The Home of the Eccentric Recluse

I swear I could HEAR my daughter’s eyes roll back in her head when I suggested we stop by Emily Dickinson’s house after touring UMass Amherst. I explained that I feel personally responsible for supporting these types of museums. If old English majors don’t visit Emily’s home and other important literary sites such as the House of the 7 Gables and Poe’s grave, then, really, who will? She conceded, if I promised a sweatshirt in return. Deal.

I enjoy touring college campuses, at least I did, the first 4 or 5 times. After awhile they begin to blend, like Caribbean cruise ports. Since precious vacation days must be spent on this important teen/parent bonding activity, I long ago began to package the campus visit with an unrelated sightseeing adventure. The Emily Dickinson museum is the perfect detour if you’re spending the day at one of the schools that comprise the 5 College Consortium:  Amherst, UMass, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke or Smith.

Secrets of the Sweet 16 Revealed!

Plan on watching the games at your local bar? Bring along one or two of these “did you know” facts about the Sweet 16 to cheer up your buddies as their brackets implode.

By Sanjay Acharya via Wikimedia Commons

Wichita State – The original Pizza Hut was opened in Wichita in 1958 by two enterprising students. The name? They were told the restaurant looked like…well, you can guess the rest. The building was relocated to the campus from its downtown location and serves as an inspiration to undergrads:  ”if you build it, they will eat it.”

Play Ball! Let’s Eat!

© Garlic World 2013

In springtime a young woman’s fancy turns to baseball, for the love of stadium food (and the game, too). In today’s edition of Budget Travel magazine’s newsletter, Robert Firpo-Cappiello (Deputy Editor, Budget Travel) offers samples of the Best Ballpark Food in America. Included are my thoughts about San Francisco’s AT&T Park, home of the Giants. If you’d like to try to replicate the taste at home, Gilroy’s Garlic World offers its famous recipe here.

Headphone Tourist

If Elton John was the only artist you recognized during this year’s Grammy Awards, then it’s high time you tried on some new tunes. To assist you, NPR has compiled a 100-song playlist you can download until April 4th. Featured are the artists performing at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.

Ionian Islands: The Lowdown

SPONSORED POST: Rich in culture and charm, Ionian island holidays are a perfect opportunity to escape the toil of day-to-day life, in favor of sunnier climes that present beautiful landscapes to explore and relax in. Tucked away in the Mediterranean Sea, just off the coast of Greece, these lush, picturesque islands are a haven for anyone wanting to unwind and recharge their batteries, while an Ionian sailing holiday is one of the best yachting opportunities in the world.

Mediterranean Magic in Malta

SPONSORED POST:  What’s not to love about Malta? This lovely island, fringed by clusters of tiny castaway islands like its own Mediterranean solar system, is marooned out to sea off the south coast of Italy. Beach-lovers can’t get enough of its golden sands and gorgeous bays, surrounding the bubbly resorts of Mellieha Bay, Qawra, Bugibba and Sliema.

Calming a Rumbly Tumbly

Pooh had it easy.

When he got hungry, he set his sights on the nearest honey pot. I’m not so easily satisfied, particularly on the road, always prowling for THE MEAL, one that becomes symbolic of the trip itself. It borders on OCD and bothers my family to no end, particularly my youngest, who would choose Chili’s-any place, any time.