I want to thank everyone who submitted 4th of July pictures to the Travel Snapshots Group Flickr page. It was great fun and I hope you enjoyed sharing your photos! See my favorites from each submitter below.
Author Archives: Colleen McGuire
Paul Bunyan Trail
Keith P. snapped this great angle while out on a family bike ride. I can feel the grooves of the trail down to my toes.
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
I couldn’t help but snap a picture of Paul and Babe, a kitchy roadside attraction in Bemidji, Minn. I de-saturated the color to give the photo an old time feel.
Fireworks floatilla
Photographer Tom Dunn took this photo of fireworks over Lake Bemidji with a sturdy tripod in a sometimes rocky boat.
The Mississippi on a hot windy day
This was my favorite submission by John W. The photo, taken on an iPhone with the Hipstamatic app, made me a convert!
The back streets of Antigua
The church was Ebenezer Methodist – a colonial style church influenced by the British living in Antigua when the church was constructed 165 years ago. I was traveling with my mother, and we had wandered from the main street in St. John’s after spotting Ebenzer’s bell tower and cross steeple down a side street.
Finding the side door to the church open when we arrived, mom and I marched up the steps and were immediately greeted by a friendly native who invited us in to look around the church.
After photographing in the choir balcony, mom and I agreed the woman at the door was well worth knowing. We carefully wound our way down the steps and found our greeter waiting for us. She had taken it upon herself to dig out church bulletins from a music concert six months prior because she just thought we might be interested. Then she settled in a pew by the side door and began telling us about herself and her congregation.
The woman referred to herself as Miss Martin. Miss Martin had five children, all whom
were employed, she proudly declared, leaning toward us when she made the statement. She told us she sang in the choir and that she cleaned the church every Tuesday. So remarkable you came to see Miss Martin today! It was meant that you would be here when I was cleaning this church, praise God, to His glory!
Amen. The back streets are the best places on any trip, I’ve found. Even if the path looks a little sketchy as our route did, you might miss the opportunity to meet Miss Martin if you stick to Main Street.
Have you had a similar encounter with a local on your travels? Was your experience the same or vastly different? I would love to hear about it.
Reminder! All photos from your 4th of July weekend celebrations are due tomorrow. Find out more here.
Hit me with your best shot
The 4th of July holiday weekend is upon us, and many of you will be traveling to grandma’s house in Texas or watching fireworks in Washington, D.C. No matter where you go over the weekend, I want to see your travel snapshots.
I’ve created a new Travel Snapshots Group on Flickr – so this is your moment! Upload pictures of your 4th of July weekend and I will post the best entries on this site. The theme? “America Celebrates.” Pictures of parades, children with sparkers, your mom’s apple pie – whatever you feel is a great representation of the 4th of July celebration. You will be given full credit for your photograph(s) and all pictures are allowed – SLR to camera phone shots.
Entries are due by Wednesday, July 7.
And where am I going over the weekend? Stay tuned. I’ll post my Travel Snapshots as well!
Those quick business trips
I’m fortunate enough to travel several times a year on business. Sometimes that equates to one long day flying in and out of a city in less than 24-hours. But once in a while I have a few hours to explore on my own.
This week I was in Chicago, a city I haven’t visited in almost a decade. My first order of business was to visit Millennium Park. I have seen many pictures of Cloud Gate, the sculpture fondly known as “The Bean,” and wanted to snap a few photos of my own.
If you happen to be in a sour mood while sightseeing in Chicag
o, visit The Bean. The first thing you hear approaching the structure are squeals and laughter. People are jumping up and down to see their reflection in the sculpture. Families are posing for photos. Children (usually children) are rolling on the ground in the curved underbelly to see their distorted image in the stainless steel above them. It’s a happy place.
From Cloud Gate walk south to The Crown Fountain. Not one but two fountains, the glass sculptures project images of faces overlooking a thin reflecting pool. Watch the kids play in the water. They will take you back to childhood memories of your own.
While I was doing the business part of my trip, I asked a local what was within walking distance from my hotel for dinner. Ethnic food was my only stipulation. He recommended Singha Thai Restaurant at 340 North Clark Street (listed in the River North section on Urban Spoon). Sold.
I arrived at Singha Thai with my colleagues, one who was craving spice, one who wasn’t familiar with Thai, and one who thought ground pepper was a hot condiment.
We were seated in sunken booths that made you look like you were sitting on the floor Japanese style. Flipping open the menu we didn’t find many entrees over $9.99. And then the food arrived. I watched my co-workers eyes roll into the back of their heads as they sucked down spring rolls and garlic beef. All was right in the world.
If you are staying in or near the Magnificent Mile or the Streeterville neighborhood, stop in to West Egg Cafe at 620 N. Fairbanks Ct. for breakfast (E. Ontario is the cross street). Solo travelers can sit at the corner without waiting. The service is friendly, the food delivered hot and lightning fast. With a range of omelettes, pancakes and waffles, muffins, skillets and eggs benedict items, you can eat as healthy or naughty as you would like. Either way, the large plates will set you up with energy for the business of the day.
There’s so much more to see in Chicago, but if you only have 48-hours, with business meetings, conferences and the like included, spend a few moments in Millennium Park or find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant recommended by a local. It will make business seem like a vacation.
A souvenir from the conference I attended posed for me in Millennium Park. Making business more entertaining is another way to make traveling fun.
Getting under an Irishman’s skin
If memory serves correctly, it was my fault. Husband and I were sitting in a pub on a bustling street in Galway. As with every pub in Ireland, we were befriended by locals, this time by three men on their way home from work. Our group circled around a small table and talked about American and Irish history. That’s when I brought up the British. Dicky, the tallest, broadest man of the group, spit over his shoulder. “That’s what I think of the Tans,” he said slowly.
Thankfully an awkward moment in Ireland is only as long as a sip of beer. It was evident on our trip that some Irish still harbor unfavorable feelings toward England. It also explains why you could not order a Black & Tan without an Irish scolding. Mixed marriage is one thing, but combining Irish and English beer in the same glass is sacrilege.
After apologizing to our three hosts for the obvious insult, the men did what the Irish do best – talked it out. We spent the next hour talking about the history of Galway, the struggling economy in Ireland, and their travels to America. In the end even Dicky admitted his sister-in-law was a Tan, “and a beautiful woman, God bless her.”
The lush green hills and sheep sprinkled across the landscape are just one element that make Ireland magical. But it’s 
the people like Dicky that make Ireland unforgettable.
Galway was a favorite town during our trip through the southern half of the country. A college town situated on an inlet of the western sea, it is full of young people, music and a large shopping district.
While there are many places to stay, we had good Irish luck at Victoria Hotel. It was at the end of a street off the main square of town, which meant it was centrally located yet quiet. We were able to negotiate our rate to $70 Euro per night, which included a full Irish breakfast.
If you only have time to do a few things in Galway after the pubs, I suggest fueling up and mingling with the locals.
While pub food is usually very good, McDonagh’s Fish-and-Chips at the end of Quay Street is worth a stop in Galway, even if you’re just passing through. Moderately battered, the fresh catch is fried to crispy perfection. The chips are also good, but it’s the mushy peas I dreamt about for months after returning home to the States. The combination of sweet peas, milk, butter and salt are addictive.
After stuffing yourself on fish, chips and peas, stroll the opposite direction on Quay Street to the open air
market wrapped around the St. Nicolas Collegiate Church. Roasted nuts, fresh herbs and cockles are on display, and rubbing elbows with the residents of Galway definitely heightens your local experience.
Ireland spoiled me a little. Trips abroad after experiencing the Emerald Isle left me hoping a stranger like Dicky would approach in a pub to discuss world politics of the day. But that hasn’t happened yet. Instead, I’m left with a longing to return to a place that feels very much like home.
Want to hear more about Ireland from a local? Check out the winners of the Irish Blog Awards.
Minnesota music
Seattle = Grunge. Greenwich Village = Folk. Memphis = Blues. Minnesota = music’s best kept secret.
Home to The Trashmen, Judy Garland, Bob Dylan, Prince, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, The Jayhawks, Atmosphere and a host of hip-hop artists on the Rhymesayers label, Minnesota has produced stars from virtually every era of popular music.
Rich in diversity, visitors can typically find a variety of music playing around town any night of the week. With a quick search, I found 118 different bands, trios, solo acts and the like playing on Friday night in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul area. If you are in town and want to experience a booming music scene, consider my personal favorites:
First Avenue – The creme de la creme of all Twin Cities clubs, First Ave. is the CBGB of Minneapolis. With pitch black walls on the inside, the crowd ranges from tattoos and piercings to hoodies and hightops depending on the night. Large bathrooms are upstairs in addition to the First Ave. Twitter stream which runs continuously on large screens by the second level bars. Bonus: First Ave. admission means you can also check out 7th Street Entry.
7th Street Entry – The baby sibling attached to First Ave., 7th Street Entry is the starting place for bands. A few make it, most
don’t, but you get to hear a range of incredible music in a space no larger than your living room. If late night clubbing isn’t your style, 7th Street offers many all-ages or 18+ early shows that put you in bed before 10:00 p.m. Tip: pack earplugs. The size of 7th Street means ringing ears the next day if you don’t care for your hearing.
Turf Club – This club is like your favorite pair of worn shoes. You should give them a good shine, but it would take away the character. A shotgun club with a lower level lounge decorated in Minnesota kitsch, The Turf is where the local musicians hang out if they don’t have a gig. Reasonable cover at the door keeps the place usually packed. It’s also the club that local bands use for trying new material out on smaller, more intimate crowds.
The Cabooze – Hosting tribute shows and bands traveling post-outdoor festival season, The Cabooze in Minneapolis is most notable for its interior space. A large dance floor, tables and chairs, plus a comfy sitting lounge overlooking the stage make The Cabooze a great place to see music or mingle with friends.
The Artists’ Quarter – Located in the basement of the Hamm Building in downtown Saint Paul, The Artists’ Quarter feels like a speakeasy. National acts, local legends and B3 Organ Night make this club a place you’ll want to hang out. Downtown professionals, music professors and students from McNally Smith College of Music are standards in the crowd. In town over the holidays? The Artists’ Quarter is one of the best New Years Eve parties in Saint Paul.
Dubliner Pub – Closest thing to a pub in Dingle, Ireland, the Dubliner features foot-stomping Irish music six-nights a week in a no frills bar. And they pull your glass of Guinness correctly. Best part? There’s never a cover.
The Dakota Jazz Club – This club serves dinner with your jazz. It’s polished and perfect if you want to dress-up and do the town to see some of the best jazz musicians on tour today.
Kitty Cat Klub – On the East Bank of the University of Minnesota in Dinkytown, there is a lounge club like no other called The Kitty Cat. Velvet sofas, lampshades and oriental rugs set the scene for solid music that is typically free on the weekdays, or if you go early enough for food on the weekends.
Lee’s Liquor Lounge – This is my favorite spot to see honky-tonk. Johnny Cash just sounds better in Lee’s. And the dance floor
is always full of regulars who make-out or square dance-out the evening in front of the band. The old guy behind the bar is Louie, the owner, and he runs a tight ship. Be sure to check out his impressive collection of Elvis memorabilia hanging throughout the place.
Mayslack’s Bar – Nice-sized stage with a small dance floor, Mayslack’s is a great old building with solid music. If you go, try the roast beef sandwich.
Nye’s Polonaise Room – Voted the Best Bar in America by Esquire magazine in 2006, Nye’s is a mix of polish sausage, country blues, a polka band and a piano bar. The vinyl booths and orange/red 1960s decor are the icing on the cake.
For a full listing of music in the Twin Cities, look for the City Pages on free newsstands or visit www.citypages.com.
Read my take on Soundset, one of the largest hip hop festivals in the Midwest, hosted in Minneapolis by Rhymesayers.
Have more than one night to spend in Minneapolis-Saint Paul? Check out The New York Times city recommendations.
Travel Snapshots 