So, You Could Tour a Really Amazing House

They are all around the country.  The signs of bygone eras, the monuments to the super rich, the memories of the men who built America, and some really terrific places to look around and spend some time.  I'm the first one to miss the museum and go do something more interesting, but sometimes you just have to stop and take a look.  In my case that happens when I see a really great house.  So I decided to give you a list of whoppers that might sound interesting to you.

We'll start with the Biltmore.  This is one of Asheville, North Carolina's most amazing homes.  This was built by George Vanderbilt, one of the later Vanderbilts of note, and he designed this place to be a completely self sustaining property.  It is the largest of all the family mansions, with the smallest being in Hyde Park, New York; and it is the only Vanderbilt property that is still privately owned.  Nowadays, they are open for tours, there is a hotel and conference center and the family farm.  You would think that such a property would be in the country of Appalachia, but it's nestled right in town.  The property is amazing and elegant and is still the picture of extravagant luxury.

Another of the biggest and most luxurious properties in America is the Hearst Castle.  This sprawling property was originally purchased by George Hearst, which no one ever talks about.  But, when William Randolf Hearst inherited it, things really began.  William Randolf Hearst was famous for his genius in the media, and he is the one who made the house into the sprawling property that we see today in San Simeon, California.  It's been a while since this was a private home and it is now one of the more interesting museums in the country.

Then there's the Winchester House, or the Mystery House as it's also called and it is a wonder and a puzzle.  There are many reasons tossed around about why Sarah Winchester continued to build this house around the clock day after day throughout her entire life.  There are stairs to nowhere and doors that open to nothingness all over this sprawling property in San Jose, California.  The most common diagnoses of this behavior is that Sarah had nightmares about all of the killing that had gone on with the guns that her family's business produced and it induced some kind of psychosis making her believe that bad things would happen if she didn't continue to build the house.  At any rate, today it is one of the most fascinating homes in the country to tour and well worth the trip.

While we're talking about some strange behavior, I'd like to mention the Hemingway House in Key West, Florida.  This is only one of the homes where Ernest Hemingway lived.  He was well traveled and considered one of the most interesting men in the world, but he was a tortured soul.  The property has long been public and the house a museum.  The best part about this place though is the cats.  The unusual six toed cats have been the residents of this home for decades, but you can visit during the day.

If you haven't heard of Graceland, Elvis' sprawling home in Memphis, Tennessee then I don't know where you've been hiding.  Not only is it fabulous to look into the homelife of the King of Rock and Roll, but you will get your fill of American Capitalism while you're there.  They have all kinds of ways that you can spend your money and many ways that you can pay to stay on the grounds.  Even the website is mostly advertising.  But, if you can circumvent all of that, and deal with all of the followers making their pilgrimages, the house is historic and there are many items from the King's history for you to look at.

It's one of the most famous homes in Texas and we've all seen it on television.  Southfork Ranch is just outside of Dallas and is extremely well known as the setting for Dallas, the TV show.  It's been a while since this was a private residence, and it is now a convention center and special event location.  They hold weddings and other special occasions all year round.  But, if you're in the area and you were a Dallas fan, you must stop by.

Long gone are most of the great homes where Scarlet Ohara would have lived, and the house that Forrest Gump called home was just a stage set.  But, if you want to take a look into times gone by, Magnolia Plantation of Charleston, South Carolina is the place to go.  The house is magnificent with settings from times gone by.  They also do special occasions there if you need it.  You can tour the house or you can tour the magnificent southern gardens that will make you feel like you've stepped back into far more romantic times.  You can easily spend the whole day at this one and you will love the view.

Here's one of may favorites and it's not far from my house.  Gillette Castle is the creepy old castle that overlooks the Connecticut River in East Haddam, Connecticut.  This place was built for the stage actor, William Gillette, not the guy who invented the razor.  William Gillette didn't like people much, which was a little weird since he was an actor and a celebrity.  Instead, this place was his haven where he could hide and visit with his close circle of friends.  The entire place is made of natural stone and the inside is all wood and velvet and looks like an old castle.  He was a little nuts with the opiates, but he was very creative.  He even had a little train on the property for visitors to play on.  Today, in addition to the house tour and the grounds, they tend to do scenes from some of the plays Gillette was in for the guests on the weekends.

There are many properties that I have visited that just make me wonder, and the Mystery Castle in Phoenix, Arizona is one of those spots.  It sits at the bottom of South Mountain and is one of the most baffling places I've ever been.  Boyce Gully is the builder of this montage of rock, metal, glass and wood.  This place is the place that he built for his little girl Mary Lou, because she loved sand castles.  There are nearly twenty rooms in the place and each one is unique.  I've been there multiple times and I still have a hard time describing it.  Mary Lou did love it though.  She was not only the owner, but the tour guide until 2010.  Now it is a museum and a great place to visit.  We miss you Mary Lou, and the stories you told of your dad.

But, if it's stories you like, then you should spend a weekend on Cherry Street in Newport, Rhode Island.  This was the playground of America's royal elite back in the beginning of the 1900's.  This was where the Vanderbilts left the bulk of there architectural marks.  There are several Vanderbilt mansions in Newport, with my favorite being the Breakers.  But the one house that always stands out to me is the Marble House.  This one is one of the most famous houses in town, and is still open to book for private parties.  You can tour it any day as well.  The place is pure opulence and was the set for the movie The Great Gatsby when Robert Redford was the star.  The best part about Newport is that not only can you see the beautiful mansions, but you can also walk one of the most beautiful cliff walks I've ever seen right behind them.

Here's one that was never a house at all but I need to mention.  This is called the Mohonk Mountain House, but it is a resort and spa.  Albert Smiley built this place in New Palz, New York back in the 1800's and it is one of the few resorts in the lower Catskill area that survive today.  This is the most luxurious spa I've ever seen and it's all about antique furnishings and wonderful activities.  Now, there is a Victorian Castle on the grounds that was the home of the owner for some time.  I guess that officially makes this one a historic home worth visiting.  You can stay for a high price or you can visit for the day for a fee.  The views are amazing, and you can't see it from outside the property making it one of the most private properties around.

Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most famous architects in America during his time.  I have visited many of the buildings that he designed including Taliesin, in Arizona.  Fallingwater is one of his most famous private property designs.  Fallingwater was designed for Edgar Kaufmann, a retail magnate in the area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Today the property is just as fascinating as it was in the day with the waterfall running right through the house.  As a note here, Frank Lloyd Wright designed properties all over the country and a lot of them are worth looking into.

Here's one that is a can't miss.  Jutting out over the Wyoming Valley outside of Madison, Wisconsin sits the infinity room of the House on the Rock.  This amazing place was the brainchild of Alex Jordan who began this place in the early 1940's and continued to build for years.  There are 14 truly unique rooms in the house and the property now covers 200 acres.  The infinity room is the star attraction here, because it is a completely glass room that hangs off the rock that the house was built on.  It is the only room like it in the world and caps off a great visit to a place with a carousel and many other things to enjoy.

And last, but certainly not least is one of my favorites.  The Hillwood Estate sits in Washington DC north of the National Mall and all the hustle and bustle.  It's a stately property that looks like any other luxury house from the turn of the last century.  But, for people like me, it's really different.  Marjorie Merriweather Post bought this place in 1955 and she lived there with her husband who was at one point an ambassador to Russia, or the Soviet Union.  Marjorie decided to turn her home into a museum of rare items that she had gotten from Russia.  This was a time when things from the days of the Tsars were vanishing.  Although it is illegal to take historic items from Russia, Marjorie brought them here to keep them from being destroyed.  The result was the most comprehensive collection of Russian art and antiques outside of Russia.  It's a fascinating place with portraits of the Tsars and even some of the Faberge Eggs have come here for a visit.  There are a constant flow of exhibits of Russian art and antiques through the property, so every time I visit I see something new.

So, if you don't know what to do with yourself, here are some ideas.  There are tons of homes to tour.  The Hudson River Valley is full of them.  Sometimes you just want to look at something different.  Architecture is one of my passions, and the people who built with daring and imagination keep me interested.  So, take some time away from the conventional museums and take a walk on the museum wild side.  Take a tour of someone's home.  You'll be surprised what you see.
Enjoy!

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http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/
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https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

The View of Travel Continues to Change

A few weeks ago I talked about the Hudson River Valley in New York State and about how nothing is new over there.  I talked about all the old mansions, the old restaurants, the drive in theaters, the aerodrome and so on.  I like the old ways.  Am I against technology?  No.  I take my cell phone with me all the time and have my hotels.com app on there so I can get from place to place with my reservations in tact.  But one fact remains and that is that everywhere I go, I see people looking at their cell phones more than at the world around them.  That does worry me.

When I was a kid we had telephone booths.  Over the years they went from the thing that you put a dime in to the thing that you put a quarter in to the thing that you used a calling card for to a thing you used a credit card for to a monument to a bygone era.  We were taught that humans only used about 10% of their brains.  I think that may have been right, because now that we have all the cell phones and smart phones with constant access to friends, family, internet, news and what have you; people can't get enough input.  Well, I say calm down Johnny Five.  Enough is enough.

Tourism would suggest that a lot of people agree.  The latest thing in tourism is getting off the grid.  Getting away from it all.  Tourism goes through some amazing trends of it's own.  We've seen the all inclusive resort.  We've seen the cruise.  We've seen the green resorts.  We've see Air Bnb.  Now, places are advertising that they can get you away from your own technology and make you feel better about the world around you.  They can get you back to basics and pry you from Facebook to look at the amazing world that has been provided for us by mother nature.

Now, you're accommodations don't have to look like an Earthship to be off the grid.  They could be in a resort hotel.  There are a lot of places offering to take you off the grid and let you truly relax.  Take that brain that you are suddenly overloading and turn it off for a while.  Forget about how many likes you have on Facebook.  Forget about the office or your Wall Street investments for a while and just relax.  St. Vincents and Grenadines is an entire country that offers  to help you get off the smart phones and just be.  Try it.  The ocean is an amazing thing and it doesn't require a smart phone to experience it.  You can post your pictures to Pinterest later.  Take a swim, remember what your kids look like and get them off the video games for a while.  Turn off the TV, Netflix, Chromecast, The Firestick, the Roku, HBO, and Showtime.  TiVo that stuff and catch up with it when you get back.  It's not like you have to miss anything.  Just save it for later.

Medieval towns and castles have been standing for centuries.  No technology required.  Take time to visit one.  Many of them are boasting these days that they are a tech free or digital free zone.  They are everywhere from Europe to Africa to Asia and beyond.  Don't look up history--walk through it.  I worry that with the ability to spend your time online watching the world that people won't go rushing out to see it.  My son would rather play video games and text with his girlfriend than take a walk on a beautiful day on the banks of a fabulous river gorge.  What's up with that?

But people are finding that the very social media that they love and can't live without is turning on them.  How many stories are we hearing these days about employers spending their time on Facebook checking out the employees and finding out things that they didn't want to know.  People are losing out on jobs because of stupid things that they may have posted on social media years ago and forgot all about.  We all need to realize that social media has a very limited benefit base.  I use it to keep up with old friends from where I used to live and to share photos and this blog.  My life is not Facebook.  My son said one thing on Facebook three years ago that meant nothing and was suspended from school for two weeks.  We all need to put this in it's place.  It's social.  It's media.  Put it down and go out and live.  It will be there when you get back.  You can catch up then.

The United States is so tech happy that we've had to work very hard to make places where you can get away from it.  You can look around and find lodges that specialize in technology free vacations.  They are great.  You know, you get to do some cool stuff with the family that you will get to know again, and see what mother nature has to offer.  When I was a kid I spent some time with the Amish and I thought it was amazing.  Well, now it's a trend.  Look up to see the sunrise or the sunset.  See a moose or a bear or a dear or an eagle.  

There are places that will teach you to herd cattle.  There are places that are designed to look at the northern lights.  Whatever you never thought you wanted to learn about or see and do is becoming more and more readily available as people long to get away from the amazing technology that they created.  Family time is wonderful.  Our kids grow up so fast that if we blink we'll miss it.  Why stare at a smart phone and miss out on all of that.  I see people on dates where I work and they are on their cell phones and don't even look at each other.  That's nuts.

So, take advantage of the new revolution in travel.  Get off the grid.  Power down, disconnect, sign off, and spend some time the way nature intended.  Just remember, The Grand Canyon is the most popular tourist destination in the world, and it's mostly off the grid.  Just sayin'.
Enjoy!

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Take The Train!

Take time to smell the roses; that's what my grandma used to say.  She has a point.  In times of getting there as fast as you can and risking your life for an adrenaline rush, is there a way for old time travel to survive?  Apparently so.  Luxury trains are all the rage for travelers around the world.  So, since I've taken a couple of these babies myself, I wondered what other people thought of trains around the world.  Turns out that there are several luxury trains doing just fine in the current global economy.

In no particular order:

1. The Bergen Railway or Bergensbanen runs 308 miles from Oslo to Bergen in Norway.  This train runs across 18 snowsheds, goes through 200 tunnels and over 300 bridges. The ride lasts about 7 hours on northern Europe's highest elevation train.  It goes through the Hardanger Plateau, the largest wilderness area around.  The views are amazing and the accommodations are top notch.  This used to be the only year round transportation between these two cities, so come and try it out.

2.  The Maharaja Express is the most comfortable way to see Rajastan, the land of kings in India.  There are a couple of multi day tours that you can take on the train that stop to see the Taj Majal and some of the more beautiful cities and sights in northern India.  The best part about this train is that you travel in style.  They boast the largest single cabin in their presidential cabin that takes up an entire car.  The train only boards 84 passengers and pulls 22 train cars to do it.  You will be most comfortable on this train as you see the most beautiful parts of India.

3. The Alaska Railway is a fascinating way to get around America's largest state.  They have several trains that run different routes, but the most famous is the Denali Star.  This train takes you from Anchorage to various stops and ends at Denali National Park.  The scenery is something that you will never forget and in Alaska, this is the best and possibly the only way to see these places.  On a good day, some trains have not only dome cars for observation, but also an outdoor terrace for all the best views.  Most cruise ships stop in Prince William Sound and that's it.  The interior of Alaska is too amazing to miss.  There are many specialty trains though and you can also take them to the Kenai Peninsula and other locations.  Remember, if you just want to travel like a local, they have regular transportation trains as well.  Rail is still a necessary travel method in the rugged wilderness of Alaska.

4.  The Belmond British Pullman Day Train travels from London's Victoria Station to Calais in France.  This is the old world for a day with the interior completely refurbished to look like new with Art Deco and all.  Not only do you get great scenery and a step back in time with wonderful food and atmosphere, you get to hop a short piggyback between the French and English trains while you take a ride through the Chunnel.  Now, this is only a day trip, so if you would like more than that, then take the Belmond Orient Express onward to Istanbul.

5. The Hiram Bingham Railroad is another of the amazing refurbished specialty trains run by Belmond and it goes from Cusco, Peru to Machu Pichu.  So, if you've ever wondered how you make that trip, here's one option.  It's a day trip, but you get to go through the Andes on your way there.  The Andes are some of the most picturesque mountains in the world.  And, when you get to the end, you will be at the Machu Pichu Lodge and from there it is just a short walk to the lost city in the clouds itself.  Once again this is an antique train refurbished with five star service and great amenities.

6.  The Glacier Express in Switzerland runs from Chur or St. Moritz to Zermatt through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges through one of the highest passes in the Alps.  The trip takes seven and a half hours and is one of the slowest of all luxury trains, but you will never see anything like the views from this train.  There are times when you are almost 8,000 feet straight up looking out over the valley below.  If you don't like heights, you may not even want to take this one, but if you truly love an amazing view, this will be a day that you will not soon forget.  This train goes places that I honestly didn't think trains could go.  It's amazing and you'll remember it for the rest of your life, trust me.

7.  The Shangri La Express is part of the Golden Eagle Line and is the private guided tour train that takes you across China from Beijing to the Russian border.  This train has amazing views, which is what you take the train for.  It follows parts of the old Silk Road and runs through parts of the Gobe Desert.  The accommodations are second to none on this train and in addition to great sleeping accommodations and fantastic food, you get live entertainment with a pianist to listen to.

8. The Trans Siberian Railway is the mother of all train rides in the modern world.  Golden Eagle runs a luxury train all the way across it.  You can catch it coming off of the Shangri La or you can take it all the way from Moscow to Vladivostok.  Luxury accommodations, entertainment, fine dining and some of the most amazing scenery in the world.  Russia crosses 11 time zones and the trip takes a good two weeks.  Siberia is still a lot of wilderness and small villages.  This is a trip like no other.  This is a bucket list thing.  Don't miss this one.

9.  The Blue Train is the world's most luxurious train and it hails from South Africa.  Run by Spoornet, the old time train has been refurbished and runs 994 miles between Pretoria and Cape Town.  There are stops along the way and you can not only see amazing scenery, eat fine cuisine, and stay in five star accommodations; you can also go on a safari.  You will be taken back in time and pampered like nothing you've ever experienced before.  The big point to this train is the luxury.  Enjoy it.

So, there's a few for you.  I love trains, because they are a great way to get to see the scenery that you won't see any other way.  They tend to go through the wilderness that roads won't dare traverse and therefore you get to see more wildlife, scenery, and panoramas.  The Glacier Express is amazing.  You can take my word for that.  I have spent a lot of time on trains in Europe and Western Russia, so I can tell you that it is worth it.  In Switzerland you get all the best views from the top of the Alps on more than just one train.  In America we have Amtrak which is great and has wonderful scenery which I really enjoyed over roads and driving.  We also have all kinds of specialty trains.  In New England we have some whoppers.  So keep an eye out, because I will just randomly get in that mood where I decide that it is time to once again talk about trains.  Take one and have a great trip.
Enjoy!

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Mosi-oa-Tunya...The Smoke That Thunders

As my birthday strikes again, I look to my bucket list and find the most amazing of all items for me, personally to place on it.  Mosi-oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders.  Victoria Falls.  This giant waterfalls spans a mile along the Zambezi Gorge and is 360 feet high.  There are higher waterfalls in the world, but this baby is the biggest all around monster of them all with spray that you can see up to 50 kilometers away; hence the name "The Smoke That Thunders."  It sits on the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia on the Zambezi River which is one of the longest and mightiest rivers in all of Africa.

There are many things that make me think of this spot this time of year.  It is heading into the rainy season in that area, but there's still time to go before the spray gets so bad you can't see as much as you would like.  One of the reasons is the timing.  In the year I was born, 1964, Zambia became an independent nation.  When they gained their independence from Britain, the first thing that they did was change the names of everything from British names to African names.  Everything except Livingstone and Victoria Falls.  The falls, for the rest of us, were discovered by Scottish Explorer, Dr. David Livingstone during the reign of Queen Victoria.  It was already named by the people who lived there, but the name stuck both for the falls and the border town.  Today, the area is one of Africa's largest tourist destinations.

I love waterfalls, and one of these days, I fully intend to take Charley Boorman's motorcycle ride across southern Africa which goes from Capetown to Victoria Falls or Victoria Falls to Capetown, depending on which way you take the trip.  But, no matter how you get there, these are probably the most impressive waterfalls in the world, and anyone who loves waterfalls should make this your pilgrimage at some point in life.  Over the years I have become a noted expert in waterfalls of the Northeast; giving advice to hikers and photographers everywhere on which ones to see, where they are and how to shoot them.  I've been to several notable waterfalls around the world, but this one I've missed.  At the point that I'm heading down that slope of old age, I hope that I can find a way to go soon.

What can I say about visiting Victoria Falls?  You would be amazed.  I know I was.  This is the premiere destination in Africa.  It's shared by two countries.  It's on over 100 different tours.  There are nearly 100 activities around the falls.  I can't count how many hotels there are.  You can do just about anything on the border around the falls.  You can go as primitive as a walk and as fancy as a casino.  Whatever you wish to do seems to be available there.  It's like Fantasy Island in the heart of Africa.

I'll hit the high points, starting with flying over the falls.  That's a must do for any great waterfall.  Some of them, like Angel Falls in Venezuela you have to fly by in order to see the whole thing.  Gullfoss in Iceland you can only rely on seeing from the edge, because of the weather.  Deitfoss is the same way.  Niagara has flyovers, but it also has the Skylon Tower and the SkyWheel.  Iquazu has flyovers which are pretty necessary.  But, Victoria Falls has something else.  Microlight Flights over the falls.  These things are barely airplanes and in the United States you can build one in your backyard and fly it without a license.  This is the exciting way to fly over the falls with nothing getting in the way of your view of the falls.  It's also the inexpensive way to do it at almost half the price of the helicopter.  Should you be afraid?  No.  These guys are experts and do this all the time, even if you only do it once in a lifetime.

Necessity says that there will be bridges.  This is a border crossing and people have to be able to make their way from one land to another.  There are two bridges accessible to everyone; Knife Edge Bridge which is open to pedestrians gives a great view of the gorge and the falls.  The other is Victoria Falls Bridge which is the official border between the two countries and home of one of the craziest activities anywhere; the Bungee Jump.  That's right, you can jump right off the bridge.  They charge you for the trip.  The amazing thing is that it's not the only place you can go jumping off of things in the gorge. There is also the giant swing, and the abseil place.  If you are looking for a thrill, one of these should take care of that.

There are also many ways to enjoy the river.  You can canoe and kayak along the tame parts.  You can take a river cruise, including dinner cruises with spectacular sunsets.  There are thousands of hiking trails.  There are even places where you can walk right out onto the top of the falls and swim in the water there.  Just remember, this place is two national parks, Victoria Falls Park on the Zimbabwe side and Mosi-oa-Tunya Park on the Zambia side.  This means that the area is full of wildlife, and it's all that wildlife that you long to see if you go to Africa.  Boats and kayaks are a great way to get a look at the amazing creatures that live there.

If you aren't all about the outdoors, but want to see this fabulous place, remember that Livingstone is close by in Zambia and has all the creature comforts that you might like.  There are shopping spots, tons of hotels and resorts, casinos, restaurants and more.  So, if you are traveling with the family and not everyone shares your enthusiasm for amazing waterfalls and gorges, there should be something for everyone in town.

There are many different kinds of hotels around the falls.  There are modern hotels, rustic lodges, riverside wonders and more.  Here's the thing.  This is not your garden variety family trip unless maybe you're a Trump.  This is a bucket list wonder of the world trip and it won't be cheap.  That being said, I can safely say that if I ever get to take this amazing trip, I'm going to stay at the original.  The Victoria Falls Hotel on the Zimbabwe side.  This place was built in 1904 and was the preferred lodging for the colonial British who visited.  It just sounds like an old world place that would just add to the adventure of visiting the area.  Just a thought for anyone thinking about this amazing trip.

Now, we've mentioned any number of adventures for this area, so what am I calling the Adventure for Anyone?  Well, there are two.  The first one is the only one of it's kind that I've ever heard of.  Lion Encounters is an organization that raises lion cubs in captivity but conditions them and eventually releases them into the wild.  They have places on both sides of the river and here's what they do with tourists.  You get to take a walk with lions.  I'm not kidding, just go strolling along with no confinements on either yours or the lions part.  You will walk with guides just in case there is a problem, but this is your one chance to get up close and personal with lions and get a sense of their personality and really get a look at them.  You are not allowed to touch them, but you get to take a walk with a totally wild animal in the wild.  It's a rare opportunity and should not be missed.

But, that's not all.  There's another activity that I've never heard of anywhere else.  You can cage dive with crocodiles.  They take you down in what's become known as a shark cage.  They give you long poles that you put meat on and you can feed the crocodiles through the cage.  It's a one of a kind experience, and I hope I get to do it someday.

So, for me, it's a bucket list like no other.  It's the biggest waterfalls in the world, and to me that's a pilgrimage site.  You can hike it, kayak it, cruise it, fly over it, and swim in it.  You can take a trip in a microlight, walk with lions, swim with crocodiles, bungee jump, swing on a giant swing and so much more.  I don't care for touristy places much, but this is one of those  magical places that needs to be visited.  This is the big one.  This is the Disney of waterfalls.  This is the Fantasy Island for waterfall hunters.  This is the one thing that you'll never ever forget and it's all just waiting in Africa.  Victoria Falls was "discovered" over 100 years ago and is the crown jewel of a continent.  Mosi-oa-Tunya is the most powerful of them all.  That's worth a visit.
Enjoy!

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Halloween is Upon Us

As we get ready to celebrate Halloween for another year, I ask myself some questions.  What's popular in costumes?  Where did the holiday come from?  Where do they celebrate this holiday?  There are a lot of things that most people don't know about Halloween and there are a lot of things that are so trendy that they get on our nerves.  What can one say about Halloween?

Halloween is believed to have originated with the Celts of Ireland and was originally called Samhain.  This is the night before the day of the dead which is still celebrated in many Catholic countries such as Mexico.  However, over time the holiday has become less about the dead walking the Earth and more about the fantastic costumes, haunted houses, horror movies, parties, parades, and of course the candy.  I suppose it should be considered a bad thing when tradition turns to merchandising, but all in all, I like to have fun.  That has become the biggest part of Halloween and I don't see it as a bad thing.  I have been ambushed by religious folks while taking my son trick or treating, and while I do respect the right to religious freedom, I wish that people would take note of the change in the holiday as well.  I say let's all lighten up and have some fun and call it a holiday.

That being said, what's popular with the costumes this year?

Star Wars is back this year with a new film and a whole boat load of merchandising just in time for Halloween.  Now, here's the thing with that.  We've all been dressing as these characters for years, so maybe it's time to move along just like I think it's time for the movies to do.  Be careful not to fall into this trap.  You might run into a lot of these at parties and out trick or treating.

Superheroes are also wildly popular this year, and maybe even more so to the girls.  The guys have moved on to zombies and Star Wars and the girls are suddenly trending into that superhero category.  Watch out for duplicates.

Homemade is the best people.  If you want to be original, make it yourself.  It's great for a group of family or friends, and it will win some great prizes at parties.  It's also a great way to put down the technology and do something together as a family.

Couples costumes are great, because it's a creative night out.  We adults have given up the trick or treating, but we still love to have fun.  Halloween parties are some of the best parties of the year, so look around and see what looks like fun.  Couples costumes can't miss.  Whether it be Adam and Eve or something Disney, the latest zombie idea, food, or Homer and Marge; it's a lot of fun.

Here's an idea.  Be the bad guy.  We all love pirates, who have become heroes and vampires, which have become sexy and superheroes; but the bad guy is a lot of fun.  The Joker never really goes out of fashion and neither does Freddy Kruger or the Scream Guy.  It's the one time of year that it can be good to be bad so enjoy it.  So pull out that Jack the Ripper costume or dress up as a werewolf and have a ball.

Halloween is about fun and creativity, so have a great time whether it's by you dressing as an animal or dressing your animal as something else.  Pet costumes have become all the rage and dogs and cats are stepping out dressed as all kinds of crazy things.

Do you have a thing about clowns?  A lot of people do, so if you want to scare them, there are a ton of clown options from Harley Quinn to Pennywise and beyond.  Zombies, mummies, vampires, and other ghouls never go out of fashion either.

Let's put it this way, if you're sitting at home handing out candy dress up for it.  If you're taking your kids out dress up for it.  If you have to work that day dress up for it.  Enjoy this return to childhood that you only get to have once a year.

But, where can you go to enjoy this holiday other than America?  That was a question that I'd never asked until this year.  Here's the answer.  There are 14 countries that practice the holiday of Halloween.  Of Course we do in the US and Canada.  Halloween is also celebrated in Ireland where it started, England, Austria, Sweden, Germany, China, Czech Republic, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Latin America and Spain.  So, if you happen to take off around the holiday and are in one of those countries you're in the right place.

In America Halloween comes right at harvest time which gives us the Jack O Lantern.  This custom has also spread far and wide with festivals and contests surrounding the carving of pumpkins.  If you get a chance, check out one of the contests.  They make some amazing Jack O Lanterns that are more art than pumpkin by the time they are done.

It's not too late.  Many websites have quick delivery and will have your costume of choice to you by the big day.  Also, Spirit Halloween has probably popped up somewhere near you, and they have all kinds of crazy costumes.  It's not too late to make it.  You just have to get on the ball.

So, check your history books, make or buy a fabulous costume, make sure there aren't a million costumes like yours, buy some candy, go out and get some candy, carve a pumpkin, go to a party and have a great time.  Halloween gets a bad rep in the religious community as a heathen or pagan ritual, but we really all just want to dress up funny and eat candy.  Don't take it too seriously, because these days most of the kids have no idea what it used to be about.  Take some time to spend with the family, have a really good time with your partner and enjoy the once a year return to childhood that is Halloween.
Enjoy!

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