The "O7" Blog

• The Look:  Absolutely spectacular; no matter where you're at.  
• Best time to go:  The spring (mild temperatures) and fall (good for hiking).
• Key Points of Interest: Where do you start - the Grand Canyon of course (south-rim, north is ok as well, Sedona, Monument Valley, Phoenix area, etc.
• Fun Facts:  It was once called "Pimería Alta", or "Upper Pima Country".
• Our travel experience:  We traveled to Arizona back in October of 2022 for a total of 7 days.  I called it our "Arizona mini tour".  We flew into Phoenix, rented a car, and then drove to the Grand Canyon for two days.  Highlights of our stay were seeing a full-grown elk in the middle of the road - a night, viewing the canyon at sunrise, and walking a portion of the Bright Angel Trail.  From there, we headed to Sedona spending 1 night there.  The beauty of the area was magical which inspired us to plan a return trip.  From Sedona, we headed to Scottsdale spending three days.  Scottsdale is a very peaceful suburb of Phoenix.  While there, we to the metro into Phoenix where we experienced the "Art Walk".  In all, I was blown away with the beauty and scenery of the portions of the state in which we traveled - the mountains, the rolling hills, etc.  We will return!     

• The Look and Feel: It's about the impressive architecture of the buildings downtown, the Chicago River; especially during the St. Patrick's Day period, and the skyline along Lake Michigan.  The culinary scene is world-renowned, and there's an air of friendless as total strangers speak to you in passing.        
• Best time(s) to go:  St. Patrick's Day or during the summer months. 
• Key Points of Interest: Grant Park, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago River during St. Patrick's Day, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, The Second City comedy club, and more. 
• Fun Facts: Various nicknames to include the "City of the Big Shoulders", "The Second City", Chi-town, the Windy City, never put ketchup on a Chicago-style hot dog (I do), the nation's first skyscraper was built there in 1884, the start of the Historic Route 66 begins at Grant Park, and more.
• Our travel experience:  Chicago holds a special place in my heart as it's my birthplace.  After a couple of years living on the south side, we moved to the western suburb of Maywood.  We travel there every 3 years or so in both the summer and winter.  We've taken in places such as the Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Brookfield Zoo, Taste of Chicago, Blue Chicago, B.L.U.E.S. and Buddy Guy's Legends blues clubs, and more.  

• The Vibe:  "Close to Perfect, Far from Normal"; subtropical paradise with palm-lined streets and gingerbread mansions.
• Best time to go: For less crowds, lower prices for accommodation, and lower milder temperatures, between March and April.  The Summer months however are the more popular time as it's warmer or livelier.    
• Key Points of Interest: Mallory Square to watch the sun settling into the Gulf of Mexico, African Burial Grounds, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, Historic Seaport district, Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Duval Street.
• Fun Facts:  Located closer to Cuba than to Miami, the southernmost point in the continental U.S.A.
• Our travel experience:  We traveled to Key West in June of 2021 staying 5 days.  Highlights of our trip were our stay at the historic, ocean front Southernmost House Hotel - had a charming, bed and breakfast vibe to boot, did some wine tasting at Vinos on Duval, watched the infamous beautiful and picturesque sunset from the Sunset Pier restaurant in Mallory Square, visited the Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach, had dessert at "Better Than Sex - A Dessert Restaurant", and on the 4th of July, rented a mustang convertible and drove up to Key Largo and back.  

• The Look:  small town away from the hustle of New York with lots of festivals.  The setting is the majestic Lake George surrounded by the Adirondack mountains.
• Best time to go:  Summertime (May-September) however, there are some fall and winter activities (Lake George Oktoberfest & Fall Festival) and more. 
• Key Points of Interest: Ice Bars in January, River Boat cruise, nearby ski slopes. 
• Fun Facts:  Premier ski destination with three first-rate ski resorts, boasts the world's largest garage sale.
•  Our travel experience:  Our trip to Lake George was back in December of 2020, just after Christmas.  We flew into Albany and rented a car.  The drive was around an hour, mainly highway.  There was little to no snow on the ground which squashed our planned snowmobile excursion.  Highlights of our trip were our stay at the Friends Lake Inn (quaint bed and breakfast about 20 minutes from downtown Lake George), wine tasting at the Adirondack Winery (we still order their wine), a day trip to Gore Mountain (took the chairlift to the summit where visibility at the top was 2 ft - what an experience!), and took a cruise of the lake via the "Lake George Steamboat Company Winter Cruises company".  Our favorite restaurant during the stay was the Lobster Pot. A highly memorable trip.

• The Look:  A high level of entertainment, neon lights, adventurous, and scenic (the backdrop of the Spring Mountains).
• Best time to go:  Anytime.  There's always something going on.
• Key Points of Interest: The Strip of course but also, the new "Sphere", Fremont Street (Old Las Vegas), the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum, Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Area 51, Mount Charleston.
• Fun Facts:  How long would it take to walk up & down the Strip?  1.5 hours.
• Our Travel Experience:  Over the past 7 years, we've been to Vegas four times at various times of the year (April, June, September, and December).  Highlights of our various trips were a visit to Old Vegas (saw Mr. T and Rick James impersonators and experienced a 1970's light show), hiked a portion of Mt. Charleston, saw the Cirque du Soleil "Michael Jackson ONE" show (what an entertainment experience!), visited Lake Mead (Hoover Dam was closed during that trip), ATV riding in the "Valley of Fire", and visited the Mob Museum.

• The Look:  Paradise - beautiful skyline, amalgamated and authentic cultural traditions, lively, colorful, unique neighborhoods, stunning beaches.
• Best time to go:  If you like mild temperatures (70's), between March and May, however, anytime is a good time.
• Key Points of Interest: South Beach, Little Havana, Miami Art Museum, Coral Gables, Everglades National Park, Art Deco Historic District.
• Fun Facts:  World's largest collection of art deco architecture, home to the first Burger King, called The Capital of Latin America.
• Our Travel Experience:  

 *Additional details coming soon*

Quick, 3-day trip back in July of 2017.  We plan on returning within the next few years.  We stayed in South Beach.

• The Look: Picturesque island paradise with colorful gingerbread cottages, rolling hills, wildflower fields, and pristine coastlines.  The town of Oak Bluffs is quaint but very lively.
• Best time to go:  Spring and fall to avoid the crowds. or the summer to enjoy the beaches and sunsets.
• Key Points of Interest: Edgartown, Nantucket, Gingerbread Cottages, Oak Bluffs, The Inkwell.
• Fun Facts:  The movie "Jaws" was filmed here, the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs is the oldest operating platform carousel in the world, was originally inhabited by the Wampanoag people, was once part of the whaling industry, and was a second home to successful African Americans.

• The Feel: Energizing due to the many theme parks and activities - for both kids and adults.  
• Best time to go:  March to May - pleasant weather and agreeable prices on travel and lodging.  With the theme parks, we experienced reasonable lines between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Key Points of Interest: Gatorland, International Drive, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Disney World and sooo much more!
• Some Fun Facts: There is no official documentation of how Orlando received its name, is home to more than 100 lakes and parks, and was originally the main hub of Florida's citrus industry. 

• The Look and Feel:  traditional Spanish, Mexican, and Native American history, vibrant outdoor scene; especially around the Alamo and River Walk. 
• Best time to go:  November to April when the weather is comfortable and hotel rates are lower.
• Key Points of Interest: San Antonio River Walk, The Alamo, SeaWorld, Six Flags, Natural Bridge Caverns, Japanese Tea Garden, San Fernando Cathedral, Mission San Jose, and Tower of the Americas. 
• Fun Facts:   Holds the Guinness World Record for the Tallest Cowboy Boots in the World, the most visited city in Texas.  

• The Look:  Charming, streets lined with weeping willow trees, parks, the Savannah River front. 
• Best time to go: March to July - the weather is warm and pleasant, and flowers are in full bloom. 
• Key Points of Interest: River Street, Forsyth Park, Historic District, Tybee Beach, Old Fort Jackson, First African Baptist Church.
• Fun Facts:  Scenes from various movies to include "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", Forrest Gump (bus bench scene), and Glory (Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Broderick) were filmed here.

• The Look:  Very, very scenic the moment you get there with the backdrops of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and other mountains.
• Best time to go:  June is typically the best month to visit as the sun shines more, days are longer and warmer (around 72-77 degrees Fahrenheit or 22-25 degrees Celsius.
• Key Points of Interest:  Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, Pike Place Market, ferries to Bainbridge and other islands, Pioneer Square, and more.
• Fun Facts:  Known as "The Emerald City" due to the abundant greenery, Starbucks was born here, the Space Needle was originally sketched on a napkin, the statue of a troll crushing a Volkswagen beetle under the Aurora Bridge.

• The Look and Feel:  Culturally diverse, friendly big city, clean cosmopolitan city, vibrant fashion scene, progressive attitude.
• Best time to go: Late April through May and September through October.  Peak tourist season occurs during the summer - the sidewalks come alive with pedestrian marketplaces, patio restaurants, and cultural events.
• Key Points of Interest: CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, Kensington Market, short day trip to Niagara Falls, Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Distillery Historic District, Hockey Hall of Fame, CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Queen Street, Yonge-Dundas Square, and Nathan Phillips Square.
• Fun Facts: Is the most populous city in Canda.