Trips I’ve Taken That Made A Lasting Impression
I’ve always enjoyed traveling, and have visited many places over the years. Some trips last just a few hours, while others are over the course of weeks, or even months! I enjoy domestic trips, foreign tours, river cruises, and festivals. It may be just a trip to visit friends, or a tour of a nation. Wherever it is, or wherever it takes me, I just want to travel!
My passion for traveling came from my parents, and their parents before them. My grandparents traveled to Alaska and Africa, and everywhere in between. My parents have visited just about every state in America; stayed in many of the resort areas of Mexico and Canada; cruised on both ocean liners and river boats; and have toured many of the countries in Europe. I guess one could say that travel is in our blood.
While I have taken literally hundreds of trips and visited a number of countries, there are just a few that stand out in memory. These are the ones I wish to share.
My passion for traveling came from my parents, and their parents before them. My grandparents traveled to Alaska and Africa, and everywhere in between. My parents have visited just about every state in America; stayed in many of the resort areas of Mexico and Canada; cruised on both ocean liners and river boats; and have toured many of the countries in Europe. I guess one could say that travel is in our blood.
While I have taken literally hundreds of trips and visited a number of countries, there are just a few that stand out in memory. These are the ones I wish to share.
Best U.S. Trips
Sequoia National Park & Hoover Dam
I’ve visited most of the western and southern United States, and I enjoy many things about each. However, two such trips stand out in my memory:
I’ve visited most of the western and southern United States, and I enjoy many things about each. However, two such trips stand out in my memory:
- Sequoia National Park
This park is located in California, just west of Fresno., and in the southern end of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I visited Sequoia National park with my family when I was a child. I still remember how huge the trees were, and how we drove through the center of one.
- Hoover Dam
I’ve been to Las Vegas many times, but it wasn’t until 2006 that I finally took the time to visit Hoover Dam. What an amazing structure! Seeing how they re-routed the river to build the dam, and learning the history behind it, was awe-inspiring. I hope to visit the Hoover Dam when it’s not tourist season, so I can spend more time exploring.
Best European Tours
Castles & Death Camps of Europe
When I was 12, my family was invited to visit friends at Kaiserslaturn Air Force Base in Germany. We stayed with them for 6 weeks that summer, and toured Europe in a Volkswagon bus. It was a bit cramped, with 4 adults and 6 kids, but we had a wonderful time!
While we saw a lot along the way – including the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa, and the statue of David, two specific, but unrelated, places stand out:
When I was 12, my family was invited to visit friends at Kaiserslaturn Air Force Base in Germany. We stayed with them for 6 weeks that summer, and toured Europe in a Volkswagon bus. It was a bit cramped, with 4 adults and 6 kids, but we had a wonderful time!
While we saw a lot along the way – including the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa, and the statue of David, two specific, but unrelated, places stand out:
- Neuschwanstein Castle. Located in Bavaria, this huge castle was the home of Ludwig II. Unfortunately, the castle was never completed before his death, but it is still a sight to behold! Talk about living in style!
- Dachau Concentration Camp. Although I was quite young when visiting Dachau, the horrific conditions of the camp still haunts me today. We were able to view the barracks where the prisoners were housed, and the ovens where their bodies were burned. A film played continually showing the hardships these people endured.Although it has been 40 years since I visited Dachau, the images I saw that day were imprinted in my brain, and I can still see them. Dachau is a reminder of the terrible things that people can do to each other; things which should never be repeated.
Learn More About These Places!
It will take awhile for you to visit these places, since they are scattered about the globe. So, get out your reading glasses & learn about them in the comfort in your home. Pick the ones you want to visit, make your vacation reservations, and you can be on your way!
Sequoia National Forest Visitors Guide To Recreational Opportunities - Day Hiking, Skiing,Snowmobiling , Fishing, Hunting
A great guide to the Sequoia National Forest put out by the USDA Forest Service. It provides everything you need to see and do during your visit.
A great guide to the Sequoia National Forest put out by the USDA Forest Service. It provides everything you need to see and do during your visit.
Life and Death at Hoover Dam
There is a great story behind the Hoover Dam, and this book shares the details. An amazing structural feat, the Hoover Dam was built by over 2,000 people! You’ll have to visit the Dam to believe it!
There is a great story behind the Hoover Dam, and this book shares the details. An amazing structural feat, the Hoover Dam was built by over 2,000 people! You’ll have to visit the Dam to believe it!
Neuschwanstein (Opus 33)
A large, hardcover book with architectural drawings in addition to photographs. A must-have if you’re interested in King Ludwig’s fairytale castle!
A large, hardcover book with architectural drawings in addition to photographs. A must-have if you’re interested in King Ludwig’s fairytale castle!
Cruises
Mississippi River Steamboats
There are ships that cruise the oceans, and smaller boats that cruise the rivers. Give me a steamboat, and I’ll show you an enjoyable journey!
Steamboats move slowly down the river, giving you time to enjoy the scenery. While you don’t go as far as you do on an ocean cruise, you do get to spend more time in the ports. I got to visit the plantation at Oak Alley, tour the USS Kidd, and shop the stores in small towns along the way. While you might “win” on a big cruise ship playing the slots, a steamboat cruise – in my opinion – is a winner every time. I can’t wait to go back!
I wrote an article that might interest you about steamboat cruises. Read it here: Best Reasons to take a steamboat cruise
There are ships that cruise the oceans, and smaller boats that cruise the rivers. Give me a steamboat, and I’ll show you an enjoyable journey!
Steamboats move slowly down the river, giving you time to enjoy the scenery. While you don’t go as far as you do on an ocean cruise, you do get to spend more time in the ports. I got to visit the plantation at Oak Alley, tour the USS Kidd, and shop the stores in small towns along the way. While you might “win” on a big cruise ship playing the slots, a steamboat cruise – in my opinion – is a winner every time. I can’t wait to go back!
I wrote an article that might interest you about steamboat cruises. Read it here: Best Reasons to take a steamboat cruise
Festivals
Noodling & Fantasy Fest
- Okie Noodlin’ Festival – This festival is held in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma, which is a small town that doesn’t see a lot of action most of the year. I’ve been to Paul’s Valley many times to visit friends, and to eat at Bob’s Pig Shop. Which, by the way, has some really good barbecue!The Noodlin’ Festival revolves around folks going to local rivers & lakes, and catch huge catfish barehanded! While I enjoy fishing, I prefer a rod & reel to bring in my fish! However, it’s fun to see all the fish that are entered into the tournament. Plus, I’m a people-watcher, and there are certainly some interesting people to watch here!
- Fantasy Fest – Held in Key West, Florida, this is like Mardi Gras would be if it was held in the summer! There are all shapes and sizes of people wandering the streets, dressed up in crazy costumes. Parades and tea dances, ship tours, and lots of fun going on all over town. I’ve only experienced Fantasy Fest once, but wouldn’t mind trying it again. What a party!
Wild Weather
Most people don’t want to travel if there is a risk of hurricane. I always believed that being in the middle of a hurricane would be scary, but exciting at the same time. I finally rode one out. In 2004, a group of friends & I were staying at Hedonism III resort in Jamaica. We were attending the 4th Annual Jamaica Rock ‘n’ Blues Jam, which was a music festival of sorts. Hurricane Ivan decided to hit Jamaica while we were there, and it was an amazing, although somewhat scary, experience!
I was quite impressed by the way the resort staff handled storm preparations and guests, thus ensuring our safety. After Ivan passed by, we hired a cab and drove all over the island to see the devastation first hand. While we were saddened by the damage, we were also inspired by the spirit of the Jamaican people. Many had flooded homes – or worse – but they rebuilt and went on.
I was quite impressed by the way the resort staff handled storm preparations and guests, thus ensuring our safety. After Ivan passed by, we hired a cab and drove all over the island to see the devastation first hand. While we were saddened by the damage, we were also inspired by the spirit of the Jamaican people. Many had flooded homes – or worse – but they rebuilt and went on.