Compass

  • A New York state of mind can mean many things. In the case of Rochester, think of a vastly underrated city with vintage hospitality, fantastic under-the-radar attractions, and an annual world-class fringe festival. Let’s get right to a few of my favorite moments in “ROC.”

  • Do you believe in ghosts? If you live in the mid-Atlantic you don't have to wait for Halloween to come in order to have ghost sighting because sightings (or at least great ghost stories) are abundant in the region. From haunted pub crawl crawls to ghost walks and haunted inns you can be sure to have a ghostly encounter at any time of the year.

  • Virgin Forest. Bridge over Little Santeetlah Creek at trailhead

    We were rafting down the Nantahala River in North Carolina, soon to brave my first Class III rapid. As I chatted with our guide about the flora visible on the riverbanks, she said, “You know there’s a stand of virgin forest less than an hour from here.” My companions and I would be homeward-bound the next day, but I felt deeply compelled to see that forest. I’ve long held a love for ancient trees.

  • In this episode of World Footprints, hosts Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick take you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most poignant chapters of history—the liberation at the end of World War II. Joined by special guest Michael Bell, Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, the Fitzpatricks delve deep into the newly opened Liberation Pavilion at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

  • Origins of Halloween

    October brings us many things including colorful foliage, cooler temperatures and costumes in celebration of Halloween. While trick-or-treating has long been a tradition in the United States, the origins of Halloween lie in the ancient Celtic world.

  • In this video, hosts Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick lead you on a powerful exploration of history as they visit the Liberation Pavilion at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

  • In death, Susan B. Anthony and Fredrick Douglass share a cemetery. In life, they both lived in Rochester, NY, for many years. Susan B. Anthony's former home now serves as a museum telling her life story. In nearby Susan B. Anthony Square Park, a bronze sculpture called Let's Have Tea, created by local artist Pepsy Kettavong, shows Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass sipping cups of tea. Rochester's pride in these two outstanding residents shines bright.

  • Benjamin Franklin gestured dramatically toward the moldering gravestone of the Revolutionary War soldier. “And then,” he proclaimed, pausing for effect, “He killed ‘im dead!”.

  • Utah beckons nature lovers from around the globe with its five national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and Zion. From towering hoodoos to deep canyons and otherworldly landscapes, each park offers something unique. While Utah's capital, Salt Lake City is often considered an ideal basecamp for exploring the state's abundance of natural wonders, the city itself enjoys its own treasures of nature.  Ideally situated between the spectacular Wasatch Mountains to the east and the glistening waters of the Great Salt Lake to the west, nature surrounds the city. With plentiful parks, hiking and biking trails, and the Great Salt Lake folded into the city, outdoor pursuits abound.

  • Sunil maneuvered the jeep onto a bumpy dirt track through the fields of wheat and millet that grew sparsely here in the Thar Desert. He stopped the car and switched off the engine. Suddenly, they came. A group of four gazelles, followed by a large herd of blackbuck antelope, the afternoon sun glancing off their elegant backs. I was hesitant to take out my long telephoto lens, lest the herd would scatter. Sunil smiled. “Don’t worry. They will not think that you are aiming a gun at them. They roam fearlessly here because this is the land of the Bishnois.”

  • For many people, travel consists of marking off a checklist of famous places. I can’t count the number of times I’ve observed people driving up to a beautiful or thought-provoking site, snapping a photo, and driving away. I’ve done that myself a few times.

  • Two hundred years of Argentinean creativity and talent cannot be easily summed up. However, visitors to Buenos Aires, a major Latin American cultural hub, can appreciate and learn about Argentinean art at some of the city’s art museums.