Category: Getting Ready

Seattle, WA: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books – Mercer Girls by Libbie Hawker, is a fictional story of a true account reflecting Asa Mercer’s delivery of mail-order brides to the men of the Seattle logging industry in the last 1800s. The late 1960s TV series, Here Come the Brides, was based on this account.

Getting There – Drive if you must, or FLY.

    • Drive: It’s a long haul from just about anywhere other than Portland.
    • Fly: My favorite airlines to Seattle are Southwest and Alaska.

Independence, CA: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books: “Farewell to Manzanar” by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & Jennifer Ideda

Getting There:  Drive. It’s about 4 hour drive from Los Angeles. As you drive there, just think about all the Japanese Americans during WWII who were transported here, forced to give up their homes and businesses, and not even knowing where they were going.

Las Vegas, NV: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books – Every time I turn around, I find ANOTHER great book about the city’s history and what’s still around:

Getting There – Drive, take a bus or fly.

    • Drive: It’s not far from Los Angeles. Just know that if you come back on Sunday, you WILL hit traffic.
    • Bus: Now a very hip and cool way to travel with free Wi-Fi, streamed entertainment, in-seat power outlets, comfortable seats, restrooms:
    • Fly: Either JSX or Southwest seem to be the most frequent and reasonably priced. I’m particular to JSX as you fly to and from a private hanger at the various airports and avoid the hassle of TSA.

New Orleans, LA: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books – Why New Orleans Matters by Tom Piazza (contributed to HBO series, “Treme”), is the first book I’ve read that reaches into both my heart and soul to express how I feel about this amazing city.

Getting There – Drive, train or fly.

    • Train: I’ve done Amtrak’s Jazz Blues & Rock-n-Roll Amtrak Journey, which was one of my most favorite experiences in my entire life!.
    • Fly: My favorite is Southwest, as long as you don’t mind a stop or two along the way. No luggage fees (1-2 checked bags and carry-on).