Hit the Road Travel Blog

Where do you want to go today?

2014-04-10T14:58:00.001-04:00

Cleveland and Cleveland Zoo

Australian Adventure at Cleveland Zoo
African Savanna at Cleveland Zoo

Places to visit in and around Cleveland, a general starting point, for specific places look below
Vermilion, a 'New England' town on Lake Erie
Kelleys Island and Marblehead Lighthouse, a wonderful summer getaway
Northern Trek in the Spring
Rain Forest at Cleveland Zoo
Click here to read more

Ohio

Stan Hywet Hall: An Old English Style Mansion in Akron
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio
Akron Zoo: There is only one inch between you and the tiger
Legends of the Wild
Tiger Valley
Asian Trail
Click here to read more

Midwest

Chicago, Illinois
Cathedral of Saint Paul and State Capitol in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Cowles Conservatory, Minnesota
Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Big Boy Steam Locomotive in Kenefick Park
Omaha Botanical Gardens

First ever pedestrian bridge to connect 2 states

Click here to read more

Northeast

Washington, D.C.: So Many Things to See, So Little Time
In New York City for 20 Hours
Niagara Falls, New York
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The City of Many Bridges
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia: The Birthplace of America
Click here to read more

Southeast

Key West
Sanibel Island
Disney World in Orlando
Shells of Honeymoon Island
Saint Petersburg
Clearwater
Miami Beach
South Beach
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West

Seaport Village in Downtown San Diego, California
Balboa Park, San Diego, California
San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California
Coronado, San Diego County, California
Downtown Seattle
Pike Place Public Market
Waterfront in Seattle
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Europe

Sofia, Bulgaria
Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
Frescoes in the main church of Rila Monastery
Tsarevets stronghold in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Monument of Founders of Second Bulgarian Empire in Veliko Tarnovo
Samovodska Charshiya Street in Old Town of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Click here to read more

Animal Mysteries: Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?

2012-01-15T11:04:00.004-05:00

NationalGeographic on Jan 12, 2012: Do cats always land on their feet? High-speed photography shows us the answer.

The Chicago River: 24 hours in 60 seconds (timelapse video)

2012-01-14T10:59:00.002-05:00

brunopier on Sep 1, 2009: "A weekend at the office seemed like a good opportunity to set up the camera over the Chicago River and try a little timelapse while I worked on a new business pitch. Shot from the 12th floor of the Leo Burnett Building, (35 W Wacker), from 8am on Sunday, August 30th, 2009, to 8am on Monday, August 31st. One hour = 2.5 seconds."

Fifty People, One Question, Location: Chicago

2012-01-13T10:57:00.000-05:00

Sep 9, 2011, Produced and Directed by Galvea Kelly from Ireland - www.brandnua.com

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (trailer), and the art of perfection

2012-01-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

From Magnolia Pictures YouTube channel: JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world's greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro's sushi bar.

The chef, Jiro Ono, has been recognised by the Japanese government as a living national treasure for his contributions to Japanese cuisine. Reservations for Sukiyabashi Jiro must be made up to a year in advance. The food writer Masuhiro Yamamoto once analogized Jiro's sushi to the finest jewelry.

For most of his life, Jiro has been mastering the art of making sushi, but even at his age he sees himself still striving for perfection, working from sunrise to well beyond sunset to taste every piece of fish; meticulously train his employees; and carefully mold and finesse the impeccable presentation of each sushi creation. At the heart of this story is Jiro's relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu, the worthy heir to Jiro's legacy, who is unable to live up to his full potential in his father's shadow.

The feature film debut of director David Gelb, JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is a thoughtful and elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection, chronicling Jiro's life as both an unparalleled success in the culinary world, and a loving yet complicated father.

References:

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (Official Movie Site)

Photos

Map of the new Illinois toll hikes

2011-12-28T12:41:00.002-05:00

Breaking down the toll hikes (map) from ChicagoTribune and Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (click to enlarge the image):

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

2011-12-26T21:51:00.000-05:00

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (album).

The entrance.

The Caribbean Reef exhibit was built in 1971. A feature of this exhibit is a diver that interacts with the animals while talking with the people.

The Abbott Oceanarium is split into two levels, above and below the waterline. Above the waterline, there are bleachers where guests can watch the aquatic show, while below the waterline, guests can see the Beluga Whales and Dolphins up close. Animals in the Oceanarium include Sea Otters, Sea Lions, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, and Beluga Whales.

The Wild Reef is located underground just off the main foyer. The largest habitat holds 400,000 gallons and several differant species of sharks. Other displays include live corals, a mangrove forest, and a re-created Filipino Fishing village.

The Chicago skyline viewed from the entrance.

References:

Shedd Aquarium. Wikipedia.

Art Institute of Chicago

2011-12-26T21:43:00.000-05:00

Art Institute of Chicago (album).

The impressionists collection.

The arms and armor collection.

Mexican and African art.

Ancient Egypt.

The basic level of membership cost $80 and includes 2 adults and their children under the age of 18.

The most cost-effective parking is probably at the East Monroe Garage ($14) (it closes for renovation in May 2011 for one year) (source: 1, 2).

References:

Art Institute of Chicago. Wikipedia.

Cancun, Mexico

2011-12-15T09:02:00.000-05:00

Cancun, Mexico

Quebec City in Canada

2011-12-01T17:50:00.000-05:00

Grosse Point Lighthouse in Evanston, Illinois

2011-11-30T17:50:00.000-05:00

Downtown Chicago

2011-11-29T17:49:00.000-05:00

Chicago Botanic Garden

2011-11-28T17:48:00.000-05:00

Gillson Park on Lake Michigan

2011-11-27T17:42:00.001-05:00

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Chicago, Illinois

2011-11-26T17:36:00.012-05:00

John Hancock Observatory
Art Institute of Chicago
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago (overview)
Chicago Botanic Garden during summer and early fall
Downtown Chicago
Lincoln Park Zoo
Grosse Point Lighthouse in Evanston, Illinois
"The Leaning Tower of Pisa" in Niles, Illinois
Gillson Park
House with flowers

Deer in the back yard

Chicago, Illinois

2011-11-26T17:36:00.003-05:00

John Hancock Observatory
Chicago, Illinois (overview)

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John Hancock Observatory in Chicago

2011-11-26T16:52:00.002-05:00

John Hancock Observatory at 875 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago is a 100-story, 1,127-foot (344 m) tall skyscraper. Here is how to plan you visit and to buy tickets. The waiting time for the elevators is 20 minutes on average, compared to more than 1 hour for Sears (Willis) Tower. The parking in the building costs $25. A CityPass, $76, saves you 50% when visiting top 5 Chicago attractions but is must be used within 9 days.

Lakeshore drive.

A view of Navy Pier.

A view of the tallest skyscraper in Chicago - formerly known as Sears Tower, now Willis Tower.

Lake Michigan.

A view from the open deck.

References:

John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center. Wikipedia.

Related reading:

Chicago Tower Smackdown: Willis Skydeck vs. Hancock Observatory

Not For Parents - travel books for kids by Lonely Planet

2011-11-24T08:12:00.000-05:00

Lonely Planet publishing house released their new ‘Not For Parents’ series – for budding travel lovers 8 and up.

The series includes The Travel Book – a visual journey through every country in the world – plus four city books that give the inside scoop on Paris, Rome, New York City, and London.

References:

Not For Parents – travel books for kids (and free ebook)

What a Dog Does When It's Cold (video)

2011-11-18T12:29:00.000-05:00

What a Dog Does When It's Cold (video)

Netflix: "My Mom's New Boyfriend"

2011-11-16T11:43:00.000-05:00

Available for streaming from Netflix: My Mom's New Boyfriend (film), 2008, 97 minutes.

My Mom's New Boyfriend is a 2008 romantic comedy film starring Colin Hanks, Antonio Banderas, Selma Blair, and Meg Ryan. Colin Hanks is the eldest son of actor Tom Hanks.

The action takes place in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Overall, this was a funny movie. Recommended.

References:

My Mom's New Boyfriend. Wikipedia.

One of history’s most accomplished underachievers? Leonardo da Vinci

2011-11-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

From the Economist:

Scientist, engineer, musician and great artist, Leonardo da Vinci is the archetypal Renaissance man. This undisputed genius, who lived to be 67, was also one of history’s most accomplished underachievers. He started many projects he did not finish; he accepted commissions he never began; his many planned treatises remained just notes. Only 18 of his paintings survive.

The artist was born near Florence in 1452 and went to Milan at the age of 30.

Intitally a painter, towards end of life he became a scientist. His works show a questing, never satisfied mind.

References:

Deciphering the da Vinci code. Economist.

Leonardo da Vinci: The man, the myth, the mystery. CNN.

Madrid's new face

2011-10-19T13:17:00.001-04:00

From Chicago Tribune:

Today's Madrid is modern sprawl surrounding an intact, easy-to-navigate historic core

Anyone can join the paseo. Even past midnight on a hot summer night, entire families with little kids are strolling, greeting neighbors and enjoying little beers and tapas in a series of bars. A favorite local snack is sauteed pig's ears.

Spain has a reputation for partying very late, not stopping until offices open in the morning. If you're people-watching early in the morning, it's hard to know who is finishing their day and who's just starting it

One reason people stay out late, especially in summer, is to escape the day's heat. During the summer, Rick Steves was assessing restaurants by the quality of their air-conditioning.

Attractions

- Retiro Park is a 300-acre green-and-breezy escape. Once the private domain of royalty, this majestic park has been a favorite of Madrid's commoners since King Charles III decided to share it with his subjects in the late 18th century. In its center is a big lake (El Estanque), where you can rent a rowboat.

- Royal Botanical Garden (Real Jardin Botanico), just south of the Prado

- Parque de la Montana

Throughout Europe, energetic governments are renewing green space and turning formerly car-congested wastelands into public spaces.

References:
Bit by bit, Madrid's new face emerges. Chicago Tribune.

The 10 most walkable U.S. cities

2011-10-04T11:21:00.002-04:00

New York is the most walkable city in the U.S., with many of its residents able to forgo owning a car or able to leave their cars behind when accessing neighborhood amenities from grocery stores to coffee shops

Following New York, which had a Walk Score of 85.3, the other most walkable large cities, in order, are:

San Francisco, 84.9
Boston, 79.2
Chicago, 74.3
Philadelphia, 74.1
Seattle, 73.7
Washington, D.C., 73.2
Miami, 72.5
Minneapolis, 69.3
Oakland, 68.2

10 least walkable cities:

Jacksonville, Fla.
Charlotte, 34.3
Oklahoma City, 35.6
Fort Worth, 36.1
Nashville, 36.4
Indianapolis, 37.4
El Paso, 37.8
Kansas City, 38.1
Memphis, 39.4
Louisville, 39.7

References:

The 10 most walkable U.S. cities. MarketWatch.

Aurora Borealis in Lapland (video)

2011-10-03T09:17:00.002-04:00

Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland 2011. This is selection of northern lights we filmed during the winter 2011 in several locations in the Finnish Lapland. It's filmed with DSLR cameras with timelapse technique and with remote pan/tilt heads.

Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland 2011 from Flatlight Films on Vimeo.

Low-sodium canned sardines from Amazon

2011-09-24T23:01:00.002-04:00

These sardines are relatively large, taste delicious, and are low in sodium. Crown Prince Natural Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Pure Olive Oil, 3.75-Ounce Cans, 12 cans for $25 with the Subscribe&Save option.

Nutrition info: Serving size: 1 can (99g), Total Fat 12g (19%), Saturated Fat 2.5g (12%), Cholesterol 15mg (5%),
Sodium 280mg (12%),

Since 1948, Crown Prince Inc. has provided the canned seafood. It is an American family-owned business, managed by three generations of the Hoffman family.

"Sardines boast a delicate flavor and firm texture. All varieties are lightly oak-smoked and hand packed in pure olive oil, spring water or tangy mustard. Just one can provide about one-third of the protein needed every day."

Related:

Sardines in Douarnenez, France - chicagotribune.com http://goo.gl/pfD9b
Sardines' tough life: eaten by a whale, sea lions and the one that thought it had got away is speared by a marlin. Daily Mail photos, 2011.