Elgin is a fast-growing small city of just over 100,000 people that is just west of Chicago in northern Illinois. The city,home to the National Watch Company (Elgin watches) until the 20th century,  is located on the Fox River. The Elgin Street Sweepers were another old Elgin company.There are some great rail to trails in the area, as well as…...

Carmel is a small and rapidly growing city of about 101,000 residents in central Indiana. It is an affluent suburb of Indianapolis with a well deserved reputation as a town that celebrates the arts as well as biking and fitness.  The Carmel Art & Design District (photos above courtesy of Wikipedia and Tysto) attracts retirees as well as other aged…...

The City of Fort Walton Beach, on “The Emerald Coast” is a popular beach and fishing community of about 20,000 residents on Florida’s extreme northwest coast, almost in Alabama.  The busiest time of the year is summer, although it is also a popular destination for spring breakers. Many of its residents are active adults using it as a retirement community.…...

Florence is a suburb south of Cincinatti with a population of about 30,000. It is somewhat famous for the "Florence Y'all" emblazoned water tower that is visible from I 75. (Photo above courtesy of Wikipedia and C. Matthew Curtin). The sign originally advertised the "Florence Mall", but when the sign was found to violate local signage regulations, a little paint…...