I go head-to-head with my Chicago-based colleague, debating which city is best to visit, Boston vs Chicago. “I am a Midwesterner by birth and a New Englander by choice, so I feel well qualified to weigh in here. And considering…
Buddy’s Pizza
Detroit, Michigan – Let’s talk about “Detroit-style pizza.” This is the square pizza that I grew up eating, although we never ever called it “Detroit-style pizza” (and I’m still not sure that is actually a thing). The iconic Detroit restaurant…
Best Neighborhoods in Boston
Replete with historic sights, cultural attractions and academic institutions, Boston is a dynamic city with many sides. This is due in part to its patchwork of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct ambiance and attractions. The historic heart of Boston…
Massachusetts on a budget
Want to visit Massachusetts on a budget? Thanks to fantastic academic and cultural institutions and wonderful natural resources, travelers can experience the very best of Massachusetts without busting their budgets. Making the right decisions about where to eat, what to do and…
1804 Battle of Sitka
Sitka, Alaska – The relationship between the Russians and the Tlingit was complex (which is probably true of all indigenous populations and colonizers). In 1802, the Tlingit drove the Russians away from their original settlement at Old Sitka. But a…
Mendenhall Glacier
What’s in a name? Juneau, Alaska – Apparently, the original Tlingit name for Mendenhall Glacier was Sitaantaagu, or “the glacier behind the town.” My source (Encyclopedia Britannica) says the Tlingit also called it Aak’wataaksit, which means “the glacier behind the…
The First City
Ketchikan, Alaska – After its founding in 1900, Ketchikan became the first port of call for ships traveling to Alaska from the south, thus earning its nickname, The First City. Nowadays, it’s no different, as cruise ships stop here first…
Totems and More Totems
Ketchikan, Alaska – Apparently, Ketchikan contains the largest collection of Native American totem poles in the world (more than 80, if anyone is counting). I was not counting, but we have seen totems and more totems. I suspect the twins…
The Legend of the Fog Woman
The legend of the Fog Woman is a story that the native Tlingit used to explain the bounty of salmon during certain months and the disappearance of salmon in other months. Ketchikan, Alaska – The salmon are running! They are…
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield, Mass – The grandparents came to visit! We celebrated this somewhat rare occurrence by meeting our cousins at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. We had been to this Mass Audubon property years ago (nine years ago!) for maple sugar…