August 30, 2013

Chicago, Illinois: Frank Lloyd Wright tours; things to do

Frank Lloyd Wright tours in Chicago


Frank Lloyd Wright spent the first 20 years of his career in Chicago.

the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago, Illinois

Home and Studio  

951 Chicago Ave., in Oak Park.  Admission to the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio is by guided tour only.  You can also take a neighborhood walking tour and visit nearby Unity Temple.   For the first 20 years of Wright's career, this house was the sanctuary where he designed and executed more than 130 buildings.  Wright built the simple shingled cottage in 1889 at age 22 for his bride.  He remodeled the house constantly until 1911, when he left his wife and six children.  It features a barrel-vaulted children's playroom and a studio with an octagonal balcony suspended by chains.  Allow 1 hour for the tour.

Frederick C. Robie House  

5757 S. Woodlawn Ave., on U. of C. campus.  Completed in 1910, the Frederick C. Robie House--the quintessential Prairie house--is described as featuring “sweeping horizontal planes, dramatic cantilevers and long ribbons of art glass windows.”  One French man was moved to exclaim, “Ooh la la!”  Another Wright house is nearby on Woodlawn/51st, 2 blocks from President Barack Obama’s house.


More things to do in Chicago.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image depicts Robie House, copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 1-14-18

August 28, 2013

Chicago, Illinois: Architecture River Cruise; things to do

224 S. Michigan Ave. (across street from Art Institute; L stop is at Adams and Wabash, 1 block away).  Individual tickets are available by phone at 1-800-982-2787, or online at www.ticketmaster.com/rivercruise.  The CAF offers 85+ tours.


Architecture River Cruise  

May-Nov.  Departs from lower level at SE corner of the Michigan Ave. Bridge/Wacker Dr.  Pick up tickets about 6 blocks away at 224 S. Michigan office.  Purchase tickets at least 1 week in advance.  The staircase to the ticket window and dock is marked by a blue awning. 

Famous among Chicagoans, this 1½-hour tour along the Chicago River attracts both visitors and locals.  You’ll board Chicago’s First Lady in the very heart of the city, between Millennium Park and The Magnificent Mile.  In good weather, you can sit on the top deck and enjoy this city’s spectacular architecture up close while a docent points out highlights--the new Trump Tower, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), and Art Deco buildings galore.  The boat typically passes under 23 bridges, and you’ll likely see and hear kayakers, trains, and the rattling old El line. 


More things to do in Chicago.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 26, 2013

Acupressure for travel


Next time you're stuck on a plane, squished into a too-tiny seat, take a look at this helpful article about pressure points you can manipulate to feel better.  I'm going to test it out myself on my upcoming cross-country flight.  Hint:  bookmark it; it doesn't print out well.


Some travel articles to inspire and help you plan spectacular getaways.

image copyright Sara Calabro via article website

August 23, 2013

Spend the night on an Indian reservation in Acoma, New Mexico

Spend the night on an Indian reservation in Acoma, New Mexico


Stop midway between Albuquerque and Flagstaff on Highway I-40 (which replaced the famous Route 66) to explore the wide open spaces of the vast Acoma Indian Reservation and perhaps do a little gambling.  It is jeans-and-t-shirt casual.  Read more. . . 

a lonely road on the vast Acoma Indian Reservation in Acoma, New Mexico
a lonely road on the vast Acoma Indian Reservation in Acoma, New Mexico



More things to do in New Mexico.



article and image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 21, 2013

Patagonia, Chile: Torres del Paine National Park; things to do

 

Torres del Paine National Park 

(pronounced TOR-ehs del PIE-nay; “paine” is an Indian word for “blue”) 


lake and peaks of Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile
lake and peaks of Torres del Paine National Park
in Patagonia, Chile


After several hours of traveling in a van over bumpy dirt roads and through green pastures filled with fat sheep and baby lambs, we got our exciting first glimpse of the iconic jagged peaks we traveled half way around the world to see--the three sheer granite peaks forming the Paine Massif, the very symbol of Patagonia.  Established in 1959 by the Chilean government, this massive 450,000-acre park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also a hiker's paradise.  An extensive collection of groomed trails range from an easy walk around a lake to a challenging 7-hour trek to Glacier Grey (though you can see this massive glacier and lake up close with a much shorter hike, too).  You’ll also most likely see—as I did--herds of docile, camel-like guanacos (they are related to the llama, but with shorter hair) and flocks of Andean condors.  Armadillos, black-throated swans, pink flamingos, and the Andean puma are also sometimes spotted.  Interestingly, the park has no poisonous plants or reptiles.  The area is famous for strong winds that sometimes knock people over.  Hear the whipping winds in this video taken at milky turquoise-colored Lago Nordenskjold.   

images copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 19, 2013

Germany; An itinerary for the Fairy Tale Road in Germany


An itinerary for the Fairy Tale Road in Germany
(or MARCHENSTRASSE)


Once upon a time, not too long ago, in a land that is, in the jet age, not so far away, my non-traditional American family--me, my husband, our 13-year-old daughter, and my 72-year-old mother--visited the Fairy Tale Road in Germany.  Read more . . .

Little Red Riding Hood statue on Fairy Tale road in Germany
Little Red Riding Hood statue on Fairy Tale road in Germany



More things to do in Germany.


article and image copyright Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 16, 2013

Patagonia, Chile: Remota Hotel, Puerto Natales; hotel review

(011-56-61) 414-040.  Indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, Finnish sauna.  No TVs in room.  Breakfast and excursions included. 

Designed by famous Chilean architect German de Sol, this hotel is a surprise to find so far away from “civilization.”  Its simple, spare interior is decorated with museum-quality Chilean artifacts, and it sits well amid the rustic, spare outdoor surroundings and features stunning views.  A full-service resort, it offers a menu of unusual excursions ranging from hiking in Torres del Paine National Park, to visiting local farms, to sailing through the fjords.





More things to do in Chile.

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images copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
top image depicts pool house
bottom image depicts hallway

August 14, 2013

Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile: Milodon Cave Natural Monument; things to do

Milodon Cave Natural Monument  

on Benítez hill, 15 miles NW of town. 

interior of Milodon Cave Natural Monument in Patagonia, Chile
interior of Milodon Cave Natural Monument in Patagonia, Chile


Long ago, now-extinct giant sloths, which were herbivores, lived in this 100-foot-high by 260-foot-wide by 650-foot-deep cavern.  Today, visitors to the Milodon Cave Natural Monument follow a 15-minute trail to the entrance, then a path that loops through the interior featuring stalactites and stalagmites.  Signs are in Spanish.

August 12, 2013

Cartegena, Colombia: Volcan de Lodo el Totumo; things to do

Volcan de Lodo el Totumo 


This mud volcano is just outside of town.  Watch a blogger get down and dirty taking a mud bath with strangers.  A quote from her informative blog posting says that it looks “like an overgrown anthill with a rickety, home-made wooden staircase up one side.”  Though I myself have never been here, my daughter is the one who first told me about it after her visit a few years ago and now it is on my bucket list.  Perhaps you'll want to add it to yours as well.


More ideas for exploring South America.  



August 9, 2013

Introduction to Puerto Natales in Patagonia, Chile

Introduction to Puerto Natales in Patagonia, Chile


This small town is beautifully situated against a backdrop of mountains.

gumdrop trees in Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile
gumdrop trees in Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile


Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza) or Last Hope Sound  

An excursion through this picturesque sound offers a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains.  It is gorgeous at sunset.  Tours visit Eberhard Fjord, the mountain channel, and the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers.  On my tour, as we sailed home we drank pisco over glacier ice. 
Don’t miss this unusual photo op found along the waterfront. 


glacier in Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile

Historical Museum of Puerto Natales  

285 Bulnes St..  Some of the artifacts displayed here date back 12,000 years. 

You’ll also see cultural displays of the Aónikenk and Kaweshkar aborigine peoples. 




More things to do in Chile.

More ideas for exploring South America.

images copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
bottom image depicts Serrano glacier

August 7, 2013

Two Teas for Two in London, England

2 SPOT-ON TEAS FOR 2 IN LONDON'S HYDE PARK AREA


So many tea rooms, so little time (and so few dollars)

Tea is the new wine.  It's almost as complex, and after visiting a few of London's top tea rooms you will start to detect nuances.
Read more . . .




August 5, 2013

Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile: Hotel Cabo de Hornos; hotel review

Hotel Cabo de Hornos  

Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1025, city center, (56-61) 2715000.  110 rooms.  13 $100-$195/2.  Sauna.  Includes breakfast. 

view from Hotel Cabo de Hornos in Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile
view from Hotel Cabo de Hornos in Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile


The lobby’s floors and walls at the Hotel Cabo de Hornos are paved with tile—mimicking the interior of a cave.  My room here overlooked the tree-filled town square, and I liked the shiny beige marble bathroom with tub-shower but—as in Europe--no washcloths.  The vibrant bar is the place to go for a pisco, and the well-priced restaurant is inviting in its large, high-ceilinged space. 


More things to do in Chile.

More ideas for exploring South America.

image copyright 2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 2, 2013

West Coast, U.S.A.: Pacific Crest Trail; things to do



Been wondering about this guy who is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail? He just entered Oregon!  He's worn out several pairs of hiking boots so far.  Follow him on his gigantic adventure at Pacman Hikes the 2013 Pacific Crest Trail blog.  I signed up for e-mail delivery of his blog, and it makes me smile every time I get one.  I take a break and read it, and it's not just because he is my nephew!


More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

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