Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for May, 2017
The History of Susquehanna
By Linda Tancs
The Susquehanna River, named for the Susquehannock Indian tribe, is the Chesapeake Bay’s main tributary river, stretching from Upstate New York to Havre de Grace. The Indians depended upon the river for food and transportation for thousands of years, leaving their mark among the petroglyphs visible at landmarks such as Rock Run Gristmill. The mill is just one of many attractions located within Susquehanna State Park in the Rock Run Historic Area along the river valley. You’ll also find the Carter-Archer Mansion (a 14-room stone structure), Jersey Toll House and the remains of the Susquehanna & Tidewater Canal. You can take a self-guided walking tour. When you’re finished, head for the biking trails. The park is home to some of the most popular mountain biking trails in the state.
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Norway’s Hidden Gem
By Linda Tancs
Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Norway’s Vega archipelago is one of its best-kept secrets off the tourist trail. And you have 6,500 reasons to visit there—one for every island, reef and skerry. This UNESCO site is one of the oldest places of inhabitance in northern Norway, with fishing and hunting settlements dating back 10,000 years. Vega is home to 228 species of birds, including the prized eider ducks. In fact, the tradition of tending eider ducks can be traced to the 9th century when locals sheltered them, an important source for the supply of down. Hiking and kayaking are popular pursuits. History buffs should check out Ylvingen Fortress war memorial as well as the remains of bunkers, tunnels and cannon sites from World War II. And with Syttende Mai right around the corner, what a great time to be in Norway!
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New Jersey’s Last Mill
By Linda Tancs
Ralston Cider Mill is New Jersey’s last remaining cider mill. Located in Mendham just minutes from historic Morristown, it’s the site of the state’s once thriving cider and applejack industry, where millions of gallons of apple cider, applejack and bootleg New Jersey Lightning were produced until 1938. Still evident is a hidden still that allowed the mill to operate through Prohibition. It’s the only operational cider mill functioning as a privately funded museum and educational experience for students of all ages. Volunteers lead tours, explaining the production process and history of the mill.
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In Harmony With Nature
By Linda Tancs
Over a period of 35 years HRH The Prince of Wales has transformed a mere lawn into an organic paradise at Highgrove, his pastoral estate in Gloucestershire. Open on select dates from April to October each year, the Royal Gardens at Highgrove are harmonious with nature. Representing a combination of sustainability and artistic sensibility, a guided tour of his innovative garden design includes the Wild Flower Meadow, Woodland Garden, Carpet Garden, Walled Garden and Cottage Garden. The grounds at Highgrove have been acknowledged as some of the most inspired and innovative gardens in the United Kingdom. Tours of varying duration are available and must be booked in advance.
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Tulip Time
By Linda Tancs
It’s tulip time in Holland. No, not that Holland—Holland, Michigan. That’s not to imply that they don’t have anything in common with their European counterpart. Indeed, the city, located on the shores of beautiful Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan, has a rich Dutch heritage arising from its founders from Rotterdam. The annual Tulip Time Festival is taking place through May 14, a celebration of Dutch cuisine, crafts, dancing and costumes. And, of course, the tulips—nearly 4.5 million of them. Don’t miss the parades, some of the largest and most spectacular in Michigan.
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A Festival of Film Conservation
By Linda Tancs
George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography, completed his Colonial Revival mansion on East Avenue in Rochester, New York, in 1905 and resided there until his death. The historic mansion and its beautiful gardens are now part of the Eastman Museum. At the museum’s opening in 1949, it was one of only two American museums with a photography department and a film department. In 1951, the museum opened the Dryden Theatre to exhibit films. The Nitrate Picture Show, the world’s festival of film conservation, will return there for the third time from May 5–7. The festival features screenings of vintage nitrate prints from international archives—including the Eastman Museum’s own collection—as well as lectures, workshops and other opportunities to experience the art and science of film preservation.
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Small Wonders in NYC
By Linda Tancs
The Cloisters is the branch of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to the art, architecture and gardens of medieval Europe. Deriving its name from the medieval cloisters that form the core of the building, it’s located in Upper Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park overlooking the Hudson River. Some of its more famous collections include the unicorn tapestries (among the most beautiful and complex works of art from the late Middle Ages), the 12th-century Fuentidueña apse and the Annunciation Triptych by Robert Campin. Don’t miss the special exhibition of miniature Gothic boxwood carvings of biblical stories on display until May 21. Among the highlights of these tiny treasures is a complete carved boxwood rosary made for King Henry VIII of England and his first wife, Catherine (or Katherine) of Aragon.
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Guardhouse of the Great Lakes
By Linda Tancs
During its heyday, Old Fort Niagara controlled access to the Great Lakes. It was a strategic stronghold during the colonial wars. Over its more than 300 year history, the site has been controlled by France, Britain and the United States. The French established the first post here, Fort Conti, in 1679, followed later by an elaborate, permanent fortification known as the “French Castle.” Britain gained control of Fort Niagara in 1759 during the French & Indian War and held the post throughout the American Revolution. They were forced, by treaty, to yield it to the United States in 1796 and, after recapturing it in a later conflict, ceded it to the United States a second time in 1815 at the end of the War of 1812. An original flag from that war is displayed in the Visitor Center, where you’ll find introductory exhibits filled with original artifacts and an award-winning, 16-minute orientation film. From May to October the Discover Niagara shuttle operates from Niagara Falls to the fort, connecting to over 12 destination sites along the way. The fort is open year round.
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The Mount in Massachusetts
By Linda Tancs
One of America’s greatest writers, Edith Wharton wrote over 40 books in 40 years, including The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome and The House of Mirth. In 1902 the Pulitzer Prize-winning author designed and built her own home, The Mount, in Lenox, Massachusetts. A National Historic Landmark, her beloved home is now a cultural center celebrating the life and works of its most famous occupant. The estate is a study in English, French and Italian traditions, boasting a classically inspired main house modeled after an estate in Lincolnshire, an elegant Georgian Revival stable, formal gardens inspired by French and Italian landmarks and sculpted landscaping. The property is open to visitors from May to October.
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