Packing up the van as we loaded up the children and luggage from our hotel in Edmonton, we embarked on the Jasper area of the Canadian Rockies adventure hoping to find snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, raging waterfalls and animals of the area. My daughter Muna and I were travelling with my eldest grandson Laith, Maria his wife and their two inquisitive sons, Bilal and Tamer. As we left the city anxious to visit Alberta’s natural wonders … [Read more...]
Lets Go Climbing – Where Are We?!
"Do not start climbing over there - that seal is in the way". Were we mountain climbing or clambering over cliffs at some sunny beach in California somewhere? I've done a bit of mountain climbing around the world but have never heard a seal referenced as we are about to start a climb! The reason for this, is we are mountaineering in Antarctica as part of an Oceanwide Expedition Antarctica cruise. Climbing here is surreal - the amount of ice … [Read more...]
A Grand Venue for Country Tunes
Even if you’re not a fan of the style, there’s something about live country music in the actual country that makes it vastly entertaining. I’m not into country music, but last summer, atop a nearly 10,000-foot mountain under a Colorado sky bluer than any I’d ever seen before, with snow-dotted southern Rocky Mountains on the horizon and nothing but fresh air and great tunes all around, I converted in a hurry. At least for that day. The … [Read more...]
Rocky Mountain Blues
“Southern Alberta is a "black hole" when it comes to accessible tourism, it’s what I’d like to see change,” says Garry Brown, owner of the newly formed Rocky Mountain Wheelchair Tours, a division of 4seasons Transportation. “Accessibility laws are provincial. (So) there (is no enforcement) in our national parks. It’s all voluntary.” Alberta Parks is aiming for inclusion, but currently their website lists only disabled access campsites. … [Read more...]
The Grandeur of Montserrat Spain
When I find a place such as Montserrat in Spain that combines an inspirational human element with certainly a natural one, I pause for reflection. I try to absorb as much of this beauty as I can through all my senses. When visiting places like this it helps to be alone (not always possible at places of such grandeur). But fortunately I arrived late in the day mid week and the buses and most of the tourists had already left. The drive on the … [Read more...]
Calling all Thrill Seekers: Soar, Fly and Zip across Colorado this Summer
DENVER (June 3, 2015). Colorado is known for its world-class skiing, riding and high-octane winter pursuits, but during the summer months, Colorado boasts a wide assortment of adventure activities, especially for adrenalin junkies. While many enjoy rafting the state’s first-rate rapids and biking down rugged mountain terrain, Colorado also offers a variety of attractions for those in search of a thrill. From ziplining across the Rockies in … [Read more...]
Visiting the United States of America, Where to start?
As with other large countries, a visit to the USA can be daunting. Distances are great, attractions numerous, there are plenty of events to partake in regardless of the time of year and due to its size weather can sometimes be a concern. In my opinion quality always trumps quantity when traveling and because of America's large size I recommend visiting specific parts of the country rather than trying to see it all. And make multiple … [Read more...]
The New Year is Coming: Favorite Destinations for Travel in 2015
With 2015 fast approaching (seems like I just wrote this in regards to the start of this year!), there are a few places I would like to highlight as being high on my list of places to visit in 2015. I chose these in particular because of the range of experiences offered, inspiring natural beauty and diversity of foods or cultural activities. I have been fortunate to have visited each of these more than once. I love the freedom of independent … [Read more...]
Ruby Canyon: An Isolated Jewel of the West
The one and only time I passed through Ruby Canyon was on my way west aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr. It was on my trip to start a new life in California in May 2013. Located on the Colorado River on the Colorado-Utah border, the only access to the canyon, other than the passing through on the Union Pacific Railroad lines that Amtrak uses for the Zephyr, is the river(i.e.rafting). It is a marvelous site to behold. The canyon is roughly … [Read more...]
Amelia Rose Earhart Poised to set Record as Youngest Woman Ever to Circumnavigate the Globe in a Single Engine Plane
OAKLAND, Calif. (July 11, 2014) – In just a few hours, Amelia Rose Earhart will set the record as the youngest woman ever to fly around-the-world in a single-engine plane. Upon the 31-year-old aviatrix’s historic landing in Oakland, Calif., she will symbolically complete the unfinished 1937 flight of her namesake, Amelia Mary Earhart. Amelia Rose, with her copilot Shane Jordan, has logged nearly 100 hours of flight time on this journey, stopping … [Read more...]