Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where should I start?  As a New Orleans native, I know Mardi Gras has many traditions associated with it and what it means varies from person to person. The celebration has religious roots, with religious elements that are observed to this day, but when the words “Mardi Gras” and “New Orleans” are mentioned in the same sentence, what most people think about is about as far away from religion as you can get.  But many people think of the parades, so here’s my insider perspective on them. ... Read More

     I recently took a weekend trip that supplied me with so many great experiences I don’t even know where to start.  I was in the mood for a little Florida getaway and a friend mentioned Anna Maria Island, which I had never even heard of.  She described the beaches and the location and it sounded perfect for a weekend trip. She was right.  (Thanks, Diana, for the suggestion!)
 
This island is about 45 minutes south of Tampa, but a world away from a big city.  I made a reservation Thursday night and Friday evening we were off.  We arrived on the... Read More

     Did you ever know about one of those restaurants that you just didn’t want to tell others about because you want to keep it just as it is?  Well, I have two.  After much reflection (and the realization that this place is not really a secret, it’s just too far out of the way for most people) I have decided to share one.

To many people, Florida means tourists, theme-parks, beaches, vacations, etc, but there’s a lot more to it.  And, even though it is almost completely surrounded by water, for whatever reason there is (to me)... Read More

     One often overlooked perks of living in Central Florida is the ability to watch space launches.  No matter how often I see them (and I see them as often as I can), a rocket screaming into the sky never fails to amaze me.  NASA and the Air Force launch rockets from Cape Canaveral regularly with names like Delta 2, Delta 4, Atlas 5, and I’m sure there are others.  But in November I rode out to the coast to watch my favorite of all for sheer visual spectacle, a Space Shuttle launch.  And this is my favorite, a night launch.

     Watching the Space Shuttle make... Read More