Pennsylvania
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Best Places for Fall Foliage in the US
Leaf peeping season is THE time to venture outdoors and experience the beauty of American nature. While the changing of leaves is a global seasonal event, there are so many spectacular places that come alive even more during the autumn months right in the US. I adore fall, the sunny breezy days, chill evenings, and come along through an autumnal paradise, as I list some of what I consider to be the best places for fall foliage.   Eastern United States While I adore the western US, the East Coast in my opinion reigns supreme when planning a fall-themed vacation. The iconic region is the Northeast and in particular,…
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Black Owned in the Burgh: Supporting Black Businesses in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, a city in western Pennsylvania that since birth I’ve called home. While traveling over the last seven years, I don’t have a permanent residence in the US, but when I’m back visiting family, I’m here in the “Burgh”. Where three rivers converge, this “steel city” has had a special place in my heart. Once a predominantly blue collar, industrial town, it has made significant changes over the years to encouraging residents to stay, not stray, and it shows each time I return. I’m often finding a new restaurant, shop or place to explore. While a majority of a my writing is focused on traveling to new places more responsibly,…
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Beauty In My Backyard: A Day Hike Near Pittsburgh
I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and although I don’t live there any longer, I spend a lot of time visiting Western Pennsylvania. I’m always looking for something active to do in and around the city, there are lots of activities to explore but the best day hike near Pittsburgh has to be Ohio Pyle State Park. Here is what you need to know to make the most of your day trip to Ohiopyle. A Laurel Highlands Day Hike With over 20,000 acres in the park, the 70 miles of trails allows for some beautiful day hikes or a multi-day backpacking trip. The state park and trails are open…
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My 13 memorable moments of 2013
It’s the last day of 2013! Â What an amazing, exciting and rewarding year I’ve had and I can’t wait to see what awaits in the coming year. Â Until then, here is a list of my thirteen best moments of 2013 in no particular order! Â Enjoy and have a happy new year! 13. Â Behind the scenes at Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, California. As a child you dream of being an oceanographer, a Sea World employee (until you watch Blackfish) swimming with the dolphins or in a job surrounding yourself with wildlife for your 9 – 5. Â The Aquarium by the Bay in San Francisco makes you feel like…
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World’s Most Famous Cemeteries
 Why are we so interested in cemeteries? That eery feeling, the tragic stories or the spooky architecture? Whatever the reason, people have been intrigued by cemeteries for centuries and we have been visiting famous grave sties so frequently that the term “tombstone tourist” was coined to describe the millions of grave goers each year. Peruse through my personal list of the world’s most famous cemeteries. Père Lachaise, Paris France “We die only once, and for such a long time.” — Molière Located in one of my favorite cities, Paris, this is possibly one of the most well known cemeteries around the world.  Famous musicians, writers, politicians and thousands of others…
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From the Velveteen Chair: A Chamber Music Review
The aftermath of the events at the Boston Marathon had me wanting to shut off my thoughts and the television and get lost in something mindless.  Luckily I had the perfect escape and I went to the final performance of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society 2012-13 Season.  The Ebène Quartet was playing last night at the Carnegie Music Hall connected to the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh in Oakland.  I love going to museums at night.  It brings out a giddy, imaginative, childish quality in me.  There is something that feels really sneaky about being in a museum after dark, like you may live out your childhood dream of being locked…
