My mother took a RISD summer course in Ireland and had an amazing experience in a unique part of the world. Due to The Burren' s unusual climate Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine plants grow here together. It is also home to the densest concentrations of archaeological sites in the north west of Europe.
Places to Visit »The Burren
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Places to Visit »Old Westbury Gardens
The drive up to this spot is amazing, with slopping giant trees making an arch to greet you. This mansion and garden attraction opened early this year, due to nice weather, and even though not everything is in bloom yet, the grounds of this charming estate are spectacular. There are ponds and gardens and lawns and trails. It's a most romantic spot to truly get away from the noise and pollution of our fair city.
Lots of cranky old ladies will yell at you if a camera gets within a few feet of the interior of the mansion, but the outdoors are not off limits. Jim took full advantage and photographed me a ton. It takes an hour or so to walk the grounds, but there are plenty of benches and secret spots to stop, sit and just enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds you.
There are ducks and turtles to spy on and plenty of trees to find shade under. If any place could be accurately described as idyllic, this is it.
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Posted on April 23, 2007
Places to Visit »Faerieworlds Festival
Last summer my parents were invited to an event that I can only wish we can accompany them to if they go back. This dirty and enchanting festival takes place outside Eugene, Oregon at the Secret House Winery. No wonder people say “Hippies don't die. They just move to Oregon.”
My parents had a great time and I hate to admit it, because you know how very dear my Renaissance Fair is to me, but their experience was way more raw–what I imagine Renaissance Faires used to be like before they became a chain business. Brian Froud and his wife Wendy are the featured attending authors again this year along with Patricia A. McKillip and Neil and Alice Geddes-Ward. This summer's faire is on July 21-22. You can lodge at the local Red Lion if you're soft, or camp at the local campgrounds if you're not.
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Posted on April 16, 2007
Places to Visit »Barnum Museum
I never thought I'd take the exit to Bridgeport in my life. Ever since seeing the condemned new developments from the train window (so creepy) and the fight club house from the highway, and hearing bad news out of the city, I had decided, to the city board's consternation, that it was a shithole town and one I never needed to go to.
It was not always this way. According to the second floor of this unfortunately poorly laid out and hard to follow museum (fortunately it is full of engrossing material), Bridgeport used to be a seat of high society, including one PT Barnum who had a huge impact on the city both financially and socially. He even served a term as mayor.
But there is much more interesting stuff here than just Barnum's association with the town. The photographs are insightful but too few, and the flyers for the shows are the most amazing pieces from the entire museum. It makes you wish there were even more records and bits of information on the Barnum entertainments.
What exactly took place during a NERO: Fall of the Roman Empire show? The pamphlet sparked my imagination and I wish there was still some sort of equivalent in today's entertainment world.
Suicide Girls doing burlesque at a bar doesn't cut it; but aside from them, the art of vaudeville and spectacle theater is dead. Also worth checking out at this sometimes free, otherwise only five dollar museum is the real mummy (recently confirmed by scientists) and the Hopalong Cassidy miniature circus on the top floor. My love for dioramas, miniatures, and animatronics is well noted, so this display made me very happy.
I only wish the curators cared as much about the museum experience as those attending. Information plaques were always at uncomfortable heights to view, much of it is poorly lit and it leaves you wanting clearer information about this fascinating man.
Still, it got me into Bridgeport, which was clean and fine, and the content is truly fascinating.
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Posted on April 9, 2007
Places to Visit »Atlantis Marine World Aquarium
The Dinosaur Walk was not the only child friendly place we visited in Riverhead. Just down Main Street, (that was frankly less quaint than expected) stands the (if not glorious, then shining in comparison) aquarium. Outside we were greeted by sea lions, inside we were greeted by throngs of kids with parents wiser than the ones we encountered down the street. The main rooms have several hands-on exhibits, and I didn't push kids out of the way to touch the star fish and crabs, I waited my turn and didn't cry as a stoic example to my younger co-curious minds.
In the inner depths are several tanks filled with oddities and more, and one holds the awesomely strange and purple octopus. But the real treat of the day was the tank full of sharks. It really was awe inspiring and I wish a lady with, honestly, the worst voice I have ever heard in my entire life hadn't been there to shatter the otherwise tranquil experience.
Just as we were about to leave we were informed (by PA) that the seal show was to begin. As die hard pessimists we assumed it cost more money (we'd become much less free with our dollars after handing over so much already). But the show was free! What a pleasant surprise. Java was our entertainer and Amy, whom we made up opposing pretend backgrounds for, was his trainer. Jim saw a bad boyfriend and some slutty fiends, while I thought she was more into her grandma and mom.
One thing we could all agree on (including the announcer, Candace, who used the phrase over and over) was that Java was “aaawfully silly!! ” This is a great place to take the kids… that we don't have. And the drive, through Long Island vineyard country, is a beautiful one.
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Posted on April 2, 2007
Places to Visit »Dinosaur Walk
I guess there are multiple reasons for this pick to seem like a joke. We drove how long to get suckered in to paying how much for a plastic dinosaur exhibit in a carpeted strip mall? [Answers at end of post].
The trip started with the biggest slag tag I've ever seen stamped on a teenage girl that took our money and ended in the gift shop that didn't even offer any mugs for my collection. In between is all the stuff that makes this tourist trap worth recommending… kind of… maybe.
We were the only people there without kids and were viewed by the MILFs as either perverts (for taking photos which inevitably featured somebody's kid in the background) or retarded because I partook in the free coloring station.
The sculptures themselves are pretty cool, even if the amount is slightly underwhelming and the poor kid giving a tour to a birthday party full of distracted five year olds (one of which asked if I was his mommy) was priceless: “Guys! guys! guys! Just listen–I have one more thing to tell you about T.Rex. Guys… ”
There's also an awkward looking cave man scene with a huge bear skeleton and a woolly mammoth mural and some human skulls, which seemed to keep the young dads happy. The whole odd experience will cost you $12 per head and it takes about an hour and a half to get there–I just want you to know what you're getting into because I sure didn't.
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Posted on March 26, 2007
Places to Visit »Belmont Lake State Park
A recipe for a nice weekend afternoon when you need to get out in the fresh air. Belmont Lake State Park is only about an hour drive from the city. It's not too large, and offers duck and geese watching, little exercise posts and (in nicer weather) they have tons of picnic tables, bbq pits, and boat rentals. The snow was still quite deep when we went so the place was very quiet and a little ominous. During winter months it seems only dog walkers and teenagers politely getting stoned in the bathroom wishing Jim a happy St. Patrick's Day visit the park.
Once you've had a nice jaunt around the lake and trees, head south to the town of Lindenhurst and eat at the Southside Fish and Clam. Just look out for a giant shark atop a long brick building. Order a dozen oysters for only 11 dollars and watch them get shucked right before your eyes. I would avoid the overly sweetened lobster roll and stick to the steamed lobster if oysters alone don't quite sate your hunger. The establishment has been there since 1934 and seems to be busy day in and day out.
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Posted on March 19, 2007
Places to Visit »Hoover Dam
It's huge in a way only the West can be. A worthy stop on the great American road trip. Stop, stretch your legs, take a snapshot, and feel like a part of an American tradition.
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Posted on March 12, 2007
Places to Visit »Blue Lagoon
Looking at the strange landscape you think to yourself, 'This can't be natural'. In which case you'd be partially right. Iceland's “Blue Lagoon” (no relation to the Brooke Shields movie) is actually the run off of a power plant. Okay, I know that sounds weird, but this is Iceland, and power plants there are much different. The perfectly heated silica and sulfur rich waters that fill the lunar-esque lava field are the output from a nearby geothermal power plant.
Located a short drive from the international airport, the Blue Lagoon, (Bl?a L?ni_ in Icelandic) is one of the most popular tourist spots in the whole country. Several package deals are available that include a bus ride to or from the airport, so it's either the perfect start to an Icelandic vacation, or the perfect end.
Steam huts, saunas, a fully loaded spa and a cafe in modernist Scandinavian architecture surround the steamy 104 degree pools that really are an otherworldly blue color. And even if the air outside is below freezing, it's only a short walk from the warm showers to the extra warm pool. So apply some silica soil to your face (they say its good for the skin), float around in the amazing relaxing waters, and mingle with locals and tourist alike. Or find a private pool or corner and take in the experience, although you might have to remind yourself that you're still on the same planet.
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Posted on March 5, 2007
Places to Visit »Fredericksburg,
This town was always the first stop on road trips because a friend's family lived there and would put us up for the night. The spot is a Civil War buff's dream. But we had the best tour of the town by my friends uncle, also a cop, who showed us all the seedy motels where drug deals go down and secluded nature spots.
The downtown is actually quite cute with Goolrick's Pharmacy, the perfect place to grab a fountain soda after getting a tattoo at Alluring Body Creations by Kathy. Yes, this is the spot Jim got his infamous tattoo of a pink buck-toothed rabbit from a woman with a “If You Are What You Eat, Then You'll Be Me In The Morning” bumper sticker on her tool box.