October 14, 2005
Las Vegas Culture
The Las Vegas Symphony resides in Artemus W.Ham Concert Hall. I hold season tickets to the symphony and have been amazed and delighted with the professionalism and musical selection of the conductor. The stage is always festooned with foliage and seasonal flowers adding to the ambiance of the concert hall.
Judy Bayley theatre on the UNLV campus hosts the Nevada Ballet and some of the larger plays. It is located directly across from Artemus Ham Concert Hall.
My favorite theatre venue is the Black Box Theatre. This is a small intimate theatre that seats 180. The performances I have been to are always wonderful and I feel like I have the luxury of sitting almost on top of the stage during performances.
If you plan on visiting any of these venues you may want to come early and explore the Lied Library. This is one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen; not only is the entire library done in art deco style but the full length windows on floors 3-5 on the north side of the library have an outstanding view of the strip.
SoGoNow.com by: Kellie Archuletta on: 5:32 PM | What do you think? (3)
October 13, 2005
Senior Adventure Weekend
By Ron Kapon
It is the start of the summer season and I am invited to a wedding in the Finger Lakes wine country of upstate New York (also the ceremony takes place at a winery). This 70 year old former athlete runs the wine program at a university, writes about 40 wine and travel articles a year and co-directs the largest wine education club in the New York area. So you might assume this is another wine story, but you would be wrong.
It was a pleasant four plus hour drive through New Jersey and Pennsylvania and back into New York through Binghamton and Elmira to Horseheads. My home for two nights was the Country Inn & Suites, the headquarter hotel for the wedding party; large rooms, free breakfast, a pool and fitness room. While not fancy, it is made pleasant by Jennifer Morse, the assistant general manager, who gave me directions, maps, cookies and even let me use her computer- and the price was quite reasonable.
Open my bag, change clothes and rush to the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, a few miles away at the Elmira/Corning regional airport. Formerly known as the National Warplane Museum it has 36 aircraft on display from B17 Flying Fortress, Catalina Flying Boat, Grumman F14 Tomcat, MIG Russian fighter, A10 Warhog, helicopters, gliders and more. Watch as volunteers restore warplanes to flying condition. There are display cases showing planes from World War I through Operation Dessert Storm, as well as a theatre, library and gift shop. There are advantages to being a journalist as I got comped a 15 minute ride on an AT6 Pearl Harbor survivor Navy plane with US Air pilot Mike Baier at the controls. They recently added a hands-on children's Science & Discovery Center to the museum. After I left a group of cub scouts were spending the night in the museum.
Next day it was the magic of silent flight at the National Soaring Museum, home to the largest collection of gliders and sailplanes in the world (70). Located 10 minutes from my hotel in Horseheads, it was the site of the first US National Soaring contest in 1930. I was lucky enough to get a sailplane ride with Director of Operation Norm Smith's son Ryan. I thought my readers would like to hear from Ryan. "When I was eleven I went to the five day Eileen Collins Aviation Camp in Elmira organized by the National Soaring Museum. Space Shuttle Astronaut Collins led us on aviation related trips. One of the activities was a ride on a sailplane, at the Harris Hill Soaring Club located next to the museum. I noticed several teenagers doing the grunt work of pushing the gliders to and from the flight line and hooking them up to the tow planes. I found out they were learning to fly sailplanes in return for their work. That is what I did when I turned 14 and three years later I am a licensed commercial glider and private single engine land airplane pilot. It took me one year to solo, and another to become a licensed glider pilot; then I started my first lesson in a powered airplane. In August 2004 at age 17 I have not earned my driver's license but I am a real, honest to god airplane pilot. I have come full circle since I now do much of the technical instruction during the current Eileen Collins Aviation Camp. The Harris Hill Soaring Club Junior Program is the largest in the US with 37 members under 18 years of age".
My weekend adventure continued at Watkins Glen International (the first post-WWII road race in the US started here in 1948) located 1/2 hour from my hotel, where I was able to ride in a pace car for 5 laps around the track with Brett Powell the tracks marketing coordinator. Besides NASCAR & Indy Car racing that may draw over 150,000 spectators, they host the Finger Lakes Wine Festival (sponsored by the Corning Museum of Glass) every mid-July. There are new grandstands with seatbacks, a private club and plenty of room for RV's and campers.
What I didn't get to see: Corning Museum of Glass- www.cmog.org
Rockwell Museum of Western Art (Corning)- www.rockwellmuseum.org
Cornell University (Ithaca)- www.cornell.edu
Glenn Curtiss Museum (Hammondsport)- www.linkny.com/curtissmuseum
Finger Lakes Wineries -www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com
More Info- www.schuylerny.com -Schuyler County CVB
www.chemungchamber.org -Chemung County Chamber of Commerce
www.Ilovenyc.com -I Love New York
www.corningfingerlakes.com -Corning/Finger Lakes CVB
www.countryinns.com -Country Inn & Suites
www.wingsofeagles.com -Wings of Eagles Discovery Center
www.soaringmuseum.org -National Soaring Museum
www.harrishillsoaring.org -Harris Hill Soaring Club
www.theglen.com -Watkins Glen International
www.flwinefest.com -Finger Lakes Wine Festival
SoGoNow.com by: Ron Kapon on: 5:41 PM
Venice's elegant Bauer and boutique 18th-century Il Palazzo: Luxury on the Grand Canal in world-class stylish hotels
By Lucy Komisar
Sitting on the "Bar Canale" terrace for breakfast, gazing at the 17th century Church of Santa Maria della Salute across the Grand Canal, I could imagine the lazy mornings of the Venice nobles who once owned the Bauer Il Palazzo. They might have finished their coffees and walked the five minutes to the Palace of the Doges, where government business was carried out. They or their servants might have stepped into a gondola to travel quickly to the
By a century later, in 1880, this elegant building was a hotel, reputed for thermal treatments with the water from the canal. Patrons could take it in their rooms for sea bath treatments. Arnaldo Bennati, a Genoan shipping tycoon, bought the palazzo in 1930. In the 1940s, he added an original 17th century gothic-Byzantine style façade and a modern addition, The Bauer. That is where we stayed for a magical two days- in a room with a terrace from which we could see and almost touch the buildings of San Marcos Square.
The newer building, fronting on the Campo San Moise, has a facade typical of the forties and was quite controversial when it was built, with the design ordered by
I got a tour of the Bauer and the Palazzo from Bennati's granddaughter, Francesca Bortolotti Possati, who became CEO in 1997. She returned to live in 
Inside the hotels, the results of her sensibilities are evident. The Palazzo rooms have marble floors, silk brocade walls, gilded furniture and other antiques. The chandeliers are of hand-blown Murano glass. Visiting the 7th-floor Settimo Cielo (Seventh Heaven) terrace restaurant, we passed a hallway with silk wall covering in a Chinese dog pattern, tapestries in red, green and gold, and lamps from Murano. Talking to Signora Bartolotti Possati on the terrace, I could see the Church of Santa Maria della Salute in the background. Room balconies also overlook the
Francesca Bortolotti Possati is a hands-on executive, conferring with her managers throughout the day. But weekends, she drives northeast to the family vineyard and dairy farm. The vineyard in Collio,
This fashionable place is popular with the people who run the Biennale, the international festival that 
draws the world's top artists and performers in June. Signora Bortolotti Possati described it as "three days of turmoil" in which the Bauer and Palazzo host parties, receptions, and art exhibits. This summer, the Settimo Cielo terrace was chosen for the Biennale opening dinner, attended by the president and prime minister of
Signora Bortolotti Possati is concerned about the artistic preservation of the city, which is endangered by flooding, and she serves on the board of Save Venice, an American non-profit restoration organization. "At San Marco and the
One of those lectures could tell the history of the
Hotel Bauer
San Marco 1459
30124
http://www.bauervenezia.com
San Marco 1413/d
30124
http://www.ilpalazzovenezia.com
Tel 39 041 520 7022
Fax: 39 041 520 7557
Reservations: 39 041 2406841/08
(to call
Member The Leading Hotels of the World
info@bauervenezia.com
booking@bauervenezia.com
The Bauer has 97 rooms and 18 suites. Bed and breakfast starts at EUR 240 ($298) plus 10% tax, depending on the season.
The Casa Nova, opened in April as an extension of the Bauer, is a converted 16th-century building whose rooms feature kitchenettes.
The Palazzo has 35 rooms and 40 suites. Rooms from EUR 290 ($360) plus 10% tax, depending on the season.
Water taxis from the train station arrive at the Bauer or Palazzo entrances in 15 minutes. The closest vaporetto stop is San Marco Vallaresso, line 1 (45 minutes) or 82. The hotel will pick up luggage there from clients who provide train arrival times.
Getting there: The best way to get to
We had Eurail passes from RailEurope, which allowed us to hop on the train from
Our Eurail pass allowed 15 days of travel within two months all over
Photos by Lucy Komisar
SoGoNow.com by: Guest Author on: 5:21 PM | What do you think? (1)
October 12, 2005
Rock and Roll is Here to Stay: Walking And Singing In Cleveland
By Ron Kapon
It has been 40 years since I was last in Cleveland and at that time I couldn't wait to leave, but I guess the same could have been said for most large cities and their downtowns. I came for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but would have left my long weekend a happy camper even if I had not spent a half a day at the temple of rock & roll.
Who knew that in one hour Continental could take me from New York City to Cleveland, a town of 500,000 (with over 10 million visitors) that used to be called "The mistake by the lake." Remember Dennis Kucinich the 30 something mayor who almost bankrupted the city (a more mature Dennis was a candidate for President during the recent Democratic primary).
The city has opened its arms to the art world big time (I shall digress later on). The Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers & Cleveland Indians are all playing in new stadiums, downtown, almost touching Lake Erie, and all accessible by public transportation.
Those of us living in New York are debating the building of a new downtown stadium for the Jets football team, but Cleveland has solved the transportation problem we New Yorkers dread. Take a train from the airport to Tower City Center and shop, eat and walk through a skyway to Gund Arena (basketball & concerts) and Jacobs Field (baseball). Browns Stadium (football) is but a few minutes away along Lake Erie and is also reachable by subway.
It was the early summer, so the weather was fine, but where was the traffic? There are more cars in my neighborhood at 3AM than I saw the entire time I was in Cleveland. My home for three nights was the one year old Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center located on the grounds of the Cleveland Clinic and connected by a skyway.
I knew about the Mayo Clinic, but US News & World Reports survey rated Cleveland "One of the best hospitals in America." In 1921 the Cleveland Clinic, influenced by the Mayo Clinic, opened its doors. Today their Heart Center is rated #1; Urology and Digestive Disorders #2. Between the hotel and the clinic there are over 150 pieces of artwork displayed, all for sale.
As you enter the hotel lobby and look down you see a 38 foot by 16 foot oval stone mural based on an old-world map dating back to 1630AD. The two hemispheres show the world as it was known at the time. The clinic management believes art is soothing and helps the patients and their families relax.
With over 850 doctors in 14 hospitals, and over 10,000 employees, the clinic is the largest employer in Cleveland. I visited, but did not eat in Classics, the Five Star restaurant opened in June 2003 with over 1,000 wines on their list. There are 10,000 bottles in warehouse storage and another 3,900 bottles in the hotel wine room. By the time you read this, Sommelier Manuel Nieves from Classics will probably have passed his Master Sommelier test.
Cleveland is a city of neighborhoods, each with a story to tell. It is also known as the "city of bridges with over 100 connecting the Cuyahoga River. Cleveland has done more for art and culture than any other similarly sized city in the United States. I was here to see those neighborhoods and visit most of the cultural institutions.
Cleveland is a "happening" city with abandoned buildings being renovated into apartments, especially near Lake Erie and along the river. The drug dealers and prostitutes are gone and in their place are vibrant communities. For an overview of the city I took the two hour Lolly the Trolley tour ($15) which wetted my appetite for the next two day walking and public transportation view. This is a very easy city to get around with almost everything I visited within a few miles of each other.
Let's start downtown along Euclid Avenue and the $325 million urban renewal project to be finished in 2006. New sidewalks, lighting, shops, restaurants (I tried XO for lunch and their large Cognac selection). The Playhouse Square District along Euclid has five theatres for Broadway touring shows, ballet and concerts.
Guitar Mania is a benefit for the United Way & the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with companies sponsoring artists who designed the 90 ten foot Fender Stratocaster guitars and the city placed them everywhere around town (remember the cows & bulls). In 2003 over $1 million was raised. Street Beats "Sparx in the City" program was another downtown innovation with artists and performers stimulating street life.
From Friday lunch to early evenings and Saturday all evening from June 4th to September 18th the downtown "entertainment ambassadors" perform both outside and inside; and they are paid for their performances. Also downtown, fire hydrants and empty store fronts and windows are decorated by local artists. Staying downtown, the Arcade was built in 1890 and now houses a hotel and shops.
The Colonial Marketplace is an arts incubator of mostly art galleries. I walked through the construction site of House of Blues on 4th Street which should be open by the time you read this story. And speaking of concerts, once a year in Public Square, the Cleveland Orchestra, one of the top three in the world, performs a free outdoor concert that draws over 80,000 in front of the Terminal Tower at the heart of downtown.
Moving from downtown to Lake Erie I marveled at the redevelopment there with concert & entertainment venues, an ice rink, and promenade, retail and housing renewals. All near the Waterfront Transit Line, part of the Regional Transit Authority with the Red, Blue & Green lines crisscrossing the city from the airport to inner ring suburbs.
The Flats area along the riverfront is being redeveloped into clubs and restaurants. The old steel and iron ore industries have closed and the workers left town, leaving very large factories to be renovated. The Tremont District is about a mile from downtown with new cafes and art galleries opening every week. The second Friday of every month is the Tremont Art Walk. Perfect timing for me as the galleries had open house with snacks and wine.
Tremont epitomizes Cleveland's immigrant story. It is the home of the spires and onion domes of twenty-five churches and numerous ethnic social halls. There are also free concerts nearby at the Lincoln Park gazebo. I then stopped at Tower Press directly across from the Cleveland Plain Dealer (where I had lunch and toured the newsroom). The building has been completely renovated and space is rented, at below market rate, to artists for their studios and/or living quarters, after a panel has determined their eligibility.
My visit was timed to coincide with the annual Parade the Circle Arts & Cultural Festival, but before that I had breakfast at the Westside Market, the nation's oldest indoor market (1912). Every Saturday during the summer, across the street from Westside is Market Square, the only urban outdoor market in the city.
The parade is a 1 1/2 hour community art event featuring a Carnevale atmosphere with live music and dance entertainment, delectable dishes from area restaurants and dozens of interactive activities, all within walking distance of my hotel. None of the floats can have motors; it is all foot power.
Local authorities estimate over 50,000 visitors were attracted to the University Circle area for the parade. I had time before the parade to visit the cultural institutions within a few blocks of each other on the circle. The Cleveland Museum of art always has a free admission policy; The Botanical Garden & Glasshouse recreates the Costa Rican & Madagascar flora and fauna; Severance Hall is where The Cleveland Orchestra performs; The Museum of Natural History features Lucy a 3.2 million year old dinosaur; Western Reserve Historical Society includes the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum with over 200 aircraft, bikes and automobiles.
A few minutes from Browns Stadium was the Great Lakes Science Center which I unfortunately did not visit because I wanted to spend my last morning at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum next door. Built by I.M. Pei this 150,000 square foot building was opened in 1995 as the world's first museum dedicated to the living heritage of rock and roll music. In 1986 Cleveland beat out New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Nashville and Memphis as the choice for the museum. I learned that famed disk jockey Alan Freed started his career here in the early 1950's playing Rhythm and Blues and coined the term Rock & Roll. In March of 1952 at the old Cleveland Arena he held the first Rock & Roll concert called the Moon Dog Coronation Ball.
This 6 level building was easy for me to navigate with the lower floors the widest and leading to the circular top floors where rotating exhibits are housed including the Les Paul Guitar Collection, Mary Wilson of the Supremes and Jim Hendrix exhibits. There are interactive screens and musical selections including the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll" and biographical and historical information on more than 500 performers.
The 50 Years of Rock & Roll exhibit included artifacts from artists including Madonna, Tina Turner and The Who. There is a recreation of Alan Freed's radio studio where visiting DJ's broadcast remote programs to their audiences. There are four theatres including The Hall of Fame where a 50 minute multimedia production combines film footage, music interviews and photography to tell the stories of all the Hall of Fame inductees.
Directly outside that venue is a 12 minute film with highlights of past induction ceremonies. A performer is eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. There are also categories for sidemen, early influences artists and non-performers (songwriters, producers, disk jockeys, record executives etc). Presently there are 210 members in the Hall of Fame.
I hope you were able to appreciate Cleveland from reading this as much as I loved living it ... but I doubt that is possible. So what is stopping you- GO NOW!
For more information-
Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland
50 Public Square, 3100 Terminal Tower
Cleveland, OH 44113-2290
www.travelcleveland.com
E-mail: cvb@travelcleveland.com
(800) 321-1004
Other www sites to explore:
www.greatscience.com
www.clevelandart.org
www.cmnh.org
www.wrhs.org
www.clevelandorchestra.com
www.cbgarden.org
www.cleveland.interconti.com
www.clevelandclinic.org
www.rockhall.com
SoGoNow.com by: Ron Kapon on: 4:52 PM
October 10, 2005
Key to a Successful Colorado: Family Ski Vacation - Keystone
By Watching my ten-year-old daughter bungee bounce was not an anticipated ski vacation activity. But Keystone is one of several ski resorts in the Front Range of Colorado's Rockies within two hour's drive of From our beautifully decorated, mountain themed two-bedroom, two bath condo, we could walk through the resort village, with skis in hand, to Keystone's gondola for a day of skiing this 1,861-acre ski area. We actually all agreed (a rarity)on the NASTAR race, which is usually $8 per person- but free with our Passport. We converted our freebie into Gold with our gung ho runs, my ten-year-old son beat me- ah the rewards of parenting. The race was a fun perk and the kids treasure their medals as Keystone keepsakes. We could have opted for a sleigh ride, skating, cross country skiing, a ski boot fitting consultation, wine tasting, and the offerings go on. Keystone is comprised of three mountains, a tame front side offering dozens of pleasant crusiers, North Peak with more challenging terrain, and the Outpost where you find steeps and glades or you can access backcountry bowl skiing (for those up for a little hike). We loved the Outpost area, and the views from this peak over to sister resort Breckenridge are phenomenal. Your Keystone lift ticket is good from 8:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.,so that ought to satisfy the vertical fanatics in your family. With such an entertaining base village, I had no need for night skiing. Walking the village, browsing the shops, and scooping out the best dinner spots are favored apres ski activities. While our daughter bounced on the bungee apparatus, my husband and I enjoyed a drink by the open campfire in the Village plaza listening to a live band playing some great "oldies." Our son was eager to hit the outdoor heated pool, where he made some new friends his age. A genius marketing program at all Vail resorts, which includes Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and During our week we earned enough Peaks credit for a romantic dinner at the charming Ski Tips Lodge (well, fifty dollars towards dinner), while our kids had their own kids night out free of charge and free of parents. Since our Peaks tickets were interchangeable at five resorts, we took a day to drive to nearby family-friendly Breckenridge to explore the 2,208-acres of skiing there. And we skied one afternoon at the more hard-core above tree-line terrain of A-Basin (that is local speak for Keystone is an impressive resort on its own, plus its convenient to many of Information on Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek resorts is available at http://www.snow.com/ Images by Greg Burke, NASJA photographer
there I was looking 50-feet up in the air at my little girl flying above the Keystone condominium village. When we arrived at this wonderful 
A bonus with our lodging package at Keystone was the Mountain Passport we received. Each member of our family was entitled to a choice of activities from a long list of fun. 
Beaver Creek, is the Peaks lift card. Our multi-day ticket was good for skiing at all these mountains, and the pass also serves as an on-mountain charge card. We could swipe our cards for hot cocoas and lunches, and earn points while doing so.
All of these ski resorts, plus legendary Vail and Beaver Creek, are fantastic and worth visiting, and it is incredible that you can ski them all on one ticket.
SoGoNow.com by: Heather Burke on: 10:20 PM
One if by Land, Two if by Sea Baltimore by Foot & Water Taxi
By Ron Kapon
The Metroliner from New York City's Penn Station to Baltimore was empty on this Sunday morning. Using Amtrak's high speed Acela, I reached "Charm City," in 2 1/2 hours, and with the Acela return trip, the total cost was $240. A short taxi ride brought me to the brand new (February 2001 opening) Marriott Waterfront Hotel in the Inner Harbor East section within 15 minutes.
I attacked the city by checking the 22 sites I wanted to see. Unfortunately, many museums were closed on Monday. I plotted my visit using MTA light rail, Metro Subway and bus, as well as Ed Kane's water taxi. There is even a night baseball boat that runs for 30 minutes after the game. Dozens of money-saving offers for restaurants, pubs, shops and attractions are given to each adult ticket holder.
My first stop, after unpacking, was the Baltimore Historical Society's Civil War Museum located one block from my hotel. Along with lots of other information, I learned that the first casualty of the Civil War took place in Baltimore.
Sunday crowds were everywhere as I walked to the Inner Harbor area via the Brick Promenade. After a quick lunch at one of the food stands in the Light Street Pavilion of Harbor Place (75 shops and eateries), I checked out the 125 shops at Harbor Place. Then it was off to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine by water taxi and jitney bus. It is the birthplace of our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. Entry to the grounds, visitor's center and movie is free. There is a $5 charge to enter the inner fort and barracks.
The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the ships of the Baltimore Maritime Museum ($6) docked at the National Historic Seaport. The lightship Chesapeake marked the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay for over 29 years. The US Submarine Torsk sank the last enemy vessel of World War II. The US Coast Guard Cutter Taney is the last surviving ship from the attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Constellation ($6.50) is docked right by Harbor Place. It is the only surviving Civil War era naval vessel and the last all-sail warship built by the US Navy. The visiting Argentinean naval training ship Libertad was open for free tours.
To round out my first day, I went to the 27th Floor observation deck of the World Trade Center for a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, followed by a wonderful fresh seafood dinner at McCormick & Schick's This fine restaurant is located next to the "Seven Foot" Lighthouse, built in 1856 and only a 5-minute walk from my hotel.
On Monday, I arrived at the National Aquarium of Baltimore ($15) just as it opened to avoid the later crowds. There was a new Seahorse exhibit and a display about the Amazon River Forest, plus a Dolphin show and 14,000 fish and mammals. I then cabbed to the B&O Railroad Museum ($8), which would have been about a 20-block walk. It is the oldest railroad site in the Western Hemisphere and the birthplace of American railroading. There are over 150 locomotives and rolling stock.
After visiting the Babe Ruth House & Museum ($6), it was only a 10-minute walk to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. This is a new generation downtown ballpark made to look and feel like ballparks of the 1940's and 1950's. The 1-1/4 hour tour ($5) was fascinating. We were given behind-the-scene looks at luxury suites, TV control room and announcing booths, and sat in the Oriole dugout. Within walking distance is the home of the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens- PSI Net Stadium.
Next on this packed agenda was a short walk back to the Inner Harbor where a water taxi took me to the Fells Point District. This National Historic Area was established in 1730. I had lunch at the historic Admiral Fells Inn ($30) and walked around the pubs, boutiques, antique shops and 18th and 19th Century residences. Another water taxi ride and I was at the Old Power Plant and the world's first ESPN Zone. (Give the kids lots of money). The same building houses a gym, bookstore and café.
Dinner was a few blocks from my hotel at Aldo's in Little Italy. This is a family operation. Poppa is the chef; momma runs the front of the house; one son is the financial person and the other son Sergio is the sommelier. Sergio sat with me during dinner and gave me a tour of the wine cellar. The three-year-old restaurant just received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Its 365-bottle list is being increased so the restaurant can qualify for the second level- Grand Award of Excellence. What I most liked was the reasonable pricing, 1.8 times wholesale cost for Champagnes and 2.5 wholesale for all other wines.
Tuesday was Museum Day. The Maryland Science Center is in the Inner Harbor. Its $18 admission included the Imax Theatre and the Titanic exhibit. Another water taxi ride and I was at Port Discovery Museum ($11 adults- $8.50 kids). I paid the extra $12 to ride in the new Hi Flyer Tethered Helium Balloon ride, that reaches a height of 450 feet. Nearby was the Star Spangled Banner Flag House ($5) with its collection of lore about the War of 1812. This National Historic Landmark house was built in 1793. It was here that Mary Pickersgill sewed the American flag (30 feet by 42 feet) that flew over Fort McKenry during the attempted conquest of Baltimore by the British. This inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to the Star Spangled Banner. My last stop was the American Visionary Museum voted #4 museum in the US by Travel Holiday Magazine. It has original works created by intuitive, self-taught artists. There are works by the homeless, the undereducated and mentally ill patients.
Finally to Penn Station where I boarded the Acela for the trip back to New York. I may root for the Yankees and Giants, but in every other way I love Baltimore.
For further information- www.baltimore.org Baltimore Convention & Visitors Association- (800) 343- 3468
SoGoNow.com by: Ron Kapon on: 5:10 AM
