Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for U.S. travel
Ohio’s German Village
By Linda Tancs
Just south of downtown Columbus, Ohio, German Village is a historic neighborhood built by German settlers in the mid-1800s. Structures and sidewalks are orange masonry, and many streets (about half) are still constructed of brick pavers. Remarkably preserved, German Village Tours offers resident-led walking tours of the area. You can also download a map from the German Village Society.
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Victorian Splendor in Louisville
By Linda Tancs
Just south of downtown, Old Louisville in Kentucky is known for having the largest contiguous collection of Victorian-era mansions in the United States. One of its gems is the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, a castle-like house that symbolizes the spirit and Victorian grandeur of Louisville’s Progressive Era. Constructed in 1895 by Louisville architect Arthur Loomis, the castle’s Richardsonian-Romanesque architectural style is one of the best representations in the city. You can explore the house on either a docent-led or self-guided tour.
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St. Augustine’s Gilded Age
By Linda Tancs
Once the winter residence of Franklin W. Smith, a Boston millionaire who modeled his home after the Alhambra Palace in Spain, Villa Zorayda in St. Augustine, Florida, is a historic Gilded Age house museum. It features the priceless antique collections of both Franklin Smith and the home’s subsequeant owner, A.S. Mussallem. One of the most popular pieces on display is the “Sacred Cat Rug,” which is over 2400 years old and made from the hairs of ancient cats that roamed the Nile River. You’ll find some of the oldest furnishings in the “Prayer Room,” which was historically used as a library or office. Franklin Smith’s original office furniture dating to the 17th century (desk, curio cabinet and three-drawer chest) remain there. Audio-guided tours are offered daily in English, French and Spanish.
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Modern Architecture in Hawaii
By Linda Tancs
Vladimir Ossipoff is recognized as the master of Hawaiian modern architecture. Born in Russia and raised in Japan, Ossipoff was instrumental in the development of place-sensitive architecture appropriate to the lush topography, light and microclimates of the Hawaiian Islands and synthesizing Eastern and Western influences. The Liljestrand House is recognized as an outstanding example of his work and of mid-20th- century modern architecture. Commissioned by Howard and Betty Liljestrand, it was built on the slopes of Pu`u Ohia (Mount Tantalus) overlooking Honolulu. Private, guided tours are available and must be booked in advance.
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Avenue of Oaks
By Linda Tancs
Perhaps best known for its allée of oak trees known as the Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall is frequently cited as a must-see stop in Charleston, South Carolina. It was founded in 1681 when Englishman Major John Boone came to Charleston and established a lucrative plantation and gracious home on the banks of Wampacheone Creek. In 1743, the son of Major John Boone planted live oak trees, arranging them in two evenly spaced rows and providing a spectacular approach to the home. The admission fee includes this approach as well as, among other things, the house tour, covered wagon tours of the entire property, stable tours and the gardens.
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Grandad Bluff
By Linda Tancs
A 600-foot-high bluff known as Grandad Bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Its view of the Mississippi River Valley on a clear day includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The bluff is easily accessible by car, and there are parking areas and observation decks at the top. The park features a shelter house, coin-operated binoculars and a picnic area and is also the site of an annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show.
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Long Island Charm
By Linda Tancs
Northport is a maritime village on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. Initially designated Great Cow Harbour by 17th-century English colonists, the area was officially renamed Northport in 1837. Main Street offers visitors a magnificent view of the scenic harbor and homes dating back to the 18th century. The picturesque village still bears the trolley tracks laid in the early 1900s as well as the family-owned vintage sweet shop operating since 1929. One of the town’s most famous residents was Jack Kerouac, a novelist and poet. The local historical society hosts a “Kerouac Crawl,” which offers a chance to explore the neighborhood where he lived.
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Where Senita and Organ Pipe Grow
By Linda Tancs
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a U.S. national monument and UNESCO biosphere reserve located in extreme southern Arizona that shares a border with the Mexican state of Sonora. Organ pipe cactus is named for its tall, cylindrical stems that grow in clusters, resembling the pipes of a church organ. Senita cactus is sometimes confused with organ pipe and is also found in certain places within the national monument. The park is the only place in the United States where senita and organ pipe cactus grow wild. Come for a wilderness hike, a scenic drive or a night of camping.
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Zoolumination
By Linda Tancs
Tennessee’s Nashville Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the country. It features more than 3,700 animals representing more than 350 different species. This time of year, though, it’s best known for Zoolumination, an event that boasts over 1,000 stunning Chinese lanterns. The largest festival of its kind in the nation, the theme varies from year to year.
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Aglow in Telluride
By Linda Tancs
During winter, Mountain Village is the base area for Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado. Both locales are aglow on New Year’s Eve at 6:30 p.m., which is when the Torchlight Parade takes place. It’s an annual tradition when Telluride instructors glide down the mountain with torches to light up the mountainside. Fireworks begin shortly after the parade and are visible from the Mountain Village side. Enjoy the New Year countdown in Telluride on Colorado Avenue.
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