Gastronomy – Travel – Culture
Atlantic City Boardwalk Advance to Boardwalk! For those who play Monopoly then you know the place; Boardwalk is the most expensive property with the highest in rent revenue. It is also reminiscent of Atlantic City's own boardwalk, as well as all of the properties on the game board. The version of the game that we… Continue reading Advance to Boardwalk! | Discovering Atlantic City, New Jersey
Prior to the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock and before the English colony of Jamestown, there was St. Augustine in Florida. It was founded as a settlement in 1565 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, which makes it the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African American origin in the United States. Castillo de San… Continue reading The Colonial Quarter & Castillo de San Marcos | Historic St. Augustine, Florida
The first time I read about the Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth, I was in grammar school and I was intrigued. As with the many other stories of explorers and interesting places around the country, I wanted to visit historical St. Augustine. It was not until recently when I was… Continue reading Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park | Discovering St. Augustine, Florida
Florida has always been a fun state to explore, and I am speaking beyond Walt Disney World. During my travels to Florida, I have been as far north as Fernandina Beach to as far south as the tip of the Florida Keys. Greetings from Miami! Yes, I have been to Walt Disney World a few… Continue reading What I ate in FLORIDA | A Food Journal
New Orleans, or simply NOLA, is a city like no other in the United States. It has a culture unique to the area- combined with its architecture, cuisine, music, and a bit of Voodoo magic, it is intriguing in every way possible. When I had visited it was during the summer months, it was raining… Continue reading New Orleans – NOLA | Discovering Louisiana
Visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial was a very different experience for me, in comparison with the other WWII sites that I have seen on my extensive travels. I had visited many WWII sites throughout the UK and Europe; and each site was a crystal clear example of how Europe was altered during the war,… Continue reading Pearl Harbor National Memorial | Discovering Oahu, Hawaii
I remember the first time I read about the Redwood National Park in elementary school, and how even back then I felt that traveler's pull that I often speak about. I can still recall those photos of the giant ancient redwoods, and as a child I was struck by their enormous size and peaceful energy.… Continue reading Redwood National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring California
Arequipa Basilica Arequipa, also known as La Cuidad Blanca or the "White City", was an extraordinary Spanish colonial city in Peru to visit. In hindsight, I wish that I dedicated more time here to stay and play. The city of Arequipa was magnificent to see with its 16th - 17th century Baroque facades, and elaborate… Continue reading Picturesque Arequipa – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering Peru
Road Tripping along America's Mother Road- Route 66 and Interstate 40 has always been an adventure for me in the past two decades. Sometimes it was a quick drive where I stopped for sleep, a meal, and gas. While there were other times that I took my time and stopped off at Albuquerque, Santa Fe… Continue reading New Mexico’s Route 66 | Road Tripping in America
My sun is in Capricorn (an earth sign), and my moon, rising and Jupiter are in Sagittarius. What does all of that mean? It pretty much means that the desire for me to travel, be free, and in nature, particularly the mountains is instinctual. Being surrounded by a mountain range is grounding for me. The… Continue reading Great Smoky Mountains National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
I am not shy when it comes to road tripping, and exploring on my own within reason of course. While I was visiting the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I decided to head into the Cherokee Indian Reservation, and explore Mingo Falls. Also known as Big Bear Falls by the Cherokees, heading to this beautiful… Continue reading Mingo Falls | Exploring North Carolina
For us people who road trip, we also day trip. There are towns or cities along the way that we can only spend a waking day in. While I was exploring The Great Smoky Mountains, the city of Gatlinburg was that day trip for me. Autumn in Gatlinburg I had started off in Cherokee, North… Continue reading A Day in Gatlinburg | Exploring Tennessee
After our first initial visit to Zion National Park back in 2010, this magnificent valley in Utah had become a favorite. I have come back several times with friends to hike the Emerald Pools trail, the Narrows, and to find a sense of grounding. My favorite canyon view My now adult daughter hikes, camps here… Continue reading Zion National Park | Exploring Utah
There are a lot of interesting sights in the Napa Valley beyond the grapevines and fine restaurants. Although those are a few of my favorite Napa sights. If you find yourself in Napa Valley with younger family members or looking for interesting natural sights, I suggest driving a few minutes to Calistoga. There you will… Continue reading Calistoga’s Geyser and Petrified Forest | Exploring Napa Valley, California
Manhattan, New York - You would assume that navigating New York City for food would be an easy task, because there are restaurants just about everywhere. In actuality, finding a place to eat in Manhattan can be overwhelming. New York is not short of historic, ethnic, trendy, and fanciful restaurants. You would have to either… Continue reading Noshing in New York – Part 2 – A Food Journal
One of my favorite road trip agendas in the Untied States is driving through the Southwest. I have been fortunate enough to take that long road, Highway 40/ Route 66, numerous times in the last couple decades. Sometimes I would drive it with my family, and other times on my own. I have also driven… Continue reading SANTA FE – My Favorite Southwest Town | Exploring New Mexico
Listed on the National Historic Registry Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to stay a night at this hotel. I am not sure if I saw it on TV or a magazine, I genuinely do not remember. I just knew it was out there for me to stay in for a night during… Continue reading Wigwam Village Motel #6 | A kitschy stay along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona
Welcome to Cayo Costa! This unspoiled Gulf Coast island in Florida is a nature lovers paradise. It is peaceful, secluded, and can feel like you are on a private island. There are wind shaped trees, miles of white sand beaches, wildlife, and crystal blue waters. The best part of all is the freedom to explore… Continue reading Cayo Costa State Park | Exploring Florida
Jenny Lake After I left the state of Wyoming, I had considered finding property close to Jackson Hole because the area was that impressive. Grand Teton National Park, which is located close to that upscale town of Jackson Hole, to which I fell in love with, was one of the reasons for my thoughts of… Continue reading Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park | Exploring Wyoming
Northern Exposure? That I do not know, but what I do know is that Talkeetna was a picturesque and charming little town in Alaska. I also know that at one time they had a CAT as Mayor. I am actually a dog person, but I will not hold that against them. While we were in… Continue reading Talkeetna Historic District | Exploring Small Town Life in Alaska
Trixie Navarre 