CELEBRATING THE DEAD AND THE CIRCLE OF LIFE IN MEXICO, by Vicki Hoefling Andersen

For two ceaseless hours the drummers pounded a soul-stirring rhythm while the participants executed a centuries-old spinning and twirling version of a highly animated line dance. The first night I stumbled upon this ritual,....more

APPLE-SOLUTELY DELICIOUS, Tasty times (and some skiing) in Washington State's Apple Capital, by Lee Juillerat

"A lot of people live in Seattle and don't even know we grow apples," said Todd Fryhover, the apple commission's president. To promote apples, the commission has used various slogans, including "No Other One Comes Close," "The Best Apples on Earth" and "The Original Health Food."....more

WINTER TRAVEL PLEASURES MONTANA STYLE; Snowmobiling (and some skiing) in Paradise, by Larry Turner

Let me set the stage here: I’m not a snowmobiler, I had only snowmobiled once before (a sum total of a mile, maybe) in my life and I’ve always had a disdain in the back of my mind for snowmobiles.....more

THE PACIFIC COAST SCENIC BYWAY AND TWO LEGENDARY LODGES ON WASHINGTON STATE'S OLYMPIC PENINSULA, by Lynn Rosen

We figured the best way to make some cool discoveries was to drive the byway, stop whenever the muse struck and just ignore any daily schedule. Of course, since we were headed into the rain forest during the rainy season, we took along plenty of waterproof gear including umbrellas and hooded jackets...more

ICELAND: TOLTING INTO DARKNESS, by Diana Hunt

Swaddled in my down snowmobile suit, heavy mittens, goggles, earmuffs, scarves and boots, I could hardly hold the reins of my shaggy horse as we trotted down the gravel road. I was not alone in losing control of the situation. But this was Iceland, and things are different here....more

NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN, by Ted and Sylvia Blishak

"By late summer, 1987, there were 25 restoration specialists working on each car. We maintained the original lighting fixtures and windows whenever possible. And we discovered some amazing artifacts."...more