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Susie and her daddy are preparing for their first big trip together, and would like to share some of the forethought gone into the preparations for the journey. When the dynamic duo returns, they will also share not only tales(or “ tails”) of their experiences, but also any travel tips that they picked up on the road – or as Susie prefers to call it “the Pawed Pathway.” Susie’s daddy remembers traveling with his brother, parents and pet Beagle, Peggy, with great fondness and looks forward to sharing the same experience with Susie.

These are 2 restaurants in Venice that will give many boomers smiles! They are inexpensive, fun and yummy!

An hour’s drive north of the wonderfully historic city of Barcelona you begin to climb into the foothills of the fiercely independent and stunningly beautiful region of Catalunya. Its northernmost coastal area, called the Costa Brava, boasts a rugged 40-mile stretch of sandy beaches that sweep from the Spanish capital up to the border with France. But, if you aren’t interested in the beaches, fear not, as here you will discover the world’s top-rated restaurant and the best golf course Spain has to offer.

When we are way up in the mountains, in high altitude and thin air, our GPS decides to set itself on Sherpa Mode. It carefully maps a route that is Longest, Obscure, and Steep Terrain - L.O.S.T.

Such as the day we travelled from Asheville, NC to Renfro Valley, KY. When we left camp in NC, a simple turn to the right would have led to the highway in a couple of easy miles, but instead the GPS sent us to the left. So we traversed the Appalachian Mountains on the back roads for two hours: though hill and holler, over dale and dell, around switchbacks and hairpin turns. All in the motorhome.

“Kiawah should have been a poem,” someone wrote years ago, and how true those words are. Our first trip to Kiawah, May 1980, came about because of a friend’s recommendation. “What a funny name,” I said. He explained, “It’s named for the Indian tribe that lived there during the 1600s. In 1699, a so-called pirate named George Raynor was granted the land and after that, the island was handed down through two different families for the next 250 years. It was purchased again in 1951 then, sold to a real estate developer. You won’t believe how beautiful it is,” he promised.

Bermuda is an island unlike any other. Often mistaken for a member of the Caribbean family, Bermuda is only 650 miles away from North Carolina. Her turquoise water and pink beaches are the perfect getaway for honeymooners and cruise ship liners. Spanning only 21 square miles, Bermuda proves that good things really do come in small packages!

I think anyone that has been in business for over 30 years and is involved in travel deserves to be checked out. I ran across the Evergreen Club (for people over 50) and found it to be a bit unusual, so it caught my eye and I decided to speak to the owner. It turns out Linda's mother started the company 30 years ago and she is now the keeper of the flame.

It's actually a take on the idea of a Bed and Breakfast, but it has a twist. This is a people to people set up in a person's spare guest room that also includes breakfast. I know – a bit quirky, but cool at the same time.

On Sunday, June 9, 2013, Susie and I said our goodbyes to our new friends in St.Jean-sur-Richelieu and began our trek to our next overnight stop in Niagara Falls, Ontario. We only had limited time, but had a few hours in the morning to take a quick tour of Montreal.

I love Hamburg in the summer and even in the winter when it is ice cold!  It is a beautiful city, and I often just take the” hop on hop off bus” which guides you through the hidden hills and magnificent countryside, with breathtaking views overlooking the canals and famous city port. Truly, it should be called a sister city to Stockholm, Amsterdam and Bruges with its lattice of canals running throughout the city –hence its’ name – Venice of Northern Europe!

In 2005 I had the unique opportunity to travel to the nation of Ghana in West Africa. I had been invited by my good friend and colleague, Dr. Godfried Williams, to be the keynote speaker at an information technology conference in the capital city of Accra. The conference was the 1^st International Conference on Advances in Information and Communication Engineering held in August 2005 at the behest of the Ghanaian government. My topic was “Bridging the Digital Divide:  Linking and Closing the Gap between Advanced and Developing Economies.”

Come on, you're never too old to believe in Santa Claus and I think I found out that he lives here in Finland, not the North Pole! This amazing Igloo Village and Hotel is located in the vicinity of Urho Kekkonen National Park, just about 21 miles from the Ivalo Airport.

Here's one for the train enthusiasts out there and I know a lot of Boomers who are in this category. This will be a nice place to share your passion for the rails with your grandchildren. Located just north of Duluth on the shores of Lake Superior, this 17 room rustic hotel's guest rooms are housed in real train boxcars. All rooms have TV and central air, the larger suites include a fireplace, mini-fridge and microwave. Rates include a continental breakfast which is served in the main building that looks like a Depot. This building is where you check in and also features a lending library of books and games.

Jerusalem is the sacred capital of Israel and one of several incredible biblical cities. Situated in the Judean Mountains, the city rests between the Mediterranean and Dead Sea. Jerusalem is divided into two cities, bringing together the best of both worlds. The new city is young and trendy while the old city thrives with history consisting of four diverse quarters: Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and holy to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The beautiful architecture pays homage to ancient times, incorporating the very precious Jerusalem stone, a pale whitish-pink limestone. Buildings made with the Jerusalem stone are easily spotted and admired. 

Why would you want to see a big rock?

Because Devils Tower is more than just a geological oddity.

There’s something deep and profound here that led Native Americans

to hold this as a Sacred Place.

The Taj Mahal, temples and tigers – experience all the spice of India.

Dog Mountain came to our attention when Susie and I were at Camp Gone to the Dogs.  The proceeds from an auction at the end of our week at camp were dedicated to the support of Dog Mountain in northeastern Vermont near St.Johnsbury. Unfortunately our schedule did not allow for a visit on this trip, since we were traveling up the western side of the state into Canada on our way to Montreal.

Blend the pearly sands of Florida with a dash of Atlantic City and a pinch of Gatlinburg and you’ve got the delights of Myrtle Beach.

Let’s get off the interstate and “Go on Patrol!!” Today we are traveling on 31W, one of the original north south routes that run parallel to I-65 from Michigan to Alabama. On a car lot in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, we found Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum. It is without a doubt the best free Car Museum in the U.S. Owner, Bill Swope, has collected and put on display 60 cars built between 1900 and 1970. They have been lovingly restored in every detail. I am a collector (not of cars) so I’m in total awe at what Mr. Swope has accomplished. He has found many totally original cars that are in “like new” condition. 

O.K. all you Boomers – here's your chance to leave a mark on the world. This is not exactly about a hotel, but it is about staying somewhere in the world that can use your help. There is a wonderful organization called Global Volunteers based in Minnesota and Boomers played a significant role in developing partnerships worldwide for this organization in its early days.

They engage short-term volunteers for long-term projects “to create, nurture and sustain the well-being of the world's children.” Have I struck a chord?

One of the most remarkable places we have been from a photographer’s point of view is Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC. If you can go in July when the water lilies are in bloom, you will be transported and dazzled by their beauty. Looking into a rare water lily blooming is by my estimates what the Hubble telescope sees when it looks into deep space. Strange universes stare back  leaving you with a sense of mystery and awe. 

The week seemed to fly by and the time had come to leave camp and head north through Vermont to Canada. Susie had a fun and productive week and had made many new friends, both canine and human. She was going to miss her camp buddies especially Brie, Lucy, Rascal, Digby and another Aussie, Phil a blue merle from the Bronx. 

Have a go-to place that you love returning to year after year? Jackson, Wyoming is one town we never get tired of.

Jackson retains its Wild West roots in grand style, and offers shopping and entertainment for every budget and season. We’ve visited in both spring and summer, but there’s also plenty of skiing and winter sports in the area.

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in the world – from the many canals to world-famous museums, it should be at the top of the list for any traveler to Europe.  Its official name is Kingdom of the Netherlands which also has in control its overseas islands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.  Only the central part of the Netherlands is called “Holland.”

No trip to Germany would be complete without visiting the romantic city of Heidelberg. You should take 2-3 days and enjoy the sights. The nearest airport is Frankfurt which is about 45 miles away and well worth the side trip. Stop by the Rail Station or Tourist Information Office and purchase a Heidelberg Card. You can get a 2 day Pass for around 10 Euros which will include the Castle, 12 museums, public transportation, a walking tour of Old  Town, a City guide and additional discounts.