Surviving the Pandemic Issue
Chimney Rock This summer, the road trip is being rediscovered by many travelers during what has become the new “normal.” They’re taking off in cars, campers, RVs and motorcycles, seeking opportunities to explore our country’s natural playgrounds. Some are opting for the road less traveled in order to avoid potentially crowded areas. The plus to this plan is the possibility of finding hidden gems along the way. Take Northwest Nebraska, for…
View of Telluride Valley from Jud Wiebe Trail Photo by Sandy Bornstein Before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted social gatherings and turned the hospitality industry upside down, destination weddings successfully paired a bride and groom's romantic celebration with their choice of a dream location. After our youngest son proposed to his girlfriend at Telluride's Bridal Veil Falls, the site for their wedding was…
Traveling to the Amana Colonies is like stepping back in time. The history of the Amana’s is unique and makes this a special place. This was a great trip for us because right now, during this pandemic, we are keeping travel regional, so we won’t have to worry about quarantining once we return home. To get from…
When traveling to countries where people didn’t speak or look like me, my teachers were tour guides. They steered me to places and people I will never forget. Many memories of my travels are directly linked to the guides who showed me the way to appreciate their culture, spiritual practices and political systems. Like many…
Lava’s Edge Trail sign After two months of sheltering in place, I was ready to get the heck out of dodge. Plans were in place since Fall 2019 for me to attend Flagstaff Blues & Brews, the largest blues festival in Arizona. Held every June when the rest of Arizona is hotter than Hades and Flagstaff offers a more refreshing mountain respite, the 2020 festival…
Why is scenic and dynamic San Miguel de Allende called “the Heart of Mexico”? The simple answer would be its place on the map — smack dab in the middle of the country, in the state of Guanajuato. But the reality is that Mexico’s metaphorical heart beats in this charming colonial city for many reasons: The country’s crucible of freedom, the cradle of its independence movement, lies in the urban core.…
Opera House Sydney Harbor January 12, 2020 was a brilliant day in Sydney Harbor when I boarded the ferry headed for Manly Headlands. I ran upstairs to the front deck to face the wind and sucked in the intoxicating air. The boat picked up speed as we left the bustle of the quay behind. Soon we were scooting past the sails of the Sydney Opera House flashing in the sun.…
Toucan at the Rescue Center of La Paz Waterfall and Butterfly Garden. As I was packing hand sanitizers, facemasks, and disinfectant wipes for our first road trip in four months, I realized that this was not the first time we had traveled during the Coronavirus. We were on vacation in Costa Rica in March, when the World Health Organization declared CoVid19…
A mishmash of coffee mugs emblazoned with logos and locations sits in the cupboard: Kalik, Beer of the Bahamas; World Famous Mountain Top Coffee, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Falkland Islands – “Desire the Right.” Travel Trinkets T-shirts splashed with the names of hotspots and name brands occupy corners in the closet: Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Panama Canal; Bloody Marys Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Hard Rock Café, Hong Kong; Cerveza Clara Dos Equis, Lager Especial, …AAAH! Even…
It’s July, and I have been officially furloughed since March18th. After the “Stay at Home” orders began in Los Angeles, my days consisted of enjoying being home, writing, making videos and, like the rest of the country, … waiting. Normally my year consists of working on films and TV shows. This year would have been no exception as I had just signed on to do two films in…
