Category: Historic Places & Landmarks
Land of the Sleeping Rainbow: Capitol Reef National Park
March 28, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 3 Comments
Capitol Reef National Park is filled with geological wonders that stagger the imagination. The huge, rounded domes of red Wingate sandstone, capped with pale ivory Navajo sand. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Somewhat remote, and not as well known as the other parks, Capitol Reef is located on the northern edge of the Grand Circle Tour. Capitol Reef encompasses a 100-mile natural upheaval in the earth’s crust known as the Waterpocket Fold. We’ve traveled Utah’s red-rock country from Bryce to Arches and Zion to Monument Valley, but none is more impressive than Capitol Reef. Hundreds of millions of years of geological history are contained within this long, narrow park that stretches about 100 miles from its northern to southern boundary. Time moves very slowly in the ageless world of colorful spires, pinnacles, and domes that form Capitol Reef. Formed by cataclysmic events of eons past, these rock formations have been defined and redefined over past ages as ancient sea waters... [Read more...]
Discover San Antonio’s Mission Trail
March 18, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
The chain of five missions that were established along the San Antonio River during the 18th century stands as a reminder of Spain’s most successful attempt to extend its New World influence and control. Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Representing both church and state, these missions were charged with converting the local Native Americans, collectively called Coahuiltecans, into devout Catholics and productive members of Spanish society. More than just churches on the Spanish Colonial frontier, the missions also served as vocational and educational centers, economic enterprises involved in agricultural and ranching endeavors and regional trade. Missionaries taught the Coahuiltecans farming skills and gave them religious instruction. Before the Spanish came, there were no horses in Texas and no gunfire, except for the raiding Apache. A vast frontier had never been touched by a wheel or felt the blade of an iron ax. Among... [Read more...]
Silver Dollar City–the Music!
March 18, 2012 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
Branson, MO being the music destination that it is, it is not surprising that Silver Dollar City would boast some of the most entertaining music and shows any one family could hope for—all for one inexpensive entry fee. Quite an excellent bargain! In a previous post, I mentioned that we most often visited the City during our children’s Easter break from school. Every year Silver Dollar City celebrates World-Fest from early April to early May, a month long festival showcasing entertainment from around the world. Other times of the year, they produce festivals honoring other groups: from the Great American Music Festival in May to the Children’s Festival from early June to mid-August to the Festival of America in the Fall to the “Old Time Christmas Celebration” in November and December. There is always something going on at Silver Dollar City. On a recent trip out, the World-Fest included several dance troups, Stavropolye Cossacks from Russia, Dance Academy from Uganda and Rhythm... [Read more...]
A Day Trip to Whidbey Island…
March 15, 2012 by Melissa A. Trainer · 1 Comment
A couple weeks ago my husband and I decided to take a day trip to Washington’s Whidbey Island. I hadn’t been there for a few years and we wanted to partake in their annual Penn Cove Musselfest! Located only a short ferry ride from Mukilteo, Whidbey Island is a fabulous rural destination. We arrived in Clinton on the south end of the island and then drove north about twenty miles towards Coupeville, which is where the mussel festival was taking place. Coupeville is a historic seaside village that abounds with mussels and lots of charm. The indigenous mussels are grown right there in Penn Cove and indeed these bivalves are the signature seafood of this rural region! The annual mussel festival clearly reflects this because just about all of the restaurants feature the local mussels on their menus!! (Even the local bowling alley features a signature mussel dish!) When we arrived around 11:30 that day, the Musselfest was in full swing. We purchased chowder sampling cards and then... [Read more...]
SAS Shoe Factory tour, San Antonio, TX…
March 12, 2012 by Dana Ticknor · 2 Comments
One source of fun (and educational!) opportunities that is often overlooked when traveling, is that of factory tours! We have done several tours this winter while visiting the sunny south; the latest was a visit to the SAS shoe factory in San Antonio, TX. SAS stands for San Antonio Shoemakers, and their quality products have been 100% American made since it’s beginning in 1976. Planning our visit, we weren’t really sure what to expect – the website made a stop look like it would be fun – but you know how websites can be – they can make a destination look like an interesting place to visit only to arrive and find that the attraction is a dud. Not so with SAS! We found it to be much more interesting than we had hoped! Pulling into the parking lot we found the grounds to be spacious, with adequate room for RV and bus parking. The parking lot was neat and clean, and full of interesting displays of classic cars and machinery. The buildings are designed to look... [Read more...]
Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail
March 11, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
It’s been over a year now that the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail has been in existence. Not to say the mom & pop shops along the Boudin Trail didn’t exist until a year ago–in fact, several of the stops along the Boudin Trail have been family owned for generations. What’s great about the trail is that it winds through Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes, so you can see all of Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana along the way, even down to our Gulf beaches! First off, you might wonder what a “Boudin” is. Well, “Boudin” is a tasty finger food that on the service looks like sausage. It is Louisiana’s spiced-up hybrid of pork or beef sausage. It’s a tender, savory mix of pork, rice, liver, parsley and onions, variously seasoned with salt, red pepper, black pepper and garlic powder. Everything’s stirred together, stuffed into casings and sold hot by the pound. There’s mild Boudin and hot Boudin. There’s smoked Boudin, with a crispy... [Read more...]
Farmers Market in Downtown McAllen
March 10, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
Tucked away in McAllen’s downtown entertainment district, The Market at Alhambra is a new concept in farmers markets. On a recent Saturday, we decided to check it out. Tucked away in McAllen's downtown entertainment district, The Market at Alhambra is a new concept in farmers markets. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved It happens from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday with Alhambra, the Mediterranean restaurant and hookah lounge at 519 S. 17th Street as host. A group known as the Texas Food Revolution takes over this popular Downtown McAllen Mediterranean fusion restaurant and salsa dancing hot spot. Their mission is to promote small, pesticide-free farming—or farms that show a willingness to reduce pesticides—anywhere that they can. Texas Food Revolution volunteers have executed food demonstrations in Laredo, Brownsville, McAllen, and Weslaco. The market features farmers, as well as artisans and ranchers. The Rio Grande Valley is blessed with an amazing growing season yet... [Read more...]
Battlefords: Gateway to Northwest Saskatchewan’s Land of Outdoor Adventure
March 3, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
Battleford Post Office The City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford are separated by the North Saskatchewan River, and together they are called “The Battlefords”. The Battlefords is the gateway to Northwest Saskatchewan’s land of outdoor adventure. When you look at a map, you will see that in the Battlefords two rivers converge – the Battle River which flows from the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and the mighty North Saskatchewan River which rises in the midst of the Rockies near Jasper, Alberta. Before the advent of the European settlers, the Battle River was known as the “Fighting River” and it marked the boundary between Blackfoot and Cree Territory. For thousands of years a strong aboriginal presence has shaped The Battlefords and the surrounding area. Notable figures like Chief Poundmaker and Big Bear, advocates of aboriginal rights and negotiators of government treaties, Allen Sapp, world renowned Cree painter, and Gordon Tootoosis –... [Read more...]
OUR DIAMOND MINING EXPERIENCE – Crater of Diamonds, Arkansas
March 1, 2012 by Professor95 · 3 Comments
You have probably read or heard about the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Stories abound about great diamond finds. These stories have a tendency to make one think that there is a volcanic crater filled with shiny bean size diamonds just waiting for visitors to pick them up and keep with little or no effort. The truth is diamond searching is a difficult and dirty adventure. The odds of finding a significant diamond are perhaps about as good as hitting the Million Dollar Jackpot on a Las Vegas casino slot machine. Still, some visitors do make significant gem finds. But – despite all of the above, it is fun. We met some great people while digging in the mud. Folks from all over the country were out exploring our true national treasures of openness and freedom. Many families with children were present as well as their pets. Oscar went with us but soon became tired climbing the furrows and wanted to be carried. Plowed trenches in the search field Nancy... [Read more...]
Rio South Texas: Nature’s Wonders
February 29, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
The Rio Grande Valley nature scene is filled with many wildlife hot spots. We’ll continue our tour of the top nature hot spots in the Rio Grande Valley with a visit to the World Birding Center. The World Birding Center (WBC) The World Birding Center (WBC) is a network of nine unique birding sites in the Lower Rio Grande Valley along a 120-mile corridor following the Rio Grande from Roma to South Padre Island. The mission of the World Birding Center is to protect native habitat, while increasing the understanding and appreciation of birds and wildlife. Drive through subtropical Texas to share the borderlands mix of Texan and Mexican heritage, and take time to look for any of the more than 500 bird species that have been documented in the region. Ted Eubanks, a well-known birder and nature tourism expert, was involved with the creation of the WBC starting in the late 1990s. His company, Fermata Inc., conducted the original feasibility study for the project, titled “Using a World Class... [Read more...]
