Category: Roads & Routes
Steep Cliffs and Towering Spires: Dead Horse Point State Park
March 30, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
Dead Horse Point State Park is perhaps Utah’s most spectacular state park. The park lies on the same broad mesa as The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. The meandering Colorado River 2,000 feet below Dead Horse Point. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Dead Horse Point is a peninsula of rock atop sheer sandstone cliffs about 6,000 feet above sea level. Two thousand feet below, the Colorado River winds its way from the continental divide in Colorado to the Gulf of California, a distance of 1,400 miles. The peninsula is connected to the mesa by a narrow strip of land called the neck. From the overlook, canyon erosion may be viewed on a grand scale. This erosion process has taken approximately 150 million years. Much of it is caused by the river slicing down into the earth’s crust as land is forced upward. These powerful forces are still sculpting the fantastic shapes of the precipitous bluffs and towering spires. Vegetation and wildlife in this desert environment... [Read more...]
Woodall’s FEATURED article–Top Travel Destinations for Easter
March 29, 2012 by Woodalls Editorial Staff · 2 Comments
Wondering where to travel this Easter? Let us help by pointing out the best spots for an Easter Parade, Egg Hunt, or to see where Easter treats come from. Hershey, Pennsylvania Where do those chocolate bunnies come from? More than likely, those delicious Easter treats come from the sweetest place in America — Hershey, Pennsylvania! This spring why not bask in chocolately goodness with a complimentary tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World, the source of the all things delectable? The sweet-smelling factory qualifies as the biggest chocolate-making operation on the face of the earth. After the factory tour and a 3-D show, you’ll be on your way with a tasty candy sample in hand. After ruining your appetite, explore the non-stop amusements at Hersheypark, where ten thrilling roller coasters, refreshing water rides, live entertainment, and appetizing food options await you. Date: April 6th-8th 10 am – 9 pm Washington, District Columbia This year, take the kids on an Easter Egg Hunt... [Read more...]
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...]
Carnivore Heaven…
March 27, 2012 by Dana Ticknor · 1 Comment
While we were near Houston recently, we abandon our trailer park kids (let the kids stay home and watch movies) while we went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary and my hubby passing a course he took in Houston. We had heard from the campground manager that the little BBQ joint just a few miles down the road was a great place to eat, so we decided to venture out for their Friday Night All You Can Eat Shrimp, Catfish, FROG LEGS, and BBQ. 2 buffets for $17 sounded like a good deal, so we left the kids to their ramen noodles (their preferred meal when we are gone since I won’t let them eat it when I’m home ), and wondered what we were in for at this little back country eatery. Pulling up, we glanced at each other – Peter’s isn’t the fanciest of joints – but apparently it’s because they are too busy smoking the most fabulous brisket and ribs! We probably would not have chosen to stop and eat here if it were not for the rave reviews by our... [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...]
The Unique Craftsmen of Silver Dollar City
March 14, 2012 by Diane Berry · 3 Comments
Following up on my previous post about Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO I would like to take time to profile the fabulous craftsmen and women who populate the park. Their workmanship is excellent, the materials, of first quality, and the products, unequaled in quality and craftsmanship. On every visit, we plan to purchase birthday, Mother and Father’s Day gifts and a number of special treats for ourselves. Upon entrance to the park, our first visit is always to the bladesmith, who is making first quality knives for purchase in the park. It was always our first stop due to our son’s fascination with knives, and to his location in the park. During our visits, Ray Johnson was the craftsman in charge of the knives and we loved to stop as we were wandering down the beautifully landscaped tree-lined pathways of the park. It was fascinating to watch him forge his knives over an open flame with sufficient heat to turn the metal into an excellent serviceable knife. We have also seen the most... [Read more...]
A Great Family Vacation–Silver Dollar City!
March 11, 2012 by Diane Berry · 1 Comment
The recent bad weather experienced in Branson, MO reminded me of some of our favorite family vacation memories. Silver Dollar City in the Branson area is one of the best values for your vacation dollar in this country. As I stated in a previous post, when our children were in school, we developed the habit of traveling over the spring or Easter break each year (hence our experience of celebrating sunrise Easter services all over the country!). On several occasions, Branson, MO and Silver Dollar City was our destination! This was true for several reasons. First of all, our home is in Wisconsin. Over Easter, we are all ready to move to warmer climes. Missouri is a mere 12 hour drive from our home and lots warmer, by spring standards, than Wisconsin, in which spring is often gray, damp and, on worst occasions, white with new-fallen snow! Missouri tends to be sunny and 20-40 degrees warmer than our home turf—in other words, a very appealing destination. In terms of amusement parks, Silver... [Read more...]
Day trip around Cape Cod Bay
March 5, 2012 by Canadianladybug · Leave a Comment
Back in 2008, we made a long trip from Ottawa, ON to PA, MA, ME, NB and PEI before going back home. It was our first trip with the RV and we still remember the highlights of that trip. A few weeks ago I presented a tour that we did while in Pennsylvania. Today, let me present you to the coast of Massachusetts – more specifically Cape Cod Bay. While we were in the Boston area, I wanted to go visit the Cape Cod Potato Chip Company that let you see how they make potato chips. The manufacture is located on 100 Breed’s Hill Road in Hyannis, Massachusetts . We were not allowed to take picture inside the facility and to be honest this is a self-guided tour where you look through windows while you watch them work and make potato chips. The tour wasn’t long and can be done in about 10-15 minutes. But the kids enjoyed seeing the process of making potato chips. Self-guided tours are the next best thing to real tours when you take the time to read and explain... [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...]
WE FOUND A PHOTO OF PRESIDENT CLINTON NUDE!
February 24, 2012 by Professor95 · Leave a Comment
Hanging out around a library wasn’t exactly one of the most exciting items on my list of things to do Monday. But, it was President’s Day and we were not that far from the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas. Besides, admission is free on President’s Day and I have never been one to pass up free admission to anything. In case you may have forgotten, Bill Clinton was our 42nd President serving two terms between 1992 and 2000. While he may be best remembered for his shenanigans with a young White House aide, it was during his presidency that we reversed a climbing federal budget deficit and created nearly twenty-three million new American jobs. No prior administration had overseen the creation of so many new jobs, or at such a rapid pace. Entrance to the Clinton Library The Clinton Presidential Library is situated in a new 30-acre city park located right on the edge of the Arkansas River in the revitalized River Market area of Little Rock. ... [Read more...]
