The Archives
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The Famous Boxes at Brighton Beach
As part of our grand adventure to Australia, surrounding the Sydney Marathon, we got to visit Melbourne, Australia. On our first day, we got to see skyscrapers, walk alleyways that were covered in grafitti, and enjoy “Beetlejuice, the Musical”. This week, we’ll head over to the coast to visit the famous boxes at Brighton Beach. What were they originally? Originally built in the late 1800’s, these wooden sheds were just practical. People used them to change into their swimwear, since it was considered immodest to wear bathing clothes in public. Their popularity waxed and waned, and the town even considered demolishing on and off throughout the twentieth century, until the…
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Rockin’ the Kilts on St. Patty’s Day
If you’ve never been to South Boston for St. Patrick’s Day, you really need to go at least once. We visited in 2024, and sang with the band, drank some golden ales, spied on some priceless works of art and smashed some lobster and chowder. All of it, was leading up to the reason we were there…to catch the parade and mosh with the locals at the Dropkick Murphys concert at the MGM. Join us this week for an amazing time where we’re acting like locals and rockin’ the kilts, on St. Patty’s Day. The Pre-Game Since our hotel, the Cambria, was right on the parade route, we knew we’d…
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What Could be Better Than Hot Tubs and Snow Monkeys
If you’re heading to Tokyo for the Marathon this March, let us let you in on a little secret. You will be just a train ride away from one of the most unique experiences on the planet. This week, let’s find the answer to this important question, “what could be better than hot tubs and snow monkeys?”. Faster than a Speeding Bullet? The first thing you’ll need to do is take a bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano. Though they aren’t quite as fast as a speeding bullet, you’ll still cover the 140 miles in less than 2 hours. And the train is rather posh, sort of like first class…
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What You Won’t Want to Miss in Tokyo
In 2023, we undertook an amazing adventure through the Land of the Rising Sun. We stayed for almost 3 weeks and shared with you the highlights of each out our days. Since there are just SO many GREAT places to see, we thought we’d make a City Guide for you so you’ll know what you won’t want to miss in Tokyo. If you want to do a deeper dive in Japan – check out our Japan collection. And if you’re a person who loves headlines, this article is for you! First, let’s talk food…Where to Eat? Oh my gosh! There hasn’t been a place I’ve visited where I’ve liked the…
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Tall Buildings, Graffiti Lanes, and Beetlejuice
This week, let’s go back to the land down unda and head to the big city of Melbourne. We’ll see tall buildings, graffiti lanes and Beetlejuice! Just be sure NOT to say that out loud 3 times. Getting there As the Great Ocean Road faded into our rear view, the tall buildings of Melbourne came into view. Though Stephen felt pretty confident driving on the left on a two lane road, this city was something else all together. I honestly felt like some of the roads were built on a diagonal. Queen Victoria Market Our first stop of the day was the Queen Victoria Market that has indoor and outdoor…
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FlyKitt – The Magic Bullet for Jet Lag
Anyone who has followed us for a while knows that jet lag kicks my butt. When we traveled to Japan it took me about five days before I got a good night sleep. It didn’t keep me from enjoying myself but it definitely would have been better had I arrived in Tokyo well rested. With big trips planned to Africa and Europe this spring, you’d think I’d be concerned about jet lag. But I’m not, because I know a secret! With Flykitt – I found the magic bullet for jet lag. The Inside Scoop Before our recent trip to London for the London Marathon, a fellow Sky Miles Life friend mentioned…
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It’s Like Christmas in a Time Machine
Since way back in the aughts, there is one place I’ve always wanted to visit for my birthday. I’m sure some ladies would choose a spa weekend, or maybe somewhere glamourous with a beach. But if you know me at all, you know that I love history – thanks to my pop. Also, I can be VERY nostalgic – thanks to my mom. And that I was born in December – thanks to both! So when the commercial for Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village came on the radio last year, I couldn’t help but say out loud, “I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do that. It’s like Christmas in a Time Machine!!”…
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The Magical Land of Uluru
Last year, Abbott announced that Sydney would join Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo, as the newest World Marathon Major. Since our world-famous kidney donor athlete had already conquered the original six, off to Australia we went! Stephen asked me what I wanted to see there and my very first answer was…the magical land of Uluru. Join us this week for a walk about in the land down under! Getting There We lucked in to two Delta One seats on our way from LA to Australia. The trip from Sydney to Uluru, however, was a touch LESS glamorous. And really, other than the leg room, we found Jetstar…
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Some Dark History Built Over an Old Cemetery
You know the trope. Weird things happen. People behave in ways they NEVER would ordinarily. And then it’s discovered. The house was built over an old cemetery!! ~Bum, bum, bummmmmm.~ (That’s the scary reveal music, FYI.) This week I got visit the Chicago History Museum. If you’re into some dark history, built over an old cemetery, this one’s for you! (However if this isn’t your jam, check out our Ferris Bueller-like tour of the Chicago Art Museum instead.) About The Museum The museum began back in 1856, just 19 years after Chicago became a city. It was relocated to this spot after the Great Fire of 1871. (You can read…
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Get Your Ghost On
While at the airport lounge in Detroit, or “my favorite haunt”, I got an unexpected email. Seems someone came across our “How to Spend the Perfect Day in Boston” article. And they wondered if we’d like to take a tour to write about our experience. I KNOW! I told everyone in the bar area all about it and they were SO excited too! (Looking back, it may have been more “AMUSEMENT” then excitement. Sort of like when you’re at a 4 year old’s birthday party and they open THE toy they’ve been wanting ALL THEIR LIFE.) But never the less, I responded immediately and checked my email ALL weekend for…
