I would never admit it in front of my children, but sometimes vandalism is funny. For instance, this street sign in Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia which shows that the stretch of street is a popular crossing area for the endangered Cassowary (bottom). The top sign was originally a speed bump warning.

These are the jokes, folks.

This post is a Wordless Wednesday entry with some words and a lot of laughing.

Photo: NeilsPhotography via Flickr

This duck could be anywhere — maybe he’s at a pond near you. Go look, I’ll wait.

Was he?

Here’s the thing about ducks, they like bread. It’s a fact.

If you’re planning on visiting some parks, ponds or lakes this summer you may want to consider taking a loaf or two with (bread, not your lazy friends) — lots of bakeries and supermarkets sell day old loaves at a discounted rate, which is good because ducks are cheap and probably won’t pay for it.

The more you know.

This was a Wordless Wednesday post but things got carried away. It happens.

Photo by jurvetson via Flickr (click to read the real story of this wet duck)

One day, too long ago to remember (I believe it was late March), I received an email from one Ken Levine. He had just published a book on his travels and asked if I, in my role as the UpTake Vacations Editor, would be interested in reviewing his book. I said yes, because I’m a sucker that can’t say no. True story.

Actually, I’m a sucker that doesn’t have a single moment of time to take on any additional responsibilities, so my promise to Ken Levine went unfulfilled. Until now.

Yes, Ken Levine, today is the day. I am going to review your book. Try to contain your enthusiasm.

And to you, the internet reader, here is why I’m featuring the review of Mr. Levine’s book on UpTake:

A) I said I would.
B) I live in Seattle (Mr. Levine calls some of the Mariners’ games).
C) I’m moving to L.A. this summer to pursue my passion of screenwriting. Mr. Levine is an Emmy winning writer/director/producer of such TV hits as M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier and Wings, to name a few. This is an opportunity for kissing ass that cannot be overlooked.
D) I get paid per post.
E) The book is about travel, and this is a travel site.

So you, the reader, may be asking yourself, “Self, what has two thumbs and doesn’t give a flying crap about Whit Honea’s take on travel books?”

If I were allowed to answer I would say “most primates,” but I’m not allowed to answer because I work here.

Rules are stupid.

The thing is, you should care about my review of a travel book because, as I mentioned before, I am the editor of a travel site. This means that I am smarter than everyone that reads this blog, present company excluded. Also, I have a soft spot for Ken Levine. Nobody should have to sit through that many innings of Mariner baseball.

Let’s talk about the book:  Read More »

Architecture is an important part of travel.  It is the postcard out your window that lets you know you are here.  You’ve arrived.  You know you are in Russia when surrounded by onion domes, New York when you can only see skyscrapers and Seattle when you can’t see anything because there is rain in your eyes.  That’s the role of architecture, and to a lesser extent, weather.

Here is a group of ten fantastic, incredible and weirdly, wonderful buildings in the U.S. that are worthy of a visit if you are on vacation or just happen to be in the neighborhood.  More than one of them make me think of Star Wars.

Longaberager corporate Headquarters is a picnic basket.

1. Let’s start with my favorite which is found in Newark, Ohio, the picnic basket aka Longaberger corporate headquarters. This fanciful creation was the dream of the Longaberger Basket company’s founder Dave Longaberger.  It is said, most people (employees, bankers, architects and builders) didn’t take him seriously at the time.  I wonder why.

Kansas City Public Library

2. This was designed by Dimensional Innovations and it camouflages the parking garage. The fantastic book titles were suggested by Kansas City residents. See the building and read the classics!  Photo courtesy of: ChicagoEye.

Robert Bruno

3. This award winning home in Lubbock, Texas took 28 years to complete and is designed by Robert Bruno. It doesn’t really say “come in and take your shoes off,” though, does it? But it is engaging and I do want a peek inside.

Aqua Building, Chicago, Illinois

4.  The Aqua Building was on a list from Syed Mobin Architects.  It is scheduled to be finished in 2009 and is in Chicago, Illinois. Design is from Studio Gang Architects.

Kettle House, Texas

5. Kettle House, in Galveston, Texas – I wonder, when the wind comes sweeping ‘cross the plains, does it whistle?

Shoe House, Hallam, Pennsylvania

6. Shoe House in Hallam, Pennsylvania was not built by an old woman but was built by a shoe millionaire and it is a real house.  No word on the number of children, if any, that reside in it.

Air Force Academy Chapel

7. This chapel falls into the wonderful category.  Its stark beauty could soothe a soldier’s soul.  It is located in the US Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Oakley Headquarters

8. This awesome futuristic building is the corporate headquarters for Oakley.  What do you think?  I love the description, “Oakley’s design bunker is where inventions are conceived, developed, perfected and manufactured. In addition to the hidden catacombs of research labs and proving grounds, the architectural design of Oakley President Colin Baden includes an NBA basketball court, a 400-seat amphitheater, and absolutely no adult supervision.”  I wonder if they’re hiring.

Story Book House in Ollala, Washington

9. Built in Ollala, Washington, this looks like it belongs in a Grimm’s fairy tale (or Disneyland) . Photo courtesy of Unusuallife.com

Coit Tower, San Francisco

10. My final choice from all the weirdness of American architecture is Coit Tower in the beautiful city of San Francisco. They say this San Francisco icon isn’t a fire hose nozzle, but those of us who know the story think otherwise. The story is told a need-to-know basis. Beautiful photo courtesy of http2007.

So what did you think?  Pretty cool, right?  If you have any weirdly, wonderful buildings that you think we should add to our travel itineraries, let us know.  Just leave a suggestion in the comments.