faustina of tripadvisor

According to tripadvisor.com, I'm in the upper 4% of their contributors and have more than 20,000 travelers who have read my reviews.
That's amazing to me.
I've only been contributing since 2013.
So why am I writing all of that in this blog space?
This site documents the use of my time and resources to help others...
whether on the road or elsewhere.
So, just what do these badges tell you about me?
The Passport is a mark that I have been to at least twenty-five different cities. In truth, I am listed as having been to fifty-eight, but the total is actually much larger, thanks to eight years in the US Navy.
The Expert Photographer was awarded to me for having contributed fifty pictures to accompany my reviews. Honestly, the total is seventy-five at this time.
The Top Contributor was awarded upon my fiftieth review. I currently have fifty-two available on the site.
As pleased as I am to have been named a Top Contributor, I am most proud of the Helpful Reviewer Badge.
Why?
That award comes from the readers of my entries, not from the website.
Those fellow travelers who deemed my words worthy of a "thumbs up" are the ones who granted that one to me.
To this date, I have received thirty "thumbs up" notices.
Those really brighten my day!
Receiving an incredible five helpful votes was my review of The Great Magic Hall. I'll be in Kissimmee next week and look forward to going there again.
The review of my trip to the Dry Falls in NC two years ago has received four helpful votes - nice!
Another review written from that trip, of the Highland Biological Station, Nature Center, and Botanical Gardens received a "thumbs up", too!
That accounts for a whopping third of my "deemed helpful" reviews!
The trip to Las Vegas in 2013 garnered another eight for helpfulness. I have three for Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater; two each for Sin City Comedy and for "Evil Dead: The Musical"; and one for "MJ Live".
The Field of Dreams Movie Site review took home another three from travelers to the baseball diamond in the cornfield. That was one of my first reviews for tripadvisor. I do hope those folks walked the bases and stood in the corn - just like I did.
(smile)

arts at the beach

I am officially a member of the Tybee Post Theater...
again.
I had first joined them last year.
Mostly that action was predicated by two upcoming events at that venue: the Elvis tribute concert and the silent film escapade.
Membership would grant me a discount, you see.
After attending those two events, plus several this year, I recognize the value of the venue to the beach community.
We forget sometimes that tourist draws have residents year-round.
We forget sometimes that tourists bring children who need access to age-appropriate entertainment.
We forget sometimes that local artists and musicians need a place to share their craft.
We forget.
In honor of the Family Friendly Movies...
as well as the many Summer Kid Film Festival screenings...
and the participation in the 2017 Gray's Reef Film Festival...
plus the Tybee Family Feyoud...
and so many diverse musical events...
I have renewed my membership.

Want to know more?
Just click here.
Thanks!

planetariums and more!

Yesterday, I again joined the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach.
That's my my home away from home, you know.

The photo above is of the Great Blue Heron sculpture in the Sensory Garden, part of the Tuscawilla Preserve. Fashioned of driftwood, the sculpture's lovely angles allow quiet contemplation as I sit on one of the wooden benches near it.
The Planetarium is one of my favorite places. So many shows offered during the day! And guess what? They're all free with membership, so they can be enjoyed over and over, from "The Sky Tonight" to the many laser-light music shows.
I also enjoy going to the Children's Museum, with all of its hands-on science activities! That reminds me of the Savannah Science Museum, now long-gone, at which I volunteered during my senior year of high school. Such fond memories! MOAS offers special weekly programs so local and visiting youth will have plenty of fond memories of their own.
This latest visit was my first to the Root Family Museum. Why has it taken me so long to explore that part? Well, I generally try to go to the traveling exhibits, to be sure I don't miss those. The RFM is static, so... I could visit it any time... which, of course, meant I could put it off... which I did. Trust me, save a couple of hours to thoroughly enjoy the many different facets it contains, from racecars and trains to glass bottles and bears to soda fountains and quilts!

Sound like something you and your family would enjoy?
It can all be yours!
Just click here.
Your kids and parents will thank you!
(smile!)