Here's Some More CT Stuff To Do This Summer!

Sometimes it's the stuff that you do know that turns into the stuff you learn.  How?  Well, pretty much everyone has heard of Mark Twain.  Did you know that he spent a good part of his life right here in Hartford, CT?  He also died right here.  The Mark Twain House is next to the house of Harriet Beecher Stowe.  The families were good  friends, and they had a lot of parties together.  You may have heard about someone buying the rights to some of Mark Twain's works, just to take the offensive words out of them, but if you've ever read them, you know that he was mostly making fun of it.  Mark Twain was a satirist.  That character of Jim that everyone was so concerned about was based on the family butler, George, who was a member of the family.

The enormous three story house was an amazing treasure at the time and that has not changed today.  There were several bedrooms, bathrooms, a school room, billiard room, parlor, living room, dining room, greenhouse room, kitchen, servants quarters and so on.  It is a beautiful house.  So, once you've spent some time there, and seen it all, what should you do?

Well, me and my friends decided to take the opportunity to see this place at night.  Three times a year or so, the museum staff does ghost tours.  The house is reportedly haunted, and even if it's not, the guides have some great stories to tell.   We heard the obvious about how Samuel Clemens/ Mark Twain was born when Halley's Comet was coming round and died when it was coming round.  We heard about all of the trials and tribulations that the Ghost Hunters had while trying to investigate and film in the house on both of the two occasions that they came to shoot a show.  We heard about all the times that people have believed that they've seen or heard the butler, George.  We heard the tales about how his daughter died there.  It's all fascinating and it's not the normal tour.

What they don't prepare you for are the best things.  While they tell you about their personal experiences with things crashing outside the house, they don't prepare you for the person in the tour before you passing out on the third floor.  That's what happened when we were there.  It was different.  It was a cold and rainy night, so it was perfect for a ghost tour.  The ambulance and it's lights were something completely different from what we had expected.  The patron was just fine, so there were no tragedies.  We did love the film in the museum beforehand that told us about some of the otherworldly antics of the house, and I loved the story about Harriet Beecher Stowe's sister believing that she was going to be crowned ruler of the universe.  By the way, she believed it, but no one else cared.  Loved that one.  I think the biggest surprise was the bells.  On the second floor in the girls' bedroom, we heard a bell ring, and no one mentioned that on the tour.  The guy in front of me jumped about a foot in the air, and the guide had no explanation.  Was it a ghost?  Was it a hoax for the tour?  I don't know.  I'm not a believer, but it sure gave me my money's worth for a tour.  Should you go?  Sure.  It's fun and the next weekend that they do the tours will be Halloween.  Good times for ghost tours.

Next on that list of things that you should do in Connecticut is to go and see a Rock Cats Minor League Baseball Game.  Soon the Rock Cats will be moving to Hartford and becoming Yard Goats, so this is the perfect time to go to New Britain Stadium and see a game while Rock Cats are still Rock Cats and the game is still in New Britain.  This one was nostalgic for me, because I used to live across the street from Willow Brook Park where the stadium is located.  I spent many evenings over there watching baseball when they were the New Britain Red Sox.

Baseball is tough  for me.  I love it and I hate it.  I don't like to watch it on TV because it bores me, but in the stadium it's fabulous.  I love the crowds, the announcers, the music, the antics and all of it.  There's just something  home town about going to the game.  It's that something that you don't get when you watch it on television.

There's just that something about seeing Dunkin Donuts iced coffee racing the Dunkin Donuts doughnut around the field.  It's that great feeling that you get when you see a kid with his mitt catch a foul ball.  It's that something in the air that you just don't get sitting at home watching it while sitting on your couch.

I love summer, and there are many baseball teams in Connecticut.  We have minor league, college league and all the local stuff.  Soon the Rock Cats will be gone.  They will be Yard Goats in Hartford, which just won't be the same.  Take the time to go to a Rock Cats game before it's too late.

So, as I always say, get out and enjoy the summer, before it's over.  The snow will come again.  Take a ghost tour, take a historic house tour.  Hear the stories that the writer's are famous for.  Catch a game before it's too late and everything changes.  Watch the doughnuts and the coffee race and the kids catch some foul balls.  Enjoy a wonderful time out and about in the microcosm that I call home, Connecticut.
Enjoy!

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One of Those Places You Just Have to See to Believe...St. Helena

It's one of those places where dreams come from.  It's so far out in the South Atlantic that the only way there is a 5 day ride on the RMS St. Helena.  That's one of the last surviving Royal Mail Service ships.  Napoleon was finally effectively exiled there.  It's a rock in the ocean that just happens to have almost 4,000 people living on it.

St. Helena is a territory of Great Britain.  The queen actually went there once, before she was queen.  That tells you long it's been since any of the royal family has gone there.  But, it is British with a governor and all.  The locals speak English, although it may sound a little off since they have their own dialect on the island.  What is the actual ethnic group?  Well, between the British, Asian, other Europeans and African; it's hard to say.  They just call themselves "Saints".  That's what you are if you actually live on St. Helena.

Getting to St. Helena is tricky, and that's what makes the Adventure for Anyone.  Next year the island is planning to open it's first ever airport, making the 5 day cruise from Capetown, South Africa obsolete.  But, until then, you can take the old style way to get there.  The RMS St. Helena is actually a pretty nice ride.  They have activities, a pool, and some lovely parties and sit down dinners.  The ship carries a crew of 50 and can carry 150 passengers.  It only comes to the island every three weeks, so plan to stay a while if you go.  As a matter of fact, the whole trip would take a minimum of 6 weeks.  Not for the lightweight traveler.  The remoteness is most likely why they landed Napoleon there.  After Corsica, the British decided to put him somewhere that he wouldn't escape from.  And they were right.  Napoleon died on St. Helena.

So what is the story of Napoleon and St. Helena?  Well, after Waterloo, he was exiled there.  He spent his last days at Longfellow House in the country not far from the capital of Jamestown.  The British had sent an overload of soldiers to stay at High Knoll Fort above him to keep an eye on him and make sure he didn't go anywhere.  He didn't, and when he died, he was buried in the valley in the back of the house.  It was an unmarked tomb, because he wanted to have only his first name put on the tomb like a royal and the British said "no."  In the end, there was no name at all on it, and years later he was exhumed and moved to Paris.  But, he was St. Helena's most famous resident, and you can take a tour of the island that highlights all of the places that he went to.  If you play your cards right, you may get to meet the governor and see an actual photograph of the famous tyrant.

Another thing that you may run into at the governor's house is a giant tortoise.  There are a few that live on the grounds there.  Jonathan is the oldest at an estimated 180 years old.  Maybe it's the sea air, but that's old.  He may have been alive when Napoleon was there.

There is a lot of nature to enjoy on the island.  The Heart Shaped Waterfall is a hike, but it is beautiful.  It's seasonal, so make sure that if you go to look at it that it's actually running at that time.  It may not be.  Also, there is the Diana's Peak National Park.  This is the highest point on the island at almost 2500 feet.  There is a cloud forest there with a lot of plants that you can't find anywhere else on Earth.  Choose you hiking times wisely, because it's entirely possible that you could climb all the way up there and not see a thing through the clouds.  Make sure you pick a good viewing day.

There are some unusual things about St. Helena, aside from it's location.  One of those things is that there is no real harbor there.  The island is largely a volcanic rock, so there are cliffs and Jamestown sits at a low point along the shore.  When the RMS St Helena comes to town, the freight and the passengers have to be ferried off the boat.  It's a very rugged place.  Not that you can't enjoy it.  There are dolphin watches to go on, fishing excursions to take, sailing, and even wreck diving if you want.  You just can't park your cruise ship close to shore.

Jamestown is colonial looking.  It is still British technically.  The island is very independent, but it flies a British flag.  It's a true original.  They have local music, crafts, food, and clothing.  They have their own style, and no one can take that away from them.  It's not overly touristy there yet.  They're working on it.  That's why the airport.  You can stay in any variety of accommodations there and have a great time.  You can take a guided tour of the island.  You can take a tour based on Napoleon's time on the island.  You can do all kinds of things and still go out dancing at a disco at night.  They have WiFi, satellite TV, and tons of other things.  What they don't have is cell service.  You can buy a calling card and use a pay phone.  That's a blast from the past.

Did I mention the coffee?  St. Helena has hardly any export power and their biggest export is coffee.  St. Helena Coffee is some of the most expensive Arabaca Coffee in the world, because it's just that good.  There are only about four places on the whole island where you can have a cup, because they are shipping all the beans out.  The other thing that is sought after from St. Helena is stamps.  Rugged outposts that are hard to get to are always renowned for their stamps.  So, make sure you stop in the post office and get some.  They might be worth a lot of money someday.

Then there's the view.  If you want to get a really good view of Jamestown, just climb the 699 steps of Jacob's Ladder.  It goes to the top of the cliff, if you make it that far, and gives you a great view of the valley and the shore.

There are very few truly amazing places on Earth.  St. Helena is one of those amazing places that maybe you've heard of, but you don't really know where it is.  Then when you find out where it is, you can't believe where it is.  The idea that it takes 5 days to get there, minimum three weeks of stay there, and 5 days to get back is staggering.  The idea that you have to travel to and from South Africa to do that is outrageous.  It's one of the world's last remaining true adventures, and it's about to go away.  When the airport opens next year, they are retiring the RMS St Helena.  This is one of those places that hasn't changed in over 200 years, but it's about to.  See it as it should be before it's too late.  Walk the last miles of Napoleon, meet some super friendly people, see some dolphins, and enjoy a lifestyle that is about to vanish.  St. Helena is a last bastion of old world charm.
Enjoy!

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Castles, Old Town Charm, Lakes, and Another Cruise...Thun

As we all know, Switzerland is one of my favorite countries.  That's why I spend as much time as possible there.  It occurred to me that I never really mentioned Thun (pronounced Toon).  I can't believe that I've never written about it.  I love it there.  When in Switzerland, you'll notice in most places that things are pretty laid back.  They are the epitome of old world charm.  No matter where you go, you will find new things, because the whole country is on the cutting edge of technology.  Everywhere you go, you will find ancient things, because they keep history alive.  That's the beauty of Switzerland, and that is alive and well in Thun.

The contrasts in Thun are amazing.  Beautiful old bridges with gorgeous flowers on your way from a modern parking garage that is fully automated with no attendants whatsoever to a modern shopping area where you can get your giant designer coffee or buy a cell phone.  It's just one of the things that make up the perfect combo of old and new in many cities throughout Switzerland.

Then there's the ultimate contrast.  The amazing city below, stretching out to the tallest of the Alps in the distance.

Thun Castle sits atop the city like the Gods are looking down on us.  It's a medieval castle that has been in the hands of many monarchs over the centuries and is now the most recognizable landmark in the city.

 The castle has been turned into a museum, and a very interesting one, I must say.  You get to see the whole castle from top to bottom, and you get to see some of the things from the past, like armor.  In most museums, the exhibits aren't as accessible as here.  It was great.

 Up you went into the turrets to see what the guards saw and get that great view of the city.

Then down you went through the several floors of the castle where you got to see the thrones, old family paintings and photos, and even the kitchen where their meals were cooked.  It was a great tour, and one of the best castle tours I've taken.

There's even a cannon in the courtyard.  Gotta love that.

 But the castle isn't the only thing in Thun.  The old town is amazing and the water is also amazing.  Flood control and hydroelectric generation are important in the Bernese Oberland.  They use that water that runs down the Alps.  It's a great way to make some power and in Switzerland's midsection, they do it beautifully.  They make beautiful bridges across the rivers and canals that are multi purpose.  So, right in the middle of old town you can find modern flood control and it fits right in.  It's just like in the summer when they have the month long music festival, they have carnival rides all over town.  You will be walking along the river and there's a ferris wheel.  You'll be walking along a side street and there's another ride.  It's unique, and you won't experience it anywhere else.

The actual old town in mostly pedestrian, because of it's age.  The streets are cobblestones, and narrow.  It's a great place for photos.  I can't lie.  You could take pictures all day in this section of town.  It's amazing and so quintessentially Swiss, with the terraces that you can eat on at the restaurants, the tiny shops that sell all kinds of things, and the flowers everywhere.  They love flowers in the summer in the Bernese Oberland.

You can do and see many things in Thun from the castle to taking a tram up a mountain just to view the city, but don't forget the lake.  Here's a real adventure for anyone.  Lake Thun is the biggest lake in the Bernese Oberland and it runs all the way up to Interlaken.  So, here's a cruise for you.  The Blumlisalp is a sidewinder paddlewheeler that runs from Interlaken to Thun.  It takes about two hours each way and has some of the most amazing scenery you'll ever see along the way.  Lake Thun is right in the middle of the Alps, and I can't tell you how beautiful that is.  Don't miss it.

So, old world, new world.  Welcome to Switzerland and welcome to Thun and the Thunersee.  It's all a great way to get to know Switzerland a little.  I mean, this is a country that was several city states that melded together into one pot.  They've each kept a distinctive personality about them, but they've also steamrolled into the modern day.  There are so many amazing things in Switzerland that it would take all day to talk about it and more.  So, check out Thun.  You will find a lot of amazing things that are purely Swiss in that city, and you'll have a great time.
Enjoy!


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My Latest About Cruises

We all know that I am not a real fan of cruises.  I'm an explorer, and it goes against my grain to spend too much time on a ship and not enough soaking up the local culture.  That's me, and I know that a lot of people love to cruise, so once in a while I try to throw something in there that's an Adventure for Anyone.  So, I've found some rather unusual cruises that you might enjoy.

I have long touted river cruises as a great alternative to ocean voyages.  They tend to take smaller groups and stop at more places along the way.  You have less cruise time and more port time, which I love.  The cruise ships that Viking and other companies run still have great food, accommodations, and amenities.  You won't lose out there.  I don't think that they have any thrill rides or surfing spots, but that's okay.  I could pass on the full on casinos too.

Companies like Viking are famed for their exotic tours though.  Their trip through Russia is one of their best known, and it's a great way to see a land that pretty much requires some help.  You can't just go running off to Russia and see everything.  It's more complicated than that.  In this case I do advise that you take a tour or a cruise that will help you with the idiosyncrasies that go along with a trip to a place like Russia.

Sailing is another popular alternative to conventional cruise ships.  Windstar has been sailing around the world for years.  They have all kinds of cruises that go to all kinds of places.  It's a different feel, a different atmosphere and a different clientele.  You'll love it if you really like to go on a voyage and sail the seven seas.

These days there are all kinds of cruises that go all kinds of places.  I've talked about going to Cape Horn and Antarctica.  Those are pretty common.  Now there are some lines going to places like Abu Dhabi and the Azores.  They are getting out there.  You can cruise up the Amazon and down the Nile.  You can take a river boat on the Mississippi.  There are various cruises to places like Alaska, Hawaii, and Norway.  It all depends on what you like.  They have all kinds of activities as well.  They even have cruises for Swingers.  I won't get into that, but they exist.

Being a foodie has been all the craze lately.  Our society used to cook, because it was necessary.  Now, people can just heat and eat, and with their busy lifestyles, it's easy for them.  Along comes Bourdain and crew and makes being a foodie a thing, so several cruise lines, like Oceania, are offering cooking cruises.  There are the kind where you try different dishes and wines and are hosted by celebrity chefs.  On Oceania though, you get to go to school.  That's right, they offer a culinary arts course on the cruise.  This is something very different to do while on a cruise.  It's affordable as cooking schools go and it's a lot of fun.  It's something new to try on a great cruise line.  You'll still have luxury and a lot of things to do.  You'll still go to great ports of call and see wonderful things.  But, you'll get an education in how to cook as well.  It's a lot of fun.

It's the land of the frozen north.  For centuries men died trying to find that passage across the northern side of the American continent.  Now, you can go and see it on a cruise.  There are a few companies that offer the cruise of the Northwest Passage.  Abercrombie and Kent are the ones that I'm acquainted with.  These cruises are expensive and they take sometimes weeks to go on.  But, if you really want something different, jump on a modified icebreaker and head out to the arctic north.  The scenery is something that you won't ever see anywhere else and it reminds you that we really should save the planet.

I've long been looking for a way to travel all around the world "By Any Means" as Charley Boorman did from Ireland to Australia and beyond.  The northwest passage cruises tend to go from Greenland to as far as Anadyr Russia. What this does is bridge the gap that I have previously not found a way to bridge between Greenland and Canada.  Just had to mention that.  But, at any rate, you get a great trip to see what northern life is really like.  You get to visit up to four countries and have a great chance to see the northern lights.  It's a fascinating trip and it's one that shouldn't be missed.

So, if you like to take cruises, these are probably not for you.  If you're not really into that and you've always wanted to try it, think about these.  It's a great way to combine real adventure with cruising.
Enjoy!

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