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
Lakes Aplenty
By Linda Tancs
To call Rangely, Maine a “lake district” is surely an understatement. This western part of the state is embraced by 112 interconnected lakes and ponds scattered throughout the region, the centerpiece of which is Rangeley Lake. A quiet village, Rangely can boast of two unusual things: no traffic light and a sign in town that places it midway between the Equator and the North Pole. Clearly a boater’s paradise in summer, year-round recreational activities include fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife watching, and leaf peeping. Add to that: watching the sunset over Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Awesome.
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Delaware’s Distinctions
By Linda Tancs
Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Needless to say, historical sites and artifacts abound, but Delaware’s distinctions also extend to its cuisine, unique festivities and great beaches. Learn more about the First State at Travelrific® Travel Show.
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Historic Lisbon
By Linda Tancs
Yes, Lisbon is historic. No, we’re not talking about that legendary city in Portugal with over 20 centuries of history and its capital since its conquest from the Moors in 1147. We’re talking about Lisbon, Connecticut, a small community named after its sister city in Portugal. Located along the old stagecoach route linking Norwich, Connecticut and Worcester, Massachusetts, it’s perhaps best known as a chief leaf-peeping destination given its location on Route 169, a National Scenic Byway. Thirty two miles in length, you can take in all the autumn wonder in just one day. Besides the leaves, there’s plenty more to this route, especially for history buffs. You can take a tour from Canterbury to Pulpit Rock Road Marker in North Woodstock, viewing along the way the first academy for young black women in New England, a stop on the Underground Railroad, and monuments to early settlers, war heroes, and famous legislators.
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Mohonk Still Timeless at 140
By Linda Tancs
In 1869, a Rhode Island schoolmaster named Albert Smiley purchased 280 acres and a ten-room inn overlooking a lovely lake atop the Shawangunk Ridge above New Paltz, New York. Since then, that investment has metamorphosed into Mohonk Mountain House, an idyllic retreat comprising a Victorian castle with 265 rooms, five guest cottages, three spacious dining rooms, 138 fireplaces, 238 balconies, and a half-dozen parlors. The centerpiece of a 26,000-acre natural area in the Shawangunk Mountains, the 140-year-old resort lacks for nothing in the way of amenities, like its 30,000 square-foot spa’s steam and sauna rooms. Not surprisingly, the mountain house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1986. From Sky Top Tower, you can survey the property’s namesake, Lake Mohonk, a 60-foot deep, freshwater beauty. In 1882, the New York Times reported, “There is nothing in the world exactly like Lake Mohonk.” Well, maybe seeing is believing.
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Meet and Greet
By Linda Tancs
Roman philosopher Seneca mused, “The whole world is my native land.” You, too, can have that familiar (or better yet, familial-type) feeling if you’re lucky enough to find a greeter at your next tourist destination. If the idea of finding a friendly native to take you around town for a few hours–for free–appeals to you, then you should see if the Global Greeter Network has a volunteer guide for you. A growing network, the group currently has ambassadors of all ages across the U.S. and in Europe. Why go it alone?
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Kanc Turns 50
By Linda Tancs
Frequent spring rains promise a spectacular fall foliage season in the U.S. this year. What better place to celebrate the impending color works than at the Kanc–that’s local speak for the Kancamagus Highway, over 30 miles of natural beauty ringed by the White Mountains between Lincoln and Conway in New Hampshire. Named for Kancamagus, an early Indian chief of the Penacook Confederacy, the byway naturally includes old Indian hunting trails. Romanticists are sure to love the covered bridge in Albany. You can learn more at the information center housed in The Russell-Colbath House, the only remaining 19th century homestead in the area.
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Crawdaddy is King in Pensacola
By Linda Tancs
They’ll be packing away pistols in Pensacola, Florida this weekend, but it isn’t what you might think. Crawfish pistolettes, a Cajun specialty, will be featured along with southern style crab cakes, gator bites, blackened mahi mahi, bang bang shrimp, shrimp creole, boudin balls, and shark on a stick at Pensacola’s Seafood Festival in historic Seville Square downtown. The highlight, of course, is the Gulf fare for which this region in northwestern Florida is famous, but you can also shop at the arts and crafts fair or take part in a 5K run/walk, cooking demonstration, or just enjoy the music. The event is organized by Fiesta of Five Flags, a community group combining tourism promotion with local history. Thus, Fiesta is based upon the founding of Pensacola by Don Tristan de Luna in 1559 and celebrates the flags of five governments that have flown over the city: Spain, France, England, the Confederacy and the United States.
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Cranfest Draws Big Crowds
By Linda Tancs
In the tiny town of Warrens, Wisconsin, cranberries outnumber humans 3 to 1 (at least). But this is the heart of cranberry land, after all, so it shouldn’t be all that surprising. However, the human population swells to over 100,000, during the world’s largest cranberry festival, which takes place during the last full weekend in September in this little hamlet (population: less than 400). Now in its 37th year, Cranfest offers three miles of booths with everything from arts and crafts, flea markets and antiques to a farm market. After all that walking, you’ll be hungry. Why not indulge in some pancakes with cranberry syrup and some deep-fried cranberry fritters. Of course, you can take a tour of a working cranberry farm, too. Best of all, the proceeds from the event go right back to the community–civic pride at its best.
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Your Daily Bread
By Linda Tancs
At the Abbey of the Genesee, you’ll be given this day your daily Monks’ Bread. Located in Piffard, New York, the abbey grounds are graced by the Genesee River to the east, golden ponds, flora and fauna (deer and wild turkeys, for instance). All that peace and serenity belies the industriousness of its permanent occupants–the Trappist monks–who make up to nine varieties of specialty breads in a modern bakery operation. A taste of heaven, indeed.
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Bavarian Air in Breckenridge
By Linda Tancs
U.S. statesman Benjamin Franklin is often misquoted as having said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Surely, though, the sentiment is agreed in Breckenridge, Colorado, home of this weekend’s 15th annual Oktoberfest. Kicking off the festival is Friday night’s Brewmaster’s Dinner; reservations are required. Those in the know have no doubt already reserved their Oktoberfest lodging package, starting at $90 per person per night and including two nights of lodging, tickets to the Brewmaster’s Dinner, beer vouchers and a reserved commemorative beer stein. Day trippers can start the party at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday along historic Main Street. As you might expect, the thoroughfare will be rife with traditional costumes, German cuisine, oompah bands, Bavarian dancers and, of course, Paulaner bier by the steinload. The largest historic district in Colorado, this mountain town offers unforgettable fall foliage to complement the festivities. Can you take all that in during the day? Maybe you should look for some last minute lodging, just in case.
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