Guia Lighthouse Cultural Heritage Saved
On April 16, 2008, the Macau government finally issued a regulation to protect the view of Guia Lighthouse, a UNESCO world heritage site. After months of public pressure, UN pressure on China, and China's pressure on Macau, all buildings underneath the Guia Lighthouse from Macau Fisherman's Wharf to the Tap Seac Square will be restricted […]

Curling Anyone? Unique Connecticut Bed and Breakfast Getaway
I have to admit, I don't know much about the Northern European sport of Curling - but it's something that draws and holds my interest whenever the Winter Olympics roll around. What exactly is the object of this game, and why do I get so excited when the slidey-things (I later learned these were called […]

I have to admit, I don't know much about the Northern European sport of Curling - but it's something that draws and holds my interest whenever the Winter Olympics roll around. What exactly is the object of this game, and why do I get so excited when the slidey-things (I later learned these were called "stones") bash into each other? I think I'm going to have to plan a little getaway to Norfolk, CT to find out.

Of course you're asking yourselves, "Why Norfolk, CT?" Well it has it's very own Curling Club - with lessons and something exciting called a "Bonspiel." Further research reveals that a "Bonspiel" is a Curling Tournament.  Any sport with it's own secret language that doesn't cause muscle cramps and perspiration is the sport for me.

I have no idea how the scoring is done though - but apparently knocking the opponent's "stone" out of the bullseye or "house" is a good thing. Curling is thought to have originated in Scotland sometime between 1520 and 1550 - the first club in North America was founded in Montreal in 1807 - who knew this odd but exciting sport was so ancient! They describe it as chess on ice, but I think it's more like shuffleboard on ice with bigger pucks!

Norfolk isn't only about Curling, I was intrigued so I searched out some more information on the area.  It seems that there are lots of cool things to see and do in Norfolk. Romantic sleigh rides in the summer or hay rides in the winter (bring your allergy meds for that one.)  There are a ton of antique shops and a local historical society. Visit an authentic Shaker Village or have tea in the Harney & Sons Tea Room.

In the summer time you can enjoy a relaxing horseback ride through the Berkshires and a visit to one of the area Golf Courses - stay in a bed and breakfast that offers Spa services and relax with an in-room massage. I found a new neat places online - the Manor House offers a unique Connecticut bed and breakfast experience.

So on your next trip to New England, consider learning something about an ancient sport and taking in some historic culture.

Mont Tremblant - A Resort for All Seasons
Imagine a forested valley surrounded by awesome mountain scenery. Add some sparkling lakes, clear streams teaming with fish, a variety of unique golf courses and a world class ski mountain and you have Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. This Laurentian Mountain resort is one of those rare places where all four seasons allow visitors to realize their […]

Imagine a forested valley surrounded by awesome mountain scenery. Add some sparkling lakes, clear streams teaming with fish, a variety of unique golf courses and a world class ski mountain and you have Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.

This Laurentian Mountain resort is one of those rare places where all four seasons allow visitors to realize their vacation dreams. In the winter, it offers not just alpine skiing, but ice skating, sledding, ski touring, snowshowing and comaraderie around blazing bonfires - all in the fairytale setting of a winter wonderland.

While the other three seasons can surprise you with just about any kind of weather, you will not be at a loss for things to do. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing and golf are some of the most popular activities in the Spring and Fall.

Summertime brings out the swimmers, windsurfers and boaters, as well as those seeking to enjoy a huge variety of wildflowers, birds, butterflies and mushrooms.

Canada may seem like a world away, but Mont Tremblant can be reached by direct flights from several major US cities and the area is just a 1-2 hour drive from Quebec and Montreal.

Pole, Pedal and Paddle Bend Oregon
Bend Oregon's Pole Pedal Paddle is a gnarly twist on the triathathon. This race is a six-legged relay requiring a different skill for each portion. Beginning on Mt Bachelor, the racers charge uphill in ski boots where they don skis and beeline to the bottom. Then, they switch to cross country skis for 8 kilometers, speed […]

Bend Oregon's Pole Pedal Paddle is a gnarly twist on the triathathon. This race is a six-legged relay requiring a different skill for each portion. Beginning on Mt Bachelor, the racers charge uphill in ski boots where they don skis and beeline to the bottom.

Then, they switch to cross country skis for 8 kilometers, speed downhill on two wheels for 32k into Bend and run a 10K. Just about anything that floats can be used for the upstream, downstream, upstream, downstream river leg, but canoes and kayaks are the vessels of choice. Then, there's a .5k sprint to the finish.

While some individuals complete the entire race alone, many more tackle a leg or two or three as part of a team. The 9 cash prizes, totalling $3500, attract quite a crowd. Support crews and fans party all day at the riverfront amphitheater finishline.

2007's event is on May 19. Register online by May 9th.