Travel is Like A New Car

Posted on March 22, 2014March 22, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Have you ever bought a new car and then once you start driving it around you see the same car everywhere? You’d swear that you’d only seen 1 baby blue Prius in all the time you’ve been driving until you bought one. Now no matter where you look you spot another baby blue Prius.

Well I’ve noticed a similar phenomenon with vacation planning. I remember the first time I went to Sedona, Arizona. That trip was a “leftover”. I needed to use my time share points or lose them and time was running out. Everything I tried to get was booked. Then I looked for vacancies and Sedona not only popped up but it was on sale. It cost me half the points it normally would so I was able to squeeze in Sedona and Florida for the price of one.

About a week after I booked Sedona my Intervale International Magazine came with featured locations. Right there on the cover was Sedona! Red Rock Country! And it was the feature story inside.

A couple of weeks later I was reading another magazine and the travel section in that one also featured Sedona.

When we planned our Alaska vacation the same thing happened. I ran across articles about Alaska everywhere even when I wasn’t looking for something.

Now I just booked my vacation to Tennessee and along comes my magazine Travel 50 & Over. I love this magazine. The cover didn’t give it away but inside I was reading the article about 50 Fantastic Hikes and there it was, Trillium Gap Trail, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, 3 miles.! Yes! I had read about this trail in my research. There’s a waterfall on it and the trail goes right behind the falls. It is one of the trails I want to try if my hip is feeling up to it.

So it’s starting again. I wonder how many more times Tennessee is going to come to my attention before I leave for vacation!? I love these surprise tidbits of encouragement.

Picking a Destination

Posted on March 21, 2014March 21, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Anyone who has been following this blog for any time knows that my travel goal is to visit all 50 states and not just as a layover on the way to someplace else. No I want to spend quality time in each state.

I was watching a travel channel program today and it hit my why I have such a problem with that goal. I mean , really, I set it. Why should it be such a difficult thing to work toward? The reason, because each state has so much to share. You just aren’t finished with a state with one vacation. Each state needs time to get to know it. Like a person… you don’t get to know someone by sharing a drink at a cocktail party.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been to Florida. I don’t always spend the time at Disney either. That’s a nice visit but not a priority for me.

But as I watched them talk about the Coral Castle in Homestead, FL I realized that I’m not done with Florida yet.

I haven’t ben to the Coral Castle, or the Miami Zoo.

I want to return to the Everglades and explore it in a lot more depth.

I haven’t spent any time in the northern part of the state or Panhandle and only touched on the sights in St. Augustine.

I’ve been to Hawaii twice but really want to get back there again. I haven’t been to Maui or taken the “Fast Ferry” between islands. I need to snorkel off Molokai and see Kilauea pour lava into the sea at night.

I can’t forget Alaska. My first visit was on a cruise ship . A nice trip but too tame for my taste. I want to set up a “base camp” maybe in Anchorage and explore out from there. I want to visit Fairbanks and see- no not just see-the northern lights, but photograph them.

One of the best trips I’ve done was with my sister to South Dakota but we didn’t get to see a pow wow or visit Sturgis or many other old west towns and there’s the whole eastern side of the state.

It’s hard to turn away from unfinished business. Every state I’ve visited needs a return visit to finish the exploration started on that first visit but if I always do that I’ll never get to the rest of the states. What a huge amazing country we live in!

Mayor Stubbs

Posted on October 18, 2013October 18, 2013 by Dusty Roads

A sad moment indeed. It sounds like Mayor Stubbs is going to retire.

Hi Guys

I am still recovering slowly but he has been able to make my way out to the front of the shop and although not quiet my old self I am feeling a bit better today. I am still very stiff and hold close to LORI as i’m still a little jumpy around other animals and loud noises.
As you have read i don’t think i will return to public life in the same manor as before. I had a great run and a very exciting life as Mayor but its time for Talkeetna to find a new mayor. I only hope i have served them with as much love and respect as you all have shown for me.

I love you all —- meeow!

Stubbs Mayor Cat

Posted on October 18, 2013October 18, 2013 by Dusty Roads

This is the latest on Mayor Stubbs. It’s from the Wall Street Journal.

Stubbs Mayor Cat

Wall Street journal article…. Latest video of our stubbs

http://on.wsj.com/1epDxCJ

A Mayor Stubbs Update

Posted on October 5, 2013October 5, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Stubbs Mayor Cat

I am sorry to report that we have experienced a number of setbacks and Mayor Stubbs has not recovered as quickly as we had hoped. Poor Stubbs must remain still for most of the day to aide his recovery and is still experiencing pain. I’m afraid the extent of his injuries coupled with his advanced years are draining on him. We all pray for his recovery.