Category: Activities & Attractions
A Climb in the Rain…Again?
September 18, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
In a previous post I shared the first leg of our hike to Williams Lake in the beautiful Enchanted Circle, New Mexico, the trip remainder of the journey was eventful, and wet, as well. As we had been leaving the parking lot, a young woman hiking alone with a dog approached us. She informed us she planned to hike, but had a hole in her car tire and asked if we thought she would be able to find someone around when she finished her hike to help her out if she needed it. She must have been as anxious to get out hiking as we were. We assured her that no doubt someone in the nearly full parking lot would be available to help when she finished. I also told her we would certainly help if we finished about the same time she did. With that reassurance, we all set off. Williams Lake The young woman with the dog stuck fairly close to us, especially when the thunder struck, but we all moved amiably in the direction of the lake—looking like drowned rats! We reached the lake en masse, having encountered... [Read more...]
Up, Up and Away: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
September 16, 2011 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
Countdown to Liftoff: 14 days, 14 hours, 14 minutes Part of the reason for the success of the Fiesta are the cool Albuquerque morning temperatures in October and the Albuquerque box. (Credit: Raymond Watt, balloonfiesta.com) Each October, New Mexico skies are full of bold blues, imperial reds, and vibrant yellows. The event is the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot-air balloon event in the world. This extravaganza takes place from the first weekend through the second weekend in October—this year’s festival is from October 1-9—and attracts hundreds of hot-air balloonists from around the world. The balloons come in many colors and shapes with the special shapes category getting larger every year. There are balloons that look like cows, cartoon characters, automobiles, stagecoaches—and just about everything else. A century after the release of Jules Verne’s balloon adventure novel with Captain Phileas Fogg, Around the World in 80 Days, internationally-acclaimed... [Read more...]
DO NOT visit Washington D.C…………..
September 14, 2011 by Professor95 · 8 Comments
… Unless you have a week or more to spend touring all of the museums and facilities. Seriously! We drove up to DC last week to meet three of our friends from out-of-town. Fran was from New York, Paul from southern California and Selena recently arrived in the USA from China. None of the three had ever visited our Nation’s Capitol. They were totally blown away by the sights – especially Selena! Cherry Hill Campground Office Entrance Nancy, Oscar and I parked the RV just north of the Capitol at Cherry Hill Park in Maryland. Our friends checked into a nearby motel. The best way for visitors to get into DC is to use the Metro system. DO NOT even think about trying to drive into the city. To board the Metro from Cherry Hill Park all you do is walk up to the bus stop in front of the park office. There you catch a bus for a very short ride to the College Park Metro Train Station on the green line. You should purchase your fare tickets at the campground office... [Read more...]
Safari Niagara
September 14, 2011 by Canadianladybug · Leave a Comment
While visiting the Niagara region a couple of years ago, we stumbled on an interesting zoological park that will please everyone in your family. Formely known as ZooZ, Safari Niagara will keep your family busy for the whole day when you enter their park. Right at the entrance of the park we were welcome by a garden snake which was just exploring the area. This garden snake was immediately picked up by one of the employees when we told them about it… Multiple guided tours are available as well as zoo university. Through daily interactive animal presentations, you will learn interesting facts on specific animals and birds that you can find at the zoo. We particularly like the Gibbons area where we were able to hear them make their cry – which was heard throughout the park regularly! While exploring the zoo we also learned more about various birds, saw buffalos butt heading each other, learned more about the different kind of bears, had some great time learning about the... [Read more...]
A Climb…in the Rain?
September 14, 2011 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
After our failed attempt on our trip this summer to locate a hike south of our Taos home base, we shifted gears and looked to the north. Still eager to get out and stretch our legs, but knowing we were planning a major hike when we arrived in Colorado later in the week, we were seeking a shorter hike, something that would take no more than half a day; nothing more than 3-4 miles. The Williams Lake Hike in the Taos Ski Valley seemed like the perfect choice. Four miles long with a trailhead only 40 minutes from Taos, and a not too significant elevation gain so it would appeal to Meghan, the non-hiker among us, it seemed the answer to our quest. Leashing up the dogs The day following our impromptu Santa Fe trip, we planned the Taos Ski Valley hike, thinking we would enjoy a leisurely morning and head north just after lunch. However, once we had finished eating and looked to the north, it was clear they were getting some significant rain up on Taos Mountain. The weather report on the... [Read more...]
Do You Know the Way…to Santa Fe?
September 11, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
While touring Santa Fe on our recent impromptu visit, we were again taken with all the city has to offer. The architecture is like no other. Most buildings are built in the pueblo style—not exactly like the structures in your typical state capitol. They tend to be accented with doors, window frames and railing areas of bright color, in the Spanish tradition, which is another distinctive quality and tells you you are not in Kansas (or Wisconsin—no Packer regalia) anymore! This provides a feel that supports the city’s nickname: the city different. There is also quite a southern feel to some of the Santa Fe architecture. Surrounding the plaza there are several buildings that sport large white porches and statuesque columns reminiscent of southern mansions. These mix quite pleasingly with the pueblo-style structures and the profusion of flowering trees and shrubs that thrive in its moderate climate. You get a real feel that the entire place moves at a slower pace, there is no rush,... [Read more...]
Foraging And Fishing in Cordova, Alaska
September 11, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 1 Comment
I was very fortunate to visit Cordova, Alaska last week. The Copper River/Prince William Sound Marketing Association hosted a fall press trip so they invited me plus four other food writers/professionals to visit the area. The Copper River region is most well known for the ultra rich wild salmon that is pulled from the local waters. This Alaskan salmon is revered worldwide, and in Seattle there is always lots of hype when the season’s first catch arrives at the airport! While in Cordova, Amy, Shauna, Danny, Joelen and I toured the fishing village, met fishermen and artists, fished for coho, and foraged for wild cranberries. When we arrived on Tuesday afternoon, the winds were howling and the rain was falling in force. The second day wasn’t much better, but we all managed to grab a rod and fish off the shore for about an hour. We didn’t catch anything, but we certainly had a few nibbles. Without a doubt, we enjoyed the adventure with our guide from the Orca Adventure... [Read more...]
Touring “the City Different”
September 4, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
In a recent post, I talked about the wonderful shopping opportunities available at the old Governor’s Palace in Santa Fe, NM. After we had finished perusing the large variety of wares available at the Governor’s Palace during our recent impromptu visit to “the City Different” (Santa Fe, NM), we took a turn about the plaza to see what was happening. In New Mexico, and many Spanish communities, the center of the city or the town square is referred to as a plaza. (Don’t call it the square or they will know you are a tourist and not “in the know.”) Generally a central shopping area, plazas have much to offer in terms of things to see and do. In strolling through the Santa Fe Plaza, we come upon the marker commemorating the end of the famous Santa Fe Trail, the road or route followed by many of the earliest settlers to the area between the years of 1822 and 1879. Erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Territory of New Mexico in 1910, ... [Read more...]
The City Different: Santa Fe, NM
September 1, 2011 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
A combination of altitude, desert, and pueblos has produced a magical city that bears little resemblance to nearby Albuquerque or anywhere else for that matter. While Santa Fe has been intriguing and charming travelers for more than 400 years, La Fonda on the Plaza has been providing warm and friendly accommodations for generations. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Santa Fe is the United States’ longest continuously occupied state capital. Located high and dry in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this well preserved center of Southwestern art and architecture attracts visitors with its galleries, cuisine, and play of light on its adobe buildings. Santa Fe is referred to as “the city different,” a city that honors its Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo heritages and embraces its natural environment unlike any other in the United States. A city whose beautiful, brown adobe architecture blends with the high desert landscape and a city that is, at the same time, one... [Read more...]
A Wonderful Carriage Ride Through Northern Michigan
September 1, 2011 by Guest Blogger · 1 Comment
While workamping at Thunder Bay RV & Golf Resort, my husband and I experienced the Award winning Elk Viewing Carriage Ride, Gourmet Dinner & Wine Tasting! Imagine: Slow meander through quiet woods, comfortable in a roofed red carriage built on-site by Lead Teamster, Alan. His massive Percheron draft horses, a magnificent sight, make their way from suites and villas to the Grill, stopping along the way to pick up guests. Everyone now on board, we cross the Resort’s 18 hole golf course to head into the woods in search of sometimes elusive deer and elk. Our heads turn from the waving golfers to the trees ahead. Look, A wild deer! Our guide shares history – of Rocky Mountain Elk and Thunder Bay Resort. We learn what dangers they have historically faced, what antlers in velvet is, what determines antler size and majesty – and when they shed. Perhaps you can stump our guide with a question, I couldn’t, but then, they are quite knowledgeable. We found Elk gathered at a... [Read more...]
