An excerpt from You’re the Best: A Celebration of Friendship

Twenty years ago, my friend Sarah sent out an email to her college buddies to get together for a women’s weekend. Newly single with two young children, she wanted time with her friends. A smallish group showed up for support, and we’ve been meeting ever since. I couldn’t make that first meeting and missed a few others while living abroad, but my friends have always saved me a place.

Land of castles, fairytales, bratwurst, and beer, Germany is a destination hotspot for many travelers. While roaming the German countryside by train with nothing but a pair of boots and a backpack is an adventure that draws a growing number of high school graduates from overseas, not many consider taking a road trip instead. Why not? Germany is near legendary for its wonderful road systems, and taking a car allows you to enjoy an ease of exploration you won’t be able to experience by train. 

Aurora season is on!

This is incredible! From Stamnes and Vidbukt, Sortland, Vesterålen, Norway, Oct 2015

Florida Culture for the Week of October 26, 2015 by Josh Garrick

NOW to Oct 31 – Phantasmagoria VI – ‘The Darkness Returns’

In the past 11 months, Orlando has twice announced to the world that the city the world will always know as the vacation land home of DisneyWorld is ready to stand up and say, “We are MORE than a place to stay while you visit a theme park.” The first miracle event happened last November when, led by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, philanthropist Jim Pugh, and Executive Director Kathy Ramsberger, we opened the magnificently world-class Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.  

If you’ve ever wanted to know about volunteering when you travel but weren’t sure where to start, I have THE BOOK for you.  Author Amy E. Robertson has penned the best volunteering guide I’ve ever read: Moon Volunteer Vacations in Latin America. And while it focuses on Latin America, this book should be the first thing you pick up if you’re ready to learn about volunteer travel.

Oh, what a night! Last night, we headed to WMU's Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo to see the musical Jersey Boys. We came away singing, dancing, and pondering the vicissitudes of history. 

Ever find one of those restaurants you never want to leave? When we were recently in Columbus, Ohio, we drove around campus visiting Ed's old haunts from his college days, viewed some extraordinary art, stayed in a fine art boutique hotel, Le Meridien The Joseph, and had an extraordinary meal. While I love Columbus, I really want to curl up on the white leather couches at The Guild House, to eat well, work in a new "office," and never leave. 

Florida Culture for the Week of October 19, 2015 by Josh Garrick