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
Phil’s Inner Circle
By Linda Tancs
Surrounded by his inner circle of men in black tails and top hats, Phil is a solitary creature who leaves his abode at Gobbler’s Knob in the Punxsutanwey region of Pennsylvania just once a year to reckon the start of spring. You see, Phil is a groundhog–and today is his day. Legend has it that if a groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring. Punxsutanwey Phil has been making predictions since the 1800s, but the celebration of Groundhog Day began with the Germans. Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers, they associated groundhogs with their observation of the Candlemas legend “for as the sun shines on Candlemas day, so far will the snow swirl in May….”
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A Revelation in Telluride
By Linda Tancs
Of all the opportunities to commune with nature among the slopes, arguably few match the majesty of Telluride in southwestern Colorado, where 115 trails dot over 2000 skiable acres dusted with over 300 inches of snow each year. Sitting in a box canyon, Telluride is surrounded by steep mountains and cliffs, offering a picturesque backdrop for television commercials as well as a place of respite for cognoscenti. Daring skiers can navigate one of the popular bowls, or ski runs, opened at Telluride Ski Resort—the Prospect Bowl, Black Iron Bowl or the Revelation Bowl. A group of skiers voted Telluride the #1 terrain park in the Rockies in 2008. Will you agree?
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D.C. Car Show Welcomes Snooki
By Linda Tancs
At the Washington D.C. Auto Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, fast cars merge with pop culture. See Jersey Shore star Snooki today from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The show, running until 6 February, features the usual range of production and concept vehicles. Even more interesting is The Advanced Technology SuperHighway, a 65,000 square foot showcase of the latest innovations in safety and sustainability. The event, displaying more green cars than any other domestic, tier-one auto show, illustrates advancements in electric, diesel, natural gas, advanced petroleum, biofuels, ethanol, hydrogen and safety technologies. The organizers want you to get out, see cars and have fun. No doubt you’ll learn something, too.
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Grape Fest in Naples
By Linda Tancs
They’re uncorking a new decade in Naples, Florida at the annual wine festival from 28 to 30 January. This year’s honored vintner is Domaine Serene of Dayton, Oregon. Chic eats will be available from top chefs like Lee Hefter of Spago in Beverly Hills, Michael Anthony of New York’s Gramercy Tavern, Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia in Sydney, Australia and Art Smith of Chicago’s Table Fifty-Two. More than a gastronomical delight, the luxury event benefits the Naples Children & Education Foundation, which supports charitable programs for underprivileged and at risk children in Collier County. Since its inception in 2001, the festival has raised more than $82.5 million for children in need. What better reason to raise a glass.
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Underground Cuisine
By Linda Tancs
Now six years on, the folks in Eugene, Oregon are celebrating truffles, that subterranean delight in use since Greek and Roman times. The Oregon Truffle Festival takes place from 28 to 30 January, the first of its kind in North America celebrating one of the world’s most expensive goods. With the finest climate for cultivating truffles outside Europe, the festival’s Grand Truffle Dinner on Saturday night features Oregon’s native winter white and black truffles in a five course meal paired with Oregon wines. The Valley River Inn provides frequent shuttle service to and from Eugene airport.
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Family Friendly Las Vegas
By Linda Tancs
It’s easy to think of Vegas as an adult playground. But don’t forget all the kid-friendly details like Adventuredome at Circus Circus, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay and the arcade at New York New York. Hotel deals offering as much as 50% off mean the whole family can enjoy a Vegas jaunt. And why not now, with temperatures averaging 14 degrees celsius.
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Invention Convention
By Linda Tancs
Calling all young inventors: today is your last chance to tinker at the Invention Convention taking place at the Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware. Features include Tinkering Tables to disassemble and discover gadgets, a station to invent your own device and obtain a Hagley patent, a Factory System to try your hand at assembly work and a Patent Model exhibit where you can examine Hagley’s collection of patent models made by real inventors. Workshops run continuously throughout the day.
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Visit Tucson
By Linda Tancs
Will Rogers once remarked that a trip across Arizona is just one oasis after another. That peaceful vision was decimated in Tucson during the recent massacre. But in true Arizona fashion, this big city with a small town feel will bounce back. And you can help. Visit the “real southwest,” as the convention bureau says. A 7-day bus pass will get you around town easily. What better way to navigate the upcoming Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase beginning on 29 January and continuing through 13 February. That’s just in time for Valentine’s Day. Remember, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
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The Crags Deliver
By Linda Tancs
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is known as much for its signature tram ride as for its skiing. Emblazoned with the Wyoming Cowboys logo, the newly-refurbished fire engine red tram cars haul visitors over 4000 feet to the summit. Once there, you better “know the code” as they say and observe all safety requirements as you descend the pistes. Jackson Hole boasts 2500 in-bound acres and even more backcountry awaiting snowcat skiers, helicopter skiers, and snowboarders. At the Nordic Center you can find instruction on cross country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoe tours.
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Fun in the Sun Valley
By Linda Tancs
Sun Valley, Idaho is considered by many to be the birthplace of the U.S. ski resort industry. Now in its 75th season, the resort destination has had plenty of time to perfect its ski-town image. Located in central Idaho, this wealthy enclave has something for every level of skier. Those willing to test their mettle should head on over to Bald Mountain, or Baldy, where the vertical drop is over 3000 feet. For the more faint of heart, stick to the treeless Dollar Mountain where the vertical drop is a mere 600 feet. Cross country skiers will love the 25 miles of groomed and marked trails that begin at the Nordic and Snowshoe Center. If you need to brush up on your technique, you’ll find the area’s largest Nordic ski school in Sun Valley. This location may also be familiar to you as the site of ice skating shows presented by the world’s best skaters. Sun Valley Ice Rink continues to draw the biggest talent, and ice shows begin at dusk for a fabulous celestial experience.
