MJ outside the gate of SMU's Gerald Ford Stadium, Dallas

Earlier this summer, I had a chance to visit Southern Methodist University in Dallas.  It’s officially located in University Park, a part of the greater Dallas area.

SMU, founded in 1911, is a private university owned and operated by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.  The university has an enrollment of nearly 11,000 students, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree in seven schools:  humanities and sciences, business, the performing, visual, and communication arts, engineering, education and human development, law, and theology.  The campus is home to 10 libraries, including the largest private collection of research materials in the southwest, and the Meadows Museum, one of the leading collections of Spanish art outside of Spain.

What brought me to the SMU campus, however, was not related to education, culture, or art.  What prompted my visit to SMU was football.  Specifically, SMU Mustangs football.  I know, you’re scratching your head thinking, “but MJ, you don’t even like football,” but this little side trip, like many in my travels, was about friendship.  Head coach June Jones is a friend, and this was a little glimpse at the stadium and field where his team plays.  (The photo shows me standing outside the gate of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium.)

This was a beautiful campus, set in a largely residential area, and a visit was well worth the time getting off the beaten path.  I’m looking at fall travel plans now, and wondering how many new campuses I can visit!

Do you have a favorite college campus that you’ve visited?

Photo credit:  Mary Jo Manzanares

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Due to its prime location at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge, much of Sausalito’s history has been playing a supporting role to nearby San Francisco.  The area has been a fishing village, transit hub, and a center for bootlegging during Prohibition, and during World War II was a major shipyard supporting the war.

Colorful floating homes dot the Sausalito landscape

Following the war, the shipyards were abandoned, and they became the location for a number of communities of houseboats.  Eventually a rather eclectic houseboat community sprouted up, eventually becoming a the side of the “Hill People,: rich families who lived on the hill and felt the houseboats were a blight on their view.  This led to the “Houseboat Wars” pitting the two groups of homeowners against one another in what seemed like an endless amount of legal battles.

Two house boat communities remain, Gallilee Harbor (at Waldo Point) and the Gates Cooperative (just outside the city limits).  Over 400 houseboats are within those communities, spanning a wide range of shapes, sizes, and values.  It’s as eclectic and diverse as ever.

Following a brief hiatus, the floating homes (as they are now properly called), will host a Floating Home Tour, opening the doors on 20 unique floating homes.  The self-guided tour will allow you to take a look at the interior of the homes, talk to residents of the community, and get a feel for what water life is like.

The tour begins at Kappas Marina (on Gate 6 Road off Bridgeway), with registration at the Green.  From there, the self-guided tour takes you through a selection of floating homes, including the “Train Wreck” which was built from an 1889 North Pacific Railway Pullman car that was cut in half.

The floating home tours is September 26th, 2009, from 11 am – 4 pm.  Advance tickets for the tour are $35 and are strong recommended.  Tickets can be purchased online.  If you can’t make it to Sausalito, and still want a little glimpse at houseboat life, you can check on their virtual tour.

Photo credit: wikimedia

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San Jose State University Swenson Gate

public, while others don’t, though, but if you genuinely show an interest in seeing the campus, there’s always someone willing to help you out or show you around.

On a recent visit to San Jose, California, I took a quick walk through the campus of San Jose State University.

The campus is located in downtown San Jose, and is believed to be the oldest public higher education institution on the West Coast.  The university offers an extensive array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and also is home to a growing eCampus, a learning program combining continuing education and professional development courses.

The most recognizable building on campus is the Tower Hall (in photo).  It looks out over a beautiful grassy area, where students can lounge and study in the nice sunny weather, or briskly walk through when it turns rainy or chilly.

Tower Hall on campus of San Jose State University

Since this is an urban campus, it’s surrounded by businesses (shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment, etc.) that support the university enrollment and employees.  You’ll find plenty to do and see as you’re walking around – another reason why walking through a campus makes a lot of sense.  You can always find something to do, get information, or even a recommendation of where to go, what to see, and where to eat.

Do you visit college campuses when you travel?

Photo credit:  personal collection

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During the World’s Fair, this was home to the US Science Pavilion.  Today it is an independent, not for profit science museum, with eight buildings housing hundreds of science exhibits, two IMAX theaters, a large Laser Dome theater, tropical butterfly house, and a planetarium.  In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Pacific Science Center hosts a number of traveling exhibits, most recently “Lucy’s Legacy:  The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia.”

My favorite of the exhibits, and a welcome respite after a busy day of touring the Seattle Center, is the Tropical Butterfly House.  This building is climate controlled to 80 degrees, with 70% humidity, to nurture the delicate butterflies that call this home.  You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled, and this beautiful creatures may light anywhere – the ground, trees, flowers, or on you.

This is a great place for families, and their are exhibits that will appeal to age groups.  Kids seem to especially enjoy the Dinosaur exhibit, the Insect Village, and the butterflies.

The Pacific Science Center is located on the Seattle Center campus, and the Tropical Butterfly House is in Building #2.  Regular hours are 10 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday, and until 6 pm on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.  Summer hours are till 6 pm daily.

Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors (ages 65+), $13 for youth (ages 6-15), and $11 for kids (ages 3-5).  Tickets can be purchased online or onsite.

Photo credit:  Byrmo @flickr

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Lake Maggiore isn’t the largest of the Italian Lakes, but it is the longest, stretching about 40 miles from Sesto Calende at the Italian end to Magadino at the Swiss end.  The east side of the lake is in the Lombardy region and the west in Piedmonte.  The lake area is considered pre-Alp, and the area surrounding it is a mixture of hills and mountains that eventually lead to the Alps.

Around the lakes are numerous little town (or communes), each with its own flavor and ambience.  Most of the towns are quiet and casual, although their are a few that have rather opulent hotels and cafes.  I much preferred the casual, laid back spots, drinking coffee and eating where the locals were.   There is, however, most likely a town that will appeal, no matter what your preferences are.

With a location that provides a steady supply of wind, Lake Maggiore is also a popular spot for windsurfing and sailing.

Photo credits:  personal collection

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There’s sun!  And coming from Seattle, there’s a lot to like about the sun!

I spent much of today out on the water of Key Biscayne, enjoying a little sun and getting into a little different state of mind.

I spent time aboard one of the boats from Island Queen Cruises, enjoying a nice lunch buffet, cocktails, and great company.  They have sightseeing cruises starting at $25/person, with an internet discount available.   and it’s wonderful way to enjoy time on the water, enjoy a great view of the city, and catch a glimpse of the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

We cruised what’s known as Millionaire’s Row on Star Island, an assortment of fabulous mansions owned by celebrities and other prominent people.  Some of the residents included Rosie O’Donnell, Donald Pliner (of gorgeous shoe and boot fame), Julio Iglesias, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and Sean Combs.  No star sightings, nor invitations for cocktails or dinner.

Shaquille O’Neal’s has a place there that is up for sale, complete with a 75 foot salt water lap pool.  Price tag on the mansion is reported to be a cool 23 million.

Photo credits:  all from personal collection

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Contrast that very modern business core with one of the oldest and most beautiful structures in the city – the Guadalajara Cathedral, a minor basilica that is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guadalajara.  Located in the downtown Centro Histórico (Avenue16 de Septiembre, Hidalgo y Morelos), the neo-Gothic towers of the Cathedral dominate the skyline.

Originally built during the 16-17th century, parts of it have been destroyed by fire, earthquake, and the ravages of time.  Repairs and rebuilding have attempted to keep as much as possible.

Walking into the cathedral is like taking a big step back in time.  The main altar is made of marble and silver, but you’ll also find ten other altars around the side of the cathedral.  Behind the main altar are sufficient chairs to seat the council of Cardinals.  The cathedral has beautiful stained glass (imported from France, and reminiscent of Notre Dame), many religious artifacts and pieces of art, a mural by Mexican artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and relics of St. Innocent (among others).  This is also home to the largest organ in the country.

Surrounding the cathedral are spacious plazas perfect for strolling, getting a bite to eat, people watching, or enjoying the many artisans the set up shop here.  Don’t hurry through!  Slow down your pace, and enjoy the culture and history of Guadalajara.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Whether our photos are professional quality, or merely serve as a memory of a wonderful adventure, photos have become an increasingly important part of travel.  And in the era of so many digital options, from cameras to online storage to editing software and more, there’s no reason for it to be a complicated process. (I’ve been trying out some new products so look for some reviews coming up soon!)

My photo today is a wonderful memory of a trip to the Pompeii ruins.  Located near Naples, Italy, Pompeii was destroyed during a two day eruption of Mount Vesuvius back in 79 AD.  The city was buried under ash and pumice, and for nearly 1700 years was presumed lost until its accidental re-discovery in the mid-1700’s.   The subsequent excavation of the site has been a glimpse at what life was like during the height of the Roman Empire.

Today, Pompeii is a popular tourist attraction, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Millions of visitors explore the site each year, along with its sister city of Herculaneum.

I spent a full day wandering the ruins.  It was interesting getting a feel for how the city was laid out before the eruption, and noting how some building were totally decimated while others had major walls and other components left standing.  Some of the artwork that survived was amazing!  During the spring and summer months, the ruins are open from 8:30 am – 7:30 pm, and during the fall and winter till 5 pm.  A one day ticket is

To get to Pompeii, take the Circumvesuviana train to the Pompei stop.  The entrance to the ruins is just a short walk from the station.  One day admission is €11,00, and a 3-day admission covering 5 sites (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae, and Boscoreale) is €20,00.  EU visitors under 18 or over 65, are FREE.  EU visitors ages 18-24 and teachers are half price.

Here are my suggestions on how to enjoy a visit to the ruins:

Plan to spend a full day.  There’s lots to see, and you will want time to explore what interests you.

• Wear comfortable flat walking shoes as you’ll be on your feet all day, and the site is hilly with uneven paths.  It may not have been polite, but I laughed at the people I saw trying to navigate the site in heels.
• Leave the strollers at home.  I saw people trying to push strollers up and down, but honestly, I’m not sure this is the best attraction for rolling along with the little ones.
• Opt for the audio guide.  While I didn’t follow along and listen to the entire guide, there are lots of sites numbered that match up with the guide.  I was interested in enough things to make it well worth the small additional charge.
• Bring water for certain, maybe a snack. You’ll want something to drink as you’re walking around.  You can buy food and beverage onsite, but bringing your own is both more convenient and cheaper (although onsite prices weren’t horrible).
• Don’t make big plans for the evening after visiting.  After a full day of wandering in the heat (it was March and quite warm), I was exhausted.  All I wanted was an easy evening in rather than a night on the town.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Built between AD 72-80, the Coliseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater and was the center of the city of Rome.  It was the first and the largest (it covers about six acres) permanent amphitheater built in the Roman Empire.

The exterior of the building consisted of four floors – three tiers of arches and an attic. On top of the attic were a series of brackets and sockets that allowed a shade to be pulled over the arena for sun protection, and a canopy that could be pulled over to protect guests from the rain.  It was a fairly complex system that may have served as the forerunner to the many stadium and arenas today that have a retractable roof.

Anyone who has seen Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator, has a pretty good idea of how the Coliseum operated.

80 doorways led into the interior arena area, with tiers of marble benches for spectators.  Seating was arranged by rank, with the emperor and noblemen at the front, and working men and women at the rear.  It was an efficient seating plan that allowed for the smooth arrival and departure of nearly 50,000 spectators.

Originally, the arena floor was wooden with sand over it.  There were various trapdoors that opened up letting lions and other ferocious beast enter the arena.  (You can still see the outline of many of those trapdoors today.)  There was also a fairly advanced underground aqueduct system that allowed the floor to be flooded for water battles.  This is where the gladiator battles and other public spectacles took place – the ultimate battle between the lions and Christians.  Many of both died in the games.

So what happened after the gladiators?  Keep reading to find out more!

In the middle ages, the Coliseum was used as a fortress and a quarry, but in 1749 Pope Benedict XIV declared it a sacred site where early Christians had been martyred.  Stations of the Cross were installed and it became a holy structure, although one that was allowed to fall into disrepair.

During the 19th century conservation of the Coliseum began, and its ties to the Catholic Church renewed.  In recent years, it has become a symbol of the international campaign against the death penalty, and the night illumination changes from white to gold whenever a death sentences is commuted, the prisoner released, or if a jurisdiction abolishes the death penalty. In December 2007 it was lit in gold when New Jersey abolished the death penalty.

Although the interior of the Coliseum is in ruins, you can still see several of the marble benches from early days.  It is used for an occasional event (a few hundred spectators can be accommodated in temporary seating), and larger events like concerts have been held outside the arena on the grounds.  Paul McCartney and Elton John both had concerts on the amphitheater grounds.  Each year on Good Friday, the Pope leads a torch lit procession for the Stations of the Cross.

The exterior grounds of the Coliseum can be wandered at no charge.  Look out for the young men dressed up like gladiators who’ll stand with you for a photo.  There’s a fee involved.   You can walked around the entire perimeter, enjoy the grounds,  marvel at the architecture, and soak in the feel of history.

Admission is charged to get inside, although EU citizens, students, and seniors have a reduced rate.  Timed tickets are available in advance or you can buy them at the Palatine.  The lines are shorter there than at the Coliseum itself, and the ticket covers admission to both sites.  An audio tour is available for an additional charge.

Of all the things that I saw in Rome, and there were lots of impressive things, the Coliseum was the highlight.  It was my first glimpse of the city.  I came up from the train station and stood for a minute clearing my head and getting my bearings.  I looked up at the Coliseum directly in front of me.  I stood there, across the street from history, and it simply took my breath away.

Photo credits:  all from personal collection

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Between the hours of 9 am – 6:30 pm, a complimentary van service makes scheduled trips between the airport and Temple Square.  The service delivers you to one of the two visitor centers where complimentary tours are offered.  You can take a quick guided tour of this 10 acre area at the center of the city, then return to the airport for your outbound flight.

Regardless of religious affiliation, Temple Square is one of the most popular attractions in the state.  It is home to the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the huge pipe organ that accompanies the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Temple, with is six-spire design, is an operational house of worship.  No public tours of the interior are available.  (If you are member of the church and wish to enter the Temple, a temple recommend is required.)  The rest of the grounds are open to the public.

There’s no reason to feel stuck at the airport here in Utah.  Put down your work, and enjoy a little cultural outing.  It’s one of the most unusual cities that I’ve visited, and I’m fascinated at how religion as shaped its architecture, culture and development.

NOTE:  Allow a minimum of 90 minutes for the tour and round trip transportation.

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