My friend Patty Morrison and I visited Alaska on a sea and land tour June 12 – 24, 2012. This trip preceded web site www.arnoldheller.org and any travel writing interest. The forgotten pictures were recently found and organized into a highly recommended tour using...
Travel Writing
The Beaches: Atlantic & Neptune Beach – a Tale of Two Sweet Beach Villages, Feb. 23 – March 1, 2020
The State of Florida, as partially evidenced in my AIA travel series, has countless attractive pockets to discover. It’s said that “if you haven’t found yours yet, you haven’t looked hard or long enough”. As one who’s explored the three coasts in depth, I agree,...
Iberian Odyssey 7: Porto – Amazingly Like Lisbon
Porto City Map Except for port wine, I’d barely heard of Porto and it was not on my radar until Myrna Cohen, my travel agent, suggested that John and I fly home from Porto and drop the car off there. We’re very glad she did because Porto, as we would learn, is...
Iberian Odyssey 6: Lisbon – One of the Great Cities of the World
We drove from Faro to Lisbon, about 200 miles, much along the coast but more over very hilly terrain. Given that Portugal is about as big as Pennsylvania and has a population of 10.6 million, the ride took about six hours. It was worth every minute. I’d waited my...
Iberian Odyssey 5: Faro, Portugal: Sweet Seaside City That’s Easy to Fall in Love With
The drive from Malaga to Faro, Portugal, about 300 miles, was visually interesting and fun. I love driving along water features and this trip supplied plenty of opportunities. Faro, Portugal, has 64,000 people living in the city proper, and 118,000 metro-wide making...
Iberian Odyssey 4: Granada – Grand Jewel of Andalusia
Iberian Odyssey 4: Granada - Grand Jewel of Andalusia John and I boarded a Talgo Inter-City train at Atocha Station and cruised down to Granada in 3.5 hours, hitting speeds in excess of 170 mph. At first glance after emerging from the central station, Granada appeared...
Iberian Odyssey 3: Madrid – Spain’s Proud Capitol and World Class City
City map of Madrid Atocha Station is located in the heart of Madrid. We took the fast and comfortable Talgo Inter-City Train from autonomous Barcelona to the Spanish federal capital and disembarked at Atocha, Madrid’s main station....
Iberian Odyssey 2: Fabulous Barcelona, a City of Taste and Style
Barcelona’s population within its administrative boundaries is 1.7 million. The metro-wide population of the autonomous region of Catalonia ranges from 4.6 million to 5.5 million depending on which exurban population clusters are included. The nation of Spain...
Iberian Odyssey 1: Oct. 4 – 16, 2019 Tour of Spain – Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Malaga. Portugal – Faro, Lisbon, and Porto
Introduction I had previously been to Spain fifty years ago and never to Portugal so it was time to revisit Iberia. During my 1969 visit with three friends to Spain, we enjoyed touring San Sebastian and Bilbao in the heavily Basque north, but disliked secret...
Images of the Western Caribbean Region – Costa Maya, Mexico: The Rising Star of the Mahahual Coast
My first impression of Costa Maya as I disembarked was to ask Patty; “Is this place – Costa Maya of the Mahuhual – a cruise ship port fantasy or well-developed resort that’s keeping it pretty real?” Mahahual came into existence in 1959 when the nation of Mexico gave...
Images of Western Caribbean Region – Harvest Cay, Belize: ‘Margaritaville Island’ & Ecological Wonderland
It seems that each cruise line must build or purchase their own island and version of tropical paradise. Patty and I experienced Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas that’s owned by the Holland-America Line. For more information, please access...
Images of the Western Caribbean Region – Belize City & Belizeans: A Warm Smiling Mix of People with a Soft Welcoming Voice
My first awareness of this country was during an elementary school map lesson on Central America: British Honduras was a territory in the region’s northwest corner. Belize, the last United Kingdom colony on the American mainland to still maintain s strong tie with...
Images of the Western Caribbean – Cozumel, Mexico: A Great Little Island and Getaway
Patty and I celebrated former birthdays at three all adult, all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, the Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya. Two resorts were very good, the third, Secrets Maroma, was special. See...
Images of the Western Caribbean Region – New Orleans: The ‘Big Easy’ is Back and Better than Ever
I’d previously been to New Orleans three times; 1972, 1984, and 1998 but not since and wondered how the city had changed in the years since Hurricane Katrina transformed it. An estimated 150,000 of the poorest and least educated citizens left New Orleans for Houston,...
Return to Siesta Key: My Kind of Florida Beach Town
I first visited Siesta key Feb. 2, 2016 to see its famous beach and enjoy the lively village, and returned a year to the day to watch the Superbowl and eat seafood. I made a web page describing Longboat key – where I stayed both years – and included three pictures of...
Oregon & California’s Lake Mono and the High Sierra’s trail of alkali
I expected eastern Oregon / US 395 to feature soaring peaks from the Rockies – high mountains, for the most part, did line most of the long, arid valley that I drove through. What I didn’t expect was the Great Basin, an intimidatingly empty space...
Great Basin of Eastern Oregon: 95 miles of emptiness
Until the Great Basin, the ride across Wyoming from roughly Cherokee to Jackson had been the most foreboding space that I drove across. Eastern Oregon is actually growing – see below. The following massive sand dune made me feel very dependent on my car’s...
Understanding Kansas: Road signs, public art, local culture
Understanding Kansas using road signs, public art, and local culture. One of the joys of road trips is discovering unique countryside symbols – road signs, public and social art, and expressions of local culture. I twice previously traveled the I-70 corridor of...
Lake Tahoe, Nevada & Yosemite National Park, California
Lake Tahoe, located in northeastern Nevada, is one of the clearest and most beautiful lakes in the country. Its 37 trillion gallons of water are deep blue and so clear that objects can be viewed from up to 67 feet. I first visited and stayed in South Lake Tahoe in...
Northwest Montana: Glacier National Park & Kalispell / Whitefish
Northwestern Montana: Glacier National Park & Kalispell / Whitefish Glacier National Park, located almost 50 miles from the Canadian border, is difficult to reach. So, when I finally paid my entry fee, I was very excited to view its attractions. Glacier National...
Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks
I last visited Yellowstone National Park 46 years ago and then only the northern rim of the park – we entered from the northwest and exited at the northeast entrance. The park reminds of the song about “where the buffalo roam” as the lone buffalo (below) appeared...
July 7 – 23, 2018 Itinerary: Mountain chains, national parks, interesting places
Itinerary for July 7 – 23, 2018 road trip – ultimate tour of US western mountain chains, national parks, and interesting places. Traditional Glacier National Park people hauler for group tours. The motivation for this journey was pure bucket list – the intended...
Pools of Sanctuary Cap Cana
I also enjoy sitting around a pool and the main one was spectacular. The first picture was taken from the patio over the Casa Bella and provides a broad look that includes the Blue Marlin (left) and poolside bar and lunch boat behind it. The second photo is a...
The Beach and Attractions
I have always loved the beach and Sanctuary Cap Cana furnishes an attractive and comfortable beach environment. An athletic area, mainly for volleyball, is adjacent to the oceanside beach. Chairs, towels, private cabanas and food and drink servers are all...
Big Bonus – Sanctuary Town
I’ve heard some people complain that all-inclusive resorts are just daily sun bathing and binge drinking experiences. Of course, they could sign up for an excursion or limit their exposure to the sun and alcohol consumption. Sanctuary Town, located...
Main and Special Amenities
This is the path we took to access the various resort areas: Great house, dining spots, the pool, beach, or Sanctuary Town. We fell in love with a sculpture exhibition located in the Great House near the Love Bar. After viewing the sculpture, one exits the Great House...
Room and Patio with a View
The all-inclusive resorts of Cancun are famous for celebrating their guest’s birthdays – at meals, decorations for the room, banners slashed across the front door. Sanctuary Cap Cana was quite lavish too. A banner was fastened to the door and a...
Dominican Dream Vacation: Sanctuary Cap Cana
My first visit to the Dominican Republic was in 1997 as part of an Atlanta Sister Cities Commission mission to Salcedo, an agricultural city of about 100,000 located in the country’s mountainous center. Our group, led by Atlanta – Salcedo Committee...
Flagler Beach: Best of Old Florida & Modern Amenities
I discovered Flagler Beach on March 5, 2016 while driving through the welcoming beach-town during a March 3 – 11, 2017 A1A road trip with my friend Patty Morrison. (Access...
Ten Best Perimeter Area Happy Hour Deals – Updated January 10, 2019
As a retired educator, I have the time to take advantage of the many local happy hour deals that restaurants offer to drum up business during a slow part of the day. Since I live on a relatively fixed income, maximum money mileage and value are important...
Mile High City IV: Boulder, Colorado, One of America’s Most Livable Small Cities
Mile High City IV: Boulder, Colorado, one of America’s most livable small cities. One hundred million years ago, Boulder Valley was covered by a shallow sea; pre-historic creatures roamed the region. Realization Point sign illustrates Boulder Valley 100...
Mile High City III: The International Church of Cannabis – birth of a new American religion?
Mile High City III: The International Church of Cannabis – birth of a new American religion? The Mormon faith, a social gospel of wealth form of Christianity, is historically the only religion that was founded in the United States and exported to the rest of...
Mile High City II: Denver’s Riches of Public Art
Mile High City II: Denver’s Riches of Public Art I admire cities that heavily invest in public art and strongly reject the complaint that it is a waste of taxpayer’s money. Denver’s impressive treasure of public art displays pride in the city, adds to the...
Mile High City 1: Denver, Colorado 420 Festival
Mile High City 1: Denver, Colorado 420 Festival I last visited Denver, Colorado forty-five years ago while driving cross country and spent two days with relatives who showed us the city. In 1972, Denver was primarily a distribution center with miles of...
Florida A1A Trail Leg #5: Sanibel Island & St. Pete Beach – Two West Coast Havens
Florida A1A Trail Leg #5: Sanibel & St. Pete Beach Two Contrasting West Coast Havens: Sanibel Island and St. Pete Beach Sanibel and Captiva Islands Located off the coast from Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island is 8 miles long, Captiva is three miles...
Florida A1A Trail Leg #4: Deerfield Beach – Fun Seaside Village
Florida A1A Trail Leg #4: Deerfield Beach – Fun Seaside Village The city of 78,000 plus is named for the numerous deer that once roamed the area but is now dominated by two legged creatures walking, biking or driving. Deerfield Village appears to be the...
Florida A1A Trail Leg #3: Stuart – Model Seaside Village
Florida A1A Trail Leg #3: Stuart - Model Seaside Village The New Urbanism, the old village concept of pedestrians walking or biking to nearby stores and not relying solely on a car is thriving in Stuart, Florida. We will examine Stuart’s model in Trail...
Florida A1A Trail Leg #2: New Smyrna Beach; Compact, Cute, and Cool
Florida A1A Trail Leg #2: New Smyrna Beach A Model Beach Community that is Compact, Cute, and Cool. Attention: No endorsement for Condo Queen, just a neat way to showcase a compact, cute and cool place. I have visited or crossed Florida countless times...
Florida A1A Trail Leg #1: Fernandina Beach, Jewel of the First Coast
Florida A1A Trail: Six Special Places in Sunshine State Introduction My friend Patty Morrison and I enjoy discovery travel by car and have engaged in a series of trail tours I call our Great American Road Trips Series: Oregon, Washington State, Georgia’s...
Longboat and Siesta Keys, Florida: Two Beautiful Beach Resorts
I have always loved the beach and Longboat and Siesta keys are two of the prettiest that I have ever visited - both are located in the Sarasota area. Longboat Key is one of three barrier islands (Anna Marie Island to the north, Lido Key to the south) and joined...
Sarasota, Florida: Something for Everyone
Sarasota, Florida, is a city of 53,326 located south of Tampa on Florida’s Coast. This attractive and relatively affluent city was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus which recently ceased performing after 146 years. For its size, Sarasota hosts an...
St. Simons Island II: Hurricane Matthew’s Influence
Last year, my friend Patty Morrison and I spent four days in mid-October 2015 at the King & Prince Hotel on St. Simons Island – see St Simons Island, Georgia, a Love Story.. We enjoyed ourselves so much we decided to return Oct. 14 – 18, 2016 to our special place...
Golden Isle: The New Jekyll Island State Park and Resort
Jekyll Island is located about 15 minutes south of St. Simons Island.My friend Patty Morrison and I visited the Georgia State Park on our way home from the Golden Isles.Atlanta is about 325 miles northeast of Jekyll Island and a five hour drive. The below map shows...
Washington State Odyssey Leg #5: Seattle, an Urban Gem
Washington State Odyssey Leg #5: Seattle, an Urban Gem Patty and I view Seattle as one of America’s more...
Washington State Odyssey Leg #4: Salish Lodge, Anacortes and the San Juan Islands
Washington State Odyssey Leg #4: Falls to San Juan Islands The Salish Lodge is luxurious with a well trained staff that provides outstanding service. We loved our patio garden, our comfortable room, and beautiful art just outside our door. Location: Wall...