"A man who couldn't make things go right could at least go." - W. Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highways
Backcountry Road Trip- Leave the Pavement Behind
You're the sort of person who hears words like, foothills, National Parks, and backcountry and starts getting what feels like a bad case of restless leg syndrome.
Your heaviest ankle boots have slowly made their way to the back of the closet.
You haven't seen your backpack in a while because it's fallen behind the shelf in the garage.
Well, if you're vacationing at Bluegreen Resorts MountainLoft or Laurel Crest this year, dig those items out and get ready to hit trails in the Smoky Mountains. This road trip is one meant for two feet, for those who want to leave pavement far behind and get a taste of a natural retreat.
A word to the wise... this hike is classified as strenuous. Before you dust off those boots and backpack, you may want to get in a few practice hikes beforehand. Stay Safe!
Resources:
Hiking The Smokys
Wikipedia
National Park Service
Photo Credit: NestR on Deviantart Read more...
Road Trip Tales from the Hammock
How many of these road trip tales have you taken in lately?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Ralph Steadman
The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America by Bill Bryson
All the Pretty Horses (The Border Trilogy, Book 1) by Cormac McCarthy
Road Fever by Tim Cahill
Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Loop Group by Larry McMurtry
What would you add to this list? Or to the Hammock?
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For the Love of a Road Trip: Jennifer's Conspicuous Mountain
There's not a lot to wonder about why we crave the open road. Freedom, open space, the sense of expectation that comes from visiting territory new to us, and the familiarity of finding that it holds so much that's similar to where we've just come from.
Fresh faces.
New vacation experiences.
Having no where in particular to be and no appointments to keep lengthens our sense of time and seems to buy us a little more to work with.
The romance and draw of the American Road Trip is distilled down to its essence here in the words of writer/photographer Jennifer O'Keefe:
Perhaps that's why we go on journeys with a hope that some distance from the trappings
of our everyday lives will give us perspective, show us the greater shape of things.
Or perhaps, it's that feeling that you get on journeys, that the world is arranging itself for
you. that there's some choreography to chance.
Whatever the case, it is a grand illusion."
- Jennifer O'Keefe
Photos of Jennifer's two month trip capture the wonder of someone looking at the very ordinary through fresh eyes. Her scenes, bound by a journey, are frozen both in place and time.
Enjoy your virtual road.
Photo credit: Smilelonger on DeviantArt Read more...
Road Trip Across America- Dreaming Up a Mother of a Vacation
While I'm offline, trying hard to do some thinking outside of the box I call my cubicle, I'll leave you a few thoughts on traveling. Those of us who enamoured with the idea of travel have lots of reasons for planning trips. Sometimes it's to simply get away, but more often it's to reframe and reset, and a chance to connect with friends and family without the distractions and demands of the everyday.
That's what I'm dreaming up for you anyway.
Be well. And Enjoy the Ride.
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac
“What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.” – William Least Heat Moon
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.” - Robert Louis Stevenson
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber
And my favorite, the one that catches my idea of the essence of an outstanding road trip experience:
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu
Photo credit: Motionpicture Mind on DeviantArt Read more...
Walking the Edge: Grand Canyon South Rim Trail Hikes
(links open to pdf files containing maps)
Rim Trail, from the Village to Hermit's Rest
Bright Angel Trail - Hikes range in distance up to 12 miles
South Kaibab Trail - Hikes up to 6 miles round trip
Hermit Trail - Tougher conditions than Bright Angel or South Kaibab, but offers springs. Steep
Grandview Trail - Very steep trail requiring caution.
There's an important point to remember when you turn your Grand Canyon road trip into one in a pair of boots, and it's this: Over 250 people are rescued from the canyon each year. Being prepared for the conditions is paramount, and if you haven't done too much hiking, you may be surprised at how easy it is to go a lot farther along a trail than you'd intended. Especially without water or proper footwear. So while this post is meant to direct you to the amazing experience that is a trip to the Canyon, it's by no means a complete guide. Please check out the resources below so that you can best prepare for one of the best vacations you can enjoy.
We want to see you back at Cibola Vista!
Photo Credit: MatthiasDO on DeviantArt
Resources:
Day Hiking in the Canyon from the National Park Service
The Canyon.com
Grand Canyon National Park Hiking Guide
Tools, Tips, and Resources for Grand Canyon Hikers Read more...
San Francisco Peaks: 31 Mile Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Road Trip
This week we're continuing on our Arizona road trip from Bluegreen Resorts Cibola Vista, and are heading from Sedona through to the Grand Canyon. There's plenty to do while in Flagstaff, and if you've made a stop, the road adventurer and nature photographer in you is about ready to continue and find out what's around the next bend.
Let me introduce you to the San Francisco Peaks Scenic Road. You're not going to be disappointed.
Take a peek:
Head north on route 180, to the 31 miles of roadway that comprises some of the most scenic you'll find in this corner of the Colorado Plateau. Though you've left the desert just a few hours ago, you'll now be treated to the sight of snow-capped mountain peaks as you make your way through juniper and pine forests. Three peaks come into view here, Humphrey at 11,940 feet, Agassiz topping out at 12,300, and Fremond at 11,940. These are the mountains the Navajo believe mark the tribe's rightful western boundary, and both the Hopi and Havasupai also consider the mountains sacred, to be looked upon with awe and reverence. It's a point of view not difficult to imagine.
Stops along this road to your Grand Canyon destination can include the Riordan Mansion State Park where you'll find the estate of a couple of lumber barons Michael and Timothy Riordan, or the Lowell Observatory.
Next week: The one and only, Grand Canyon.
Photo Credit: Durand1035 on DeviantArt
Resources:
Wikipedia Page on San Francisco Peaks
Arizona Scenic Road Trip Planner
Riordan Mansion State Historical Park
Read more...
Oak Creek's Amazingly Lush Stretch of Arizona Roadway
Arizona Road Trip Part II - Oak Creek Canyon
At this point in your day trip, you've left Bluegreen Resorts Cibola Vista approximately 2 hours south and made the stop in Sedona. Ready to head out and log more miles, continue North on 89A toward Flagstaff, straight into the Coconino National Forest. Even the name sounds serene. Rand McNally has named this one of the top 5 scenic drives in America, so you'll want to take your time.
The Canyon is 15 or so miles in length and about a mile wide, and its deepest point is about a mile and a half. You'll climb up and down switchbacks on this road, so pay attention and plan on frequent stops so drivers can take it all in safely. Depending upon the time of year you'll catch views of fiery foliage, and even in inclement weather you're in for a treat - cascading waterfalls.
Natural Attractions:
Slide Rock State Park - A natural water slide 7 miles North of Sedona on 89A. Don't bring swimwear. Wear shorts and a pair of tennis shoes to enjoy sliding down the smooth rock of this water chute.
West Fork Trail - This is where you can enjoy the area on foot, taking in the rock formations and striking overhangs. The trail is marked for the first three miles, and the area offers picnic tables sites and toilets.
Next week, we'll continue on 89A to Flagstaff and The Canyon.
Photo credits:
Oak Creek Canyon, OneJumpJohnny, Deviantart
Cibola Vista Bluegreen's ColorfulPlaces
Trip Planning Resources:
Arizona Leisure - Oak Creek Canyon
Dream Sedona - Oak Creek Loop
Trip Advisor Oak Creek Canyon
The American West Travelogue
US Forest Service - Coconino National Forest West Fork Read more...
AZ Road Trip: Red Rocks Aflame in a Museum Without Walls
I'd have to have an entire series to cover everything you ought to see and do around Bluegreen's Cibola Vista Resort and Spa in just outside of Scottsdale, but I'd bet you'd still come up with side roads and hidden places I'd missed.
For that reason, I'm going to start with the obvious, but not to be underrated. This is the stuff road trip movies are made of, the kind of trip that makes you want to drag out your old photography books and journals just to brush up on how to record every aspect of the flaming-rock journey through what's commonly called a museum without walls.
Phoenix to Sedona - 2 hrs
If you've never been to Sedona, you're in for an experience, one that'll either grab your imagination or leave you with the simple but lasting memory of a wonderfully scenic day trip. It's all about rock formations and bursts of plant life, about contrasting an arid and fiery landscape with the cool tones of eyepopping greenery. The combination's not unheard of elsewhere in the US, but the rich iron oxide deposits set the landscape on fire with orange and red hues unmatched outside of the area. There's a whole lot to see there, but I'll save that for the guidebooks. Here, it's about the Journey.
Photo Credit: Bluegreen's Colorfulplaces.comResources:
Arizona Central Phoenix to Sedona
MotorcycleRoads.com Arizona Rides
Google Maps Cibola Vista to Sedona Map
Haunted Hamburger Reviews Read more...
Tasty Road Trips: Virginia's Prize Shenandoah Vineyards
Buckle up, folks, and this time make sure you've appointed a designated driver.
I located a set of directions and map provided by Wine Country Getaways and found it's an easy drive to loop the roads leading to the Sierra Foothills Wineries. They boast some of the top wineries on the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail, but traveling this suggested route can be just the beginning of a great wine region experience.
Some of the vineyards available on this tour:
• TERRE ROUGE and EASTON – Rhone wine specialist + 4 Zinfandels
• Karly – Best kept secret in the Shenendoah Valley
• Amador Cellars – Unique winery and tasting room facility
• Renwood Winery – Zinfandel, and more Zinfandel
• Shenandoah Winery – gift shop and best organic wines
• Deaver Winery – Best picnic spot on a lake with view of vineyards
• Amador Foothill Winery – Best view, great wine values
Like I said, though, be sure to get yourself a driver. 25 wineries is a lot of stops, and many provide full tours so you'll get the complete winemaking experience. You'll want to be sure you've had a full meal, too. J & D's Steak House tops the list of recommended Sutter Creek restaurants, but a full list can be found here.
Virginia's often written about as both an up and coming and serious wine producing region. Just ask VirginiaWine where you'll find a complete listing of wineries by region. After this road trip, and if you're not already, you'll become quite the aficionado by the time you get back from your next Shenandoah vacation.
Salud!, and stay safe in your travels.
Photo credit: Bluegreen's Colorful Places to Live and Play!
resources:
Directions from Shenandoah Crossing
Virginia's Wineries
Wine Country Getaways
Winery Road Map
Virginia Wine's Shenandoah Winery Full Listing
What's a Yurt?! Read more...
Tunnel of Trees: A Road to Make You Crave a Great Ride
Majestic. Splendid. Spectacular. Michigan.
In digging around for out-of-the-way rides to enjoy during a stay at Bluegreen's Mountain Run at Boyne, I found what sounded like the kind of road I've always imagined was out there somewhere just waiting for a driver to discover. From the way the route is described, this isn't an experience you'll want to miss while on your Boyne vacation and it's one you'll return to through several seasons, just to watch the landscape unfold.
Heading north, sixteen or so miles outside your door will get you to the quaint little must-see town of Petoskey, Michigan. Sitting on the Traverse Bay shore, this is a popular tourist spot as the guidebooks go with plenty to see, eat, and enjoy.
The Tunnel is approximately 20 miles long, and depending on your mood can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to navigate. If you've got some time to get away, throttle down for a slow cruise under the winding canopy of trees hugging the shore of Lake Michigan. You'll alternate between views of restful shore and deep woods described as "travel magazine picture-perfect".
Naturally, Summer, Spring are great times to drive, and Autumn is a favorite with leaves falling at high color to blanket your path. If you're an impatient driver, the only weekend you may want to skip is Labor Day when the road fills with groups of bicyclists enjoying the view.
I'm told that besides pausing at landmarks like the Middle Village, Devil’s Elbow and the Old Council Tree, you should be sure to stop at the Good Hart General Store, one of the oldest in the state, and Legs Inn at Cross Village, a beautiful rustic-style restaurant of wood and stone.
Don't just take my word for it. Ami Woods at Examiner.com says,
"Traveling the Lake Michigan coastline is one of the most majestic and awe-inspiring tours permissible by car. "
I'd say it's an experience to be added to your list while on a Boyne Mountain vacation. If you've been there already, leave us some tips!
Photo credit: Buckster
Resources
Touring Michigan's Tunnel of Trees
Trip Advisor Tunnel of Trees Search
Petoskey Area Visitor's Info
All Getaways Harbor Springs to Cross Village
Motorcycleroads.com Tunnel of Trees Page Read more...
Shuttle Launch Vacations: Your Final Countdown has Begun
Time's fast running out if you want to see a live Shuttle Launch from Kennedy Space Center. It's a sight you will not forget, and one you'll never be able to fully describe to the friends you left back home. To give you an idea of the visual impact, it's been called "one of the most stunning and dramatic events on earth."
We'd taken my husband's company Harley for a ride south from Daytona Beach towards Cape Canaveral, then realized a launch had been scheduled for that night. As it turned out, we rode up in time to catch one of the most spectacular sites I've ever seen, and all without a camera in hand.
To tell you there's a lot of traffic to negotiate is not an understatement by any stretch of the imagination, but it's easy to make an experience out of the entire trip. To make the trip part of your beach vacation, start off with a stay at Casa Del Mar, a Oceanside Bluegreen Resort in Ormond Beach. It's your best bet for catching a launch right from your room, or directly on the beach outside your door.
Photo credits: Bluegreen Colorfulplaces
NASA Launch Schedule
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
NASA on Twitter
KSC Visitor Center on Twitter
What Your Orlando Vacation Deserves: A Surprising Little Escape Route
Orlando is the last place I'd think of for a vacation road trip, but after days of trekking through theme parks, I'm usually ready for a side trip to clear my mind.
I usually reserve a couple of days from my theme park agenda to head 25 miles northwest to Mt. Dora for Florida's oldest and largest bicycle festival, and this year will mark the 36th held so far. Dates for the 2010 event are October 7 - 10, and so now's a great time for me to start planning.
The bicycle festival features two days of supported rides, 11 in total, ranging from 25 to 100 miles. A third day of riding lets me do my own thing and take to the road in my own good time. There's a lot to see in this historic town, the Antique Capital of Florida. I like visiting the thriving arts community, browsing rows of quaint shops and unique restaurants, historic homes, cultural events, as well as taking in some of Florida's best views. At 184 feet above sea level, Mt. Dora is about as close to a mountaintop view as you'll get in Florida.
A walking or even a Segway Tour can easily be added to a Orlando vacation side trip, and if you decide this is the kind of getaway for you, you can thank me for the break from the hustle of Disney and Universal later.
After a nice ride through the town and a relaxing dip in the pool at The Fountains, I'm recharged and ready to wrestle the Orlando attractions.
Photo credit: Bluegreen ColorfulPlaces
Resources:
What To Do In Mt. Dora
Mt. Dora Chamber of Commerce
Guided Segway Tours
Mt. Dora Bicycle Ride - Astatula Hills
Bicycle Rentals - Mount Dora Cycles
Read more...
Half Way to The End of the Road: Mile Marker 50
If you’ve been eyeing the Florida Keys for your next road trip vacation and can’t decide where to stay, you might as well sit yourself smack dab in the middle of all the fun at mile marker 50, Marathon Key.
By bicycle:
If you decide to take advantage of the on-site rentals, you’ll be ready to pedal the two miles south alongside the Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key, a 5-acre island sometimes described as a “ghost town” There you’ll see historical buildings and grounds preserved from the heyday of the Flagler railroad. The trip takes you over a portion of the old bridge, preserved for bicyclists and those who enjoy a walk by the ocean. It’s a great evening trip if you’d like a bicycle ride with a view of the sunset.
By car, motorcycle or RV:
If your ride is powered, enjoy the full Seven Miles south and head down as far as the road will take you, to Key West. In 60 minutes, you’ll be ready for Duvall Street’s shopping, dining, and entertainment. Give the day a great sendoff at Mallory Dock, where street performers, and musicians perform nightly as the sun sinks low on the horizon over the Gulf of Mexico.
I’ve named just two of the destinations you can ride to from Marathon, both South of the resort, but be sure to make time to visit Big Pine Key's Bahia Honda State Park where you'll find some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. Conde Naste has even named it best beach in the Continental U.S.! Activities within this park are nearly endless, with bicycling, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming boating, and camping topping the list. I can't think of too many things better for your mental health than a campfire view of a beachside sunset. There's a lot more. Heading about 14 miles North is John Pennekamp State Park where you'll want to get in some snorkeling or reef peeping in glass bottom boats. Reservations are recommended.
The Florida Keys are some of the best locations to plan your vacation whether it’s by two or four wheels, but adds endless opportunity with the freedom of seemingly endless waterways. Any of the destinations I’ve named here are available to you by water from the resort’s well-equipped docks. This trip is by far one of my favorites, but that's because I'm a water lover.
Peak vacation times in the Keys are between January and June, so plan, and plan early!
Been to the Keys? What’s your favorite spot and what would you most like to experience?
Photo Credit: Bluegreen Resorts Colorful Places
Resources:
PigeonKey.net
Florida Parks page on Bahia Honda
Bahia Honda F.A.Q page
Discovering Florida Keys
Jerry's Charter Services - Boat Rentals at The Hammocks
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Read more...
In and Around Daytona: 36 Miles of Beach Ride Nirvana
If you've ever had a wild itch to take on two wheels and cruise in the area best-known for Bike Week, you've got a few decisions to make. One of your first should be whether to trailer your bike or rent one by the day or week. Be aware- if you're planning to vacation during the Biker events, rental prices are at a premium, running in the neighborhood of $200 - $250 or more per day. For those who like action and being in the Thick of Things, book well ahead. Two years ahead.
But if quieter rides are more your style, the Daytona area offers great bike weather just about all year round, and motorcycles aren't the only option for enjoying some of the area's amazing scenic byways.
or approach it from different points on the map. There are plenty of spots for fishing, boating, and picnicing, and you can use the walking trails or beaches to stretch your legs before the next segment of the trip.
Variety is the key to this relaxing road trip experience. Just writing this has made me miss the two years I spent riding A1A along the Palm Coast with short afternoon jaunts into Tomoka Park.
Safe Riding.
Have you traveled this loop? What's your take on the ride?
Resources:
The Ormond Loop Official Website
Daytonabeach.com
Ormond Loop Insider Tips
Bluegreen Resorts Daytona Seabreeze
Daytona Rentals (Bikes, bicycles, and scooters)
Photo credits: Bluegreen Resorts, Ormond Loop Official Website Read more...
Outside Vegas, A Road Leads to Extremes...
Latitude 36 North is where you'll find Bluegreen Resorts Club 36, a brand new resort just far enough from the strip to give you a retreat from the constant activity and let you enjoy a nice respite from the City That Never Sleeps. But if you've wondered what goes on outside of Vegas and you're feeling the need for a little side trip to recharge before for your next jaunt to LAX, you can rest your eyes and mind on the zen experience that is Death Valley.
Meditate on this:
- In just a three-hour drive away from the strip, you reach Furnace Creek. Now, that's a name you've got to respect.
- If you're into keeping track of Extremes, this is the lowest, hottest, and driest location in North America. It's been described as having a brutal beauty.
- 3 million acres of wilderness include sand dunes, mountains topped with snow, and canyons. Oh, and a castle.
- The park's Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level. Bet you guessed that's the lowest spot next to The Dead Sea. (Seeing a naming pattern here?)
Closer to the Road
What's your best idea for a day trip? If you've got experiences to share, just drop a comment.