benwrite's VirtualTourist Home Page

I traveled to New York City in 2004 and it was a deam come true! Amazing energy, amazing people, amazing things to see. It may be expensive, but it is worth the visit. See the World Trade Center site, walk down 42nd Street, visit Times Square, and relax at Rockefeller Plaza. There are so many things to do, so many different cuisines to try, and the people all seem like they are in such a hurry.
I had to have this picture taken to show where my drumsticks were officially retired.

Home is where the heart is. Being from the Chicago area, one must take friends to the Sears Tower for the breathtaking view and stop off at Millenium Park to cool off and hang out a bit. My sister and I went downtown on the hottest day of the year in July 2006 and we actually had fun playing in the water. The bean at the park is quite impressive too. Make time for Navy Pier and the great park and rides there.

If you visit Charleston, the biggest attraction, and I do mean biggest, is the Yorktown aircraft carrier. Take a day off from burning on the beach to see the retired Navy ship and others harbored in the area. My children and I went here the summer of 2004 and it was a quite a journey walking through the retired aircraft carrier and other ships ported there.

I left my heart in Rome and fell in love with the Eternal City. Truth is I dreamed of walking on Roman roads as a child and it was my destiny to visit the greatest city in the world that once ruled the entire known world. The food there is second to none, the Italian lifestyle should be adopted by everyone in the world, and the people are friendly and loving. I toured the Vatican Museum, went to the Coliseum, and had to have my picture taken of the Circus Maximus, you know, think of the movie Ben Hur and the incredible chariot race and that is what you see behind me. The building in the distance was the emporer's palace. I last toured Rome in December 1998 and I shall return.

If you travel to Washington, D.C., please take about a week so you can see all the historical sights. You could spend a month in the museums alone. The Mall is touching, safe and patriotic. One leaves the nation's Capitol feeling so proud about the U.S. I suggest visiting the Air and Space Museum, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. My last trip to the D.C. area was 2005, and I can't wait to go back.

What better way to spend a day than to rest, relax, get some sun and swim in the ocean. Any day at the beach is better than your best day at work. Visit my site about Charleston to find out what beach I liked best. Downtown Charleston is very historic. So historic, it refuses to mature into the 21st century. If you love history and the South, this city is for you. My memories of the beaches of Charleston the summer of 2006 are just listening to the waves roll in and walking along the beach.

This city is more than just the Nationals Golf Tournament, this city is very modern and a great place to visit. Check out my Augusta page for some tips, but this city made quite an impression on me. My last time here was June 2006 and I would suggest stopping here any time you are traveling through the area. Great restaurants, a lively downtown, fountains everywhere, and the Riverwalk area is very nice.

Also, I strongly believe the way to travel is to drive. You get a feel for the area, you set your own agenda, you smell the smells, taste the local cuisines, and meet "real" people. Fly if you have no time, but driving is the way to go. Have your bag packed, leave early, drive up to 500 miles in one day, and get to your destination to see it during the day and night. Get a good night sleep and leave the area watching the sun come up. That is the way to go!

On my last trip in October/November 2007, I got to spend some time with my children in northern Virginia. Beautiful area, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Not a lot to see or do in the town, but still a pleasant town to visit. I posted some more information on my Culpeper, Alexandria and Arlington pages.

As you can see, my children have grown quite a bit over the years. Do you think David looks like me? Tell me what you think. He is an amazing guitar player so if you are ever in the Culpeper area and want to hear a future rock star, stop by the Culpeper Rock Academy located downtown and listen to him jam. Liz is even more beautiful than ever and is quite a lively debator. She is wise beyond her years and loves to sing too. She too hangs out at the Rock Academy all the time and is the apple of my eye.