Author Archives: Wendy

Utah Four Times

by Wendy
During the past six months, I traveled to Utah four times. Once for skiing, twice for work, and most recently for an epic vacation with my husband Jack, parents Cindy and Joe, sister April, nephew J, sister Sunny, brother-in-law Jimmy, and niece MJ. Continue reading

American Literary History in Concord

by Wendy
Louisa May Alcott was one of my favorite writers as a child. Like many girls, I adored the novel Little Women and idolized the character Jo March. I read any book I could find by Alcott and then moved on to biographies about her fascinating life and family members.

Alcott was dethroned by other literary obsessions as I grew older, and I hadn’t thought about her much in recent years. Then I watched the new PBS Masterpiece adaptation of Little Women a few weeks before a Boston trip. A quick online search confirmed that Louisa May Alcott’s family home, “Orchard House”, is in nearby Concord and can be toured. I remembered wanting to go as a kid, and now I had the opportunity thanks to Jack and our pal Steve, eternal good sport, who was up for spending a Saturday afternoon chasing literary history. Continue reading

Remembrance of Derby Days Past

by Wendy
It’s been many years since I was in Louisville on the first Saturday of May, otherwise known as Kentucky Derby Day. But I celebrate the event every year.

You’ve no doubt seen the pomp and pageantry on the news. Southern belles with glamorous hats on head and mint juleps in hand, gents in seersucker and sunglasses, dignified horses striding sometimes proudly sometimes flippantly toward their post position. This is fabulous, but there are other Derby Day experiences. I don’t need to eat a slice of Derby pie or drink bourbon to vividly recall times past, but it certainly doesn’t hurt either. Continue reading

Interlude at Invalides

by Wendy
We decided to go to Les Invalides because of rain in the Paris forecast. A museum day seems like a good idea, and none of us have been here before. It’s open on Tuesday, unlike The Louvre, and easy to access via Metro.

MJ, Sunny and Jimmy and I walk down a long tree-lined boulevard toward the entrance, as the sky wavers from blue to grey, bright to cloudy. Continue reading

Philadelphia in Five Photos, 500 Words

by Wendy
Jack and I were happy to spend part of Spring Break in Philadelphia with my sister April and nephew J.

We begin a morning road trip, taking turns playing favorite U2 songs. Despite staying up the previous night to watch old episodes of The Simpsons, we are wide awake in America. The air is cool and as we get closer to Philadelphia, the day turns beautifully sunny. Continue reading

DC Day Trip: Udvar-Hazy Center

by Wendy
Raise your hand if you love the National Air and Space Museum. Oh, I do too. One of the best things about being in DC is spending a day walking on the National Mall and visiting multiple museums. But did you know there is a second Air and Space location near Dulles Airport? The Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia is worth the short trip, even if you have to pay to park. Continue reading

Looking Ahead

by Wendy
When manic weather swings from balmy to cold rain, and New Year’s motivation has left the party long ago, and you’re powering through the work routine in the daytime and hibernating at home in the evening, travel adventures can feel far away from reality. Looking back at old photos helps spark inspiration, as well as the reassurance to keep looking ahead. There will be beauty on both familiar and unfamiliar paths. Continue reading

Winter Sports Appreciation in Park City

by Wendy
Jack and I went skiing in Park City, Utah this past January. Just like two years ago, we missed the powder. I appreciated the warmer temperatures but residents kept apologizing for lack of snow. Jack would shake his head and say to me, “This is just like skiing on the East Coast.”

Yet we had a wonderful trip. The beautiful scenery beckons you to go outside and stay outside! Even for a hesitant skier like me, the sporty, cheerful Canyons Village lures me into believing I’m an athlete. Continue reading