March 30, 2016

3/30/2016

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 2 DAYS

Are you a planner?

Hey there!
Do you know what day it is?

Well according to What the Heck Holidays, March 30th is The Grass is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day!

I just love this! I really do!

This holiday was created to honor the people who never left their old life just because they thought the "grass was greener on the other side."

It was also created to inspire people to be happy with what they have, rather than selfish and greedy and envious of other people.

The key to happiness is learning to appreciate what you have, rather than comparing your life with others'.
After all, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Adopt a new philosophy on The Grass Is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day.

Because really the truth is that The Grass is ALWAYS greener wherever you water it!

Well folks, I have some disappointing news...
Ya know that mountain biking trail ride that I was looking so forward to in Moab?

It seems that the company that does the boat ride back to town doesn't have a ride scheduled for this weekend.
WHAT A TOTAL BUMMER!

And this may have even been the case if it were planned earlier in advance - which I forever highly recommend.
But understand that some people just don't have it in them to be able to plan in advance (Dave B being one of those people).
I'm not saying that I understand why they can't plan in advance, I'm just saying that I realize "those" people are out there.

Without planning in advance you can miss out on sooooooooooo many things. But I guess it happens to the best of us.

And I guess you would say that I might sometimes plan too far in advance - where the companies, venues, and agencies aren't capable of providing me the current information needed, sell me tickets, or accept my reservations! That too always sucks!

Yet there are other times when something gets by me...a few times come to mind -

Afternoon Tea reservations at Claridge’s in London, where they been observing this delightful aspect of the nation’s culinary heritage for the best part of 150 years!

It has been ranked as one of the best in all of London and has been awarded the Tea Guild's Top London Afternoon Tea.
And they have a vegan menu as well, so of course I wanted to check it out!

The problem was that everybody and their mother also wanted to check it out and that they start taking reservations at 90 days out and book up quite quickly...this was something that I was unaware of and typically do not make dining reservations 90 days out.
So by the time I was making our reservations they were already full. Boo.

I did manage reservations at a couple of other nice places - my favorite being the Langham, it was delightful and I look forward to my return!

Afternoon tea at the Langham in London

Although let me note that we also had afternoon tea at the Langham in Boston and it did not even come close to comparing - it was actually quite pitiful!

Afternoon Tea at the Langham in Boston

Yup this time for our Anniversary trip I am booking both the Langham and Claridges, plus one more!

Another time that I "screwed up" without advance planning was last summer, when our cousins gang was traveling through Toronto...

And I was unaware of the Pan Pacific games that were happening (it just wasn't on my radar) at the time of our visit. When I realized it was too late....

And that is just an awful feeling!

So on the topic of planning, what are you doing this weekend? No plans yet?
Being that it's W2GW here are a couple of things that sounded fun to me:

For all you Baseball fans out there -
Sunday is opening day! Americas Favorite Pastime will be at it once again! Catch your favorite team at home or on the screen and get into full fan mode!!

And if you happen to be around Long Beach, CA
they are holding the 3rd annual Long Beach County Fair!

For the 3rd year in a row, Bixby Knolls First Fridays is partnering with the local food community to showcase some of our best homegrown goods and talent at First Fridays on Friday, April 1st from 6:30-9:30pm.

This year, we’re excited to add a LB Grown Fruit & Veggie Blue Ribbon Competition in addition to the most robust display of local cottage food makers, chefs and growers you’ll see ’round these parts. Also, Farmers-on-Stilts, a Pie-Eating contest and a cute and cuddly pig!
Click HERE for more info

And lastly but certainly not least, check out Elisa's side to read all about her fun morning at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Sciences!

Elisa finally got there and she went to see the National Parks Adventure on the BIG screen, the really BIG screen. Showing on IMAX 3D, I'm sure that it was a joy.
I love the National Parks and I wish I could've been there watching it with my cuz!

That's about it for today folks!

I hope you have a great day and that you come back and see us again tomorrow,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: FLORIDA

W2GW: Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale, FL

GREETINGS FROM FORT LAUDERDALE!!

That's right! I finally made my way to the Museum of Discovery & Science! As you remember, I was supposed to visit last week with the whole FAM, but, it didn't quite work out.

So, just as I told you, I was going to make my way here alone before heading back to New York.

The most exciting reason for coming was to see MacGillivray Freeman's National Park Adventure 3D.

It really irks me that the interest level is not there on the part of my dear loved ones to join me on the many excursions I enjoy. Oh well, their loss.

My day started with a leisurely drive south to Fort Lauderdale and in spite of the rain, I made it to the Museum in great time - 34 minutes from Boca Raton.

With plenty of time to spare before the movie began (and the museum opened!), I walked around the outside of the museum, snapped some pictures and just took in the lovely structure in the courtyard.

Initially, I was going to only see the film, but when asked at the box office, if I wanted a ticket to also go into the museum, of core, I opted for yes.
Movie ticket alone is $9.00 and with Museum admission it was $20.

(Parking is also available on the side block with a minimum cost of $10 for a 4-hour stay.)

AT THE IMAX THEATRE IN THE MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY & SCIENCE

The movie start time was 10AM, and I was the first (and only) attendee at the theatre! I found myself a seat right, smack in the center of the screen!

I was blown away by the enormity of the screen, which is a 5 stories high. The only one in the theatre until the film began, I was sort of psyched that I might be the only attendee. However, there were two families and a small school group. Still, hardly a big crowd.

All ready for the National Parks Adventure 3-D to begin, I had my 3-D glasses on, waiting patiently!

AutoNation IMAX Theatre at the Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale, FL (credit: MODS)

A few interesting facts about the AutoNation IMAX theatre at the Museum of Discovery and Science...

The IMAX Experience™ is the world's most powerful and involving film experience!

It is comprised of:
• Stadium seating
• 5-story-high screen
• 32,000 watt digital sound system
• Six-channels, 56-speaker surround sound

The AutoNation® IMAX 3D Theater, owned and operated by the Museum of Discovery and Science, first opened in 1992 and is home to the biggest screen in South Florida as well as being one of only three Certified Giant Screen® theaters in Florida as certified by the Giant Screen Cinema Association.

INSIDE THE AUTONATION(R) IMAX 3-D THEATRE (c) travelincousins.com

In September 2014, the AutoNation® IMAX 3D Theater underwent an extensive renovation including a new giant screen (60 ft. x 80 ft.), new luxury seats, new powerful sound system and the addition of a digital projection system to complement the 15/70 film projector.

The theatre shows both 2D and 3D films with 3D films being viewed using special IMAX® 3D glasses.

READY & WAITING WITH MY 3-D GLASSES!

About the film...in a word...CAPTIVATING. Okay, I need some more words...BEAUTIFUL, EDUCATIONAL, ENTERTAINING, INSPIRING.

Narrated by Robert Redford, the film by Greg and Shawn MacGillivray ("Everest," "Humpback Whales") marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

Through the work and passion of poet and naturalist, John Muir, the idea of protecting the natural lands of this country was born.

Through a personal relationship forged with President Theodore Roosevelt, on a weekend camping trip, Muir convinced the Commander in Chief in 1903 to protect America's wilderness.

Thirteen years later, the National Park Service was created by an act signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.

National Parks Adventure takes the audience on a journey throughout the United States National Parks, with a combination of historic facts and the engaging personal story of Conrad Anker, renowned climber.

Anker, who has climbed Mount Everest three times and has ascended most of the world’s loftiest peaks in remote Patagonia, Antarctica, Alaska and Pakistan, is featured in National Parks Adventures along with his son Max and family friend Rachel as they lead the way through numerous National Park road trips.

Conrad Anker climbs a frozen waterfall at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for the movie 'National Parks Adventure.' (Photo: Barbara MacGillivray/MacGillivray Freeman Films)

With 409 areas making up the United States National Park Services, which include parks, monuments, seashores, lakeshores and historic sites, it would have been an impossible feat to include them all in a 45-minute film.

However, the MacGillivray brothers do a fantastic job highlighting 40 of them with meticulous cinematic beauty. Well-known, iconic locations such as Yellowstone and the Redwood Forest are featured, as are some of the lesser-known, such as Pictured Rocks National Seashore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The mix of narrative history and facts, with the personal trips of Anker and his gang, draw the viewer into an experience that feels incredibly real and memorable!

I highly recommend catching this production at an IMAX theatre near you!!

Max Lowe (from left) Rachel Pohl and Conrad Anker sit at the base of Devils Tower National Monument. (Photo: Barbara MacGillivray/MacGillivray Freeman Films)

When the show was over, I roamed around the Museum. It is truly a delightful place!

Part science, part aquarium, part fun, it is engaging and well laid out.

What really caught my eye was how the design of this complex is modern and contemporary, and yet has a warmth to it as well.

Learning for all ages and genders, the museum is interactive with a displays, games, rides and mind-challenging facts about space, weather, animals, ecosystems and technology throughout.