Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 42

Height of Land

by Linda Tancs

Height of Land is an apt name for a viewpoint in western Maine offering views so sweeping that it’s been described as one of the finest in the state if not in all of New England. You’ll find it on state route 17 along the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway, a 52-mile-long national scenic byway that begins just north of Byron and features six major lakes. The photo-worthy spot boasts sprawling views of the Rangeley Lakes region and the mountains beyond. Bordering the Appalachian Trail, it presents a fine opportunity to hike at least a small portion of the trail while you’re there.

A Lakeside Rail Ride

By Linda Tancs

Visitors to Meredith, New Hampshire, can enjoy a ride on over 50 miles of historic railroad track on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. Operating between Meredith and Lakeport along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee (the largest lake in the state), the route was once home to the famous Boston, Concord & Montreal line dating back to 1848. All excursions are round-trip from Meredith.

Not Your Everyday Presidential Library

By Linda Tancs

The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum in Canton, Ohio, is not your everyday presidential museum. Of course, it has the usual presidential memorabilia and research facilities you would expect. But it also boasts animatronic figures of the president and his wife along with an interactive science center, a planetarium and the Street of Shops, a life-sized, indoor 19th-century town featuring a large HO gauge train layout. The president, his wife and two daughters are also buried at the site at the McKinley National Memorial, a city landmark. Open from April to November, the towering, dome-shaped monument has a red, white and blue skylight with 45 stars in its design, representing the 45 states in the Union at the time of President McKinley’s death.

Brewing in Utica

By Linda Tancs

The FX Matt Brewing Company in Utica, New York, derives from a legacy of brewing tradition that began in Germany. Founded in 1888, it’s the third-oldest family-owned and operated brewery in the country. It’s also distinctive because it survived Prohibition, one of few breweries to do so, owing largely to transitioning to the making of soft drinks. Once Prohibition ended, it became the first brewery in the nation to acquire a license to sell beer. The outdoor Biergarten serves beer and food through late fall.

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Billed as the Great North American Eclipse, a total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8, 2024, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. The path of the eclipse begins in Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, and continue through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton. This will be the last time any solar eclipse will be visible within the United States until 2045. 

Be prepared! So long as supplies last, you can purchase eclipse glasses and other accessories, like a phone app and photo filter, from American Paper Optics, a NASA-approved manufacturer. The link in the preceding sentence is an affiliate link, which means that if you click on the link and purchase merchandise from the page, then I may receive a small commission.

Nationality Rooms

By Linda Tancs

The Nationality Rooms are a group of 31 classrooms in the University of Pittsburgh’s 42-story, Gothic-style Cathedral of Learning. Each room depicts the cultural heritage of an ethnic community that helped build Pittsburgh, using designs created by international architects, artists and craftspeople. Because the rooms are functioning classrooms, all tours of the rooms require advance registration and will be guided.

Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon

By Linda Tancs

Perhaps Vermont’s most spectacular natural wonder, Quechee Gorge is popularly known as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon.” Formed by glacial activity approximately 13,000 years ago, it’s the focal point of Quechee State Park. Fishing is a popular activity at the gorge, as well as hiking and picnicking. Enjoy the vistas from Ottauquechee River, flowing 165 feet below viewing points along Route 4.

Gallons of Fun in Atlanta

By Linda Tancs

One of the largest of its kind in the world, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta houses over 120,000 marine animals from more than 200 species in over 11 million gallons of water. It’s the only aquarium in the U.S. to house whale sharks. In fact, the building was designed around their 6.3-million-gallon tank. You’ll also find beluga whales, manta rays, penguins, sea otters, dolphins and more spanning seven permanent galleries. Special experiences include sleepovers, face-to-face animal encounters and swims. The facility is located in downtown Atlanta across from Centennial Olympic Park.

Fall for Ogunquit

By Linda Tancs

Known for its beaches and thriving arts community, Ogunquit, Maine, is a popular tourist destination on Maine’s southern coast. Autumn is a good time to claim a good beach walk without the summer crowds. After all, the town’s beaches have been voted one of the best in the United States! Another great activity is a hike along Marginal Way, a 1.5-mile cliff walk with a paved path, between The Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort on Shore Road and Perkins Cove. The stunning views (along with benches to stop and enjoy them) will no doubt explain why the town is named Ogunquit, a Native American term meaning “beautiful place by the sea.” This time of year also brings OgunquitFest. One of the biggest fall festivals in the Northeast, it features arts and crafts, a classic car show, a Dogtoberfest costume parade and more.

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Billed as the Great North American Eclipse, a total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8, 2024, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. The path of the eclipse begins in Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, and continue through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton. This will be the last time any solar eclipse will be visible within the United States until 2045. 

Be prepared! So long as supplies last, you can purchase eclipse glasses and other accessories, like a phone app and photo filter, from American Paper Optics, a NASA-approved manufacturer. The link in the preceding sentence is an affiliate link, which means that if you click on the link and purchase merchandise from the page, then I may receive a small commission.

The Cape of Florida

By Linda Tancs

Cape Florida (also known as the Cape of Florida) was named by explorer Ponce de Leon during the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513. It’s where you’ll find Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, just minutes from downtown Miami on the tip of Key Biscayne. The centerpiece of the park is Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest structure in Greater Miami and a veritable time capsule of state history. Dating to 1825, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, old enough to have featured in an attack by Native Americans during the Second Seminole War. Its wrap-around balcony offers some of the most stunning views of Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, the Atlantic Ocean and Stiltsville, a collection of stilt houses perched on sand flats a mile offshore.

The Town in a Crater

By Linda Tancs

About 75 miles west of Panama City, El Valle de Anton is a town nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano. Nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, it provides relief from the heat of the lowlands below. Hikers of all skill levels will appreciate the variety of trails, made all the more accessible by the crisper temperatures. It’s best to start at La India Dormida Trail, where you experience some of the best sunrise views over the town and stunning mountain views.