Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for travel
The Heart of the Continent
By Linda Tancs
Three hundred miles north of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, a water-based national park lies at the heart of the continent. Sharing 55 miles at Minnesota’s northern edge with the Canadian border, Voyageurs National Park is named for the French-Canadian frontiersmen who traded in the northwestern United States. Some of the oldest rock formations in the world are found here, mingling with a boreal forest, bogs, swamps, rolling hills and, of course, the lakes. Its interconnected water routes are accessible via free public boat ramps. Why not consider a houseboat rental and make a holiday out of it, plying the waters as the original voyageurs did in their birch bark canoes.
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The City of Bridges
By Linda Tancs
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, the source of the Ohio River. Needless to say, a water town will have its share of bridges. But 446? That’s the oft-quoted number of bridges in Pennsylvania’s second largest city, reason enough for the nickname “City of Bridges.” This Gateway to the West has more bridges than Venice, Italy (431 tops most estimates). But if you think the ooze of romance emanating from the trusses and beams of its European counterpart is lost on this city of steel, think again. Even The New Yorker magazine proclaimed: “If Pittsburgh were situated somewhere in the heart of Europe, tourists would eagerly journey hundreds of miles out of their way to visit it.” And why not? Where else will you find a bridge crossed by a young George Washington while acting as a messenger of the governor of Virginia to the French forces. Or a trio of identical bridges across the Allegheny River, the only such group in the world. Or a bridge whose name depends on the outcome of the annual football game between the two rival high schools of Rochester and Monaca. And then there’s historic Smithfield Street Bridge, designed by John Roebling, America’s best known civil engineer and architect of the Brooklyn Bridge. You get the drift.
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A Leaf Peeping Bonanza
By Linda Tancs
Shenandoah National Park hosts a presidential retreat within its borders (Herbert Hoover’s Rapidan Camp), but that’s only one reason why visitors flock there, particularly in October. Why? Because autumn heralds peak leaf peeping season. Skyline Drive runs for 105 miles through the park, offering 75 overlooks to take in those magnificent hues. Better yet, slow it down a bit and walk the Appalachian Trail, which runs parallel to Skyline Drive. Now there’s room enough for a view.
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Spinning Tales in Tennessee
By Linda Tancs
Like kids around the campfire, folks have been gathering for story time in Jonesborough, Tennessee for over 40 years now. But in this case, substitute a tent for a campfire. At the National Storytelling Festival this weekend, circus-type tents in downtown Jonesborough celebrate the pure and simple truth of a well-told tale. This year’s tellers include Tim Lowry, Syd Lieberman, Diane Ferlatte and Minton Sparks.
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The Lowest Place in North America
By Linda Tancs
Springtime may be the best time to visit California and Nevada’s Death Valley National Park, but the upcoming autumn season is relatively uncrowded and a great time to visit some of the park’s most stunning features. Badwater Basin, for instance, is the lowest place in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Despite its name, the park is alive with historical landmarks, like Scotty’s Castle, a hideaway from the Roaring ’20s, and beacons to industry like Harmony Borax Works and Keane Wonder Mine, one of the most successful gold mines in Death Valley.
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Verdi Festival Celebrates Milestone
By Linda Tancs
As any foodie knows, the Italian city of Parma is famous for its prosciutto and cheese. The Parma region is also the birthplace of the great Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi. This year’s annual Verdi festival, taking place now through 31 October, celebrates the composer’s 200th birthday. In addition to performances at the Regio Theatre of Parma, events will also take place at the Verdi Theatre in nearby Busseto. Enjoy performances of Falstaff, Simon Boccanegra, I Masnadieri, and Messa da Requiem.
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The Diversity of Slovenia
By Linda Tancs
Boasting one of the most diverse landscapes in Europe, Slovenia is a treasure trove of uplands and lowlands, karst and castles, alpine lakes and majestic mountains. Learn about its natural and cultural highlights at Travelrific® Radio.
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England’s Oldest Racecourse
By Linda Tancs
Chester, England rightly takes its place in horse racing history, the first recorded race dating back to 1539 during the reign of King Henry VIII. Known as the Roodee, the course is the oldest one still in use in England. The 2013 season ends this Saturday with a series of class 3 and class 4 stakes with prizes ranging from £8,000 to £50,000. Situated in the heart of Chester and easily accessible by road or rail, the course is signed from all the major routes into Chester on race days.
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The Dogs of War
By Linda Tancs
The nation’s first memorial to SOF (Special Operations Forces) dogs is in place at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Over 2,000 dogs serve in the U.S. military today, a tradition that began during World War II. Our canine soldiers participate in military operations around the globe, including combat zones where their skill in detecting bombs and attackers is indispensable. A life-size bronze of a Belgian Malinois in combat gear stands sentinel at the museum’s parade grounds, opposite a statue of paratrooper Iron Mike.
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A Rare Glimpse of a Goldsmiths’ Pavilion
By Linda Tancs
The Goldsmiths’ Company, founded in London to regulate the craft and trade of the goldsmith, received its first royal charter in 1327. Thanks to its efforts you can be assured of the quality of gold, silver and more recently, platinum. The guild is housed in Goldsmiths’ Hall, a hidden gem just northeast of St. Paul’s Cathedral at the junction of Foster Lane and Gresham Street. The palatial-style building is never open to the public except during exhibitions and designated open days. That’s why the Goldsmiths’ Fair is a great opportunity to steep yourself in its long history. Taking place from 23 to 29 September and then from 1 to 6 October, the fair gives discerning collectors the world over a chance to meet the up-and-coming designers of jewelry and silverware design.
