Did you know that tomorrow the National Park Service is reopening the Statue of Liberty’s crown?  It’s true and what a great way to celebrate Independence Day.  The crown was closed to tourists after 9/11, but has finally been approved to host eager visitors once more.  Personally I can’t wait.  It’s one of those “touristy” things I put off and then missed out on while it was closed down.  I’m so glad to have a second chance to see it for myself.

The very best (affordable) dinner spot here the Bay Area is a restaurant in Oakland called Tamarindo Antojeria.  You can’t find a more charming place to have dinner.  The menu is filled with small delectable treats like queso fundito, mulita and tamal Oxaqueno.  Plates are small, so order a sampling and share them.  But beware the grilled chilis are some of the hottest I’ve ever tasted.  You can put out the fire with a specialty cocktail.   Tequila figures prominently and all the glasses are rimmed in salt and you guessed it, chili powder.  They don’t take reservations and being a neighborhood favorite they’re usually full by 6:30 p.m.  Dinner is the best time to go as the people watching provides all the entertainment you’d desire.

My brilliant, tech-savvy husband turned me on to this one.  It’s an Energizer solar charger.  It’s certified for a number of devices including your cell phone and MP3 player.  Not available until next Summer (boo!), but you can bet I’ll be first in line to pick one up when they do arrive.  $49.99 is the expected price.  The charger works with AC power as well, so even on a rainy day you can still power up.

Hotelchatter.com has been doing a series of posts asking their readers for their fantasy hotel amenities.  I’ve been mulling this over and I have to say it’s hard to choose.  This morning however, I had an epiphany.  If I had my way every hotel room I stayed in would have turndown service that left a Spinkles red velvet cupcake next to my bed.  No more chalky chocolates or disgusting age indeterminant mints.  That or they’d actually provide a robe small enough to fit a woman!

This is me.  Okay, to be honest it’s not, but in my dreams I’m always in a place just like this.  The view, the pool, the warm sun on my skin.  It’s heaven.  Just hand me an umbrella drink and a good book and I’m set.  Lara Dunston at Cool Travel Guide is doing posts on her recent trip to Mallorca (that’s the Hospes Maricel you see at left).  It is filled will beautiful hotels and practically has me swooning over the beach shots.  Mallorca has been on my list for many years.  I just hope I get to see it soon!

A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.

~ Robert Orben

Could you climb these stairs sober?  Now how about after a few cocktails?  I imagine that in this hotel many nights you’ll find an ‘overserved’ guest huddled in a confused crumpled pile at the bottom of the staircase trying to sleep it off.  Hotel Chatter published a a delightfully funny post about, “The Five Worst Hotel Rooms for Drunk People“.  It takes a look at how high design can sometimes backfire on unwitting hotel guests. My advice, if you’re going to indulge, be sure you have a plan to get yourself safely into bed.

Mesilla is a small town in New Mexico just a short hours drive from El Paso, TX.  I make a point of going almost every time I’m in Texas visiting.  The town center has been lovingly renovated.  It’s anchored by a church and is small, so walkable.  The main square is filled with charming boutiques and restaurants.  My favorite place to eat is called Peppers Cafe.  It’s on the square and shares space with the Double Eagle Restaurant.  They have a bar made from an old gym floor and boast “award winning margaritas”.  I can vouch for the fact that they are as delicious as they are strong.  We go for the chili rellenos which are some of the best on earth.  Even my  Texan husband, Mr. Muse, agrees it’s worth the trip.

My trusty camera has been with me for a few years now and it’s case it really starting to show the wear and tear.  I’d like to get a new case, but so far have been unimpressed by all the large, bulky cases I’ve seen in stores and online.  Until now. I recently came across this Crumpler Thirsty AI, and I love it.  Compact yet cool, can take a number of different types of electronic devices and is waterproof.  It’s just what I’ve been looking for!

Last month I flew to Boston to visit friends.  I had tickets I’d purchased on United Airlines which took me through Chicago and on to my destination.  My departure was at 6 a.m. sharp.  When I arrived in Chicago around noon I had just enough time to get lunch and jump on my connecting flight.  The problem?  My connecting flight was cancelled.  Oh I was rebooked by the airline on a flight that left 6 hours later!  No customer service people for miles just telephones and computer terminals telling me the 6 hour option was the best they could do.  Then that flight was delayed.  I eventually got to Boston at 12 o’clock in the morning.  It was like an endurance trial.  The one perk United could have offered me that would have saved my trip?  Discounted access to their airport lounge.  I would have had free WiFi, refreshments and a comfortable chair for my prolonged layover.  Why didn’t they I wonder?  They knew I was in for a extended delay.  It would have made me much more likely to fly them in the future.  As is, I booked my next Chicago connection through American.