Rene Cizio's Blog, page 4
January 28, 2024
Explore Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, DC
Washington, DC, might be a bustling metropolis, but nestled amidst the Potomac River lies a haven for nature lovers and history buffs alike: Theodore Roosevelt Island. This national park, dedicated to the memory of the conservationist president, offers more than just stunning scenery – it’s a hiker’s happy find with a hidden monument. Amidst the bustling energy of Washington, D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island serves as a wilderness retreat. Amidst the Potomac River, the island offers a refreshing escape from the city. It’s a serene oasis where you can reconnect with nature, explore history, and discover the spirit of exploration that Roosevelt embodied. Stepping into a Green Sanctuary As you cross the pedestrian bridge, the urban landscape melts away, replaced by lush greenery and the gentle murmur of the river. Various trails wind through diverse ecosystems, from woodlands teeming with birdsong to marshlands echoing with the croaking of frogs. Breathe in the fresh air, let the sunlight filter through the leaves, and claim a few minutes of solitude in nature. Theodore Roosevelt Island is a great place to spend a few hours or even a day to escape the city’s hustle and enjoy some peace and quiet. Hike, Walk or Bike the […]
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January 21, 2024
Unveiling the Hidden Features of Gateway Arch National Park
Imagine standing at the foot of a monument so colossal it could swallow the Statue of Liberty whole. It’s so big it’s considered the gateway to the west. Envision its sleek, stainless-steel skin reflecting the sun like a mirror, its legs striding confidently across the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. This is Gateway Arch National Park, a place where engineering marvels whisper tales of westward expansion and American dreams. But there’s more to this park than meets the eye. Sure, with its 630-foot ascent and tram ride to the top, the Arch is the undisputed star. But beyond the tourist magnet lies a hidden history. About Gateway Arch National Park Experiences at Gateway Arch National Park There are two ways to see a unique perspective of the Gateway Arch and the surrounding area. The Tram Ride to the Top This is the most popular way to experience the Gateway Arch. The five-person tram tilts as it ascends the 630-foot legs of the Arch, offering ever-changing views of St. Louis, the Mississippi River, and beyond. The tram ride takes about four minutes to reach the top, and you can spend up to 10 minutes enjoying the views from 16 windows. However, the entire […]
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January 8, 2024
Experience a Traditional Romanesque Bathhouse
The bathhouses at Hot Springs National Park are the perfect, maybe only, place in North America where you can still experience a Romanesque Bathhouse. Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and therapeutic geothermal waters you won’t find many places. It’s a great destination for a relaxing weekend getaway or a girl’s trip. There are 47 natural hot springs in Hot Springs National Park that filter into historic 19th and 20th-century bathhouses. Today, two bathhouses on Bathhouse Row offer a variety of spa treatments, ranging from traditional thermal baths and massages to facials and body wraps. I recently experienced the unique, traditional Romanesque bathhouse and soaked in some public pools. The hot springs vary in temperature and mineral content, offering diverse potential benefits for visitors. Hot Springs Have a Legacy of Healing For centuries, people revered the hot springs of Hot Springs National Park for their therapeutic properties. The healing properties of hot springs can vary depending on the specific mineral content of the water. Some springs are high in sulfur, while others are high in silica or magnesium. Each mineral has its own unique set of benefits. Their warm, mineral-rich waters offer a variety of […]
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Recharge in the Healing Waters of Hot Springs National Park
If you’re looking for a rare and restorative national park experience, Hot Springs National Park should be on your shortlist. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and therapeutic geothermal waters you won’t find anywhere else in North America. It’s the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend getaway. I traveled solo to the park because I needed a long, hot soak and lacked an excellent bathtub or natural mineral water. Road trip time! I’m in the Midwest and could have flown to Little Rock National Airport, but I still need a car to get the rest of the way. Besides, it’s a beautiful drive through the Ouachita Mountains. The centerpiece of Hot Springs National Park is the hot springs. If you’ve never soaked in a natural hot spring, put it on your list! People have revered naturally occurring hot springs for their therapeutic properties for centuries. The warm, mineral-rich waters bubbling up from the ground are a transformative experience, like being in the earth’s womb. Imagine that! Explore the Historic Bathhouse Row However, the hot springs in the national park are not the type you can stumble upon […]
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December 29, 2023
12 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travel
As a solo female traveler, other women often ask if it’s safe, isn’t it dangerous, or aren’t I afraid? Should I really be traveling alone? Yes, no, no, YES! I won’t kid you. Traveling alone comes with a series of obstacles and considerations. I’ve been on many solo trips to several places in Europe, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Canada and have traveled alone for nearly two years. So I know a few things about solo female travel safety. Here are a few solo female travel tips I use to stay safe. 1. The right attitude can keep you safe It helps if you’re a badass or can at least act like one. Let’s be frank; most “badasses” are just acting, so fear not. You can do this. It’s time to channel your inner Daenerys Targaryen. But it’s more than acting tough, cool, or aloof; it’s being conscious of your behavior in public spaces when people are watching you. Crooks and bad guys are looking for targets that will be easy to take advantage of – so never let them see you sweat or look confused if you can help it. I grew up with half a dozen males, so […]
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December 22, 2023
6 Sights in Savannah from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Before the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” few people went to Savannah, Georgia. After, everybody went. In 1993, the year before John Berendt published the book, about five million people visited Savannah. In 1995, that number increased by 50%, and by 2022 they received approximately 14.8 million visitors yearly. Much of it, like me, is still from the book or the subsequent movie. Even those that have never read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” or watched the movie probably know about Savannah because of them. Since I spent five weeks in Savannah, I decided to find out what the hoodoo was about. There are five places and one statue in the book and movie that you can still go to or see today, so I did. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil The story is creative non-fiction (he changed names and altered the timeline of events) true crime event that happened in Savannah just before or as the author was visiting. He stayed for some time, met a cast of colorful Savannah characters (including a voodoo priestess, a con artist, a prostitute and a drag queen, to name just a few), […]
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December 6, 2023
How a Mayan Shaman Can Cleanse Your Spirit with an Egg
Maybe he brought hundreds of spirits into the yard that day, or his chanting cast my demons out. Perhaps he only planted an idea in my mind. It could be all those things.
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November 30, 2023
Road Trip Gem: Ohio’s Northeast Corner Has over 18 Covered Bridges
Ashtabula County, Ohio, is a hidden gem for lovers of covered bridges. This corner of Northeast Ohio boasts nearly 20 covered bridges, including the nation’s longest. The county covers 26 miles along the Lake Erie shoreline, making for a unique, picturesque, and historic road trip. The past and present collide as you pass through these colorful crossings set against Ohio’s rolling hills and many vineyards. The covered bridges, made almost entirely of wood, are each unique. Today, they’re a popular tourist destination and a reminder of the county’s rich history. Covered bridges offer a glimpse into a bygone era you won’t find in many locations today – especially at this scale. In the 19th century, covered bridges in the east were standard, but as road construction methods improved, they became rarer. Most were removed as they fell into disrepair, making Ashtabula’s many covered bridges a stunning find. In Ashtabula, the oldest covered bridges date to 1867, but most are much newer; one was even built in 2016. A few have unique standing or other notable features. Here are a few that I found: Ashtabula County Covered Bridges The Smolen-Gulf Bridge The Smolen-Gulf Bridge, at 613 feet, is the longest […]
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Embark on a Covered Bridge Adventure in Ohio
Ashtabula County, Ohio, is a hidden gem for lovers of covered bridges. This corner of Northeast Ohio boasts nearly 20 covered bridges, including the nation’s longest. The county covers 26 miles along the Lake Erie shoreline, making for a unique, picturesque, and historic road trip. The past and present collide as you pass through these colorful crossings set against Ohio’s rolling hills and many vineyards. The covered bridges, made almost entirely of wood, are each unique. Today, they’re a popular tourist destination and a reminder of the county’s rich history. Covered bridges offer a glimpse into a bygone era you won’t find in many locations today – especially at this scale. In the 19th century, covered bridges in the east were standard, but as road construction methods improved, they became rarer. Most were removed as they fell into disrepair, making Ashtabula’s many covered bridges a stunning find. In Ashtabula, the oldest covered bridges date to 1867, but most are much newer; one was even built in 2016. A few have unique standing or other notable features. Here are a few that I found: Ashtabula County Covered Bridges The Smolen-Gulf Bridge The Smolen-Gulf Bridge, at 613 feet, is the longest […]
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