The summer of state parks continues with our visit to Halibut Point State Park. Located on Cape Ann in the town of Rockport, MA, it was once the Babson Farm Granite Quarry. The granite was quarried at the beginning of the 20th century and used to build thousands of buildings, warehouses, bridges, street monuments, and tunnels. Unfortunately, in 1929, operations ended with the collapse of the Cape Ann granite industry. In 1934, The Trustees of the Reservations acquired a piece of land next to the quarry. Here the Halibut Point Reservation was created. Then, in 1981, the state purchased 56 acres of land, resulting in Halibut State Park’s creation. Together, they make up this beautiful area.
Before heading out, be sure to download a trail map. You can find in here.
As I may have mentioned in my previous post, we were in the midst of a heatwave here in Massachusetts. We have had many days of 90 degrees and 100% humidity. On this particular day, we thought we might get some relief by being next to the ocean. Not so much!
Our visit started with a hike around the granite quarry. The walk is a self-guided tour. We downloaded a brochure that explains each of the nine markers set around the quarry.
The quarry is no longer in use and filled with natural spring water. When it was still an active quarry, the workmen would have to keep the water out by hand with buckets. Can you imagine? Today, it is filled with spring water and about 60 feet at its deepest point. There is no swimming in the quarry. It is for your viewing pleasure only.
As you can see from the photo, the blocks of granite are coming up from the water. Some birds are sitting on them. Granite was brought up from the bottom of the quarry using what is called derricks. Derricks are an arrangement of blocks, tackles, and pullies. You can see how it was done below.
The single-round hole is called a dog hole. It’s used to hold tips of the giant hooks called dogs. Cables and chains suspended these from the derricks.
Long iron staples were used to keep the derrick in place. Over thousands of years, water seeping in the granite would cause minerals to oxidize or rust. Hence, this granite got its color.
Marker 5 is a small body of water that sits next to the quarry. I have to admit, we missed it. I took a picture of the marker but not the water. Anyways, it is called an In Motion. That is a term meaning small quarry. It was here that the granite was made into pavers.
Marker 6 demonstrates how granite was split at the quarry. In the early days, it was split by making holes with a flat chisel and then driving flat wedges down into the holes. Later on, the process was much improved. According to the guide, “new chisels with shallow V-shaped cutting edges were struck with a hit-turn-hit-turn motion. This technique made circular holes into which half-round shims like the ones still in this stone were inserted. A tapered wedge was driven between them, splitting the stone. Even with this improved technology, nearly 75% of the large blocks split crookedly and had to be relegated to the grout pile.” Wow, that seems like a lot of wasted granite!
Marker 7 is the grout pile. The grout pile makes up the lookout point of Halibut Point State Park. It is a pile of granite of pieces dumped here over many years.
The point of marker 8 is to demonstrate the diameter size of the holes. When the quarrymen started using steam power drills, it became possible to cut deeper holes and quarry larger pieces of stone.
Granite bollards were set onshore or on wharves to secure the lines of the ships. Initially cut by hand, these pieces of granite were quite impressive in person.
After touring the quarry, we hiked down to the shoreline, which is part of Halibut Point Reservation. Here you can climb the rocks, play in tide pools, see marine life, and more. I love sitting there and listening to the crash of the waves.
On our way back to the car, we stopped to admire a few of the granite structures that scattered along the park.
Until next time Rockport. We will defintely be back.
Last month, we spent two weeks on Cape Cod for our big summer vacation. As much as we love the beach, there is so much more to do and see on the Cape. My youngest son and I decided to take advantage of the time and explore some things off the beaten path. Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of them.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Massachusetts Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving nature in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It protects 36,500 acres of land throughout the state, saves birds and other wildlife, and makes nature accessible through its wildlife sanctuaries and 20 nature centers. During school vacation and in the summer, the society has camps for kids. The Audubon Society has all sorts of programs, from bird watching, art, and photography, guided tours, and with the onset of the virus, it is providing quite a few virtual programs as well. It is not something we have taken advantage of before, but plan on doing more in the months ahead.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is an easy drive, straight down Route 6 on the Cape. The trails are open Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 am-7:30 pm. There is a fee to park; however, due to the visitor’s center being closed, there was no one to collect the payment. Wellfleet Bay overlooks the beautiful Wellfleet Harbor. There are numerous trails to explore that lead to a salt marsh, a sandy barrier beach, and woodlands. There is also a nature center with exhibits and an aquarium. Unfortunately, the nature center was closed. Though that was okay, we were there to explore the outdoors. With 1,183 acres and 5 miles of trails, there is a lot to explore.
There are six trails to explore. A map of each one can be downloaded to your phone.
- Bay View Trail- this is a woodland trail that provides plenty of shade.
- The Boardwalk- it crosses the salt marsh over to the beach.
- Goose Pond Trail- this trail is excellent for birdwatching.
- Silver Spring Trail- this trail borders a fresh pond.
- Try Island Trail- another woodland trail with views Cape Cod Bay.
- All Persons Pathway and Sensory Trail- includes an audio tour that that can be downloaded.
Since it was our first time and quite hot out, Nicholas and I chose the Bay View Trail. Little did we know it is the longest trail. Perhaps I should have read up on it more before going!
The Bayview Trail winds through the pine woodlands. It took us by a salt marsh, a pond, and then some sandplain grasslands. My son has recently taken up birdwatching. He enjoyed seeing and hearing all the different birds and trying to guess which was which. My favorite views were of the salt marsh. It was beautiful.
We were at the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge the day before and while Nicholas enjoyed it, he preferred Wellfleet. We are already planning to come down in the fall and explore more of the trails when it is not so hot and muggy.
What about you? Have you explored anything off the beaten path recently?
Chatham is a seaside town located on Cape Cod, MA. Once you cross over the Cape Cod Canal, it is about a 45-minute drive.
Chatham is one of the more upscale towns on the Cape. It has historically been known as a fishing community. In the summertime, the population soars to 30,000, but in the winter, most homes are empty. Are you looking to buy a second home in Chatham? The average price of a home is 1.3 million dollars.
As I mentioned, Chatham is located on the elbow part of the Cape. The town includes two narrow strips of land, which serve as a barrier between the Atlantic and the mainland. There are several islands, including Monomoy, a 7.25-mile-long island south of the corner of the town, home to the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.
With six major saltwater beaches, Chatham is a great place to come for the day or take a week-long vacation. There are many cottages or houses to rent in the summer. If you want to pamper yourself, the Chatham Bars Inn is a beautiful place to stay. It is known as the Cape’s Premier Resort and Spa. Rooms start at over $1,000 a night in the summer, so be prepared to pay for such luxury. You have your choice of staying in the main inn, a cottage, or a spa suite. There is a beach, pool, cabanas, and plenty of dining. It offers activities such as boating and tennis. Oh, and don’t forget the spa. For more information, click over to their website.
We did not stay at the inn or even in Chatham. My family and I rented a couple of houses in nearby Dennis Port. However, we took a few day trips to explore.
Seal Watching
Our vacation started with a boat ride to see Chatham’s most famous residents, seals! I recommend Monomoy Island Excursions out of Harwich Port, MA. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, and it takes you through Wychmere Harbor in Harwich Port, down to Stage Harbor in Chatham and through narrow channels. The final destination is Monomoy Island, a barrier island off the coast of Chatham. Here we found the seals swimming and sunning themselves. A naturalist narrates each tour. This was our second time going on a seal watch, and we were not disappointed.
As we approached Chatham, we learned the history of the area.
Stage Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1880 and one of the youngest lighthouses on the Cape. It was built at the entrance of Stage Harbor to assist the Chatham Lighthouse light the way for sailors as this area is known for being one of the foggiest on the east coast. Fifty-three years later, the lighthouse was decommissioned and is now a private home. Though I don’t think I would want to stay in it any time soon. To this day, it has no running water or electricity. One must use an outhouse if nature calls.
As can see, if you are lucky enough to have a boat, you can head out to the sandbars and spend your beach day there. However, please do not swim with the seals. They may look cute and cuddly, but they are not. Plus, you never know what is lurking behind them. The Cape has seen an increase in shark activity in recent years due to our large seal population. If you happen to be swimming with the seals, the seals will use you as a human shield and push you toward the sharks!
Chatham’s Fishing Pier
Not in the mood for a boat ride? Head down to the fishing pier and see what the catch of the day was (literally) and check out all the seals there.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
My youngest son has taken up birdwatching. We have a couple of bird feeders in our yard that attract all sorts of birds. He was excited to see what we may find down the Cape.
The Monomoy Wildlife Refuge was established in 1944 to provide habitat for migratory birds. The Refuge Headquarters is located on a 40-acre unit on Morris Island and consists of a visitor center, beach, and trail system. It was sweltering and humid on the day we went, but we managed to walk one of the trails. The visitor’s center was closed due to the virus, but we downloaded a map from the website and set off. Next time we plan on staying longer and walking out to the Monomoy Lighthouse.
It is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
Chatham Lighthouse
The Chatham Lighthouse is an American icon. Pre-COVID the lighthouse was open a few hours each week in the summer for visitors. Unfortunately, I was only able to grab a photo. It is one of 16 lighthouses remaining on the Cape. Cape Cod shore is rugged and has not made it easy for ships to come in. It is has been said that over 3500 vessels have been wrecked along the Cape’s coast. The lighthouse has a fascinating history, and I encourage you to read more here. Oh, and a fun fact, it is now home to the US Coast Guard.
In addition to what we did, there are plenty of restaurants and shops to visit in Chatham. Whether you are here for a day or a week, you will find something for everyone.
Last October, Rüdesheim am Rhein was one of six stops we made during our Rhine River cruise. Rüdesheim is located in Germany, along the banks of the Rhine. It is a German wine-making town in the Rhine Gorge. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in this region. We had about 6 hours to explore this charming German town. Here are seven things to do in Rüdesheim.
Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet
Our first stop of the day was to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet. Honestly, we were not sure what to expect, and I was afraid I would be bored. Not so! It is a beautiful and unique place. Here you enjoy one of the most extensive collections of self-playing instruments in the world. What is a mechanical or self-playing instrument? I am glad you asked! The instruments work like computers. On their website is an excellent description of how these instruments work.
“You have a data store and an attachment that can implement stored information in a targeted manner. It is of secondary importance whether only a single sound, a signal, or a sequence of sounds is made to sound. Although the term “data storage” in the heyday of self-playing musical instruments – from the 17th century to the 30s of the 20th century – was unknown, even the oldest data storage system, the bribed roller, works according to the same yes/no principle as the modern PC. Pen in the reel means clay, no pen in the reel means no sound.”
Our guide was fantastic and quirky. She loved her job, and it showed. For 45 mins, she took us from room to room and demonstrated various instruments.
Fun Fact- In the last photo, our guide was holding up a music box. These are called singing bird vending machines. It is rumored that Walt was inspired by these little boxes, and the Enchanted Tiki Room was born.
Drosselgasse
Drosselgasse is the main street that runs through the old town. It is lined with historical buildings, shops, restaurants, bars, bakeries, and more. At approximately a mile long, some of the city’s best entertainment can be found here. One can experience and immerse themselves into the German Rhine culture by enjoying regional dishes and wine.
Cable Car
Rüdesheim’s Cable Car transports guests all the way to the Germania monument. Though the weather was not great, we could not pass up a ride on the cable car. I had heard the views of the Rhine, and the vineyards are beautiful. We were not disappointed.
The views were worth the ride.
Niederwald Monument
We exited the cable car at the top of the hill and went to see the Neiderwald Monument. However, it was so foggy, and we could not see it unless we were right in front of it. None of my photos came out, so the one above will have to do. On a clear day, you can see miles around and take in the Rhine Gorge’s beauty.
The monument was built in 1977-1983 to mark the re-establishment of the German Empire after the Franco-Prussian War. The central figure is the Germania holding the imperial crown in her raised right hand and the imperial sword in her left hand.
Walking Wine Tour
Take a walk through these vineyards. Learn how the grapes are picked and about the winemaking process. Of course, enjoy samples of delicious wine!
Eat Baumstriezel
Otherwise known as chimney cakes, these yummy treats are made from enriched yeast dough cut into long strips and wrapped around a thick spit. The cake is sprinkled with sugar and baked over an open fire or in small electric ovens.
Drink a Rüdesheimer Kaffee
Brandy and sugar cubes are added to a cup. The brandy is flambeed and stirred for a minute until the sugar dissolves. Coffee is added, followed by a topping of whipped cream sweetened with vanilla sugar.
We could easily spend a few days in this charming town. I look forward to going back someday.
Welcome! I am glad you stopped by. Grab a drink, sit down and get ready to explore Gatlinburg, TN, the 6th destination in my Travel Bucket List Series.
Gatlinburg is considered the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Once a dirt road, now is the most visited mountain town in the area. Incorporated in 1945, 2020 marks 75 years, and we are so excited to visit this summer and join in on the celebrations! Gatlinburg is a 14-15 hour drive from our home in Massachusetts. My husband is not a big fan of road trips. The long hours in the car are not his idea of fun. To help make the ROAD trip part of this trip enjoyable, we plan to make a couple stops both down and back. The first stop is Natural Bridge, VA.
Natural Bridge, VA, is an unincorporated community of Rockbridge County. It sits in the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley and on the edge of the Blue Ridge mountains. It is home to the enormous rock bridge, The Natural Bridge. The bridge serves as a gateway to Natural Bridge State Park. In the state park, one will find the beautiful Cedar Creek Trail and the Monacan Indian Living History Village. There is also Natural Bridge Caverns, museums, and restaurants that surround this beautiful park.
We are spending two nights in Natural Bridge. I made it easy and booked us a room at the Natural Bridge Hotel. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and close to The Nature Bridge and the Natural Bridge Caverns, it seems like the perfect place to lay our weary heads for a couple of nights..
Gatlinburg
We will arrive in Gatlinburg that Sunday and plan on spending five days/nights exploring the city, neighboring towns, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Our home for the new few days is an adorable cabin located in the heart of Gatlinburg. A friend recommended Mountain Shadow Rentals & Resort.
Here is the description of the of cabin taken directly from the website.
“Upon entering, you’ll step into a large great room with spacious living, kitchen, and dining areas. Looking up at the cathedral ceilings from either side gives you a diamond-shaped view of the exterior hillsides. The kitchen features all stainless appliances with the meal prep utensils you need to prepare a variety of meals. The range features a natural gas stovetop for the best cooking experience as well as a gas oven for baking. Directly across from the range is an island with granite countertop and sink. Owners Pat and Ruthie have taken the utmost care in stocking the kitchen with many essentials, including cookware, countertop appliances, silverware, cutlery, utensils, and dishes to make for the most pleasant cooking dining experience in your cabin. A large flat-screen Smart TV sits atop the mountain stone gas log fireplace. Spectrum cable and high-speed internet service are available. There is a closet in the kitchen with a washer and dryer for your convenience. On either side of the great room are bedrooms that are entered through beautifully custom-crafted sliding barn doors. Each bedroom has a flat-screen TV, a king-size bed, a chest of drawers, a closet, a private bathroom, one with a stand-up shower, and a combination tub & shower. From the living area step out onto an expansive covered porch with large outdoor hot tub, relaxing rocking chairs, and a high-quality gas grill. There is so much to enjoy in Cubs in the Treetops. Relax and enjoy when the oohing and aahing are over!”
I can’t wait to have my coffee on the deck looking out at the mountains.
Once in Gatlinburg, we have received a list of recommendations to try. These are our top picks.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. It is 520,000 acres with 244,000 acres of that in the state of Tennessee. There is a lot to see and do. It is known for its waterfalls that you can either hike or drive to. There are over 800 miles of trails and 400 miles of roadway. There is plenty of wildlife to view, such as deer, elk, black bears, birds, and more. The park is filled with historical buildings. Over 90 historic structures—houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools, and grist mills—have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Cades Cove Loop Road
Cades Cove is a valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. Some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing is here. The Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11-mile loop that circles the cove. You can go at your own leisure and pull off the road to see the sites.
Gatlinburg SkyPark & Bridge
We will take the SkyLift to the top of Crockett Mountain and take in the sweeping views. For more amazing views, the brave ones in the family will cross the SkyBridge. The SkyBridge stretches 680 feet across a deep valley in a single span. After the terrifying walk across the bridge, I plan on relaxing in an outdoor chair on the deck and having a drink.
Hollywood Star Cars Museum
My husband is a huge car buff so when I saw this museum listed, I knew I had to weave it into our itinerary. It may be a place that the three boys explore while I go shopping!
Ripley’s Aquarium
The aquarium is the home of a 340-foot underwater tunnel. Come face to face with sharks, sea turtles, swordfish, and other sea animals. Though currently closed due to COVID, we hope to experience their new, indoor Glass Bottom Boat Adventure!
Pigeon Forge
Alcatraz East Crime Museum is a must-see. I am a big true crime fan, and I could spend hours in a museum related to crime. We will dive deep into criminal profiles, the penal system, victims’ stories, crime prevention, forensic science, law enforcement, and our justice system. The museum is 25,000 square feet and includes over 100 interactives.
In addition to the activities above, time permitting we hope to do the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, Dollywood, and more. There is just so much to do and see.
Asheville, NC & the Biltmore Estate
Before we head home, we are going to spend two days in Asheville, NC. I have always wanted to see the Biltmore and explore the grounds. We have made a reservation at the Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa. A little pampering before a long drive home is exactly what we (I) will need.
Greece and its people have always fascinated me. Since the time I was a child, I loved learning about Greek history and its culture. Of course, I love the movies My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Mamma Mia. LOL! In a couple of years, I turn 50, and what better place to celebrate this milestone than Greece. There are so many beautiful places to see in this country. Our trip will be at least 12-14 days long. The first stop on this dream trip, Athens!
Athens
Our trip begins in the beautiful city of Athens and the Electra Metropolis Hotel.
The Electra Metropolis is a 5-star hotel and located in the heart of the city. The hotel has stunning views of the Acropolis and the old neighborhood of Plaka. In the mood for a drink? Head to the rooftop bar for a drink and a breathtaking view of the Parthenon.
Athens serves as the capital of Greece and is its largest city. It has a history spanning over 3,400 years, making it one of the oldest cities. Athens is referred to as the cradle of western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Its port, Piraeus, is the largest passenger port in Europe. Did you know Athens was the host city for the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896?
Fun Fact– the first marathon was 24.8 miles, not the 26.2 miles that it is today.
Acropolis
The Acropolis is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Over the centuries, the Acropolis, located high above the city of Athens, has been home to kings, a mythical home to Gods, a citadel, religious center, and tourist attraction. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famous Parthenon.
Parthenon
The Parthenon was built in the 5th century B.C. and dedicated to the Goddess, Athena. It sits upon the top of the Acropolis. The Parthenon was the center of religious life in the once-great city of Athens. It was a symbol of the power, wealth, and culture of Athens. It was the largest and most lavish temple the Greek mainland had ever seen. Today, it is one of the most recognized buildings in the world and a symbol of Ancient Greece.
Panathenaic Stadium
This multipurpose stadium is the only one in the world made out of marble. Initially, it was built as a racecourse in 330 B.C. It was rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus by 144 A.D. It was abandoned in the 4th century but refurbished and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern-day Olympics. The stadium has been used on and off over the years. In 2004 it was the finishing point of the Athens Classic Marathon.
Fun Fact– The Panathenaic Stadium is where the flame is handed over to the host nation of the Olympics.
Plaka
Plaka is an old historical neighborhood of Athens. It is known as the neighborhood of the Gods, given its proximity to the Acropolis and other archeological sites.
Here you can find restaurants, cafes, and shops. It is considered one of Athens’ nicest neighborhoods, its small community, off the beaten path in the middle of a large city. Most streets are closed to traffic so people can enjoy the street musicians and vendors.
Sounion
Sounion is 43 miles southwest of Athens. It is along the western coast of the Attica Peninsula and overlooks the Aegean Sea. It is home to the Temple of Poseidon. The temple was constructed in 444-440 B.C. Originally, it had 36 columns and now has 5. The temple is immortalized in Homer’s Odyssey.
Fun Fact- Legend has it was here that Aegeus King of Athens leaped to his death, giving the name to the Aegean Sea.
Santorini
The next stop on this bucket list trip is Santorini. An island in the Aegean Sea is the site of the largest volcano eruption in recorded history. While in Santorini we will stay at the Majestic Hotel.
Fira is the capital city of Santorini. The landscape and architecture are beautiful. I look forward to exploring this city and spending some time getting to know the culture and people.
Nea Kameni- Volcanic Island
Nea Kameni is an uninhabited volcanic island. It has formed over two millennia through the repeated eruptions. You can climb a gravel pit to reach the top of the 426-foot high volcanic crater. Also, we plan on taking some time to enjoy the hot springs.
Akrotiri Archaelogical Site
Akrotiri was once a major city in the Middle and Late Bronze Age. In 1627 a volcano erupted, and the city was covered in ash. Since 1846 this has been a popular excavation site for archaeologists. While visiting, take some time to explore the ruins and visit the museum that houses many of the artifacts found.
Oia
Lastly, we are sure to visit Oia, a small village in Santorini. It is one of the most famous towns in Santorini. It is known for its blue-domed churches and fantastic sunsets. It has plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Oia has been called one of the most picturesque villages in Greece.
Crete
The next stop is the island of Crete. Crete is the largest island in the country of Greece. It has something for everyone, from white sandy beaches to mountains for hiking. Crete is also home to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement.
In Crete, we plan to stay at the Porto Elounda Golf and Spa Resort.
We will start our visit to Crete with a boat ride over to Spinlonga. It is an island north of Crete. It was once used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957. Today it is uninhabited. Besides a leper colony, it is known for its small pebble beaches. It is currently under consideration to be a world heritage site.
Palace of Knossos
The Palace of Knossos is located just south of modern-day Heraklion near the north coast of Crete. The palace was the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan Civilization and culture. It dates back to 7000 B.C. up into 1380 and 100 B.C.
Fun Fact- The palace was never a residence for royalty, yet had rooms suitable for a king or queen.
In addition to these two spots, we plan to explore the countryside, take in the beautiful beaches, attend a Tsaziki making class and make Komboloi.
Mykonos
Last but not least, Mykonos. As you can see, we have jammed packed this itinerary. I like to end my vacations with a little rest. I plan to do so here, on Mykonos. There will be plenty of beach time, along with relaxation by the pool. We will do a bit of exploring, but the point of this stop is to recharge before heading back to the real world.
Have you been to Greece? What time of year did you go? Comment below and help me decide what time of year we will take this bucket list trip!
Welcome to the 4th edition of My Travel Bucket List Series. For those of that are new to my blog, at the beginning of the year, I published my top 30 destinations I would like to see in my lifetime. You can see the complete list here. Today we are going to experience some good old southern hospitality in the city of Savannah, GA. Of course, being a beach lover, I have added a couple of days on
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and 5th largest in the state. The city is known for its cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and southern charm.
Accommodations
For this trip, we plan on staying at the Cotton Sail Hotel. Once an 1800’s cotton warehouse, the Cotton Sail is located in the historic district of Savannah and minutes away from the riverfront. Amenities include a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and a rooftop bar. This boutique hotel only has 56 rooms, with either a city or a river view. I love the idea of the river view.
Length of Stay
Including our stay on Tybee Island, I plan on 5 full days. Three days will be in the city of Savannah and two days on Tybee Island. I suspect our days will be jammed packed with activities.
Things to Do & See
Tours
There is no shortage of walking tours in the city of Savannah. I have reviewed quite a few, and when the time
In addition to the walking tour, I found two other tours that sound fantastic. First is a carriage ride at night tour. How does a ride in a horse-drawn carriage under the twinklings lights of the city sound? Amazing!
Have you ever taken a ghost tour? We did here in Boston. However, I have never seen anything quite like this. A tour in a hearse?? Sign me up!
Forsythe Park
Forsyth Park is a large city park that occupies 30 acres in the historic district of Savannah. Within the park are walking paths, children’s play areas, recreational areas for soccer, basketball, tennis, and more. An interesting feature of the park is a Fragrant Garden for the blind. The garden consists of plants with scents and textures that appeal to those with limited sight.
River Street
River Street has over 75 shops and restaurants to explore. This area of the city was once cotton warehouses. River Street is where we plan on spending our evenings, looking for some yummy southern food. I think a steamboat ride will be on the itinerary as well.
Wormsloe Historic Site
Here lie the ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones. These ruins are the oldest standing structure in Savannah. Mr. Jones was many things, including command of a company of Marines charged with defending the Georgia coast from the Spanish. The Jones family owned Wormsloe until the state of Georgia acquired it in 1973.
In the park, visitors can interact with costumed guides and view a museum with artifacts found at Wormsloe. There is a nature trail that leads to the tabby ruins over to the Colonial Life Area. This area is similar to a living museum where guides in period dress exhibit the tools and skills of colonial Georgia.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island, between Savannah and Tybee Island. It was during the American Civil War, that the Union Army successfully tested rifled cannons in combat, the success of which rendered brick fortifications obsolete. Sights not to miss are Battery Hambright, John Wesley Memorial, Construction Village, and the cemetery.
Tybee Island
I can’t think of a better way to end a few days of sightseeing than some beach time. Tybee Island is located off the coast of Savannah. It is both a city and a barrier island. We plan on calling Beachside Colony and Resort our home for the remainder of our trip. The only beachside resort on the island.
I would love to know, have you been to Savannah? Is there anything I should add to my list?
Check out the previous editions of my Travel Bucket List series.
On our Rhine River cruise, we toured the city of Heidelberg. Heidelberg is located along the Neckar River in south-west Germany. It is approximately 50 miles south of Frankfurt. It is a college town and home to Heidelberg University, one of Germany’s oldest universities. It dates back to 1386. It is a hub for the arts and attracts many poets, writers, and other artists. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network has as designated it the “City of Literature.”
Fun Fact #1 – US Army General George Patton had a car accident in the nearby city of Mannheim. He later died in Heidelberg, US Army Hospital. He is buried in Luxembourg.
Heidelberg Palace
During the 13th century, the palace was once the residence of the Prince of Electors of Palatinate. Though due to war and natural disasters, it saw much destruction. In the 17th century, the Palatinates were involved in the Thirty Years and the Nine Year Wars. The Prince no longer had any interest in the destroyed palace and moved his residence to Mannheim. The castle continued to fall to ruins from neglect and two lightning strikes.
Taken from Wikipedia, here is a timeline of events at the castle.
Timeline of events for Heidelberg Castle:
- 1225: first documented mention as “Castrum”.
- 1303: mention of two castles.
- 1537: the destruction of the upper castle by a lightning bolt.
- 1610: the creation of the palace garden
- 1622: Tilly conquers city and castle in the Thirty Years War
- 1642: renewal of the Castle plants.
- 1688/1689: destruction by French troops.
- 1693: renewed destruction in the Palatinate succession war.
- 1697: (start) reconstruction.
- 1720: transfer of the residence to Mannheim.
- 1742: (start) reconstruction.
- 1764: destruction by a lightning bolt.
- 1810: Charles de Graimberg dedicates himself to the preservation of the Castle ruins.
- 1860: first Castle lighting.
- 1883: the establishment of the “office of
building of castles of Baden.” - 1890: stocktaking by Julius Koch and Fritz Seitz.
- 1900: (circa) restorations and historical development.
We were fortunate enough to have a guided tour. The guides dress from different historical periods. There are 150 guides and tours are offered in 20 languages. It is quite a process to become a guide. There is a 3-month training program with an exam at the end. Our guide was funny and never broke out of character.
Though you can tour both the interior and exterior of the palace, we only had time for the exterior. Just another reason to go back, right?
The tour was interesting and just long enough that it held our interest. Though we did not tour the inside, we were able to go into one building, the Fassbau (wine cellar), from 1590, which houses the largest wine barrel in the world, Heidelberg Tun, which holds 58,124 gallons of wine.
Fun Fact #2- Mark Twain, who visited the castle and later, on a boat trip, he wrote a chapter to his famous book, Huckleberry Finn.
Old Town Heidelberg
Altstadt is the oldest part of the city and sits right below the palace. The Hauptstraße is the main road through the Altstadt and is where most of the shopping is centered. Other points of interest that can be found in the Altstadt include the Marktplatz, the Kornmarkt, the Church of the Holy Ghost, the Palatinate Museum, Synagogue Square, The University, Marstall, Heuscheuer, the Friedrich Memorial, and the Old Bridge.
Philosopher’s Walk
Philosopher’s Walk is a path located along the banks of the Nect
Heidelberg is beautiful and I would have loved to have seen more. Another place I want to return to someday.
Fun Fact #3 – College is free in Germany and open to anyone, regardless if a citizen or not.
Welcome to my 3rd edition of my Travel Bucket List Series. Today we will explore the Emerald Isle. Ireland has always been of interest to me. My ancestors are from Ireland, I grew up in a predominantly Irish town and my neighbors, growing up were from Ireland. I follow a few travel bloggers that have traveled there, and what they have written about has piqued my interest even more. As I was researching places to go, things to do, and places to see, it occurred to me that this will not be a one and done trip. There are too many places I want to visit. The sites I talk about below will be our first Ireland trip. Once I complete my bucket list series, I will write about trips I would want to repeat and why.
In pulling together my research, it appears March-May and September -November is the best times to visit. The weather is not too hot or cold, and it avoids the summer crowds. However, more likely than not, we will be traveling with at least one of the boys, so summer travel is where we are at. If for some reason, this ends up being a couples trip, my vote is for September. The length of the trip will be approximately ten days, give a take a day.
Dublin
First, on this wee Irish tour
The Merrion is the city’s most luxurious 5-star hotel. It is located in the center of the city, made up of 4 Georgian townhouses. It houses a drawing-room, bars, a full gym, a pool, and two restaurants, one of which is the 2 star Michelin restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud. I do believe this hotel will do just fine.
Dublin Castle
First on our list, Dublin Castle. Built-in the 13th century on a Viking settlement, for centuries, it was the headquarters of the British and English administration in Ireland. In 1922 Ireland gained its independence, and the castle was handed to the Irish.
The castle offers a guided tour. The tour takes you through the Viking excavation, the Royal Chapel and State Apartments.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s is the national cathedral of Ireland. It has been part of Irish history for over 800 years. It was on this site, that St. Patrick baptized people into Christianity.
Irish Emigration Museum
I can’t wait to explore this fully interactive museum to learn about the influence of Irish history as ten million Irish men and women left the mother country in search of a better life. Listen to audio clips, watch videos, take motion sensor quizzes, and more. Some highlights of the museum include emigrant letters, music and dance, and an Irish Family History Center.
I look forward to researching my own family’s roots while we are here.
Guinness Store House
Though I am not a beer lover, my husband is, and how can we come to Dublin and NOT visit the Guinness Store House? The storehouse is seven floors of fun, exploring the history of Ireland’s favorite beer. Offering 3-4 different types of tours, I think the 3-hour brewery tour seems just right. It includes exploring the underground passenger tunnels, limited sampling brews, another beer tasting, and a parting gift. I especially like the history aspect of the tour.
Tipperary & Killarney
The next few days will be exploring Killarney. However, on our way there, we plan to stop in Tipperary, home of the Rock of Cashel. Once just a rock in the middle of the rolling pastures, it grew by interlocking structures. It is one of Ireland’s most magnificent archeological sites. Once the seat of the Kings of Munsters, most of the buildings are from the 12th and 13th centuries after the rock was gifted to the church. I can’t wait to explore the medieval buildings and take in the views. Look at those pastures!
What started as a hunting lodge, is the oldest hotel in Killarney. It has a spa, several restaurants, afternoon tea and is pet friendly. The location is stunning. It sits among 25,000 acres of Killarney National Park and only 2.5 miles to the town center.
Innisfallen Island
Innisfallen Island is part of Killarney National Park. One can easily spend a day or two exploring all the island has to offer. These are the places we plan to see and do while visiting the island.
Muckross House & Gardens – This 19th-century Victorian mansion sits on the shores of Muckross Lake. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds that showcase different colors depending on the season. Several events are held at home throughout the year.
Muckross Traditional Farms- Step back in time and visit Ireland in the 1930s and ’40s. See what life on a farm was like back then. These are my favorite types of historical places to visit. I love to see how different generations lived. Here you can visit three separate farms, a small, medium, and a large farm. All are complete with farm animals, machinery, and farm buildings.
Killarney House & Gardens- Another beautiful estate and garden you can tour on the island.
Muckross Abbey- Muckross Abbey was founded for the Franciscans about 1448 by Daniel McCarthy Mor. The ruins include a church, a square tower, and beautiful windows, and a vaulted cloister with an arcade of arches around a square courtyard. There is also a burial ground where several burials a year happen.
Besides touring these magnificent landmarks, we will tour the streets of these picturesque towns and cities. I for one would love to experience an authentic Irish pub and do a little shopping.
Shannon & Village of Adare
After a few days in Killarney, we head to Shannon, where we plan to stay at the magnificent Dromoland Castle. Staying in a castle has always been a dream of mine. I can live out my fantasy of being a Disney Princess. LOL! I have seen photos of this castle over the years and knew one day we would have to experience it first hand.
Dromoland Castle is a 5-star luxury hotel with a golf course and a Michelin star restaurant. The building was started in the 15th and 16th centuries and was finished being built in 1835. In 1962, a US citizen bought the property and turned it into a hotel. The hotel offers many amenities and activities for guests to enjoy. There is fishing, archery, falconry, horseback riding, tours of the grounds, hiking, tennis, golf, clay shooting, and more. I am looking forward to spending a day or two here merely relaxing.
Adare Village in County Limerick
One of the days while staying in Shannon, we will be taking a day trip to Adare Village.
Adare Desmond Castle– The castle was built with an ancient ring-fort in the early 13th century. It became a strategic fortress. Once the property of the Earls of Kildare until the rebellion in
Limerick Carriage Tours
Tour Adare Manor in the comfort of these carriages.
The carriage is equipped with a luxury table with glass/cup holders and wine coolers to enjoy as you tour the grounds. Photo opportunities are provided along the tour.
Cliffs of Moher
Seven hundred feet above the Atlantic ocean and stretching 5 miles long are the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Form its highest point, O’Briens’s Tower, one can see several places, such as Galway Bay, Blasket Islands, and Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara. The cliffs are a natural gateway to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way (something I plan to explore in a separate blog post).
Cork
To wrap up our Irish journey, we will be stopping in the city of Cork for two reasons. First, my ancestors are from here, and I would love to see where they lived before emigrating to the US. Second, not too far from the city of Cork is the Blarney Castle and the famous Blarney Stone.
As far as accommodations, I decided to go with a family-owned boutique called Hayfield Manor. A 5-star hotel with gorgeous grounds, a spa, and elegant dining.
Per the quote their website, “Blarney Castle, set in acres of parkland filled with rare and unusual trees and plants, offers visitors the chance to stroll in one of the country’s most spectacular gardens. Highlights include:
- The chance to kiss the world-famous Blarney Stone
- Historic Blarney Castle – magical and warlike all at once
- The new ‘Poison Garden’ where toxic plants are kept in cage-like structures
- The Fern Garden &
Ice house , a Victorian version of a modern refrigerator! - Rock Close, a
centre of worship filled with ancient trees and stones - Blarney Lake”
Doesn’t this sound amazing?
The city of Cork is the second-largest city in the country of Ireland. Located on an island in the middle of the Lee River, it a city with a small-town feel. There is no shortage of breweries (if you like craft beer, this is the city for you), dining, shopping, and art galleries with works of famous Irish artists. A short drive from Cork is the seaside town of Cobh. Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic.
As you can see, Ireland has a lot to offer. There are so many other places I want to see and do. As I mentioned above, this is a repeat trip for us—next time, I want to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, over 1500 miles of coastal roads. Visit villages with adorable cafes, hear Gaeltacht being spoken, and see more of the beauty that this country has to offer. Until then, I leave you with this post and hope I have inspired you to travel to the land of leprechauns and four-leaf clovers.
Remember the days when we had to drop the film off to be developed? We would go on vacation, take hundreds of photos, have them developed, and they went into an album. Today, we take thousands of pictures, and they stay on our phones or cameras. Some of us may upload them to a computer, but then what? Do you print them and add them to an album? Do any of them make it to a frame?
I was 6.5 months pregnant when 9/11 happened. We were vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard with friends. Like all Americans, we were stunned and shocked. I wondered how I could bring this child into this crazy world. It also got me thinking about how I would document his life and the lives of other children we may have over the years. This is how my scrapbooking obsession started. Each child has their own baby scrapbook and from there on I started family albums. What started off as 1-2 books a year, is now at 7-8 books! This is due in large part to all the traveling we do.
I can’t think of a better way to preserve our travel memories than to scrapbook them. Each layout tells a story. I can look back on any of the 40+ albums and instantly be brought back in time. For example, when pulling pages out of the albums to photograph, I was reminded that Nicholas hated pizza when he was 3. We had gone to an Italian restaurant, and he ordered the pizza. He disliked it so much; he vowed never to eat it again. Well, 11 years later, pizza is his favorite food.
Another great memory, we stumbled upon a Veteran’s park while in Salt Lake. It was a beautiful memorial. Here we met a widow of one of the veterans with her dog. My boys fell in love with the dog, while my husband and I enjoyed speaking with her.
Typically, I run about eight months behind in my scrapbooking. Currently, I am working on summer of 2019. I don’t stress about it because it allows me to relive each moment or vacation when I am scrapbooking it. When I was scrapbooking Alaska, I had such a sense of calm looking at those photos. I can’t wait to scrapbook my Rhine River cruise and relive those moments.
As you can see, I love to scrapbook and have such a great time being creative. I have also taken to making canvases out of my favorite photos and hanging those around the house. It helps the memories last forever.
What about you? How do you preserve your travel memories?
