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
Hawk Watch in New Jersey
By Linda Tancs
The time is ripe for hawk watchers to visit Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Located along the First Watchung Ridge, the park is one of the East Coast’s premier locations to watch thousands of raptors migrate south every autumn. In the Miller Lane section of this natural setting boasting over 700 acres, hawks, eagles and falcons wing their way over the treetops from August to November to points south in Central and South America. Mind you, there’s a world underfoot as well, like largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch in the 21-acre reservoir at the Newman’s Lane section. Bounded by pine and hemlock forests, open freshwater wetland marshes, and impressive rock outcroppings, the area offers some of the best hiking and mountain biking in the state.
Share this:
Persimmons Rule in Indiana
By Linda Tancs
The persimmon is an edible fruit, a large berry about the size of an apricot with a tomato-like skin. In southern Indiana the fruit is a native delight, its abundance celebrated each year during the Persimmon Festival in Mitchell, Indiana. This year’s event runs from 17 to 24 September. A major highlight, of course, is the parade on 24 September at 2 p.m., one of Indiana’s largest parades. It forms at Lehigh Field, moving west on Main Street to Seventh Street, then north on Warren, west to Eight and ending at the high school. Save your appetite for the persimmon pudding. Last year’s concoction was a mix of buttermilk, heavy cream, butter, eggs, a little vanilla and a touch of cinnamon. If that doesn’t sound gooey enough for you, then maybe you should have tried last year’s Gooey Butter Cake, winner of the Persimmon Novelty Dessert award.
Share this:
All Buttered Up in Idaho
By Linda Tancs
Just 10 miles south of Idaho Falls lies the epicenter of celebration of Idaho’s famed export, the potato. Specifically, the small city of Shelley, Idaho has hosted the annual Spud Day festival (www.ci.shelley.id.us) since 1927. The 17 September event commemorates the potato harvest and includes events like a parade at State Street, a potato picking contest, talent show and treasure hunt. Pick up your free baked potato and trimmings at City Park.
Share this:
Raising the Chocolate Bar
By Linda Tancs
They’ve raised environmental consciousness to a whole new level at Gnosis, a New York City chocolatier (www.gnosischocolate.com). Consider, for instance, that the boxes are 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer recycled, and FSC certified–with vegetable ink printing. Add to that ethically sourced raw cacao from Bali, Ecuador, and Peru and a dose of heart healthy low glycemic sweeteners, nutrient dense fruits, nuts, and medicinal herbs sourced from the Amazon to the Himalayas. The result is chocolate that is good for you, body and soul.
Share this:
Bourbon Capital of the World
By Linda Tancs
Kentucky is known for its thoroughbreds. In addition to the four-legged variety, it’s known as the epicenter of bourbon, the thoroughbred of distilled whisky. They’ve been making liquid gold in Bardstown for centuries. Today through 18 September the small town celebrates its bourbon-making heritage at the annual festival (www.kybourbonfestival.com). Over 10 bourbons are participating in the event, including such well known monikers as Wild Turkey and Jim Beam. Rest assured, there’s plenty for teetotalers, too, like a historic walking tour, hot air ballooning and some tutelage in the ancient craft of barrel making.
Share this:
Spinach Capital Hosts Festival
By Linda Tancs
Popeye, the fictional sailor of comic strip and other media fame, certainly made spinach look cool when he sang “I’m strong to the finich cause I eats me spinach.” The folks in Lenexa, Kansas would no doubt agree with that sentiment. Part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the city once dubbed the “spinach capital of the world” pays homage to this super green with a super-sized salad and a recipe contest. This year’s Spinach Festival takes place on 10 September from 9 to 5 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Not into greens, you say? No worries. The annual event is equal parts art, crafts and antiques, from stained glass to puzzle boxes to copper tree art.
Share this:
Meet the Wing King in Buffalo
By Linda Tancs
At least 33 tons of crispy, delicious buffalo wings will be served this weekend at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in–where else–Buffalo, New York. Each Labor Day weekend, tens of thousands of people travel across the country to downtown Coca Cola Park in celebration of Buffalo’s signature dish. It’s there you might also pay tribute to the Wing King, Drew Cerza, the event’s founder. Do you have a favorite restaurant or sauce? Nominate them for the Hall of Flame, and give them something to cluck about.
Share this:
A Golden Nugget in Nevada
By Linda Tancs
There’s more than one golden nugget in Nevada worth a visit. Just eight hours from the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas is the Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, a family friendly barbeque boasting a rib-eating tournament drawing the world’s most competitive chowhounds. Now through 5 September, this annual event claiming over 500,000 visitors features one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Northern Nevada. The tournament is tonight at 6 p.m.; don’t worry, there will be plenty of ribs left to feast on at Rib Village, a VIP area offering unlimited ribs and drinks for up to 10 people per party.
Share this:
Vacation Rentals Just a Click Away
By Linda Tancs
Wyndham Rentals offers 90,000 vacation properties in 500 destinations through its extensive network of rental agencies. Looking for a detached bungalow in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria or the Czech Republic? How about a beachfront condo, ski-in/ski-out townhome or golf villa in North America? Is camping–or glamping–your passion? Chances are, they’ve got you covered.
Share this:
Doll Auction in Seattle
By Linda Tancs
A gorgeous French doll is waiting for you on 28 August in Seattle. Now, don’t get the wrong idea; this doll is of the collectible variety, along with a collection of dolls from Chicago and Germany forming the nucleus of this year’s doll auction at the Westin Bellevue. The collection includes early bisque dolls with sculpted hair, rare porcelain dolls, early wooden and cloth dolls, Kewpie dolls, miniature dolls, life-sized dolls, Teddy bears and a host of curiosities. Just a few blocks away is the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, a treasure trove of rare dolls that is shutting down as of 1 March 2012. Here’s your chance to get all dolled up.
