long, close connection to agriculture, with rows of beautiful stalls lined with the best produce in the state. WE STOPPED for a beverage, some sunshine and live guitar jazz at this sprawling, historic market. Families, couples and singles young and old walked their dogs and lingered between a meal or shopping for refreshments and lovely music. Hooray for Hollywood -- and Hollywood Bus Tours -- which takes visitors through neighborhoods in colorful Los Angeles. WITH LEISURELY stops for snacks, photos or a restroom, we never felt "trapped" in the small bus. We enjoyed Jeff's banter and history lessons, delivered with wry humor and a genuine respect for his adopted town. He has become somewhat famous for his "jokes of the day," received each morning from his dad via email, and shared with amused tour passengers. Besides pretty displays of fresh produce, the market features a range of trendy shops, cafes and gourmet grocery stores. WE MADE new friends on this spirited tour, exchanging contact information with folks from Portugal and Berlin, learning new trivia about a city we thought we knew well, and enjoying iconic sights on a sunny, southern California day. Hollywood Bus Tours with its lively narration and variety offers three tours -- each a memorable way to see the fascinating sights of one of the world's most famous cities. hollywoodbustoursla.com +1 (213) 986-7688 info@hollywoodbustoursla.com Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers stopped for a photo in the fortress village of Valenca, Portugal. UP NEXT: Come with us to discover the charms of a quiet, little known Portuguese village. Most travelers to Portugal don't visit Valenca, often confused with Valencia, Spain. It's an impressive medieval town whose imposing fortress overlooks the River Minho. We spent a few days soaking up the atmosphere of this laid back village. We found intriguing museums, elegant boutiques, and inviting mid-priced eateries. We saw pilgrims on the famous Camino de Santiago -- the way of St. James -- on their way to the shrine of the apostle Saint James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galacia in Northern Spain. As a border town, Valenca is a fine place to sample both Portuguese and Spanish wines.

The Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles offers a string of first-rate productions from touring Broadway musicals to award-winning drama. The inviting plaza and fountain draw theater lovers to relax and enjoy. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy Ahmanson Theatre "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was updated with the 2026-27 season highlights. Elliott Andrews leads the cast as Professor Harold Hill, with Elizabeth D'Aiuto starring as Marian Paroo, the librarian who eventually falls for Hill. The production plays Los Angeles in fall, part of the theater's 2026-27 season line-up. Discover why the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles is a must-visit destination for Broadway musicals, spectacular live performances, and unforgettable entertainment. The Ahmanson is known for its fine touring shows. Here Carmen Cusack's leading lady role makes the audience laugh and cry in "Bright Star." As with many Ahmanson productions, the actors from the original Broadway cast are featured. Cusack first played the role of Alice on Broadway. Cookie and Keller enjoy opening weekend at the Ahmanson for "Bright Star." The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles is the perfect venue for beautifully staged musicals. No expense is spared for set design. Here's a scene from "Bright Star," one of many award winning musicals touring the Ahmanson. The theater can accommodate a full pit orchestra and is known for its spectacular staging and elaborate sets. Lights, music, laughter, and a little theatrical magic! If you're visiting Los Angeles and love live entertainment, make room in your itinerary for the fabulous Ahmanson Theatre. Located in the heart of downtown LA at the Music Center, this celebrated theater is one of our favorites and a wonderful destination for anyone who enjoys a memorable time at the theater. We've seen dazzling Broadway musicals and thought-provoking plays. We've watched Sting, Cicely Tyson, Angela Lansbury and other luminaries at the Ahmanson. The excitement of top quality live theater is hard to beat, and the Ahmanson offers a terrific playbill of treats. The 2026-27 season begins with a Jerome Robbins ballet festival, then "The Music Man," with the Broadway touring company, "Oh, Mary," a fresh funny take on "A Christmas Carol," a Yiddish"Fiddler on the Roof" and more. The season unfolds in one of the major venues operated by Center Theatre Group, which also features the Kirk Douglas Theatre and Mark Taper Forum. Besides touring shows from New York and London, we've enjoyed new works and premieres in this beautiful theater. We've booked orchestra seats, mezzanine and balcony, all with decent views. We've enjoyed every work -- from "A Trip to Bountiful" to Steve Martin's "Bright Star," and many Tony winning shows such as "Come from Away," "Rent" and "Dear Evan Hansen." Top Shows, Dining, Hotels, Museums Whether we're tapping our toes to a favorite musical or enjoying a gripping story, we love seeing talented performers bring a production to life. But there's more than theater in Los Angeles. We usually make a day of it when we drive from San Diego; we often stay overnight. The Ahmanson's location makes it easy to explore the surrounding Music Center, enjoy a meal, the show and stay nearby. The Omni is a favorite, and Westiin is also nearby. The Hollywood bus tour is great fun, and two museums draw us at least once a year: the Broad and Museum of Contemporary Art. Link to events and tickets https://www.eventticketscenter.com/venues-in-los-angeles-ca/708562/e Ahmanson Theatre goers enjoy a beverage and snacks before the play and at intermission in the theater's open and welcoming lobby area. Travel is about more than visiting famous landmarks and taking pictures. It's about discovering new experiences, making memories, and finding special places that make a trip unforgettable. The Ahmanson Theatre offers all of that, with a helping of music, laughter, drama, and entertainment. Whether you're spending a weekend in Los Angeles or making it part of a longer California adventure, consider adding a performance to your itinerary. And when you're ready to plan your next getaway, be sure to visit WhereIsCookie.com! We share travel stories, fun destinations, cruise adventures, helpful travel tips and places worth exploring. Lake Sioux Charley in summer glory on a hike before the leaves began to turn this past summer UP NEXT: We take you to Sioux Charley in Montana for splendors on the Stillwater in Montana's Beartooth Mountains. Come visit, near our home on the range, as we climb a spectacular gorge by the source of the Stillwater River, near Nye, Montana. Here, the skies are (almost) not cloudy all day. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh look at nature, the arts, travel and family.

Oscar's is a fun gig for both full-house audiences and performers, who rake in tips and work hard for them. The "Bitchiest Brunch" features emcee Anita Rose, whose delightful banter always packs the house. OSCAR'S HIGHLIGHTS: DRAG, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, FRIVOLITY, SLY HUMOR, A HIT WITH SELL-OUT CROWDS Editor's Note This story was reviewed and updated in September of 2026 STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The Carpe Diem Kids" Anita Rose, emcee at Oscar's popular drag shows, wears a huge blonde wig and poses with a smiling Cookie during intermission at the popular Sunday Bitchiest Brunch" shows in Palm Springs. Oscar's in downtown Palm Springs, is at the heart of this interesting and diverse city, a mecca for the rich and famous, a place for sun, golf and R&R, and a well known gay and trans-friendly town. Oscar's producer, owner and entrepreneur Dan Gore took over the enterprise in 2016 and has become a popular figure in town, a generous humanitarian staging benefits for food banks and other charities, and sometimes dressing in his own drag and whizzing onto the stage on a zip line for the popular "Bitchiest Brunch" performances on Sunday. Miss Bee Hiven takes a few green kudos from happy fans When the dancers' bosoms are full, the tip overflow goes into a money box carried by a rover. Popular emcee since the brunch's beginning in Palm Springs is Anita Rose, who came to town because of Oscar's long, proud history as a gay friendly village. In the 1970s and 1980s during the AIDS crisis, Palm Springs welcomed gay men to seek refuge. Hundreds of people were treated at its medical centers where living costs and medical care were more accessible and cheaper than in New York or San Francisco. The greenbacks roll in during a performance, as dancers and agile gymnasts shake, rattle, roll, do splits, kicks, spins and turns for tips. Here Luna Lafierce collects gratuities while dancing with guests and miming all the time. THUS, THRU THE YEARS, the city developed a strong reputation as an LGBT-friendly destination. Today, the Palm Springs area has a flourishing LGBTQ base, and Oscar's celebrates that. We love to visit the venue. It's lively, friendly and fun. People smile and laugh. It's an oasis of kindness, acceptance and folks just out to have a good time. Many gay couples choose this desert city for their elderly years. Part of the weekend's proceeds go to the area's LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, which provides a welcoming environment for all members of the community. John Eltinge was born William Dalton and was a famous 1920s drag queenplaying in New York and London. He performed for King Edward II. Oscar's paves the way for understanding. Dancing with audience members is part of the fun at Oscar's with quick costume and wig changes. Here's Luna Lafierce again with a new hairdo. Wigs are big, boobies are sometimes pointed, and a good time is had by all, here with Diamond Evvon performing for a sold-out Oscar's house. SAYS GORE, "There's a real need for a platform for this caliber of entertainment." Does Oscar's have its detractors? "Oh, sure," says Gore. "But of the skeptics who come in for a show, 70 per cent leave changed and accepting; 30 per cent just don't get it or buy it." Part of the fun at Oscar's is tipping the dancers. Here a bride-to-be offers tips from her dress. Below, Oscar's is aglow for an evening show. Oscar's Palm Springs Highlights Oscar's -- named for a favorite dog -- is known for its programming diversity which welcomes both straight and gay audiences for its drag cabaret. Besides funding to the LGBTQ Center, Oscar's is also a generous donor to other Palm Springs activities and organizations. On Christmas Day, Gore and his staff offer a free holiday meal with all the trimmings. "Anyone can come and it's always packed," he says. Other ways Oscar's gives back is through contributions to the local food bank, to Boys and Girls Clubs and other civic enterprises. Plaques of gratitude are framed inside with a wall of Hollywood performers who have visited. "We try to be generous to the community," says Gore, in the spirit of "giving back." A visit to Palm Springs isn't complete without spending an evening—or a lively Sunday afternoon—at Oscar's. Whether you're enjoying an incredible brunch show, dancing under the desert sky, or catching an intimate performance by a nationally known entertainer, you'll quickly understand why this venue has become a local institution. Dan Gore's vision has helped transform Oscar's into one of the Coachella Valley's premier entertainment destinations while continuing to support the local community through charitable events and partnerships. If you're looking for an authentic Palm Springs experience with energy, occasional x-rated banter and top performers, Oscar's should be at the top of your itinerary. Tickets and info: oscarspalmsprings.com Cookie and keller with charming Gentoo penguins at Bluff Cover in the Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas to the Argentine people. UP NEXT: We leave Oscar's Cabaret and head thousands of miles south. We're on the penguin trail. From a popular Palm Springs drag show to penguins, we're at the tip of South America photographing those enchanting penguins. Depending on your source, there are either 17 or 18 species of penguins on the planet, 5 of which live in Antarctica. Another 4 species live on sub-Antarctic islands. We saw four species, and observed three up close and personal on a recent trip to the Antarctic. Penguins are charming, resilient and adorable. They were the main reason we traveled thousands of miles, cruising from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to see them and other wildlife. We hope you'll enjoy our upcoming story, remembering to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a unique spin on travel, nature, performance, family, the arts and more. www.whereiscookie.com

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers marvel at the spectacular view from Utah's Tuacahn. Discover Toucan in Utah, a remarkable performing arts destination where extraordinary entertainment, stunning natural scenery, and unforgettable experiences come together. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy Tuacahn Center for the Arts "Mary Poppins" sets take a whimsical look at London. This is one of several lovely designs. Also included are a park, bank, children's bedroom and other places in the story. WE HAD no idea Toucan in Utah would be such a wondrous place in the remote canyonland near St. George, Utah. It's called Tuacahn.Everyone has heard of Zion National Park, and most veteran road-trippers have visited St. George. But we were new to a marvelous discovery during this year's auto journey from San Diego to our place in rural Montana. Some say the name "Tuacahn" comes from a Mayan word meaning "Canyon of the Gods." It couldn't be more fitting. For located in the mouth of the Padre Canyon, adjacent to Snow Canyon State Park, in Ivins, Utah, it's a sight to behold. Keller and Cookie at intermission. What makes Tuacahn truly special is its extraordinary location in Padre Canyon, near St. George, Utah. The outdoor amphitheater is framed by towering red rock cliffs that rise approximately 1,500 feet above the stage. As the sun sets and the canyon changes colors, the natural surroundings become part of the performance. Tuacahn Center for the Arts Imagine sitting beneath the stars, watching a Broadway musical while dramatic scenery surrounds the performers. With impressive lighting, sound, special effects, and even water effects, the productions make wonderful use of the natural landscape. It is an experience that combines the excitement of live theater with the beauty of the great outdoors. An artful display of photos from the current season gives the full house options for future tickets. TUACAHN IS part nature preserve, part performing arts center, and total magic. Several visionary people were instrumental in its founding, including Utah playwright Douglas C. Stewart and philanthropist Hyrum W. Smith. They and others planned the creation of a setting to showcase a play about the founding of the southern part of their state. Hyrum Smith, Tuacahn philanthropist, had a vision to merge nature with performing arts THE PARTNERS' VISION was to create a space the people of Utah could enjoy. The venue would showcase nature's beauty with the added enticement of first-rate performance. The patrons' love of nature and theater combine artfully in Tuacahn where we recently saw a delightful production of "Mary Poppins." It was Broadway quality -- from technical wizardry which floated Mary across the sky, to beautifully designed sets and costumes, spirited choreography and top talent including a well tuned orchestra. THE PLACE was christened in 1995 when Tuacahn's debut performance. "Utah!" danced its way across the red rocks and into the hearts of the people. Amphitheatre seats are comfortable and seating is designed so there are no obstructed views. But after four years telling the story of the area's ancient inhabitants and pioneer settlers, Tuacahn's board of directors shifted the strategy to a repertory season of popular shows. The successful result is a showcase of several productions in a setting which itself is a natural amphitheater. Broadway Shows, Music, and Entertainment Tuacahn is much more than a beautiful outdoor theater. It is a major performing arts destination featuring Broadway musicals, concerts, dance performances, and family entertainment. Its professional productions bring familiar stories and memorable music to life, attracting visitors from across the country. The outdoor Broadway season typically runs from spring through fall. Tuacahn also has the intimate Hafen Theatre, where visitors can enjoy indoor performances during the cooler months. This means there are opportunities to enjoy live entertainment throughout much of the year. WRITERS HAVE compared the evolution of this natural wonder to the physical building of Tuacahn Center for the Arts. Centuries of pounding heat and relentless desert rains created the canyon land. Wrote one reviewer, "Just as the land has been shaped, the center was molded by winds of change and the power of dreams." In the play's final scene, Mary Poppins takes to the sky, her mission accomplished (far right.) Make Tuacahn Part of Your Utah Adventure A visit to Tuacahn can easily become part of a larger Southern Utah vacation. The nearby city of St. George offers restaurants, shopping, and comfortable accommodations. Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore the area's beautiful desert scenery, hiking trails, and nearby national parks. For travelers who enjoy combining cultural experiences with outdoor adventures, Tuacahn offers something different. You can spend the day exploring Utah's remarkable landscapes and then enjoy an evening of outstanding live entertainment beneath the stars. Before visiting, check the performance calendar and book tickets in advance, particularly for popular shows. If you are attending an outdoor performance, consider bringing a light jacket for the evening. Donors can remember friends or family in tasteful stones by the lyrical waters. In foreground: Neil Starkenberg as Bert, Gail Bennett as Mary Poppins, sing "A Spoonful of Sugar." Real estate baron and state senator Orval Hafen was a major player, too. The original owner of Padre Canyon enthusiastically endorsed the concept. Adding his own doseof drive and ambition was entrepreneur, arts promoter and producer Doug Stewart who helped propel the mission. It was a daunting dream that many thought impossible, but with this quartet of creative force it blossomed into a flourishing orchestra of reality. Sold out shows, happy families, first-rate talents tell the tale of Tuacahn and confirm that an inspired vision can come true with the right combination of imaginative people, drive and money. Artistic director Scott S. Anderson carries on the mission of creative performance art against a naturally theatrical backdrop. The season is in repertory with "Mary Poppins," "Wonderland," and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" playing into late October. "The Buddy Holly Story" runs in the mix until Aug. 13. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" promises family enjoyment Nov. 25-Dec. 22. Tuacahn's venues include the 2,000-seat amphitheatre and a 328-seat indoor theater where the holiday show is staged, a black box theater, dance studio, costume and scene shops and the campus of Tuacahn High School for the Arts. The venue also produces a spring and fall concert series, and Christmas in the Canyon featuring a live-action recreation of the nativity called the "Festival of Lights" with spectacular holiday lights and decorations. ACTOR GAIL Bennett and other Actors Equity performers have garnered national attention, as has the venue itself. Bennett won awards for her leading roles in "My Fair Lady," "Kiss Me Kate," "The Sound of Music" and many productions on Broadway, at Hollywood Bowl and in other major venues. You may think you've gone down the rabbit hole as you explore this gorgeous venue -- truly a "wonderland" of its own. More info or tickets: tuacahn.org; box office 800 746-9882; 1100 Tuacahn Drive, Ivins, Utah 84738 Christene "Cookie" Meyers rests and savors during a visit to "Immersive Van Gogh." UP NEXT: Van Gogh Immersion.Another artfully done surprise presents itself on our road trip. The artfully done installation, "Immersive Van Gogh," is attracting viewers across the nation in several cities. We check out the original exhibit in Las Vegas. It's a wondrous merging of technology, storytelling, animation and many of Vincent's paintings. We found it captivating and will share in our next feature. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on the arts, travel, family, nature and more. www.whereiscookie.com; VanGoghVegas.com