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….

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

June 1, 2018

TAKE A BACKROADS TRIP: CAMINO REAL de los TEJAS NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

Take a backroads trip through rolling grassy hills covered with bluebonnets and other wildflowers on The Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. See nps.gov/elte/planyourvisit/maps.htm.     Once a year, my grandmother, in her 80s and 90’s would take a trip from Kansas City to Texas to see her son and the bluebonnets. Now I understand the bluebonnet part.  I don’t think Stu or I expected the beauty of the eastern Texas hill country since neither of us had ever been there. Waving grass, wildflowers, huge skies and curving backroads is the image that comes to mind when someone says, “a perfect spring/summer day.” THAT is the eastern Texas…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, Road Trips, Texas, Travel, Trip Planning

May 30, 2018

TAKE BACK ROADS TO EXPLORE AMERICA!

Take Back Roads to Explore America!   The Traveling Seniors ALWAYS travel back roads. Why?  Exploring America and her inspiring people is most rewarding along back roads and scenic byways!   Backroads vacations are so easy in retirement travel!  The pavement is smooth, traffic is sparse and the scenery is breathtaking. We can drive at our own pace. We can pull off the road to take photos or a break at almost any time. Backroads adventures are just waiting for you!   HOW TO FIND BACKROADS   One way to find byways is to visit scenicbyways.info. On that site, search by state or follow the dots on the map provided….

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Road Trips, South Carolina, Tennesse, Texas, Travel, Trip Planning, Utah

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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

May 29, 2018

SAGUARO NATIONAL FOREST VISIT IN ARIZONA

Saguaro Cacti are only found in a very small portion of America. They are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert so you can only find them in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. It is estimated that these soldiers of the desert can live to be as much as 150-200 years old.     Amazingly, Saguaro grow very slowly -a 10 year-old plant may only be 1.5 inches tall. However, the cacti we saw were between 40-60 feet tall! A fully-grown Saguaro can weigh as much as a ton! Don’t miss seeing these wonders at the Saguaro National Forest (nps.gov/sagu/index.htm)!      

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

May 29, 2018

BACKROADS PEOPLE: HAVE A NAVAJO CONVERSATION

   It was an incredible experience to meet people on backroads in Arizona. We had the opportunity to have a short “Navajo Conversation”!  We were driving down highway 89 near Page, Arizona when we saw a pull-off for a small canyon. While there, we had a fascinating conversation with a Navajo woman who touched our hearts deeply.     She was busy finding just the right beads and seeds in her square wooden box for a piece of jewelry she was making. We began talking and she was gracious and kind enough to let us video her as we asked questions about the Navajo Reservation.       NAVAJO NATION  …

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written by Stuart - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Meeting People, Travel, Trip Planning, Video