‘Places’ Archives
Aguas Calientes
At the end of the Inca Trail, just below the archeological site of Machu Picchu, sits the town of Aguas Calientes. Literally meaning, "hot waters" Aguas Calientes is home to a hot springs. Just up the valley from the main part of town is a soaking facility where locals and tourists sit together in the pools of hot water and marvel at the [...]
Backyard
There are a million awesome places. Toward the top of that list has to be your own backyard. Time in your own backyard at the end of a long day can be the most rejuvenating thing you do. It is for me, anyway. A little time in the chair, with the breeze, a glass of wine, listening to the birds sing. Ah...that's heaven. Really, really [...]
Atlanta’s Piedmont Park
Atlanta's Piedmont Park is huge. It's really big. It's got lots of grass, and a pond, and a gazebo. It's even got a new pool and public baths! Wow! Like at Pompeii! It's got kids and ducks and a playground with a twirly slide! And teeter-totters. Teeter totters. Awesome. And it has porch swings all over the place. And, if [...]
Oyamel Forests
Each fall, eastern North American monarch butterflies migrate up to 2,000 miles to high-altitude Oyamel fir forests in central Mexico. There, over 100 million monarchs overwinter. The mountain hillsides of Oyamel forest provide an ideal microclimate for the butterflies. Awesome.
Torre del Lago
Italy has its share of beach towns. From the Cinque Terre and it's beautiful jewel-like villages, to the Amalfi Coast and its buildings nestled into dramatic valleys. This week, I visited Torre del Lago, a beach town west of Florence in northern Italy. Just down the road from some of the more fancy beaches like Viareggio, Torre del Lago [...]
Portland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is breath-taking. 5.5 acres that are sure to induce a zen-like state in those who wander through its carefully appointed grounds. Every pebble is intentionally placed, every tree masterfully pruned. The koi are mesmerizing and a blanket of moss covers rocks. If you're ever looking for something awesome to do [...]
Paestum
The Italian city of Paestum is beautiful. In an eerie, peaceful kind of way. It's home to an ancient site. The greatest number of Greek temples outside of Greece. It's stunning. The ancient city is quiet (mosquitos killed everyone off like a zillion years ago), and really, really beautiful. Pizzerias, gelato shops and vendor [...]
Playground for seniors
Just goes to show you--you're never too old to play. The first playground for senior citizens in Britain (seen here) was in Manchester. All the equipment is designed kids (at heart) over 60. So awesome. Every city should have one.
St. Johns
Portland is known for its great neighborhoods. Annexed to the city in 1915, St. Johns still maintains a fierce character of its own, with a downtown of storefronts, coffee shops, restaurants and a fencing salon. Aside from the peaceful charm of the downtown, St. Johns is one of Portland's most dramatic neighborhoods. It is one of the [...]
Farmers Insurance Call Center
I spent a little time at the Farmers Insurance call center in Hillsboro, Oregon, and was amazed at how hard they work to keep their workplace a positive place. There's an on-site gift shop filled with cheerful items like balloons, paper sunflowers, painted pots, butterfly magnets and more. And on the walls all around the building are huge [...]
