My son David gave me a novel birthday present, a Key West treasure hunt, which he planned during a recent visit and shared with his mom Joanne.   There was no treasure map, just 5 destinations: Pepe's Cafe, Sloppy Joe's Bar, Hog's Breath Saloon, Saltwater Angler Fishing Store and Salty Dog T-Shirt Factory, which I mapped out in a logical biking loop. 

Do you have Real ID?The restrictions on domestic air travel without Real ID are finally going into effect on May 7th.When the topic came up with friends at dinner the other night, I cautiously removed my driver’s license from my wallet.

My wife and I love exploring the New England area in the Fall for a weekend get away. This year we may switch it up and "Spring" out of town for a few days. We've been fortunate to have visited Bar Harbor, ME [favorite], Portsmouth, NH, Salem, MA, Burlington, VT, Kenoza, NY, Beacon, NY, and Lake George, NY over the years. Looking for a new recommendation - heard Woodstock and Ithaca are good options.   Would love to hear other's favorite "escape from NY" local get aways!

We spent this past weekend in Chicago.  The Schess clan converged on the city and spent the weekend celebrating all sorts of wonderful things in our world. But, I digress.  

Lately I have been exploring meditation and yoga. During every session, the instructor asks the participants to set an intention for the day or think of a word that will guide us through our day. Almost every time the word “balance,” comes to my mind.  

Last week  we enjoyed two proud parent moments.  Both involved my daughter.

At Gotham Golf this past week it was such a pleasure seeing my networking friends in person; Rosalia, Ray, Brad, Jeff, Rich, Ryan, and Steve.   It occurred to me that getting lost in a sea of screens and digital interactions is easy. What's harder is getting out and meeting people face to face. We need to remember the power of human connection.  

Joanne, Charcoal and I annually "snowbird" in Key West, the southern most point of the continental United States and home of mile marker 0 on the US-1 highway. My birthday is in two days and, as per our 10 year tradition, we memorialized it by photo opping at the appropriate mile marker (Leigh Connell picture). Our friends Leigh and Jim Connell have ferried us there the past 2 years and there is talk of the beginnings of an annual tradition. I sure hope so, because they get it, they get me and I'm all about Tradition.