On the trip back east in July there was a large group of Amish young people (couples and singles) that spent much of their time in the view liner lounge playing board games (including chess) and kibitzing in their German dialect. They had been on vacation and were returning to... Read more →
The train has proven to be a great way to look for America and to meet the people who are looking. In June I headed out to the High Plains on a thirty day USA Rail Pass and 29 days later rolled back home after 4238 miles, 4 days, and 6 nights on the rails. The Crescent Limited (New York - New Orleans) took me from Greenville to Charlottesville, The Cardinal (New York - Chicago) took me then to Chicago. The Empire Builder (Chicago - Seattle) took me to my Minot, North Dakota destination. I returned on the same trains. Read more →
After a few days, we left Baddeck and moved over to camp for a week in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The campground there is one of the most pleasant and well managed that we used on the two month trip, and the Cape Breton Highlands Park, the Cabot Trail highway, and the hiking trails in that area are magnificent. Read more →
After a week at Five Islands and a week at Parker's Cove we moved over to the Halifax area at the juncture of the South Shore and the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. Halifax is a beautiful historic city with much to see and do with a great music scene in the bars down on the docks. An urban soul could find enough to keep them occupied for several days. Our rural souls just hit the high spots, being sure to visit the farmer's market, and got out of town at the end of the day. Read more →
One of the reasons that we chose Freeport Whale and Seabird Tours at Freeport NS for our whale watching excursion was that we had seen it written that one of the really good restaurants in Nova Scotia is located at the dock and that the ticket office for the whale watching tour is located in the restaurant, Lavena's Catch Cafe. Read more →
We boarded and headed north into the Bay of Fundy where, within about 20 minutes, we were among humpback whales - and we remained among whales for about two hours.We had a great time. We saw and cavorted with more whales than we could have reasonably expected, the equipment performed well, and the personnel were very gracious and informative. The trip exceeded our expectations and we would give it 5 stars. Read more →
Although sponsored by Merrell, and although much of the format is similar (for instance many pairs of muddy running shoes are discarded to be gathered up, washed and donated to charity), the Not Since Moses Run is its own mud race. Read more →
There is no hiking guide for Big Bend Ranch that I have been able to find. But there is an excellent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department "Discovery Map" sometimes available. I found one at the Fort Leaton State Historic Site but they were sold out at Sauceda. If you use... Read more →
If you suffer from sunlight deprivation in January and February but your Social Anxiety Disorder makes you less than likely to head out to crowded sunnier climes such as Florida, Arizona or the gold coasts of Mexico - then I've got a deal for you. Read more →
