The Distracted Wanderer

I am currently wandering home to my humble abode in northeastern Connecticut on board a very full Amtrak train. There’s no one sitting next to me currently which is a good thing as the putz - excuse me - traveler in the row ahead of me has his seat fully reclined which would put him in the lap of anyone who might have been sitting next to me. As it is, were I to get up, I would probably knock him in the head as I attempted to squeeze out of my row.

I know this is an age-old argument on airline flights but common courtesy should apply on every form of public transport as there is never a need to fully recline yourself into the lap of the person behind you unless it’s an overnight train/flight/etc and everyone has reclined to sleep. In my own humble opinion, it’s rude to put your own personal comfort above everyone else’s. End of rant.

As a history lover, I'm always happy to have a side of it served up with an awesome meal and that's just what I did this past weekend when I went out to dinner at The White Horse Tavern in Newport, RI with my brother and his wife. The grilled swordfish with pineapple salsa (Catch of the Day) was some of the best I've ever had and the wide floorboards alone are well worth the visit! Next month I'm hoping to wander to McGillin's Olde Ale House in Philadelphia when I'm down there visiting my middle progeny. That'll make two down and five to go!

7 Historic U.S. Restaurants Worth the Reservation — Daily Passport The oldest eateries in America remind us how people gathered, ate, and drank throughout the decades. From the swinging doors of a Wild West saloon to a fine-dining establishment favored by New Orleans’ upper crust, here are seven historic U.S. restaurants worth the reservation.