2018 – Page 3 – THE TRAVELING SENIORS

August 23, 2018

HISTORIC NEW BERN, North Carolina

Take a coastal trip to historic New Bern, North Carolina and spend some time walking through 300 + years of American history! We were enthralled with New Bern’s many Historic Heritage Tours, including the: Revolutionary War tour Civil War tour Architectural Walking tour Churches & Cemetery tour Historic Homes tour Walk to Remember tour African-American Heritage tour New Bern has four historic districts with homes, stores and churches dating as far back as the early 18th century. Picture strolling New Bern’s tree-lined streets and walking by colonial homes! We felt as if we were pedestrians in early America on each city block! New Bern has over 150 sites on…

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, North Carolina, Travel

August 20, 2018

THE BEST COFFEE IN ASHEVILLE, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina is known for individuality and creativity! We found the coffee scene in Asheville, North Carolina is robust (pardon the pun) and diverse! Stu and I BOTH love coffee. I mean, we LOVE coffee! Stu makes almost daily visits to Starbucks when he is home from travels. Rest assured, Asheville has plenty of Starbucks locations to satisfy fans. Since we know Starbucks so well, we focused on independent coffee shops in Asheville. So, where is the best coffee in Asheville, North Carolina? COFFEE IN ASHEVILLE Asheville has always taken the love of coffee to a different level. In days gone…

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, North Carolina

August 13, 2018

WATERFALL ROAD TRIP IN NORTH CAROLINA

Take a backroads trip to see waterfalls in North Carolina! As we had lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina, we were surrounded by lush green mountains and cool summer breezes. Asheville is so hard to leave! But we had agreed to head further west and south to see some of North Carolina’s many waterfalls. We set off to drive Highway 64 in western North Carolina to find out why it is sometimes called the Waterfalls Byway. Highway 64 covers 604 miles from the Tennessee state line to the Outer Banks. This route has been used since the Model T era and…

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, North Carolina

August 2, 2018

HISTORIC EISLER BROTHERS STORE ON KANSAS Route 66

Visit the historic Eisler Brothers Store on Kansas Route 66! (eislerbros.com) You’ll find this historic gem on the shortest section of Route 66 in the United States. This segment in Kansas is only 13 miles long but is jam packed with historic treasures! When we reached Kansas Route 66, our first stop was the Eisler Brothers Store in Riverton, Kansas. See our post on this section of Route 66 here. The store was originally built by Leo Williams in 1925, the year before Route 66 was designated. It has continuously been serving as a deli, grocery store and souvenir shop ever since. The…

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, Kansas, Video

July 30, 2018

IN ARIZONA, TAKE THE MOUNT LEMMON SCENIC BYWAY

Take a backroads trip up Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway near Tucson, Arizona. Our drive up one of the most scenic drives in southeast Arizona made for a perfect day. After several days in Tucson in over 100 degree heat in May, we really needed a break. MOUNT LEMMON Mount Lemmon has a summit elevation of 9,156 feet and is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson. The 27-mile Byway is the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada! Just imagine! As gardeners, Stu and I were fascinated by the changes in plant life! …

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog, Road Trips, Video

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…

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

July 23, 2018

VISUAL MAGIC IN ARIZONA’S SLOT CANYONS

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…

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

July 16, 2018

TAKE A BACKROADS TRIP: FORT OSAGE, MISSOURI NATIONAL LANDMARK

What is better on a beautiful summer’s day than to take a backroads trip to Fort Osage, Missouri National Landmark? This fort is a surprise. There are decades of U.S. history represented here. Let’s face it. We grew up watching “cowboys and Indians” on television. Although a lot of those shows bent the truth, I’d like to think they instilled a love of history-especially history of the frontier-in our generation. As you explore America’s midwest, there are many forts to visit, but none has so many layers of American history. Fort Osage is also an inexpensive educational stop to make if you are traveling with grandchildren, school children or…

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, Missouri

July 5, 2018

VISIT OLD LUXURY: HISTORIC HACIENDA DEL SOL GUEST RANCH RESORT

Visit the historic Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort and find old world charm and casual luxury for travelers of any age. We were invited to meet one of the Hacienda’s owners over dinner while we visited Tucson, Arizona. The Resort overlooks Tucson from the Catalina Foothills. It is included in the National Registry of Historic Places In Arizona and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. The Tucson area is home to a number of world-famous spas and ranches where Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities find rejuvenation. Even in our wildest dreams, Stu and I never expected to be hosted by one of the Hacienda’s owners and…

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Arizona, Blog

June 25, 2018

TAKE A BACKROADS TRIP: GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER BIRTHPLACE

Take an educational backroads trip! We didn’t know when we drove southern Missouri backroads, we would find the birthplace of George Washington Carver. I always root for underdogs. In my mind, they reinforce my own prospects in life. Those who leave the world a legacy are inspirational to me. The George Washington Carver birthplace is a place that traces the gifts, inspiration and obstacles faced by one of the most famous of America’s underdogs. The Ranger’s stories about Carver’s life left me in awe of the man. Carver National Monument The Park Service established the George Washington Carver National Monument in 1943. The monument is…

written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2018, Blog, Missouri, Video