Sight Hound
by Pam Houston
Dog lovers in particular will be charmed by Pam Houston’s debut novel (she has previously published short story collections). Rae is a Colorado playwright who is learning about hope, love and faith from an unlikely source—her Irish wolfhound, Dante. Though Dante is diagnosed with bone cancer and loses a leg, his strength and serenity impacts everyone in Rae’s life.

Each chapter is narrated by a different character in the story, including animals. Rae’s complicated life is anchored by Dante and, in his own chapter, he offers insight into how he wants Rae to learn to trust love and keep hope alive in a world without him.

Crashing Through: A Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See
by Robert Kurson
Mike May lost his sight at age three, but thanks to a revolutionary stem-cell and cornea transplant, he regained his vision at age 46. After decades of blindness, he embarks on a physical and emotional journey as he adjusts to his ability to see.

Although this is a true story, May’s life seems at times unbelievable. He was a CIA analyst, champion skier and entrepreneur before ever undergoing the procedure. As he weighs the physical risks of the transplant, he also struggles with how his identity and self-image are changed.

Shem Creek: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorthea Benton Frank
If you’re in the mood for a good narrative, try this one from Frank’s Lowcountry Tales series. Linda Breland is a single mother who decides to pack up and move, along with her two teenage daughters, from New Jersey to Mount Pleasant, S.C. Her sister Mimi is waiting with open arms and endless advice for the three women.

Linda is hired to work at a local restaurant, and the owner seems like a refreshing departure from the men she left in New Jersey. The story unfolds as the likeable cast of characters all learn to depend on one another and find a new life together in this small Southern town.

There are ways to minimize that sense of dislocation by tweaking your routine and bringing a little bit of home with you when you travel.

1. Don’t live out of your suitcase. By unpacking and putting your “stuff” where it belongs, you’ll give yourself a subconscious cue that you’re in familiar territory.
2. Venture out of the room. Even if you need to bring your laptop with you, make use of the hotel’s welcoming shared spaces, such as seating areas around the fireplace and pool. Being around others can spark conversation or make silence more companionable.
3. Bigger is better. When possible, upgrade from a standard room to a suite for an extended stay. Having more elbow room, an in-room fridge and other conveniences makes a big difference.
4. Travel with your totems. What reminds you of home? Maybe it’s your pillow, a few photos, an iPod playlist. One frequent traveler opts for fresh flowers in a collapsible vase that’s easy to pack. Another listens to e-books to stay connected to the neighborhood book club. Or maybe it’s a comfy robe and slippers to make evenings cozy. Whatever it is, bring it.
5. Stay with your normal routine. Flying, driving and being on the move are disruptive enough. When possible, try to stick with your normal regime of exercise, diet and sleep habits to maintain balance away from familiar turf. Make use of your hotel’s fitness center and check for healthy food options in the breakfast offerings.
6. High tech helps. Kissing your spouse and kids goodnight over Skype isn’t perfect, but it’s better than nothing. Apps for smartphones, such as Apple’s FaceTime, deliver live video calls perfect for bedtime reading and sharing the details of a busy day. Even something as simple as keeping a photo gallery on your laptop to remind you of loved ones is a big help.
7. Membership has its privileges. Be sure to join your hotel’s frequent stay program. Club Carlson^SM rewards with free room nights, airline miles, prepaid cards and more. When you feel like your business is appreciated and the welcome mat is out, you’ll sleep easier, even if you are away from home.

Before heading off to B-More, make sure you add these must-see sites to your itinerary:

• Learn about the Battle of Baltimore and the nation’s history by visiting Fort McHenry. This 18th-century brick fort defended Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812 and is the birthplace of the American national anthem. Park rangers offer visitor programs and special events that highlight the park’s history.
• The B&O Railroad Museum brings alive the magic and adventure of railroading. Comprised of the oldest and most comprehensive collection of railroad history in the Western Hemisphere, the B&O provides visitors with a unique opportunity to see, touch, hear and explore original 19th- and 20th-century railroad equipment, shop buildings and surviving tracks.
• Historic Ships in Baltimore represent one of the most impressive collections of military vessels in the world. Located within easy walking distance of each other, the US Sloop-of-War Constellation, the US Submarine Torsk, the US Coast Guard Cutter Taney and the Lightship Chesapeake exhibit life at sea from the mid-19th century to the mid-1980s. Also included in the collection is the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, which marked the entrance to the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor for more than 130 years.
• The Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards is the state’s sports history headquarters. The 22,000-square-foot museum features exhibits devoted to Johnny Unitas, the Baltimore Orioles, Ravens and Colts, Baltimore’s Negro Leagues, as well as the Maryland Terrapins and college athletics. The nearby Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum showcases material devoted exclusively to the Sultan of Swat.

Since business travelers tend to be creatures of habit—remember George Clooney’s “same old” regimen in Up in the Air?—forging new paths may take some conscious effort. Even if you don’t add on extra days, there are still ways to recharge your batteries by getting local and soaking up a slice of regional culture.

1. Do what you love. From swimming laps at the Y to taking in a foreign film to perusing a farmers’ market, sniff out a source of R&R in your business destination. For example, conference goers in New Orleans can take a yoga class at the Cabildo Museum overlooking Jackson Square three mornings a week for just $12.50.

2. Stop by the local visitors’ center or CVB. In Philly, for example, the Independence Visitor Center in the heart of the historic district can hook you up with a Mural Arts walking tour, breakfast with Ben Franklin and a City Pass for bundled savings on museums and other attractions. There are plenty of free touring options, and a multilingual concierge staff can help you make the most of your time.

3. Force yourself to disconnect. Instead of catching up on email in your room, take a technology break and visit new surroundings. Even if you have to work, opting for sitting in a local coffee shop will expose you to an energizing flow of people and a sense of place.

4. Don’t always have dinner with colleagues. It’s easy to fall into the habit of rehashing office politics and the day’s business. Treat the end of the workday as exactly that, and go out and do your own thing.

5. Support local restaurants. Even somewhere as chain-heavy as Orlando has an indie restaurant scene, populated by gems such as Le Coq au Vin, where chef Louis Perrotte gives farm-to-table dining a decidedly French accent. Not sure where to start? Your Country Inns & Suites By Carlson front desk staff can help.

6.Museum hop. Just because a city museum is huge doesn’t mean you have to spend all day in it. Even the vast British Museum offers free 30–40 minute eyeOpener gallery tours introducing different areas of the museum’s collection. Dip in for the time available and you’ll walk out better for it.

7. Take in a show. Getting out and about can include experiencing repertory theater, showing up for a library lecture series or giving stand-up comics an audience. Anything that gets you out and about is a good thing.

8.Use social media. Search on Twitter or Facebook for a city and an activity, say hiking and San Francisco, or fishing and Columbus, and you’ll find all kinds of connections to explore.

• New York’s Adirondacks. The Lake George area in New York’s Adirondack Mountains is bursting with yellow, red and amber hues each fall. Get a close-up view of the beautiful scenery as you hike one of the many trails winding through the mountains. Or enjoy the peaceful lakes and charming towns that dot the countryside. This region is known for its fine wines, and you’ll get a souvenir bottle and two tickets to the Adirondack Winery as part of the romance package at the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Lake George.

• North Carolina High Country. Wildflowers along the Blue Ridge Parkway and fall foliage against the Carolina-blue sky greet you in Boone, N.C. Relax in a rocking chair and do some people watching at the famous Mast General Store downtown. The mild autumn weather is ideal for taking a hayride at The Orchard at Altapass. This 102-year-old apple orchard is a cultural hub where you’ll find local art and plenty of mountain music and storytelling. For a panoramic view of the mountains, head to Grandfather Mountain and cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge. At the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Boone, your romance package includes a Jacuzzi Suite, a bottle of champagne and breakfast in bed!

• Discover Denver. The Mile-High City offers restaurants and attractions to keep you and your loved one busy. Browse the fascinating American Indian art collection at the Denver Art Museum, which includes Pueblo ceramics and Plains beadwork, or look through more than 150,000 titles at the Tattered Cover Book Store. If your sweetie has a sweet tooth, be sure to visit Hammond’s Candy for a complimentary tour. Hammond’s has been making homemade lollipops and candy since 1920. If craft beer is more your style, stop at one of the city’s many local breweries to enjoy a pint. After your day of exploring, watch a complimentary pay-per-view movie as part of your romance package at the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Denver.

Sunny San Diego
Southern California is beautiful year-round, and San Diego has cultural attractions and sandy beaches to make everyone happy. The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, San Diego North is 7 miles from downtown and is a great home base for your trip.

Take a picnic to Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo and 15 museums. The grounds of the park are free to explore, and you can choose to visit the attractions based on your interest and budget. The park also has miles of hiking trails, a miniature railroad and a carousel.

San Diego also has beautiful beaches close to downtown. Drive or take the ferry across the bay to Coronado and enjoy one of the wide, family-friendly Coronado Beaches. And while you’re there, stroll the charming shops and restaurants of this lovely seaside town.

Action-Packed Atlanta
This southern city is brimming with attractions and events for families or couples. And there are plenty ofCountry Inn & Suites By Carlson^SM locations to choose from, all convenient to major sites.

Enjoy the warm, late-summer weather by exploring Piedmont Park, more than 180 acres in the city center with a lake and walking trails. It’s adjacent to the Atlanta Botanical Garden where you can spot native birds and walk through the treetops on a canopy bridge.

• Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, VA) – Stay at the Country Inn & Suites in Williamsburg, Virginia and book the “Busch Gardens Splash Package”! Thrilling rides and fabulous shows combined with waterpark fun are included in this getaway. Book a three-day stay to enjoy two seven-day tickets valid at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, as well as $40 in area restaurant meal vouchers. Click for details.
• Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America (Minneapolis, MN) – Visit all of your favorite Nickelodeon friends like Dora, Diego and Spongebob Squarepants at this unique, indoor theme park. This popular “Family Fun Package” at our Country Inn & Suites – Bloomington Mall of America includes two unlimited one-day ride passes, and coupons for exciting extras at the Build-A-Bear Workshop® and MagiQuest. Click for details.
• Phoenix Zoo (Phoenix, AZ) – Now’s your chance to get up close with exotic animals like giraffes, monkeys and stingraysby booking the “Phoenix Zoo Package” the next time you stay at the Country Inn & Suites – Phoenix Airport at Tempe.  Two offers are available, and each comes with free zoo passes, free shuttle service to and from the zoo, and other valuable offers. Click for details.

View the entire list of up-to-date amusement park hotel packages by clicking here.

Chicago

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so what better way to kick off Valentine’s Day weekend than next to your significant other in a cooking class? Join Chef Kristine Subido from Wave Restaurant as she demonstrates how to prepare heart-healthy dishes. The class includes lunch!

Sacramento

Or perhaps a little music on the water is what you’re after – why not try the Valentine’s Day Brunch Cruise from Hornblower Cruises and Events? This two-hour jaunt from the heart of Old Sacramento includes a full brunch menu, sparkling wine, and live entertainment. It’s the perfect mid-day activity to spend with your significant other.

New York City

And is there a better place in the country for great restaurants? Check out this list of Big Apple eateries (from OpenTable.com), most of which offer fantastic promotions around Valentine’s Day weekend. But make your reservation early – romantic dinners are a popular choice, and these places are likely to fill up quickly.

Country Inns & Suites, Around the Country

Maybe you’re in the mood for a romantic getaway in a new part of the Country? Take a look at our February romance specials and you’ll find dozens of Country Inns & Suites locations – from Orlando to Denver – that offer discounted rates and might include special touches like chocolates or a bottle of sparkling cider.

Wherever you are, I hope you find time to spend with that special someone. I Love this Country!

~Emily

With more than 6 million people, the Dallas–Fort Worth area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. But there’s still some folksy charm in an area that’s perfectly at home with the chic and fashionable, as well.

Day One
Start your day at upscale grocery store eat Zi’s, in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, minutes from downtown Dallas. Hit the grill and get breakfast sandwiches and fresh juice for everybody. Don’t forget an extra loaf of bread to feed the ducks.

Head two blocks east to Turtle Creek Boulevard; this is one of Dallas’ most tony neighborhoods, and the creek has plenty of shady spots to people-watch. Stop at Lee Park and see the classical architecture of historic Arlington Hall, built in 1939 and fully restored in 2002. The park itself dates back to 1903 and is one of the urban area’s treasured oases.

One of Dallas’ major airports is Love Field, which houses the Frontiers of Flight Museum in the terminal building. Take a flight through time with exhibits that range from the pioneering aviators of the 1920s to the rocket age that launched us into space. Kids love the old airplanes, hands-on models and interactive exhibits.

Head to the Knox-Henderson area and get ready for squeals of delight in Wild About Harry’s when your children try one of Dallas’ best frozen custard creations, such as “Mort’s Favorite” sundae with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry. Sit outside beside the giant hot dog and watch the world go by.

Afterward you might head next door to Knox Street Market, a grown-up toy store with posh knickknacks and gourmet treats. A little farther down the street, visit Iota, a fine arts and crafts store showcasing sculptors, painters, jewelry makers and designers.

Dinner is upscale at Abacus, just steps away. The contemporary global cuisine of chef Kent Rathbun has kept this restaurant flush with accolades. Our favorite? Wood-roasted beef tenderloin with red wine butter, truffle-whipped potatoes and baby vegetables ($39).

Day Two
Start your day in Uptown at the most popular brunch spot in the area, Bread Winner’s Bakery Bistro. Kids love the breakfast tacos, and grown-ups can opt for the French ham Benedict.

Head west on Interstate 30 to Cowtown—Fort Worth got this name because it was a stop along the Chisholm Trail . Start the adventure at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Head upstairs and have a video made of everyone “riding” the mechanical bucking bronc; it superimposes your image on an old-timey video of a rodeo that you can download from the Internet later.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History offers an IMAX theatre, as well as special exhibits.

Don your cowboy hat and step into cowboy lore when you walk across the street to the Fort Worth Stockyards, at the center of the Stockyards National Historic District. There are more than 50 shops and stalls inside, but be sure not to miss the herd of longhorns that will walk outside at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wild West Weekends mean gunfights, cattle roundups, the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show at Cowtown Coliseum and the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze.

If you have extra time, you might mosey on over to the Log Cabin Village, with all the sights of 19th-century Texas on 2.5 acres in Forest Park. 

 Author Bio: Leah Shafer was dancing to “Cotton-Eyed Joe” before she could ride a bicycle.

Toronto is the place to see and shop for Inuit art. By Stephen Smith

A thousand years ago, Inuit nomads carved stone and bone and wood into figures of the animals they hunted across the eastern Canadian Arctic. Today, the descendants of those hunters continue to captivate collectors from around the world with the grace and spare beauty of their work. It comes in a variety of forms, from tapestries depicting northern scenes and stone-cut wildlife prints to what many consider a signature of the spirit of Canada’s far north: sculpture.

Toronto may be 1,200 miles from the tundra of Pangnirtung and Cape Dorset, where the works originate, but it’s also a must-visit center for anyone in the market for a musk ox or snow goose of serpentine. The best place to start the hunt? For a bit of background, browse the 200-odd pieces and interpretive displays in the Inuit collection at the Royal Ontario Museum also accessible for virtual browsing.

When it comes to buying, collectors know to head to established galleries such as the Mind Hat Gallery. You’ll find the city’s oldest dealer at The Guild Shop, where Inuit and Native art specialist Blandina Makkik (herself a native of Baffin Island) can help you navigate a collection of close to 300 pieces, priced $90 and up.

Walrus at rest or modern-day hunter riding a snowmobile? It’s up to you to choose between myth-based traditional work by carvers like Siutiapik Ragee and Ottokie Samayualie and more contemporary-themed pieces by artists like Ovilu Tunnillie. Polar bears hold an important place in Inuit spirituality, and it’s hard not to fall under the animal’s spell when you see the authority, grace and fluid power of Samayualie’s dancing bear in dappled black serpentine for approximately $1,600. Pick him up and you’ll have a hard time putting him down again.

Finished shopping? Time for lunch? Just down the street at Sassafraz, the menu has a perfect match with its creole spiced shrimp with double smoked bacon and corn risotto.

INSIDER’S TIP: The Guild Shop’s Makkik doesn’t mince words: “There’s a lot of bad imitation carving out there.” To be sure you’re getting the real thing, buy at reputable galleries and avoid tourist shops. Inuit carvings are unique, so there shouldn’t be duplicates on the shelf. Look for the distinctive igloo tag with which the Canadian government certifies original, museum-quality work.