July 26, 2018

TAKE A NOSTALGIC BACKROADS TRIP: ROUTE 66 IN KANSAS

Take a nostalgic backroads trip on Route 66 in Kansas!      U.S. Route 66 is also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the Main Street of America and the Mother Road  (so dubbed by John Steinbeck in his 1939 book, “The Grapes of Wrath”) and is a visual and historic treat!     Route 66 is one of the original highways of the U. S. Highway System and was established on November 11, 1926. Route 66 is the most famous highway in the United States and originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California. The original Route 66 covered a total of…

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Blog, Kansas, Road Trips, Video

July 23, 2018

VISUAL MAGIC IN ARIZONA’S SLOT CANYONS

 Slot Canyon

See visual magic in Arizona’s Slot Canyons! When Navajo guides throw dirt into the sun’s rays, an ethereal stream of fireworks erupts!     We had seen photos of the famous Antelope Canyon, but knew nothing else about the Slot Canyons in Arizona. Slot Canyons are enchanting, unforgettable natural wonders! Our slot canyon experiences are among our very favorites in America.     Slot Canyons are narrow canyons, formed by water rushing through rock. Slot canyons are deeper than they are wide. These canyons are mostly found within the Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona and southern Utah.     Slot Canyons near Page, Arizona     Most Slot Canyons are…

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog, Trip Planning, Video

June 27, 2018

MEET STU & BARB, THE TRAVELING SENIORS

 Stu & Barb

Hi and Welcome! Explore America with us on backroads.  We’re Stu and Barb, The Traveling Seniors. Thank you for checking us out!  We graduated high school together 50 years ago (that can’t be true)! We lost touch for 30 years but suddenly we’re exploring America together! And, yes, senior travel is thrilling!  We photograph, giggle and blog our way down backroads exploring America. Think local food, colorful people and surprises everywhere.  Long live mom & pop establishments and backroads! Follow The Traveling Seniors and find inspiration to travel, learn travel tips, find resources,  see the most up-to-date senior travel discounts, and share our backroads trips! The Traveling Seniors are also on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Please pin our…

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in Blog

June 1, 2018

SPRING BACKROADS TRAVEL COSTS (2018)

When Stu and I first cooked up a 2018 backroads trip from Florida to the Grand Canyon and back, we had no real idea what it would cost. We researched online blogs and found someone who had posted that a recent trip from Florida (where I planned to meet up with Stu) to the Grand Canyon cost about $3,700. So, we each budgeted about $4,000 apiece for the trip. We didn’t set an end date for our trip or a precise budget. We planned to stay on the road as long as we wanted. This road trip ended up being from northwest Florida to southern Utah and back and lasted 36 days….

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in Blog, Travel, Trip Planning

May 29, 2018

8 TIPS FOR BACKROADS TRIPS

8 TIPS FOR BACKROADS TRIPS Two people, eight states and thousands of miles. A recent Traveling Seniors backroads trip was one of the most exhilarating experiences we’ve each ever had!   8 Tips for Roadtrips:  Do NOT plan and DO NOT set daily goals! Sound counterproductive? It isn’t! Aside from hotel reservations at places like the Grand Canyon and other high traffic attractions, we simply do not plan by date OR by navigation. As long as we headed toward our ultimate destination, we were fine on a recent 36-day roadtrip with wherever Siri took us. Set the car’s navigation to settings OTHER than “fastest route.” You will  head down backroads and…

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in Blog, Road Trips, Travel, Trip Planning

May 29, 2018

NEW ORLEANS: LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

New Orleans: Let the Good Times Roll! The Big Muddy. The Big Easy. The Mighty Mississippi. The Mardi Gras City. What can you say??????? GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC, that’s what!!! More than Bourbon Street (although you just HAVE to go there!), NOLA is a kick in the pants, a cultural experience, and a place no one should miss! Hotel We were lucky enough to stay at the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon at 221 Carondelet Street in New Orleans. A block from Canal Street where we crossed into the French Quarter, the location was perfect! The hotel does not have a restaurant but who cares? New Orleans…

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Blog, Louisiana, Travel, Trip Planning

May 29, 2018

HOW TO TOUR TUCSON

How to Tour Tucson     Touring Tucson is unexpected! From palm trees and oleander to saguaro cactus and 117 degree days! We loved Tucson! It is tucked into a valley surrounded by mountains that are breathtaking with restored mansions in the El Presidio Historic District and the adobe row houses of the Barrio Historico. The University of Arizona looms large with shops, eateries and lots of action!     Saguaro National Parks (west side and east side)     We started in The Saguaro National Parks (both west and east sides). The dirt roads and saguaro cacti standing at attention like a large army is so different than what…

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in Arizona, Blog, Travel, Trip Planning

May 29, 2018

8 TOP RESTAURANTS TO VISIT IN TUCSON, ARIZONA

Foodie Alert!  Tucson has it all!   Explore America via food. A great city to start in is Tucson!   Tucson is an unmatched destination for mouth-watering mom & pop delights regardless of budget! Prices are extremely reasonable everywhere. Eat lunch at some of the more famous restaurants and you will pay less.     RESTAURANTS IN TUCSON Our favorites include: Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort (haciendadelsol.com) An historic and beautiful respite located at 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road in Tucson, for those looking for an equestrian and spa experience. Hacienda was a girls’ boarding school at one time and still boasts the suite where Hepburn and Tracy…

Read more

written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog, Travel, Trip Planning