The Chateau Restaurants in Eastern Massachusetts

Between many meals there and holding my wedding reception at the Norwood location, I think I've developed a pretty good understanding of The Chateau. The first thing to know is that it's not a single restaurant, but several different restaurants that are scattered throughout eastern Massachusetts (Waltham, Westborough, Andover, Norwood and Norton). I've had the most experience with the locations in Norwood, Westborough and Norton.

Read my full review of The Chateau restaurants in eastern Massachusetts on Epinions

American Shower & Bath Round Shower Enclosure Kit (Version B)

I don't generally really pan a product, but with the Round Shower Enclosure Kit (Version B) from American Shower & Bath, that is what it deserves. This shower unit might look good and be fairly easy to install, but it's cheap construction came back to haunt us when the base unit cracked after two months of installing it.

Read my full review of the American Bath & Shower Round Shower Enclosure Kit on Associated Content

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse - Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Hatteras, NC

If you are on the Outer Banks in North Carolina, you need to find a few hours to stop at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Not only is it an iconic lighthouse, but you'll have a tremendous view from its top and you'll be able to see how the Park Service was able to move the lighthouse away from the shoreline, where it would have washed into the ocean.

Overall, I think the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is probably the most enjoyable stop throughout the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The lighthouse is famous not only because it's the tallest lighthouse, but it's image is something that just about everyone recognizes, even if they haven't been to North Carolina.

Read my full review of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Epinions

AT&T Wireless Customer Service

I had honestly been expecting the worse with AT&T Customer Service. My customer service experiences with Verizon Wireless hadn't been stellar and considering the number of reviews I see here on Epinions complaining about various wireless carriers, when I switched from Verizon Wireless to AT&T I held my breath.

Turns out that I didn't really have to. I'm not sure if I managed to luck out, or AT&T has just managed to make the process fairly painless. I had thought there would be trouble since I was porting over my two phone numbers from Verizon, however it turned out to be very easy to do.

Read my full review of AT&T Customer Service on Epinions

TomTom ONE 130S GPS Receiver

So what's someone who has always believed that having a good atlas or a map really precludes the need for a GPS navigation system doing with a TomTom One 130S GPS? Well, a few experiences in vehicles with a navigation system, along with the idea of just punching in a destination and not having to worry about having someone read the map convinced me that I should probably just bite the bullet and get one.

I really only had three requirements when I was looking for a portable GPS for the car. One, it had to be relatively inexpensive. Two, I wanted voice navigation, even if I turned it off most of the time. Finally, I wanted something that wasn't very big and easily fit on the windshield.

Read my full review of the TomTom One 130S GPS Receiver on Epinions

Bodie Island Light Station - Outer Banks, North Carolina

While it doesn't have the instant recognition or celebrity of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse further to the south, the Bodie Island Light Station is a nice place to stop as you are exploring the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You'll be able to walk around the grounds of the Light Station, browse through several exhibits in the former home of the light keeper, take in the view of the light station and get plenty of information about the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Read my full review of the Bodie Island Light Station on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Epinions

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site - Roanoke Island, NC

Having been to the Outer Banks area several times and never stopping at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, I was excited to be going there for the first time on my latest trip. I will admit though, I was a bit disappointed after we had walked around for a bit, not so much for what was there, but what wasn't there.

I really don't know what I was expecting, but after reading accounts of the lost colony on Roanoke Island, I guess I just expected more than what the historic site has to offer. It's a simple site that includes a small visitor center, some informational signs, a reconstruction of Fort Raleigh and then several nature trails that take you through the area.

Read my full review of the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island, North Carolina on Epinions

Wright Brothers National Memorial - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

If you're on the Outer Banks, you can't miss stopping at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. This site is home to the first powered flight and stands as a memorial to the Wright Brothers, who made it possible.

Not much of an aviation person? Doesn't matter, this park is well worth an hour or two of your time, even if you just take in the exhibits in the visitor center and the nearby aviation museum. Plus the view from the actual memorial, on top of Big Kill Devil Hill is great. You can take in all of the surrounding areas of the Outer Banks.

Read my full review of the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on Epinions

Quality Inn - Petersburg, Virginia

If you're traveling along Interstate 95 through Southern Virginia and you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, the Quality Inn in Petersburg, Virginia is a decent place to spend the night.

We were on our way to Myrtle Beach and decided to call it a night when we were in the Petersburg area. We had one of those discount coupon guides for the highway and the Quality Inn won out over the others at the exit since it advertised a free hot breakfast.

Read my full review of the Petersburg, Virginia Quality Inn on Epinions

Gelato Cafe in MGM Grand at Foxwoods - Ledyard, CT

Traveling between the original Foxwoods casino complex and the newer, MGM Grand at Foxwoods and looking for a quick snack or maybe a sweet treat? Then you might want to stop at the Gelato Cafe, which is located in the connector between the two casino resorts. It's a quick service restaurant that offers breakfast pastries, gelato along with sandwiches, salads and coffee drinks. A little bit of everything I guess you could say.

There isn't anything fancy about the Gelato Cafe, except for perhaps their presentation. The sandwiches and salads are all prepared and displayed in the cases and you find what you are looking for and then order what you'd like.

Read my full review of the Gelato Cafe at MGM Grand at Foxwoods on Epinions

Roadside Geology of Massachusetts by James Skehan

Looking for a primer on the rocks and geology of the Bay State? The Roadside Geology of Massachusetts by James Skehan might be the book that you want. It provides an introduction to the state's geology and provides several different driving tours and guides that showcase that geology all throughout the state.

I like the entire Roadside Geology series and this book is no exception. It gives you a nice mix of fairly detailed geologic information while remaining readable for the average person without a lot of knowledge in geology. There's plenty of information on the entire state and once you're past the introduction, I like the way that the geology is described via the various driving trips in the state. That gives you a chance to read the book and then head out on the road and see the examples in living color.

Read my full review of the Roadside Geology of Massachusetts by James Skehan on Epinions