Carole Terwilliger Meyers's Blog, page 119

Misc.: Key West, Hemingway Days Festival

Hemingway is reincarnated annually at Sloppy Joe's Annual Papa Look-Alike Contest. Arm-wrestling, a Key Lime pie-eating contest, a marlin fishing contest, a sort of Running of the Bulls, and a Caribbean Street fair are also part of the fun.
Hemingway Days Festival Around July 21--the author's birthday. http://sloppyjoes.com/lookalikes.htm. Free.

Great Sleeps: Ashland, Oregon, Ashland Springs Hotel

Both charming and conveniently located, this landmark hotel built in 1925 offers large, quiet rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Rooms are poshly appointed, with high beds. A sort of Audubon theme runs throughout the hotel, including a fascinating display of Victorian stuffed birds and an extensive seashell collection displayed in the old-fashioned two-story lobby. The lobby has several seating areas and large windows looking out to the street; a continental breakfast is served on the mezzanine

I've always wondered about Japan's love hotels

Now I know the illuminating details!

http://www.worldhum.com/features/how-to/how-to-stay-at-a-love-hotel-in-japan-20090716
Photo by furibond via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Travel Videos: NYC, Central Park

The less you know about the movie "The Visitor" (2007), the more enjoyable you'll probably find it, so I'll bite my tongue. http://www.thevisitorfilm.com/. Adding to my general enjoyment is that it was filmed in many of the spots I recently enjoyed together with my extended family and friends on the 4th in NYC: Central Park; the drummers bench (see my video below); Sheeps Meadow; and also the Broadway/Lafayette subway station. Maybe you'll recognize more locations. Coincidentally, I realized tha

Sights to See: Los Angeles/Westwood, UCLA Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden

Art meets nature at the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden (310-443-7041; http://hammer.ucla.edu/collections/detail/collection_id/6. Parking available in Lot 3; $9.). It spans more than 5 acres and displays more than 70 sculptures by artists that include Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, and Auguste Rodin. Kids can romp among the works, and you'll have some great photo ops. It's the perfect spot for a memorable picnic. image copyright 2009 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

shame on United--again

This well-done music video from the Canadian country music group, Sons of Maxwell, almost lightens the problem of luggage damage. Unfortunately, United isn't the only guilty airline. Ever since the TSA cut off my special TSA lock (and the two little pull tabs along with it), I'm always surprised when my suitcase shows up intact and filled with what I packed.

see the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

read more:
http://www.elliott.org/blog/broken-guitars-and-viral-videos-dont-improve-

Great Eats: Chicago, Heaven on Seven

Found in the unlikely location of an upper floor in an office building, this funky, down-home, Louisiana-style cafe is the original link in this popular small local chain. Best items are the gumbo and crab cakes. However, even though the walls are lined with an impressive collection of every brand of hot sauce imaginable, and a selection of current brands is corralled on each table, the jambalaya comes out of the kitchen disappointingly bland.
Heaven on Seven 111 N. Wabash Ave., 7th fl., downtow

beautiful images of the native Omo people

These exquistely beautiful images are probably of the Mursi and Suri people, who live where the Omo River empties into Lake Turkana in Ethiopia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGLR8wEvRfQ&feature=related

Great Sleeps: NYC, The Algonquin Hotel

An oasis of serenity, this legendary hotel is just steps from Broadway, two blocks from Bryant Park, three avenues away from the gay and lesbian nightlife scene in Hell's Kitchen, and a couple of subway stops from the trendy, artsy Chelsea neighborhood. Edna Ferber and Dorothy Parker were once part of the hotel's famous Round Table, and Truman Capote once dined there regularly. The cozy, inviting lobby is a popular lounge bar, and the famous restaurant adjoins. In the evening, The Oak Room stage

Things to Do: Holland, Michigan, Tulip Festival

video copyright 2009 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

6 million tulips, 1,500 wooden-shoe dancers, 3 parades. It’s never too early to start planning for a trip to see this annual small-town spring festival celebrating the area's Dutch heritage. Fireworks and trolley tours are also part of the fun.

Tulip Time Festival May; 800-822-2770; www.tuliptime.com.