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
Mark Twain Slept Here
By Linda Tancs
Mark Twain, the celebrated creator of such classic characters as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, lived from 1874 to 1891 in a nineteen-room Victorian mansion in Hartford, Connecticut. A National Historic Landmark featuring interior decor designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (of lamp fame), the property commemorates this year the 100th anniversary of Twain’s death and 125 years since publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Visit the billiard room where Twain did his writing and see the bed carved with angels where he slept. Who knows, maybe you’ll catch some inspiration.
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A Parade of Lilacs This Weekend
By Linda Tancs
Spokane, Washington will be awash in lilac for the 72nd season during this weekend’s lilac festival. The theme for this year’s torchlit parade on 15 May is “Freedom is Not Free,” a nod to the event’s long abiding collaboration with the local air force base to celebrate Armed Forces Day. A number of local hotels are offering lodging packages for guests. While you’re there, why not tour the new neighborhood aquatic center that opened yesterday. Or take the kids cycling on the Centennial Trail, a 37-mile paved trail from Nine Mile Falls to the state line. As they say in the Lilac City, bring your family and leave your worries behind.
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Your Water Adventure Awaits
By Linda Tancs
Boating season is nearly underway or, in some cases, has already begun. Your water adventure awaits at Lake Powell, the majestic looking man-made lake along the Arizona/Utah border in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Of course, you can enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lake from the comfort of your spacious lakeview room or suite at the Lake Powell Resort. Or you can commune with nature on a luxury houseboat like the 75-feet Odyssey. The $12,000 price tag may seem a little steep, but if you gather up 12 of your closest friends to fill the quarters, then that’s only $1000 per person. Hey, what are friends for?
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Life in the Gilded Age
By Linda Tancs
Imagine the life of a silk baron in the 19th century. Grand estate, lavish parties, extensive artwork collection. You can experience it vicariously at Lambert Castle. That’s in New Jersey (bet you had a different destination in mind, now didn’t you!). Modeled after an English castle by silk baron Catholina Lambert, the stately manor overlooks the city of Paterson from Garret Mountain. Now a museum, it houses period rooms and collections on the first floor, permanent exhibits featuring local history, folk arts and portraiture on the second floor and revolving exhibits on the third floor. Only $5 for adults; visiting hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Got You Covered in New Jersey
By Linda Tancs
If you thought New Jersey was nothing more than a patchwork of open road punctuated by exit signs, then imagine how surprised you’ll be to discover the romance of the covered bridge. You know, like The Bridges of Madison County–only not quite so many. In fact, only two: Green Sergeant’s in Hunterdon County and Scarborough in Cherry Hill. Green Sergeant’s, a 19th century queen post truss at Rosemont-Sergeantsville Road over Wickecheoke Creek near Flemington, is perhaps better known thanks to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. Scarborough carries two-way traffic over the North Fork of Cooper River, however. Built in the 1950s, it sports an incomplete A-frame and town truss construction. Either bridge is navigable, so be sure to cross when you come to it.
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The Triple Crown in Chicago
By Linda Tancs
In the race toward enlightenment, Chicago wins the triple crown thanks to Artropolis, a celebration of art, antiques and culture at The Merchandise Mart beginning on 30 April. Art Chicago will assemble a collection of exhibits in various media such as painting, photography, drawings, prints, sculpture, video and special installations. Highlights this year include special exhibits for top MFA students from across the country, social and political-inspired art, an array of American artworks and nomadic sculptures of Swiss born artist Florian Graf, presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago. Other artistic nuggets are waiting for you at the International Antiques Fair, like a coral and gold sea urchin brooch. Now that you don’t see everyday. Next is NEXT, an arts fair presenting contemporary works in all their eye-popping splendor. Tickets are $20 per day or $25 for a multi-day pass through the event’s conclusion on 3 May. The weather will be cookin’ in Cook County this year, so get your tickets while it’s hot.
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Racing Through California
By Linda Tancs
If the thrill of the chase like Monte Carlo’s Grand Prix or the memory of Italy’s Mille Miglia gets your adrenaline rushing, then no doubt you’ll enjoy California’s vintage version beginning on 25 April. Northern California’s Mille, now in its 20th year, follows classic cruisers on a 4-day journey through 1000 miles of northern wine country, open roads and quaint hotels. Pick your favorite at the Fairmont in San Francisco before the race. With all the natural beauty lining the route, let’s hope the drivers can keep their eyes on the road.
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Celebrating Poetry
By Linda Tancs
April is National Poetry Month in the United States. What better time to visit The Homestead, the dwelling place of the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson, in Amherst, Massachusetts. Amazingly, only a dozen or so of her 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime. Now you can enjoy a vast collection of poems and letters along with period furnishings and a look into the town’s development that so inspired her.
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Classics Gather in Grand Forks
By Linda Tancs
One of the largest gatherings of classic and modern motorcycles will take place in Grand Forks, North Dakota this weekend at the Alerus Center. While you’re there, why not tour the historic district? The city was first settled in 1870, becoming thereafter a hub of commerce with the advent of the railroad in 1880. Lots of new commerce to choose from in the newly restored downtown, like the specialty shops in Riverwalk Center. Maybe you’ll want to stay in a charming turn of the century home. 511 Reeves is a Victorian beauty, just one block off the Red River of the North.
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Will the Spirit Move You?
By Linda Tancs
As many readers may have learned, Spirit Airlines has taken the unprecedented step of charging for carry-on baggage that must be placed in the overhead bin. Excluded from the baggage fee will be a single personal item that fits underneath the seat. The new fee system also excludes such sundries as coats, umbrellas, car seats (for children holding a ticket), cameras and assistive devices. The fee for the airline’s online club members is $20. Nonmembers pay an online fee of $30, including phone and check-in customers. The gate fee is $45. Is this a shameless move for more revenue or an enlightened approach towards thwarting an uptick in checked baggage masquerading as carry-ons? Take the poll below.
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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
