Adventures for Anyone

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Taking Time out to Celebrate My Favorite Time of Year...Foliage Season!

My favorite time of year is here! I love fall. I love leaves at their best. I love taking drives to look at foliage. I love anything pumpkin except beer. I am one of those people who enjoy the last bastions of civilized weather before the winter comes crashing down, reducing my adventures to what I can find on TV and the internet. So, I have taken this opportunity to bring around some great options for leaf peeping.

New England, where I live, is famous for its foliage. People come here from all over the world to look at our leaves, drink our cider, and find out just how many food and drinks you can make from pumpkin. One of my favorite spots in the world is southern Vermont. During Columbus Day Weekend, you can't move there. Everywhere you look are guided tour buses full of tourists looking at the leaves. It's a popular sport in the fall in Vermont. Leaf peeping is one of the most popular sports in New England, second only to football.

If there's one thing I've learned in all my travels, it's that people overlook some great spots because they aren't famous as the best spot. Therefore, I'd like to mention some other fabulous spots to look at foliage across the lower 48.

Right here, in Connecticut are some of the prettiest views around. By the way, that's why I live here. We love the foliage in CT. We have all of our fairs in the fall, countless festivals, and special events; just to celebrate foliage season. We love everything fall. All of New England is beautiful during this season. It's starts out earlier in northern Maine, then it trickles down the coast. We pick up shortly after in northern New Hampshire and the White Mountains, and northern Vermont along the Canadian border. After that, we hit Massachusetts, then Rhode Island and Connecticut. New England in fall is gorgeous.

The surprise spot in New England is Cape Cod. The cape is long famous for its summers and its beach life. Provincetown is famous for its laid back attitude and diversity. But, in the fall, there are still tons of trees and the coastline comes alive with color. Along those shores you will find a special kind of sun that makes the skies a blue that you see no other time of year. It is a very special time to see Cape Cod.

Yosemite and Yellowstone. They are two of the most famous national parks on Earth. Yellowstone is the first one ever created. Once again, you hear about these parks for many reasons, but in the fall they come alive with fiery colors to go along with their dramatic sites. It may be a bit cold in these places, but you can't possibly imagine what all the yellows, reds and oranges do to a place like Yellowstone or Yosemite. And, don't forget most of northern California. The redwoods, the Sequoias, Big Sur. There are tons of foliage spots in the state and the Pacific Coast Highway as well.

The Pacific Northwest. It's covered so heavily in woods that people still argue the existence of Bigfoot. Oregon and Washington are home to the Cascade Mountains and some of the most magnificent waterfalls in the contiguous United States. There are tons of great foliage experiences in the area and so much to see and do. The bonus here is the raiinforest effect, and the fact that your elevation has everything to do with the weather and outdoor temperature.

The American Southwest isn't known for its foliage as a rule, but there are places where it comes alive in the fall. Around Taos, New Mexico are some of the best foliage drives. The forest in the area comes alive with color in the fall and the southern location makes the weather more temperate. Other places that you wouldn't normally think of the foliage are places like Indiana and Illinois and Ohio. These states are largely farmland and not much for woods. However, if you travel to the southern parts of these states along the Ohio River, you will see some amazing foliage and be truly amazed.

Michigan, home of most of the great lakes, motor vehicles, and about to become NFL quarterbacks is home of some of the best foliage anywhere. All along Lake Michigan are wooded areas combined with some of the largest sand dunes you'll ever see. You can stop in Hell and enjoy the foliage and some of the best events of the October season. Frankenmuth is home of german lifestyle and black forest style foliage. You can enjoy Oktoberfest, Christmas shopping and foliage all in the same place. And then, there's Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is one of the best places in the world to look at foliage. It's a can't and shouldn't miss. Michigan's Upper Peninsula connects directly to the heavily wooded state of Wisconsin. Whether you're a Green Bay Packer's fan or just a fan of woods and beautiful scenery; Wisconsin is a must see.

The Great Smoky Mountains are famous for their foliage. Everywhere from Cumberland to Chattanooga is amazing for leaf peeping. There are festivals, tours and maps for great drives all over the place. But, don't forget about southern Appalachia. The Carolinas, and Virginia, along with parts of Georgia and Alabama have amazing foliage. In West Virginia, they have the bridge festival in New River Gorge in the middle of October too. Beautiful foliage and people jumping off a bridge. Beat that.

Another extraordinary place that is overlooked in foliage season is the Ozarks. Based in Missouri, these mountains are beautiful in the fall. There are a lot of places that are beautiful in the fall. Remember, no matter where you are, there are places to go and look at the leaves. Just because you may live in farmland, doesn't mean that there isn't somewhere nearby to go and see the splendor of fall.

One of my favorite areas for foliage are Pennsylvania and New York State. Pennsylvania, despite its eastern location is wild and wooded across most of its area. There are so many great parks such as Bushkill and Rickett's Glen. The leaves are bright and beautiful in the fall. Northern New Jersey is amazing, as is most of the massive state of New York. The fire of fall is appreciated in these areas with festivals, fairs, cruises on the Hudson River, hot air balloons, and so much more. Everywhere you look there are farms, corn mazes, pumpkin picking and so much more to celebrate fall. So, if you're looking for somewhere to look at the leave besides the Kankamangus Highway, check out all the states. There are some great places to go leaf peeping that you've probably never heard of. Check out Brown County, Indiana; Taos, New Mexico; Metropolis, Illinois; the Wisconsin Dells; Mackinaw Island, Michigan; Asheville, North Carolina; Cherokee, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; Roseburg, Oregon; Telluride, Colorado; and so much more. The leaves are waiting, and winter is coming. Get out to see some leaves before they fall and enjoy!

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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Back to the Bucket List of Miss Jenn With a Look at Petra, Jordan!

Petra, Jordan is one of the most misunderstood and enigmatic places in the world. It is also one of the most famous locations in the world, and one of the most famous abandoned cities in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World. It's a location that's been used in every adventure movie from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen.

So, with the inherent dangers of traveling the Middle East, why is it that Jordan and its mysterious city of Petra continue to enthrall us? History has the answer to that.

Petra is located in an isolated valley in the desert of Jordan. It's called the Valley of the Crescent Moon by most Indiana Jones fans. The only way to enter the valley is through the Siq; that long crack in the stone. There are no conventional roads in Petra; only the stone paths from centuries past. The entry alone is dramatic enough to burn itself into your memory for the rest of your life. As you enter the city, you see the Treasury first. It is one of the more dramatic buildings in the city. It is also not a treasury. It is a tomb for a Nabatean leader.

Nabateans, are the people who inhabited the city at its height. Petra sat right on a massive trade route, and the people of the city either helped or robbed the traveling traders. Whichever the case required at the time. There are many temples and tombs carved in the stone at Petra, and was at one point called the city of the dead because of it. There were once thousands of people living in the city which covers around 100 square miles in this secluded valley in Jordan.

Petra was inhabited and ruled by different peoples over the years. They were once part of the Egyptian Empire and once part of the Roman Empire. If you climb up 850 steps, you will reach what used to be a Christian Monastery high atop the edge of the gorge valley. The view alone is worth the hike.

Most of the people lived in the more subtle carved out buildings you will see. The tombs were the ornate buildings, but everything, including the stadium, was carved into the cliffs. It was a thriving city with great wealth and busy common areas. And then, one day, it was as though they disappeared.

In 363 There was an earthquake that rattled the area to its core. After that, the trade routes were already shifting, and the people just began to move on and die out. The city then became a place for the elusive Bedouins to camp at and claim as their own, until a Swiss explorer, Johann Burckhardt, rediscovered it in 1812. He put the place on the world map, and now it is Jordan's single most lucrative tourist location.

Now, we all know that Petra is an amazing place to visit, but how is that done? Jordan sits in the Middle East, just north of Israel. It is the home of one of the largest enclaves of Palestinians in the world. The refugees from Palestine are one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. Jordan is still ruled by a king, King Abdullah II. He does rule in tandem with an elected house in Parliament, but he still has the last word. Women are still treated as secondary citizens in most cases. They still cover their heads and faces quite often and rarely go out without a man. There are different castes in Jordan as well. Islam is the primary religion, even though there are Christians around. The language is Arabic, but everyone learns English in school. It is a unique country in the middle of a hotbed of conflict.

Strangely, one of the largest sources of tour companies that travel to Petra is Israel. The location is also associated with parts of the Bible and that makes Israel interested in travel in that area. It's wise to visit Petra with a tour so that you understand exactly what it is you're looking at. My advice is to always book a tour to a place like Petra with a local company. They live there. They know the country, the people and the history.

Bedouins, Bedouins, Bedouins. These are the people who inhabited the city when it was an abandoned secret, and they are the people who spend the most time there right now. I have heard visitors describe the phenomenon as shopping at a bazaar full of people dressed up like a Middle Eastern Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean. The men in particular wear eye shadow as a form of skin protection from the desert sun. Most of the Bedouin folk wear long sleeved clothes year round and head coverings. All are for protection from the ruthless desert sun.

Petra is the largest tourist attraction in Jordan, therefore, it will strike you as very touristy. There are tons of things to buy, eat, and drink. Everyone will try to sell you something. On the flip side of that, it is a great place to shop. Everything that you might want to buy in Jordan will probably be on sale in that one single location. Take advantage of it, but remember to haggle. Vendors will count on that.

Transportation is another thing that comes up at Petra. Not everyone wants to hike all day just to see the city. You can't take a car into the valley. It isn't possible. That being said, you can take a cart, donkey, or camel. You may arrive at the siq by bus or car, but the old ways take over from there. You can even take a donkey up to the monastery at the top of the 850 stairs. This makes it much easier for people of all ages and capabilities to see the city. Just remember, it will cost. The locals aren't going to give any services away for free.

Where to stay if you make the wise choice to not try to see the whole city in one day? Well, there are accommodations near by. Some of the local hotels in the Wadi Rum area are very exotic and will give you unique memories to last a lifetime. But, if you want the whole experience of Petra, you should make arrangements to stay in a Bedouin Camp. The Bedouin locals will show you how they stay in the desert overnight and give you that truly unique experience that you just can't get most other places.

If you stay in a camp, you will also have the opportunity to see the lantern show at the Treasury. This is an event that happens most nights, weather permitting, and is just beautiful. It's a great experience to attend the show, stay in the Bedouin Camp and have breakfast with the locals right in the valley. Then, you spend day two seeing what you missed of the enormous ancient city on day one.

Petra is a two tier trip. First, you will want to talk to a company about booking an arranged agenda to Jordan. It is in the Middle East. You will want to book with a company that knows how to get you to and from Jordan safely. Most people either fly with an airline out of Dubai or go by cruise ship. All things to consider before you go. When booking a trip to Petra itself, you should talk to a local Jordanian tour company who knows the country, the area, and the people. Do not take your first trip to Jordan without arranging guides, tours, and organized travel; probably as a group. It is not a place that you want to learn by winging it on your own.

That being said, Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East. It is one of the most stable and has its own military for protection. It is a wealthy country, so the amenities are great. The people there are friendly, and want you to have a good time. Tourism is a huge source of income to the people of Jordan. So, make sure you book your arrangements in advance and have them planned well. Make sure you plan to travel to Petra through a local company. Make sure you are prepared for the sun in the desert. Make sure you take full advantage of everything that Petra has to offer, such as overnight stays, and enjoy!

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Thursday, September 16, 2021

To the West! Of Scotland!

I'm back to the bucket list that my friends made with Merle's choice, Scotland. I also have Jenn's list that includes the Lochs of Scotland. Well, Scotland is a big topic, so I've been breaking it down into parts, and some of the Lochs are in this part.

We're talking about the Western Highlands of Scotland today. This is not about Glasgow. That will come later. This is not about the islands. That will come later. This is about the area that is quite sparsely populated west of Glasgow to the coast and a little bit north as well. It's the home of some very interesting areas, and a lot of outdoor activity.

So, here you go girls!

Let's start with a landmark. Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in Great Britain. It is a famous and popular hiking spot with amazing highland scenery along the way. The summit has a great view on a good day, which brings me to the practical side of visiting this area.

Scotland and the whole United Kingdom are an ecosystem. We run into the same problem with the Pacific Northwest in the US. The United Kingdom sits on the west coast of Europe and is in fact, a series of islands in the Atlantic. This makes an ecosystem of wetness. A lot of people will tell you that the sun never shines, it never really gets warm, it doesn't snow except in the higher locations most of the time. Sound familiar? It's the same basic thoughts that you hear in Seattle, Washington.

So, when you travel in this area, it's wise to have a backup plan for the outdoor activities. The problem in the Western Highlands is that most of the area is wide open wilderness. Therefore, this area is not for the city folks. This area is more adaptable to Braveheart for a long period of time.

That being said, there are always towns. There aren't a lot of cities in the area. Most towns like Fort William, Tyndrum, and Glencoe are small. They will have a small place to stay and some pubs and stuff, but they are not cities. You will have to adapt.

Now, if you like that, you will love this area. There's a 96 KM hiking trail called the West Highland Way. For hikers, this is an amazing trip through mountains, lochs, tiny towns and back roads. There are even a few castles out this way. Bring your camera. There's a lot to take photos of.

The wildlife is gorgeous, and you can book a tour just to go out on a highland safari and see the animals.

Another spot in this area is Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. All around the Loch is a protected area with beautiful wildlife, scenic vistas and views, the West Highland Way goes right through it and there are a couple of castles in the area. Everything is gorgeous and worth a drive, hike or bike.

Doune Castle and Eilean Donan Castle are two of the better known castles in this region, but there are some other ruins around to see as well. There are a lot of castles in Scotland, and this area is one of the more sparsely populated with castles, so if that's what you're there for, this may not be your area.

I won't lie, if you've never been to this area, your best bet is a tour. There are some very abandoned feeling areas, it's very rugged, and it can all look alike. So, that being said, if you want to take a tour of the west coast, a cruise is a great way to go. Like it's northern neighbor, Norway, Scotland has a dramatic western coast and a ton of islands, which I will discuss later. A boat or ship isn't a bad way to go. However, don't go calling the regular cruise lines. Call a Scottish or British company to get the best times to travel, the best way and the best bang for your buck. They know the land. This isn't for Celebrity or Disney to handle.

While in the area, enjoy the culture. These folks are known for it. You can drop by the Ben Nevis Distillery and try the whiskey. Don't forget, Scots are known for their whiskey. When in Rome, I always say.

The other thing besides golf and highland games, like caber toss, is Shinty. Shinty is a time honored sport in Scotland, dating back long before its cousins that its compared to like Field Hockey. The sport is similar, but far more contact and a blast to watch.

Then, there is the one positively universal reason to visit the Western Highlands. Harry Potter. That's right, fans, this area is full of movie sets and movies sites. Even the train travels along the route to Hogwarts. There are many ways to take on the challenge of looking at all the movie spots. You can do it yourself with a car and a map. You can take a tour that will help you find all the spots. That's always my best advice, because frankly, they didn't film most of that movie in big cities. They put Hagrid way out in the middle of nowhere by Glencoe.

As I said, for an area that appears to be full of nothing but space, the Western Highlands of Scotland have a lot to offer. It has rugged beauty, small villages, wild animals, castles, lochs, some hard liquor, and magic. It's a great place to get away from it all and have an amazing time. That about wraps it up for this section of Scotland. Just make sure you check travel rules for Covid-19 before you go and enjoy!

https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/fort-william/see-do/

https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/unique-experiences-map/boarding-a-famous-steam-train/

https://shinty.com/

https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/iconic-scotland/ben-nevis/

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/ben-nevis-distillery-p421401

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/accommodation/search-results?prodtypes=acco&loc=Glencoe&locplace=7621&locprox=1&areaproxdist=10&stay=&endDate=&r1a=2&r1children=0&r1infants=0&r1c=0&avail=off

https://www.vrbo.com/search/keywords:glencoe-ballachulish-scotland-united-kingdom/arrival:2021-10-06/departure:2021-10-15/filter:76?petIncluded=false

https://www.kilcamblodge.co.uk/blog/around-scotland/wild-scotland-10-magnificent-animals-to-spot-in-the-highlands

https://www.wildwest.scot/

https://www.westhighlandway.org/accommodation/

https://scotland.nordicvisitor.com/travel-deals/highland-tours/?rf=m61226-04&utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=accommodations%20western%20highlands%20scotland&utm_content=scotland+highlands+accommodation+04&utm_campaign=SC+m61226+scotland+highlands&msclkid=48ec4e4eeece1bfbe0462f0d71266869

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