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Summer Reading List

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on June 15, 2014 in Travel

The summer is upon us at least on the east coast of north America and with that comes time to sit by the pool or the on the beach and read. Yup, read. I’m not one for cooking myself in the sun’s rays without a purpose. I get fidgety real fast. So, I read. I let my mind travel, and though it may be redundant, my favorite books to read on vacation are travel books. So, here are some books that have piqued my interest and only god knows if there will be time to read them.

The title alone of the first book made me read the jacket and check out its Goodreads rating (4 of 5 stars) What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman. The memoir about an unattached, younger woman and the many vacation-oriented trysts she has as a solo traveler. She calls herself “Kristin-Adjacent” on vacation, a person who plays things a little looser while she’s away. I know we’ve all thought about it, being that other me, so here is a story about someone who’s gone and done it.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to travel in the glory days of the Jet Age? William Stadiem looks as the world of Pan American in the 60s in Jet Set: The People, the Planes, the Glamour, and the Sex in Aviation’s Glory Years. The style, the sophistication, the glamour and tawdry tales of elite travelers like Grace Kelley, Elvis, Paul Newman, Hugh Hefner and Marilyn Monroe come to life with the words of the Vanity Fair contributor. Stadiem also takes some time to remind us that the 707 jet changed the world of commercial aviation, opening the skies to not only the Jet Set but also to the common man.

French Ghosts, Russian Nights, and American Outlaws: Souvenirs of a Professional Vagabond by Susan Sapno is a classic travel narritave that takes you on a trip around the world from the author’s perspective. She recounts tales of trips to Java, the Artic Circle and the Badlands of the American west. These free spirit tales make all of us wish we had the gumption to be a risk-taking travel writer.

The next two books were chosen because of women in my life. First, The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World, is one of those quit-your-job-and-run-away-to-see-the-world kind of adventures. The kind of story that makes you think, “gee, I wish I could quit my job in my 20s and travel the world with my friends.” The authors Jen, Holly and Amanda are all share the first names of three of the Changuris women, hence my interest. I also suggest that you look up the full name or click on the link and not “The Lost Girls” which is a completely different kind of story.

The final one is for the princess of punctuation: my dear, sweet, nerd wife Amanda. It’s The Great Typo Hunt: Two Friends Changing the World, One Correction at a Time. I know Amanda will admit it openly that she has some issues with poor grammar; the irony is she married someone who is awful at it. [Yes, dear reader, it’s Amanda’s job to make these posts understandable.] She has found herself tempted at times to correct errors on chalk board signs in front of businesses. I guess this story is what would happen if her compulsion was left — shall we say — unchecked.

I hope this list gives you a good idea for some great summer reading material. If none of these are your cup of tea, allow me to suggest my own book, The Ornament: A Novel of Love, Friendship and Television News. I’m told it’s a great beach read!

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Catching a Train to Chicago

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on June 8, 2014 in Planning, Travel, United States

I love our apartment in Pittsburgh. I love the proximity to downtown, I love the view of the skyline, I love the distance to PNC Park, I love being able to watch the boaters on the Allegheny, I even love the sound of the trains rolling by from parts unknown across the nearby bridge and into the city.  The sound is constant though, a low rumble that has become white noise in effect to me, but watching the trains roll by inspired me to plan out a weekend trip from Pittsburgh (PGH) to Chicago.

I have been to Chicago once for a wedding, years ago in the age before the internet. Back in the day when we booked our rooms out of a telephone book (and had no idea that we booked a hotel in the south side and not the best part of town). We drove from Maryland and had never been. But, we survived and now with the age of the internet we can see the location and pictures of the hotels we book before we go. Ah, what an exciting age we live in.  I digress, so here are the details of my plan for a weekend trip in Chi-town in August to see the O’s play the Cubs at what might be the greatest ballpark ever, Wrigley Field.

Wrigley Field | Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

I would book an overnight train from Pittsburgh to Chicago leaving on Friday the 5th of August leaving at 11:59 am and arriving at 8:45 am on Saturday. The trip would take 9h 46min and we could travel two ways, the first option is an Upper Level Reserved Coach Class Seat offering wide seats and power outlets for the ride for $344 round trip for two.  The second option (and the one that is the most romantic and relaxing) is the Superliner Roomette a private room with two bunks, seats, climate control, outlets and bottled water for $598 Round Trip for two.  I think the roomette is the best deal. Think of it this way: if you had were flying 9 hours you’d kill for a bed and some private space. This is like that, but you don’t have to pay $2,600 plus per person for it.

So now that we’ve made our way overnight from Pittsburgh to Chicago and arrived rested we have some time to explore and see the sights.

You have time to take a stroll through Millennium Park, a 24 acre park filled with art and nature in the middle of downtown. You could visit Navy Pier along the lake, filled with shops and restaurants and the 15-story Ferris wheel, the same one they climb for a view of the city in the dystopian romance book and movie Divergent.  You might want to hit The Magnificent Mile for your breakfast, the dozen blocks hosts 56 hotels and 124 restaurants.

We’ll rest our sore feet (from our morning sightseeing) at the ballpark. Orioles vs Cubs starts at 1:20 pm  and is only a taxi or a 30-40 minute ride on the Chicago Red line away. We will already have our tickets – we can buy them for anywhere between $20-100.  I’ve been to Wrigley before and suggest paying a little extra to sit so you are facing the outfield; the skyline behind the low outfield wall is one of the best parts of the experience. If you’re visiting on a non-game day you can still take a tour of the park, visiting the press box, bleachers, visitors club house, cubs club house, visitors and Cubs’ dugout as well as the field. You’ll learn all about the history of the 100 year old venue.  The tickets are around $25 and the tour lasts for about 75-90 minutes.  You can take a tour on game day but it’s limited due to the team use of the facilities.

The game done, take a trip back to the downtown area and check in at your hotel. Grab a nap (or just rest) to refresh yourself before going to dinner.

I picked three hotels all within a 20 minute walk of Chicago’s Union Station. I was also willing to spend a little more because we would only be staying one night, so each of the hotels are 3-4 star and considered luxury.  The rooms are, of course, beautiful as well as the lounges.  I think the Club Quarters has the best of the gilded age extravagance and detail that makes you at least feel rich.

The Club Quarters $152

Palmer House Hilton $169

Fairmont Chicago for $212

For dinner you can visit one of the restaurants you saw earlier on The Magnificent Mile or take a short cab ride to Chicago’s Greektown, the home of some of the best Greek restaurants in the United States.

You can then retire in your well-appointed room and rest up for a morning in bed and an afternoon of sightseeing before boarding the overnight train home. I know that times and prices do create many variables and they may not be the same for you, but if we get the idea in your head to take a train trip then our job is done.

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Gone Fishin’

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on June 1, 2014 in Adventure, United States
Young Zeke casts a line in Brownsville Pond.

Young Zeke casts a line in Brownsville Pond.

I know it sounds cliche, but some of the fondest memories of my childhood are fishing with my father. I didn’t care if it was on the Potomac River in a canoe, on the shore, or at our local pond (pictured). I found it to be a wonderful learning experience about life, about bucking up and doing things that seamed gross (i.e. gutting a fish or baiting a hook with a bloody worm), as part of the experience of fishing.

The time we spent together wasn’t filled with conversation and television-esque “life lessons”; it was about quiet time, “’cause you don’t want to scare the fish.” We’d split up in the river or along the pond, each picking our spot within eyesight of the other but spending most of the time quietly unless we hooked one. I never really cared if we, I, caught anything; it was simply about spending time outdoors in the quiet.

The image of my father standing on a windswept beach in mid-March, his line cast in the water, a cigar in his mouth, his fishing rod in one hand and a beer in another, soaking in the salt air is an indelible image of my youth and one I’ve since tried to replicate on my own fishing trips along the shore.

My grandfather once shared an old Greek proverb with me during a fishing trip, Ένα αλιευτικό κακή ημέρα είναι καλύτερη από ό, τι και η καλή μέρα στη δουλειά. It means “a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.” It’s an expression that tells us life isn’t worth living if we can’t enjoy the simple pleasures whether it be fishing or bowling or watching the tide roll in.  So, in honor of these warm fishy memories of my father I’ve picked out a few great fishing spots where you can spend a relaxing day.

The Saint Lawrence River Valley – The St. Lawrence River Valley considers itself to be the fishing capital of the world with hundreds of lakes, streams and tributaries flowing into the river across upstate New York.  You have a chance of catching large-mouth bass, rainbow trout, walleye and salmon to mention just a few of the species you might be angling for.

Salmon, Idaho – The somewhat isolated community of Salmon was ranked by Outdoor Life Magazine as the #2 Hunting and Fishing town in the US.  The rivers in the area are big spawning grounds for salmon which provide an amazing fishing experience as well as wildlife watching (spawning salmon attract bears).

Chesapeake Bay– The fabled Chesapeake has seen better times but the good news is that she’s making a comeback.  The population of rockfish is on the way up and spending a day on a small boat pulling in small fish like croker and speckled trout as well as large red drum in one of the most picturesque areas of the country is a wonderful way to spend a day.

Kissimee Lakes, Florida – The chain of lakes that populate the area outside of Orlando feel a thousand miles away from the theme-park-driven economy of central Florida. It’s a great place to drop a line.

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An American Weekend

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on May 25, 2014 in United States

How much Americana can you fit into a weekend? Amanda and I decided to do our best this Memorial Day weekend. We started Friday evening after spending about an hour assembling our new grill (the new apartment building allows what our own condo association wouldn’t — ironic, right?).

Zeke grills up some hot dogs with a view of downtown Pittsburgh.

Zeke grills up some hot dogs with a view of downtown Pittsburgh.

I fired up the propane and tossed some hot dogs on the fire, I take mine with just ketchup and she likes to add mustard.  The home-made hot dogs and some beer (based on a colonial recipe the founding fathers likely had), hit the spot.

PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, sits just one block away from our Pittsburgh digs. We were gifted some tickets from a friend and decided not to pass up the chance to indulge in America’s Pastime. The seats were some of the best major league seats I’ve had a chance to enjoy, in approximately 80 feet from the first base line. We were right behind the visitors’ dugout so we had a prime view particularly when the Washington Nationals walked in and out of the dugout in their red, white and blue. The weather was nice, a little cooler than we’d prefer, but it wasn’t too bad.

Lower left: a friend sent us a picture – apparently we made it into the TV broadcast and the announcers mentioned Amanda’s Caps attire.
PNC Park from section 110

The next morning we went with one of our favorite pastimes, sleeping in. I never get the chance to sleep in so when I realized it was almost 10 a.m. it was shocking. An action movie was next on our list.  We found a new theater to visit, a big one – the biggest we’ve visited. A short 2 hours and 11 minutes  later we emerged from the theater filled with popcorn and pop. I don’t know what it is, but something about big screen explosions makes me want to gorge myself on junk food.

Giovanni's Pizza, best in the Burgh

Giovanni’s Pizza, best in the Burgh

The evening is going to be filled with my favorite spectator sport, hockey. Hey it’s from North America. I’ll top off that popcorn and soda with a slice or three of pizza, which is a true American food (trust me, if you’ve been to Italy you know we do pizza better here).  I’m not sure what’s next in our Americana weekend, but I think a road trip might be in order before work on Monday.

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Traveling Healthy

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on May 18, 2014 in Adventure, Planning, Travel

When you go on a trip to a new an exotic place you’ll spend some time picking out that unique keepsake to take home with you: a bracelet, a t-shirt, a shot glass, a artisan-crafted wood bowl. All fine choices, but what you don’t want to bring home is measles, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or polio. Yes, I said polio; the crippling disease is still prevalent and sadly gaining ground in some areas. You don’t want to let your global exploration be governed by your inner hypochondriac, so the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an easy-to-navigate site to help you guard against infection.

CDC_Warning

The notices are color coded. In green areas you may encounter diseases like measles (which most of us are vaccinated against). If you see yellow, that indicates the possible presence of polio and/or MERS. As you can probably surmise, red means don’t go (period).

The alerts go into detail about the preventive measures you can take specific to the health concerns. A lot of the advice it is common sense that you should be practicing anyway; washing your hands, wearing bug repellent in mosquito-prone areas, getting your vaccines, eating food that has been prepared hygienically. You can always use the Can I Eat This? app we talked about previously.

I know this post isn’t long but we’ve been fielding a lot of questions since the cases of MERS were reported in the US. Please remember we’re travelers, not medical experts, so the CDC is your best place for this kind of information!

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A Date at the Museum

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on May 11, 2014 in Travel, United States

The National Mall in Washington, DC is one of the great public spaces in the world. It’s lined with the various buildings that make up one of the greatest museum systems in the world: the Smithsonian Institution. One of the greatest blessings of this system is that the Smithsonian Museums are FREE, a benefit that even extends to the buildings outside of downtown Washington. For example, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is two huge hangars near Dulles Airport (about 45-50 minutes outside DC in Loudon County, Virginia) filled to the ceiling with iconic pieces of aviation history.

Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

You can even get a close look at some of those icons being restored, according to Alison Mitchell, Public Affairs Specialist for the National Air and Space Museum.

 “One of the most unique features of the Udvar-Hazy Center is the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar. From a glassed-in mezzanine, visitors can observe museum conservation staff members working on behind-the-scenes work rarely seen by the public.”

Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

The museum also has a great collection of supersonic aircraft, like the SR-71 Blackbird (one of the coolest aircraft from the cold war, pictured left).  The foreboding black aircraft with its sharp edges was designed to cruise at mach 3.2 – just over 2,200 miles an hour – and fly as high as 85,000 feet to complete photo reconnaissance in the age before stealth technology. Check out this video of the Blackbird in flight.

A Concorde is also in the hanger, and for those of you too young to remember the Concorde was a commercial aircraft that flew between Washington Dulles, JFK New York, Paris and London from 1976 and 2003. The trip from New York to Paris took just 3.5 hours; now that is a way to fly.

Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

The most amazing piece of history in the hangar is the Space Shuttle Discovery. The shuttle spent a cumulative time of 365 days, 22 hours, 39 minutes, 33 seconds in space during its career.  I look at the shuttle and feel pride at what we’ve accomplished as a people and sadness in what we’ve lost with all the shuttles now sitting in museums instead of exploring space. I also suggest taking a good look at the tires, for the size of the aircraft they don’t look too big; they aren’t much larger than a truck tire.

The center gives you a chance to be a little more active than just walking around the catwalks and looking at the legends of flight. You can purchase tickets for three ride simulators, SpaceWalk 2004 that simulates the experience of riding aboard the space shuttle; Wings described as a “fast-paced ride through the history of aerial combat”; and the Cosmic Coaster ride through the cosmos.  You can also try your hand at flying an F-4 Phantom in the interactive simulator, no tickets required for that one, just patience to stand in line.

The Udvar-Hazy also holds summer concerts outside the hangars. You’re welcome to bring a blanket, cooler and lawn chairs to listen to military bands along with other local musical groups. You don’t need tickets or to pay for parking as parking is free after 4 pm.  You could make a nice date out if it, with a stroll through the museum, an IMAX movie, and then relax with a picnic and music.

The Udvar-Hazy can be reached by bus from the steps of the National Air and Space Museum, although that trip can take over an hour. The drive there isn’t bad either, taking only about 35-40 minutes, depending on traffic.  If you decide to drive the parking is $15, but the museum is free.

Whatever you happen to be into, there are plenty of big attractions for us big kids with a love of flight to enjoy.

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Can I Eat This?

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on May 4, 2014 in Adventure, Travel

I know we’ve all had those sad (and sometimes embarrassing) travel stories that usually involve trying something new, being too lazy to use bottled water for brushing your teeth, or eating that deliciously ripe piece of fruit that ends in… shall we say intestinal discomfort? Particularly after such an incident, you’ll ask yourself — more often than not while traveling internationally — “can I eat (or drink) that?”

The answer to this question that can make or break your trip is now available through an app on your smart phone. It was developed by the same government agency that gave us tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Get CDC, Can I Eat This? for Android or iOS (both versions are free).

The app is easy to use; all you need to do is select the country you’re visiting from the list. For example, let’s say Tanzania in east Africa.

Country List

The second step is to select eating or drinking; we’ll choose eating.

EatingDrinking

The app asks if you got it from a street vendor, yes or no.

Street Vendor

If you choose yes, the app says (in no uncertain terms) “you probably shouldn’t eat it,” referring to the lack of oversight of street vendors from health officials.

Next we’ll  choose drinking in the same country and it asks if your drink includes ice, yes or no?

Drinking

If you select yes, the app tells you the beverage is not safe to drink since the ice is probably made from tap water and the tap water might not be safe (at least for you and your digestive system; it’s perfectly safe for locals who are routinely exposed to anything floating around in that tap water). Let’s say you’re not considering an iced drink. The app gives you a list of different kinds of beverages like milk, juice, soda, water, alcohol, or coffee. You simply click on your choice and answer any follow-up questions to get the CDC’s recommendation.

The CDC admits this isn’t foolproof, but should add a layer to your intestinal security so you have a better chance of seeing more of the country you’re visiting than the hotel bathroom.

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Road Trip Safety Tips

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on April 27, 2014 in Travel
Embed from Getty Images

The Memorial Day weekend is almost here and the season of the road trip is almost upon us.  It’s a time of year when many pack up their cars and hit the endless highway to explore America, a time when many of us put ourselves and others in danger as we drive long distances we aren’t accustomed to. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that drowsy driving causes  “more than 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths,” so here are some tips to help you arrive safely at your destination.

  1. SLEEP! You need sleep, this is a fact of nature, if you don’t sleep well you won’t drive well.
  2. Take Breaks. I know it’s tempting to push through and get where you’re going without stopping, but make a pit stop.  You don’t have to stop long; just pull into a gas station, use the bathroom, top off the tank, grab a snack, make a few seconds of small talk with the clerk. The stimulation will help reawaken your senses.
  3. Yoga. I wouldn’t recommend downward facing dog, but a series of stretches behind the wheel can reduce your fatigue.
  4. Drive when you’re typically awake. Don’t drive at between midnight and 6 am if you don’t have to. Unless you’re working the night shift, your body has grown used to sleeping at night.  Your circadian rhythm leads you to naturally feel and literally be more awake if you are driving in the daytime.
  5. Phone a Friend. If I’m getting sleepy while driving, I call Amanda or any other member of my family.  I get on the road at 1:30 am and have an understanding with my wife that if I call we can talk, no complaints about her being woken in the middle of the night.  The key is keeping your brain active and a stimulating conversation is helpful. That “conversation” can even be with yourself — try a few “what if” questions, they always keep my brain firing.
  6. Coffee? I am a fan.  I love coffee, but you need to respect that it’s only a short-term fix.  The pick-me-up provided by your cup of joe is no substitute for rest. I drink lots of strong coffee, espresso by the 16 oz cup, and it doesn’t always keep me awake.  I also find that if you drink a lot of coffee you fill your bladder and have to go; although as uncomfortable as may be, at least you’re not thinking about sleep.

I’m sorry if this is a little preachy. I am guilty of drowsy driving at times. I am the first to admit that my sleep pattern sucks and my typical 5 hours a night isn’t enough.  I have many tricks that I use to get through my busy day, some listed above. I know my chances of something bad happening increase each time I get on the road. I just hope sharing some tips and thoughts make it a bit safer.

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A Trip to the Strip

Posted by achanguris on April 20, 2014 in United States

You know that first spring day when the weather breaks and everything feels amazing after a long, hard, snowy winter? We spent one of those days exploring a new part of our new home – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Strip

In the words of our friends at Visit Pittsburgh, the Strip District:

is foodie heaven and as authentic as it is fun. Locals love it for its low, low prices and tremendous selections. The one-half square mile shopping district is chock full of ethnic grocers, produce stands, meat and fish markets and sidewalk vendors. Breathe deep because you won’t want to escape the splendid aromas of fresh-roasted coffee or just-baked bread. Bordering Downtown, this neighborhood is pure Pittsburgh.

Fresh-roasted coffee? Just-baked bread? Count us in!

Pittsburgh’s 16th Street Bridge
Entering the Strip District

We walked down the North Shore section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, crossed one of the many bridges over the Allegheny River, and found ourselves on the Strip (all told, it was about a mile walk).

It was a gorgeous day, so we had plenty of company as we made our way past vendors, stores and stalls selling all kinds of delightful stuff. Fresh vegetables, clothes, shoes, jewelry – it was all there for the perusing.

But we were on a mission. A mission of the best kind: a bread and coffee mission.

We popped into an Italian market for some fresh-baked ciabatta that was lucky to get home without being completely devoured. Next door at Stamooli’s we grabbed some cheese and olives.

Take your pick!
So many delicious choices…

With these essential items in hand, we were off to La Prima for some high-quality coffee. Zeke had a mocha latte, I went with the traditional macchiato; both were as fantastic as they look.

Lovely mocha latte
A real macchiato

Fueled up with caffeine, we made our way back toward home, stopping to grab some fresh strawberries and cherry tomatoes from the vegetable stand and a vendor’s very last, perfectly warm pepperoni roll – which I taste-tested on the spot.

Good for your body
Good for your soul

You can probably tell we had a great afternoon. We’ll be back to the Strip (on the Strip?) soon, for sure. It certainly lived up to Visit Pittsburgh’s summary:

Gritty and authentic. Bursting with local flavor. No pretense, no fluff. Just plain good.

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The Best Neighborhood that Used to be in DC

Posted by No Kids, Will Travel on April 13, 2014 in Travel, United States

In 1791, when the borders of the District of Columbia (DC) were drawn, the nation’s capital covered both sides of the Potomac River, crossing into today’s Maryland and Virginia state lines. The City of Alexandria and the surrounding area was ceded back to Virginia in 1846, prophetically ending the nation’s capital’s rule over both North and South.  That was more than 150 years ago and the docks that once sold slaves and tobacco now sell art, french fries and ferry rides.

I’ve always felt at home walking around in Old Town, Alexandria; enjoying the city’s low skyline of 18th and 19th century architecture. It’s a town with a mix of mom and pop shops and modern chain stores.  A town that feels miles away from the hustle and ego-driven world across the river; a place where you can easily find a café to sip some good coffee after a long day of boutique shopping.

Shopping aside, you won’t be at a loss for things to do; you can go on a river cruise with the Potomac Riverboat Company.  The fleet of boats, departing from Alexandria with stops at National Harbor, Georgetown, the National Mall (perfect for cherry blossom viewing), or George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. They’re all great options for relaxing or cooling off on a hot summer’s day.

Or you can get artsy at the  The Torpedo Factory Art Center, right on the waterfront.  The converted munitions factory is a great place for watching artists in residence work at their studios, which are open to the public.  The art center is home to more than 165 artists and 80 studios that let you get personal with creative types who will answer your questions and discuss their work, without the pressure to buy (though that is an option). You should always check in advance because the factory hosts many special events throughout the year; there are times when parts of the center are closed to the public.

Hotels are plentiful and range from budget to 5-star, like the Hotel Monaco right in the heart of old town. On the budget side, there’s a Red Roof Inn just outside of the city.  I do suggest you base your decision on location so you can enjoy the restaurants and bars. Try Chart House, located right on the water with stunning views of the Potomac River and the capital on the other side, or take a trip into the past at Gadsby’s Tavern, established in 1785 and a hunt of the original movers and shakers in Washington, including Washington himself.

The City of Alexandria is a perfect place to stay if you visit the DC area with easy access to the city via Metro, allowing you to see all the capital has to offer and still feel like you have a place to unwind at the end of the day.

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