Charles A. Ray is a retired U.S. diplomat and former ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe. Before joining the Foreign Service, he served 20 years in the U.S. Army. Over his diplomatic career, he held key positions including Deputy Consul General in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Deputy Chief of Mission in Sierra Leone, Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs. He is a prolific … [Read more...]
The perfect weekend road trip from San Francisco to Sacramento
Are you looking for a weekend-friendly road trip that you can complete in one to two days? Finding a short road trip that has plenty of stops, excitement, and attractions to see can be challenging, but it doesn’t need to be! Our road trip from San Francisco to Sacramento packs 10 stops into 1-2 days of driving and sightseeing, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful sites on a 247-mile drive that takes you from San Francisco through Santa Cruz, … [Read more...]
Catalina Island to Host First-Ever Mermaid Festival October 25–26, 2025
AVALON, Calif. – Oct. 20, 2025 – Catalina Island is diving into something brand new this fall: the inaugural Catalina Island Mermaid Festival, splashing into Avalon Oct. 25–26. The free, family-friendly celebration will transform Avalon's waterfront into an under-the-sea playground of art, music, food, and - of course - mermaids. The festival kicks off Saturday, October 25, at 10 a.m. along Crescent Avenue with nearly 20 ocean-themed artist … [Read more...]
Visiting Mt. Lassen National Park
A part of the Cascades range, Mt. Lassen is a dormant volcano outside of Chester, California. While the volcano is considered dormant, it last erupted in 1915 and has many geologically active features, such as mud pots and hot springs. During the winter, this park is nearly inaccessible due to snowfall, but from late spring to early fall, it is a paradise for outdoor explorers and day trippers alike. Much of Mt. Lassen National Park can be … [Read more...]
East Coast Escapade: A Whirlwind Adventure
I caught a red eye from California to JFK in New York but before I left, our flight was delayed 90 minutes due to crew who had not yet arrived at the airport. This and other delays have plagued nearly most of my flights this year - although this wasn't as bad as sitting on the tarmac in Germany earlier in the year for nearly 6 hours for maintenance issues and then having to go back to the gate because the flight was ultimately canceled. And … [Read more...]
Catalina Island to Host First-Ever Mermaid Festival October 25–26, 2025
AVALON, Calif. – Sept. 25, 2025 – Catalina Island is diving into something brand new this fall: the inaugural Catalina Island Mermaid Festival, splashing into Avalon Oct. 25–26. The free, family-friendly celebration will transform Avalon’s waterfront into an under-the-sea playground of art, music, food, and - of course - mermaids. The festival kicks off Saturday, October 25, at 10 a.m. along Crescent Avenue with nearly 20 ocean-themed artist … [Read more...]
President Kevin Baugh, His Excellency of the Republic of Molossia
Kevin Baugh is the founder and president of the Republic of Molossia, a self-proclaimed micronation in the Nevada desert. Since 1977, he has transformed his homestead into a whimsical sovereign state, blending humor and creativity into its governance. Q. For those who may not know about the Republic of Molossia, could you explain what Molossia is, what this micronation means to you, is it open to visitors? A micronation is a tiny, … [Read more...]
Sacramento Zoo, California – September 2025
Located only about 10 minutes from downtown Sacramento at 3930 West Land Park Drive (which incidentally is the capital city of the state of California). Coveted parking spots are located curbside right across the street from the entrance on 16th Ave. Although most likely one will need to park much further away Originally only about 4 acres the zoo opened as William Land Park Zoo in 1927 with only 40 animals. In 1960 the zoo was expanded to its … [Read more...]
Sensorio: The Seventh Heaven of Sight and Sound
Peanut butter and jelly, ice cream and cake. Things that have stood the test of time, and taste. But light and sound—those have been around much longer than the others, and their impact is elemental. At Sensorio in Paso Robles, you can feel that impact, sometimes in subtle tugging at your eyes and ears, sometimes in dazzling sweeps of color and feeling. Sensorio is Fourth of July with a graduate degree. Where it is, is the rolling hills of … [Read more...]
Saline Valley Warm Springs, Death Valley – August 2025
This is arguably the coolest, best and most intriguing oasis in the entire state of California. If one were to plant a hot spring in the most remote of locations, it would be here - in Saline Valley. Certainly one of California's most remote desert valleys and one of the state's longest dirt roads - these hot springs are at least 3 hours from any sort of paved road. One can enter Saline Valley via either the North (Inyo mountains) or South passes … [Read more...]
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