A week ago I met a friend (also named Deanna - which is fun to me because it is a rarity) in Lincoln, Nebraska and she introduced me to an iconic eating establishment she has been going to for years.

It is, unfortunately, well-known by those that know me that I am sort of an ice cream junkie. I have a weakness for ice cream in all its various forms and flavors. As I’ve gotten older, I have tried to cut down on my ice cream intake, but when in Milan (or Italy in general), you need to sample the gelato.

Today I feature my first guest blogger, my son! I told him he could write about any topic he wanted and he picked this, as The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota is one of his favorite places to visit.

When I was in college I went to DC to visit a friend who was working as an intern. She was working during the day so I had five days to visit many of the museums. I remember visiting the National Gallery of Art and being both amazed and overwhelmed. But, that was the museum that prompted my curiosity about art and artists.

DC has some fantastic restaurants! When I travel. part of the fun is trying new restaurants or local foods. I enjoy trying new foods or the same old, same old prepared differently.

I have always enjoyed a good story. When I travel, I like to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They seem to help driving long distances fly by. I have several travel podcasts I enjoy, but I found a new (to me) podcast this week that may top them all.

Read about my visit to the White House in May of 2023!

I have been taking inexpensive classes this year from Kelli Sweet, who runs a creative organization called Hibernate and Create. Next weekend is their big Spring retreat and I can’t wait! I am signed up for several classes and I’m so excited to be going! Great news! You can still sign up yourself!

One of the things I like most about travel is the surprises. This is a story of one of those chance encounters that became a surprise.

I am a total cathedral aficionado. I go cuckoo over cathedrals, particularly those in Europe. I have seen many unbelievably gorgeous cathedrals. But there was one cathedral still on my bucket list - the famous Milan Duomo.

Think the Library of Congress is for bookworms only? Think again, my friends! I took a short trek to Washington, D.C. last May and this is what I discovered on my very first visit.

So, you’ve decided you want to “get out of town.” What next?

One question I have been asked fairly frequently is, “How do you find and select good lodging when you travel?”

I’m going to start posting twice a week (see earlier schedule) about my 37-day trip to Europe last summer. And I’m choosing to start with the most fabulous, economical place to stay in Milan - the K34 Milano B & B operated by my now-dear Italian friend, Stefania!

I absolutely love taking photo after photo while I travel! It probably comes as no surprise to many of you.

Does the thought of a giant breakfast roll covered with pecans make your mouth water? How about a delicious Italian beef sandwich or sloppy joe on a homemade, freshly-baked bun? Would an old-fashioned rootbeer float hit the spot? If you answered “yes” to any questions of these questions, then make tracks to head to The Lunch Box in Jackson, Nebraska

I have been to many wonderful museums all over the world and I do enjoy most of the museums I have seen. But I have to say The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix ‘blew my socks right off!” 

I have been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s art and architecture for quite some time. I’ve visited a number of his projects such as a few of his houses in the Midwest, a hotel in Mason City, Iowa, and the Chicago neighborhood of Oak Park.

What do you think of when you see or think about a butterfly? I always think of Spring and colorful flowers. I also am enchanted by a butterfly’s flight - how they flit here and there but still manage to make it to where they want to be. In short, butterflies make me happy.

There are a number of cities known for their art museums and art events, but Scottsdale takes art to a whole new level!

I always make it a point to visit at least one church, cathedral, or religious site wherever I travel. I love the architecture, the artwork, the stillness (usually), the history, and the various expressions of faith.