Category: Family Day Trips
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...]
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...]
A Palace Fit For A…Governor?
August 28, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
While traveling in New Mexico during this past summer, after driving for the better part of two days, then resting and relaxing for two more days, we were in the mood for a bit of activity. As we are a hiking family, we quickly decided a hike was in order and our son, Ryan, who has been itching to do more climbing for the past several years, chose a hike near the Santa Fe area which involved several caves and other interesting geological components. Santa Fe Governor's Palace Tent Rocks Canyon Trail wanders along a narrow slice of land at the edge of the massive Jemez Volcano. In some places the canyon walls are 200 feet high, yet a child’s arms can span the width wall to wall. It did sound like an interesting place to visit. It was noted to be an easy three mile hike which would not be too taxing as we had not fully acclimated to the altitude yet as well and needed to remain mindful of that. So it was that on the morning of July 23rd we headed southwest from our home base in Taos,... [Read more...]
Viva Las Fiestas!
August 17, 2011 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
One of the last weekends each July, the large Spanish community in the small town of Taos, NM engages in a weekend long celebration of the Feasts of Santiago and Santa Anna (St. James and St. Anne to you and me). As it is more eloquently put in their Fiesta publication each year: Fiestas de Santiago y Santa Ana. They are a tradition passed from generation to generation, a way of preserving the rich cultures that have developed in Taos over the last four centuries. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary to do during your RV trip to New Mexico, schedule a stop at the Fiestas. The traditional Catholic feast days of St. James and St. Anne, the patron saints of Taos, July 25 and 26, respectively, are celebrated in over the weekend nearest those days every year. The Fiestas have evolved over the years as a way for the Spanish to honor their faith and these representations of it. The first day of the fiestas weekend honors Santiago; the second, St. Anne. St. James, patron saint... [Read more...]
Bringing Vacation Home With You!
August 7, 2011 by Diane Berry · 4 Comments
One of our favorite parts of traveling and visiting new places, especially places where we have had a wonderful time, is selecting a small souvenir or memento of that location to bring home with us. This helps us to remember the special time we had, as well as helping us to feel a bit like we are on vacation all year long. (As you can tell, this is a common theme in my life—that quest for the year-long vacation. We are not full time RVers, but I am guessing that is what it would feel like—at least most of the time!) As some of you may remember, Taos, NM is one of the places my family enjoys visiting. While we love the location, the history, the culture, the ambiance and the food, it is the souvenirs that are one of the best parts of any trip to Taos. There are a variety of unique locations to pick up a choice Taos souvenir. As you’ve heard from me before, the Taos Pueblo, a World Historic site is not to be missed. During your visit, there are a number of shops providing a wide selection... [Read more...]
Exit Glacier At Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska
July 30, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 1 Comment
Exit Glacier If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Alaska this summer, seriously consider visiting Exit Glacier at Kenai Fjords National Park. We hiked to this glacier five years ago when we lived in Anchorage and we were fortunate enough to visit the glacier again early in July of this year. We had taken a day trip from Anchorage to Seward and spontaneously decided to visit the glacier after leaving Seward. Glaciers abound in Alaska. Thankfully this glacier can be easily (and affordably!) enjoyed by taking a short hike. Unlike other glaciers around the state, there’s no need for a boat or a helicopter to view the glacier. You just need some good supportive shoes, a bottle of water, and a little extra energy. On the midweek day that we visited, the park wasn’t terribly busy. The sun was shining and the views were amazing. We took a different trail on this trip and, to be perfectly honest, we were quite shocked to see how far the glacier had receded since we were... [Read more...]
CAPE LOOKOUT NATIONAL SEASHORE – Home of one of North Carolina’s Historic Lighthouses
July 28, 2011 by Professor95 · 3 Comments
Monday was not a good beach day. The wind was blowing between 20 and 25 knots. Umbrellas were flying like kites and the fine, dry sand unaffected by the ocean’s waters cut into your body like thousands of little razors. We decided to hang around inside the camper. I finished my book by James Patterson, 4th of July, and started a second by Glenn Beck, The Overton Window. The first was an excellent paperback thriller with a surprise ending. The Overton Window is getting interesting but is more political than mysterious – both are great beach books. Tuesday was not much better weather wise. The wind had died down but the sky’s were overcast and numerous thunderboomers rolled overhead. We decided to hit an afternoon movie at the local cinema. We have not watched the first part of the current Harry Potter movie, so felt we should wait on viewing the second. The entire series has become way too complicated as it is. Zookeeper seemed like a good alternative. Boy was I ever... [Read more...]
Camping On Alaska’s Resurrection Bay in Seward!
July 11, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
I had the wonderful opportunity to return to Alaska last week. I traveled to the remote and isolated Bristol Bay region with my husband and three children. After renting a wonderful log cabin in Dillingham for four nights, we headed to Anchorage and toured around for two days. I didn’t camp in Alaska on this trip because it simply wasn’t feasible to bring our travel trailer up there. (Bristol Bay is inaccessible by road, so it wasn’t an option to bring our travel trailer up there!) While we were in Anchorage, we had fabulous clear blue skies so we decided to take a road trip out to Seward. I love Seward and we have camped there many times. On this trip. we only had a few hours so I had to content myself with touring around, taking photos, and checking out the town’s waterfront campground. Known as the Resurrection Campground, the sites sit right there on the water and offer fabulous views of the scenery at hand. When we were there last Thursday, the campground... [Read more...]
Happy Birthday Parks Canada!
June 29, 2011 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
The world may scratch its collective head when it comes to listing facts about Canada, but—at the very least—most know it’s a lot bigger than the spot they call home. The Netherlands can easily fit into Lake Huron—with ample room to splash around. Jasper National Park, Alberta. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved There’s plenty to explore—Canada’s cities are new, dynamic, and evolving—but it’s the beauty of the massive forests, towering mountains, pristine lakes, and the land’s sheer breadth that enthralls many visitors. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada and Alan Latourelle, chief executive officer of the Parks Canada Agency, is inviting visitors from around the world—to enjoy the nation’s 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, including nine canals, and four national marine conservation areas that stretch from British Columbia on the West Coast to Newfoundland on the East. “Canada! We have more square feet of awesomeness per person than... [Read more...]
Goldenrod Kisses
June 27, 2011 by Canadianladybug · Leave a Comment
Ah! The memories… Three years ago, in 2008, I was able to share something from my youth with my own kids. I can’t believe it has been three years already and we are way overdue to go back there for the delicious Salt Water Taffy that the Goldenrod makes in York Beach – Maine. When I was younger, my parents would travel to Maine to camp. We would also go shopping in the outlets around the area. But my favorite place was the Goldenrod. I would watch through the windows them making the taffy with a watering mouth. And when we were driving from Pennsylvania to Prince-Edward Island in 2008, we were able to stop and visit the Goldenrod, and share that experience with our kids. The Goldenrod is a restaurant, homemade ice cream shop and (you guessed) a candy store. It has been located next to Short Sands Beach since 1896. When you go there, you can stand for a long time, observing the candy maker doing the salt water taffy from beginning to the end. Seeing the... [Read more...]
