Counseling for the Daring Traveler
It all begins when you decide to break away without the “group of tourists” surrounding you. You may be planning to go it alone, with a companion or with a few friends that share your enthusiasm for adventure; and it’s not that difficult! Perhaps this site will offer some helpful advice to motivate you into action, to decide where to go, when to go and how to plan to get there. There may be even a thought or two on what to do when you arrive at your destination. This advice comes from a well seasoned traveler that rarely uses a travel agent or travel agency to plan for me and my traveling companions.
Time Speeds By…
Two months since my last post and a lot to cover…
April: Two weeks of travel to Florida (the Keys, the beautiful Blue Spring State Park, Cape Canaveral and finally back home after briefly visiting family members in Georgia.
The natural beauty of Florida in the Keys is unlike any other part of the USA and should be on your travel “bucket list”. There are numerous state parks to visit, lots of water activity to participate in and plenty of sunshine to warm your soul while taking time to relax.
But… do not overlook inland Florida either…and I am not talking Disney World. Travel to Blue Spring State Park (https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park) and stay in DeLand while there. This quaint town will capture your heart as a wonderful place to visit. And a couple of days at the state park will generate awesome memories! The St. James River is flooded with millions of gallons of fresh spring water daily which attracts the manatees; making sightseeing by boat a “must do”.
And…not too far from the park on the east coast is Cape Canaveral. It has been many years since my first visit, but returning was extremely worth the visit. The center has grown into a great attraction with plenty of “space stuff” for everyone to enjoy. I highly recommend a visit here and if you’re lucky you will catch a rocket launch…I did!
My favorite attraction…
May: And most recently…a week in Missouri. Branson gets a “touristy” label and it is a whole lot of that! But there are absolutely fun and awesome things to see and do beyond that town…Going there I had plenty of low expectations that were completely unfounded! We did the in-town shows like good tourists should (only 3 of them). The Sight & Sound Theatre was showing Queen Esther and it was the most spectacular production I have ever experienced; to include Broadway productions I have seen. There are multiple ways to experience this company’s offerings, but in person at the theater belongs on your “bucket list”.
Bass Pro Shops has a great deal of influence in this part of the state…Johnny Morris started the company in Springfield and has created multiple conservation efforts in the area. Not to miss on this list are 2 remarkable and memorable places: Top of the Rock and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.
These photos are from Top of the Rock
These photos are from Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
In closing this short blog…not enough words to describe the wonders found in and around Branson and Springfield MO…from kayaking the White River, e biking trails along Table Rock Lake, enjoying the theaters at night and visiting the Bass Pro sponsored attractions; surely belong on your future travel list.
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Backyards…
Look no further that your backyard for some sunny outside time!
Here near home, is a park along the Roanoke River with trails that lead down to the water -
But up along the mountain base, you may find local company enjoying the sunshine as much as you are!
Virginia Opossum in a tree
AND: On a very recent trip to Denver CO while staying in the outlying Aurora, we discovered this gem in our backyard…
This is Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge where you can hike through the park, drive around the park - enjoying buffalo roaming, prairie dogs popping in and out of their holes, geese flying over lakes and lots of surrounding mountain caps covered in snow…just be aware of the planned burns as it does impact the air quality!
This refuge has 15,000 acres, 20 miles of trails…right in Denver’s backyard: RMA National Wildlife Refuge
So what’s keeping you from visiting your backyard?
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A Winter Weekend in Virginia
Tripping to the Charlottesville area, Nelson County actually, for a weekend getaway…of drinking (adult beverages), some hiking and some eBiking during the mid-winter turned out to be quite awesome!
Cloudless sky, warmed by the sun to 60 degrees made for a perfect weekend…Camping (or almost glamping since we chose to stay in a cabin) at Misty Mountain Camp Resort was an excellent home base of operations for this getaway.
From the front door of cabin #11, we were surrounded by a rustic scene while the sounds were only of nature.
Of course this serene setting changed rapidly as we set out for Nelson County Route 151 and all the choices of wineries, breweries and even a distillery. But before we started the alcoholic samplings, we hiked the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail…a nice 4.5 mile round trip hike that takes you through the mile long (train) tunnel and back again…a great warm-up to prepare for some tasty treats along highway 151!
Historic tunnel built by labor in the mid 1800’s…is well worth your time to visit and hike through it.
Day 1, Blue Mountain Brewery, Brewing Tree Beer Company, Silverback Distillery and the Flying Fox winery provided the first part of the weekend with fabulous adult beverages and lots of good food choices all along the 151 corridor…even a Hop-on Hop off transit was available for those who chose not to drive.
Later that evening we traversed northward to listen to a Rolling Stones tribute band, Cherry Red, at the Pro Re Nata Brewery…lots of cold brews, hot wings and a crowd pleasing musical performance made for an outstanding event.
Day 2, some eBiking in Charlottesville along the river on the Rivanna River Trail and then on to the McIntire Park to finish the morning riding before once again embarking on adult consumption of fine beverages…
An absolute must “revisit”, the Glass House Winery, part of the Monticello Wine Trail, was a fitting end to a spectacular weekend with friends…music provided by a father-son duet, the Rimels, set in a unique tropical plant conservatory while serving excellent wine (and chocolates) rounded out this holiday weekend. We chose the Merlot/Tannat and glad we did!
“Wellbeing is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself.”
All I want for Christmas is to plan my next trip…
But for now, I will share one of the more unique and enjoyable trips I have taken….the country of Panama…click to: take a look!