Coffee Cup Stain

Virginia is known and appreciated for a great number of historic significant contributions to the establishment and early development of this country. It is affectionately known as Old Dominion as well as the Mother of Presidents. This is because more presidents of the United States have been born in the Common Wealth of Virginia than in any other state in the nation. That’s an impressive record and not one that is likely to be beat anytime soon when one considers that there are fifty states and the diverse point of origin for our presidents continues to grow. This makes the fact that Virginia has the highest number of presidential birth rates even more impressive for a couple of reasons. First, it testifies to the significance of its early history in the country and then also demonstrates the continually progressive and diverse evolution of it. With these two considerations acknowledged, it becomes even more impressive to many of the guests who are staying in one of Virginia’s best hotels.

The second nickname that was mentioned earlier for the state also has an impressive and honorary background, though its transitional aspect is what is most celebrated by our nation’s contemporary society. One of the beliefs regarding the nickname’s origin involves the English King Charles II. It was during the Restoration, which was also a time of great conflict, that King Charles II declared that Virginia was Old Dominion due to its loyalty to the crown. Of course what is now most respected from this is the sense of dignity and loyalty Virginia displays and we all know that its true loyalty lies with the United States and the nickname remains a testament to its great background. Meanwhile, many institutions and communities have adopted the nickname and use it as a point of historic state pride. Old Dominion University is just one of numerous examples of this. Virginia is definitely one of America’s points of pride. It is full of amazing and beautiful geography as well as incredible landmarks from history.

It’s always a bit strange to find oneself walking around London and wondering how things got to be this way.  Anachronism is something that one rarely discusses these days, and never in polite company, although I’ve rarely had to brush with polite company, because I am rather choosy about the circles I move in.  In fact, more often than not my friends and I prefer to move in zigzags, but that’s off the point somewhat.  We did begin our soon-to-be arrested adolescent years immersed utterly in everything that was punk, and it seemed to suit us just fine.  None of us can quite recall where exactly we made the leap over into this, but we can certainly know for certain that the leap was total and utter and no uncertainties were there to be had.

In Lawrence it might be one thing to be punk, where the aesthetics of it are totally formed by a collage of styles, and with no local history to determine whether we are right, or it we are wrong, radically and totally wrong.  Our senior year spring break included a week’s stay in a wonderful hotel in London and this was to be our defining moment.  Somewhere between there and here we lost some sense, or gained some.  One of us decided that the pink and black checkers simply wasn’t authentic enough, but that we could probably get away with the post-punk look of the Dandy Warhols, and that would be all right.  Even brave.

And it would be even braver if what happened next was intentional.  I don’t know why I didn’t really hear him correctly, or completely, but it sounded like good fun, and I rather admired the look.  I had a wig made and powdered, and spent an inordinate time on my underwear and other accessories, until it was perfect.  My sense is that I perhaps missed the Warhol and only heard Dandy, which has been coming back a bit, but not to the same extent as my take on Lord Byron and Oscar Wilde.  My cane was smashing but the rest was just an enormous embarrassment.

There are a great number of cultural activities, events and major entertainment options to entice tourists and keep the residents of Philadelphia satisfied. In addition to this there are many geographic elements that remind one of nature’s beauty and also help to preserve some of our country’s historic and symbolic significance. This is definitely the case with the Delaware Canal Park, which is located in the countryside just outside of the city of Philadelphia. It provides a fantastic weekend escape for residents and a fabulous journey and experience for the guests in the Philadelphia hotels.

The park is 60 linear miles of natural beauty and interesting historic wonders. It covers the area around the Delaware River from Easton to Bristol. There are numerous spots in this long stretch for people to engage in and enjoy recreational activities and outdoor sports opportunities. This is the same are that was once occupied by mule teams who were pulling boats filled with cargo along the canal. This canal system was once an essential pathway from Philadelphia to New York Today many joggers, runners and bicyclists can be found reinforcing these same paths. In addition to the miles of shoreline along the river there are eleven river islands found along the park.

The river banks and islands are not the only places to find great opportunities for recreation and fun. The water itself offers plenty of options for activities such as canoeing, kayaking and fishing. There is even a tour boat that offers an interesting and informative, as well as fun and adventurous tour down the river. In addition there are camping grounds on the New Jersey side of the river, which many people from Philadelphia take advantage of during the summer months. This great national park contains the only remaining continuously intact canal system from the early towpath building days. It’s wonderful to read about or watch programs on American history, it is quite another to experience it live.

I’ve always felt that it’s a good rule of thumb that you can judge a city based on the quality of its coffee shops.  The coffee shop here is what the cafe is to Europe.  Perhaps one day the idea of eating and drinking outside for hours will catch on here.  Until then, we get fresh French roasted coffee drinks, muffins, and conversations with some of the most interesting people in the world.  It’ll certainly do for now.  For coffee shops, no city these days is in short supply, but for character, it can difficult to find a place where you can really get settled for an afternoon or evening.  Dallas, however, has got it going on.

It is an amazing place to hang out, and reasonable, too.  This link has some great hotels, and that’s all you really need to get started.  If you’re looking for alternative cultures, you probably already know that Dallas is pretty eclectic. There are cultures and subcultures in every corner, and most anything that you can imagine is represented here.  It’s not always open, but few cities really are, and the spirit of love and tolerance is pretty high comparatively speaking.  You’ll probably make some of these observations while you’re warming up to the place, but the coffee houses will put you far over the top.

Even in the coolest cities, there are usually only one or two solidly interesting and hip places to get a good espresso.  But Dallas is absolutely packed, and most of these are very worth losing a day or so over.  There is a very refined sense of curiosity and real delight in sharing ideas.  Conversations here can border on the downright scintillating.  There are also plenty of cute people, of all genders and lifestyles, to make it worth the wait.  Places like White Rock cater more toward the student populations, but you won’t feel like an outcast here.

Orlando is full of great things to do for all members of the family and people of all ages. It’s a beautiful city in Florida and tourists are attracted to it all year round. As with many of the state’s cities and areas, it is a perfect destination for people who wish to get out of the harsh winter conditions of their home states, and for others it is the perfect summer vacation. Click here for quality information on some of the best places to stay while you’re enjoying your visit and the attractions of Orlando. Walt Disney World is just one of the great attractions to visit while you’re vacationing in this city though it alone is reason enough to plan a stay.

Walt Disney World Orlando is not only the largest theme park in the state it is also the largest recreational resort in the entire world. The entire complex contains four theme parks, two water parks and numerous hotels, shopping opportunities and restaurants. It’s almost like an entire little city of its own and of course the children and even adults who visit it feel like they could stay forever.

The park opened in 1971 with the original theme park Magic Kingdom. It has since added three additional parks including the world famous Epcot Center, which was added in 1982, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, added in 1989 and the most recent addition of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which joined the park in 1998. Each of these individual parks has rides, exhibits and features unique to itself and offers and enchanting experience to its guests. A family of four can walk away from a trip to Sea World with absolute different favorites. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are the two water parks that keep visitors cool and active in their exciting worlds. Typhoon Beach is the proud home of the largest wave pool in the world. Blizzard Beach has the distinction of having created the first ski resort in Florida.

Seattle is the Best City in the Entire World

Seattle is my favorite US city. As a matter of fact, it’s one of my favorite in the entire world. It has outstanding food, great shopping, great music, it’s walkable, and there is sunshine believe it or not. I especially like the city because I can wear almost anything in your wardrobe and fit in anywhere. I do recommend though, to bring an umbrella and a good pair of walking shoes.

I like to stay at one of the luxury hotels in Seattle, because most are close to good restaurants and convenient to walk to any of the major tourist attractions. When I arrive here, I always take a car from the airport, but once in town, I walk almost everywhere, or use Seattle’s free downtown bus service. A car really isn’t necessary here, almost a burden, but if I want to explore the outer areas of Seattle, I like to know I can take my car.

My first stop is usually to Jack’s Fish Spot, which is near Pike’s Market. At Jacks, they sell fresh seafood and fish and serve up a mean platter of scallops and chips. They have the usual fare of chowder soups, oysters, seafood cocktails, but I recommend the crab or salmon. Both are very delicious. My next stop is to a very fine shoe store called J. Gilbert, which is located on 1st Ave in Belltown. I always get John to help me out. The shoe collection is outstanding, and they also have a unique collection of purses, women’s fashions and bags. Then, I stop of at Kuhlman’s for a pair of custom denims, it is expensive, but my jeans always bring a complement or two.

I’ve been to the Experience Music Project located at the Seattle Center, that’s where the Space Needle is located. I highly recommend visiting the EMP more than once. I found I missed some exhibits because I was focused on some other exhibit. For anyone new to Seattle, take The Duck, it’s a WW2 amphibious vehicle that will give you a tour of the city and of Lake Union.

I never have enough time to do all the things I’d like to do here, because I’ve also had made many friends here during my visits, so I need to see them also. There are only two more things I can tell you about Seattle: bring your appetite and lots of cash.

When you consider the location of were Annapolis Maryland is in relationship to the nations capital, you can more than likely get how much history there is to learn. Find your way out of that luxurious Annapolis hotel and see what you can discover. As you learn about the major historical figures who lived and worked here you may even get excited enough to wonder into Washington DC. You can see the historical homes of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Samuel Chase, William Paca and Thomas Stone among the exquisite collection of 18Th century buildings in the area. It is truly a quaint colonial town.

This is also the home of the famous US Navel Academy which is set long the Severn River. This makes sense because the seaport in Chesapeake Bay has been an instrumental part of the security of this country from the very beginning. It has always been a town of the notable and wealthy and was a temporary capital of the U.S.. The Annapolis State House was the home of the the first workings of congress. It is the oldest state capitol that has stayed in continual use for legislative matters which started in 1772. It has the largest wooden dome built with out the use of nails in the country and the topping rod was made and placed on the specific instructions of Benjamin Franklin. It is in the Old Senate Chamber of the State House that George Washington resigned as commander in chief in 1783.

Visitors can see the home of Clara Barton the founder of the Red Cross which was built in 1891 and is filled with disaster relief supplies collected over the many years. It gives visitors a chance to see into her determination and life. There is also the Historic London Town and Gardens, Banneker-Douglass Museum and the Hammond-Harwood House. With this much history there are a few ghost stories to be heard on the Ghosts of Annapolis Tour. One should never leave this town without visiting the impressive Naval Academy.

I have had more than a few experiences of the BBQ to be found in Austin.  The first time I visited the city it was on a whim, I knew no one and really had no idea as to what my week would entail.  It is a city that is well known the world over, for the live music that happens in various venues, and many times just happens right there on the street corners.  That first trip was incredible.  I was lucky enough to have found one of the best Austin hotels, and with the information the front desk guy gave me, I found some of the best live music I had ever experienced, but I did not find the best BBQ.

I am in love with real BBQ, and I found a great place in Amarillo during my many road trips back and forth between Phoenix and Chicago, I was not really sure of where to go in Austin.  My second trip to Austin, was all about that.  About the BBQ.  I had met a touring musician who lived in Austin and visited him last summer.  Visiting a musician in Austin, well I knew that my live music needs for the week would be met, so I asked him to find me the best of the best, in the world of BBQ.  He’s a Texan and he was ready to take on the quest.

Our first stop was a place called Artz’s, where not only do they serve up slow roasted ribs, coleslaw and black beans, but a good dose of live Bluegrass music every night of the week.  The next night, we headed over to Cooper’s Old Time Pit, where you order your meals off the menu, by the pound.  The next day was a Wednesday and we headed to a place called Driftwood, just about 30 minutes outside of Austin.  We headed to Salt Lick, one of the most famous BBQ joints in Texas.  We BYOB-ed it, bringing with us a six pack of Shinerbock, and had some of the most delicious slow roasted brisket –topping it off with a homemade piece of cobbler.

A Texas wedding happened the next night, atop a hill in what seemed to be the outskirts of town.  My friend played music, while the grandfather of the bride tended the ribs he’s been slow cooking since last Tuesday.  I had been to the most famous BBQ joints in Texas that week, but nothing could beat the food cooked on the hill that night, nor the music that was playing, nor the vibe created by a simple night of Texas true love

These are the things I come to New York to learn about.  I spend way too much time in libraries and online, trying to look up obscure things about the things I’m terribly interested in, and every time I get deep enough, I start to feel like I’m going crazy and need to meet people.  Even if those people happen to be ghosts, like investigating the life of Katherine Dunham has opened up a treasure chest filled with spirits.  These spirits, however, are not buried peacefully in the ground and resigned to the afterlife, but are a rather rowdy bunch of ancestral spirits that like to be engaged in great conversations.  Dancing and drinking, too, are not optional, but necessary.

Katherine Dunham was into some very interesting things.  I didn’t book Manhattan accommodation and make all the necessary arrangements, to find out she was interesting.  But being here does help me to understand the magnitude of her work, and the reason it was groundbreaking when she did it, and is still groundbreaking.  She studied with Herskovitz and Redfield, and they opened up the idea that would change her life, and also change African diasporic scholarship as we know it.  They posed that to understand anything about African and African-derived culture, you would need to know the rituals.

This lead her to a lifelong devotion to travel and work in the Caribbean, and eventual move to Haiti.  This is where she found her real spiritual home, and the principles she was integrating into her art were suddenly infused with an energy and a force that they had not had access to before.  She is one of the great pioneers in modern dance in the U.S., and her work and life helped to shed light on the multiple signs and significances behind the polyrhythms.  She passed just a few years ago, having lived almost a hundred years, but there are times when the sense of loss gets replaced by that unmistakable sensation that the dead are dancing.