Travel
In Search of Chiang
If you don’t know where you are, any road will do. Tibetan proverb SAN FRANCISCO, 12:30 pm, 24 Sept: I have left the Dark Ages of San Luis Obispo via United. For the first time in years I had to Read more
Travel
Travel Tips I Must Remember to Follow
Kayak.com, Hipmunk, Momondo, Onthefly and Skyscanner are a few sites to begin my search for airfares. Aggregators work efficiently to provide fares on most airlines, then send me to the individual site for purchase. Consolidator CheapOAir sells directly; not many sites carry China Southern but I found a great price for a Taipei-Kathmandu flight. Google for local airlines flying to my destination’s airports as many aggregators do not cover these foreign airlines. I track fares using Airfare Watchdog and Kayak; check Bing for buying advice, and Seat Guru for seating suggestions. When I see the flight, convenience and price I want – book it. Period. I lost a great direct flight to Taipei by puttzing around waiting for something better.
Before I purchase my airfare, I either clear my cookies or use a second browser to check on the airfare. Airlines have been known to track the traveler and charge accordingly. I don’t want to pay more for a ticket because I search on a Mac.
Travel
Hiking Pinnacles National Park
Recently camped a few days at the “new” Pinnacles National Park. Towering rocks, good hiking trails, big and dark caves to crawl through, blue sky, lots of condor pairs soaring high above the peaks. Turkeys stay up late and get Read more
Travel
Meeting My Travel Muse
I discovered Arthur Frommer via his “Europe on $5 a Day” while trying to find a room in Paris in 1972. He has been my travel muse ever since. I would rather leave my underwear home than my Frommer guides. Read more
Travel 
Wisconsin Dining and Driving
Freighthouse Restaurant
La Crosse, WI
Winter in Wisconsin would not top the list for most travelers, but that is where I find myself in November. Weather varies from evenings of snow flurries and 27degrees or less to sunny days of 46 degrees. I prefer the sunny days. I left home in California temps of 80. Snow is nice to behold but that’s about it.
Playing “name that road kill” (more…)
Travel
Scarecrow Festival in Cambria
It’s a wonderful time of the year in Cambria. Even though our temperatures are record highs this month, it is still ideal weather for coastal inhabitants. The foggy weather of summer has abated and given way to blue skies, cool Read more
Travel 
PADOVA AND VICENZA – MEDIEVAL CELEBRATIONS
Clock Tower of Piazza dei Signori
9 June – Padova
For about the price of a glass of wine, I ride the punctual high-speed train with aria condizionata, electrical plug and WiFi to Padova. Entering what has been earthquake country since 20 May with a 6.0 and a 5.8 on the 29th. Centuries-old buildings are beautiful to behold, but shake them with a major quake and see them fold. I hope my hotel has been retrofitted. (more…)