Road trip!
May 24, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
It’s the Memorial Day long weekend—the unofficial start of summer—and for many travel-wise Americans that means one thing: Road trip! The tradition of taking a road trip dates back about 3,000 years. The first road trip likely occurred in ancient Egypt around 1200 B.C., when Ramses II hit the road in his chariot. Similar ventures—using [...]
Land of the Standing-up Rocks: Chiricahua National Monument
May 14, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
Filled with extraordinary rock formations, the Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona is a wonder to behold. The word “Chiricahua” may be derived from the Opata Indian word for turkey—wild turkeys are common in the area. Chiricahua Mountains is designated by the American Bird Conservancy as a Globally Important Bird Area. With 12,000 acres of [...]
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. Representing both church and state, these missions were charged with converting the local Native Americans, collectively called Coahuiltecans, into devout Catholics [...]
San Antonio River Walk: Jewel of the City
February 12, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 3 Comments
San Antonio is best known for being the Home of the Alamo and the San Antonio River, the center points of numerous activities in the downtown area. The river actually has its headwaters in northern San Antonio and travels southward through the city. The Alamo is part of a chain of five Spanish missions that [...]
Crooked Water: Tuzigoot National Monument
February 7, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
For thousands of years, Verde Valley has been a human melting pot. Hunters and gatherers came first, searching for wild game and grasses. Traders followed, digging salt and minerals, and then settlers farming the fertile bottomlands. Perched atop a ridge high above the Verde River two miles east of Clarkdale is Tuzigoot National Monument, one [...]
Mount Mitchell Drive Receives Scenic Byway Designation
January 30, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
The Mount Mitchell Scenic Drive is the latest route to receive an official “scenic byway” designation from the state of North Carolina. Recognized for its outstanding beauty and unique cultural features, this 52-mile drive begins atop 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi and traverses a national forest, state park, and National [...]
Yuma Named Sunniest Place in America
January 14, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
The sun is out and the weather is great, just like any other day in Yuma, Arizona. It should not surprise anyone that US News and World Report again named Yuma as the number one “sunniest place” in America to spend their golden years. Yuma’s wonderfully temperate winter climate also makes this southeastern Arizona city [...]
Red Rock Country: Sedona
December 6, 2011 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
Sedona is an Arizona destination not to be missed—a must-see wonders. Sedona easily makes the “A” list of RV destinations in the U.S. due to its rugged western appeal and colorful rock formations. Tourists come from around the world to absorb the natural wonders of Red Rock Country and Sedona, its centerpiece. Located at the [...]
UFO Capital: Roswell, NM
November 20, 2011 by Rex Vogel · 4 Comments
Sixty-three years ago, a rancher named W.W. Mack Brazel checked his sheep after a thunderstorm and found debris made of a strange metal scattered in many directions. He noticed a shallow trench cut into the desert floor. As the story goes, Mac Brazel drove his rusty pickup down to the county seat of Roswell to [...]
Links to the Past: Petroglyph National Monument, NM
November 13, 2011 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
Petroglyph National Monument contains over 7,000 acres of a volcanic basalt escarpment made from ancient lava flows, known as the West Mesa. The monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources, including five volcanic cones, hundreds of archeological sites, and an estimated 25,000 images carved into these dark rock outcroppings. In desert areas stones [...]
