USA
Wandering America
Why Waimea Valley Is The Heart Of Hawaiian Heritage On Oʻahu
A triple delight: cooling trade winds, crystal clear blue sky, and lush rainforest. The pristine Waimea Valley welcomed us with real aloha spirit. Where mountains meet the sea on Oʻahu’s North Shore lies Waimea—often called the Valley of the Priests. In Hawaiian, Waimea means “reddish water,” a reference to the rust-colored stream that flows through the…
Flesh‑Eating Bacteria On The Rise While Temperatures Soar: My Jersey Shore Memories Meet Current Heat Crisis
As a kid, I spent summers at the Jersey Shore playing on the beach and body surfing in the ocean. It was fun and healthy—except for the annual pain from sunburn. (Back then, skin cancer awareness wasn’t really a thing.) I believed the ocean had healing powers because that’s what my parents told me. Any…
😔 RIP Grand Canyon Lodge: Thanks For The Memories
An iconic American landmark is gone. A fast-moving wildfire—sparked by a July 4th lightning strike—has ravaged the nearly 100-year-old Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. Also lost in the flames: all 80 cabins, the campground, general store, gas station, and the saloon. An entire resort reduced to ash in just a few hours. As…
I Laughed When She Said “Plant It”—Then This Happened 🍍
A neighbor handed me the top of a store-bought pineapple she’d cut off while slicing the fruit. Instead of tossing it, she thought I might want to plant it—just to see what happens. I literally laughed out loud. “Plant it? Really?” I bellowed. Two years later, the joke’s on me. Despite my ignorance and complete…
One Nation, One Night: Fireworks & Unity
Sitting on a closely mowed green fairway just off the beach on Seabrook Island, SC, the party is underway. People dance to the music of a live rock band or gather in small groups on lawn chairs, drinking, eating, and playing cornhole. As the sun sets, the scene feels like a joyful prelude to the…