April 18, 2026 In an already liberal area, the suburb of Takoma Park leans so far to the left that it has earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname, The People’s Republic of Takoma. Even the Takoma Business Center is decidedly Soviet Brutalist. The Main Street is very quaint with quirky touches, including a tribute to a localContinue reading “Takoma Park, Maryland, USA”
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Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
April 15, 2026 Many of Washington DC’s suburbs are, in fact, located in surrounding Maryland and Virginia. In fact, the Washington DC metropolitan area is often referred to as The DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia). Sometimes, suburbs straddle the border between the District and the neighboring state. One of these is Chevy Chase, one of theContinue reading “Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA”
Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
April 9, 2026 Williamsburg has two primary claims to fame. First, it is the home of The College of William and Mary. Founded in 1693, it is the second oldest college in the United States (after Harvard). Its students include Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and George Washington (who earned his surveyor’s license there). Second, itContinue reading “Williamsburg, Virginia, USA”
Jamestown, Virginia, USA
April 8, 2006 Jamestown is the site of America’s first permanent English settlement. In 1606, three ships set sail from England with a charter from the London Company to establish a colony in the New World. These ships have been faithfully rebuilt and looked surprisingly small to cross an ocean. Apparently, the settlers purposely usedContinue reading “Jamestown, Virginia, USA”
Kenwood, Maryland, USA
March 26, 2026 In the cherry blossom’s shadethere’s no such thingas a stranger– Matsuo Basho It is cherry blossom season here in Washington DC and crowds are gathering downtown to stroll under the trees that rim the tidal basin. Less well known as a spot to get your cherry blossom fill is the Maryland suburbContinue reading “Kenwood, Maryland, USA”
Kensington, Maryland, USA
March 21, 2026 Kensington is an outer suburb of Washington DC but it feels more like a small town with its tree lined streets of Victorian and Colonial Revival homes, small old fashioned shops and quaint train station. It even has a throwback full service gas station. On the first really nice day of theContinue reading “Kensington, Maryland, USA”
Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA
February 13, 2026 It has been a few months since we first visited and blogged about Manhattan Beach. We thought then that it was one of our favorite parts of Los Angeles. Our recent visit firmly reinforced our initial impression. As the sun was setting, we walked out onto the pier and then along theContinue reading “Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA”
Mission San Fernando Rey De Espana, San Fernando, California
February 11, 2026 Mission San Fernando Rey De Espana, built in 1797, was the 17th of the historic missions established in California and is named for King Ferdinand III of Spain. It is definitely one of the largest missions we have visited so far and was once a massive agricultural operation with thousands of ofContinue reading “Mission San Fernando Rey De Espana, San Fernando, California”
Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, San Gabriel, California, USA
February 7, 2026 The Mission San Gabriel Arcangel was founded in 1771 and is the fourth of the historic missions. It is sometimes referred to as the “Godmother of the Los Angeles”. The Franciscan friars planted vineyards at all of the California missions out of a need for sacramental wine used during Mass. This vineContinue reading “Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, San Gabriel, California, USA”
Long Beach, California, USA
February 4, 2026 Long Beach suffered a devastating earthquake in 1933, causing 120 deaths and destroying or damaging many of the downtown buildings. When the city was rebuilt afterward, many of the buildings were done in the Art Deco style that was popular at the time. A similar situation occurred in the town of NapierContinue reading “Long Beach, California, USA”
Mal and Lauren 