New York City – We decided to celebrate Daddio’s birthday in NYC. He has been wanting to come down to visit his sister, so I planned a sort-of surprise and sort-of spontaneous getaway. We love to go to the theater…
Sox vs O’s
Sarasota, Florida – Last year we went to JetBlue Stadium in Fort Meyer to see the Red Sox beat the Twins on their first day of spring training. This year, the boys came to us and we watched the Sox…
Return to the Ringling
Sarasota, Florida – It has been several years since we visited the local circus museum, so this year we decided to return to the Ringling. The last time I wrote about this fantastic outing, the twins were four years old.…
Birding at the Venice Rookery
Venice, Florida – One of our favorite annual activities is birding at the Venice Rookery. Just before sunset, hundreds of birds come home to roost on this tiny island, managed by the Venice Audubon Society. This outing offers prime bird…
Winter Break Escape
Sarasota, Florida – It’s that time of year again, when we fly south for a winter break escape with the grandparents in Florida. Poor Daddio was sick as a dog when we left. He managed to drop us at the…
Skiing at Pats Peak
Henneker, New Hampshire – There is no shortage of winter in New England. Yet somehow, with busy weekends and winter break in Florida, we often run out of time to ski. This weekend I seized a rare free Saturday for…
Hot off the Press
Boston, Mass – Not one, but two Boston guidebooks arrived on my doorstep today, hot off the press. It seems like ages ago that I worked on the newest Lonely Planet Boston (7th edition) and Pocket Boston (4th edition). In…
Appleton Farms
Ipswich, Mass – Did I mention that I am going to climb a mountain next month? As part of my research for Lonely Plant Costa Rica, I will summit Cerro Chirripó (3821m). In preparation for hiking Costa Rica’s highest mountain, I…
Best in Travel 2020
Lonely Planet announced their picks for Best in Travel 2020. Every year, they solicit input from staff, writers and other hardcore travelers to come up with a list of locations. “Each is chosen for its topicality, unique experiences and ‘wow’…
Wachusett Mountain
Princeton, Mass – Fall is in the air. I have been dying to get outside and admire the changing leaves and breathe the fall air and move my body. It’s harder than it used to be to convince my kids…