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

August 19, 2019

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…

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

August 12, 2019

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…

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

August 5, 2019

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,…

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written by Stuart - Posted in Blog, Event, Florida, Travel

July 29, 2019

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,…

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written by Stuart - Posted in Blog, Florida