How about an Amtrak Vacation

Posted on October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by Dusty Roads

My fall vacation finally got here. After a crazy spring, summer and even fall at work I was more than ready for some R & R.

This vacation was something a little different. It was billed as an Amtrak Rail Vacation but I have to admit we did a lot of flying too. So before I break things down into specific adventures let me give you an overview.

The trip name is Riverwalk to the French Quarter (Don’t worry, we’re not walking)

As you may have guessed by the title, this is San Antonio to New Orleans.

Our trip began in San Antonio Texas where day one was basically our first travel day arriving around 5:30 in San Antonio via Delta Airlines.

Day 2 was a Grand Tour of the city starting with the Alamo. It was a full day.

Day 3 was also in San Antonio but it was a free day where we could explore at our leisure.

It Rained!

Included in the package for San Antonio was 1 dinner voucher. (Hard Rock Cafe)

Day 4 was the train trip arriving in New Orleans around 10 pm. (They sure like their pharmacies in New Orleans)

Day 5 was in New Orleans starting with a 1/2 day tour of the city. The afternoon was ours to explore on our own.

Day 6 was also a free day but dinner was at the Court of the Two Sisters with a voucher.

Day 7 was our travel day back to New York this time with Southwest Airlines.

We arrived in Albany, NY at about 5:30 pm. I spent the night at my sister’s and drove back to Massachusetts in the morning. I really wasn’t ready for the vacation to end but my fuzzy little fur-babies were glad I was home.

So now that you have the general idea of what this vacation entailed I’ll get down to specifics in the next posts coming up soon.

I keep going back to Florida

Posted on April 26, 2015April 26, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Boy it’s been busy at work! I’m not really complaining because this is when I make the $$$ that pays for all my little jaunts but I think we’re setting new records this spring! Anyway, that’s why I haven’t had time to post much.

As anyone who has followed along for any time knows, I want to go to every state for a vacation. Even some of the more “boring ” states have lots to share if you are just willing to do a little research. As I’ve said many times, one of the best vacations was to South Dakota but when I told people that was where I was going they always asked “What’s in South Dakota”?

Now Florida is home to the snow birds, Mickey Mouse and the world’s longest stop lights. (That’s so all of us senior citizens with slow reflexes have time to react) Yet I keep going back. If I took all my visits to the Sunshine state and used them toward my goal of visits to every state, I’d be almost done! I go to Florida at least once a year, sometimes more and it never gets old.

I love the animals, mostly birds. They are colorful and abundant and there’s lots of things to do besides Disney and Universal. I lean toward places like Gatorland and eco-safaris, botanical gardens and airboat rides.

I’ve spent most of my time in the Orlando area but I’ve made jaunts to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Key West, St. Pete and St Augustine so I’ve pretty much covered the state and I’m still not bored. There’s still more to see.

This winter I have a longer trip than usual planned. I know I will miss the kitties staying away that long but it made more sense to do one long trip and save on air fare than to split it up so I’m spending 4 days in the Orlando area and then moving down to South Beach for 7 more days. Can’t wait and can’t wait to tell you all about it.

For now I will leave you with a few Egret photos from the “breeding pond” at Gatorland.

Another Vacation Comes to an End

Posted on June 12, 2014June 12, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Check out is 10 am. My flight isn’t until 6 pm. I’ve got a little time to poke around in Pigeon Forge before I head to Knoxville.

If I ever get back here I hope the Skylift will be open. I’ll plan to include Dollywood next time and get to that wonderful restaurant for the escargot and lobster. And I’ll have to go to the Aquarium.

Next trip I’ll have to make that hike to the Grotto Falls and maybe some others because I won’t be recovering from falling off a plane (I hope).

Maybe I’ll take a ride on this huge Ferris Wheel.

But this was the vacation I needed. Quiet and nature, no crowds. It refreshed my heart and soul. Sometimes you need that more than crowds and attractions.

I wonder where I’ll end up next!?

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.

Approved!

Posted on March 6, 2014March 6, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Hurray It’s Approved! My boss approved my vacation time so it’s official, I can really count on heading to Tennessee in May.

So far I ‘ve got a at least 1 day in Dollywood with a ride on the Dollywood Express, a day exploring the trolley routes of downtown Gatlinburg and a day sampling moonshine and whiskey.

Along with the liquid treats my cousin recommended an restaurant called The Greenbrier Restaurant . http://www.greenbrierrestaurant.com/ It’s billed as a romantic, fine dining establishment.

Well since I’ll be alone we can skip the romance but I like the fine dining description and I loved the menu. Two of my very favorite things are on it. I could make a meal of just the appetizers, My favorite: Escargot Ala Bourguignon French selects served in mushroom caps and simmering garlic butter. I’ve never had them served in mushroom caps but I like mushrooms so should be yummy.

The main course is bound to be just as good : Lobster Tail

One Tail or Two ? Steamed and served with lemon wedges and drawn butter.

Who would think that someone from Massachusetts would always be on the lookout for lobster tails when I’m surrounded by Maine lobster all the time. Well, they are not the same and (I’ll probably have to hide out after this comment) I like the tails better than Maine Lobster. There I said it. My New England Yankee card will probably be revoked. I don’t dislike Maine Lobster I just prefer the Langoustines , those big , juicy tails usually served on the shell. They are a different animal and more common in the south. When I was growing up in upstate New York the frozen variety was more common than the live Maine lobsters. I imagine that’s changed now. Every high end restaurant seems to have a lobster tank.

Now I’m hungry and it isn’t even noon yet!

Anyway the same cousin that tipped me to the restaurant also gave me a link to a train ride out of Chattanooga. http://www.tvrail.com/pages/etowah-train-rides-train-excursions-in-Tennessee Known as the Hiwassee River rail Adventure it sounds perfect. The ride is described as the historic Hiwassee River Rail Adventure scenic rail excursion through the unspoiled Cherokee National Forest, along beautiful and scenic Hiwassee River, and through the secluded Hiwassee River Gorge. It leaves from Etowah. My only decision is do I do the short or long version?