The Cost Less Traveled

Posted by golfkat on July 21, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Travel. Leave a comment

Like Robert Frost’s road less traveled, your travel costs can be reduced by three simple ways.  I always try to book direct, use alternative travel, and use my reward points and miles whenever possible.


Booking direct often yields a few nice surprises.  One would be better availability of room choices, discounts, and upgrades.  For instance, if you join Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott sends periodic upgrades to use with any reservation.  So, why not get that larger, quieter corner room, rather than the small, noisy room near the ice machine or elevator?  Most direct sites, like airlines, hotels, and excursions offer better cancellation or postponement options.


When I booked a non-refundable stay in Munich for the Oktoberfest (it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021), I was able to salvage the reservation.  I moved it forward another year, and though I had to pay the difference in price, I was able to keep the $500 stay for the next Oktoberfest.


Many of my flights to Europe, and within Europe were either credited, or rebooked with no additional costs.  Surprisingly, United has been great about this, as have many smaller European based airlines, like Ryan, Aegean, and Croatian Airlines.


Alternative travel is something I enjoy more than most travelers.  I love taking the train, having crossed the US on Amtrak several times.  I love the Eurail Pass, as well as Japan’s JR Pass for the bullet train (Shinkansen) and the Trans Siberian Railway across Russia.  Also, faced with having to retrace my flights back to Buenos Aires from Ushuaia, Mr. Mike and I opted for a 12 hour bus ride back to Chile.  With Uber and Lyft available, I rarely rent a car.


I have a dear friend, Katy, who lives on the road permanently.  She only flies when land options are not available.  I am sure she has seen and experienced life that most of us will never see or experience.  I envy her lifestyle.


Reward points are just one of life’s great bonuses, for free stays, upgrades, and discounts.  I use my airline points for upgrades to Biz or First Class.  I use my hotel points for stays when the price is high or the rooms in great demand (around a big event like the Super Bowl, Wimbledon or the World Series).  This works well for major holidays, as long as the room is booked well ahead.  And the hotel programs, like Hilton, Marriott, or IHG seem to always offer discounts.


Of course, word of mouth is often the best way to save.  When I left Athens for Santorini, I asked my driver for a good hotel in the best location.  He suggested the Hotel Byron in Plaka, where I got a room for about $300 for 6 nights!!!
And never underestimate the staff at hotels, for insights into tours, and sights to visit.  I made a customized wine tour through my hotel waiter in Santorini.  He doubles as a wine guide in the afternoon.  We put together a tour of three wineries, each offering something different, a new one, and old one, and an artsy one.


Bottom line, talk to people, be resourceful, and above all, do not be afraid to take a chance!!!

Can Travel Make You Happier?

Posted by golfkat on July 20, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel. 1 Comment

I answer this question in the affirmative, a big YES!


From Ann Jones of Shermans Travel:  A 2021 study in the journal of Tourism Analysis shows that frequent travelers are happier with their lives than people who don’t travel at all. The study results indicate that respondents attaching personal importance to tourism are more likely to gather travel-relevant information, therefore are more likely to go on vacations than those who are not often thinking about their next trip. It is also found that frequent travelers are more satisfied with their life.


I think about not only my next trip, but often into the next year!


Art Markman, Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas, explains that there is a growing body of evidence that shows purchases of experiences (like vacations) have a more lasting impact on people’s happiness than purchases of material goods. “The travel experience itself is often enjoyable. In addition, it increases the bonds among the people who go on the trip. Finally, vacations create happy memories that can also boost well-being in the future.” 

So, do you buy the $6000 bicycle or take the Trans Siberian Railway across Russia?
More from Markham:  

  • People often travel to cities or beautiful areas of the planet that allow them to see wonderful sights firsthand. The pictures and memories of those experiences can create lasting happiness.
  • Travel can bring family members together as well, which can create additional memories that are shared at later gatherings.

I love taking photos while on my trips and sharing them, along with daily emails to my friends and family.  Some of my best times are sharing stories with friends and family.


We know that planning a vacation can spark joy. Research shows that the anticipation of future travel can increase happiness–and this looks to have increased during a global pandemic. In a nutshell: There’s a newfound appreciation for travel. A new study from the Institute for Applied Positive Research found that booking travel generates happiness and can alleviate stress and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, 97% of survey respondents reported that having a trip planned makes them happier and that 74% of respondents reported that planning something would make them feel more in control amidst so much uncertainty. 

Yes, like most of you, I stayed home during the pandemic.  In fact, for over a year, I did not leave the county!!  But I continued to gather information for future trips, plan, and hope.  Hope is a wonderful thing, according to Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption.


Want to feel happier? Pack that suitcase and start planning–and then begin traveling. 

Since I have been vaccinated, I have been to Scottsdale for Spring Training and Washington, DC for the cherry blossom.  In May, I went to Poland, Germany and Greece.  Am I happier?  Yes, of course!!!

Famous Concert Halls

Posted by golfkat on July 15, 2021
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Music, Travel. 2 Comments

While I do not attend so many classical music concerts lately, I had enjoyed my visits to some of the world’s most famous concert halls.  These would include:  Royal Albert Hall in London, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, Wiener Musikverein in Vienna, the Bolshoi in Moscow, the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg, Carnegie Hall in NYC, Sydney Opera House, and the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.


In no particular order, here are a few of my thoughts and experiences.


My first real concert, other than the old San Francisco Opera House (before Davies Hall) was at Royal Albert Hall in London.  We had to queue around the building for hours ahead of the concert.  So, I found some friendly Aussies with beer and a deck of cards!  The performance, which was both long and tedious was the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) Symphony.  And since we had the “cheap” seats in the center of the Hall, we had to stand for the entire concert, except for intermission, when we sat on the floor!  Royal Albert (opened in 1871) is also where the Beatles first performed in London (1963), once they became famous.  Unknown to many, Muhammad Ali fought here three times, Sir Winston Churchill spoke here sixteen times, Albert Einstein campaigned for world peace in 1933, and opened by Queen Victoria in 1871 in memory of Prince Albert.


The Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg (opened in 1860) was a most curious event, since it featured a trombone solo.  Making this event even worse?  I attended a concert in Ann Arbor, MI by the University of Michigan band, also featuring a trombone solo, just a month before.  What are the odds?  And yes, trombone solos are ODD!


Nothing could be more eclectic than the concert by the “Lost and Found Band” at the famous Sydney Opera House (opened 1973).  Lost and found means they made musical instruments out of items found in the trash bins of Sydney.  But I think just being in the famous Opera House overshadowed the rather eclectic offerings of this true “garage” band.  Notable guests include:  Nelson Mandela, Michael Buble, Paul Robeson, and of course, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.


In Budapest, free concerts are offered on a regular basis.  Just collect a ticket for Liszt or Bartok during the day, and show up at 7pm that night.  Simple, right?  Not really, since most places in the central district don’t start serving dinner until 7 or 8pm.  After a delicious roast duck dinner, I walked into the State Opera House as an encore was being played!  What did we do?  Just headed to the nearest bar, and enjoyed ourselves.


Growing up as a kid, we always heard about Carnegie Hall.  It was and still is, the dream of aspiring musicians around the world to appear at Carnegie.  Just my luck it was being renovated on my last trip there.  What did I do?  I went instead to the famous Carnegie Deli and had a huge, corned beef sandwich!  Performances include:  Simon and Garfunkel, Dave Brubeck, Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys.


But the most curious of all concert halls is the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA.  I have been in several other Gehry designs, like the Seattle Music Experience Project (EMP), now called MoPop.  Most interior portions are very traditional, but the exteriors are always strange.  He even designed the Brain Center near downtown Las Vegas.  I think it looks like someone’s brain, after being scrambled in a concussion!


Left off of this list, for some reason, is the famous and probably most acoustically perfect concert hall in the world, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (opened in 1888).  There is not a bad seat, at least acoustically, in the entire hall, whether on the main floor or upstairs.  Free concerts are given every day at 1pm.  The place is simply perfect!  It is home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.


But no matter where you go, the bottom line for me in the performance itself.  I don’t choose the performers based on the concert hall.  After all, why sit through TWO trombone solos when many better choices exit?  But once in a while, the concert hall becomes an obsession.

Hilariously Funny and Ironic

Posted by golfkat on July 12, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

I rarely feel sorry for French winemakers, specifically the “famous” champagne houses of Epernay and Reims.  Yes, I once paid a nice visit, and enjoyed many tours and tastings.  But I always reserve some judgement for the snobby French attitude about sparkling wine, or what they prefer to call it, champagne.
Rarely do I agree with the Russkies, but this is just the latest kick in the teeth for a country whose wine regions are under great pressure.  Read this, from the Washington Post:

Russia’s appreciation of French champagne spans two centuries — back to when a czar once declared he’d drink nothing but Madame Clicquot’s 1811 vintage from France’s famed Champagne vineyards.

Now the countries are locked in what the French media has dubbed a “champagne war,” over what Paris considers an attempt by Moscow to undermine its legendary brand.

A law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 2 will require French champagne makers to add a “sparkling wine” reference to the back of their bottles sold in Russia. The French champagne industry has long considered itself separate from that catchall category because it says the name “champagne” refers exclusively to the bubbly produced in the French region of the same name.

The new legislation also stipulates that makers of Russian “shampanskoye” — the Russian word for champagne — will get a unique status, exempting it from the sparkling wine note on the back.

The law has uncorked ridicule from even the Kremlin’s fiercest backers and sparked “outrage” from France’s Champagne Committee, the powerful umbrella group of French champagne makers. The European Commission even weighed in. Spokeswoman Miriam Garcia Ferrer said it “will do everything necessary to protect our rights and take the necessary steps if this law enters into force.”

The spat first popped Friday when a letter from the Russian distribution center of Moët Hennessy, the French maker of venerable names such as Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon champagnes, leaked on Facebook. In the letter, Moët informed its Russian clients that it had suspended deliveries of all champagne to the country because it had “not confirmed” whether it would change its labels to say “sparkling wine” for the Russian market. 

Russian social media fizzed with mockery.

Russian industry experts said the new mandate has been blown out of proportion. The goal, they say, is to put all “sparking wine” imports — from Spanish cava to Italian prosecco to French champagne — under one umbrella. Labels on the front can stay the same.

Pavel Titov, the president of Abrau-Durso, a top Russian sparkling wine producer, told the state-run RIA Novosti: “It is extremely important for winemakers in Russia to work in the overall landscape of the global wine industry. For me, there is no doubt that real champagne is made in the Champagne region.”

On Sunday, Moët Hennessy acquiesced, agreeing to add the “sparkling wine” designation to the back of its bottles sold in Russia. Andrei Grigoriev, a partner at Russia’s Double Magnum wine consulting group, said acquiring the necessary paperwork to comply with the new law could take “months,” perhaps delaying shipments.

France’s Champagne Committee appealed to all French champagne producers to halt exports to Russia until further notice and urged French and European Union diplomats to lobby on its behalf.

“It is our common heritage and the apple of our eye,” said two co-presidents of the organization, which frequently uses the slogan “Champagne only comes from Champagne, France.” “I was shocked when I saw the decision,” agreed Olivier Gergaud, a food and wine researcher at France’s Kedge Business School. Gergaud compared the Russian move to an impostor pretending to have a Harvard degree. (Equally funny!)

France’s champagne industry faced a historic crisis last year, as the coronavirus pandemic shuttered clubs and bars, sending sales of bubbly into a tailspin. Overall, champagne exports declined by 18 percent last year, compared with 2019.

But sales have recently increased again, said Gergaud, as people are catching up on anniversaries, weddings and other festive occasions. Russia, however, accounted for less than 1 percent of French champagne sales last year.

“It’s for the elite,” said Vadim Drobiz, the director of Russia’s Center for the Study of Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets. “It’s not affordable for the majority of the Russian population.”The French champagne industry’s furious response to the Russian legislation reflects a long-standing effort to protect the “champagne” designation of origin against attempts from abroad to, quite literally, water it down.

​I find this episode funny, ironic, and “I told you so” in every way.  The French are having issues in their wine industry.  They are finally grasping twenty first century technology and agricultural wisdom.  Yet, on wine tours in France, they continually “bad mouth” American wines in general, and Napa Valley wines in particular.

Maybe this is KARMA?

PS:  Russian wines and champagnes are terrible!!!

Ever Been to John’s Grill (San Francisco)?

Posted by golfkat on July 9, 2021
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel. 1 Comment

One of the few remaining icons of old San Francisco, is John’s Grill.  I first became familiar with it, when my waiter , John Konstin, at Jack’s on Sacramento Street bought John’s in the 70s.  Here is some interesting background.


Nestled in a building two blocks from Union Square and not far from San Francisco’s big convention center and major hotels, John’s Grill has been hosting celebrities from all over the world for more than 100 years. It was created in 1908, only two years after San Francisco’s devastating earthquake. Indeed, John’s Grill was the first downtown restaurant to open after the quake. It quickly became a bustling anchor in the city’s multi-faceted life – hosting a beguiling and lively mixture of politicians, cops, journalists, entertainers, lawyers, business leaders and the just plain curious who wanted to join in the fun, all while eating some of the best food on the west coast. From the time when San Francisco was rebuilding itself and becoming the financial capital of the western United States, on through World War II (the city was the major embarkation point for troops heading to war in the Pacific) and into the heady hippie days of the Sixties and beyond, John’s Grill was – and still is –  the downtown gathering place for those who ran the town and those who wanted to run the town.


Inside, today’s customers will find period furnishing and dark paneled walls framed with hundreds of photos of movers and shakers (and a sprinkling of the not-quite movers and shakers), most of them from the San Francisco Bay Area, but several from the world of state and national politics. On the robust menus, diners have their choice of great steaks, fresh seafood and a variety of salads – try the famed seafood combo salad named for fitness guru Jack LaLanne.

John’s Grill is widely known for its carefully curated menu of salads, steak, seafood, pasta, and sandwiches, all at reasonable prices. The restaurant’s signature dish is the Sam Spade’s Lamb Chops, named for author Dashiell Hammett’s famed private eye. Hammett, a frequent customer of John’s Grill, had Spade wolfing down a plate of John’s “chops, baked potato, and sliced tomatoes.” The restaurant has a subtle motif adapted from the Hammett classic, “The Maltese Falcon,” and there’s a statue of the infamous black bird in a case on the second floor.

Some famous patrons are: Marlon Brando, Truman Capote, Sophia Loren, George Lucas, Julia Child, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Quinn, Andy Warhol, Alice Cooper, Herb Caen, Robin Williams, and Joe Montana.


I have dined here on numerous occasions, but not in the last ten years.  I am looking forward.

The Unique and Weird in San Francisco

Posted by golfkat on July 8, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Shopping, Sports, Travel. Leave a comment

As you know, when I travel around this great world of ours, I always am asked, “Where are you from?”  I say California, or San Francisco, and they go crazy, almost bonkers!!!  Why?  It is a state, and city EVERYone wants to visit.  They know the City is a special place.  I started visiting on a regular basis back in 1961, as a lowly freshman on an honor society trip.  My how things have changed!!!


Numero Uno of course, the food is fabulous, whether seafood, farm to table, “California” cuisine, and nouveau food truck.  Second, is the wine, whether Napa, Sonoma, Lodi, Central Coast, or Temecula.  Third, is the geographic diversity, the Pacific Ocean and the Sierras.


What else can I possibly tell them?


First, the fog, since the City has its own microclimate.


We have many interesting and diverse neighborhoods, like North Beach, the Mission, Dogpatch, Sunset, Richmond, Presidio, Noe, Cow Hollow, downtown, SOMA, and many more.


Yes, the city is expensive.  When I tell Europeans that a 2 bedroom apartment in the city rents for $4500, they think I am kidding.


The City is only 7 miles by 7 miles, hard to believe.


The Bay to Breakers is the largest footrace in the world.  I must have run it a dozen times.


It is legal to be naked in the City.


We love to dress up, whether Halloween, Opening Night at the Opera or Symphony, New Year’s Eve, Bay to Breakers, or ??


Treasure Island is a real place, formerly home to a Navy base, and before that, the World’s Fair.


There is a BIG difference between Mexican food and Tex-Mex!!


Never, ever say “Frisco!!!  I repeat, NEVER!!!  We call it “The City” for good reason.


Yes, we hate LA, and they hate us.  Oh well!  They stole our water, and we never forgave them.


BART and Muni are always late.  Oh well!!!


San Franciscans are always fashionably late.


The homeless are a BIG problem.  Oh, and not enough public restrooms.


Golden Gate Park is simply fabulous, and large.


The ocean here is cold, even in the summer when it is HOT!


The City is constantly evolving.  Before the pandemic, it was out of control.  Now, it is rather nice!


Chinatown is a great place to grab a meal.  I would rate it above Fisherman’s Wharf, Clement Street, the Mission, or Dogpatch.

Join a Cycling Trip??

Posted by golfkat on July 7, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Sports, Travel. 1 Comment

Unless you are a dedicated cyclist like me, you probably have never considered a cycling trip, or better yet,  a cycling cruise.  Perhaps you might want to reconsider this option, particularly since electric bicycles are now an option.  But stop and think about all of the fun “off bike” that you might have.


First, and foremost is the social aspect of joining a group that is both fun and interesting.  There is plenty of time to socialize, at happy hours, meal times, cycling breaks, and on board activities.  And time to meet locals as well.
Second, the food is a big attraction, both on board, and on shore.  Meal times tend to be the highlight of the day.  The stories tend to get exaggerated, and with the help of some adult beverages, louder and more interesting.  In a foreign country, such as France, Germany, or Croatia, the food and wine tends to be a focus rather than an afterthought.  Southeast Asia as well!!


Third, the cultural activities are virtually endless.  Both the geography and the numerous villages offer “unwritten” lessons in both history and culture.  On a bicycle, I can stop wherever I want.  This includes wineries, bars, and pubs!!!
Where might some of these cycling options take you or me?  How about along the Danube in Germany or Austria?  Or the upper middle Rhine, with its great wines?  Bordeaux and Champagne are great regions for wine lovers.  Or island hop in Greece or Croatia? Or riding from Hanoi to Halong Bay?


I have also done rides in Vietnam, Amsterdam, Munich, as well as several US cities.


I think you see what I am trying to say.  We only spend about two to three hours on the bicycles each day.  We stop at least once for lunch, potty breaks, and some photos.  It is a low stress, but fun-filled day.  Please, non- cyclists are welcome! See you in Croatia.

Underrated U.S. Destinations

Posted by golfkat on July 6, 2021
Posted in: Food, National Parks, Travel. Leave a comment

Travel Pulse says these are among twenty underrated U.S. cities.  These are the ones I have visited, by hook or by crook (that means on business not leisure).


St. Louis
The best part of St. Louis is the area called, “The Hill” or the Italian neighborhood.  It is filled with great family style restaurants.  My personal favorite is Cunetto’s House of Pasta.  When we (as a work group)went, which was often, we always told them it was someone’s birthday.  Why?  Free dessert, usually an Italian cake or Cannolis.  The Central West End was also a great dining destination.  Forest Park is one of the better inner city parks.  And the downtown area with the Gateway Arch and the baseball stadium is always busy.


Flagstaff
Northern Arizona is vastly underrated.  It is close to several great attractions, including Sedona, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Antelope Canyon.  Not too much further are the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert,  and Utah’s Monument Valley.  Anyone with a camera should high tail it to Antelope Canyon (see my photo above).  I can’t say much for the food, other than the Elote’ Cafe in Sedona, it is simply beyond words.


Baltimore
Yes, crab cakes, the Ravens, nearby Annapolis and the Naval Academy, and my old buddy, Dirty Pat.  The seafood will attract you, but the vast culture and history of the area are equally worthwhile.  I loved visiting the Naval Academy, and its history and tradition.  Annapolis is an interesting city for a day’s exploration, and not far from DC.


Cheyenne
Only because of business trips, have I any knowledge of Cheyenne.  You may remember my story.  I forgot to bring a tie to wear with my suit, so I drove downtown.  The local men’s store had a few ties, but they could double for an adult bib!  I ended up at an Army Surplus store, and bought a plain, black wool tie!  I am certain the meals must have centered around beef, and more beef.  Why would you go there?  I really do not know!


Reno
Reno has received a bum rap over the years.  Several friends have moved there.  Housing is affordable, assuming their water shortage has been addressed.  Oh, and no state income tax!!  I hear they have wonderful bike paths.  And an old Basque restaurant downtown near Harrah’s.  I cannot vouch for the weather.


Portland (ME)
Not quite a destination, we were on our way to Freeport and the L.L. Bean flagship store.  But they did have numerous lobster shacks, all quite good.  And while you are there, visit Kennebunkport, the summer home of GHW Bush.  Maine has a rather unusual, but interesting vibe.  It is different than the rest of New England, not sure why.


Durham
Home of Duke University, and the highly regarded Washington and Duke Golf Course.  An old grad school buddy is now the Chancellor for Health there.  Durham is part of the famous “triangle” but seems to lack the charm of Chapel Hill.


Here are my suggestions for this list:


Arroyo Grande
Just about any city or town on the Pacific Coast is great in the summer time.  But Arroyo Grande is low key, has some great restaurants (including our favorite, Ember), nearby wine tasting (Laetitia), decent bike paths and lanes, and a really nice dog park.  And very affordable to visit.


Moab
What is not to like about Arches and Canyonlands National Parks?  And just south, Monument Valley.  Moab also is home to the famous Moab Brewery, THE place to eat and drink in town.  I love this part of Utah.


Big Fork
We found Bigfork on our first visit to Whitefish. It is a cute little village, with a beautiful lake, good restaurants, and plenty of recreation.  Their summer theater is quite good, and the area is unspoiled and not as heavily touristed as Whitefish.  The lakes are beautiful, and the nearby mountains offer great hiking and exploration.


Bandon
Home to the world famous Bandon Dunes Golf courses, the area is low key, with many nice seafood shacks, nearby wineries, and fantastic ocean views.  I have visited at least four times.  The golf courses are among the best in the world.  The seafood is close behind.


Columbus
Though home to Ohio State, the area boasts great diversity, including a nice Japanese grocery store and restaurant.


Highlands (NC)
My nephew got married here in 2019, a cute little hamlet, about two hours north of Hotlanta.  The area has a rich tradition, and just seems to be a unique place in the world.


Sturgis
Don’t believe the hype about this famous motor cycle town.  It is more civilized than they like to portray.  The food is good and plentiful, and the people always make guests feel welcome.  But there are a few biker bars that get a little wild.  My friends, Barry the V, and Webb would enjoy that!


Perhaps you have been to some of these towns and cities.  If not, I strongly encourage you to go.  How would I rate them?


Antelope Canyon (northern Arizona)

Bandon, OR

Bigfork, MT

No July Fourth Dogs

Posted by golfkat on July 4, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food. Leave a comment

Even though I end up watching (9am, ESPN) the annual 4th of July Nathan’s hot dog contest, I will not eat any hot dogs this weekend.  This contest cures me of my nitrite fix, and potential stomach cancer.  But I plan to have my fair share of other good food.  So, what do we eat for our fabulous Fourth?


Over 74 million of us will do the traditional barbecue this weekend.  They never publish how many new grills are sold each year.


Most popular items to grill are burgers (85%), steaks (80%), hot dogs (79%), and chicken (73%).  It seems they forgot seafood, ribs (both pork and beef) pork, sausage, and plant based products.


Aside from Joey Chestnut, we consume over 150 million hot dogs.


Americans spend more on condiments than chip and dip for their barbecues.


Can you believe 5% of our national beer consumption occurs on July 4th?


Corn (41%), potatoes (41%), and veggies (32%) are the most popular side dishes.  I would prefer potato salad, or cole slaw.


A typical cookout for 10 people averages only $60.  I suspect it will be much higher post-pandemic.  We spend that much for just two!


Typical sides are:  baked beans, potato chips, green salad, chili, corn on the cob, cole slaw, potato or macaroni salad, fruit plate, veggie plate, cheese plate, and tons of potato chips.


We will spend $1.6 billion on booze this weekend.  Beer alone is a billion!


The entire bill is going to total $6.7 billion!!  Who says the economy is stagnant?

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (2018)

Posted by golfkat on July 3, 2021
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Music, Travel. Leave a comment

Yes, I went in the sweltering heat of July.  But it was well worth it, even better than the Capitol Fourth in DC.
From 2018: 

Not only do I finally get to attend this great event, it is held on both July 3 AND July 4!!!!  The poster says:  Conductor Keith Lockhart directs the Boston POPS Orchestra at the Hatch Shell, on the Esplanade, performing the identical concert which will be played on July 4th minus the fireworks display. Seating for this free event is on a first come basis, it will be crowded, but not as much as on the 4th.

This year’s headliner is Rachel Platten, along with The Indigo Girls, Rita Moreno, and Rhiannon Giddens.

Yes, I will miss both John Williams and the famous maestro himself, Arthur Fiedler. This televised program is followed by a spectacular 23-minute fireworks display over the Charles River. The best place for viewing the fireworks is along Memorial Drive on the Cambridge side of the Charles River.

Sheri and I attended a Capitol Fourth in Washington DC several years ago.  The featured performer was none other than Stevie Wonder.  But we encountered over a million people.  It started to rain, lightly at first, but then increased to a typical summer rain.  We left a little early, and watched most of the great fireworks show from DuPont Circle.

This year will be the 44th Spectacular, celebrating 241 years of our country’s independence.  From the Boston Pops website:  Affectionately known as “America’s Orchestra,” the Boston Pops is the most recorded and arguably the most beloved orchestra in the country, beginning with the establishment of the modern-era Pops by Arthur Fiedler and continuing through the innovations introduced by John Williams and the new-millennium Pops spearheaded by Keith Lockhart. Its remarkable history began with its founding in 1885. Fours years earlier, in 1881, Civil War veteran Henry Lee Higginson founded the Boston Symphony Orchestra, calling its establishment “the dream of my life.” From the start he intended to present, in the warmer months, concerts of light classics and the popular music of the day. From a practical perspective, Higginson realized that these “lighter” performances would provide year-round employment for his musicians. In May 1885—a little more than a month before the inaugural “Promenade Concert”—German-born conductor Adolf Neuendorff, under the aegis of the BSO, conducted a series of “Popular Concerts” in the Boston Music Hall, where the audience sat in typical concert seating and no refreshments were served. On July 11, 1885, Neuendorff—who became the first conductor of the Pops, before that name was officially adopted—led the first official “Promenade Concert,” distinguished from “Popular Concerts” by virtue of seating (tables and chairs instead of auditorium-style rows), program format (three parts divided by two intermissions, during which patrons could promenade around the concert hall), and the availability of food and beverages. For the rest of the 19th century, although formally called “Promenade Concerts,” they continued to be referred to informally as “Popular,” which eventually became shortened to “Pops,” the name officially adopted in 1900. The following year the orchestra performed for the first time in its new home, Symphony Hall. Not only is this performance space acoustically outstanding, it was also designed, at Higginson’s insistence, so that the rows of floor seats for Boston Symphony concerts could be replaced by tables and chairs for Pops concerts. To this day, patrons sitting at the cabaret-style tables can enjoy food and drink, along with the kind of musical entertainment only the Boston Pops can provide.

I find it difficult to believe there were SEVENTEEN previous conductors of the Boston Pops before Arthur Fiedler.  Artie was the first American born conductor to lead the orchestra (from 1930 to 1979).  He is credited with moving the orchestra from light classical music into the world of pop culture and music.  He organized the first free concerts on the Charles River Esplanade that led to Boston’s now famous Fourth of July concert.  And the Pops became the most recorded orchestra in history under Fiedler.

Along came John Williams (1980-1993) to succeed Arthur Fielder, and garnered FIFTY Academy Award nominations.  He remains the most nominated living person in Academy history!  Under Williams, the Pops traveled extensively, including their first trips to Japan.

Fast forward to today, Keith Lockhart (1995-present) has led more than 1800 Boston Pops concerts.  He has broadened the orchestra’s reach with 78 televisions shows, 42 national concerts, and four overseas concert tours.  Along with increased touring, Lockhart has earned the orchestra’s first Grammy nominations, and first major network national broadcast of the July 4th Spectacular that we see each year on the Fourth.

The program will be the same both nights, fireworks only on the 4th.  Along with the guest performers, the Pops will pay tribute to Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), as part of a celebration making the centennial of his birth.  Rita Moreno will make a special appearance each night in his honor.  She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film adaptation of West Side Story by Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.  Ms. Moreno is one of only TWELVE artists who have won all four major American entertainment awards, an Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony, and an Emmy.

The Tanglewood Festival Chorus will also perform, along with a 20 minute fireworks spectacular on the Charles River.  The program will be broadcast on Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Radio, and Bloomberg.com.  The host for the evening will be Alix Steel.  Of note, all of the special guests are female performers.  And we have all watched this show on our home TV’s for decades, when Arthur Fiedler first made it a “must see” event.

Often described as one of the best 4th of July celebrations: 

This historic American city’s display is renowned for its accompaniment—live music performed by the legendary Boston Pops Orchestra, which features—yes—real cannon fire. The fireworks are nothing to sneeze at, either—an impressive array of pyrotechnics are shot from barges along the Charles River.

Where to watch: Home base is the DCR Hatch Shell, an outdoor band shell where the Pops perform along the Charles. You can also get killer views from the Harvard and Longfellow Bridges, or from anywhere along the three-mile Esplanade.So, look for me on TV.  There will only be half a million people attending each night.  I will be the one wearing red, white and blue!!!  But an adult-long dream comes true, in Boston, I can’t wait!