Monthly Archives: March 2014

Lifestyle, Sports, Traveling

Play Ball

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Goodyear stadium/AZ/pnj
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Indians manager Terry Francona signs some love/pnj
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million dollar stretches/pnj

Spring’s pilgrimage to Cactus League baseball denies all the injustices of boys playing a field game for millions of dollars while charging adoring fans $9 for a cup of beer.  Despite the inequity,  we continue to trek to sun spotted parks with pristine outfields, manicured tracks and a slow game of strategy and skill, athleticism and even danger.  We witnessed All-Star Cinci Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman getting hit by a line drive after throwing a 99 mph speedball against the Kansas City Royals catcher, Salvador Perez .  Chapman will be out for two months.  The game was called.  Royals won.   We saw the Indians win a slug fest against the SF Giants and then the Royals lose to the Angels.  Check out your local AAA ball and the college circuit.  The stadiums are small, the game is good and the beer is cheaper.

History, Traveling

Dominica-The Nature Island

Dominica calls itself the Nature Island.  And so it should.  There are miles of hiking trails, national parks to preserve the luscious waterfalls and rivers, the pristine rain forests and rushing rivers.

Because of the elevations, rain comes and goes with frequency.  Dominica is unique among the islands.  It has recognized its natural heritage and now celebrates it.  If you go there, I recommend taking the local transport which originates at various places. You’ll have to find it via the locals.  It’s reliable, economical and somewhat energizing as the road are hair-raising up and down hair pin turns on cliffs to the sea.  I’ll admit, Dominica is not a typical beach island, but it is well worth the visit.

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Traveling, Uncategorized

Dominica Beckons

It’s the little Caribbean island you’ve never heard of because DSCN3693 DSCN3699 DSCN3766 DSCN3820 DSCN3839 DSCN3847Dominica is relatively untouched by tourism.  At 250 square miles, with elevations that reach 4700 feet, it is a tropic rainforest with 300 rivers, crystal clear pools, snorkeling, winding roads along the coastline with breathtaking views and a national hiking trail that spans the island.  Unique and friendly (English is the national language) it’s easy to navigate via local vans (once you get the hang of it).  It’s not famous for beaches, there are no large hotels.  Rum punch is potent.  That said, the ubiquitous touring cities stop at the port of Roseau, the capital, and off-load folks who bolster the local economy.  They are gone by 4pm.  More in the next post about the Nature Island, as they called themselves, but for now, colors accent an already gorgeous palate.