Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for travel writing
The Wildlife of Wichita Mountains
By Linda Tancs
Best known for its roaming herds of bison, longhorn and Rocky Mountain elk, Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system. There are abundant opportunities for wildlife photography as well as fishing, bird watching, hiking, camping and kayaking. Take time to explore over 50,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, ancient granite mountains and fresh water lakes and streams. Located near Cache and Lawton, the refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
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A Little Paris in Tennessee
By Linda Tancs
If you’re looking for a little Parisian flair without the air fare, then maybe you should head to Paris, Tennessee. West of Nashville, the city was named after its French counterpart in honor of the general Marquis de Lafayette. And what would a namesake city be without one of the most iconic landmarks in its midst? At Eiffel Tower Park, you’ll find a 70-foot steel replica of the Eiffel Tower. Just across the street from the park is Eiffel Tower Extended, where a stocked pond is open to anyone with a valid fishing license and trout stamp. The pond is stocked with a total of 1,000 trout fish biannually, in December and January.
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The Home of Concorde
By Linda Tancs
England’s Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton was the heart of aviation excellence for over 100 years. At that site began one of the most famous aircraft projects in the world—the design, development and production of the world’s first and only supersonic passenger aircraft, Concorde. The first flight of Concorde took place from the Filton tarmac on April 9, 1969, a short but historic trip to nearby Fairford. Thereafter every British Concorde made its maiden flight from the airfield. Although Filton airport eventually closed, it is now redeveloped and hosts Aerospace Bristol Museum. Set over three hangars, the most exciting exhibit is arguably Concorde, boasting a multimedia experience all around the jet to educate visitors on its history. You can board the plane, once a benefit reserved for the wealthiest of travelers (or their employers). Give yourself three or four hours to tour the facility and learn about all the important flight developments that occurred at Bristol Filton. The museum is located on Hayes Way, adjacent to the historic Filton Airfield.
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America’s First Gold Rush
By Linda Tancs
Twenty years before the 1849 gold rush in California, thousands of prospectors flocked to Dahlonega, Georgia, marking what many call the true beginning of America’s gold rush. The Dahlonega Gold Museum chronicles the region’s mining legacy. Housed inside the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse (one of the oldest courthouse buildings in Georgia), the museum features rare gold coins minted in the town, a nugget weighing more than 5 ounces and a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides. Recreational panning for gold in most streambeds is allowed.
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For the Love of Baseball
By Linda Tancs
Recognized by Smithsonian Books as one of the top 20 finest baseball collections in the world, the National Ballpark Museum in Denver, Colorado, is the passion project of its curator, Bruce Hellerstein. Touted as the only museum dedicated to the older ballparks, the facility features artifacts from the original 14 classic ballparks, including vintage seats. The museum is located in LoDo (Lower Downtown) on Blake Street.
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Belly of the Dragon
By Linda Tancs
Located in southern Utah near Kanab, the Belly of the Dragon is a man-made tunnel under Highway 89 designed as drainage for the upper canyons that feed into the North Fork River. The resulting flooding created undulating waves inside that arguably resemble a giant digestive tract. Although the tunnel is short, it’s susceptible to flash flooding; check weather conditions before use.
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Top to Bottom in Sandpoint
By Linda Tancs
Just 60 miles from Canada, Idaho’s Sandpoint is a place you’ll enjoy from top to bottom. This time of year skiers will arrive at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, with 2,900 acres of amazing terrain and renowned tree skiing. It overlooks Lake Pend Oreille, the state’s biggest and deepest lake. In fact, there are only four deeper lakes in the nation. The upcoming annual winter carnival is another treat, featuring the Parade of Lights, music concerts, the Let it Glow Parade and fireworks at Schweitzer.
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Valley of the Flowers
By Linda Tancs
Blessed with an ideal, year-round climate, Panama’s Boquete is affectionately known as the Valley of the Flowers. Nestled in the Chiriqui Highlands, it’s adorned with masses of red and purple flowers. It’s also known for its coffee, the main industry in this region. Both the flowers and the coffee are celebrated each January during the Flower and Coffee Festival. The event features over 30,000 blooms (highlighting the prized orchid), coffee vendors and over 200 stalls with a variety of local artisans.
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Winter Magic in Sugar Hill
By Linda Tancs
The sleepy mountain town of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, is beloved for its lupines and wildflowers in springtime. But winter is just as magical. You can take a guided snowmobile tour through the snow-covered landscapes or head to a quiet trail with your snowshoes. Dogsledding and sleigh rides are other options. Of course, the area is well known for its skiing, surrounded as it is by the Presidential, Franconia, Kinsman and Dalton ranges. While you’re there, don’t pass up the town’s staples, white cheddar and pancakes.
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The Belfast Rail Trail
By Linda Tancs
Belfast, Maine, is a sister city to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Like its counterpart, it was once known for shipbuilding. These days, it’s a relaxing small town with a Harborwalk providing views of a shipyard that dominates the downtown waterfront. Another walking opportunity is the Belfast Rail Trail, a former railroad bed following the western bank of the Passagassawakeag River (the “Passy”). The route starts at the waterfront near the pedestrian bridge and is popular with pedestrians and bicyclists. In winter, the trail is excellent for snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing when it snows.
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