Sleep, the elusive lover to some and welcome bed mate to all.
Rules Learned at Acadia National Park
There is an etiquette to behavior in National Parks. Since I have an unusually high desire to have my passport book stamped by all the major National Parks, I took notes on my recent road trip through Acadia National Park with my siblings, dad and nephew (never too old for a family road trip, or are you?). Let me share some key points…
Monday, Fun Day!
Happy Monday! What doors will you open this week?
The Back Roads of Maine
So it was for me the summer I discovered the back roads of Maine.
Top 3 Best Things about The Royal Hawaiian Hotel
There is only one state where you will find an actual palace built for real royalty in the United States, do you know which one? Yes, Hawaii! Do you know who the first registered guest of the famed Royal Hawaiian Hotel was? Yes, Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, the would be queen of the Kingdom of Hawaii (if its monarchy survived). Today the “Pink Palace” (her nickname) is home to a variety of luxury seekers as they explore the island-paradise of Oahu.
Blowhard at the Blowhole
It was a beautiful day on a beautiful island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The day was warm, but the ocean breeze was refreshing and I was delighted to see the Halona Blowhole on Oahu, Hawaii. As I was enjoying the moment, a voice kept talking, and talking, and talking! My peaceful bubble was popped by this person who demanded everyone within ear shot “overhear” all of his oceanic knowledge. I thought, “Huh, what irony…a blowhard at a blowhole.” Then I started to wonder about the origins of the word blowhard. Here is what I found:
“Blowhard comes from the phrase ‘blow your own horn.’ To blow your own horn is to be a braggart or “blowhard.” This expression in the American West about the middle of the 19th century derives from an earlier expression, blow your own trumpet, dating back to at least 1576 and probably originating in medieval times, when heralds blew trumpets to announce the arrival of the king. Of course, any merchant or other commoner who wanted to announce his arrival had to blow his own horn.” (reference from Askville site)
The take-away from my blowhole experience, don’t stand downwind from the crowd if possible. This way you eliminate the blowhard at the blowhole.
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Top 3 Coffee Shops on Oahu
Let me be your guide to Oahu’s Caffeine Highway. It is as easy as one, two, three. Here are the top 3 coffee shops on Oahu…
Acadia National Park + Maps
I have come to notice that the men in my life have an unusual fascination with maps. This came into sharp focus as we explored Acadia National Park.
Mai Tai Drinker, or Not?
Some people can drink and some people, well, can’t. My husband (beloved Spaceman) hopelessly falls into the latter category. He swears he is better at handling a drink (as in one drink because more than one is risky…for everyone!) when he has had food. Um, really? I’d like to present exhibit A: my birthday celebration at the Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki, Hawaii, and let you decide: Mai Tai drinker, or not?
Flower Power!
On my recent travels I was delighted by all the beautiful wild flowers and formal planted gardens we saw. I couldn’t help but smile at their exuberance and bursts of color. It was as if they were saying, “Hello! Let’s be friends.” (Spaceman didn’t seem to hear the same thing, hmmm.) After realizing that everyone with me was also happier because of this display of flower power, I started to wonder about the emotional impact of flowers. Were those in the 60’s on to something with the flower power movement? Please no!