Great Wolf Lodge Concord, NC

Hello Friends: A neighbor woman friend and I just escaped for 36 hours to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge outside of Charlotte, NC proving that great girl getaways can be pretty simple. Although Great Wolf is billed as a family destination we left her four children at home and planned it for ourselves with a limited budget. It would be easy to leave husbands and children at Great Wolf for the day or if your "guys" were at the races (Lowe's Speedway), never leaving the Great Wolf premises with your kids for a day, part of your time there, would work too. But we enjoyed looking at other people's kids this trip as she left her four at home. Nothing like the unlimited shopping mecca of Concord, NC which like Potomac Mills, VA or Mall of America in Minnesota may be the biggest attraction in these states. This was shop till you drop time. Without encumbrances like children, spouses, or partners time is not an issue and 45 minutes in Victoria's Secret examining seamless underwear or push-up bras that magically make one at least two sizes larger was wonderful. Although we did decide the seamless items felt like they were made of balloon-like material. Great Wolf Resorts fits many situations and needs and would be wonderful for any type of multigenerational time and being here in North Carolina we saw many families that included soldiers about to be deployed overseas. Save airfare and check Great Wolf Lodge for one near you. Regards, Mary Gallagher

Volunteer Vacations

Hello Friends:
I did a segment for the CBS Morning News in Washington DC a few years ago on volunteer vacations and it was an eye opener. Mistakenly I thought "volunteer" meant one was an unpaid participant in some worthy project and your way was paid by the organization in exchange for your labors. Well there aren't any or very few that operate that way. The majority of the non-profits operating these beneficial programs require you to get yourself to the destination and pay for your food, housing and possibly more.

We've published several stories on GallaghersTravels.com from Global Volunteers team leader Francoise Yohalem as she goes about the globe involved in their projects. She was just in Vietnam and also Montana with various teams of volunteers.

I have never done a volunteer vacation although I do a lot of volunteer work in the geographic areas where I live. I think this is a wonderful cause to support but would mention that you need to thoroughly check out the organizations that seem to have the program destinations you will be the most interested in.

When my daughter was small, she loved horses and riding and one summer together with a few other little girls decided to convince us that they should go to a horse camp in South Dakota. One parent drove them and another picked them up. We didn't know all the details until they were all back safe and sound but very dirty! The bunk houses were old chicken coops, not a single fresh vegetable or fruit was served in a weeks time and sundry other horrifying issues.

All kinds of travel is broadening for anyone of any age but do make sure you get good references and check the organization thoroughly with current facts not a brochure with pictures ten years old.

Francoise is our expert and you'll enjoy reading her stories.

Happy Trails,

Mary Gallagher

The Fearrington House Country Inn and Restaurant wins Big!

Hello Friends:

You've probably heard me tell about our recent stay at the Fearrington House Country Inn in Pittsboro, NC and the delicious eating we did there. Now another well deserved accolade has been awarded as you can see by todays press release below.

So how was our visit? Let's say I would move there in an instant to be able to participate in all the activities, cooking classes, wine dinners, farmers market, tea and eat lunch every day!

If you're on a business trip to Chapel Hill and the Triangle area stay over an extra night or two and make it at the Fearrington House Country Inn. Is there a special occasion coming up like a birthday or anniversary? Make it a weekend at the Fearrington House Country Inn. Every moment will be wonderful.

Oh the breakfast selections, and the most authentic high tea...plus the accommodations are so relaxing, the shops well stocked with interesting and quality items, a little walk around the village to tell the belted animals good night before turning with a new book from McINTYRE'S FINE BOOKS, a few house made chocolate truffles and a nice bottle of wine from the Belted Goat gourmet shop. What could be greater?

We tell everyone how we loved it here and can't wait to have a reason to go back...oh heck who needs a reason.

Happy Travels,

Mary Gallagher

Pittsboro, NC - October 19, 2009 - The Fearrington House Country Inn and Restaurant was voted the 9th best small U.S. hotel by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler in its 2009 Readers' Choice Awards. The awards appear in the November issue (on news stands October 20). This year, 25,008 readers voted on more than 10,000 properties and destinations. This year's survey included a new category: Small Hotels (under 50 rooms) in the United States .

"We're thrilled the readers of Condé Nast Traveler have voted us among the very best small U.S. hotels. This new category allows smaller properties, many of which are Relais & Chateaux properties such as ourselves, to really shine," said Theresa Chiettini, General Manager of the Fearrington House Country Inn and Restaurant. "We're also pleased to share the top rankings with some other outstanding North Carolina properties. It really showcases the tourism appeal of the state." Also in the top 20: The Swag (rated #2) in Waynesville , NC , and Old Edwards Inn (#21) in Highlands , NC.

Contemporary Japanese Fashion

Hello Fellow Fashionista's:

I've just returned from previewing the new show Contemporary Japanese Fashion: The Mary Baskett Collection that opened October 17th at the Textile Museum in Washington DC. If you're interested in the creative arts of any sort this show will provide a sensual overload.

Innovative and avant-garde designs from Yohji Yamaoto, Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo will move you to go home and re-mix your existing and perhaps tired clothing stock into whole new ideas. I'm going to wear things inside out, cut off a few hems and wet skirts to tie into random wrinkles and folds just as a start. Re-purpose what we have!

The show runs until April 11th, 2010 and I for one, will revisit several times. The Textile Museum is located at 2320 S Street NW in the tangle of streets that make up the Kalorama neighborhood near Dupont Circle with lots of great places for lunch. Admission is free with donations cheerfully accepted.

While you're there see the accompanying exhibit Fabrics of Feathers and Steel: The Innovation of Nuno. Fabrics that integrate cutting edge technologies and unique properties like aluminum foil, steel, bamboo and bird feathers!

Another great feature of the Textile Museum is their gift shop. Well supplied with unusual items tied to the "textile" theme, this month they had a proliferation of felted items including colorful purses, slippers, scarves (or perhaps they were table runners?). The shop is one of those places I always say "oh I can do that" and of course if you've ever felted as a craft know how difficult it really is. If you have someone to buy a gift for that owns absolutely everything shop here.

The museum also has wonderful lectures and symposiums be sure to sign up for notices or check their website.

Happy Travels,

Mary Gallagher

Alive and Well at the Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa

Hello Friends:

Check out my day to day progress at the Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa in a beautiful part of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on the Health and Beauty blog.

Mary

Yes, we can travel successfully with our babies.

Dear Friends:

At last a site that helps those of us who want to travel with our babies. Now I know we all love those vacations away from all family responsibility like "Spa or NYC Shopping weekends" but most of the time and whenever possible we want to travel with our babies.

BabySafeTravel.com is your home for traveling tips, clues, advice and resources for traveling with your baby. Their list of blogs and reviews by other parents help find the most family friendly hotels. You can also buy the latest baby travel products to make your trip as easy and safe as possible.

The best way for traveling with your baby is with thorough planning and extensive knowledge on the options available for both parents and baby. Traveling as a family creates a closer bond and pulls us out of our daily routine to reconnect and remember what is really important in life—family. Remember all those Chevy Chase National Lampoon Family Travel films! Traveling with a baby presents an occasional blip in the schedule so we need to leave room for spontaneity too.

Things will not always go according to your schedule or plan whether you re traveling alone or with your baby. Your adventure will be more fun and rewarding if you can leave lots of room for spontaneity and don't be afraid to ask for help. No one can resist the big smile or teary eyes of a little child.

BabySafeTravel.com makes the planning easy and includes the following Travel Tip categories:

• Tips for Infants


• Tips for Crawlers


• Tips for Walkers


• Tips for Multiples

Mary Gallagher, the Travel Expert

New largest cruise ship Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Dear friends:

Cruise news from this confirmed enthusiast:

Check with Direct Line Cruises to book your cruise on the new Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the industry offering features unheard of on any cruise ship such as the Central Park Neighborhoods, Tide Bar, Loft Suites and so much more. In one of seven distinct neighborhoods, the Boardwalk, families will enjoy the AquaTheater and first ever Carousel at sea. Boardwalk offers games, amusement and attractions plus being surrounded by restaurants, including Johnny Rockets and the Seafood Shack, a coffee and donut shop, bars, candy shop and kids and teens can shop for the latest trends.

The Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas will offer 7- Night Eastern & Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida starting December 2009.

Every season, everyone and every budget is right for a cruise! No matter what time of year there is a cruise that will take you away to someplace special and whether you have three days or a year cruises can fit the bill on your schedule. Looking for a destination for three generations of your family? Not a problem. A single looking to meet someone special or just new friends? Every situation can be accommodated by Direct Line Cruises a cruise-only travel agency who are the specialists for many lines including Royal Caribbean.

Mary Gallagher, cruiser

Following Edgar Allan Poe to Richmond VA

Hello Friends:

I've always liked visiting Richmond, VA for its many historic sites (the White House of the Confederacy is wonderful), fun and funky shopping, great dining and manageable size. Now if you re an Edgar Allan Poe aficionado starting in July and until the end of the year, there will be three new exhibits in honor of the Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial. The exhibits are part of Poe Revealed 1809-2009, a cooperative effort among Virginia historical sites, museums, libraries and performing arts organizations to commemorate the life and works of Poe throughout 2009. It was Richmond, Virginia that Poe considered home; the place where he grew up, married and first gained a national literary reputation.

On July 1, Richmond's Poe Museum will present Ratiocination: Poe the Detective. The exhibit will explore Poe's attempts to close an unsolved murder case in 1842. Poe, who had recently invented the detective story with his murder mystery "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," read in the newspapers of the brutal killing of a popular New York cigar girl named Mary C. Rogers. By studying the newspaper accounts of the case, Poe thought he could find the killer. Poe's solution was never universally accepted, so the case remains unsolved.

Ratiocination: Poe the Detective will bring together the evidence Poe would have studied and will allow visitors the opportunity to take part in the investigation and identify the murderer. The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Thursday, June 25 from 6 to 9 p.m., where guests will be invited to take part in a "crime scene investigation" at the Poe Museum.

The exhibit will run through January 3, 2010. The Poe Museum is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $6. For guided tours and group tours,
please call 804-648-5523.

Additionally, the Library of Virginia, in partnership with the Poe Museum, will on July 20 unveil a major exhibit exploring the myths and legends surrounding America's first internationally renowned author. Poe: Man, Myth, or Monster asks "Who is Edgar Allan Poe?" The exhibit covers the many facets of Poe's life and explores his influence on pop culture as someone who has his own action figure and comic book, and has appeared in film, television, and other authors' novels. The exhibit also explores the contradictory information about the writer that circulated throughout his lifetime and following his death. Poe was sometimes less-than-truthful about his life and subsequent biographers were also less-than-factual, erring either on the side of Poe the drunken madman or Poe the refined, ever-proper gentleman. So, who exactly was Edgar Allan Poe?

The exhibit includes three interactive stations: Poe's Words (readings from Poe), Poe in Film (the 1928 silent film The Fall of the House of Usher), and Fact or Fiction (where visitors can test their knowledge of Poe). Among the more than 100 items (digital and original) in the exhibit are:
· A copy of Tamerlane, Poe's first, but not widely distributed, published book of poetry (1827)
· Posters in different languages from commercial films based on Poe's tales
· An Edgar, the annual award given by the Mystery Writers of America
· Illustrations of The Raven by James Carling (1857–1887)
· Original manuscripts of "Eulalie: a Song," "To Elizabeth," and Poe's autobiography
Poe: Man, Myth, or Monster will run through December 5, 2009. The exhibition is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. Monthly curator-led tours and weekly docent-led tours are available. For tour information, please call 804-692-3592.

Poe's Women, a special exhibit of portraits of the women who inspired the author's life and work, will open July 3 at the Richmond Public Library and will run until August 30, 2009. The original acrylic paintings in this exhibit were created specially for the library's marble hall by internationally-exhibited fine artist and Poe Museum Curator Chris Semtner. Among the pieces in the show are portraits of Poe's wife/cousin Virginia Clemm Poe; Jane Stanard, his "first purely ideal love" who went insane when Poe was a child; Elmira Royster Shelton, the woman to whom Poe was twice engaged to marry; and Mary Rogers, the cigar girl whose murder inspired Poe's story "The Mystery of Marie Roget."

Coincidentally, one of Poe's boyhood homes once stood on the spot occupied by the Richmond Public Library, and, as a child, he played in the garden across the street, where the Linden Row Inn now stands. As part of the Poe Bicentennial celebration, another Poe-themed art exhibit Poe's Playground will be on display at the Linden Row Inn while Poe's Women is at the Public Library.

Poe's Women will run through August 30, 2009. The Richmond Public Library is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. The Library is closed on Mondays.
Guests to the Richmond Region can enjoy all things Poe at a discount by booking a special-rate Poe Package either the Linden Row Inn or the Jefferson Hotel. I've stayed at both and would say they are of totally different "character." The Linden Row Inn is somewhat reminiscent of an older property in London and the Jefferson is the Grande Dame of Richmond with gilt, sweeping staircases and a most southern and gentile staff.

The Jefferson Hotel: Whether you need a romantic weekend for just the two of you, a long overdue reunion with friends or a fun getaway for the whole family, The Jefferson’s Shoestring Package is the perfect solution for the summer too.
One nights lodging, traditional Southern breakfast for two including gratuity, a $25.00 Jefferson Gift card (can be used anywhere in the hotel) Complimentary downtown transportation, Complimentary valet parking, $205 Superior Room/ $225 Deluxe Room, per night.
If you book more than one night they will increase the gift card to $50.00 on each of those additional nights.
The Poe package at the Jefferson Hotel is $450 plus tax for two nights. Includes traditional Southern breakfast for two including gratuity, Complimentary valet parking, and two passes to the Poe Museum and to St. John’s Church. Details at The Jefferson Hotel.

The Linden Row Inn: $369 plus tax for two nights (double occupancy). Includes two nights' stay in one of the Linden Row Inn's Main House rooms (rate includes valet parking, continental breakfast, wireless Internet, in-town shuttle, and fitness center access), two passes to a special Poe-themed Segway Tour of Downtown Richmond, two passes to the Poe Museum, two passes to tour historic St. John's Church (site where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech), and an Edgar Allan Poe Tote Bag with Poe Memorabilia. During their stay, guests can enjoy the Poe-themed art exhibit "Poe's Playground," on display through August 30, 2009. Details at The Linden Row Inn

The Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia interprets the life and influence of Edgar Allan Poe for the education and enjoyment of the public. Founded in 1921, the Poe Museum houses the world's finest collection of Edgar Allan Poe artifacts and memorabilia. The five-building complex features permanent exhibits of Poe's manuscripts, personal items, clothing, and a lock of the author's hair. For more information about the Museum and its programs visit The Poe Museum.

Memory triggers

Well in an effort to clear things up around here, I've been skimming magazines before they go to the local senior center and came across a great story by a food writer in Food and Wine. He was remembering a meal of a very long time ago and then I watched a small amount of Iron Chef as they fixed octopus about 15 different ways. The point being (please!) I have no great octopus stories but thought of a wonderful trip to Spain more than thirty years ago and eating at a particular Posada one night. Now my former husband and I were very much newbies at travel especially foreign but fairly adventurous about eating all types of ethnic food - as long as it was cooked! I don't remember what I ordered that night but he had the stuffed calamari and it was wonderful much better than whatever I had. The stuffing was a chorizo or chorizo style sausage and perhaps bread and the two white tubes of squid lay side by side with the whole dish resembling some kind of pasta rolls like chubby manicotti. Whatever it was, it tasted great. Apparently my few my experiences with octopus were not as memorable as I can't find them in the memory bank.

That trip was also our first experience with having Churros. They dropped a continuous circle of batter into huge pans of hot oil and just kept cutting off hunks for customers. A strong shake of granulated sugar and yours was handed to you on white paper along with your espresso or stronger stuff if that was your preference for breakfast. The bar we stood at was in some tiny Spanish town, open to the narrow street and on the balcony across was a large bird cage with a canary singing away in full form. Now at that time I lived in Minnesota so any thought of having my birds outside was very exotic. I can close my eyes today and picture the whole scene.

Spain is one of our favorite destinations and a few months ago we visited Barcelona which was spectacular.

Mary

Moving right along...

Hmm I guess I have a few months of travel to catch up reporting on.

We're quite excited about attending the Antiques Roadshow in Raleigh NC this June 27th. Although I don't believe there are any unknown treasurers in all my stuff, you'll be hearing all about it.

Last week we were up in Delaware for MATPRA, a travel related market place for mid Atlantic destinations and spent three days in Rehoboth Beach right on the boardwalk. Our last two days were in Wilmington and the beautiful Brandywine area. Watch for the stories from myself and others under destinations here on the site. They are offering a wonderful multi attraction pass that will save you lots of money.

Delaware is a tiny little state that packs a big wallop of diverse things to do. We saw museums, historic homes, National and State parks, beaches and rolling countryside. Activities included kayaking, cooking lessons, ghost stories on the beach, winery tours, history lessons and so much more.

One regret is always not enough time to see and do it all plus never testing that high butterfat cream from the Lewes Dairy!

On the way up to Rehoboth we stopped for lunch at the Sage Diner in Olney, VA and were surprised by wonderful generous portions of really reasonably priced good food. A great clue is when all the other patrons are loading up doggie - really people bags from their lunch special.

Back here in the "wilds"of rural North Carolina we're surrounded by growing cotton, tobacco, soybean and corn fields. So far it all looks good but with our day after day 80 plus temperatures regular rain is really important.

The fall elections are already crossing my thoughts and I'm hoping we'll have an opportunity to start with a clean slate in our town and county this year. Not so long ago I heard of another movement to limit Federal Senate and Representatives to two terms but of course they would have to pass that themselves. Can we guess what century that will happen in?

We recently met another couple who raved about OAT tours like one of our web site contributors, Francoise Yohalem, who uses them for her annual sketch trip group. This couple took one of their small group African Safari trips. Francoise has been to quite a few destinations with them. She also leads teams of volunteers for Global Volunteers and does extensive independent travel. Note her story on hiking in Georgia just before the invasion.

I think she keeps a note pinned to her coat with her home address on it she's gone so much!

Unfortunately our good friend Renee Wright missed MATPRA this year after coming home from Hawaii to find her house flooded from a plumbing disaster.
That happened to my parents while they were away for the weekend. A second floor toilet never shut off. Months later you could be standing somewhere on the first floor and all of a sudden a door frame would just pop off.

We'll be getting stories about Renee's Island adventures real soon.

I did a historical tour of Lewes while Will went kayaking and we passed a wonderful restored building that is the Buttery Restaurant. Later that night I had a chance to sample some of their specialities and also heard from others how much they had enjoyed eating there too.

On another note, we were made aware of a friend who had a very bad time being diagnosed correctly with Limes disease and have since heard of others as well as some cases of Rocky Mountain fever. Apparently with global warming not only are the planting zones changing but certain species of ticks are not being killed off by severe winters. So now you can have symptoms that mimic each other and it can be H1N1 or perhaps a tick bite or ? None of these are anything to fool around with and if you start to have symptoms that could possibly be any of the three (read up on the Internet) be sure and get tested quickly.

We've added new writers and some of the regulars have been doing lots of traveling providing fresh reports so check out Destinations.

Happy Trails,

Mary