Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Abe Lincoln Never Slept There
By Linda Tancs
The third oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansion in the nation, the executive mansion in Springfield, Illinois is a gem of Italianate architecture. It’s also rich with native son Abe Lincoln’s artifacts. For starters there’s the “smiling bust” of Lincoln, one he actually posed for. And then there’s the Lincoln table, a priceless work of art created in 1864 from more than 20,000 inlaid wood pieces. From the dizzying elliptical stairway leading upstairs you’ll find the Lincoln bedroom, comprising bedroom furniture given to the Lincolns for their use upon their anticipated return from the White House. Sadly, that was not to be. Although entertained at the mansion, Lincoln actually never slept there. Likewise, he never slept in the Lincoln bedroom at that other executive mansion—the White House.
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Wolf Watching in Wyoming
By Linda Tancs
A must-see for serious wildlife watchers, Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley has been a wolf watching mecca since the wolves were reintroduced in 1995. The Lamar River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River; the river valley is bookended by mountain ranges and is also home to elk, bison, grizzlies and a variety of bird species. Keep your eyes (or binoculars) peeled during early morning or late evening hours.
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Batting It Out of the Park
By Linda Tancs
Carlsbad Caverns is a national park in the Guadalupe Mountains in southeastern New Mexico, an underground wonderland of limestone caves (more than 119 of them documented) discovered by Native Americans centuries ago. The terrain yields fascinating stories about the Ice Age: a stone scraper discovered within view of the entrance goes back to Ice Age Indian hunters, and bones from Ice Age animals like jaguars, camels, lions and giant sloths have been found in the entrance areas of some caves. During summer, another thing you’ll find in the caves is a Mexican free-tailed bat community nearly 400,000 strong. The evening bat flight program takes place from Memorial Day weekend through late October, after which the winged mammals migrate to Mexico for the winter. Preceded by an informative lecture by a park ranger, the seasonal spectacle highlights the mass exodus of the bats in search of an evening meal. Their pre-dawn return to the caves is likewise impressive. During July and August, the herd is increased by newborn bats and migrating bats from northern climes. Photography or other filming at bat flight may be done under a special use permit obtained from the park at least two weeks in advance.
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Grand Canyon of the East
By Linda Tancs
New York’s Letchworth State Park is known as the Grand Canyon of the East because of its scenic gorge. Indeed, its magnificence can hardly be ignored, the Genesee River roaring over three major waterfalls amidst towering cliffs. Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, the park covers over 14,000 acres of land along the river. The locale is popular with campers, but those not interested in roughing it will find ample accommodations like guest houses, inns and lodges with light housekeeping. Given its size, there are no shortage of activities at this park, among them 66 hiking trails, guided walks, tours, swimming, kayaking and rafting. Hot air ballooning is a must to take in the glorious vistas.
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The Endless Lagoon
By Linda Tancs
It’s no wonder why French Polynesia’s Rangiroa, the second largest atoll in the world, is called an endless lagoon. More than 200 motu dot its coral fringes for a length of 110 miles, encircling a richly hued lagoon coveted by divers. Its size is so vast they say you can fit the entire island of Tahiti inside it. That means the possibilities for marine life are endless. Depending on the season, you may encounter rays, sharks, turtles, dolphins, napoleon fish and barracuda. On land, don’t miss the chance to visit one of French Polynesia’s largest working pearl farms or visit the peaceful villages of Avatoru and Tiputa.
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World Class Bear Viewing
By Linda Tancs
Alaskan salmon run at different times depending on the location and species. In southeast Alaska, you’ll find the largest run of pink salmon at Anan Creek during July and August. That means the bears won’t be far behind. Southeast of Wrangell, the Anan Wildlife Observatory is a world class destination for bear viewing—so popular, in fact, that only 20 visitor passes are issued each day from July 5 to August 25. Those passes are issued via a lottery that is conducted in March. Plan accordingly, and happy viewing!
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Pier to Pier
By Linda Tancs
Want to avoid road rush or Tube crunch and see London’s sights from pier to pier? MBNA Thames Clippers operates a fast fleet of catamarans from Putney to Royal Arsenal Woolwich, linking London’s attractions from the riverside. Big Ben, the London Eye, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The O2 are just a few of the sights along the 19 piers that they serve. With a daily River Roamer or Family River Roamer ticket you get unlimited travel along the banks to soak in the views at your leisure. All aboard!
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World’s Largest Truckstop
By Linda Tancs
Along Interstate 80 in Walcott, Iowa, you’ll find the world’s largest truckstop. Known as Iowa 80, the stop opened in 1964 and currently serves 5,000 customers per day with parking spaces for 900 tractor-trailers, 250 cars and 20 buses. The amenities include a 300-seat restaurant, a gift store, a dentist, a barber shop, a chiropractor, a workout room, laundry facilities, a 60-seat movie theatre, a trucker’s TV lounge, 24 private showers, a food court, a convenience store, 10 gas islands, 16 diesel lanes, a fuel center, a seven-bay truck service center, a truck wash and the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum. Each year in July, the Iowa 80 hosts the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, a three-day event dedicated to celebrating America’s truckers. This year’s event begins on July 9.
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A King’s Ransom
By Linda Tancs
Dating to 1081, Germany’s Trifels Castle in the Rhineland boasts a king’s ransom in its history. Located high above the Queich valley on a red sandstone mountain in the Palatinate Forest, this medieval castle is where the British king Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned when he was captured by Leopold V of Austria upon his return from the Third Crusade. Amounting to around $200 million in today’s money, the king was freed after his mother successfully raised the funds.
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Croatia’s Legendary Lakes
By Linda Tancs
Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park in the vicinity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe. Comprising more than 70,000 acres, it’s also the largest national park in Croatia. Culturally, it’s been inhabited for thousands of years by settlers such as ancient tribes, Romans, Slavs and Turks. The most remarkable feature of this park is its series of lakes arranged in upper and lower clusters, bearing serene hues of azure, green, grey or blue depending on the minerals or organisms in the water at any particular time. For every colorful lake there’s a colorful legend. One popular tale is that the lake system (particularly Prošćansko jezero) was created after a long drought prompted prayers to the Black Queen. Other lakes are associated with stories of hidden treasure, local shepherds, drownings and a resident monk.
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