I had an amazing time when I last visited Caramoor in Katonah, New York for the American Roots Festival. It smelled like sunshine and the forest.   I saw wicker picnic baskets, little girls twirling about in summer dresses and people’s heads and feet moving to the wonderful music. 

Recently I attended it on my own and the weather was unseasonably cold and rainy. Fashion was rain slickers, plastic sheets and people coveting cups of coffee. People danced with indifference to the rain -...

This was my second visit to Tanglewood in Lennox, Massachusetts, but the first time on my own. 

I arrived early to get a parking space close to the main gates. Entering at 5 PM, how did I spend the 3 hours until show time?

During the first hour I enjoyed a picnic dinner I brought with me in the beer garden.  The area soon filled up and I accepted all requests to join my table. Conversation flowed!

I wandered around to study picnic styles.  I found table chandeliers, cribbage playing and...

As I headed to the iconic Coney Island and Brighton beaches, following a decade hiatus, I asked, "What will be the same? What won’t? Are there new adventures for the taking?"

Parking had alway been a part of the adventure and it still is. I found a metered parking place twice with patience and acts of kindness bestowed from drivers and pedestrians.  The steep parking fee at the NY Aquarium's lot was $24 vs $2 for two hours at the Munimeter.  

My first stop was Famous Nathan’s.  I passed on...

There is a special energy in the air during inaugural events. Anticipation sparks intrigue, happiness and topics to chat about. The question “Have you ever attended anything like this before?” opens up all kinds of chats amongst strangers who share a common bond - the reason why they are attending.

The all day and all night Jazz Festival at Caramoor (Katonah NY) in collaboration with Lincoln Center was a first. It was partnership history amongst beautiful woods, flowers and trees. 

The...

For a change of pace I booked a one day bus tour as a solo traveler. I’ve done bus travel for staycations (vacations with overnight stays), but I haven’t booked one near home in ages.

It freed me from 5-6 hours of driving and it was a “quick pass” to socializing with other travelers.  

The main event was a tour around Newport with lunch, a Mansion tour and time to wander around the seaport area. The mansion tour made me feel like I was visiting a grand palace in Europe.

What would I do...