October 28, 2019

ALABAMA’S FORT MORGAN

Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead” –Admiral David Farragut Stu surprised me with a trip to Alabama, a place where he lived for many years. I’d never visited Alabama and am now a big fan! The quote above is something we heard a lot growing up and in war movies, but do you know where that phrase originated? Union Admiral David Farragut was leading ships into Mobile Bay in Alabama in an effort to capture Fort Morgan during the Civil War when he yelled to his naval comrades, “Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!” The Battle of Mobile Bay began on August 5, 1864 and lasted two-weeks. The battle ended with the Fort’s…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2019, Alabama, Blog

October 21, 2019

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO N.C.’S BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Can you picture 469 miles of natural splendor? Splendor that runs from Virginia through North Carolina and connects the Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? If you can, chances are you have explored the Blue Ridge Parkway!   Stunning long-range views and more than 100 trails comprise “America’s Favorite Drive.” The Parkway is more than a visual treasure! There are campgrounds, biking, musical events, arts and crafts (the Folk Art Center), hiking, historic as well as interpretive sites (including Revolutionary War sites and the Museum of North Carolina Minerals).    What is the best part? The Blue Ridge Parkway is free and open all year, depending on winter weather. In North…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2019, Blog, North Carolina, Road Trips

October 14, 2019

SUNRISES/SUNSETS OF NW FLORIDA

Do you enjoy watching a gorgeous setting sun? Well, here in NW Florida along the Gulf Coast, it’s just about an everyday day opportunity. We have some of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see. Even though I enjoy traveling around the country, I hate to miss an opportunity to photograph the sunsets here in NW Florida. Depending on which way I head, in most cases it’s only a five minute drive or less for me to be able to capture that setting sun. Many times I will head to the beach, either Navarre Beach or over to Pensacola Beach. Sometimes I will even head out the Point which…

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written by Stuart - Posted in Blog, Florida, NW Florida, Sunset

October 7, 2019

COLLEGIATE PEAKS SCENIC BYWAY IN COLORADO

Updated 9/19     Soar high among 14,000 foot peaks and breathe in the crisp air on the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Drive in Colorado!       THE ROUTE OF THE COLLEGIATE PEAKS SCENIC BYWAY     The Collegiate Peaks Scenic Drive is an old stagecoach route through canyons carved by the Arkansas River in Colorado. The American Gold Rush, dancing waters, white cliffs and ghost towns are awaiting you!     The paved scenic route is 57 miles long and took us hours to drive since we stopped to admire vistas and take photographs. If you drive straight through, you can travel the portion in Chalk Creek Canyon in only 2-3…

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

September 30, 2019

3 HAUNTED SITES IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, South Carolina

The low country of  South Carolina is one of those places where you walk through time. Different periods of American history are stacked one on another everywhere you turn. Paranormal activity is reported throughout this beautiful state, including hauntings at a fort and two sets of church ruins we visited.    OLD SHELDON CHURCH in YEMASSEE, South Carolina   The Old Sheldon Church Ruins is an historic site 17 miles north of Beaufort, South Carolina in Yemassee, SC.   The church was originally known was Prince William’s Parish Church and was built between 1745 and 1753.  The church was burned by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. The church was rebuilt…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2019, Blog, South Carolina

September 23, 2019

8 LESSONS I LEARNED TRAVELING SOLO AS AN OLDER WOMAN

Readers write us and say they would love to travel more but they are divorced or widowed. Most are women.      Stu is a fabulous travel partner, but I am here to tell you that I love, love, love traveling alone. It is true that I have been on my own quite awhile and traveled for work.  Over time, I got used to eating in restaurants by myself (I always took a book at first), and have experience hailing cabs and negotiating airports. But I am an introvert. I am also about to be 70.     I want to share what I’ve learned by traveling alone in hopes…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2019, Blog, Information, Travel, Trip Planning

September 9, 2019

BIRDS OF THE ALLIGATOR FARM ZOOLOGICAL PARK ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

BIRDS OF THE ALLIGATOR FARM ZOOLOGICAL PARK ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park This past April, The Traveling Seniors attended the Florida Birding & Photo Fest which was held in St. Augustine, Florida. On a Sunday while Barb was attending a morning workshop, I decided to head over to the Alligator Farm to photograph some of the cool birds that spend time there. I was surprised to see all the different types of birds that make their homes at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine enduring April. Even though below the trees the area is filled with Alligators the birds seem to have no fear of them….

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written by Stuart - Posted in Birds, Blog, Florida, Road Trips, Travel, Wildlife

September 2, 2019

CAJUN ANYONE? THE ZYDECO-CAJUN PRAIRIE SCENIC BYWAY, LOUISIANA

Updated September 2019 Find the heart of Cajun country deep in Louisiana.  The Cajun culture is so exotic and mystical! Take a backroads trip to Louisiana on Highway 90 and the Zydeco-Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway in Louisiana and explore one of America’s backroad jewels. Louisiana epitomizes one of the ultimate melting pots of early America.  Since neither Stu nor I have spent much time in Louisiana, the blend of the French, Cajun, and Creole influences with fishing, rice fields and music sort of slapped us in the face and said, “Gorge on the Richness.”   The 283-mile long Zydeco-Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway hides rural and cultural treasures.   One of our favorite stops…

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

August 26, 2019

THE FIRST AFRICAN UNION BAPTIST CHURCH IN SAVANNAH, GA

Note: We were asked not to take photos in certain areas of the church without people in them. We were happy to comply. The pastor’s wife explained that they are discouraging photo piracy in this manner.        I cried. The power of The First African Union Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia is overwhelming. In all of Savannah, the tour I took here continues to mean the most to me. In fact, I believe this particular tour impacted me more than any other that I’ve taken in the U.S. Why?         THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CHURCH CANNOT BE OVER EMPHASIZED       This church has played…

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written by Barb Bradley - Posted in 2019, Blog, Georgia