Will Eating Less Let Boomers Live Longer?

Will eating less let boomers live longer?  Apparently the answer to that question, unfortunately, is "No." In a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Aging and reported in the journal Nature, August 23, 2012, it was determined that large calorie restrictions by humans will not prolong your life despite the fact that other studies in monkeys and rats have shown just that effect. Those studies convinced some people that the fountain of youth lay in eating significantly less than most people need to function.

So, what type of restrictions are we talking about?  Well, the average adult human consumes about 2200 calories a day.  The believers in extreme calorie restrictions have cut their calorie intake by as much as 30 to 40 percent.  Earlier studies in mammals and other animals suggested an increase in lifespan by as much as an astounding 50% as a result of such restrictions.  While there is no question that many people consume too many calories which may shorten their lifespan, it appears eating too few calories will not necessarily have the opposite effect.

While the Nature article is certainly intriguing for its conclusions, it is unlikely that it will end the debate over calorie restrictions. As with anything else, people will continue to believe what they want to believe.  If they feel better eating less, I am sure people will continue doing so.  As  for me, I think moderation in caloric intake, as well as most other things, is still the key to good health and longevity. On the other hand, I am reminded of the statement once made by Edwin Land, the inventor of the Polaroid camera, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing to excess." 

Let us know what you think.

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A Boomer in Florence: The Ponte Vecchio and Mille Miglia

Last year, we had occasion to visit Florence, Italy as part of our Mediterranean cruise. One of the highlights of our visit there (and there were many) was the Ponte Vecchio. The Ponte Vecchio or "Old Bridge" was built across the Arno river in 1345. At the time it was built up to the present, it has served as a sort of mall of shops.  Originally, the shops were mostly butcher shops.  Today, they are mostly jewelry shops with beautiful items and high prices.

The bridge seems always to be crowded with shoppers, although we rarely saw anyone actually go in the high end stores.  Most people were window shopping as we were.

As we were leaving the bridge  we came upon several police officers, carabinieri, stopping traffic and people from crossing the street.  Soon we found out why as several vintage sports cars came whizzing around the bend in front of us.

We learned that this was the famous "mille miglia" or 1000 mile race.  It is held each year in May.  Originally it was an endurance, open road race between Brescia, Italy and Rome and back again. It was held  from 1927 until 1957 (except for the years during World War II) but was stopped after numerous deaths during the course of the race. It was renewed in 1982 as a road rally. It was exciting to see the vintage sports cars race through the streets of Florence with crowds of people on all sides.

Travels with Charley Revisited

One of my favorite travel books and probably the one I enjoyed reading the most is "Travels with Charley In Search of America", by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck, the Nobel Prize winning author of "The Grapes of Wrath" describes his cross-country adventures with his beloved poodle Charley. In a truck with a camper attached (whimsically called, "Rocinante" in honor of Don Quixote's horse), this slim book details an America very different than that encountered by the Joad family as they traveled from Oklahoma to California.

Recently, I had occasion to dip back into the book and was as excited by it as I had been when I first read it years ago.  Steinbeck's prose and facility with words demonstrates why his fiction work is so enduring. "East of Eden," "Cannery Row," "Of Mice and Men",  these, as with "The Grapes of Wrath" itself, describe places we all would like to see---our own America. In "Travels with Charley," Steinbeck uses his skills to describe not only a part of that country such as Salinas, California, the setting of several of his books, but the entire country.

 If you are an armchair traveler or if you want a guide to an America which you may never have seen before, pick up a copy of the book. Amazon is pre-selling a 50th anniversary paperback edition for $10.88 and a Kindle edition for $9.99. www.amazon.com. Reading or rereading this book will undoubtedly satisfy your wanderlust or maybe just fan the flames that get you started down a similar path as Steinbeck. I am sure that not a few baby boomers in their RVs have done or will do just that.

Recently there have been some efforts to debunk the Steinbeck stories, most notably in the New York Times, "The Truth About Charley", April 9, 2011, www.NYTimes.com. Some of the stories may be implausible as the opinion suggested, but the fact is that it is still a good read and travel adventure.

Melatonin, iPads and Sleep: Science You Can Use Today

How many of us check our iPads or tablets for emails before going to bed?  I know I do and I suspect that most of you do too.  Well, it turns out that might be why you are having trouble getting to sleep because the light from your iPad or computer may be suppressing the production of the sleep inducing hormone, melatonin.

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland located above the middle of the brain. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it is "turned off" during the day and becomes active around 9 pm as light is reduced. Melatonin remains in the blood for about 12 hours and is virtually absent from the blood during the day. Many people with sleep problems take supplements of melatonin in the hopes of elevating their levels of melatonin to aid in sleeping.  The answer to their problem, however, might be to just turn off that iPad several hours before going to bed.

In an article in The New York Times today, there is a discussion of a study published in the journal, Applied Ergonomics which strongly suggests that there is a connection between the bright light of the iPad and the suppression of melatonin in the hour or so before trying to fall asleep.  According to the article, studies have shown that two hours of exposure to the iPad's screen can reduce the amount of melatonin in the bloodstream by up to 22 percent.

Given these studies, it seems like a no brainer:  stop using that iPad or other device and sleep better.

On the Road to Ephesus

 Located about 200 miles miles from Istanbul is the Turkish town of Ephesus, Turkey.  It is the place where, according to the Bible, St. Paul was imprisoned and where Mary, the Mother of Jesus is reputed to have lived when she was brought there by  St. John the Evangelist following the Crucifixion..  Some twenty-nine years of excavations have revealed one of the most intact Roman and Greek ruins in the world.. At one time it was the second largest city in the Eastern Mediterranean and the capital of the Roman province of Asia.  Originally a Greek city first built around 1000 BC, it became the chief port on the Aegean Sea with a population of around 290,000. 

Today, the ruins of those ancient civilizations can be seen in a mile-long corridor of a marble road rutted with the wheels of chariots.One of the most impressive of these ruins is the  Library of Celsus. The library was built in honor of the Governor  of the Roman province of Asia between 117 and 125 A.D. Much of the facade of the library remains. Plaster copies of statues which represented the intellectual virtues of wisdom , goodness , thought and knowledge adorn  the niches .

                                                          Library of Celsus
Located nearby is the house of the Virgin Mary. It was discovered by a German nun, Katharina Emmerich in the 19th century. In 1891 the Lazarian priests established   a shrine in honor of the Virgin Mary. It has now become a pilgrimage site for both Muslims and Christians alike. While we were there, we met a nun who was going to come to the United States for a retreat not far from our home. Quite a remarkable coincidence !

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A Boomer's Guide to Travel Sites in Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a small Greek island located in the Aegean Sea.  Located 126 miles southeast of Athens, it has been called "The Pompeii of the Aegean" by one French geologist. It is located on the rim of a volcano which erupted in 1600 BC.  Some people believe it is the site of the mythical kingdom of Atlantis (see my post on the modern Atlantis at Atlantis; Found on Paradise Island).

We visited Santorini by cruise ship and were overwhelmed by the spectacular island. The ship docked on the west coast of the 12 mile long island.  That side of the island is extremely steep and rocky. The capital, Fira, is accessible only by a winding stairway up the volcano some 1000 feet or a gondola.  For those who wish to ride up the steps, donkeys are available.  We took the gondola up the hillside but actually walked down the steep steps. at the end of our stay.  Because of the donkeys, be prepared to watch your footing as there is the occasional donkey dung to deal with.

Once at the top of the mountain, there is a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea on the one side and of incredibly beautiful church domes on the other.

 

 

Santorini is home to about 13,600 permanent residents.  The island is famous for its white grapes and wine, as well as its eggplant and tomatoes. For those interested in staying overnight on the island, one of the most interesting places to stay is the Astra Apartments and Suites, in the village of Imerovigh, located above the volcano and said to have spectacular views.  www.astra.gr. For beautiful travel sites, Santorini is one of the best in the world.

 

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Are Organic Foods Really Better for You?

We all have seen the growth of the organics food section at the supermarket. Each day it seems like a new product is added to the shelves, particularly in the produce section.  For the most part, those products cost more--and in some cases, considerably more--than the non-organic variety of the same fruit or vegetable.  Most shoppers who buy the organic product justify the additional cost because of the belief that organic means healthier.  In other words, people believe that the organic product is better for you than its non-organic cousin.  A new study reported on by ABC News this morning suggests otherwise and people may just be wasting their money.

In a report on Good Morning America, it was revealed that as a result of a study conducted by Stanford University, it was concluded that organic foods were no more nutritious than the same non-organic food.  In addition, the study also showed that the chances of bacterial contamination of the foods are virtually the same, with some difference with regard to antibiotic resistant germs.

In an article reported by Lauran Neergaard for the Associated Press, she quotes Dr. Dena Bravata, a senior research affiliate at Stanford as saying that when it comes down to questions of individual health, "there isn't much difference" between organic and non-organic foods.

Of course, as with any food product, it is always a matter of taste.  But it appears from this study that organic foods are no more nutritious and only slightly safer from contamination than the same non-organic food. So, keep that in mind as you are shopping and maybe you will want pass by that organic aisle.

For more information on health and food related issues, including a yummy recipe for blueberry cobbler, see other blog, www.notjustaboomer.blogspot.com.

The Boomer's Guide to Travel Sites inSpring Lake, New Jersey and Vicinity

This summer, our son shared a weekend house in Manasquan, New Jersey, with some of his college friends. A few weeks ago, we visited him there. We had been used to spending time at the Southern Jersey shore at places like Stone Harbor, Avalon and Ocean City, where my wife had once worked one summer as a waitress at the Flanders Hotel, on the Boardwalk. This was our first experience with the northern Jersey shore. We were pleasantly surprised at the many travel sites located there..

Located about an hour and a half from New York City and accessible by NJ TRANSIT train from Penn Station, Spring Lake is a very suburban-like beach community.  In the middle of town is a lake with a small wooden bridge for walking across the lake.  The beach itself is quite wide and when we were there in the middle of August, only partially occupied.  There is a long boardwalk and a swimming pool in a community center along the boardwalk with a small number of drinks and food items available. Beach tags are required and there are watchers at every set of steps onto the beach. In addition, there are lifeguards all along the beach.

We stayed in the Spring Lake Inn,  732.449.2010, a circa 1888 inn, which reminded me of the Vermont inn run by Bob Newhart in his second television series. There is a large front porch, with inviting seating arrangements. Off the small lobby is the dining area with tables set up for the breakfast that is served from 8 to 10 each morning. The morning we had breakfast, it consisted of wonderful French raisin toast and bacon. Also available are the usual sweet rolls and fruits, bananas and oranges. In the afternoon, there are pitchers of tea and lemonade as well as homemade cookies available in that room. The Inn provides beach chairs and towels and an outdoor shower for returning beachgoers.

Our room was the Sunrise room. Although not exceptionally large, it had plenty of light for the third floor and a spacious bathroom.  From one window, we could see a sliver of the ocean.

We ate several times at the Parker House, locaated in nearby Sea Girt, 290 1st Avenue Sea Girt, NJ 08750, (732) 449-0442,  which is somewhat of an iconic restaurant. It is a large building with a wraparound porch, where we ate lunch on two occasions. The food was quite good and the servers were knowledgeable.  On our first trip,I had the steak sandwich which was filled with meat and a hamburger the second time we ate there. Both were served with crisp thin fries. According to our son, the Parker House has an excellent raw seafood bar, which is very reasonably priced.  In the evenings, the restaurant  has disc jockeys and sometimes live music.  It is a hopping place for sure.

Manasquan where our son stayed looks  a little more like a beach town. The houses, which are in places three deep are built almost right up to the dunes. The evening we walked there, it was quite vibrant, with children playing outside there homes and a band playing oldies on the beach.  It looked like a fun place to stay.

We enjoyed our stay in this part of the Jersey Shore (the MTV series of the same name is filmed nearby) and will definitely return.

The Boomer's Guide to the Best Brunch in New York City:Sarabeth's

You know that many of us boomers are foodies.  One thing most foodies are on the search for is a good, satisfying brunch.  No, not the kind where you basically serve yourself cafeteria style.  No, I'm referring to those where you order from a limited brunch menu and are served by the wait staff. Nothing is more sought after.

While visiting our son last Easter in New York City, we found what we think is the best brunch in the city, Sarabeth's.  While it has several locations throughout the city, we visited the restaurant located on the Upper East Side near our hotel, the Marmara which is located at 301 E. 94th Street, 1-866-599-6674.   In fact, we learned of it from the desk clerk at the hotel.  When we asked her, "Where is the best brunch in the city?", she answered without hesitation, "Sarabeth's".

Just a few blocks away at 1295 Madison Avenue, between 92d and 93d Streets, 212-410-7335, Sarabeth accepts reservations but does not require them.

We each started with the Pickled House Bloody Mary, which was suitably spicy.  For brunch, I had the fat and fluffy french toast.  It was crisp and served with fresh strawberries. My wife had the spinach and goat cheese omelet.  I am not a fan of spinach, but when I had a taste, it too was excellent.  Our son had the classic eggs Benedict, with Canadian bacon, hollandaise sauce and chives. Seeing how quickly, he cleared his plate, I knew it too was excellent.

In addition to the restaurants, Sarabeth's also makes various types of preserves made solely of fruit. My favorite is the blueberry cherry, but there are many varieties available. Go to the website at www.sarabeth.com to see all the wonderful preserves you can buy. These can be bought by calling 1-800-PRESERV and can also be purchased at several stores (my wife has found the preserves on sale at TJ Maxx). So, if you can't get to New York for brunch, see if you can find the preserves at your local store.  It will be well worth the trip.

The Boomer's Guide to the Culinary Institute of America

Before we leave the Hyde Park area, I wanted to share with you our experiences with the Culinary Institute of America ("CIA"). Located just a few miles down Route 9 from the Roosevelt homes and the Vanderbilt mansion, the CIA is well worth a visit. Founded it in 1946 originally in New Haven, Connecticut, it bills itself as the "World's Premier Culinary College."  www.ciachef.edu, The school was moved to a campus along the Hudson in 1972.

 

 The school offers two and four year programs in all aspects of the food service business for buddingchefs, maitre'ds and restaurant managers.  Every few months a new class enters and is given intensivehands on training.  All of the students work in the five restaurants on site as servers as well as kitchen  personnel.  They are then graded on their performance by their professors .

 

We were able to dine in two of the restaurants, Ristoranate Caterina de'Medici and American Bounty Restaurant. Caterina is an Italian restaurant of the highest order.  Although we had no reservation, we were seated immediately.  The highlight of our dinner was the raviolini.  It was superb, with a melt in the mouth consistency.  We had a reservation at the American Bounty and were very impressed with the mussels and frites appetizer among other fine dishes.  The service in both restaurants was impeccable and of the sort you would find in the best New York restaurants.

 

If you are in the vicinity, by all means stop in at the CIA for dinner.  You will not be disappointed.

 

Travel

The Boomer's Guide to West Point

The United States Military Academy is the training ground for our Army commissioned officer corps. Founded by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802, it sits on the site of a Revolutionary War fortress that was taken by the Americans on January 27, 1778 It has a commanding presence over the Hudson River Valley and its strategic importance is immediately apparent.

West Point is located 50 miles north of New York City on Route 9W.  It is available for private tours. www.westpointtours.com. Those tours begin at the visitors center located just outside the main gate.  Photo ID is required to purchase a ticket and upon boarding the shuttle bus.

Our tour guide on our one hour tour (two hour tours are also available) was a very knowledgeable teacher from a nearby school district.  As luck would have it, the guide's son, who will be a third year cadet at the Academy was also on the bus. We learned that third year cadets are called "cows"; first year cadets are plebes, second year cadets are yearlings and fourth year cadets are called "firsties."

The initial fortifications at West Point during the Revolutionary War were developed by a Polish engineer, Thaddeus Kosciuszko. A monument to Kosciuszko is located near Clinton Field. It was his defensive strategy for West Point that the infamous traitor, Benedict Arnold, had offered to provide to the British because Arnold felt he had not been given adequate credit for his role during the battle of Saratoga. Arnold escaped to England and his British contact, Major Andre, was hanged.

Architecturally, one of the most impressive buildings on campus is the non-denominational Protestant chapel. (There are also Catholic and Jewish chapels on campus).  The chapel is in the Gothic style and can seat some 1500 people.  In addition it is said to have the world's largest pipe organ in a religious setting. According to our tour guide, some 100 weddings are held there each year. Cadets are not permitted to be married while at the Academy so there is a rash of weddings immediately after graduation.

"Duty, Honor, Country".  Those were the words spoken by General Douglas MacArthur, a 1903 graduate of the Academy, upon his acceptance of the Sylvanus Thayer Award.  Those words basically sum up the philosophy instilled in the cadets at West Point. One other word characterizes those cadets, men and women, who pass through this hallowed campus and it is craved on a bench over looking the Hudson Valley:

As our tour bus was leaving  the campus, our tour guide pointed to a building and said that was the building where intelligence experts had reviewed some of the documents taken from Osama Bin Laden's compound when he was killed. 

At the completion of our tour, we stopped in at the Thayer Hotel, just inside the main gate.  The hotel is named for Sylvanus Thayer, one of early superintendents of the Academy, who was responsible for  the engineering emphasis of the curriculum.  We had an excellent buffet lunch in MacArthur's, a restaurant in the lower level of the hotel with outdoor space overlooking the campus and the Hudson Valley.

The Boomer's Guide to the Vanderbilt Mansion

Although Hyde Park is most closely associated with the Roosevelt family, just down the road from FDR's Springwood on Route 9 is the Vanderbilt Mansion. The mansion was built as a seasonal vacation home in the late 19th century for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt of the Vanderbilt family that owned the New York Central Railroad.   It was designed by the famed architectural firm, McKim, Mead & White. Stanford White, who helped with the furnishing of the interior of the mansion, was later murdered by Harry K. Thaw in 1906 because he was having an affair with Thaw's wife, actress Evelyn Nesbit. The subsequent trial was known as "The Trial of the Century" and resulted in Thaw being found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The mansion was designed in the beaux art style and is said to be a perfect example of the gilded age mansions built by the robber barons. Less grand than the Vanderbilt mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, the Biltmore, it is located directly on the Hudson River and offers magnificent views of the river and the distant Catskill mountains.

The Vanderbilt Mansion was donated to the United States in 1940 and is designated as a National Historic site.  Because it is run by the National Park Service, your Senior Pass will allow you free admission to the Mansion. The grounds themselves are open to the public without any tickets or passes. It is a must see if you are in the area.

This completes our series on Hyde Park.  Next up is our visit to West Point.

Travel blog

The Boomer's Guide to the Roosevelt Homes: Val-Kil

Located about two miles from the Roosevelt estate, Springwood, is the fieldstone retreat of Eleanor Roosevelt, Val-Kil.  Loosely translated, Val-Kil means waterfall stream. FDR had the cottage built in 1924 for Eleanor and her two friends, Nancy Cook and Marion Dickerman.  Val-Kil is a National Historic Site run by the National Park Service. Unlike FDR's retreat, Top Cottage, Val-Kil is accessible by private automobile or the Roosevelt Ride shuttle. As a National Historic Site, you may use your Senior Pass.

Tours of Val-Kil are offered on the hour.  Before the tour begins, be sure to see the short, 15 minute video shown in one of the adjacent buildings. It provides an interesting and informative background for the woman known as the "First Lady of the World."

Although it was a retreat for Mrs. Roosevelt and her female friends, FDR frequently visited as well. Often he would drive his specially outfitted Ford convertible up the dirt road known as the Roosevelt Farm Lane to Val-Kil. 

In addition to being a restful retreat for Mrs. Roosevelt, Val-Kil was also the site of a business operated by Mrs. Roosevelt and her friends known as Val-Kil Industries.  Craftsmen were hired to make small furniture and other decorative items. Today, some of them are reputed to be quite valuable.

Val-Kil was simply decorated and much of the original furniture is in place, particularly in the modest dining room.

If you are interested in more information about Val-Kil, Springwood, Top Cottage or Hyde Park, visit www.HistoricHydePark.org or phone 1-800-FDR-VISIT.

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The Boomer's Guide to the Roosevelt Homes: Top Cottage

In addition to his Springwood estate in Hyde Park, just a few short miles away, was Franklin Roosevelt's retreat known as Top Cottage. FDR spent many days in this idyllic spot on a hill with the Hudson River Valley visible through the trees in the distance from his back porch. He had intended to use it as a place to write and think after his presidency but made many visits to it between 1939 and his death in 1945. It was specially designed to accommodate his wheelchair long before the Americans with Disabilities Act. Although he never spent the night there, he would often entertain guests including King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth (the "Queen Mum") in a famous visit that included a picnic lunch on the back porch which included hot dogs!

Top Cottage is now operated by the National Parks Service and is available for tours only three times a day via shuttle bus from the Henry Wallace center located at the Roosevelt Library and Museum near Springwood.  The tour guide we had the day we visited was named Charlotte and was quite knowledgeable and charming. She had us all sit on chairs on the back porch and contemplate the lovely environment.  It was a mindfulness moment,

The Boomer's Guide to the Roosevelt Homes in Hyde Park

Franklin D. Roosevelt,  or "FDR" as he was affectionately known, was born in Hyde Park, New York and spent a good part of his life there.  Stricken with polio when he was just 39, he went on to become the 32nd President of the United States of America. He led the nation out of the Great Depression in the 1930s and led the country to victory in World War II.  FDR was elected president four times before dying in the first year of his fourth term in 1945.Although he died before most boomers were born, he remains a fascinating figure for boomers as well as those who were alive during his presidency.  We are fortunate to be able to visit the home he grew up in and often returned to during his life, Springwood, the cottage he used as a retreat, Top Cottage and the house used by his wife, Eleanor, as her own separate retreat, Val-Kil. All are located within a few miles of each other in Hyde Park, New York.

FDR's boyhood home, Springwood, is located on a 1500 acre tract on Route 9 in Hyde Park. It has been designated as a National Historic Site and is operated by the National Park Service. Because of that, all of the Roosevelt sites, Springwood, Top Cottage and Val Kil, are free to those with a senior National Park Service Pass. Up to four guests are also free. There is a charge, however, for the Presidential Museum and Library (which was under renovation when we visited).  Free shuttle service is offered between Springwood and Top Cottage and Val-Kil on The Roosevelt Ride, which is available at the Henry Wallace Center.  Wallace had been FDR's vice president.

Springwood

Springwood is available for tours conducted by very knowledgeable volunteers who take you through the house. Photography is allowed inside the house. The house itself is a mixture of Victorian furniture (his mother, Sara Delano was a major figure in FDR's life and was of that era) and political accessories. One whole wall of the entrance way is covered with political cartoons. Springwood has basically been kept the way that it was when FDR was president. His den and bedroom are particularly interesting.

In addition to the house itself, there are stables which contain riding gear and which still smell of horses.  There is a large rose garden on the property that also contains FDR's tomb.

Our next post will discuss the presidential retreat, Top cottage and Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt's personal retreat and cottage industry located in Val-Kil a few miles away.

The Boomer's Guide to Vassar College

Vassar college is located in Poughkeepsie, New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley, 75 miles north of New York City.  It was founded in 1861 as a women's college. .  Vassar was the first of the Seven Sisters which were sister institutions to the Ivy League all male schools.  Vassar became co-educational in 1969 Before he became President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who lived in nearby Hyde Park, was a trustee.
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The main campus is located on a beautiful 1000 acres off of Richmond Avenue, 3 miles from the city's center.  There are a number of historic  buildings located on campus including two which are National Historic landmarks, the main building (above) and the observatory.The Main Building had at one time housed the entire college.

The campus consists of a mixture of both old brick buildings and contemporary structures.  The student cooperative,Ferry House was designed by the famed architect, Marcel Breuer.  The Finnish-American architect, Eero Saarinen, designed Noyes House.  The Lehman Loeb Art Center was designed by American architect César Pelli.

The beautiful chapel (above) is Gothic in style.

One of the most impressive of the buildings on campus is the library.

If you are in Poughkeepsie, the Vassar campus is well worth a stop.

The Boomer's Guide to Travel Sites in Hyde Park

Evver since I was young I have been fascinated by two places that I wanted to see. First, was the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the longest serving President of the United States, in Hyde Park, New York.  Second, waas The United States Military Academy or as it is more commonly refered to, West Point.  This summer, we were privileged to have the opportunity to tour both places.

Hyde Park, New York, is located about  an hour and a half from New York City. and three hours from Philadelphia  Train service is available on Amtrak and the Metro-North Railroad with stops in nearby Poughkeepsie. That is where our touring began.

We arrived at our hotel in the middle of a Sunday afternoon. Not  knowing what to expect in Poughkeepsie, my wife grabbed a stack of brochures from the hotel's front desk. We studied them in our room and saw that there were at least two places in Poughkeepsie we should see, Vassar College and Locust Grove, the former home of Samuel F.B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph and a well-known portrait and landscape painter of the Hudson River Valley School.

Locust Grove is located at 2683 South Road on Route 9 or the Albany-Post Road as it has been called for hundreds of years. It is a 40 room Italianate mansion which is available for guided tours only. Because the Morse family had sold it near the turn of the last century, most of the furniture and paintings in the house are from the subsequent owners, the Youngs. It is an interesting mix of Victorian and older antiques and paintings. The views from the estate's gardens are of the Hudson River Valley and are fantastic..

There is a small museum on the grounds which houses some of the artwork of Samuel Morse as well as some of his telegraphic inventions.  It is well worth a visit.  There is also a small gift shop. One of the staff members recommended we try the Shadows on the Hudson for dinner that night.

Just a few short blocks away, Shadows on the Hudson has magnificent views of the Hudson River Valley. The food matches the view.  I had the Lobster bake and it was excellent, with a one and a quarter pound lobster, andoiuille sausage, redskin potatoes and corn on the cob. You felt like you were right on the beach. www.shdadowsonthehudson.com, 176 Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY.

The next day we visited Vassar College in Poughkeepsie.  More about that in our next post.

The Baby Boomer's Guide to the Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in America

I have not written in a while because---what else---we were traveling. This time we were visiting Hyde Park, New York and Spring Lake, New Jersey.  Before I discuss those trips in later posts, I just wanted to acknowledge my gratitude to Patricia Schultz, the author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.. The book is a rich source of information concerning places to visit not only in the United States but also throughout the world.  In reading the book, it occurred to me that my wife and I had already visited a number of the places she has written about.  As an example, my most recent post dealt with Shipshewana, the Amish community in Northern Indiana. Although we had been there many times over the last decade, it was interesting to see it listed in the 1,000 Places book.

This got me thinking:  why not see how many of the 1000 places can we visit and also write about. So, that we are going to try to do.  We may not cover them all and we will write about some places not on her list, but we will try to give you baby boomers a guide to what we think are the best and most fun places to visit and things to do.  While the book is a starting point in some instances, the opinions expressed are our own and the observations are ours also.

I hope you will enjoy our Baby Boomer's Guide to the Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Shipshewana: A Unique Visit for the Boomer

If you, like me, are a boomer looking for an other-worldly place to visit, I have just the place for you.  It is Shipshewana, Indiana in Northern Indiana.  You probably never heard of it. Neither did we until we stumbled upon it one Friday afternoon as we were on our way to South Bend, Indiana for a Notre Dame football game. We have visited Shipshewana on several occasions since our first visit some 7 or 8 years ago. Each time we find something new that interests and enchants us. Shipshewana, which is named for a Potawatami native American chief, was listed in Patricia Schultz's "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."

Located off of the Indiana Toll Road, Interstates 80/ 90, at Exits 107 and 121, it is an Amish community that is quite unexpected in the middle of the cornfields which surround it. By the way, after leaving the Toll Road, you will pass the Howe School. If you have the time be sure to stop and see the school's chapel. The chapel was built in 1903 and is listed on the Register of Historic Places.  You will note the hand-carved pews and the collegiate style seating.

Amish, which is an offshoot of the Mennonite religion, is not just a religion but a way of life. The Amish reject many of today's modern conveniences, including automobiles. They prefer horse-drawn buggies, which march alongside the road.  Their life is simple, emphasizing the family and community. The Amish are friendly but ask that you respect their traditions and privacy. For example, they request that you not take their photograph.

Shipshewana is home to numerous shops where you can buy antiques, furniture, baked goods and quilts. There are also several dining options available. In addition, Shipshewana is host to the Midwest's largest flea market,  It is held every Tuesday and Wednesday from May 1 through the end of October. It is said to be a Hoosier tradition not to be missed.

If you are interested in furniture that will last a lifetime and beyond, we recommend you stop by the Riegsecker Marketplace Shops located at 105 E. Middlebury St.  We bought our kitchen table and chairs there and they are as solid as any you will find anywhere.

For dining,we recommend the Blue Gate Restaurant. The food consists of typical Amish fare and is available either from the menu or family style.  The homemade pies are delicious. Each meal is served with bread and homemade peanut butter.  Wonderful! The restaurant is located directly in front of the Riegsecker shops. www.BlueGateRestaurant.com.

How to Make Flying Easier: Tips for Baby Boomers

Are you a baby boomer who does not fly very often?  If so,  every experience at the airport and on the airplane can seem  like the first time. Here are some tips that might help ease your way. Most of them are just common sense but it pays to be reminded of them.

One of the first recommendations I have is that you put all your travel papers in a folder that you take with you to the airport. For just a few dollars, you can buy a cardboard folder at Office Max or Office Depot.  If you prefer, you can also get one in leather or vinyl depending upon your style and budget. I prefer the ones that are self-closing.

As you are getting ready for your trip, put all of the papers you will need for the trip in the folder.  This will include your boarding pass, itinerary, hotel and rental car confirmations and if you are leaving the country, your passport and any othere papers you may need during your trip.  By the way, you need to remember that you now need a passport to enter into Canada. Having all these papers in one place will save a lot of aggravation and time at the airport and on your trip.

The day of your trip, you may also want to add to the folder your driver's license or other picture ID that you will need to go through security at the airport. One important point about the travel folder: keep the folder with you at all times.  It does you no good if it is in your checked baggage or in your carry on bag if you have to surrender it at the door of the plane if it is too large or there is no room in the overhead bins.

I also recommend you take as little additional clothing on the plane with you.  Overcoats, hats, scarves, etc, either become lost or crushed by someone's luggage in the overhead bin.  I always try to put those items either in my checked bag or carry-on. Speaking of carryons I happen to think the Delsey carryons are the most useful.  They fit a lot of clothing, but are lightweight and easy to put in the overhead.

I find it useful to wear slip-on shoes when traveling by plane. Not only is it easy to take them off on the plane, which is particularly important on long flights where you want to get comfortable, you will spend less time at the security gate since you will not have to unlace and lace up tie shoes.When you are seated, I recommend doing some basic stretches, particularly on long flights.  Just raising your arms in the air or leaning forward in your seat and touching the floor with your hands can do wonders for your circulation.  Compression stockings also may make sense on long flights. These cost about $10 and you can get them at Dick's Sporting Goods stores.

As the title of this post states, these little tips can make your flight just a little easier.

For information on some cool destinations, please take a look at my earlier posts and those yet to come.

Pittsburgh on $100 a Day

Hey Pittsburgh, you have just been named one of the "10 Best Places to Live on $100 A Day"  by AARP Magazine.  That works out to $36,500 a year.  The survey was based on the purchase price for a median priced home, the climate, the availability of cultural opportunities and, not surprisingly, access to topnotch medical facilities and services. Another factor that was considered was the local economy.  Pittsburgh, while hit by the recession like everywhere else, has not seen the foreclosure rate seen elsewhere.

Interestingly enough, Morgantown, West Virginia, which is located about 90 miles South of Pittsburgh also made the list.

If you are thinking about a move in retirement, consider Pittsburgh!

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

Myron Cope  was the well-known, high-pitched radio commentator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Known for creating the "Terrible Towel," the black and gold towel seen being waved at every Steeler game, whether home or away, Cope was also one of the foundesr of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Estatblished in 1983 as a fund raiser for the Allegheny Valley School and later the Autism Society of Pittsburgh, it is now one of the most popular races of its kind. Nearby are two great universities, Carnegie-Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh.Pictured above is the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning.

Each year, generally during the third weekend of July, drivers of vintage race cars and fans of sports cars gather in the Oakland section of Pittsurgh in Scheleny Park to watch the only vintage car race run on city streets.. The course is 2.33 miles  long and has over 20 turns. About 250,000 people attend the time trials, the international car shows and the races.

Each year, one car is selected as the marque for the car show.  This year it was the MG and the spotlight car was the Lotus. In addition, German cars were highlighted. Porches, Audis, BMWs and Volkswagens filled the Bob O'Connor golf course where the car shows were held on this past Saturday. I even saw a Beetle that resembled my old 1970 Bug. Because of the German theme, there was even a Biergarten, where your favorite German brew was available under a large tent.

While the car shows are going on, so too are the qualifying races. The Crown Royal Featured Races took place on Sunday. The racers include classics such as Bugatti, Aston-Martin and Alfa-Romeo.

Be sure to mark your calendar for next year's event.

Alternatives to Immediate Annuities:in Retirement 101

As we come closer to retirement, we all start thinking about how we can supplement our social security and other sources of income such as pensions or IRAs.  One of the investment vehicles being touted today is the immediate single premium annuity The immediate annuity works like this in its simplest form:. You take a lump sum of money, say $100,000, and give it to the insurance company when you reach age 65. Except in very limited circumstances, you no longer have access to the principal. In return, you will receive a monthly payment until you die. If you are lucky enough to have a long life, you will undoubtedly receive back your investment and more. On the other hand, if you were to die shortly after purchasing the annuity, your estate will lose the entire amount.  There is some variation of the immediate annuity that allows your spouse to continue receiving a reduced payment until his or her death. The question is: are there other investments that may produce  income without risking losing the entire amount and without those restrictions on access to your money?

Although none of these investments are guaranteed or without risk, I think that there are several alternatives which together may provide a reliable source of income.  As always, the key is to maintain diversity, i.e., spreading your investment money around several different classes of assets..  In that regard mutual funds are probably the better choices for most people rather than individual stocks and bonds. One type of fund to consider is the municipal bond fund. These generate tax-free income and if they contain municipal bonds from your state, the income(or some portion of it) may be free of state as well as Federal income tax.  A second type of fund to consider is the dividend growth fund.. These generally invest in high quality stocks that have paid dividends for many years and are regularly increasing the amount.The third leg of the stool is an investment grade corporate bond fund. These are designed to generate the highest levels of income consistent with the preservation of principal..  Of course ,unlike the immediate annuity, none of these mutual funds produce a guaranteed income and you could also lose your principal.  However, with any of these  alternatives, you do have access to your money and it may still be there for your heirs.

All of the major mutual fund companies offer these types of investments, Vanguard (www.vanguard.com), Fidelity (www.fidelity.com), T. Rowe Price (www.troweprice.com), etc. So which you choose is really a matter of personal preference.

DISCLOSURE:  The author has investments with each of the mutual fund families referred to in this post. The opinions expressed in this post are informational only and are not intended to provide investment advice.  You should consult with a professional advisor before investing your money.

The Atlantis Found on Paradise Island

In mythology, Atlantis is the "Lost Continent" somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In reality, it is a fabulous resort in the Caribbean.

Paradise Island is located near Nassau in the Bahamas It is connected by two bridges over Nassau Harbor to the Bahamian island of New Providence, where Nassau is located . Originally developed by the A&P supermarket heir, Huntington Hartford, the island was formerly called Hog Island. Little wonder why he changed the name

The island has been the location of a number of motion pictures including the 2006 remake of  the James Bond flick, Casino Royale. Although there are several resorts and hotels on the island, the most well-known and most popular is the Atlantis Resort and Spa.

In the 1980s, Donald Trump acquired the Atlantis. Subsequently, it was bought by the late singer and television host., Merv Griffin, who was also known for squiring the Hungarian beauty, Eva Gabor, of the famous Gabor sisters,  Ms Gabor was perhaps best known as the society matron turned farmer in the television series, "Green Acres." The Atlantis is currently owned by South African, Sol Kerzner, who has significantly expanded the resort beyond its two original towers joined by a bridge.Michael Jackson is said to have once stayed in the bridge.

The Atlantis has over 2000 luxuriously appointed rooms.  We stayed in the Coral Tower and were very pleased with our room.  As part of our package, we also received breakfast in the Sea Grapes restaurant just off the magnificent lobby. The breakfast was buffet style and those lucky enough to have a table near the window could see sea turtles playing in the shallow pools outside the window. One of the hallmarks of the Atlantis is the water bodies which seem to be everywhere. There are 11 swimming pools scattered throughout the grounds.  The grounds themselves are immaculately kept. One of the highlights of the swimming experience is the Mayan Temple water slide (if you dare!) There is also a dolphin cove where children and I suppose adults can play with the dolphins.  Those less adventurous can watch from across  the cay.

The water theme is carried inside as well as there is a large aquarium that is below ground and contains numerous fish and other sea animals.

The Atlantis has a number of fine restaurants in addition to casual dining spots outside.  Our favorite is Bobbby Flay's Mesa Grill.  It serves the same menu as his New York restaurant and is definitely worth the splurge.

The casino in the Atlantis is the largest in the Caribbean.  On the ceiling are these fabulous glass sculptures by the artist Dale Chihuly. They are not to be missed even if you do not gamble. For those who do gamble, you won't be disappointed as all your favorite table games and slot machines are available. Good luck!

The Atlantis can be pricey but it frequently offers extra days for free and even free airfare.  Check their website if you are interested in going. www.atlantis.com

For another take on Atlantis, see our post, The Boomer's Guide to Travel Sites in Santorini Greece.

What's Going on In Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

Located about 20 miles South of Pittsburgh is the small borough of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Despite its relatively small size, it is the home of several important singers. One of the most prominent of these is the late crooner, Perry Como. Originally a barber in Canonsburg, he went on to become one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s, known for his smooth and easy style. He was a major television star with the Kraft Music Hall where his theme song was "Dream Along with Me," one of Como's best known songs. Como was also noted for a soul-inspiring version of the "Ave Maria." Not surprisingly, Canonsburg has honored this native son, who died in 2001, with a statute in the middle of town. On the base of the statute is one of his favorite phrases, "To This Place God Has Brought Me."

Bobby Vinton, one of the best-selling singers of the 1960s and 1970s also grew up in Canonsburg. Best known for his songs, "Blue Velvet" and "Lonely," Crooner Bobby Vinton was a top male vocalist from 1962 to 1972, with more number one songs in that period than Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. His hit songs were mellow; most were romantic. It was only the Beatles who displaced him from that high perch Canonsburg has also honored this native son, who now lives in Florida, with two streets, Bobby Vinton Blvd and Bobby Vinton Drive.

One place that is a "must see" in Canonsburg is the Sarris Chocolate Factory & Ice Cream Parlour. Located on a side street near the exit to Interstate 79, it is a mecca for those who love chocolate. There is plentiful parking across the stree from the brightly decorated building. The only time that is not the case is for the holidays, particularly Valentine's Day and Easter. Then it is every man and woman for themselves both inside and outside the store. (Actually at those times, there is usually a police officer outside the store to avoid parking confrontations!). Sarris also provides corporate gift and fund-raising opportunities.

Sarris has every kind of candy imaginable.  One of their specialities is their chocolate-covered pretzels, which are available in both milk and dark chocolate. Many of the candies are made onsite. Each year at Easter, large five foot bunnies dominate the store.  And throughout the year, at least one large chocolate exhibit is displayed.

Believe it or not, the entire castle is made of chocolate!

In addition to the candy store, the building also houses an old-fashioned ice cream parlour, with a player piano that for a dollar plays some old-time songs. But it is the ice cream that you will go there for. And as with the chocolate and other candies, you will not be disappointed. From cones to sundaes and old-fashioned ice cream sodas (my favorite is the cherry--yum, yum), it is an ice cream-lover's delight.

Sarris located at 511 Adams Avenue, Canonsburg, PA  15317.  The phone number is 1-800-Sarris-1.  They can also be reached through their website, www.sarris-candies.com.

So, if you are in the area of Canonsburg to pay homage to Perry Como or Bobby Vinton, make sure you stop in at Sarris.  You will not be disappointed.

What to See in Lisbon

Recently, reporter, Frank Bruni, of The New York Times, wrote a column about his trip to Lisbon, Portugal. He lamented that, after an all night flight from New York to Lisbon, his hotel room was not ready and the only option available was to sleep in the lobby.  Instead he opted to wander around the city, exploring new places. This all struck a chord with me as my wife and I had a similar experience on our honeymoon. We flew into Lisbon after our first honeymoon stop----where else----Niagara Falls.

One of the highlights of our trip to Lisbon was the Gulbenkian Museum. The museum houses the eclectic collections of art and other antiquities assembled by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian.Gulbenkian, an Armenian businessman and philanthropist was largely responsible for making Middle Eastern oil available to the Western Hemisphere. Gulbenkian, had once lived in Constantinople (now Istanbul) but traveled the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Babylonia.  Over 6000 pieces he found are now in the collection.The permanent collection at the museum displays many of those items. Alxo on display are many of the paintings he collected.  These include paintings by Rembrandt, Degas, Manet, Monet and Gainsborough. We lingered most of a day at the Gulbenkian.  It is well worth the visit if you are in Lisbon.Avenida de Berna 45A 1067-001 Lisbon, Portugal
217 823 000
Located in the Belem District of Lisbon is an impressive statute of Columbus.

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Boost The Brain's Power Through Tai Chi

We all have heard those horror stories about losing the brain's cells at an early age and how that can effect our memory and cognitive skills. . Now there is something you can do about it.  And it does not involve buying expensive equipment or spending lots of money on supplements.  The answer?  Why, tai chi, of course.

In the June 19, 2012 edition of the  Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, a team of researchers from China's Shanghai Fudan University and the University of South Florida, reported on an eight month study they conducted of Chinese seniors who practiced the art of tai chi at least three times a week. They found that comparing those individuals with those who did not practice tai chi, those who did practice it had increased brain volume.  In turn, that resulted in improvements in both memory and cognitive function.

So, if you are having trouble remembering where you put the car keys, try tai chi.  Who knows, you might even find the keys. Let me know if it seems to work for you.

City of Parks: Great Minneapolis Parks

Minneapolis is known for the Vikings, the Twins and the Metrodome as well as the skywalks between downtown buildings that provide shelter to workers on cold winter days. What a lot of people are unaware of is that it is also a city full of parks.  Yes, parks.The land of 10,000 lakes is host to 182 parks, many of them on or near one of those lakes. On a recent visit to the Twin Cities, we visited several of those parks and were pleasantly surprised at their variety and the extensive use made of those parks.

Minnehaha falls is a wonderful place for a picnic or even a wedding, both of which we saw while visiting there. Located south of downtown Minneapolis, it has a wonderful waterfall, which drains into the Mississippi river.  No, it is not as high as Niagara Falls, but it is impressive.

There is a small concession stand where soft drinks and beer are available for drinking inside or alfresco. Bicycles, including one that can accommodate four people, are also available for use on the many trails throughout the park.  Parking in the designated lots is at a premium so be prepared to park your car on the street and walk to the falls.

Two other parks also merit mention.  These are Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, which are located about five minutes apart near the Uptown section of the city.  Both have walking and biking trails around the lake, each of which is around 3 miles long. They have small beaches where limited swimming is permitted. One of the benefits of walking around Calhoun is the presence of a small restaurant called the Tin Fish.  It offers mainly fish dishes (no surprise there) including fish tacos and walleye sandwiches. On the weekends, the lines can be quite long, so be prepared to wait. It is definitely worth the wait.

For more information on these and other parks in the Minneapolis area, visit www.minneapolisparks.org

Financial Freedom

The road to financial freedom can be a bumpy one. With children costing some $250,000 to raise according to some published reports (and that does not even include college, which can run another $250,000 at certain private schools) and the prospect of also having to take care of grandchildren (a not uncommon event these days), no wonder more and more people are choosing to defer retirement or even giving up the thought of retiring altogether.  We will try to give you some strategies which may help you through the thicket of information surrounding items such as mutual funds, Social Security, 401 (k)s, IRAs and other financial matters. Of course, you should always consult with a financial professional before manking any changes in your plans and there is no guarantee that you will make money.  We will try to be as factual as we can concerning these topics based upon our independent research, but keep in mind, no one strategy works for everyone.

In our next web we will discuss when you can receive Social Security and what other options you may have.  So, be on the lookout for it.

Fatigue

Today's "New York Times" has two intriguing stories on fatigue.The first discusses whether ginseng can help relieve the fatigue suffered by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Ginseng is an herb or root that can also be found in supplement form. Although the article refers to a study that concluded that taking 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of ginseng can provide some relief from the sometimes paralyzing fatigue, it also cautioned that the long term impact of using ginseng was still unclear.

The second article, entitled "Statin Drugs Cause Fatigue in Some People" reports on a study from the June 11 Archives of Internal Medicine.  Statin drugs are regularly prescribed to lower cholesterol. Although its positive effects in lowering cholesterol are well-documented, the new study seems to support the long-held suspicion that one of its side effects may cause fatigue in some people, particularly women. Some participants in the study took between 20 and 40 milligrams of either
simvastatin or pravastatin.  Others were given a placebo.  More fatigue was reported in those taking the statin drugs than those taking the placebo.

As the lead researcher, Dr, Beatrice Golomb of the University of California, San Diego, cautioned, patients taking the drugs need to discuss the matter with their physicians if they notice the side effects.

Tara

For those of you who enjoy a bit of Southern hospitality but don't have the chance to actually visit the South, Tara-A Country Inn is the place for you.

Located in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, about a 90 minute drive from Pittsburgh and about an hour from Cleveland, Ohio,it is a wonderful weekend getaway at a reasonable price. If you are a fan of "Gone With the Wind", this is the place for you. Named for the antebellum mansion in that book and movie, it offers some 27 luxurious guest rooms, all named for some aspects of the book, the Rhett Butler, Scarlett, etc. Built in 1854, it was opened as a country inn by the late Jim Winner and his wife Donna in 1986. Mr. Winner was noted as an entrepreneur (he was responsible for the popularity of the "Club" automobile safety device popular in the '70s and '80s) as well as his civic efforts on behalf of the Mercer County area, particularly Sharon, Pennsylvania.

When you arrive at the inn for a visit, you are greeted by the bellman, who offers you a glass of champagne as he takes you to your room.  In your room, you will find a bottle of champagne and several small snacks to tide you over until dinner. The rooms are quite spacious and include vintage furniture as well as in-room Jacuzzis and televisions and DVD players. (A large selection of DVDs is available. Just ask at the front desk)

Sprinkled throughout the Inn and the beautifully-manicured grounds (the smell of boxwood fills the air) are numerous large bronze statutes, most with a Western theme. Also, there are many Civil War artifacts and memorabilia from the movie. It is worth taking one of the tours to learn about those as well as the mansion itself.

One of the highlights of any visit is the food! Guests are invited to attend a tea on weekends at 4:00 p.m. that includes a large selection of teas (Plantation Mint is one of my favorites and particularly appropriate) as well as several pastries, including scones with clotted cream, cookies as well as chocolate-covered strawberries and egg salad sandwiches. At 6:00 p.m. a cocktail party is held in one of the parlors. A champagne punch is offered as well as cheese and crackers. Both are included as part of the "Gone With the Wind" package.

Also included in the package is dinner and breakfast at one of the fine restaurants, Ashley and Stonewall. We have eaten in Ashley's several times and it offers outstanding cuisine consisting of a seven course menu that begins with soup (last time we had asparagus consomme) and ends with a pastry with brie cheese and port wine or Christian Brothers brandy. In between are salads, appetizers such as beef carpaccio,  entrees such as beef medallions and desserts, including cherries jubilee (my favorite) and bananas Foster (a favorite of my wife). Both are flamed in the dining room before your eyes. A piano player, a large sparkling crystal chandelier and a large mural covering the walls showing plantation life create a truly romantic atmosphere. Many of the couples are celebrating wedding anniversaries and birthdays. A jacket and tie is required for men at dinner and reservations are a must for both dinner and breakfast. Breakfast is also wonderful, including fried french toast and buttermilk pancakes.

 Tara is a favorite place for wedding ceremonies and receptions.  The weddings take place in a large gazebo and the receptions in a large tent next to the outdoor pool. There is also an indoor heated pool.

For more information, contact Tara at 724-962-3535 or view the website at www.Tara-Inn.com.

We highly recommend Tara as a refreshing getaway.