Budapest

I love the gorgeous mix of nature and architecture.

Liberty

 I’ve always wanted to visit the Statue of Liberty.  Unfortunately, I’ve never even got this close.

New York

Viewed across the water, this “city that never sleeps” seems so quiet and peaceful. 

Tropical Garden

Nothing beats a tropic garden for relaxation, even if it’s a man-made version!  This is the stuff that fantasies are made of. 

Alps

Not Switzerland.  These majestic mountains are located on New Zealand’s South Island overlooking the Tasman sea.

Aruba Dreaming

This post brought to you by Aruba Tourism Authority. All opinions are 100% mine.

The Mamas & The Papas might have been dreaming of California, but I've been dreaming about Aruba since the first time I heard the Beach Boys sing Kokomo.  

An Air Of Mystery

I recently read that over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.  That’s an amazing number, particularly when one considers the amount of human labor required to construct one.

What's In A Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."

Despite Juliet’s impassioned speech to Romeo, names can add color and feeling.  The word, koru, for example, evokes far more mystery than fern.

New Zealand

Surrounded by water, it shouldn’t be surprising that the only mammals native to New Zealand are those that can swim for long distances, such as dolphins, seals and whales, and bats, who, of course, made the journey by air.

Bahamas

I’ve never heard anyone complain about a visit to the Bahamas and it is easy to see why.  If I sat down on this beach, I’d probably stay there forever.

Beautiful Toronto

When I lived in western New York, Toronto was one of my favorite getaway spots, with choices that ranged from culture to theme parks.

Ithaca

Ithaca, NY is a haven of gorgeous falls and woodland trails.  When I lived in New York, it was a favorite weekend camping spot.  Most visitors are attracted to the falls, which are indeed striking.  Taughannock Falls has a dramatic 215-foot drop and the pool at the base of Buttermilk Falls is a favorite family attraction.  While I also enjoyed the falls, the rocky steps and trails were my favorite and I treasured early morning walks that lead to the top of the falls.

Tulips

Highland Park in Rochester, NY, is well known for its annual lilac festival. The variety and beauty of the lilacs are incredible and I'll post pictures at a later date. It's no secret to residents, but most visitors are unaware of the gorgeous tulip beds that also adorn the park in the springtime.

Watkins Glen

I've climbed Watkins Glen three times. Today, I'd need to take their shuttle van to the top. Many people in good health opt to do that, but they miss a lot of its magnificence.

Before the climb, we always walked along their timeline which displays the history of the glen. The model is painted on a guardrail which runs the length of the long narrow parking lot. It begins 400 million years ago, when the area was covered by sea and progresses through the changes that created the glen. The age of the dinosaurs runs for many feet. Just a foot before the end, human beings appear on the timeline. It is humbling to see how insignificant our species is in the history of the earth.

Majestic Mountains

My love of the mountains stems from my childhood.  First with the granite hills of New Hampshire and then with Vermont's Green Mountains.  Jay Peak, shown above, was clearly visible from our back yard.  It may have made sense to build a restaurant at the top of the mountain, since it is a ski resort, but it did not enhance the look of this beautiful range.  Clouds almost obscure it here, but look closely and you will see the restaurant sticking out from the right peak.  I know I have photos taken before the restaurant was built and will have to go searching for some to share.