An innovator in the passenger vessel industry, Terry MacRae , is the Chairman and CEO of Hornblower Cruises and Events. In addition to crafting the only fleet of hybrid vessels in North America, MacRae has built an empire of more than 70 yachts in the last 35 years.

Even though Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary has been closed since 1963, the myth, legend, and lore of the infamous Rock that housed prisoners such as Al “Scarface” Capone, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”, and “Machine Gun” Kelly has grown exponentially over the past half century.

Retired Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary guard, George DeVincenzi served on “The Rock” from 1950 to 1958, departing just five years before the infamous island prison closed forever in 1963.

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary opened in 1934 and when it closed its cell doors for the last time in 1963 more than fifteen hundred prisoners had served time on the Rock.

There are 29 National Recreation Areas across America. One of the most distinctive is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area that includes 80,000 acres of ecologically and historically significant destinations around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Lodi is America’s largest grape growing region, along with approximately 91 family owned boutique wineries. The town of 60,000 residents offers a small town feel. Join Craig for a local’s insight about Lodi attractions, including upscale dining.

Rose Schweikhart turned a personal passion for beer in to a driving and thriving brewery and culinary business. It’s the Superior Bathhouse Brewery in the heart of downtown Hot Springs National Park , Arkansas. Rose’s enterprise is the only brewery situated within a National Park, and it is the only brewery in the world utilizing thermal spring water.

Lodi, California’s Mayor Mark Chandler talks about Lodi’s 150-year history as a premier grape growing region. Chandler shares insights on “Lodi Rules” pioneering sustainable grape growing practices that became a national model, his roots at Cal Poly, water conservation and re-use, and moderating development.

Ray Brown host of “Talkin’ Birds” is a frequent contributor to NPR’s Weekend Edition is the creator of Talkin’ Birds radio show, heard on sixteen stations in New England, New York, Maryland, and internationally via iTunes and talkinbirds.com. Brown is also a regular bird-topics contributor to National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Saturday. Join Correspondent Tom Wilmer in Michigan for a chat with Ray Brown.

David Noyes has been traveling the world for decades, recording photographic images of remote places and exotic people, from Tibet to Kenya. Correspondent Tom Wilmer visited with David at Chengdu, China Airport.