Nation’s Most Polluted Beaches – Is Yours On The List?

Today the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) released it’s annual report of the dirtiest beaches in the United States. In the 60′s we “Loved That Dirty Water”, but today we expect to swim at safe clean waterfronts.  The NRDC keeps careful records of all water testings and beach closures throughout the United States to monitor who is complying with regulations and what progress is being made to assure the public won’t be swimming in polluted water.  Their Testing The Waters report reveals some startling beach conditions.

You may be surprised to learn that the Great Lakes have the dirtiest beach water conditions in the country.  Apparently antiquated sewage treatment systems and urban storm-drain run off pumps pollutants into the Great Lakes on a regular basis.  There have been 18,000 closing and advisory days for 5 consecutive years!  Some coastal states aren’t faring much better.  Florida, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Rhode Island and South Carolina have their own major trouble spots.  While the shores of Southwestern Florida are considered the least polluted in the country.  Continue Reading »

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! Dunn’s River Falls Jamaica – The Most Fun You Can Have On Two Feet

As I stood staring upward toward the mountainside of powerful tumbling waters (mouth dry, heart thumping, knees quivering), Winston our guide at Dunn’s River Falls sidled up to me and said, “You – you’re coming with me!” Oh no, does this mean I can’t chicken out?!  My fate is sealed – trust in Winston, tamp down your fears and climb for all you’re worth, Susan.   Such was the beginning of one of the most exhilarating adventures of my traveling life at Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios Jamaica.   Dunn’s River Falls is a challenging 600 foot climb up a hillside of cascading boulders through a swift moving waterfall that races from clifftop to sea.

Our enthusiastic group of two dozen Travel Bloggers joined hands and slipped and dipped  our way upward.  Continue Reading »

Hotel du Louvre – An Iconic & Affordable Paris Opera Hotel

When you dream of a trip to Paris, does your hotel have a iconic Haussmann facade, a bustling lobby with sweeping views down broad boulevards, comfortable rooms with plush linens and cream colored marbled baths?  If this sounds like your Parisian fantasy, look no further than the Hotel du Louvre to fulfill your heart’s desire. Even the name conjures a refined elegance; just imagine past generations ‘on the grand tour’ sweeping into the Napoleonic lobby, billowing silk skirts rustling – “shall we have an aperitif at Cafe Marlow across the street at the Louvre Palace, or stroll through the Tuileries Gardens?”  Ahhh, Paris I’ve missed you!

Linda and I had a brief but wonderful stay at the Hotel du Louvre at the end of our journey and it left us wistful to return again soon.  Continue Reading »