The Square Grouper

The Square Grouper, rounds them up! So it’s true, there is the perfect bar. The Square Grouper, situated on the Castaways Marina in South Florida, puts paradise on the map.

All you country fans or Jimmy Buffet fans may recognize the name. Yes, this is the spot where Alan Jackson's, “Its' Five O'Clock Somewhere” video with Jimmy Buffet was filmed. Music keeps this place jamming, live music here six days a week! And you always secretly hope J.B. will make a surprise appearance, and sing out “Margaritaville.” Heck, I’ll look for that lost shaker of salt all night, if it means I get to kick it at the Grouper!

My experience was made by the splashing colors. And we are not just talking about the blues of the ocean, greens of the forest, or yellows of the Coronas…the tables at the bar are all painted a different pastel color. LOVING IT! J.B. might not recommend the bar for this reason…but we would surely agree that it is enticing when there is sand sourrounding your table, and the ocean is a quick two feet way. I am a groupie of the square grouper, no doubt.

Amish Country, Bird-In-Hand

Upon entering Bird-in-Hand (the real name of the town, no joke) I wanted the full effect. Cell phone off. And it would remain off for the full day. No email, Rockies twitter updates or browsing the internet. We were in Amish country now. Pennsylvania has the second largest population in the nation at about 51,000 people, right behind Ohio.
A Mennonite guide, Minoh, took my family on a buggy ride through the pristine land. Seeing the Amish plow their yards, ride smaller than usual bicycles and walk down the street in no hurry with baked goods in hand made me want to take our horse off track, hitch up a plow and work along with them. I just had so many questions!
I noticed facial hair is a hit here! When married, a man grows out his beard. When I asked our guide if that was there way of saying “Taken,” he looked shocked. There I was in Bird-in-Hand and felt like I had my foot in my mouth. It’s more of a tradition 
You will notice plain clothing because the Amish believe in humility and do not want to stand out. Aprons are common for women and felt hats for men in the winter and straw hats in the summer. Staying separated from the world is part of their belief system, which also trickles to their beliefs on electricity. They do use bottled for water heaters, modern stoves and refrigerators. The Amish do not necessarily believe electricity is evil, but it could lead to the determination of the church, family and lead into temptations. The only temptation I was feeling that day was shoo fly pie.
Have you ever heard of shoo fly pie? The name threw me off, eating a pie with the word fly attached to it was not on my wish list. But after reading the ingredients I found nothing out of the ordinary. Molasses is the main ingredient, which attracts flies, so when put on the table the flies come swarming and are shooed away. But the pie itself, no need to shoo that away!
The one room school houses intrigued me. Old fashioned in a good way. But Looks like you can’t use the excuse of getting lost in the maze of halls from going from classroom to classroom here.
The Amish are very self sufficient. But there is debate about the modern world entering their lifestyle. Our guide, Minoh, told us they don’t own cars, but are not opposed to taking rides from anyone with a car. You will find Amish people at Wal-Mart buying clothes or food, which are of course produced with electricity. Some say this is hypocritical.
The modern world could be seeping in, but the faith is strong. There is something special about the simple life. Less stress, no competition, or comparisons. There is something admirable about choosing self-denial over comfort. I do however believe in originality and not sticking to a mold. If there was a way to abolish judgmental people and stick to your own character, that’s where you would find me, alongside a piece of shoo fly pie of course!

Philly: More than just cheese steaks!

Philly is about more than world class cheese steaks. Ask a Philadelphian if he would move to New York, you will find the look is as painful as the one on someone’s face who orders a cheese steak and finds out they are fresh out of cheese whiz. I ordered a cheese steak and thought the guy was kidding when he asked if I wanted cheese whiz on my steak. Maybe he could tell I was from out of town and wanted to see if he could also get me add sprinkles on top.
My perplexed look was taking me back to the days when the magic cheese whiz out of a can always turned up a notch on the party, especially with triscuits. I shouldn’t have questioned him because I was told, “Ya, Cheese whiz, you either want it or you don’t, there’s no in between.” Well I should hope not. So I instead asked for provolone. No response and white cheese slapped on top of the steak, wrapped and slapped on the counter. Do I leave a tip? Some people may say yes, tell the guy to smile, and also offer organic dairy free Swiss cheese on the menu.
But I must say I love the Philadelphia attitude. No small talk, they are down to business. If you are ever there, smile and wave at someone, anyone. You will know if they are from Philly if they nod back aggressively, or respond with a cold “How you doin' ” or just look the other way…they must get tired of all us tourists coming in, especially if you are on the duck tour and quacking loud and proud with the duck whistle. I would request to live in a NO quack zone.
But get used to it. Philly is a city full of attitude and they mean nothing by it. And how could you not miss this city? Truth be told by loyal Philadelphians: Philly is THE CITY. Not New York, and they keep their big apple, Philly also has big time cream cheese and cheesecake. And oh ya, the real history.
I am not discrediting anything about New York, that city is slick. But let’s get this straight. The real American History covers not only Philly but Pennsylvania. New York is not “THE CITY.” It’s one of the cites. The real city is the one where the United States of America was established, the Declaration of Independence was formed and signed and the Liberty Bell once rang as loud as the duck whistles preaching freedom.
Diversity, history and a long list of sights to see never fall short in the city that founded the U.S.A.

The Cell

Even the word terrorism sends chills. 9/11 has brought the threat, thoughts and awareness of terrorism to my generation. It is no longer something we thought only threatened countries outside the U.S. and rarely heard about. It is real, and as “The Cell” exhibit will teach you, it can happen anytime, anywhere. Not meant to scare anyone, but to bring awareness and confront myths and facts regarding terrorism.
The facts are simple, lives are shattered, they are worldwide, can hit home, and many different tools are used to carry out the violent acts. How about when cell phones or lunchboxes are made into bombs, and sometimes disguised in the mail. One of the most shocking parts was to see children under the age of ten, gripping machine guns, trained and forced to kill. For a lot of them, it is kill or be killed.
The interactive exhibit goes through the history of terrorism , along with the methods terrorists use to help understand why and the impacts it has worldwide. It might not leave you with the creative effect of an art museum, or the history of the Natural History Museum, but it is important. Terrorism isn’t going anywhere, but the knowledge and education to learn how to be aware of it and what you can do to help can be found right in Downtown Denver.

Body Worlds

It could be debatable, but I would say that the heart is the most intricate and involved muscle in the human body. Go ahead; let’s hear from anyone who disagrees. The liver, the intestines, even the phalanges (come on a cool name like that, definitely a contester ) could all rival, and I am open to hearing arguments, but I stand firm, the hearts goes on!


Head to Body Worlds at the Denver Museum of Nature Science and there will surely be another tally on my side, the heart side. The exhibit is only here through July 18 FYI! Warning: this exhibit, nothing less than fascinating, may not be for everyone. These are real human bodies, collections and specimens you are setting your eyes on. I will note that many children under the age of ten were present.

You will find over 200 specimens from whole bodies, to single organs and body slices. The heart is the focus, and rightfully so…this organ works harder and intertwines with every other organ. In less than one minute your heart can pump over 100,000 times and over 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels in our bodies. And it’s only the size of a fist. What do you think about that?!

It is the invention of Plastanation that has brought BodyWorlds to be a ‘have to see, ASAP.’ Some find it controversial that someone could donate their body to medical research and be put on display. But it’s not for the mere fact of marveling over it, but to learn from it. There is a difference between recreated displays and textbook pictures, and an actual human body that develops an appreciation when you know you are looking at the real deal.

There is no question that a smokers lung is tarnished with black smut that leaves you wondering why you would ever light up. Or the clogged arteries that leave you questioning why you would not pay attention to nutrition and exercise. Or how about some bodies on display hat are in mint condition and who would not want to model after that?

It’s no longer just known to the medical world, we are let in. We are drawn to appreciate the inner workings of our body. To see the neuron system in a preserved state, the network of blood vessels and or the development of a child from the age of two weeks to right before birth. It really is necessary to see, it is heartfelt.

Take me to the Underground; Seattle Underground Tour

We have all heard, “What if walls could talk?” Well, after my trip to Pioneer Square, in Seattle, WA, I think “What if the underground could talk?” We would hear stories dating back to 1800’s, of old banks, hotels and sewing shops. These businesses are all one story beneath businesses that are laid on top. Seattle, of course, is a city overflowing with history, and Pioneer Square is a full on contributor.

Settled in 1852, Pioneer Square was just like any other city neighborhood. Commerce and the city folks kept it alive with their shops, handy work, hardwork and ingenuity. Then, a fire changed everything in 1889. This wasn’t just any fire. This one, uncontrollable, ravaged 25 blocks of the city. Yes, 25 blocks…think about that.

This fire that destroyed Pioneer Square became known as the “great fire.” But at the time the firefighters were rushing to tapped out water supplies, who would have ever thought a destructive fire would revamp the area and land it on the national register of historic places? Work had to be done of course.

Following the fire, rules were set that the new city would be built upon the old city. New brick structures replaced wood and shop owners were going back in business, one story higher. The original Pioneer Square was soon forgotten, and eventually even the remodeled Pioneer Square would join the forgotten ranks.

You see, Seattle was a stopping point for thrill seekers and adventure goers on their way to Alaska for the Yukon Gold Rush. Trashing the city and bringing in a sort of grime, many of the distinguished businesses moved uptown. Pioneer Square was no longer a place for commerce or community.

Business owners had no interest in opening or reopening business here because traffic was slowing and the neighboring buildings were in threat of getting torn down. After the public showed an interest in touring the underground and seeing the original city the government started to act.

Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act. I am a fan. There is a certain mentality that revolves around newer is better. To me, the fact that someone stepped up to realize that buildings can age well with the right care, keeps history and the stories behind these walls alive.

Without preserving this area, it would have most likely been torn down and rebuilt into a modern state. And don’t get me wrong, I love modern architecture. But walking around the historic Pioneer Square, looking up at the brick buildings and handcrafted woodwork gives me a good feeling knowing history won’t escape.

Denver Derby Party

The first Saturday of May marks one of the greatest days in fashion history, and a great excuse to wear a dynamite hat. The Derby! I will admit, I paid more attention to hats, than I did the actual Kentucky Derby. There, I admit it, I fell in love with the beads, feathers, flowers and scarves that gave each hat a personality. And here's why. The fashion of the Kentucky Derby is one of the integral parts. I love that the history of the Derby continues, and the fashion stays classy.

Men walked across the red carpet at the Denver Botanic Gardens in seer suckered suits, pastel plaid jackets and spiffy sport suits. Women stuck to classic spring dresses covered in floral patterns or polka dots, and of course the wide brimmed hats that I wish I could wear everyday, or at least every other.

The Denver Derby Party at the Botanic Gardens was more than an excuse to dress up in classic Southern Style and aerate the lawn with stiletto heels. The special occasion will put scholarship winner, Fred Herrera through four years of school at Colorado State University and room and board. The derby is not out to make a killer profit, 100 percent of the proceeds go toward funding a scholarship each year. I will tip my hat for that.