VISIT: Salem, Massachusetts
New England Pirate Museum tiny space is big on tales of the thieves of the sea
Salem is best known for its witching history, but the high seas (which once covered much of the current city) were plagued by more tangible threats – pirates. This tiny museum dedicated to those who swilled rum and spewed tall tales walks visitors through earlier days when Captain Kidd and Blackbeard amassed treasures and then hid them off the Gold Coast. See a real Spanish piece of eight along with other doubloons from the late 1600s. You also can purchase a combination ticket and visit the Witch Dungeon and Witch History museums. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children 4-13. New England Pirate Museum, 274 Derby St., 978-741-2800 or
DINE: York, Nebraska
Chances R dishes up old-fashioned food in upscale space in the middle of the state
The old-fashioned Chances R Restaurant and Lounge in York has some of the best steak anywhere. The place was packed with locals and tourists, everyone there for great food. Three of us had steak, baked potatoes and salads with wonderful homemade dressings (hunks of real blue cheese). One had chicken in a sauce of Dijon and heavy cream – definitely not Weight-Watchers, but definitely worth it. A complete selection of homemade desserts, full bar and banquet facilities make it the place to be. Chances R Restaurant and Lounge, 124 W. Fifth St., 402-362-7755
SEE: Washington, D.C.
“Ansel Adams” offers a new look at rare prints from the photographer’s early work
Opening Sept. 15 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art is “Ansel Adams,” a show of more than 125 images that takes a look at the earlier part of the photographer’s career. Pulling from a 10-year period in the early 1960s and 1970s, the exhibition will be arranged chronologically and will include the Pueblo Indians, Yosemite, the Southwest and New York. Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW, 202-639-1700 or
DINE: Rustic, Colorado
Cache Inn at the Rustic Resort opens just in time for hunting, fall leaf viewing
If you’re anywhere near the Poudre Canyon, make a point to eat at this new restaurant in an old space about an hour west of Fort Collins. Opened a month ago, it’s one of the few pit-stops on the stretch between Walden and Poudre Park. Let Patty Wallace, the joint’s only waitress, talk you into the fries – worth the trip alone. Owner Eddy Reynolds cuts the potatoes to order, and wife Judy fries ’em nice and brown. Thanks to Wallace’s powers of persuasion, they’ve been known to go through 100 pounds of spuds in a day. Kids will love breakfast all day, and adults will appreciate the fresh salad bar. The BLT came with high-quality, thick-cut bacon, the lightly battered cod was crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside. No beer yet – they hope to have their liquor license by the end of September. Cache Inn, 31443 Poudre Canyon Highway (Colorado 14), Rustic; 970-881-2179
