Sapphire Gallery Montana

Got a great surprise from my friend Shirley Beck, savior of Philipsburg Montana. While in her shop Sapphire Gallery in town I had a chance to mine through a bag of soil and rocks taken from an area that is know for Sapphires in Montana. Not that the shop doesn’t have a mess of gorgeous gems through the veritable shrine to Sapphires.

Low and behold I happen to come across some of the precious gems while sifting. I had two of the stones burned and cut for earrings complete with white gold settings. Three are waiting for something special not though of. It was a great gift to give to my wife the day before I head to China. Thanks so much Shirley! Highly recommend that you stop in to the gallery if you are ever out that way, 115 E Broadway, Philipsburg, Montana. Phone 1-800 525- 0169 or e-mail sapphire@sapphire-gallery.com GoNOMAD Article Montana

Hometown, Kingston

As I frequently do before heading out to a faraway place, I went to Uptown Kingston for lunch. Instead of meeting friends I took my copy of Alf Evers’s new book, Kingston: City on the Hudson. I passed many old stone and Victorian buildings on my walk up John Street. I also ran into many old friends. Uptown still is a place where it can take time passing because you do run into friends.

Over my lunch I thumbed through the pages and it occurred to me that over the past 250 years if I had taken that same walk I might have run into many great characters from the past. People such as Peter Stuyvesant, George Washington, George Clinton, Sojourner Truth and Franklin Roosevelt have all walked the streets of Kingston. Even now I know relatives of the old Dutch settlers from their names. One of America’s first travel writers William Darby had this to say in 1818, “ no traveler ought to pass without visiting Kingston and every stranger will be pleased with the soft beauty of its scenery, and with the plain, but affable manners of its inhabitants”. I couldn’t agree more.

Dim Sum

For the second time in less than a year I am heading east. It means another real long non-stop flight, eighteen and a half hours soaring. This time it is on Cathay Pacific out of NYC and into Hong Kong. While Macao is my end destination I am going ahead early to explore Hong Kong on my own, something I like to do when going on a press trip. I have arranged a media rate at the Hotel Excelsior located near the Causeway.

I never had a great urge to do much Asia travel until I went to Kyoto awhile back. Since then Singapore and Batam have only peaked my interest more. Always have wanted to see the skyline from Kawloon and from Victoria’s Peak. If I can just survive the long trip I will be in Dim Sum heaven!

Bartender, Another Please

Started a new kick over the weekend that is supposed to be good for you, pomegranate juice. Been chugging down glasses of this great tasting juice. Pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than Red wine, green tea and blueberry juice.

Antioxidants guard against free radicals, molecules that can cause premature aging, heart disease and cancer. If I can remember correctly it helps prevent Alzheimer’s also. Bottoms up!

Snow Buddha

 
 

Home Sweet Home

 
 

Cool Time

The cold weather blowing into the Hudson Valley reminds me of cold days in January when GoNOMAD.com heads into NYC for the Adventure Expo Show, January 13-15. It is going to be our third year and we are regulars. Love running into the people and colleagues in an energized setting. Max and I usually arrive a day early to set up the booth. Then the lovely Cindy and Lil head down Friday night. Usually Marie shows up and our sales guy Joe comes. It is hard work but good times and better dinners. Our headquarters is at the Marriott Marquis with views down into Times Square. It is one of my favorite times and if you are in the area drop by and visit

One That Got Away

I kept the receipts from just about every air jaunt I’ve taken since the printing of my very first article in Transitions Abroad over eleven years ago. I really not sure why? Perhaps I will need the, “facts and nothing but the facts,” someday. I pull them out every once and a while, usually when I am feeling a little low. That can happen when your old friends are discussing raises, and promotions and office stuff. That thick envelope reminds me of all the places and people that I have encountered. They make me vividly recall sights and sounds, frustration and total utopia. I barely remember the long days as a restaurateur then tour company owner. I was tied down and putting in long hours. It paid off and I have to be one of the luckiest people in the world.

Sadly there is one airline I may never get to add to my envelope, Song. The Delta off shoot is bleeding and no tourniquet can help. I guess Delta’s CEO's joke about it being called Swan Song has come true. The end isn’t due till May 2006; maybe just maybe I’ll catch a ride!

Coffee Break

 
 

Pittsburgh Peace House

 
 

Enough Black & Gold

 
 

Around the World in One Day

Before heading out to see more of Pittsburgh’s urban setting I went to my piece on GoNOMAD to read my story on Montana. I wanted to get a glimpse of wide-open spaces before delving into neighborhoods and city life. It is amazing that a few days ago I was under big sky and now under sky scrappers. The diversity of America is amazing. I plan on seeing diversity today all in one city.

Today I am starting my morning on Polish Hill a very small community. After it is on to the North Side for an authentic German lunch at Max’s. Then to Squirrel Hill and it’s predominantly Jewish roots. I plan on hitting the South Side and its Eastern European shops and cafes for sweets and java. Finally I plan on ending the day in Bloomfield, the “Little Italy”, of Pittsburgh to mange. In other words eating my way around the world!

Where am I

Today I had lunch in a Thai restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood. While eating I was enthralled with a book about Croatia. Some places need to go through a little time to get clear. With Croatia’s struggles after the fall of Yugoslavia I need to try to figure out all the players and events. I found that most Americans today really have little knowledge about this time period. Fortunately for me one Brit did a great job with explanations, Croatia: A Nation Forged in War by Marcus Tanner was a fascinating read. It traces Croatia’s history through the war ended in the early 1990’s. It helped explain a lot to me even if my piece will be about traveling through the country. Sometimes I like to write about a past trip while exploring something new. I wonder where I will be when I start on Pittsburgh?

Fashionable Shady Pittsburgh

 
 

Talk the Talk

While my wife Lil is heading out to hear Isabel Allende at the NCTE conference tonight, I am reading the Insiders’ Guide Pittsburgh. I am concentrating on the section called, Talking Pittsburgh. In a while I am going aht (out) to dinner and a cold Arn. (Iron City Beer) I might even have a whole ‘nother. (another one) I am bringing a copy of the PG. (Post –Gazette). Later I am meeting Lilly Dahntahn. (Downtown) I must first worsh (wash up) though.

Cannot wait to try out my new lingo over the next two days here in the Iron City. Good time to apologize now for my bad spelling when I rush through these pages sometimes.

Pittsburgh Office

 
 

Just Waiting

Sitting in a waiting room is the worst but today I have a copy of the Sunday Times Travel from England. In it is a piece about Macau, where I am heading December first. I love the British travel style they seem to get everywhere ahead of the crowds and the writing is so fluid. Alan Bestic certainly has my interest peaked. In the same issue is a great section about South Africa, one of my favorite destinations. The SA piece was “spot on”. That is how I pick what I like to read for traveling, when a place I have been to is covered. It lets me know if it is my kind of publication. For those who have e-mailed lately I will get back soon, heading to Pittsburgh with my wife in the AM but I am bringing the lap dog.

Saddle Up

 
 

Last of the Leaves

 
 

Congrats Croatia

After yesterdays horrible news from Jordan I really needed to get some good news. I did and it was from the Croatian Tourism Board’s newsletter. A survey conducted by National Geographic Adventure put Croatia as the number one world destination for adventure seekers. My favorite adventurer Jon Bowermaster just did a great piece about kayaking the Dalmatian Coast. Jon when not traveling lives nearby Cottekill in my neck of the woods. Matt Lauer from the Today Show broadcasted from Dubrovnik just this morning. Congratulations to the hard working Croatian Tourism Board, and thanks for the memories provided by my recent trip there.

Heart Break

As I was finishing my piece on Montana this morning I was jolted by news coming over the office radio. The bombings in Amman are simply pure evil. I was in Amman and Jordan a few years ago and had such a wonderful time. The people were extremely friendly and Jordan’s sites so filled with history and culture. Floating in the Dead Sea and exploring Petra are on my top list of must do again. The Tourism Board was one of the most professional and friendly I’ve ever dealt with. My heart goes out to the wonderful people of Jordan.

With a Smile

 
 

Big Bad Apple

 
 

Friendless at Fox

Staying in NYC last night I continued my quest for the perfect Chicken Parmesan, my own personal Holy Grail quest. After leaving the Italian Tourism launch for Abruzzo I knew better than to expect much but was pleasantly surprised. Ended up at Trattoria Trecolori at 133 West 45th Street. Anything decent and reasonable found this close to Times Square is a major find especially for fifteen bucks. After dinner I decided to stroll the area and ended up watching the Hannity and Colmes show airing through the window at the Fox News Building. It was surreal and interesting. Both looked far younger than they appear on my tube at home. I did notice that there was little conversation between the two during commercial breaks. Hannity was busy with his hand held, booking guests no doubt.

Some Abruzzo Evening

Went to the supper at the Italian Tourism Board in NYC tonight, as thought it was crowded. The region represented was the Abruzzo. It sounds stellar, much like the Marches region I spent time in years ago and Max did recently. It has mountains and sea and all that Italy implies, in other words it is a GoNOMAD destination. The food I missed, to many elbowing through. The wine however smooth and deep, friendly Italians there to speak with, however would love to actually meet some living in Abruzzo. It is in the sights, and hope to get to a region that is uncovered. For now I’ll head to an Italian restaurant in NYC, no writers pushing me out of the food chain!

College Visit

Aging is a funny thing; you get to be on the opposite side of events sometimes. Today as I wondered through Sarah Lawrence College I played a new role, parent. It really didn’t feel like that long ago I had to deal with my parents visiting me for Parents Weekend. I tried to go easy on Chance, as it is terribly difficult to walk around with the p’s all day. Still tonight I know he’ll chow down in style and meeting some of his new friends puts a window into his new world.

Ranching in Montana

 
 

Bump in the Night

As I sit in the office at home I am taken back to my past trip to Montana by listening to The CD Beyond Spirit Tailings: Montana’s Mysteries, Ghosts, & Haunted Places. It features the stories collected and written by Ellen Baumler and the music is by Phillip Aaberg. Ellen’s collection of ghostly happenings blend perfectly with the songs composed. This CD set will fit anywhere you want to feel the vibes that go cold and bump in the night!I was lucky enough to have her as my guide in Helena.

Where in the World

It was a quick sprint to the finish line attending the European Media show yesterday. I’m just home for a couple of weeks. Hotel fatigue and airport stress are on hold. The leaves are blowing across the yard and the fireplace is lit for dinner. Fact is that I know that the bug to travel will bite and bite hard. That is why networking and events are a necessary part of my life. Yesterday’s fatigue was overcome by meeting some great reps and stellar grub. Here is a quick rundown of the event called Europe Unlimited.

Started the day with a wonderfully bubbly woman named Sandra Matthews-Marsh from the Kent Tourism Alliance. It was a perfect start considering I have been a Kent for fifty years. The hat they gave me with “Kent” on the top helped my wife identify me when I dragged my bags in the door last night. Though I have been to England several times, I’ve yet to go to this area that is filled with so much, yet so close to London. Since there were other reps from different areas around England I hope to see several regions. Big on my wish list!

If you have been following GoNOMAD at all you may recall a story I wrote about playing golf in Wales a couple of years ago. I was the only non-golf editor on the trip and it cost me many pints to placate the boys for holding up play! It was nice to hear that Lisa Greenberg from the Welsh Tourist Board knew the piece. These people are sharp, even if I wasn’t. I happened to be at the wrong table. It was fate Lisa: remember I hosted Wales’s most popular guide, John from Cardiff, at my home. Cannot wait to see him on his home turf again!

A big new destination I pray to get to is Cyprus, and meeting Tasoula Manaridis certainly presented the country perfectly. I was drooling. She even gave me the name of a cheese I can surprise my Greek Cypriot friends at home with. I already know “thank you” and “please” in Greek.

There were so many others that did their jobs so well that it will be a future blog. I wish I could clone myself so I could still sit by the fire at home, yet still see all the wonderful offerings in the world. I figure as long as I have the Kent hat my wife will recognize me when I cross the next finish line.

Fall In Ulster County