Blog.

Early morning at Parliament and Westminster Abbey, then the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Plus fish and chips, Burberry, and birthday dinner at Rules.

First day in London: 7am arrival from San Francisco, British Museum visit, Trafalgar Square photos, and shopping on Regent Street.

A weekend trip to Mendocino for the Whale and Wine Festival, wine tasting at local vineyards, and a stay at Harbor House Inn in Elk with Pacific Ocean views.

A February day trip to Stinson Beach in Marin with the dog. Scenic coastal drive, sandy beach, and a queasy car ride home.

Thanksgiving 2007 on Marco Island. Perfect weather, dolphins, shelling, and a day trip to Everglades National Park with alligator encounters.

Visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium near San Francisco. Photography challenges, jellyfish exhibits, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach.

Twenty-five visits to Yosemite. Half Dome cables, seasonal waterfalls, and why this park matters. Photos from spring and fall trips.

Three-stop tour of Olympic National Park: Hurricane Ridge views, Hoh Rain Forest hikes, and Rialto Beach sunset on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

Tour of Banff National Park near Calgary, Alberta. Lake Louise, glaciers, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and Canadian Rockies scenery from September 2007.

Glacier National Park in Montana straddles the Canadian border with alpine lakes, glacier-carved valleys, and diverse wildlife including grizzlies and mountain goats.

A 4-day backpacking trip across Grand Teton's wilderness, from Jackson Lake peaks to high-elevation camp routes. Permits, bear canisters, and trail details.

Yellowstone holds half the world's geysers and the largest intact ecosystem in the West. A 2007 visit captures Old Faithful, wildlife, and geothermal features across 3,400 square miles.

Remote lava field in Idaho with lunar-like terrain, lava tubes, and volcanic history. NASA trained here. Remote but worth the detour.

Painted Desert Unit of John Day Fossil Beds features colorful clay dunes formed from ancient volcanic deposits. Short hikes reveal rare, multi-hued geological formations.

Oregon's Crater Lake sits 1,943 feet deep in a volcanic crater. The water's remarkable blue color comes from exceptional clarity and depth.

Hike Lassen Peak and explore geothermal features at Bumpass Hell. A quieter California national park just 3.5 hours from the Bay Area with volcanic landscapes and alpine views.

Hanoi blends 2,000 years of history with French colonial architecture, Hoan Kiem Lake, water puppet theater, and Ho Chi Minh's shrine. A walking guide to Vietnam's capital.

Exploring Halong Bay's limestone karsts and junk boats. A two-day cruise through Vietnam's most scenic UNESCO World Heritage site.

Navigate Ho Chi Minh City's chaotic traffic, French colonial landmarks, and street food. A 2007 firsthand account of Saigon's sprawling urban center.

A layover in Singapore: shopping on Orchard Road, chili crab, Clarke Quay nightlife, and why it's not a must-visit destination.

Visit Taipei 101, the world's tallest building in 2007, and explore Taiwan's complex history, culture, and role in East Asian geopolitics.

Photos of Angkor Wat's intricate carvings, dancing figurines, and temple architecture from June 2007.

Visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia: how to get there, visa info, and the history of the Khmer Empire temples.

Tour Phang Nga Bay's limestone formations, caves, and James Bond Island. Includes elephant rides and floating villages near Phuket, Thailand.

Thailand's southern coast offers two extremes: the quiet spa resort town of Phang Nga or the raucous nightlife of Patong Beach near Phuket. Choose your vibe.

Walking Bangkok's Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, and riverside temples. Budget travel tips and why you should skip the city for Thailand's coast.

Travel observations from Hong Kong and Bangkok, including transit tips, cultural etiquette, and local quirks across Asia.

Day trip to Macau, Asia's gambling hub. Portuguese colonial architecture, casinos rivaling Vegas, and the story of nearly missing the ferry.

Visit the 85-foot Big Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. Ferry access, free entry, and scenic mountain views make this an easy day trip from Hong Kong.

Victoria Harbor skyline, Felix bar views, and Hong Kong street food. A first-time visit to one of Asia's densest cities.