"Downton Abbey”, the very popular PBS Masterpiece series is entertaining viewers this season. The tales of how the wealthy British aristocrats lived and loved in the early years of the 20th Century play out. Interacting with them are the trials and tribulations of those who were their hired help.

The series, which is now in the process of filming another season of episodes, has attracted a rush of tourists to the estate that served as the fictitious Downton Abbey. It is Highclere Castle, a sprawling manor majestically dominating the landscape just 60 miles west of London.

Owned by the current Earl of Carnarvon, it has become a popular destination for tourists who are curious to see where their TV idols sipped tea and hunted pheasants. The estate is currently sprucing up to prepare for this spring’s rush of visitors, and is expected to be open daily in early March. For scheduled programs at the castle and more information, go to www.highclerecastle.co.uk/

Navy Seals used his name as the code word to report the mission’s success last year after taking out of the terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden. Two generations ago, Army paratroopers shouted his name as they jumped into World War II combat. Native American Apache chief Geronimo was a genuine 19th Century hero who fought to keep his people free from invaders.

A new year-long exhibit honoring Geronimo and his tribe is on display at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. It includes artifacts, photographs, paintings and official documents of the era.

For more information, go to www.heard.org/

This scene of soaring cacti is at the lower tip of Arizona near the town of Why, on the border with Sonora, Mexico. This is the only place in the U.S. that the magnificent 30-foot-high cacti grows.

www.nps.gov/orpi/

So far into early 2012, three small independent airlines suddenly stopped flying because of financial woes. First it was Madrid’s Spanair, then Hungary’s Malev and now bankrupt Air Australia has been grounded. In several incidents, the quick collapses left customers stranded on the ground or with tickets that were no longer usable.

Prospects for all airlines, including the big ones, are not looking smooth. With the next round of Middle East oil cartel robbery oil price increases happening, we can expect the already high ticket costs to go up for spring and summer air and auto travel.