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Monday, December 19, 2022

One Place That Should Always be Discussed at Christmas...New York City!



 

It's one of the most iconic Christmas shots in the world.  The Christmas display at Rockefeller Center in New York City.  Been there, done that.  Never have any regrets for visiting.  I promise that. 


 




I've seen the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.  I've perused the windows of Saks 5th Avenue.  I've lighted a candle at St. Patrick's Cathedral.  It's great.  In other news, I've taken a carriage through Central Park and even played on the giant piano from the movie, "Big" in the old FAO Schwarz.  I love New York City at Christmas.  I love a red and green Empire State Building.  I don't love trying to do anything at Macy's, but I've tried.  








Now, let's discuss something different than the norm that makes a tourist stand out like a sore thumb.  My first thoughts turn to the Winter Village in Bryant Park.  This is a midtown wonder with ice skating, lots of shopping and food.  This is a laid back way to spend a Christmas Season day without going entirely crazy.  It sits butted up against the main branch of the New York City Library, where you can find even more amazing Christmas displays and beautiful architecture.  Another perk of this one is that it's only a two block walk from Grand Central.  I love to take the train into the city and hop over to Bryant Park to get out and have a little festive time that's highly reminiscent of European holiday markets.  


There are many other holiday markets in NYC.  There's one on 6th Avenue between Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center.  There's one in the Financial District not far from 1 WTC.  There's one right in Grand Central.  There's one at Union Square.  There are many.  Visit one.  It's good for the soul.


Now, do you hate crowds and want something a little different?  I've got some trees for you and some other ideas.  Do you like art?






Man have they got a tree  in the Met.  The perk of going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is that you get the Met experience along with one of the most unusual and beautiful Christmas Trees you'll see anywhere in town.  The entire museum is decorated for the season and is festive from start to finish.






Washington Square also sits in a fun neighborhood that not only includes New York University, but the Ice Cream Museum.  It's beautiful this time of year and the entire neighborhood is lit up for the holidays.


Here's one that most people visiting the city would probably not think of.  The Financial District.  This is a hidden gem all year long, but it's a bright one come holiday season.  The New York Stock Exchange has one of the most beautiful trees in the city!  Not joking.  Trinity Church also leaves the lights on to make the most of all the stained glass windows.  Several, I don't mean one here and there, but several of the buildings are illuminated in red and green flood lights.  Some nights there's live music right on the street.  As I mentioned, there's a Holiday Market not far as well.  It's a beautiful neighborhood to visit and way lower key than the rush at Rockefeller Center.






This year, I do have something new and fascinating to discuss.  This one has been brewing over the last few years, and it flew under a lot of people's radar due to pesky things like pandemics.  New Yorkers have quickly taken to and highlighted Hudson Yards.


20 Hudson Yards is the home of shops and restaurants.  It's a high end mall for sure, but the view is amazing.  If you really want a view, Peak is your food venue.  It has a great view of Hudson Yards and the river.  If you're wondering, Hudson Yards is built not far from the High Line Park along the Hudson River in Midtown Manhattan.  It's called Hudson Yards because it's built directly over a train yard serving the city.  Everything about it is luxury.






The Vessel is the iconic landmark of Hudson Yards.  The walk isn't difficult, no matter what it looks like.  The view is amazing.  Bring a friend.  You can't go into the Vessel alone.  If you really want to know why, there's about a hundred articles on the subject, but I don't want to ruin the Christmas vibe.  It will cost you $10 to get in.  It's worth it.





The lights display at 20 Hudson Yards is amazing.  One of the best parts is that it's inside.  Most of the lights on display are in the mall.  You're welcome.  I know how cold it can feel outside along the Hudson River.  If you like the outdoors, Hudson Yards has fabulous light displays along its walks as well.







Is Christmas only for kids?  Not At Hudson Yards!  Check out Santa's Secret.  This is just for adults.  Welcome to an old fashioned speak easy where you can party with your friends while watching shows designed for the over 21 crowd.  Open Thursday through Sunday during the holiday season with showtimes on the website. Tickets are available online.  This is one of those hidden gems thrown back to a time where lots of things were hidden.


Next to the Vessel is another basically for the adults thing.  Art.  I know my child never wanted to go to an art exhibit, but the Shed sits right next to the Vessel and is a space for exhibiting art.  But, don't think that the art is the only thing to look at.  The building itself is a work of art.  It moves.  I'm not joking.  You can make the building larger or smaller by moving one side of it on tracks.  I'd never seen anything like that.







Then, there's the Edge.  30 Hudson Yards is one of the more interesting buildings in the city.  It's full of offices and expensive residences.  It's also home to two of the most amazing experiences in town, or in the world.  The Edge is the highest open air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.  Tickets start at $33 and there are a lot of different experiences to choose from when visiting the Edge.  The view is amazing.  If you're scared of heights, probably stick with the mall next door.


Then, there's the creme de la creme of all the experiences you can have at Hudson Yards.  It's called the City Climb.  The top of 30 Hudson Yards looks like someone cut off a piece.  If you look real close, there's steps up part of that wedge.  There's a tiny platform sticking out from the point of that wedge at the top of the building.  For $185 dollars, you can climb those steps in climbing gear and hang off that platform over the city.  That's City Climb, and it's only for the fearless.  It's the highest experience of it's kind in the world.  




So, Hudson Yards is my new gem any time of year, but particularly around Christmas.  There's a lot to do.  There's a lot to see.  There's over 2,000,000 lights.  It's an easy ride on the 7 subway to the last stop.  It's also just off the south end of the High Line elevated park, if you'd like to combine experiences.  The High Line is also beautiful during the holidays.


With that said, New York City never disappoints.  It really never disappoints during the holiday season.  So, for my money, take the time to do something besides the standards and check out some other affairs across Manhattan.  Check out a winter market, some great lights, or a daring climb you'll never forget.  Make memories this holiday season in Manhattan and enjoy!


https://www.edgenyc.com/en

https://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com/discover/vessel

https://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com/food-drink

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2022/christmas-tree

https://vossevents.com/santas-secret/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcGErAa5VJGP0vxCC6ykh_USU2Ji8zqVdlSbUmXbnYJwv-ZMfIHSKRAaAtkEEALw_wcB

https://www.rockefellercenter.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcExcZ5c1chKUu0iiV36jfZsybyFy9Mz3U7ENBol6_66Xcy57NdkC0gaAtEHEALw_wcB

https://www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/radio-city-music-hall/

https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/holiday-windows-in-new-york-city

https://loving-newyork.com/holiday-windows-in-new-york/

https://freetoursbyfoot.com/nyc-christmas-window-displays/

https://bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-bryant-park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoUQA8Q3SxI

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/shopping/holiday-markets-in-new-york-city

https://loving-newyork.com/christmas-markets-in-nyc/

https://secretnyc.co/definitive-guide-every-holiday-market-nyc/

https://www.getyourguide.com/financial-district-manhattan-l98094/christmas-activities-tc14/

https://www.getyourguide.com/lower-manhattan-l3519/christmas-activities-tc14/?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=6658528217&cq_con=106096112378&cq_term=&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=6658528217&adgroup_id=106096112378&target_id=aud-905885568202%3Adsa-926633820470&loc_physical_ms=9003419&match_type=&ad_id=640164339593&keyword=&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcFA2As9RXp8lElF7RphQswjS9H0PNmkMF6eOyqJj_EfLc0k0UJ9VvAaAi5vEALw_wcB

https://secretnyc.co/plaza-high-line-turned-colorful-winter-wonderland/

https://newyorkcityadventure.com/carriage-rides/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcGOsGZ3v1mvyv2juyLFA9JU_rVJY1ks7FvCjcSQDL7GHPRBBUJux2waAkHQEALw_wcB

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/best-christmas-things-to-do-in-nyc

https://www.girlwiththepassport.com/christmas-in-nyc/

https://pursuitist.com/the-nyc-2022-christmas-guide/

https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/event/the-2022-holiday-fair/

https://www.hotels.com/de1506246/hotels-new-york-new-york/?dateless=true&destinationid=1506246&locale=en_US&pos=HCOM_US&siteid=300000001&rffrid=sem.hcom.US.google.003.00.02.DT.s.kwrd=c.617989294510.115679031832.11848095035..aud-1388462376382:kwd-565420355.9003419..new%20york%20stay.Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcFm1386zbqziKbEGARNZXgvG-QW9v8mDSACsMUqETDVMCDPcj5iBTUaArjDEALw_wcB.aw.ds&PSRC=&semcid=HCOM-US.UB.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.HOTEL&SEMDTL=a111848095035.b1115679031832.g1aud-1388462376382:kwd-565420355.l1.e1c.m1Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcFm1386zbqziKbEGARNZXgvG-QW9v8mDSACsMUqETDVMCDPcj5iBTUaArjDEALw_wcB.r18601a90947fa060b6b2ab6aed60464cb6dc3b001d92067525bacc69669d7f323.c1.j19003419.k1.d1617989294510.h1e.i1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcFm1386zbqziKbEGARNZXgvG-QW9v8mDSACsMUqETDVMCDPcj5iBTUaArjDEALw_wcB

https://www.expedia.com/Hotel-Search?SEMDTL=a111798314955.b1119954583532.g1aud-1665158934460%3Akwd-4573816911.l1.e1c.m1Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcEmvI4zI5YzsCf8llov5yM3X3-GeFGfccl4w8HJrIMtew6DxJYOrucaAmaiEALw_wcB.r172fc2e16a95cd2b29dcb3fb921f5599d325b99a492ecc08194d421c24f77217b.c1.j19003419.k1.d1618840629221.h1e.i1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&destination=New%20York%2C%20New%20York%2C%20United%20States%20of%20America&endDate=2023-01-03&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcEmvI4zI5YzsCf8llov5yM3X3-GeFGfccl4w8HJrIMtew6DxJYOrucaAmaiEALw_wcB&locale=en_US&regionId=2621&semcid=US.UB.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.HOTEL&semdtl=a111798314955.b1119954583532.g1aud-1665158934460%3Akwd-4573816911.l1.e1c.m1Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcEmvI4zI5YzsCf8llov5yM3X3-GeFGfccl4w8HJrIMtew6DxJYOrucaAmaiEALw_wcB.r172fc2e16a95cd2b29dcb3fb921f5599d325b99a492ecc08194d421c24f77217b.c1.j19003419.k1.d1618840629221.h1e.i1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&siteid=1&sort=RECOMMENDED&startDate=2023-01-02&theme=&useRewards=true&userIntent=

https://newyorksimply.com/where-to-stay-new-york-city/

https://freetoursbyfoot.com/where-to-stay-in-new-york-city/

https://new.mta.info/agency/metro-north-railroad

https://new.mta.info/

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Just Putting Some Christmas Sales Out There!


 


I thought I'd run some pretty great stories on sale on Kindle during the holiday season.


In a complicated post Covid era filled with peaceful governments that are manipulated by separatist groups trying to dominate the world, Talia Anderson has a particularly difficult situation.  As the Director of Security for the United Nations, she is responsible for protecting some of the most important people from all over the globe, but her personal life keeps getting in the way.

With her mother hiding at her estate in Connecticut, her father-in-law becoming the President of Russia, and her teenage daughter, Anya missing; she barely has time to deal with the frustrating Cameron Walker who mysteriously appeared in her life from absolutely nowhere. 

In order to rescue her daughter, she must allow Cameron to help her unravel the advanced technology used by the separatists, and work with her father-in-law, Eduard, and her personal security team on the road through Europe to solve a years old puzzle. 

The Alder Nation claimed responsibility for her daughter's abduction, but has not demanded anything since they forced Eduard to run for President.  As the search continues, the location and activities of the group and their leader, Percival unfold.  Talia realizes that she is chasing the ghost of her dead husband across Europe to Lviv, Ukraine in a game that was organized to eventually allow a single separatist group to conquer and rule the world.

Talia must find her daughter and stop the Alder Nation from terrorizing her family any longer with a global chase that ends in a confrontation to stop at least one level of "The Terrorist's Game."

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FH93JJX  is the link to the book on Kindle!  This is a thrill a minute thriller with multiple U.S. and European destinations.  It has terrorists obviously, a strong female lead, and cast of unique characters.  There's lots of action, some violence, and a collection of one of a kind family issues.  We do leave a little time for romance and enjoying the scenery.



Enjoy this modern classic back on Kindle for free December 10th through 14th!




Sandy is trying to make her way through life the best she can with some of the darkest family secrets, and toughest relationships imaginable.  What happens when she suddenly starts to have a recurring dream?

As Sandy makes her way through life in a truly Forrest Gumpian manner, she finds out many things and learns about the world and how to navigate it.  She finds love, has loss and finds herself in some truly unusual situations during the 1980's and 1990's both outside of and behind the Iron Curtain.

Follow Sandy as she and her unusual friends and family stumble through life with the most amazing outcome.

The one question that Sandy can't answer is the one that she needs an answer for the most.

Is her dream really a Destiny Dream that shows her future, no matter how implausible it seems, or is the dream that everyone talks about really just a stupid dream?

Find out as we follow Sandy on her quest to find the answers from Indiana to Connecticut to Europe and beyond in the action packed adventure:

"The Destiny Dream".



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V6SF62F  Is the link to this book on Kindle!  This is a story that takes place in the 1980's and 1990's as Sandy is trying to find her way through life.  There's plenty of action, travel, characters, mystique, and modern historical events in this Forrest Gumpian life adventure leading a young woman to the future she was meant for.


Enjoy this life experience action adventure drama on Kindle free!  December 15th through 19th!





Edwoena Carrington, of the Las Vegas Carringtons, is a vice cop, thrown into the case of a lifetime when a mysterious man, known as Mark Twain by the prostitutes he hires, begins killing the girls.  Is he a modern day Jack the Ripper?  Where does he come from?

Quickly, Eddie and her ex boyfriend, Homicide Detective Bart Schultz, establish the man's true identity; Mark Swain III of one of the most wealthy families in Maine.  The game begins with her traveling to Maine, where she discovers her mother was born.  She meets relatives while in town to extradite Swain to Las Vegas for questioning, and the secrets continue to unfold.

Greenville, Maine is the quirky town she must learn to navigate.  It's run by timber barons, it's full of moose, and there are Swain family secrets galore.  Eddie eventually discovers, not only is she from local stock, but she's part of the Swain family timber dynasty as she is Mark Swain III's half sister.

Enacting an arrest warrant becomes a labyrinth of interdepartmental red tape  as the murders continue.  Wealth, mileage from the Canadian Border, personal and professional loyalties continually delay what should have been a simple arrest.

As Eddie Carrington deciphers more and more about the crimes and the man who commits them, her world turns upside down, leaving her the lone recipient of their father's estate and the only person who can deal with the now life and death situation created by the timber magnate in the north woods of Maine in a bizarre little town called Greenville.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9F1XPJV  My most popular book by far!  Eddie is a one of a kind character at odds with everything from her mother to her ex to her environment to the killer she's chasing in the north woods of Maine.  This thrill a minute murder mystery, suspense family trauma style thriller that will keep you turning pages.  Bring along a quirky town in Maine and all the characters who live there, add some plane chases and criminal acts and you have a great time.


Enjoy this bestseller for free for the holidays!  Makes a great gift!  Free on Kindle from December 20th through the 24th!



Hope you enjoy reading any of my books you get your hands on.  If you ever wondered what I do with my memories of all that travel;  I write novels with them!  Enjoy!


https://www.amazon.com/Terri-Dixon/e/B06Y1C2MS7   You can find all of my books on Amazon and Kindle!  Alice is the new girl on the block, but she's $1.99.

Jen's List is Back! Washington D. C. !




 

Jen brought us back to the United States and straight to the capitol.  Washington D.C. is an iconic place with an amazing history and places to discover that most people don't even know about.  We are bombarded with the White House, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, and the Memorials.  I love them all, and the mall as well.  I love the museums (of which there are many) and so much more.  So, while I wish to mention all that stuff, there's some other things that I would like to discuss that you might not be aware of.



Let's discuss that whole downtown/mall area.

On one end sits the Capitol Building.  We all know that's where congress meets.  There are a dozen different tours you can take of the building.  There are some hefty security checks as of late for obvious reasons.  What you don't know about the Capitol Building?  You cannot take a good picture of it, unless you are quite far away.  There's a place called The Post Office Mall.  Obviously, this used to be the postal hub in D.C.  There's great food, shops, gift shops and architecture inside.  It's worth a visit.  But, there's an elevator and that tiny little elevator is your first step to going up the tower.  From that tower, you get the best view in town.  Not to poo poo the Washington Monument, but the windows in the monument are tiny and it's hard to get a good picture.


Second, it's known as the Castle.  It's the red brick castle like building that was the original Smithsonian.  If you love museums, you must visit the granddaddy of all D.C. museums while in town.  Unless you have an over abundance of time, you will not be able to visit all of the 19 Smithsonian museums plus the zoo.  Plan ahead and pick the few you really want to see.  I love the Air and Space Museum, but get off the mall with that.  The best of the Air and Space Museum is located outside of town in Virginia.  You can schedule a tour if you don't wish to drive or don't have a car with you.  Other favorites of mine are the Native American Museum and the American Museum.  


As we go around the mall, you should always visit the National Archives, All of the memorials and monuments; Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam, WWI, WWII, FDR, Korean War, MLK, and more.  Be aware; we are told when we go Googling, that the Jefferson Memorial is a mall attraction.  No.  It's not on the mall.  It is close by but you should take transportation, because it's a dangerous walk.  If you visit in the spring, the Jefferson Memorial area is where you see the best of the cherry trees in bloom.


Other things that you find right at the mall.  The botanical gardens with old style greenhouses and gardens.  It's beautiful and worth a visit.  The Library of Congress.  You can only see parts of the library visible from the balcony/rotunda area unless you submit a request to use the library.  Said request must have a research purpose and you will have to submit to a background check.  It is a beautiful building and worth checking out.  The Supreme Court Building.  I'm not sure if you still need a reservation, so check ahead.  Also, like Congress, check the dates.  They're not always in session.  Union Station.  Mixed feelings when it comes to this one.  It's a beautiful building, and I've gone by train and loved it.  I love the shops, the food; it's great.  On the other hand, the train station brings a murky problem to a head.  There are a lot of homeless people there.


Other things about the mall area.  Everything is free except tours.  Washington D.C. is in part designed to show off the best of our country, and providing free entry to buildings and museums is one of the ways that we promote our way of life and our government style.  We Americans are very proud of our country.  Also, during the warmer months, there are events on the mall.  There are carnivals, festivals, and even Monday night movies.  It gives a home town feel to a symbolic area.  It's great fun, and I recommend attending such events.








Now that we've discussed most of the obvious, let's get down to the interesting stuff that you don't always know about.  Of course, if you wish to do something outside of town, you can visit Mount Vernon, the National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, or the Air and Space Museum I mentioned which has a space shuttle in it.  But, there are some interesting things beyond that.


Take a ride on the Potomac River.  There are several cruises you can catch along Washington's world famous waterfront!  Along the waterfront are some of the best views in the city, plus dining, shopping, entertainment, and those cruises.  If you walk along the river, you'll see crewers rowing in morning practices, paddleboarders, kayakers and all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts.  You'll get great views of the iconic bridges in the city and so much more.  On a nice day, it's a great place to be.


If you get nervous in a city that can be quite intimidating, take a tour.  It's worth the money.  You can go by bus, segway, bicycle and other ways.  You can find a tour that will take you to see just about anything.  Also, there's a state of the art metro system in town that takes you to a lot of prime locations.  Best bet is to get a week pass and make good use of it.  Walking is a great way to get around downtown as well.  There are tourist maps of the area available at most hotels, museums and public buildings.  There's also a visitor center on the mall.


Why don't you want to drive?  This is stuff that you need to know.  Parking on the mall is impossible.  Parking in garages can be tedious and expensive.  Washington D.C.'s roads are laid out like a wagon wheel with lots of rotaries.  If you aren't practiced at that style of driving, use the subway and tour buses, and save yourself the grief.  I promise you, taking the subway to Dupont Circle is way better than trying to navigate it in a car.  Leave the car at the hotel.


Where shall you stay?  This is a challenge in Washington D.C.  It's a melting pot, and has tons of different neighborhoods.  Some are great, some are expensive, and some you don't want to spend the night in to save your life.  Also, a lot of hotels listed on large websites are not in D.C.  They're in Virginia or Maryland; as far out as Baltimore.  It doesn't look like a long drive on a map, but it is.  For my money, I love to stay in Georgetown.  The prices are reasonable.  The hotels are nice.  The food is good.  The metro is close by.  







Specialty museums and food.


Washington D.C. has some great museums, aquariums, and the zoo.  It's our capitol and all factions are represented.  There are museums and attractions that require you to pay.  Do your research and choose carefully.  Madame Tussaud's is popular, but with everything there is to do in Washington; do you really need to visit something that is probably represented closer to where you live?  Not so much, given the choices.  The Spy Museum; give me a break.  I've spent a lot of time in D.C. so I checked this one out.  Hokey at best.  The Hillwood Estate.  It's a driving attraction on the north side of the city.  For me, this was the living end with the largest collection of Russian items outside of Russia.  Loved it and the grounds.  Make sure you buy a good guidebook before going to Washington.  Make sure you're seeing what you wish to see.


Food.  


Pick a neighborhood and pick a food.  Can't stress this one enough.  Washington is a foodie destination.  There are immigrants from all over the world starting a life in the area.  There's food from the world over represented.  I recommend looking on Yelp or Open Table and look at ratings, menus and hours.  Also, make sure that the address is easily accessible.  I found out the hard way that some aren't.


Clubs and night venues.


Make sure you don't go clubbing alone.  People from all over the world are out partying in D.C. at night.  Be safe.  Don't accept drinks in glasses or open containers from other patrons.  Only from a bartender.  This is just good advice the world over.  Don't party stupid.  That being said, there are all kinds of clubs in D.C.  Check your guidebook and ask the staff at your hotel for advice, so you find what you're looking for.










Other locations to visit.


Don't forget Embassy Row if you like architecture.  If not, you may not want it on your list.  Don't miss the White House.  I don't think tours are currently on, but if so, book in advance and expect a background check.  Also, don't forget to wander around the neighborhoods close to the White House.  There are all kinds of historical buildings close by, including the Ford Theater.  If you don't know what that is, you should probably read a book or two before visiting D.C.


There are parks worth looking into.  Once again, get a good guidebook.  There's so much going on in Washington that you'll need it.  And, don't plan too much into your itinerary.  Everywhere you go has the potential for the discovery of something wonderful that you didn't expect.  Every time I'm in town, I find something I've never seen before.  Give yourself some free time for discovery.









Is Washington a comfortable safe place to visit?


For all the troubles that have landed in Washington, from planes crashing on the White House lawn, to January 6th, to 9/11; you'd think the place would be set up like a prison, but it's not.  There is security everywhere, but they're well trained and won't give you a hard time unless you give them a hard time.  Most security people are happy to answer questions, give directions, and tell you where to get a great meal.  Most people you encounter aren't from Washington D.C.  That's where you have to be careful.  Check the reviews of hotels to determine the nature of the neighborhood.  Some of them are not safe.  It's a reality.  However, most places in the city are perfectly safe.  I've even sat on the ground on the mall in the dark watching "Psycho" before.  Everyone was lovely to me.  That being said, don't put your valuables where they're easily accessible.  Have a zipper on your purse.  Put your wallet in a front pocket.  Minor crimes are common in almost every city in the world.










So, when planning a trip to Washington D.C. do some research.  Plan a few key things that you really want to see and do.  Research your hotel and transportation.  Make sure that what you want to see and do is happening at the time you visit.  Summer is the busy time.  In May and June, many schools bring thousands of kids on class trips.  For my money, August through October are great times to visit the city.  


Washington D.C. is a city that I've spent more time than I ever planned in.  I've never done all the same things twice.  It's always an adventure and worth every minute.  I recommend so much of the city that you couldn't fit it all into one trip.  Just make sure you do a little research into our history.  It will make a lot of attractions make a lot more sense.  Be prepared to spend some money, but it won't be on the national museums of the Smithsonian or government buildings.  Make the most of your trip by planning a little and leaving some time for discovery.  Washington D.C. isn't a town that you just want to stop by with no previous information.  That can be a miserable trip.  But, make sure you know what you want to get out of the trip, plan a great place to stay, plan a method to get around and enjoy!


https://washington.org/

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/washington-dc

https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/washington-dc/experiences/news/25-ultimate-things-to-do-in-washington-dc

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/washington-dc

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/united-states-travel-guide/washington-d-c/

https://practicalwanderlust.com/washington-dc-locals-travel-guide/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/united-states/washington-dc-local-guide/

https://www.getyourguide.com/-l62/?cmp=ga&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=15511486460&cq_con=130891971037&cq_term=washington%20dc%20travel&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=15511486460&adgroup_id=130891971037&target_id=kwd-20965750&loc_physical_ms=9003420&match_type=e&ad_id=576697596841&keyword=washington%20dc%20travel&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw2TFJWUaicHTKpMhgePAmP9qRzKr7wUOhfxTgOEAGnXNgdddQb9fZhoCWzUQAvD_BwE

https://visitalexandria.com/plan/dc-vacation/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DC%20Travel%20-%20Drive%20Market&utm_term=washington%20dc%20vacation&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw62QybyvQa_nGSCkyQmY7Uob09HrPXJOq7nyD0oNuuwSUidbOYFILBoCmGIQAvD_BwE

https://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/travel-planner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1uJGecfWgg

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/washington-dc

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g28969-zfg11873-a_contentId.130299788321+14157574243-District_of_Columbia.html

https://commonsearches.net/index.php?rgid=424342&sub=gclid&zbulk=Hop%20On%20Hop%20Off%20Washington%20Dc&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw6jLMvCxHoxU2beyoY0y3FAuxw9amcoa3swBcKNEJpw-cnknjtFK5RoCyJYQAvD_BwE

https://www.destinationtips.com/advice/10-things-not-to-do-in-washington-dc/?aid=3922971838&cid=749771673&gid=39686511032&tid=kwd-10547503&source=google-ads

https://www.sightseeingpass.com/en/washington-dc?aid=45&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw16xrWhuEsOJfvPKrB-BtAHlA13jyrGpr8gxCfqUs6kLWN8rK0AEGhoC4fAQAvD_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=washington+dc+travel+books&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdwz7pVNFMJFrEX4U3J65het522JB0PEw_BbCU_zAEARsR1oYEpgtMERoCpw4QAvD_BwE&hvadid=241606704126&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003420&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=15858787830236321057&hvtargid=kwd-599781501&hydadcr=22566_10355099&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_36gjesyadi_b

https://www.visittheusa.com/destination/washington-dc

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/united-states/washington-dc-local-guide/

https://www.amtrak.com/trains-to-washington-dc

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/11/16/metro-silver-line-dulles-flight/

https://www.thedistrict.com/visitor-information/traveling-to-washington-d-c/

https://www.kayak.com/flight-routes/United-States-US0/Washington-WAS

https://www.cheapflights.com/flights-to-washington/

https://www.expedia.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Washington.d178318.Travel-Guide-Flights

https://www.skyscanner.com/flights-to/wasa/cheap-flights-to-washington.html

https://www.travelocity.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Washington.d178318.Travel-Guide-Flights

https://getjerry.com/driving/driving-in-dc

https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-important-tips-to-remember-when-driving-in-Washington-DC

https://viatravelers.com/do-you-need-a-car-in-washington-dc/

https://www.si.edu/museums

https://tourscanner.com/blog/best-museums-in-washington-dc/

https://www.nga.gov/

https://museumhack.com/museums-in-washington-dc/

https://freetoursbyfoot.com/free-museums-in-dc/

https://airandspace.si.edu/

https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

https://www.capitolriverfront.org/

https://www.tripsavvy.com/capitol-riverfront-activities-1040409

https://www.washingtonian.com/location/

https://station4dc.com/dc-neighborhoods

https://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc

https://signaturetoursdc.com/

https://www.bigbustours.com/en/washington-dc/washington-dc-bus-tours?utm_source=GMB-washington-dc&utm_medium=GMB&utm_campaign=washington-dc-GMB-website

https://www.capitalsegway.com/

https://www.bigbustours.com/en/washington-dc/washington-dc-bus-tours

https://www.zohery.com/

https://www.seedctoday.com/

https://www.otmdc.com/

https://www.embarkdc.com/

https://www.cityexperiences.com/washington-dc/city-cruises/?page=1&query=&sortBy=prodv3_ce_experiences_weightScaled_desc&country=&city=&categoryTheme=&audience=&durationTiming=&webCategoriesMain=&brandTag=&priceMin=&priceMax=&dateMin=&dateMax=

https://www.ridetheboomerang.com/

https://www.cityexperiences.com/washington-dc/city-cruises/?page=1&query=&sortBy=prodv3_ce_experiences_weightScaled_desc&country=&city=Washington%20DC&city=Alexandria&&audience=&durationTiming=&webCategoriesMain=&brandTag=&priceMin=&priceMax=&dateMin=&dateMax=

https://www.hotels.com/de1467359/hotels-washington-district-of-columbia/?dateless=true&destinationid=1467359&locale=en_US&pos=HCOM_US&siteid=300000001&rffrid=sem.hcom.US.google.003.00.02.DT.s.kwrd=c.617920989543.118159323511.11848093676..aud-1388462376382:kwd-164698043.9003420..accommodations%20washington%20dc.CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw8v3TB1eQiU1gh2lfWwfLhjhfxbwXATUMK0Qw-XLDVYNn-E0V3H74xoChv4QAvD_BwE.aw.ds&PSRC=&semcid=HCOM-US.UB.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.HOTEL&SEMDTL=a111848093676.b1118159323511.g1aud-1388462376382:kwd-164698043.l1.e1c.m1CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw8v3TB1eQiU1gh2lfWwfLhjhfxbwXATUMK0Qw-XLDVYNn-E0V3H74xoChv4QAvD_BwE.r1c6fb6a35af76c68e437b426ae2d09b444943c569d2238aecf84e59de59b15f1a.c1.j19003420.k1.d1617920989543.h1e.i1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw8v3TB1eQiU1gh2lfWwfLhjhfxbwXATUMK0Qw-XLDVYNn-E0V3H74xoChv4QAvD_BwE

https://www.booking.com/city/us/washington.html

https://www.agoda.com/destination/city/washington-d-c-us.html?cid=1844104

https://www.trivago.com/en-US/odr/hotels-washington-d-c-washington-d-c?search=200-15032

https://www.thediscoveriesof.com/best-places-to-stay-washington-dc/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/washington-dc

https://www.destguides.com/en/itineraries/united-states/washington-d-c/washington-d-c/famous-landmarks-washington-dc

https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/district-of-columbia-usdc.htm

https://theboutiqueadventurer.com/washington-dc-landmarks/

https://travel.usnews.com/Washington_DC/Things_To_Do/

https://washington.org/visit-dc/guide-pro-sports-washington-dc

https://www.ticketmaster.com/discover/sports/washington

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/

https://dc.eater.com/maps/dc-best-restaurants-38

https://www.opentable.com/washington-dc-restaurants

https://elitetraveler.com/finest-dining/restaurants-finest-dining/best-restaurants-in-washington-dc

https://www.washingtonian.com/best/restaurants/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/interactive/2022/best-restaurants-in-dc-2022/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/photos/restaurant-guide-washington-dc

https://www.bonappetit.com/city-guides/package/washington-dc

https://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/?gclid=CjwKCAiAs8acBhA1EiwAgRFdw1jc-ea4UT2UHCT_PN4rLWX56FY88PwtX1FVCfutCbxFWKABKeOXmBoCjqMQAvD_BwE

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/

https://theatrewashington.org/

https://www.kennedy-center.org/

https://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/regionalshows.cfm

https://www.thenationaldc.com/

https://www.fords.org/

https://www.timeout.com/washington-dc/music-nightlife/best-dance-clubs-in-dc

https://www.tripsavvy.com/dc-bars-and-nightlife-1039744

https://www.nightflow.com/washington-dc-nightlife/

https://familydestinationsguide.com/fun-things-to-do-with-kids-in-washington-dc/

https://vacationidea.com/family/best-things-to-do-in-washington-dc-with-kids.html

https://dc.curbed.com/maps/things-to-do-washington-dc-kids

https://www.attractionsofamerica.com/travel/must-see-national-historic-landmarks-washington-dc.php

https://www.touropia.com/top-tourist-attractions-in-washington-dc/

https://www.wmata.com/

https://washington.org/navigating-dc-metro

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

She's Called Alice!


 It's shopping season, and I've been a bit busy getting "Alice" out there.  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSKP2K8

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMWG8M7P

This is a story of a woman with a midlife crisis.  Her husband isn't what she thought.  Her kids are leaving for college.  




When she meets her newest neighbor in the countryside outside the small town of Hebron, Indiana; she discovers a whole new world.  Josephine Dusante, her almost instant bestie, is world famous French artist getting away from it all in the farmland of northern Indiana.  




Alice has to make some changes, and gets a chance to become the artist she'd always dreamed she could be.  How will Alice balance her current life with the future she desires and is within her reach?




It's a dramatic comedy of loves found and lost and a woman trying to define her future.  There's a lot of laughter, because sometimes if you don't laugh; you cry.  


"Alice" is full of vibrant characters, funny anecdotes about life, dream lost, dreams found, and justice where it belongs. 


Come read and laugh through hardships and life changes with "Alice"  on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Amazon!