So how many of you have seen one of these half water half land pictures floating around the internet or Pinterest? Super cool, right. Mr. J informed me these are stitched or Photoshped pictures, or you have to have the right lens. I being the inquisitive or analytic person that I am did not believe Mr. J. [Mr. J refers to this beautiful quality as … [Read more...] about New Caledonia – Half Land Half Water [Photo Stitching]
Stories
Staying in French Polynesia
For this episode of Flashback Friday, I am revisiting French Polynesia. Jeff made several posts on our first anniversary trip to French Polynesia. We stayed two nights in Tahiti and one week on Moorea. This post covers our stay on both islands. To show Jeff that not all of my pictures are dumpster fires, here is a delightful photo of Jeff preparing for a sunset … [Read more...] about Staying in French Polynesia
Is a $500 Fine for Negative Reviews a Brilliant Marketing Scheme?
An article has been making the rounds about an upstate New York Hotel fining customers $500 for leaving a negative review for their hotel. Here is the original text that sparked the story: If your guests are looking for a Marriott type hotel they may not like it here. Therefore: If you have booked the Inn for a wedding or other type of event anywhere in the region and given us … [Read more...] about Is a $500 Fine for Negative Reviews a Brilliant Marketing Scheme?
A Not So Luxurious Travel Day… or Why Can’t Airlines Just Be Honest?
Today was supposed to be a leisurely travel day. A midday flight from one polis to another (Minneapolis to Indianapolis), 90 minutes in a plane, a time zone shift and a wonderful dinner at St. Elmo steakhouse before heading to the Kentucky Derby tomorrow. Then I got to the airport and realized that I was missing something: Tickets to the Kentucky Derby. Sure, I had … [Read more...] about A Not So Luxurious Travel Day… or Why Can’t Airlines Just Be Honest?
Seeking Inspiration from the Countryside? Maybe a Free Ride on Amtrak Will Help!
Last week a friend posted an article to my Facebook timeline that details how Amtrak gave a writer a free ride from New York to Chicago to New York to work on her writing. This "writers residency” was designed to be a way to block out the noise of life and focus purely on writing. It sounds like the ride was a tremendous success and may set the table for other writers to get … [Read more...] about Seeking Inspiration from the Countryside? Maybe a Free Ride on Amtrak Will Help!
Golfing with Delta and American Express at Hazeltine National Golf Club
Hazeltine National Golf Club has hosted several major US Golf tournaments, including the US Open in 1970 and 1991 and the 2002 and 2009 PGA Championship. As a native Minnesotan and some-time golfer, Hazeltine is one of those courses that one never imagines they will have the opportunity to play. It just seems too far out of reach to golf at a private course that hosts major … [Read more...] about Golfing with Delta and American Express at Hazeltine National Golf Club
Offroading, Volcanoes, Andes Foothills and Near Misses in Argentina
The following is a recollection of an intense two-day drive through the foothills of the Andes Mountains on the Argentinian side. This trip occurred in 2010, well before I had ever fathomed being a travel blogger, and this is my first time putting the story into writing. This post covers just two days out of a 7 day, ~2,500 mile trip in Chile and Argentina. For more, check out … [Read more...] about Offroading, Volcanoes, Andes Foothills and Near Misses in Argentina
Memorial Day: My Grandpa’s Last Mission Over Nagasaki
For the past 7 years, I have hosted my annual BBQ with friends and family called Porkapalooza. Every year, I have this BBQ on the Sunday before Memorial day, so much of my memorial day weekend is spent preparing, cooking and serving meat. This year I cooked 137 pounds of pork and by the time Memorial day rolled around, I was exhausted. I usually take this day as a recovery day … [Read more...] about Memorial Day: My Grandpa’s Last Mission Over Nagasaki