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Happy Halloween from Salem, Massachusetts

TripCart — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:07:05 +0000

Yes, that’s right. It’s that time of year again, and this year’s featured spooky spot is Salem, Massachusetts. What better way to celebrate the darkest day of the year than to walk in the footsteps of witchery and torture! Obviously, by now we know that the real atrocities were done by the witch hunters and not the “witches”, that the true horrors were the persecutors, not the persecutees.

Take some time to learn the REAL stories of these “witches” at the Witch History Museum in Salem. The witch hysteria peaked in 1692-1693. Over 150 people (mostly women) were arrested and accused of practicing witchcraft. About 20 people were finally convicted and executed. The only way out was to point a finger at someone else to take your place.

You can visit the Salem Village of 1692 when you enter the Witch Dungeon Museum. Chilling stories are told of the wrongful imprisonment and persecution of innocent people who were believed to be evil. You’ll learn who the real evildoers were….

Another compelling way to explore this chilling story is at the Salem Wax Museum. Experience Salem witch history through the medium of wax—see Colonel John Hawthorne, the merciless Witch Trials judge, and Tituba, one of the most famous “witches”. You’ll also see non-witch figures like Nathaniel Hawthorne (from the area) and the pirates of New England.

Happy Halloween, and remember that real witches may not be who you think they are…

Further Reading:

Political Orientation Month – Political sites in the U.S.

TripCart — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 22:02:19 +0000

It’s an exciting time in our nation with the upcoming presidential elections. I’ve heard this election called the most crucial ever—but don’t they say that every year? But with the crashing economy, Wall Street, the war in Iraq, gas and oil prices, Iran, terrorism, and increased healthcare problems, it really does become clear that CHANGE is in order. So wherever you think that change should come from, go out on Election Day and make your voice heard!

In preparation, we’d like to designate this time as U.S. Political Orientation Month. Now’s the time (if you haven’t already, of course) to get out there and start learning about the people and parties who formed this country and who keep it alive and running. Here are a few places in the U.S. that can help you orient yourself in U.S political affairs.

States are closing their doors for registration ANY DAY NOW…so register, educate yourselves, and VOTE!

Further Reading:

Best City Skylines and Architectural Museums

TripCart — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:35:49 +0000

I guess it should come as no surprise that the biggest cities have the best skylines. Generally speaking, the bigger the city, the bigger the downtown area, the bigger the business and industrial sector, the taller the buildings and the greater the view. Each of these cities has a rich historical architectural history—check them out, and enjoy the view! New York City, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Miami, Seattle, Washington, D.C.

There are a few museums that celebrate architectural history. We recommend these:

Further Reading:

Museums in San Francisco

TripCart — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:29:26 +0000

San Francisco is one of my most favorite cities in the world, culturally, historically, and geographically. And while the outdoor options in San Francisco are many and, in my opinion, the best options, because of frequent rain, it’s good to know where you can quickly duck inside for a few hours of dry before going back out and braving the weather. Here is a list of fantastic museums in the San Francisco Bay Area that provide exactly that (not that you can’t go in on a sunny day too…):

Stay dry!

Further Reading:

Dread going back to school? Try going back to an old Schoolhouse turned B&B!

TripCart — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:28:05 +0000

This is a new concept that I just came across on USA Today – the schoolhouse transformed to a Bed & Breakfast. Cute, right? Apparently, they’ve sprung up all over the country and provide quaint and comfortable accommodations for couples and families. So for now, forget Reading, Writing, and ‘Rithmetic, and start thinking Relaxation, Romance, and Retreat!

Noftsger Hill Inn B&B – Globe, Arizona
Car Manor – Cripple Creek, Colorado
Davie School Inn – Anna, Illinois
Chambery Inn – Lee, Massachusetts
School House B&B – Rocheport, Missouri
Washington School Inn – Park City, Utah
Old Schoolhouse B&B – Fort Davis, Texas
Barclay Cottage – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Lebanon Schoolhouse B&B – Cortez, Colorado
The Old Schoolhouse B&B – Waukau, Wisconsin

Back to school doesn’t need to be so bad after all!

Further Reading:

New York City Fall Foliage on a Tank of Gas

TripCart — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:07:47 +0000

For this weekend, its a bit early to any New York Fall Foliage. Even Peak Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks doesn’t happen till later in the month. You would enjoy the Fall Colors in Colorado or even New Mexico Fall Colors if you could get out there in time. Our advice – wait a few weeks for some good Fall Color in New York City, then plan to head out to Colorado when ski season kicks in.

Now, back to Fall Color in New York City – there is plenty of it – and in each borough’s parks. Get Medieval at the Cloisters. But you may want to get out of the city to the Catskills or Hudson Valley Fall Foliage Trips – under 2 hours from Manhattan. Or go west to the Poconos and ride antique trains and admire the bright reds and oranges of Pennsylvania fall foliage.

Visiting relatives on the Island? Check out the Fall Colors on Long Island while touring one of the historic mansions. Leave the Tank of Gas at home – take the LIRR and a bike.

And if you have a hybrid and want to include some of America’s best wineries in your long weekend – don’t miss Fall Foliage in the Finger Lakes. If you pick the right weekend, you will probably get a harvest festival or two to boot.

Further Reading:

Where NOT to go… 10 Most Hurricane Vulnerable Areas

TripCart — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:52:38 +0000

If anyone is going to endorse and encourage travel, it’s us. But as you know, safety always comes first, and sometimes, the advice would just have to be, “Maybe now’s not the best time to walk into a danger zone.” We’d also be the last ones to tell you to NEVER visit these amazing places—but as always, timing is everything.

Last year, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (a.k.a. Dr. Beach), director of the International Hurricane Research Center at Florida International University released the 10 Most Vulnerable US Mainland Areas to Hurricanes. Not a pretty list to be on, yet an important one to know about, especially nowadays as Hurricane Season takes over the news.

So again, obviously we’re not telling you to avoid Florida—after all, our grandparents certainly wouldn’t be happy with that; we’re just reminding you to check the weather before you decide to brave what could be a very large storm.

Further Reading: