Our Recreational Travels

Bok Tower Gardens

2011-04-22T22:16:00.001-04:00

Because of my interest in anything related to works of Frederick Law Olmsted, we decided to explore Bok Tower Gardens. Olmsted spent a good portion of his career working with Bok creating a pleasing sanctuary for the preservation of some of Florida's remaining sand plains ecosystem.

The Bell Tower

Sandhill Crane

The sun dial

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Canaveral National Seashore

2011-04-21T20:19:00.001-04:00

This National Park was really a spinoff of the space program. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was formed of the land not needed for the space launch program and joins with the "north unit" National Park to comprise the National Lakeshore.

Today we toured the whole thing by auto and foot and saw wildlife in only a few locations. Even with recent rains the area is in drought and wildlife is concentrated around the few water sources.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Universal Studios Citywalk

2011-04-18T23:14:00.001-04:00

What a crowd! And this is shoulder season.

NASCAR restaurant (for George).

Another view

The dinner venue. This is the largest HRC in the chain.

All around the walls are memorial displays to famous musicians - many of the more modern ones have played here. The group Chicago plays tomorrow night.

Dinner was awsum, as usual for HRC.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Airboating on Lake Kissimmee

2011-04-18T14:53:00.000-04:00

Today we decided to do an airboat ride on Lake Kissimmee through the edge marshes.

"Cruising thru the cypress looking for gators.

One of the active osprey nests on the lake. We could see the babies.

No, Dottie... you CAN'T take it home!

Tonight it'll be dinner at Hardrock Cafe.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Chillin at the Fountains

2011-04-16T21:29:00.001-04:00

The Fountains

Campfire circle. They think of everything.

Boat rental and fishing pier.

A composited panorama of the pool area. Air temperature 83 and water temperature of low 70s.

Corona Cigar Company - the largest integrated sales floor and lounge in the country. The entire store is kept at 67-70% humidity by cooling and active foggers.

Dinner tonight at Landry's.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Andersonville

2011-04-15T20:18:00.001-04:00

This morning we visited Civil War Fort Sumter, known commonly as the Andersonville War Prison. At the end of the war, the fort enclosure was over 21 acres of Northern Armies prisoners who had been reduced pretty much to skin and bones and riddled with lice, dysentery, scurvy, and smallpox. They were dying at over 300 a day.

Living conditions were abdominal.

The original stockade encompassed most of this open field.

The attached cemetery is still used for dead soldiers who have spent some time as POWs.

This National Historic Park is charged by Congress to interpret and preserve the whole POW story (all wars and actions.)

- Posted from my iPhone 4

On The Road - Day Two

2011-04-14T17:16:00.001-04:00

This morning we toured around Cumberland Gap National Park (yes I got my Parks Passport stamped.)

Inside the visitor center is decorated typical southern hills decor. The upstairs is totally devoted to a sales and display area for local artisan craft objects.

We finished with a trip up to the scenic overlook (Pinnacle Overlook.)

Tomorrow we will be touring Andersonville Civil War Prison (a National Park property.)

- Posted from my iPhone 4

On The Road - Day One

2011-04-13T18:49:00.000-04:00

We made it to Corbin, KY (home of Kentucky Fried Chicken) We ate dinner at the Sanders Cafe - the original. It's a National Historic site now.

Dottie was hoping to get the recipe for the original spices, but he was mute!

Ross and Dottie

- Posted from iPhone 4

First trip of 2011

2011-03-16T17:19:00.000-04:00

It's right around the corner -- our first major trip of the year. What's on the agenda for this trip? Coming in April, we plan to visit Cumberland Gap NHP and Andersonville NHS on our way to Orlando. While in Florida we plan on catching the Shuttle launch on the 19th, Canaveral National Seashore, Bock Gardens, Hard Rock Cafe (of course!) and perhaps a nice restaurant or two (or 6). While in Orlando, we will stay at the Fountains (a Bluegreen property) near Universal Studio. Keep checking this blog starting about April 18 for parts of the story.

On The Way Home

2010-10-11T21:37:00.000-04:00

Well, all good things must, at some point, come to an end. We are now around Little Rock, AR on the way home. We've had a blast, nearly maxed out our cards, and saw some great scenery at some great locations and had too much good southern cooking. Dottie even has a ranking system for the barbecue. Now back to reality...

Ross and Dottie

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Luckenbach Texas

2010-10-10T23:22:00.001-04:00

Luckenbach is a small "town" or very large beer garden (take your pick!) We parked in a large gravel lot and were able to freely explore the complex. We were told later that it is common to have to pay a stiff entrance fee (when big name entertainers are there.) Today there was a wedding scheduled - oh yeah, and lots of drinking. Now we can honestly say: "Been there - done that."

Ross and Dottie

- Posted from my iPhone 4

LBL National Historic Park

2010-10-10T23:12:00.001-04:00

Today we toured Lyndon B Johnson's birthplace, his boyhood home, and his ranch - the Texas White House.

Interesting and informative. The Johnson City area is nicer in spring with all the wildflowers, but the weather today was perfect - blue sky and 80s.

Ross and Dottie

Posted from my iPhone 4

Amistad and South Texas

2010-10-08T20:44:00.000-04:00

Amistad is an international impoundment on the Rio Grande River just upstream from Del Rio Texas. The park has picturesque scenery along with stark desert landscapes.

The water is unseasonable high after a 13" rainfal in July.

The view looking downstream to the mouth of the Pecos River and the Rio Grande.

The Judge Roy Bean visitor center is operated by the Texas Department of Transportation as a Travel Information Center. It is actually off the highway (US 90) at Langtry and includes the actual original buildings used during the last part of the 19th Century.

The Saloon was called Jersey Lilly named after the old time movie actress Lilly Langtry.

Along the wildflower and desert plant interpretive trail at the center.

The Ocotillo is all leafed out from the mid-summer rains.

Tomorrow we are off to the Caverns of Sonora and then on to the Hill Country. Sorry for the missing images in the previous posts. Not sure what happened to them. It's Google's fault.

San Antonio Missions NHP

2010-10-07T22:06:00.001-04:00

Today we spent the day touring the missions of San Antonio. Lots of history to be learned and myths to be debunked - John Wayne never fought at the Alamo! :)

Tomorrow we head further west to stay at Del Rio. We plan to see the Judge Roy Bean center and the surrounding cactus country.

Ross and Dottie

- Posted from my iPhone 4

San Antonio

2010-10-06T18:07:00.001-04:00

First stop in S.A. was Market Square, El Mercado, which originated as an open-air farmers market for Mexican farmers. Now it's just a little bit of Juarez or some other border town.

Big business in home architectural hardware, especially bathroom and kitchen.

Tonight is dinner along the River Walk. More later...

Posted from my iPhone 4

East Texas

2010-10-05T22:06:00.001-04:00

Marshall Pottery in Marshall Texas was once a major supplier of red clay pots. When Ross first stopped here back in the 1990s, pallets of pots filled half the parking lot. Today much of the stuff on display was from China or Italy. We got a few signed pieces (made here at Marshall) and a 14" red pot shaped like a wok.

The drive was long and Genie didn't help much - got us lost. But we did stop at Big Thicket Preserve and got to Sabine Pass on the Gulf before settling in at Best Western in Beaumont.

Tomorrow on to San Antonio and the Missions. More then...

Ross and Dottie

Posted from my iPhone 4

Hot Springs Explore

2010-10-04T20:16:00.001-04:00

Our day started at the top with a ride to the top of the observation tower in the National Park. We could see 360 degrees of mountains and gorgeous scenery.

After our introduction to the scenery around Hot Springs, we went down to bath house row - the Park visitor center - and came to the conclusion a long soak in the mineral water was in store for these wanderers!

Ross stayed at this hotel (the Arlington) when he was working. It hasn't changed.

Dottie is taking a picture at the site of the original hot springs that "started it all" - 134 degree water.

Lunch was at an Italian bistro where they made pizza before our eyes. We chose paninis, though.

What a grand idea! Did you know you can do something besides text from your cell phone ;)

The details on the various bath houses were fascinating.

Tomorrow we leave, very early, for the next leg of the trip: Big Thicket Preserve and Beaumont, Texas. Seafood, here we come (well, barbecue for Dottie, I imagine.)

Ross and Dottie
More tomorrow

Posted from my iPhone 4

Hot Springs Arkansas

2010-10-03T22:34:00.001-04:00

We arrived in Arkansas early this afternoon. The weather was noticeably warmer. Lots of plants and flowers we can't identify.

Went to Ron Coleman's quartz crystal mine north of Hot Springs this afternoon. We were the only customers in the store and got to see the museum where the "special stuff" is kept. Prices are significantly higher than when Ross was here a few years ago.

We had barbecue at Stubby's in Hot Springs for dinner. It's supposed to be the best there is (it was quite tasty.)

Tomorrow we plan a whole day sight-seeing around Hot Springs and maybe even a mineral water soak!

Ross and Dottie

Posted from my iPhone 4

On the way to Texas

2010-10-02T20:07:00.001-04:00

This trip (a mostly driving one) will be to Hot Springs Arkansas and various destinations in the Hill Country and east Texas. We are planning on the next couple days in Hot Springs and surrounding hills then on to Texas. Tonight we are in Mt Vernon Illinois (no connection with George Washington) where the temps today were warmer than Cadillac, but windy.

We're seeking warmer weather than it has been at home and the Weather Channel promises us 80s. Follow us daily for the next two weeks to see where we've been. There will be crystal mines, hot mineral baths, board walks through swamps, the River Walk and the Mission Trail, caverns, Tex-Mex food, seafood by the Gulf and digging for diamonds. Sound like fun?

See you tomorrow.

Ross and Dottie

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Time to Leave the Island

2010-08-22T19:31:00.000-04:00

All good things must come to and end. The day turned out sunny and warm and we all got tired of ice cream and fudge. I leave you with these images:

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Fort Michilimackinac

2010-08-22T12:18:00.000-04:00

The 18th Century Fort Mackinac dates from mid 1700s and it has been reconstructed to how it looked in 1895. Photo taken from corner of Huron St and Fort St.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Somewhere in Time

2010-08-22T10:45:00.000-04:00

Mackinaw Island, Michigan

More later....

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Dreary Day

2010-08-21T12:51:00.000-04:00

While it's over-cast and dreary, it's still nice to be somewhere other than Cadillac!

Apples are ripening.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

View From The Patio

2010-08-21T11:03:00.000-04:00

It poured rain and lightning'd last night - a real duzy of a storm. Today the skies are cloudy, the air is very calm, the humidity is up and it's in the 70s. Perfect for sitting on the patio with a cup of hot coffee and enjoying the view. George and Heather get here later tonight.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

It's off to Boyne Mountain tomorrow

2010-08-19T20:45:00.000-04:00

We check in to our Condo at Mountain Run at Boyne tomorrow afternoon. George and Heather will drive up Saturday evening after work and we all go to Mackinaw Island for the day Sunday. This adventure will feature life at Mountain Run. Stay tuned for more.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Bluegreen Parkside Resort Williamsburg

2010-07-22T17:52:00.020-04:00

Parkside Resort is one of Bluegreen's newest resorts. Ownership was finalized in June 2009 but went "on line" for rentals just 6 weeks ago. It is an affiliate resort with Bluegreen owning about 50% of the time slots and RCI points the other 50%. When we visited the resort today, all 31 units were full (but we got to tour one of the units because the occupants checked out early.) Let me say at the outset that the staff are the friendliest we have seen yet. They were doing everything they could to make us happy, even though we were walk-ins (we are registered at Patrick Henry Square.) Parkside is adjacent to Williamsburg Country Club. Parkside has an agreement with the CC for use of the golf course if you are staying at Parkside.

This will soon be the new check-in desk

The development right now includes the rental building (31 units) and the clubhouse (which is so new it isn't finished and still smells of fresh paint.) The main floor of the clubhouse is the check-in and the second floor the "clubhouse" with projection screen TV/movie system and a bunch of dining tables - not much else yet. Plans are underway to add exercise equipment, games, etc.

The main feature right now is the outdoor pool "system" of interconnecting waterways, pools, hot tub, etc. We were invited to try it out, but declined (due to time.)

View of pool area from clubhouse

Clubhouse second floor "great room"

View over to Busch Gardens from the clubhouse deck. Guests can sit out on the deck and watch the nightly fireworks over at Busch Gardens.

This is the 31 unit guest building. All units are accessed from the balcony system (there are stairs as well as an elevator) which faces Busch Gardens and the parking lot. Unit balconies face the other direction (north) overlooking the golf course. We were fortunate to have a guided private tour of one of the units (that had been vacated early) and photos below show the unit we visited. This is a two bedroom unit (half of the 4 bedroom complex) which had been cleaned, but was waiting for inspection, so some of the furniture/cushions aren't in the final position.

Kitchen and dining area

View across dining area to "living room"

Master bedroom

Second bedroom

All units' balconies overlook the Williamsburg Country Club, which is in the process of rebuilding. The greens appear complete and the fairways are being rejuvenated. The balconies are on the north side of the building, are deeply inset (have walls between units for privacy) and nicely shaded.

The balconies (landings) on the south side (parking lot side) face Busch Gardens and are large enough to watch the evening fireworks.

As I said at the beginning, this resort is new. It is not fully owned by Bluegreen, however Bluegreen is the operator. As new weeks ownership occurs in the future, it will become a full Bluegreen resort (at least that's the plan.) Bluegreen owns land along the east edge of the Country Club and lakeshore on Willamsburg CC Lake (a rather large impoundment.) In 2011, construction will begin on 5 new single family home style units on the lakeshore. We were told that recently one of the Bluegreen Mtc workers caught a 5 pound bass from the lake! He was bank fishing. Bluegreen plans to do a lot of lake cleanup (both the lake and the lakeshore.) Following completion of the 5 buildings, construction will begin on a new multi-unit building like the existing one.

If you are planning to spend time at Busch Gardens, Water World or the Atlantic shore, this is a best bet.

Yorktown

2010-07-21T22:30:00.001-04:00

Yorktown can arguably be called the birthplace of our independence since the battle that led to Lord Cornwallis' surrender paved the way for American independence. The battle at Yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolution.

When the British looked out from their defensive line they saw the Allies colonists had set up a new siege line (October 17, 1781) over the previous night.

Park Service interpreter tells the detailed story.

Colonist reenactment.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Jamestowne

2010-07-20T19:34:00.009-04:00

Today, it was to be Jamestowne and Yorktown, but that would be biting off more than we could do. So we spent most of the day exploring Jamestown Settlement - a rich recreation of an English fort, a Native American village, and the ships used to sail to the new world. We then explored the National Historic Park site at Historic Jamestowne. This is the suspected site of the actual fort and settler's buildings as well as the early capital of the Virginia Colony. We had a long discussion with one of the Archeologists charged with uncovering the old site. It has proven very difficult since part of the site was destroyed during construction of Confederate civil war battlements.

One of the small ships that frequented early Jamestowne Colony.

Scenes from within the reconstruction fort. This reconstruction simulates life around the time period of early Jamestowne.

This is the suspected location of the actual first fort, based on extensive archeological investigations. The process is long and arduous and fraught with dead ends. First the Confederate soldiers stripped the site to provide fill for battlements. This destroyed the integrity of any artifacts. Then there was an old church built nearby and many bodies are buried here. Are they settlers, or later period bodies? Through this long process, enough information will emerge to perhaps be able to reconstruct much of the actual first settlement. Not all - for river erosion has removed a lot of the site, but certainly parts of it.

More Patrick Henry Square

2010-07-19T17:01:00.006-04:00

As I promised, here are some views I've never seen before of Patrick Henry Square. As I mentioned before, the new facility where owners stay, is also a Bluegreen preview center.

This is the view shown in the binder images because it is the main access to the new facility. The rooms with the nicest views (as well as the quietest rooms) are on this side of the building.

In this image you can see the over-all view with the entrance to the preview center (on the right). This whole complex is across the parking lot from the older Patrick Henry Inn, where Bluegreen houses visitors who are coming for a preview visit as well as off-the-street guests (like a motel.) I suppose anyone could stay in the older section if you really wanted, but why?

One does not really want to stay on the back side of the Patrick Henry Square. The view from backside rooms is of the parking lot and this fence. On the other side of the fence is a set of train tracks where long trains hauling coal go through every so often.

The tracks are less than 100 feet behind the fence and the train is loud - like a helicopter landing in the parking lot. So when reserving units, ask for the street side, which is very quiet.

Today it was Yankee Candle Company

2010-07-19T14:06:00.008-04:00

The Yankee Candle Company in Williamsburg is one of 2 "flagship stores". As such, it is like a small village inside, with each department presented as if it were a separate store around a village green. We have been planning for over a year to visit this store, so the shopping list was long! Even so, we found more stuff to purchase than we had planned. With the Bluegreen cash card from the owner update, and with a second card from a previous excursion, we reduced the bill quite a bit. Following are some of the images from this excursion -

And then just to remind everyone that we are on the short side of the half-way mark on our way to Christmas....

We're Pooped!

2010-07-18T19:10:00.010-04:00

Not a great image, but this shows the whole palace promenade. Today we walked from the visitor center to the north end of the palace grounds, around the gardens and through the palace. That's an amazing testimony to opulence and waste.

Above are some of the Governor's guns and cutlery collections. No such thing as gun control back then!

The volunteers use real food products to cook various items which are left on display for days. Just imagine - no refrigeration for raw materials or finished products. My guess is there was lots of sick folks over the years.

The palace gardens are awsum. There are beautiful walkways, English formal flower and herb gardens, boxwood hedges and topiary, water features, etc.

After touring the Palace, we took the shuttle back to the van and we did lunch and rested up. In the afternoon we went back to the Market Square area and walked some more. All in all, the many miles walking, and the intense heat (over 100 degrees F. on the thermometer today!) really did us in. Tomorrow we're looking for a less intense day.

Views around Patrick Henry Inn

2010-07-18T09:11:00.006-04:00

The Patrick Henry Square Resort is actually two adjacent properties. The Check-in, pool, breakfast dining area, etc. are all in the older Patrick Henry Inn. Owners stay in the newer Patrick Henry Square across the parking lot. The preview center for prospective owners is located in the newer building as well. Following are some images I made this morning around the Inn building.

The pool is on the back parking lot side of the older building. It's small, but similar to pools at many other Bluegreen properties.

There is an advertised "play area" for the children. Here it is

The barbeque areas are very small and are actually tucked into a couple "bump outs" of the back parking lot. They appear as if they were after thoughts and the grills are not well maintained - at least I wouldn't use them. This is one of the designated smoking areas.

In the next entry, I'll do a walk around for the Owner building - Patrick Henry Square.

Williamsburg

2010-07-17T21:34:00.000-04:00

The Williamsburg visitor's center is the starting point for exploring the old city. This is where you get your passes (we purchased annual passes as we plan to spend several days exploring.

After a day exploring, driving around, shopping, etc. We went for dinner at Seasons in Market Square.

Horseradish pork and crab cakes.

Posted from my iPhone 4

Duke of Gloucester Street

2010-07-16T18:20:00.000-04:00

This is a neat twentieth century add-on development just west of the old town.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Bluegreen Patrick Henry Square - Day 1

2010-07-16T17:36:00.004-04:00

This is a top quality resort. The actual check-in is done at the older building which is a hold-over from motel days. The new structure, which all owners stay in (and pictured here), is quite nice. The room is quite small (we have a two bedroom/studio type unit) with very little room in drawers for clothes. We took all the spare bedding out of the drawers and piled it on one of the sofas to make room. The kitchen facilities are the smallest of any of the BG properties we have used.

They do their best to cater to the guests, and have lots of information, etc. to share. There seems to be planned daily activities, especially for the kids.

We're here!

2010-07-16T17:27:00.003-04:00

We're here - that's what the sign says, anyway. The week is off to a grand start - no cell service (notta, zilch, "no service") for anyone except Verizon. Now that's some sort of conspiracy, I'm sure. Coverage maps show great coverage for Sprint and AT&T, but obviously they are lying. So much for mobile blogging (at least from Williamsburg).

Did I say HOT!? I really feel sorry for those readers in climates that can only produce 80s or maybe 90s. Try over 100! Rained here this evening, so it may be cooler later. Now off to find the best restaurants...

Cumberland Maryland

2010-07-15T20:05:00.000-04:00

Made it to Maryland for the night. Note to self: GPS didn't get the note about the bridge being out. Now, I appreciate the effort to find us a better route around the freeway construction, however the alternate route had an unlisted detour. There went the time savings. Tomorrow, with Genie's (GPS) help, we'll be in the historic triangle (Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamstown). More tomorrow.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Well, we're off again...

2010-07-12T21:49:00.000-04:00

to Williamsburg, VA. You may remember that we tried last year, but that wasn't to happen. Thursday we head out for Patrick Henry Square just east of the old part of town. Watch for our posts and photos as the days progress.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

To the Top

2010-05-29T14:19:00.001-04:00

Took the chair lift to the top of the mountain for the view and a soft drink. The lift decided to stop on it's own on the way down!

- Posted from my iPhone

Memorial Day Weekend at Boyne

2010-05-29T10:53:00.000-04:00

Boyne Mountain resort is in Northern Lower Michigan a mere hour and a half north of home. Mountain Run at Boyne is located here.

Giant hot tub and small pool behind Clock Tower. Great view, great weather.

- Posted from my iPhone

Test Mobile Blog

2010-01-06T17:17:00.001-05:00

This is a test to set up my mobile blog.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Change of Plans

2009-07-09T08:47:00.001-04:00

With too many things happening all at once right now, I went ahead and canceled our reservation in Williamsburg. So no blog there - bummer. Maybe next time, but I am beginning to think we aren't destined to have a vacation this year.

Colonial Williamsburg #1

2009-07-06T22:59:00.002-04:00

From July 17th through July 24th, we are planning on visiting the Colonial Williamsburg historic area. Our plans include (so far) Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Richmond and smaller sites in the area. Ross has a National Parks Passport book and plans to collect cache stamps at every site. We will also be posting pictures as a part of our trip blog. Hope to see you here starting next week.

Above is the Patrick Henry Square, a Bluegreen property we will be staying at within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg.