Pops, my maternal grandfather emigrated from Banff, Scotland shortly after WWI to America with his family. He had lost two brothers in France during the war, and he, himself, had volunteered at fourteen years old. After a stay in Canada and then Detroit, he ended up in Cleveland, Ohio. His brothers and sisters stayed in Detroit and his mother in Canada. I often heard him tell stories of his North Sea town where all his people were fishermen. This summer I visited Banff and found his home, and that of my great great grandfather, in nearby Portknockie. So today, as the polls are closing in Scotland on the historic vote for their independence, I salute my ancestors, the Cormacks, who fought in the wars and fished the seas, who left their homeland to find a better life in America.

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.