Stories from travels in

Americas

Balls and broomsticks

When I think of Cambridge, I think of earnest young brains who are preparing themselves to lead the world in their various fields and fancies.

Brains, butts, and boats

People wonder why so many smart people come out of Harvard. It’s not rocket science, says Edward de Bono, it’s because so many smart people

Tea parties and hookers

I’ve been to Boston a few times but I must have spent most of that time hanging out in pubs, as I have little recollection

Salem, MA: Of witches and wizards

There was a stage in my life when I would drive the length and breadth of Ireland to see a fortune teller. I was fascinated,

Live free or die

I’ve never quite known what to make of New Hampshire’s state motto but have concluded, on my own, without asking anyone, not even Google, that

One tree too many in Maine?

Em…. how many states make up New England again? Maine? And? I can’t believe I had to ask that question. I suppose I didn’t HAVE

Las Vegas

I’ve often wondered how Las Vegas came to be Las Vegas. What attracted all those casino magnates to the city? What prompted the glitz and

A hole in the ground

Why, I asked. Why would you want to see the Grand Canyon – it’s just a massive hole in the ground. That said, I did

From boomtown to the boonies

I can’t get a handle on GPS. Being a moving blue dot on a screen just doesn’t do it for me. That annoying turn left,

Getting from A to B

Someone commented once that all too often we are so preoccupied with the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey. We’re so focused on