Travel Channel 

Well, I'm too old to be asking for an autographed photo, but, dang it, I want one, just the same. If it's not too much trouble, could you please add me to your "list?" My email address is below and I would be glad to pay the postage. Thanks!

Alana
nolutz@cox.net

Afternoon Sam,

Want to report that the scratched eye is much better and showing no signs of permanent damage. The restorative powers of the human body never cease to amaze me. It also offered me a great excuse for not answering much of my email at work for a day. Got a lot of legislative bill analysis done without the constant interruption of having to reply to incoming messages. Of course Leg bill analysis itself puts me to sleep which allowed my eye to rest. Now THERE'S a job nobody would be knocking down doors to get.

I'm enjoying a day at home with our two cats as I make preparations for a trip to Long Beach for the State Outdoor Championship (an archery competition). A side bonus was that this allowed me to view the Great Hotels and Passport episodes being offered today. For the Great Hotels, I always enjoy a repeat viewing of Bacara in my beloved Santa Barbara. The Fisher Island property has been on my list of places I'd love to stay ever since it's original appearance last year. The REAL treat was catching your Amsterdam Passport show. That was a city from your inaugural season I was particularly looking forward to seeing. My maternal grandmother was born in Holland, leaving with the family when she was three. Experiencing the city vicariously through your eyes has only deepened my conviction to visit the Netherlands and see the country for myself. I simply melted as you walked through the Keukenhof gardens. Should I ever be fortunate enough to make it there, it will be as if I had died and gone to heaven. I was also deeply touched by your thoughtful presentation of the Anne Frank Huis. Overall, I would put Amsterdam right up there with Vienna and Saltzburg on my list of favorite Passport episodes. I'm getting excited with the prospects for a Season Two already!

Before I go, I just have to say Sam that you really hit the mark with your comments to capt tuttle. I'm sure the well deserved designation as Captain of this forum by you has put a broad smile across his face. While intended for your enjoyment, the Messages in a Bottle brought delight to other readers as well.

A special acknowledgement too of Mother's always enlightening entries. I suspected her Seussian inspired poetry would have just the effect on you that it did. I cut and pasted it into a Word document. Placed it right next to your autographed photo. Now when people ask 'Who is that young woman in the photo', I'll just say - read the poem.

Off to finish packing and take in the joyously cool weather we are having. Every window and door in the house is open. Had a real day of rain yesterday. An unusual occurance for June in the California central valley. I can probably count on one hand the number of times we have experienced rain in June to the extent we had yesterday. May not make the farmers happy, but it sure puts me in a good mood.

Thanks for the opportunity to chat. Take Care Sam and everyone.

Carol

Sam,
I enjoy your passport to europe very much, but I keep seeing the same episodes over and over. Could you visit Cracow, Poland and do a show on vacationing in rural Ireland or rural France?

AshleyKristen!!!

I read your post like a proud aunt! WOW. You are someone who is definitely going places with your inexaustible energy and "nothing is too difficult" attitude. Don't ever change. Have you chosen a major yet? Are you the first child in your family to go off to college? If so I am sure your parents are having a hard time dealing with the fact that their girl is leaving. Remember that they love you and that this is probably more difficult for them then they are letting on.

I am home in NYC right now loving every minute of it-even in this unbearable heat.

It was great hearing from you-have a great time at Disney and make sure you go to TURTLE TALK and SOARIN at EPCOT. They are the newest attractions and are awesome!

quote:

Originally posted by samantha_brown:
Taxman and ambitiousduck

please leave me your email address. Robert, we are going to try this one more time. Honestly i think the mailman has it out for you because i am positive i sent you one back last winter. You wouldn't be hording pictures would you?

I'm not sure what sort of permissions it takes to send messages to someone, but I don't have access to send anything directly to you (or to even ask a moderator how to), so my email is grimaceseg@hotmail.com

Thanks for taking the time to do this

jaquaila1

well it sounds like you have way too much going on to hang out with us. Thank-you for all your compliments on my look and wardrobe. My wardrobe and make-up is done by one superwoman named Patty Nussbaum. She buys, maintains and LUGS all my clothes and make-up. I'm in ATL all the time unfortunately just to make a connecting flight and I am an Aries.

beyondwords,

what a lovely post. Thank you so much for your kind words and feelings towards what the crew and I try to accomplish with each show. In a way I don't really care about how many people want to go to Lisbon or Dublin once they see an episode -I mainly care that for 1/2 hour you were taken on wonderful journey to a fascinating place in the world. I remember Ithaca well from my Syracuse days-have a great summer vacation.

mother O

Captuttle really is one in a million. I have cut and pasted your comments about the crew's work to PineRidge although I know they keep tabs of the forum especially when I'm away and the letters sent to Travel Channel about the show did reach them and meant a deal to their network-not to mention me who was really hoping for a season two.

I do the Marginal Way every year-did you happen to get a hot dog at FLO's? Stonewall Kitchen is always on my list for a stop so that I can stock up on Champagne Raspberry Jam and Martini Olive mustard.

Tell Father O I said hello!

Hi Sam, did you say there may be a Passport to Asia? Pretty soon you will be traveling the globe! You could do something where you visit random places all around from Guam to Hong Kong! I was also thinking you could do a show where you take a cruise in each episode! You would be able to use it sort of like a marketing tool for the cruiseline and still take on many adventures in the ports of call!But I have a few questions to ask. Many of us here hope all your shows come out on DVD. Do you think that is possible? When Great Hotels doesn't play on the travel channel anymore, i'd still be able to watch it!

Keldvm

6,000 MILES! I hope you have one cushy bicycle seat. When I was in Paris of course they act like they don't like Lance,this man who absolutely dominates THEIR Tour. But I was told on many occasions how they (Parisians) root for him behind closed doors. He really is a marvel

Fiona is doing excellently thank-you. Her blood tests came back A okay.

funny story: just two nights ago Fiona walked by me with something in her mouth. When I went up to her it was a live mouse. I screamed so loudly that it startled her and she dropped the mouse. All three of us; me, Fiona and the mouse ran scared in separate directions. The mouse ran right into my room. I put fiona in my room and closed the door to let her do "her thing" but she was not interested anymore. I tried to ration with her

Fiona, i said, I buy you kitty toys, organic cat food and kitty litter. Everyday at 4 I feed you tuna. Even your water is filtered! GO GET THE MOUSE!

no mouse.

Samantha!You mentioned Scandinavia,Would that include Norway?I would love to meet you there.I have relatives there.Htank You! Love Mary.

Keldvm

In replying to you I just got sent to the corner too! The post said one or two of my words may not have been appropriate-uh oh now what DID i say...

That made me laugh out loud Sam. Don't worry, I kept the dunce cap clean for you!

Captuttle

hmmmm my favorite food. hmmmmmmm. I'll tell ya that Sacher torte in Salzburg rocked my world. And the waffles in Brussels were so incredible that even Sid the producer, the man who has time and budget to worry about would go MIA then show up with powdered sugar on the corners of his mouth.

I'm so glad you liked Salzburg. Before we started that episode we were worried about it being to slow or to put it more bluntly-a snoozer. But that is one of my favorite episodes, I think it's such a little gem. Even the Sound of Music tour which gave us the challenge of doing the tour without singing any of the music-too expensive. That's why I sing "Sixteen going on Seventeen" in German. I also talk more in my Journal about Prof. Walneg (Mozart house) who was such a delight and made that scene so stay tuned.

For season two I will definitely be spending more one on one time with people-for me that makes the show.

trumpetgirl

great questions. We spend 4 days in each city. The producer has pre-pro'd it a few weeks before so we know what we are doing when we arrive. The Producer, PineRidge and myself all research the material. Once we are done it takes the editor 1 week to cut a rough draft. That draft goes to Travel Channel for notes. I go into the studio the week or two after to record any additional VO. On average a show hits the air around two months after we shoot it.

Dear Sam (aka New Hampsha' Girl),

As the window for us to communicate with you closes (I'm sure there's a TON of work ahead for you for the second season of "Passport"), I hope you realize the amount of enlightenment you bring to those of us chained to corporate desks who are inspired by your ultra-positive attitude for exploring diverse cultures. I cannot thank you enough for the ability to watch "Passport" and be inspired to visit those places.

I'm going to get there, Sam, once things quiet down at work and I can take enough time to enjoy all that Europe has to offer. Without "Passport", I don't think I EVER would have entertained those thoughts.

By the way, I hope I'm not "stepping on your toes" here...but I hope it's okay to advise MANXTER that New Englanders go to http://www.phantomgourmet.com to find restaurants all across New England that are top-notch. All MANXTER has to do is enter in the city and type of cuisine desired. The web site is sponsored by WSBK-TV 38 which I'm sure is a blast from the past for you, Sam.

Thanks for the inspiration, have safe journeys in Europe and please keep up that wonderful attitude that inspires us all,

Thomas R. Graham, J.D.

P.S. - Speaking of journeys, did you like the band Journey in the 80s? How could you not? Remember they even had a video game named after them.

stevefrommichigan

I don't believe trips down the river were offered to tourist until the 50's so that's why you may not remember it.
stevefrommichigan

The Grand Canyon trip was incredible and even though you pay big bucks to do it we all felt a sense that this was a humbling privilege. I remember the last day being very sad as we all waited on the beach for the high powered ferry to pick us up and shuttle us home. We were returning to civilization and none of the twenty of us on that trip wanted to go back.

scubay

that's a great idea!

Sam! If you are interested?My relatives in Norway are full blooded Norwegians,but there English is perfect.Mary.

You better get yourself a sticky mousetrap, Samantha! Time to hit the road again, I'd say.

Champagne Raspberry Jam is also my favorite! I bought two. Father O always buys Maple Chipotle Grille Sauce by the case. Sadly, Flo's closed too early on this trip, but in January it was so uncrowded that we actually sat on one of the stools and chatted it up with Flo's granddaughter as the dogs were a steamin'. I mentioned your fondness and she said her brother watches "that girl on the Travel Channel all the time!" So maybe next time you'll get a free couple of dogs. On second thought, probably not.



Father Orange is in London right now for a six week summer session, enjoying superb weather. He sends his regards and thanks, saying that the Tiffinbites you spotlighted in a London episode has been a very good urban fast food find. He was at the Liverpool St. location just the other day and got the chicken tikka masala with vegetable Jalfrezi, which was “nicely flavoured and quite scrumptions” The food transported well for take-away and he was very happy to end up with 3 free lidded containers reusable in his sparse kitchen at the flat. He is headed up to Lockerbie tomorrow for the Annual Gala, and will be off to Estonia soon. We are happy to hear you may do some more filming in Scotland,a personal favorite European location. The Isle of Skye and the Orkneys just might “take your breath away!” or at the least, knock your socks partway off.

In other news, I wanted to inform you that I have a new dental hygienist who works with an elevated television tuned to the Travel Channel. So at my last cleaning I was able to have plaque scraped while listening to and catching the occasional peek at Hotel Teatro in Denver,(I used to live outside Denver, so Larimer Square was so nice to see) and then the Prague episode got me through polishing and flossing. So there is another place where you do people a favor by magically spiriting them away to faraway places. Thought you might get a kick out of knowing that.
So cut and paste that one to PineRidge! And it pleases me to know that viewers can make a difference.

I wonder if you have seen Spamalot yet? But no need to respond to any more of my questions here, as I know you are winding down and have places to go and things to do, even if it’s nothing more than catching Alton’s great opening segment to his show on Gravy tonight, soaking in a tub amidst floating plastic Easter eggs.
And speaking of plays, I think it might interest you to know that I went to an excellent performance of “My Fair Lady” here last week at Syracuse Stage. The parts of Colonel Pickering and Mrs. Pearce were played by a talented couple who reside in a prominent spot on your Memory Lane. You know who I’m talking about don’t you? I have a neighbor who is on the tech crew who told me the show is moving to Nyack for a short time. So check out online and see what the Helen Hayes Theatre Co. is doing June 17-26 and who is performing. Maybe you can make the connection if you are still in the city.

I've got some mint chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer and I am going to go eat a little bit in your honor right now. I think I recall that it was something always available in the Haven Dining Hall. It has a special spot in my heart because it takes me back to a pretty carefree year when I could have some any old time. Maybe that's where your fondness originated, as well.

I guess that about does it for this time. I'm all out of stories and they are getting weak. But wait!…I feel something poetic coming on!

She stopped and she talked and then went on her way,
Samantha needs down time to rest and to play.
But thank you for all things you do for us fans.
Good luck with your life, and your next season’s plans.
Our thoughts will be with you wherever you go.
And that’s where I’ll end this,
Signed, Mother O. (Sadly, there is no word in the English language that rhymes with Orange)

Well, Samantha, evidently the Queen of the Forum is still not above being pulled into jail herself. As a frequent offender (and you never know why, I can tell you from exasperating experience) I do find it worth a wicked smile, so see the accompanying illustration beside the colon here: .

I'm not sure I'll be able to get back to post before the able Mod Ben closes up shop tomorrow, so I'll try to squeeze in all the many things I wish I could tell you more expansively, but no doubt I'll still be more than expansive enough for most people.

Our Ashley K is richly deserving in congratulations for her new beginnings in the fall (well, DC won't FEEL anything like the fall when you first get there, Miz Ashley, as it will be as steamy as it's been today I'm sure), and things will only take off from there for you.

HummingbirdLady gets a vacation at last; Kel gets to Wrigley tomorrow, and perhaps frequents that now famous chopped onion dispenser; Mother O I think gets to hike in Maine this summer as well, also so well-earned.

But Ms. Brown, what another string of magical experiences we wish intently for you in Europe, Part Deux. So deservedly for your own pleasure and reward, but of course vicariously for us as well. I think it's on page three (clunky to get to - I don't think Mod Ben can fix that or your lost but charming past post headings, Sam) of the still going 'Pimm's Cup, Redux' thread where I rattled off a couple dozen possibilities for a second Europe season. Most have been suggested by others already and I noticed on your potential list you mentioned many as well. I hadn't thought of Dubrovnik, and Istanbul wasn't on mine, either, but how exotic that would be. St. Petersburg is technically in Europe, too. Someone mentioned Krackow or Warsaw just today. Budapest is supposed to rival Prague in beauty. Scottish Highlands for sure, maybe Cornwall and Devon in England (those kindly little ladies do still exist in the cozy English villages, and can be found, interestingly, on the little rural busses, where they will talk your ear off if you let them). There's easily another episode for London, even if it's just about the theater (sorry, 'theatre'), and must be for Paris as well, if just for the environs, like Versailles, Chartres, and Monet's garden at Giverny (just don't let your producers send you there in February). Provence must be worth a deeper look, and Loire Valley as well; Brittany/Normandy I saw was on your potential list; even without Florence, Tuscany with Siena and other hilltowns would surely be a great episode, and the lion statue at Geneva (or was it Lucerne?), all of Copenhagen, Oslo/Norwegian fiords, Stockholm, Helsinki, and I personally would love Oxford and Cambridge, though I don't know about the logistics of doing those together or if anyone but me would like that pair. But none of these suggestions is unusual - that's where we depend on you to find the hidden gems, and I know you will.

And then there's Venice... I think, Samantha, you can avoid the touristy bits quite easily there, or at least Stan can with his camera, leaving you to glisten, grimmacing in the heat, smelling the... um, interesting summer canal odors, dealing with their countless roaming cats. I can't recall the details of that non-Sam written cruise episode that ventured there, and of course don't know what else you nosed about curiously on your own, but over on the Giudecca it's much more real, and the outer islands as well, and then the famous cemetery island of St. Michele where not many living people are at all. Plus what other city has such mysterious sidestreets to peek into aimlessly? And you have to do Venice, Sam, because it's plastered on your opening credits, and the FCC will chase you down for failure to fulfill truth in advertizing. Then you really WILL be put in jail. (Logistical question: if your Kelvian post isn't approved until AFTER this forum is shut down, will it still appear, or stay perpetually in limbo?).

Huh... maybe this was all I had to tell you after all tonight, Samantha. But as always, what a joy for me to be able to speak with you here. I got to watch Amsterdam again today on a day off, and I want to convey to you how charming was that episode, and that I thought your presentation of the Van Gogh Museum in its mere minute or two allowed by time to be as concise, clear, and well-articulated as any that could be done by a trained art historian. It's always such an intriguing delight to watch the whirrings of your mind at work, and I'm unfailingly impressed whenever I can do so.

After you've had time to rest up, do non-European things, forget about us and just be yourself again for a while, I wish you a wondrous Season Two, Ms. Brown. I also wish you better weather (esp. if passing through the UK in mid-September, when Capt. Tuttle wants it for himself as well), unblistered feet, quiet and fine hotel rooms, no snuff to snort or rotting fish to eat, and utter happiness every day. And if you wish, more Messages in Bottles in your travels, too. I do not wish for you to need them, but I do enjoy sending them your way, so let them be unnecessary gifts, like after dinner mints, to a deleriously happy Sam throught the year. Our very best wishes, Ms. Brown.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Capt.Tuttle,

RIGHT HERE IN ASHLAND: GREAT BAKES AND A COFFEE BREAK

Hey, Samantha! Guess what I did today? ... Yup, took a little stroll this afternoon over to the East Main Commerce Center and hung out for a while in the Little Professor Bookstore and The Cookie Cafe. When I was there last Monday with the writers group it was later in the day and different staff were on duty. This time I was blessed to meet the owner of The Cookie Cafe, Cheryl Coon, and had an informative conversation with her about her business, which lead to my offering to interview her and write up an article about The Cookie Cafe, as part of starting to do some serious travel writing practice. So, I'll be working on this in the coming weeks, and then I'll share it with you and everyone here when the article is finished.

Prior to this, Intldoc had suggested I do something like this as a way of doing some intial writing in the field. Thank you for the suggestion again, Intldoc!

I'm not sure yet where and how I would have this article published, but I have a few ideas. Just to start out, I might just put together a little paper of my own, as a "freebie" for practice, that I can print out myself on my Lexmark printer and distribute over at East Main Commerce Center, and other places like that, that would allow and enjoy distribution of such informative, "freebie" promo publications, that contain some free ads and articles about local businesses and attractions in Ashland. Thought I'd call this little exercise in travel writing about Ashland: Right Here in Ashland and have fun looking into various places around our fair little community and writing about the people, places and things to do "in my own backyard." That's always a good place to start, eh? Now, of course, we do have some similar free publications in our area, as well as "local businesses and attractions" articles in our loca; newspaper, The Ashhland Times Gazette, but that shouldn't deter me from offering my own writings about Ashland in whatever form that may be done, as a way to getting started doing some travel writing.

By the way, the headline above: "Great Bakes and a Coffee Break" is the slogan Cheryl Coon has created for The Cookie Cafe, featuring it on her door and business cards. I discovered upon further investigation, that Cheryl bakes all of the cookies and other baked good offered at her cafe herself, including my favorite baked good: brownies! And offers "Frappe" and "Smoothies" among her selection of types of coffee and other drinks, with even the option of having them made with sugar-free syrups, for those who need to or desire to avoid too much sugar. Cheryl and her staff are friendly and eager to please. I know you'd love this little "intimate cafe" as much, if not more , than I've come to love it in just two visits, Sammy! So, be on the look out for more information about this little neighborhood cafe and other interesting "travel profiles" about Ashland whenever you check in on your forums during your new adventures in Europe, Adventure Girl!

Talk to ya some more later on Friday before this week of sharing with you in person comes to a close for everyone, Lady Samantha.

Steve

Thank you so much for your kind acknowledgment. Incidentally, just to give you a reference point, I forgot to include that I was 13 in 1979 and I'm a 39 year old libra today. Even at 39 I still get asked for ID.

I was amused by your cat and mouse story. If I could be of any help I would recommend that you buy some spray can expanding insulation foam and use it to fill in any openings or small crevices that might be located around plumbing pipes, electrical wires, or any other openings where mice can travel through and get in. It will seal the place up good and prevent energy loss, and the mice won't eat through it. Please wear gloves when using because it is bad on skin.

If there is mice inside already that you can't catch, then I recommend you try Victor's Mouse Glue Traps. It is a disposable trap made out of cardboard with glue on one side that folds into a lock-tab tent. They come two in a package and it is very inexpensive. You slowly remove the release paper to expose the glue. Then place a small amount of food, like peanut butter, in the center to attract the mouse. Then fold into "tent" and secure locking tabs on top. Place trap wherever mice have been seen.

When I first moved into my house in October of 2003 I used this method and it worked for me, and I did not have to touch the mouse because it was already wrapped around by the cardboard. And the spray can expanding insulation foam prevented them from getting in and I haven't had any problems since, even if I leave food out overnight by accident.

I hope this helps,

Jeff