E D I T O R I A L

It's time to get back to normal, our nation's leaders keep telling us, so here's the October issue, full of hot air and charm. Much of the Charm issue was already written before September 11, and after that it took a lot of wringing to get everyone back on track. Normal (especially for us) is an elusive thing. And whimsy seems almost tacky.

The big difference between Get Lost Magazine and the Big Boys of the Travel industry is that we like to go where the crowds are not, and we're not selling anything. With new pressures on the economy and on the travel industry, we think we can be of much greater use to you, with our low-budget approach to a whole new world of unique destinations. We look forward to bringing you more travel stories reflecting our changing times.

- Leslie Strom Your Charming Editor-in-Chief

F E A T U R E S

All light and form and airy whimsical zen-ness... on this Dumb-Ass trip to Washington coast, we unleash our Charlie Brown kite in the midst of the sparless monsters at the Long Beach International Kite Festival.

Feet at one o'clock, there, missy. Rodeo Princess Emeritus Jean Robb returns to reveal the gritty secrets behind her transformation at the Wendy Ward Charm School.

Is charm something that money can buy? Dave Friello doesn't think so.

Ethan Gilsdorf finds himself at the Planet Hollywood in Paris on September 11, where violent images from the film industry take on a new meaning.

Presenting the very first de-toursitification guide: Talia tells us with great specificity How Not To Be A Typical Tourist.

Conversion to the European über-buck is handled with Swiss precision, except the Swiss will have none of it. Here's Euro info every traveler needs to know right now and by year's end.

A trip to the Antiques Road Show gets Gail to redefining the whole concept of "charm."

T H E  C A S U A L  C O O K

Had enough charm? Not until you've had your Tea on a Tailgate.

B O O K  R E V I E W

How do you choose between a charming inn and an anacronistic hovel? Thanks to Britain's Prince Charles and Landmark Trust you can have both on a budget, and here's the catalog to feed your every weird lodging fantasy (except the one about Camilla's tampon, of course...)

A L M A N A C

What's up for autumn? Painting the blue moon red, falling back in time, and Dave McBee faints dead away over a landmark birthday.