Portorož, Piran & Lipica: Experiencing the Istrian Peninsula & Karst Region of Slovenia
Strolling along the boardwalk from the elegant Grand Hotel Bernardin in Portorož, the Adriatic coast seemed calm with clear water and gently lapping waves. Minutes later, turning a corner at the charming marina town of Piran, the wind instead felt gusty, and the choppy Gulf of Trieste whipped and smashed over the breakwater. Shopkeepers hurried...
Spring Scenes & Hidden Gems in Lower Town Zagreb, Croatia
The air smells rich with the aromas of homemade cheeses, fresh pastas and pastries. Red-striped umbrellas shelter row upon row of wooden stalls and tables stocked with fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. The open-air Dolac Market is lively and colorful in the heart of the city of Zagreb in Croatia, sitting in the shadows of...
Capturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation
The year my dad made us “Friends of the Zoo” at our local Kansas City Zoo was one of the most memorable of my childhood. I recall frequent visits to see nature programs on the giant IMAX screen. Eleven-year-old me was delighted to meet the Kratt brothers, of “Kratts’ Creatures” fame, against the backdrop of one of their children’s educational...
San Diego Up Close
I had already written an extensive post about recommendations for visiting San Diego, but since then, I have frequently returned to visit family and speak at conferences. I will periodically share new images and tiny details from the trips with fresh recommendations. Soak in the succulents & cacti. (Sep. 2023) San Diego's Mediterranean climate is...
Sunrise at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland
I recently had the opportunity to return to Annapolis, Maryland to visit family, and we awoke early to visit the United States Naval Academy yard before sunrise. The Plebe Summer training program is in full swing on the Naval Academy base, and incoming freshmen Midshipmen gathered en masse on Farragut Field for morning PT. Meanwhile,...
Quick Hits in Tacoma, Washington
I spent a night in Tacoma, Washington passing through between Ashford and Mount Rainier on my way to Seattle to speak at a conference. If you asked my what I did between practicing my talk, I'd say "looked at the ocean" and "stuffed my face." I didn't have much down time to see all the...
Two Days in Brighton, UK
I got called up to speak at the BrightonSEO conference in April, so we tacked on a day to explore the small British beach town a bit. Brighton is just an hour’s ride on the Thameslink train from London. The conference put us up at the economy hotel Ibis Brighton City Centre, which although it...
How to Spend 2 Days in Cirencester, Gloucestershire (Cotswolds, UK)
After a busy week racing around London and Brighton for work and fun, we knew we would be wiped out and be grateful for a few days respite in a quieter, scenic part of the country. That led us to the Cotswolds, or more specifically, the little town of Cirencester. Cirencester (pronounced “see-rehn-sester”), with its...
11 Great Places to Eat in London
I have eaten at some of the best restaurants I could have hoped for with wonderful dining experiences while in London twice in the last two months. These great dining experiences are largely thanks to going wherever friends and colleagues recommended without question. I may never travel any other way! Personal recommendations are everything. Here...
Two-Day Business Trip to Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts. One of the nation's oldest cities. Pivotal place in the American Revolution. 2018 World Series champions. Destination of our short business trip to visit a new client. My colleagues Dan, Lauren and Keyaira had some down time before the meetings kicked up and wanted to see some of downtown Boston. Here’s how we...
Small Town America: Weston, MO & Atchison, KS
Without fail, October through December every year is a madhouse for us. As if the holidays weren't enough, both of our jobs tend to ramp up at end-of-year and everything moves at breakneck speed. Between the chaos of our day jobs and my dog Otto's terminal illness, it has made travel and quality time more...
One-Day Business Trip to Detroit
Some people say Detroit is a dead city. Some say that historic Motor City has been pushed past the point of no return after taking an economic beating in the last decade. But I spent just one day in Detroit on business, and I can personally attest that Detroit is very much alive, and very...
Christmas Week in Annapolis & Washington, DC
My husband and I rotate where we do Christmas each year. Some years we may stay home in Kansas City to visit with my side of the family and some of his, we may travel to wherever his parents are, or we’ll escape Christmas altogether and travel just the two of us wherever we want...