The Cataloochee Valley in the Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina
THE Cataloochee Valley IN SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, North Carolina
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….
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…
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…
Botany Bay PLANTATION on EDISTO ISLAND, South Carolina
He was shriveled, smiling and a 94-year-old volunteer. He sat on a stool by a makeshift information cart with maps of Botany Bay. He and his wife met at Valpariso and now he “catches the fish and she cooks them up.” I was alone. He told me, “This is too beautiful a place to not bring someone with you.” He was right-Botany Bay Plantation and Edisto Island ARE gorgeous and somewhat exotic. At the southernmost tip of Edisto Island, you will find the Botany Bay Plantation Heritage and Wildlife Management Area and the secluded Botany Bay Beach. The approach to Botany Bay Plantation is…
NEW REGULATIONS FOR TRAVEL: CHECK YOUR WALLET !
Heads up, seniors! There are new regulations coming for travel. PULL OUT YOUR WALLET and make certain you are ready. No, the new regulations won’t make money fly out of your wallet, but your wallet does contain the key to travel beginning in 2020. Look at your drivers’ license. Does it have a yellow star on it? If you don’t have a yellow star on your license, you need to obtain it by 2020! You MUST have a yellow star in the upper right hand corner of the card or you DON’T HAVE A “REAL ID.” YOU MUST SHOW A REAL ID TO TAKE ANY DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL FLIGHT…
GALLERY NIGHT IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA
Gallery Night Each month during the year on the 3rd week of the month, the street along Palafox in downtown Pensacola, Florida becomes a party. The street is filled with people both young and old as vendors display their goods including all sorts of local artists showing off their work. Of course, you can find all sorts of food vendors too. Most of the downtown stores, pubs, and restaurants remain open during the event. And there are folks entertaining you along the street, from music to artists you hear or see it. Each month has a different theme. The dates and themes for 2019: Jan. 18 — Lunar New Year,…
THE BULLS ON THE STREETS OF PENSACOLA
THE Running Of The Bulls On the morning of Saturday July 20th, it was The Pensacola Running of the Bulls time that took place through the streets of downtown Pensacola, Florida. This event is modeled after the world famous Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain. Even though it was a cloudy overcast morning with rain in sight, the event drew a large turnout. As the runners took off, The Bulls were not far behind. Of course, the runners must make it through the harsh The Gauntlet at the end of their run. Rules & Safety ( from https://pensabulls.com/about) Run at Your Own Risk Participants are not allowed to touch, push, kick,…
WALK THROUGH ROUGH AND TUMBLE SILVERTON, COLORADO
Dodge City. Tombstone. Durango. We’ve been to them all but the old west town that still remains the most authentic is rough and tumble Silverton, Colorado. At 9,000 feet, the mining town of Silverton was a magnet for miners, saloon keepers, and the few women who kept the men company. The frontier flavor of Silverton isn’t fake and recreated for tourists.The western free spirit remains today. That may be due to the fact that the town is still very remote in the San Juan Mountains. Getting to Silverton is an adventure in itself! This is the land of “the 14-ers”, the peaks in Colorado that are 14,000 feet or…
MONUMENT VALLEY NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK IN UTAH
Reaching the park mid-day in late May was like opening the door into a fantasy-land. The scale and quiet strength of the place cannot be described adequately. The accurate name of the park is “Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park” and it will take your breath away! Who doesn’t have Monument Valley on their bucket list? This park is NOT a national park but is located in a part of a 25,000 square mile Navajo Nation Reservation. Therefore, Monument Valley is administered by the Navajo Nation. WHEN TO GO Monument Valley can be very hot in the summer months. We visited in late May and the weather…