Traveling USA

Every city has centers of activity. The action serves as a magnet that attracts even more people to them. In San Francisco, Union Square is one of those hubs.

Tourists come to board the trolley that takes them to Fisherman’s Wharf. Shoppers are in heaven, with hundreds of name brand stores jammed together within a few square blocks. Locals come for the open space that swings between lively and peaceful, depending upon the time of day, eating lunch, meeting friends and enjoying the free entertainment taking place on the stage. Great restaurants are everywhere, including some that are hidden away down narrow alleys.

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I’ve never been kayaking. I really want to go - but around my home in Colorado the only opportunities are in the rivers…which - in my opinion - are best navigated in a very large rubber raft with lots of cushion. I’m not sure it’s safe to be kayaking around these rocks and fast water through-fares.

I was looking at some information on sea kayaking..thinking this would be a better introduction to kayaking - calm coastal waters and bays…marine wildlife - no rocks or class-5 rapids.  It looks like there are a few places that are great choices.  Monterey Bay, Ogunquit Maine, or the San Juan Islands in Washington.  I dug deeper into the San Juan Islands idea, as the pacific northwest is my favorite place to vacation.  I found a ton of information and opportunities for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

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Every Spring at Baytowne Wharf, wine aficionados from around the globe enjoy four very full days of wine, wine, wine at the Sandestin Wine Festival in Destin, Florida. More than 600 hand-selected wines are featured at the party and you can sample all of them, if you dare.

In addition to wine tasting, Emerald Coast festival goers can participate in cooking classes and gourmet dinners with wine parings. They can also attend educational seminars, charity events and fashion shows, play in golf tournaments, meet celebrity vintners, and bid at auctions for rare vintages.  Now in its 23rd year, the wine festival attracts over 2,000 connoisseurs and wines from more than 80 vineyards. The 2008 edition raised more than $850,000 for local charities.

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This incredible island?�sits in the Sea of Cortez about?�4 miles off La Paz near the southern end of the Baja peninsula. Once you?�escape the mainland and arrive on Espiritu Santo’s pristine beaches, you’re guaranteed to leave all your worries behind.

The island and its smaller neighbors are part of a National Marine Park and enjoy the protection of?�conservancy groups and the citizens of the area, who rightfully take great pride in their stewardship of this?�unspoiled ecosystem.

The western side of the island is slotted with protected coves that sport long sandy beaches flanked by rocky ridges dotted with cactus. The opposite side is a kaleidescope of colorful cliffs plunging dramatically into the sea.

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While in Santa Fe, we arrived at around noon only to find ourselves driving in?�circles trying to find a place to park.?� No luck!?� No matter what you’ll pay or how carefully you follow the local maps given by the concierge, you will most likely be frustrated.

Fear no more!?� There is a fairly-priced parking at the?�intersection of Grant and Johnson Streets?�which is roughly 1 to 2 blocks from the Georgia O’Keefe Museum.?� Sounds simple enough right??� WRONG……… it wasn’t listed on any of the local maps we were given!

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