Category: Travel Blog

Toward the end of summer, I travelled to San  Diego to present a paper at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Annual Conference. The conference was located at a beautiful hotel next to Seaport Village, a waterfront shopping and dining area with a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely stroll along the harbor. Also pictured here at the famous San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway and the amazing Petco Park, home of the Padres.

 

 

Sardinia is indeed known for its distinct culture and cuisine, which sets it apart from mainland Italy. It’s fascinating to explore the narrow streets and alleys of the old town, as they showcase the island’s rich history and charm. The traditional Sardinian dishes, such as Fregula with meat sauce, Spaghetti a la Vongole, and Pecorino cheese, are all popular and delicious choices. Sardinian cuisine often incorporates local ingredients and flavors, offering a unique twist on Italian dishes.

Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia, offers a variety of attractions and sites to explore. Here are some of the main ones:

Cagliari Old Town (Castello): This historic district is located on a hill and is characterized by narrow streets, medieval architecture, and panoramic views of the city and the sea. It’s a great place to wander around, visit the Cagliari Cathedral (Duomo di Cagliari), explore the old city walls, and enjoy the atmosphere of the ancient streets.

Bastione San Remy: This monumental staircase and terrace is part of the fortified walls of the Castello district. From here, you can enjoy stunning views of the city, harbor, and the Mediterranean Sea. The terrace often hosts cultural events and exhibitions.

Roman Amphitheatre: Located near the Castello district, the Roman Amphitheatre (Anfiteatro Romano) is a well-preserved archaeological site dating back to the 2nd century AD. It once hosted gladiator fights and other performances. Today, visitors can explore the ruins and learn about the city’s ancient history.

We finally made it to Ireland in May 2023. My wife, my parents and I enjoyed some great pubs from Dublin down to Kinsale. We visited The Temple Bar, The Auld Dubliner and Merchant’s Arch in Dublin, Kytellers Inn in Kilkenny, The Spaniard in Kinsale, and The Reg in Waterford.

The food at Merchant’s Arch, Kytellers Inn and The Reg were especially noteworthy. We now need to learn how to cook Pot Roast Chicken (The Reg).

 

In early March, we took a brief excursion to Washington, DC. Since we had recently become non-resident members of the Army and Navy Club, we wanted to pay the club a visit and stay for a few days. During our stay, we had the opportunity to tour the White House and Ford’s Theater, as well as a couple of the Smithsonian Museums. Our dining experiences included meals at the Army and Navy Club, our go-to spot Old Ebbitt Grill, as well as Off the Record Bar (Hay Adams Hotel) and Round Robin Bar (Willard Hotel). Washington DC has always been one of my favorite US cities.

The Old Ebbitt Grill is a historic restaurant located in Washington D.C. near the White House. It first opened its doors in 1856 and has been in operation continuously since then, making it one of the oldest restaurants in the city.

The restaurant is decorated with historic memorabilia, including political cartoons and photographs, which gives it a unique and nostalgic atmosphere. It’s said that Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding, and Theodore Roosevelt were all patrons of the restaurant during their time in office.

The Off the Record Bar is a popular bar located inside the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington D.C. The bar is known for its classic cocktails and upscale atmosphere, as well as its reputation as a spot for political insiders and journalists to gather and have off-the-record conversations.

The bar is decorated with political cartoons and caricatures, giving it a unique and quirky vibe. It’s often referred to as a “hidden gem” due to its discreet location and intimate setting.

The Round Robin Bar is a historic bar located inside the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington D.C. The bar has been a fixture in the city for over a century and is known for its classic cocktails, upscale ambiance, and famous clientele.

The Round Robin Bar has been frequented by numerous famous guests over the years, including politicians, diplomats, and celebrities. It’s said that President Abraham Lincoln used to frequent the bar during the Civil War and that the term “lobbyist” was coined in the bar’s early days when political advocates would wait in the lobby to talk to members of Congress who were also patrons of the bar.

 

 

 

Here are some travel shots for the working man journeys so far, hopefully 2023 will get back on track.

 

The vacation cabin near Asheville, NC was finally completed in 2022 and furniture moved in the fall. Just a few landscaping projects to complete in the new year.

The NC Vacation Cabin is nearly complete after over 1 year of construction process. The pandemic did not help supply chain issues, but now there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The cabin has a great view and wonderful location not far from Asheville, North Carolina and the Blueridge Parkway. Now just to stain the exterior and work on the landscaping.

We made a short trip in May 2021 to Lori’s (maiden name Hays) father’s ancestral home in West Virginia.  This beautiful white chapel was built on land given by the Hays family in 1889 and is named for Lori’s great, great, great, great grandmother Louisa Sexton Hays. Finally, the country and hopefully world is now opening up and we can travel once again.

 

In January 2020 I traveled a lot closer to home going to Tallahassee, Florida with other members of the Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2020.  For more than 30 years, Leadership Tampa Bay has promoted the prosperity and vitality of the Tampa Bay region, enlightening leaders to the importance of the area as a whole in the state of Florida. The mission of LTB Tampa Bay is to engage members with businesses and community leaders to enhance knowledge of regional assets and issues. The program is designed not only to identify regional strengths and build on them, but to delve into issues facing the region and explore ways to bridge differences.  For this trip, we attended meetings of the Florida House and Senate as well as briefings with a Florida Supreme Court Justice and other dignitaries affiliated with the political scene in Florida. We also had opportunities to dine at the University Center Club at the Doak Campbell Stadium at The Governor’s Club.