June 2007

Coming up this week: New Denver segment

We recently visited Denver, Colorado. The weather in Denver in June is nearly perfect with highs in the low 70s and lows in the high 50s. The clean air and gorgeous views of the nearby mountains are almost intoxicating.

We also made a short 60 mile trip from Denver for a return trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. The main road through the park had just opened up a couple of weeks before. Later, we took in a Denver Rockies baseball game at Coors stadium and saw Ken Griffey Jr (Reds) hit a home run.

Your day has to be better than this new yacht owners'...

I receive many interesting emails, including this one about a brand new custom built 65' yacht, with staterooms, a GPS navigation system, twin supercharged diesel engine, all to the tune of $2.5 million.

The birds are singing. Everyone is watching as the beauty is hoisted delicately into the waters...

Little did anyone know that the crane had a faulty turnbuckle.
Ooops!

Let's zoom in and see the person on board taking the ride of their life.

Anyone interested in a slightly used yacht??

LCD monitor giveaway

Here's the scoop, John Chow dot Com, a blog that helps you make money is giving away a 24″ wide screen LCD monitor.
That's right. To enter, you just have to write about it. This is my entry. The contest is sponsored by BlueFur, who wants to let you know that they’re hosting Canada and the rest of the world. It will look great in our home entertainment room...

Scenes along Highway 79

We headed to Mississippi to see our parents this past weekend and my neice's new baby.
Along the way, I took a few photos of some interesting scenes along Hwy 79 in Texas that had me all nostalgic...

A line of Model Ts, going to a rally somewhere.

A long forgotten service station in Thorndale, Tx. with a shiny old Chevy.

Next door, an old Western Auto building slowly winds down.

The pastures were all lush green from all the recent rains.
Could see several old barns still standing, but bending to the ravages of time.
Several old Texas towns are just barely ekking by as life seems to have passed them by years ago.
Some are hanging on, and making a slow comeback, like a remodeled Model T.
Stopped in the tiny town of Gause and bought a drink at the family owned Coats Grocery, which still includes a meat market and many items. There are several buildings still standing. The potential for these areas is there. Some people are moving to them to escape the big city, find real estate bargains. Others simply look for an improved quality of life that values the past and seeks to preserve it for future generations to see what life was like at a slower pace.

Travel book currently reading

I have been reading the book, A Sense of Place by author Michael Shapiro, where he interviews leading travel writers about their craft. Quite interesting.
One telling quote in the book is by Tim Cahill, founder of Outside Magazine -
"An adventure is never an adventure when it's happening. An adventure is only an adventure when you've had time to sit back and think about it."
Writers, and travel writers especially, seem to be ponderers, who reflect on their life, their world. They are a well rounded sort, who have been around the block, and are always itching to see what's around the next block down the corner.

New - expanded cruise lines and destinations now available

We have recently partnered with a major provider of cruises so that we now offer all major lines (including Disney and Windjammer!) to all areas of the world.
Read more details and search here. ---> Cruise Destinations

New Feature Accommodation - Hotel ICON in downtown Houston

One experiences a special warmth, elegant charm, and sense of place when staying at the Hotel ICON in downtown Houston. As we made our way through the entrance, we could sense just how special the hotel is of recapturing a bygone era.
A massive bank vault sits behind the front desk to remind you of what the building used to be.
Read more of our visit and video now online.

Upcoming Features in June: Omni Hotel at CNN Center | Atlanta Aquarium | Medieval Times Restaurant | Biltmore Coming in July: Chicago

We will be taking to the road this month as one of our writers, Tommy Ford, is making a special trip with family through Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia during the next few weeks. He will be highlighting several unique accommodations and attractions along the way expecially suited for the whole family.

His first stop will be the Medieval Times Restaurant at their just opened location in Lawrenceville, Georgia (which was our hometime for several years). If you have never been, it is a true experience, with lively jousting on horses within an arena as you enjoy your meal.

After a night at the Omni at CNN Center, they will visit the new Atlanta Aquarium, then head north towards Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg. On the way back, they will visit the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC, which is a main attraction included with the NEW Go Blue Ridge Card (now available via Southpoint, which includes free shipping).

A great bargain, this card includes admission to over 25 mountain area attractions, including white water rafting (view our Nantahala River rafting trip notes and photo back 8 years ago during our cross-country trek). Also included is entry to the Biltmore, Chimney Rock Park, Lake Lure Tours, Asheville Historic Trolley Tour, Emerald Village, Ghost Town in the Sky, Oconaluftee Indian Village, Grandfather Mountain, and much more.