Torrey Pines State Beach and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Indigenous dancers in downtown Los Angeles

While walking to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to catch my train back to San Diego, there was a colorful display of pre-Columbian indigenous Mexican dancers at the Los Angeles Plaza Historic District.

Riding Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Solana Beach to Los Angeles

On a recent visit to Southern California I rode Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner train from Solana Beach to Los Angeles. I enjoyed the spectacular ocean views on the most environmentally friendly, relaxing and affordable way to travel through Southern California.

Avalon, New Jersey

August 23-30, 2014 -- I recently visited the South Jersey Shore and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it is given the image in the popular media of what "The Shore" is supposed to look and feel like. I can tell you that at least in Cape May County the people are friendly and the scenery is spectacular and very natural and not too built up.

Costa Rica Adventure August 2014

Arenal Volcano

This summer I took a group eco tour of amazing Costa Rica in Central America. Enthusiastic and experienced environmentalist Ami Greener and his travel company Greener Travel organized the ten-day adventure. The tiny nation the size of West Virginia is one percent of the world's land mass and yet contains five percent of the world's biodiversity. The flora and fauna, the pristine beaches, the happy people, the many cultures, the rainforest, the volcanoes, the cities. When you visit Costa Rica you understand why their most famous saying and national greeting is "Pura Vida," or "Pure Life!"

Photos: Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware

I recently visited the Hagley Musuem and Library -- a non-profit educational institution located along the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware.

New Orleans, Louisiana

May 8, 2014 to May 12, 2014 -- I recently visited the Crescent City for the first time for a friend's wedding and was really impressed by New Orleans considering I had no idea what to expect as to how the city was still recovering after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I can tell you from my experience that while NOLA has its problems, the city is bouncing back in a big way and is well worth a visit.