Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 48

A First in Wyoming

By Linda Tancs

Named after the river that runs through it, Bear River State Park in Evanston, Wyoming, features a captive herd of bison and elk kept for public viewing and education. For the first time in the park’s history, a white (not albino) bison was recently born there. Beyond rare, there’s a 1-in-10 million chance of such an occurrence, according to the National Bison Association. The white bison is a sacred sign to the Lakota Sioux and other plains tribes. Enjoy the wildlife displays at the Visitor Center, as well as the miles of paved and packed gravel trails.

In the Heart of the Cascades

By Linda Tancs

Stehekin is a place where no roads can take you. Nestled deep in the North Cascades in Washington State, it’s only accessible via boat, plane or foot. It might be one of the most peaceful places on Earth, a valley surrounded by peaks of the North Cascades, where the closest thing to white noise is glacial melt running over the rocks of the Stehekin River. The name “Stehekin” comes from a word in the Salishan language that means “the way through.” If an escape from everyday life is what you’re after, then it’s more like a way out. Accommodations include an array of cabins and hideaways with names like the Round House and Rainbow Cabin. Regardless where you stay, you’ll be a stone’s throw away from Stehekin Pastry Company, where the treats are legendary.

A Place to Stop in Malaysia

By Linda Tancs

Part of the state of Terengganu in Malaysia, the Perhentian Islands (designated “big” and “small”) are a beachgoer’s paradise. You’ll get what you’d expect: swaying palm trees, chalk-white beaches and azure waters. Diving conditions are best in July and August (high season), but if traveling on a budget (or you just desire more peace and quiet), then consider April, May or June. Perhentian means “place to stop.” Maybe you’ll agree.

*************

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.

Hands-On at the Gristmill

By Linda Tancs

Historic Walnford is a 36-acre historic district at the heart of Crosswick Creek Park in Upper Freehold, New Jersey. Part of the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway, the site is named for Richard Waln, a prosperous Quaker merchant who, as a pacifist, refused to take sides in the Revolutionary War. The picturesque setting features the large home built for the family in the 1770s, a working gristmill and several outbuildings, all showcasing over 200 years of social, technological and environmental history through the Waln family. You can go behind the scenes in the gristmill with a hands-on crack at mill maintenance on the first Saturday of the month from May through November. 

*************

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.

Scandinavia’s Biggest Beach Party

By Linda Tancs

The county of Agder rests on the southernmost end of Norway in a region sometimes called “the Norwegian Riviera” for its temperate climate. It’s where you’ll find Palmesus, billed as Scandinavia’s biggest beach party. The two-day music festival takes place on the city beach in Kristiansand, where over 60,000 revelers gather annually. The fun includes a pool party, fireworks and international entertainment. This year’s event takes place between June 30 and July 1.

*************

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.

Falling for Ronda

By Linda Tancs

Ronda is a town in the Spanish province of Málaga. Its vistas are legendary thanks to its perch atop a gorge that separates the old town and new town. That kind of dramatic underpinning provides a good enough reason for a creative type to fall in love with the place, which is what American writer Ernest Hemingway and director Orson Welles did. They’re both honored with busts at Paseo de Blas Infante, a short promenade in a small park located behind Ronda’s famous bullring. It leads to Mirador de Ronda, a viewing point offering breathtaking views of the gorge, mountains and Puente Nuevo, the bridge spanning the gorge.

*************

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.

Scenic Outlooks in Illinois

By Linda Tancs

Galena is a small town in northwest Illinois known for its Victorian architecture and a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally named for the mineral that was mined in the area, it features fabulous architecture and trendy shops along with a charming Main Street overlooking the Galena River. A scenic trail along the river is just minutes from downtown and heads to the Mississippi River, where bluffs comprising Casper Bluff offer hiking trails, bird watching, sightseeing, Native American archaeology and much more. Another scenic property is Horseshoe Mound (the eastern gateway to the city) where, on a clear day, you can view Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

*************

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.

Alabama’s Golf Trail

By Linda Tancs

Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of 468 holes of championship golf on 11 sites across Alabama. Arguably one of the most ambitious golf projects attempted anywhere, it’s named for the legendary golf course architect behind the project, Robert Trent Jones Sr. One of the most unique aspects of the trail is that tee markers are pegged to ability level rather than age or gender. Each course is also built to suit the natural topography of the land rather than taking away from it. A boon to Alabama tourism, the trail features eight exceptional resorts that appeal to both leisure and business travelers.

*************

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 Caves of Drach

By Linda Tancs

One of the top tourist attractions in Mallorca (Majorca), Spain, the Drach Caves combine Mother Nature’s showmanship with that of man. As a natural attraction, the cave tour spans nearly a 1-mile route through tunnels adorned with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites up to a depth of 82 feet. The caves conceal Lake Martel, one of the biggest underground lakes in the world. Couple that with a little bit of musical showmanship, a concert on Lake Martel that has been performed since 1935, consisting of four pieces of classical music played by a quartet of musicians. The concert, lasting about 10 minutes, is included in the one-hour cave tour. The caves are located in Porto Cristo, a picturesque fishing village offering an abundance of fishing charters and tours.

*************

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.

Holy Island

By Linda Tancs

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne off Northumberland’s coast is more than just a pilgrimage site; the tidal island is also home to a nature preserve full of wildlife, tidal mudflats, saltmarshes and dunes. A short distance from the Scottish border, the island was home to St. Cuthbert, a revered monk who spread Christianity in the north of England. Two of its most stunning sites are Lindisfarne Castle and the ancient priory, but what may be most magical about the place is just getting there. It’s linked to the mainland (Berwick) by a causeway that floods twice daily, so timing is essential. Bus service will get you there when it’s safe. Enjoy a stay on the island for a true tranquil getaway.

*************

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.