Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for April, 2023
White Heron Castle
By Linda Tancs
Himeji Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle complex situated in the city of Himeji in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan. One of the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s popularly known as “White Heron Castle” because it resembles the outstretched wings of a white heron. Naturally, white is a predominant color that graces the castle walls. The first fortifications built on the site were completed in the 1400s; the main keep seen today dates from 1609. Most visitors enter the complex through the Sannomaru, a large, cherry tree-lined lawn and a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms in early April.
Share this:
Alabama’s Light Show
By Linda Tancs
Designated a National Natural Landmark, Dismals Canyon is a sandstone gorge in Phil Campbell, Alabama. The key attraction are the fly larvae known locally as Dismalites, a bioluminescent species similar to the glowworms found in Oceania. Past twilight the canyon lights up with these creatures, and guided night tours allow visitors to see these unique insects. April and May represent one of two peak seasons for viewing (the other being September and October). Reservations are highly recommended, and be sure to bring a flashlight.
Share this:
A Weird Museum
By Linda Tancs
If you love museums dedicated to oddities and weirdness, then the Museum of the Weird in Austin, Texas, is for you. Operating in the tradition of a dime museum (an emporium for oddities and curios), the facility features attractions like shrunken heads, mummies and a cyclops pig. You’ll find it on 6th Street in the heart of downtown’s entertainment district.
Share this:
Ridges and Gullies
By Linda Tancs
Designated an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest, the Cheltenham Badlands is a geological treasure in Ontario, Canada. Its distinctive feature are the ridges and gullies formed from weather-related erosion of the Queenston shale underlying the shallow topsoil, resulting in a moonscape-like topography. Enjoy the view from an accessible boardwalk or take to the trails. The Badlands Trail connects the Bruce Trail to the viewing platform and takes you through a slow-growth forest.
Share this:
America’s Historic Pharmacy
By Linda Tancs
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is an 1800s apothecary-turned-museum featuring 19th-century medicines and potions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s first licensed pharmacist, Louis Dufilho Jr., practiced there. Tours are self-guided; no reservations are required. You’ll find it on Chartres Street in the French Quarter.
Share this:
The Lonesome Highway
By Linda Tancs
Lacking signs of intelligent life, the Lonesome Highway in Texas is aptly named. If you enjoy solitude, then take the drive along Highway 180 in West Texas, a route that brings you to the Guadalupe Mountains. Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas, a signature feature of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 