Travel Channel

Dave30

You know Dave I really started to drop the pounds when I said to myself "sam, no more than four croissants a day, girl."

all kidding aside I do jog a lot because then I can check out other parts of the city we are in and if I can't jog than I do at least 50 lunges and 25 push-up in my hotel in the morning. The first push-up at 6 am is brutal and I'm cursing the whole way but by 10 the energy starts pumping and I'm feeling better.

maryoflakewood

For achievements it's simply that I am doing the show that I have always wanted to do on the Travel Channel. I have also learned thru traveling that it's okay to fail and that NOT being perfect is actually more interesting on camera and off.

Disappointments-these are more on the personal side but are basically tied up in the challenge of being away all the time.

my family is very well and thank-you for asking

Hey, Kiddo, how’ya doin’? Wanted to make sure I got a word in before taking off this Thursday on a brief vacation (my perfect timing continues unabated). Heading to South Dakota to see the faces on the mountain, something I’ve always wanted to do since I first saw Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint cavort amongst our presidents’ heads in “North By Northwest”.

Delighted to hear that there will be another season of “Passport” to look forward to. With the incredible job you and your team have been doing, I expected nothing less. Not that we haven’t seen (snooze inducing) shows on Europe before, but you do such a wonderful job of making the continent so down-to-earth accessible to us, that it’s like seeing it all anew. Make sure you keep the journals coming (and leave your winter gloves at home!).

Question: Have you traveled in the Chunnel yet? If I ever get the nerve to travel across that big pond, it is one of the things I plan on doing. Stay in London and take a day trip by train under the waters to Paris (fortunately, I’m not claustrophobic).

Question 2: Have they kicked you out of your place yet? I often wake up in a cold sweat imagining you and Fiona living in a crate underneath a bridge (with your crate of designer clothes and shoes nearby).

Question 3: How is Patty doing? Hopefully, she has recovered from the troubles with her home. I actually thought of her last week when they announced that hurricane season has started yet again. I hope she was able to re-join you in Europe and, if not, will for your future episodes.

It sounds like you are enjoying your European tour and I hope that makes up for some of the “disappointments”. Keep up the good work and as always, safe travels.

vacdisney

Well I'm glad your experience didn't alter what you loved about Disney. I was always amazed at the level of professionalism and patience exhibited by the Cast members especially when the general public was not being so nice. It's a tought job you guys do and you do it well but good for you for knowing when you had enough.

What other music do you like besides Barry Manilow?

Don't make the mistake of listening to the same kinds of music your whole life. Expand your horizons by listening to the Beastie Boys, Metallica, Black Sabbath. Or if that's too extreme start with the Smiths or U2. All of these bands have established a classic legacy of music.

NO I HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY PIC YET
For the first six months, I spent every waking moment sitting by the mailbox waiting for the mailman, sitting in the rain and the snow, bugs crawling on me, wild cats nibbling my toes, as each day he would say "Not today Robert, maybe tomorrow" and off he would go, with a chuckle.
Since I couldn't walk from sitting so long, I slowly crawled to my apartment, after several months, I was welcomed back into society.
I made the mistake of casting myself in my last short film, but it made me start to run again, and along with the kick boxing and yoga(harder then it looks)I've dropped 15 pounds, yah me.
Now if I can just leave the pizza, crispy creme,
truffles, cheese, cheese, and more cheese alone, I might just live forever.
Give my best to fiona, and a scratch behind the ears.

robert

Nope, I don't have any children (except a very funny talking African Grey Parrot! Who BTW likes to dance to the Great Hotels theme song!) and you are right about Bullying - we all have experienced it to some degree and it is the same no matter what age you are - we all at some point either know someone or have to work with someone etc. who feels the need to control us by trying to make us feel bad or small. The best we can do is know and believe that we are OK and they are the one with the problem. Nobody can make you feel anything, it is your choice. This of course is in regard to verbal/mental bullying. Physical threats/bullying is a more serious issue where the police may need to be involved..

OK enough of the public service announcement and on to answer your question! - How is Reading, Pennsylvania - right now it is pretty HOT. But you live in NYC so you probably are experiencing about the same. But speaking of food! We have a new place here called Infinitos. I don't know if this place or places similar exist elsewhere but it is a PIZZA BUFFET! For a very low price of about $3.99 it is all you can eat pizza! Wha hoo!!! And there are all different kinds - besides the normal usuals, there is chocolate chip pizza and strawberry pizza, apple, cherry, blueberry - all very yummy. And included in that price there also is a salad bar and pasta and drinks with refills and chocolate pudding. After eating about as much pizza as I could stand, I basically filled an entire dinner plate with chocolate pudding and downed it in about a minute....mmmm...creamy cold smooth chocolately going down...I unregrettingly savored every moment...but minutes later, on the way home in the car, I started to get the puddin' sweats
But I still recommend it!

I want to tell you I really enjoy reading your journals online. It gives me another window as to what these places are *really* like and it's also interesting to get the behind the scenes details from your perspective of creating each show. I hope you have time to continue to do this, they are really enjoyable & I'm sure others agree.
So keep all the dirty details comin'! Come on, we can take the gore and the violence!
Deliciously scandalous!
Cya

Hi Sam!

It's a real honor to be able to tell you how much I enjoy watching your programs on Travel Channel.
You seem to have the ability to make ANYPLACE both fun and interesting! You are truly a ray of sunshine in the dark world of tv.

I wanted to quickly tell you that from your recommendation of the "Whispering Canyon Cafe" on one of your programs, we (my husband and 6 year old son.....) have decided to visit it for a meal when we go to DisneyWorld at the end of the month. I figured anyplace that encourages you to be "loud" during your meal has got to be a good time for a 6 year old boy.

I'm so happy to hear that there will be a season 2 of "Passport"! It's by far my favorite of all of your shows so far. Are you at liberty to give us a heads-up on what cities you'll be visiting?

I'm sure this has been said before by others on here, but a great big THANK YOU for taking the time out of your personal "down-time" to come here and talk to the fans.

Stay the same.

CAPPOCINO AND KINDRED SPIRITS

New experiences are a joy to savor, and yesterday's gathering of Ashland Area Christian Writers Guild members and "newbies" provided another opportunity to discover fascinating people, places and things. It may not have been Europe, but we all know there's plenty yet to discover "in our own backyards."

Now, Kathy Noll just shared above about a place I'd loved to visit one day: an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT for $3.99 PiZZA BUFFET in Reading, PA! Yummmm, yummm, yummm! Puddin' sweats, eh, Kathy? You better be a little more careful, don't cha think? (not to "boss" you around, of course) Well, on a somewhat smaller scale, I've discovered a new hangout I'm sure I'll be found at often now this summer. It's called The Cookie Cafe and it's in a new little shopping mall called the Commerce Center Mall, which, happily for me, is right next door to the Barbara Lane Apartments complex where I live in Ashland, Ohio, and easy for me to walk over to and "hang out" at. And, not only did I discover that this little cafe was there, but connected to it in the mall is a Little Professor Book Store to "hang out" in and explore the shelves of new and classic books. Being a writer myself, naturally, I'm prone to prefer "hanging out" in such places. The set up of the mall part of this mall is cozy and relaxing, with a series of tables and chairs outside the Cookie Cafe, Little Professor, and the other stores there, which are only about eight or nine, anyway.(Told you it was a "little" shopping mall.)

As our writers group began sharing and discovering each other, I was reminded of you, Sammy, and all of the great times you've experienced sharing similar discoveries with new groups of people in intimate atmospheres such as this. We went around the group and shared where we are now with our writings and what our dreams and goals were for our writings. Of course, in my case, that has a lot to do with becoming a successful travel writer like yourself. As you know, Sammy, but I haven't shared on the forums yet, I am physically-challenged, and accomplishing this goal from that perspective may be more difficult, but I'm sure not impossible. In fact, there are other physically-challenged travel writers working in this field now and websites even that provide helpful information for physically-challenged travelers, as well as, those who don't have to deal with that. Personally, I'd like to write for both groups of people when I am able to begin doing that. I received some good suggestions and encouragement from my fellow writers about this goal during our fellowship at the mall yesterday.

Well, just wanted to share this with you and everyone here, Sammy. Will contribute more to this thread later. Take care.

Steve

This message has been edited. Last edited by: stevefrommichigan,

I'm glad you are real,It makes it seem more like traveling with your daughter or best friend.Is next season going to be even more about your experiences and outlook? I hope so,No one does that like you.Love Mary.

Are you done with grat hotels? ARe you ever going to come back. Please respond.

Yosemite National Park

If you do go, you can always stay at the Awahnee Hotel, conveniently located within the park. Chateau du Sureau is more of a European village. But most of the attractions are located inside the park. When you visit Yosemite, you have to do some hiking! You certainly have many options. Hiking up to the top of the mountain takes about 6-8 hours roundtrip! Or you can hike and stand above a waterfall and feel some nostalgia, and reminisce about your experience in hawaii!If you do that, be prepared for some strenuous hiking. Also bring a poncho and a snack. The waterfall is gigantic and if you don't bring wear a poncho you will get nearly soaked. When you are close to the waterfall, there are " rock steps." Be careful, they are VERY slippery and you don't want to hurt yourself! Unfortunately, I didn't continue to the top. But bring a snack because you will be hungry afterwards, I was!

Samantha! Well, hello there! How have you been? It has been quite sometime since we last spoke (I believe we were wishing eachother a "Merry Christmas" if I remember correctly). Needless-to-say, I am very happy to see your return. Since we last spoke I got accepted into college, The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; I went to England and Ireland, which was truly amazing. I would speak all about it, but I figure you have already learned the ins and outs of things there ; and I went on a cruise this past April to the Caribbean on Royal Caribbean Cruiselines with the fam (it was my last family trip before I move away). So that's pretty much everything in a nutshell for ya! School ends on Friday and then I have prom and graduation in two weeks and shortly following- I'm going on a trip to Disney with my friends for the week. Talk about being broke for the summer, ha!
I truly hope all is going well with you. When you say you are "home", does that mean back in New York? I just got my summer parking pass to Robert Moses beach out here on the island. I'm certainly needing it in this 90 degree heat...in fact, I just walked in from the beach. Hope to hear from you soon!

Ashley

tom0557

what are you talking about? Pinkaton was wicked awesome in academics! Well I'm sure being the captain of the debate team helped you more in life than me being the captain of the cheerleading squad.

my hat's off to you.

adamunc

Yes, the two are very different
Great Hotels took three days to shoot and Passport takes four. But I do have a day off in each destination to get a feel for it and begin to write.

Dear Sam,

Of course, I was just kidding about the academics...yet it is true that Alvirne has been far more successful in the Granite State Challenge than Pinkerton has....

Anyway, your shows have done far more for people than my life as a banking regulatory lawyer - as such Ms. Brown I tip my cap to you...

You've inspired me to visit Europe even though prior to "Passport", I never would have entertained the thought. Please keep up the great work. You're a great writer and your energy translates to the screen well. Also I also like the fact like most New Hampsha' folks, you like beer.

Please take care, be safe and have a GREAT 2nd season of "Passport",

Thomas R. Graham, J.D.

P.S. PINKERTON STILL DROOLS...

llmg8r

WOW what an incredible trip you are about to go on! And the Euro is coming down too! what luck. One things for sure-after visiting all those countries you'll never want to go to EPCOT again.

kudos to you guys for planning a thrilling yet scary vacation. You're really leaving your comfort zone but This trip is going to change your life no doubt about it.

Please keep us all on informed of your journey.

stevefrommichigan

To tell you the truth I don't know. All I remember is there was one bench but I don't think the high school musical budget could afford an entire gazeebo. I'm sure there's a tape someplace but I myself don't have it-just the pictures.

Oh my captuttle

you really are the Captian of this forum, the glue that holds us all together or better yet the collated cream on the scone.

I am so glad to be talking to you right now because I have wanted for some time now to thank you for "Message in a Bottle." My experiences traveling this year have been beyond incredible but of course there are some low momments. In reading your posts I felt like I had a cheerleading section. Please know that your words helped a great deal. It's nice to I have you in my corner and everyone else who kept contributing while I was gone.

I too miss the subject line and will talk to MOD BEN-let's see if I have any pull. I hate to put anything else on their table. The website team at Discovery is first class and they are always working very hard.

Now of course Venice is on the table for season two. Knowing the feel of Passport what would you put in the show. I have been to Venice, it takes your breath away but I found it EXTREMELY touristy so how do we find what's authentic?

see, you can't go into retirement just yet

travel1st

Venice is definitely being considered and I would LOVE to go to Lake Como. I have only seen it featured in magazines but I thought it looked enchanting.

I would really enjoy doing some articles for those mags, I get both and I find them invaluable.

shuttec

Travel Channel may re air it. While reading this go to the website and see if it's listed. I also just sent an email to my producer on that show to see if he knows. However, Royal Caribbean has an excellent and informative website where you can look up and book everything i did.

I highly recommend the jeep ride in Corfu.

have a great time!

I recently switched over to a new online account and my former login was “Here Lies Love.” I’m just one of many who regard you in high esteem and I appreciate your accessibility. I feel fortunate to have become a member the first time around in early March of this year and I would like to express my gratitude by mentioning how rewarding your shows, and getting to read your journals, has meant to me in only a short time. The end of March is usually a gloomy time for me ever since my mother died at the end of it in 1979. Although I have long since been healed by her passing the presence of sadness has naturally lingered during this time of year. Nevertheless, viewing your shows for the first time during the winter months and being allured by your quality of expression enticed me to read your journals to experience and learn more. My favorite part is when you liken yourself to Fred Flintstone who used toothpicks to keep his sleepy eyes open, but snapped under the weight of his eyelids. Your quality of childlike playfulness is an open doorway to self-love that makes others feel at ease and happy themselves.

Consequently, through the mellifluous buildup of observing your shows, being taken by your profound attractiveness, engaged deeply in reading your journals, and learning about your March 31st birthday, has all accumulated to cast an amulet glow that enamored my spirit all through the end of March and undermined any sadness long before it had a chance to make itself known. You and your show made this March a delightful event for me and I thank you for your amulet distraction that still captivates me today. It’s beyond words.

Your sense of humor is also more sophisticated than just childlike playfulness. Being intelligent and humorous go hand-in-hand because it takes a sharp clever mind to be funny, and you do well to express that in your spontaneity and skillful writing.

I’m pleased by your announcement that Passport to Europe has been extended to a second season and I look forward to it. You and your collective cohorts deserve the best. I’m sorry about the disappointments you mentioned of having this year, but it appears you understand that you can change your negative experiences into positive understanding, and then take this with you into a better future. I congratulate you on your achievements and maturity.

You asked what have we been up to? I just stated reading a new book called, “YOU: The Owner’s Manual: An Insider’s Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger” by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet Oz. I’ve seen them promote their book on television and what they said aroused my curiosity to learn more. As usual I was suckered in to buy another book. Following their advice, I already brought new vitamins and slightly altered my diet to what they recommended taking everyday.

The only planned traveling I’ll be doing this summer is driving 2 hours north from my small wooden dwelling chalet in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania to Ithaca, New York to visit my good friend. He and his girlfriend own a small business located in the Ithaca Commons that sales ladies fashion & accessories, while also having an art gallery in the back of the store because my friend is an abstract painter. When I visit Ithaca Commons I feel transported back to the bohemian culture of 1969, with some punk rock thrown in too. I don’t mind and it is a nice change of scenery for me, and we enjoy going for hikes in the local parks. Eventually I will also drive to Long Island to visit family and friends, and they will come visit me here.

One of my favorite philosopher, Robert M. Pirsig, lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and because of his reclusive nature is known for saying, “The Buddhist monk has a precept against indulging in idle conversation, and I think the basis for that precept is what motivates me.” This means you don’t have to respond to anything I write and can quiet your mind.

Nice to meet you,

Jeff

Samantha!

So heartwarming to read your kind words for the Captain tonight. He so deserves them!

And put the tissues away, there will be no more tearjerkers from me. Until next year, maybe.

And it gives me great joy to be able to say NEXT YEAR! You got another year! I hope our letters of support may have helped somewhat, but I rather think this one was a no-brainer for Travel Channel.
I can’t even stand to watch some of the other Travel Channel shows. The camera work and editing of some in no way compare to the quality of the Pine Ridge productions. Stan the Cameraman really goes the extra mile so many times. And those short little takes of the people in the streets add so much. Three different costumes on the Mannekin Pis must mean he took the time to shoot that on three different days. And whoever is responsible for your musical underscoring also deserves a lot of praise. The music really sets the mood. And Patty! Since I was ready to ask her to “step outside” last time about your blisters, I should say that the ivory coat with furry collar brought images of Mary Tyler Moore to my mind, the ski hat with giant pompom was beyond cool, the orange ski vest and hot pink pants were most appropriate (did you pick that out or did she?) and I should mention, for Captuttle’s sake, that the short tweed jacket in Gloucestershire was totally right. There. A truce with Patty.

A white water rafting trip! I would expect nothing less from “Crazy Adventure Girl.”
It makes perfect sense that you seek out vacation spots with no beds, bathrooms, or mini bars. Happy to hear the family is fine. Mine is too, thankfully, and my son is getting married next May so I finally will get a daughter. Over Memorial Day we all got up to Maine and tried to do the Marginal Way but there were no parking spots, as usual, and it was pouring down rain. But we scarfed up the freebies at the Stonewall Kitchens store and I had a decent whoopee pie and got to listen to the loons at night again. Bad news about the shipyard though, for a lot of people anyway.

I have enjoyed my taped Brussels and Amsterdam episodes now, and I can say that you also allow me to reminisce, so now we are even. There is a restaurant here that once offered a free dinner if you brought in a photo of someone wearing their promotional T shirt in front of a famous landmark. I bought a shirt for my son and was forever posing the poor boy in it. I recall that The Mannekin Pis was especially tricky because of that fence, but I got the job done, much to his irritation, as he really had to pee. (No wonder, huh?) But even though I groaned at the high cost of his mussels in Brussels (much more palatable than your escargots, perhaps) I felt a bit better knowing that there would be a FREE cheeseburger and fries back home.
And the Anne Frank Huis! So moving, and so well done. My memory is of a long line on a hot day, surrounded by tourists griping about their hotels. (They knew not of houseboat options, as we do now) I think it is a good move to explore a variety of unique lodging options, as you have begun to do with the Passport series. Not that we don’t like Great Hotels….
I can honestly say, Samantha, that sometimes traveling vicariously with you is better than the real experience. Not only did I get off at the wrong train stop when I tried to see King Ludwig's castle, but I got stopped in my tracks at the Interlaken train station, without enough money for the train ticket up to the Jungfrau. So it has been very fulfilling to me to see many places I have missed, as well as many places I have loved to revisit.


And quit that tearing out of hair! Your writing has been wonderful, in the show and in the journals.
Don’t ever get so serious about your writing that you lose the spontaneity that is so uniquely yours and so very entertaining. One of my favorite lines, (to the butcher brothers in Italy) was “I can’t cook it …in my toilet.”
And do find more of the locals to play off of next season. My favorites were the Scottish guys. You remember, now don’t you, the one with the wee sporran who called you a lass, as will as the one with the cell phone in his headgear? Priceless stuff there, really.

It’s past my bedtime, so off I go. Maybe we’ll do some more skipping down Memory Lane later in the week.
Good night, Samantha.
Mother Orange