Yakima is a small city  and the capital of Yakima County in central Washington State. The population is about 84,000 with about 3 times that number living in the metro. Located in the Yakima Valley midway between Walla Walla and Seattle, this area is one of the best apple growing regions in the world. About 75% of the hops produced…...

Southbury is a small town of about 19,000 in western New Haven County. It is near Oxford and east of Brookfield. It is also within easy driving distance (about 15 miles) from the cultural lights of New Haven and Stamford....

Edinburgh (Ed’-in-burra-a) is the easternmost of Scotland’s two largest cities (the other is Glasgow). The 2015 population was 489,000.  The city is situated on the Firth of Forth, a fjord that runs into the North Sea to the east.  It is quite old with almost mind-numbing history.  There have been invaders (Vikings, Romans, etc.) and conquerors (England). The setting is…...

Mission is a rapidly growing town that is adjacent to McAllen, Texas in extreme southeastern Texas.  Known as the pink grapefruit capital, it is also very close to the Mexican border. The population is overwhelming Hispanic. The City of Mission is also widely known for ecotourism and is the premiere spot for birding in South Texas. Birders and nature enthusiasts…...