‘O Oysters,’ said the Carpenter‘You’ve had a pleasant run!Shall we be trotting home again?’But answer came there none -And this was scarcely odd, becauseThey’d eaten every one.Lewis Carroll, The Walrus and the Carpenter Growing up Jewish and keeping some of the basic dietary laws that religion subscribes to (no pork or shellfish), my only connection…
For regular readers, you’ll know that I don’t write reviews of hotels, airlines, restaurants, or things like that, except as incorporated into a larger story. So why this one? A couple reasons. First, Avelo Airlines generously sponsored my flights to and from Humboldt County on my recent trip, so I actually paid much more attention…
The term sustainable has been bandied around for a while now. Everyone wants to be sustainable, to grow and source food sustainably, to build sustainable communities and businesses. But recently, a new buzzword has joined the party: regenerative. To be sustainable is just that, to sustain, to keep as is. It’s a noble pursuit, the…
Editor’s note: the last time I visited Yad Vashem was in 1998, and the memory is still vivid. As Sam writes so eloquently, it is a place that will change you. For more of Sam’s articles here on The Royal Tour, click here to visit his index. Today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day as…
From the moment I cross Butterfield Stage Road driving east on Rancho California Road in Temecula, California, life changes. Gone are the shopping centers and housing developments that litter the area, replaced by vineyards, wine chateaux, and citrus orchards. Gone is the fast pace of multiple lanes of traffic. And gone, too, are the cares…
Last summer, I got lucky. By chance or fate or skill, during my Northern California driving trip, I connected with Julie Benbow, Executive Director of Visit Redwoods, the Humboldt County visitors bureau. During my time staying in Eureka, she introduced me to some fabulous sights, and even arranged for entrance to the world-famous Carson Mansion.…
Editor’s note: ever since I met Dr. Jonathan Cassie when we worked together in my prior life, I have been impressed with the way he perceives the world. As such, I have been - literally - begging him on at least a quarterly basis to write for us at The Royal Tour. He finally gave…
One town was abandoned while one lives on. Both Calico and Daggett were founded in the early 1880s, part of a silver boom in this part of California’s Mojave Desert. And yet, only a few decades later, one - Calico - had been abandoned, while Daggett lives on to this day. Why? What can we…
The small Baltic state of Lithuania has been in the news a lot recently, for some pretty cool things. Risking economic backlash from China, the country did the right thing and allowed Taiwan to open an embassy under its own name (rather than the commonly used Chinese Taipei). Second, it became the first European country…
Editor’s note: I didn’t even know there was a Dutch Carnaval until I read this awesome story from Hedy, our resident Dutch writer here at The Royal Tour. Count me in to visit sometime! For more of Hedy’s writing, click here to visit her index page. We all have heard of the Brazilian Carnaval, and…