Travel Tips & Adventures

A visit to 80-year-old Boyce Thompson Arboretum will inspire and delight nature enthusiasts.

If you are in the vicinity of Phoenix, it is well worth the drive. Located 55 miles east of Phoenix, just after mile marker 223 on US 60 before reaching Superior, Boyce Thompson Arboretum demonstrates the labor of love that Colonel Boyce Thompson began in the 1920s. He considered it a place to “instill in humanity an appreciation of plants.”

Breathtaking view at Boyce Thompson

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Frank Lloyd Wright is an iconic figure in the world of architecture. His buildings, which blend into the landscape, use geometric shapes to create eye-pleasing designs.

Taliesin West with the pool

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By Guest Author Jim Crowe

While my wife and I were on an Australian and New Zealand cruise, I celebrated my birthday on January 31. A lifetime dream for both of us, celebrating my birthday during the trip was “the frosting on the cake.”
After rising early and enjoying an early room service breakfast on our private balcony, we took a tender boat ashore and boarded a tour bus for the “Historic Hokianga Experience.” Read the rest of this entry »

Part 6

Scotland: Fall 2009

Well, I’m back.
The emergency kilt fitting went reasonably well, although the bagpipe lesson was more problematic.

For some reason there were lots of neighborhood dogs howling … or was that the neighbors screaming at me to stop strangling that cat?

BACK TO THE PLAN …

Last time we were coming back from the island of Arran. We plan to arrive back at Glasgow Central train station at around 9:27 P.M. Hopefully, we’ll have enough time to pick up a car for an early morning departure but that might not be possible due to the really odd hours of rental car desks at the train station. Read the rest of this entry »

After several fun days exploring Williamsburg, you naturally will want to buy souvenirs, gifts or memorabilia. Basically, stuff, but Williamsburg stuff is definitely special.

Williamsburg has gift choices for every taste and budget. I purchased a Colonial era finely designed silver pin that I still cherish straight from the silversmith’s shop.

There are open air opportunities where you can purchase plants, and refreshments, hats and, well, almost anything that you can imagine appropriate to Colonial Williamsburg right in the restored area.

For an eclectic collection of Colonial Williamsburg purchases from $2 to as much as you can imagine, head to Merchants Square, adjacent to the restored area of Williamsburg.

The Wigmaker Shop in Colonial Williamsburg, Courtesy of the CWF

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March down the street in Williamsburg, Virginia following the Fife and Drum group – dressed in British Colonial red – and you’ll feel the excitement of visiting Williamsburg.  

Fife and drum performs on the green in front of the Governor's Palace Photo provided by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

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When traveling to Williamsburg, part of the experience is where you rest your head at night…

Hotel choices in Williamsburg, VA

If you are not trying to get your last 1,000 points of affinity miles for that next airline flight, you might consider trying one of the five properties actually owned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and run by the Colonial Williamsburg Company. With a combination of premium, deluxe and even a value hotel, you certainly have choices.

Few historical sites actually own their own hotels, let alone five, plus historical home/tavern reconstructions. And although you won’t find anywhere a sign above the door proclaiming, “George Washington slept here,” some are still historically significant. Read the rest of this entry »

(This week, we continue our review of  Williamsburg, Virginia…)

Brunswick Stew at Chowning’s Tavern 

When my family visited Williamsburg while I was a child, we ate at Chowning’s Tavern  and I vividly remember eating Brunswick stew. I don’t know why they call it Brunswick stew, but I recall the savory chicken stew and couldn’t wait to try it again when I returned as an adult. A melding of many flavors and rich colors, it was still terrific! (Recipe follows.)

Chowning's Tavern - Photo provided by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Williamsburg has several restaurants with different menus and styles of cuisine. All of the restaurants have servers in Colonial-style period costumes who “fit the part.”

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Williamsburg, Virginia home

Simply walking down the street in Williamsburg, VA takes you back – ‘way back to the 18th century and the American Colonial era.  One of my favorite travel destinations, Colonial Williamsburg gives visitors a passport to a previous way of life. Read the rest of this entry »

Due to an emergency kilt fitting and bagpipe lesson – - –  Wolfstone will be back next week with more of the Scotland 2009 itinerary …