The Road Less Traveled

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November 30, 2011

Over the River and Through the Woods…

Posted by Christine B. under The Road Less Traveled
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The holiday season can be a stressful time for many people.  I have an 11-year-old son and I can tell you that his gift list, and those of his schoolmates, is daunting indeed. At the top of every list this year is all the “smart” technology, from phones to TV’s to Tablets, with a not so smart price tag. The media would have our kids think they are outside the norm if they do not have all these expensive gadgets, and many times parents are pressured into buying things they just cannot afford. This creates stress. On the other hand if we do not buy these things we believe our kids will be unhappy and this can also be stressful.

Another anxiety provoking holiday tradition is the trip to visit extended family. Many people take advantage of time off work and school to visit family. While it is nice to see our relatives, it can also be difficult to mesh different attitudes about child rearing, traditions and even religious beliefs. While family movie networks abound with warm fuzzy images about holidays and family, it seems this seldom relates to the average family. And then there are those who do not have family to visit. The newly divorced, or aged folks can feel very alone at this time of year.

As if that weren’t stressful enough, we over-extend ourselves in our social obligations. We try to attend every holiday party, social event and family gathering, overeating and sometimes drinking too much in the process. 

What is the answer to all this stress? Here are a few ideas about how to simplify the holidays and hopefully make things a little less stressful.

  • Forgo all the expensive gifts and opt for a “homemade” Christmas. Everyone is good at making something, whether it is woodworking, knitting, or just putting together a list of family recipes or a photo album. These kinds of gifts can become cherished family heirlooms. Families with small children may particularly enjoy this approach, especially getting the kids involved in making the gifts.
  • Forget all the elaborate holiday decorating and just display some fresh cut greenery in your favorite vase. How about a small living tabletop tree that can be planted outdoors after the season is over. Sometimes less is more.
  • Instead of trying to attend every single holiday party why not plan a weekend outing with kids to view Christmas lights, go to the zoo or to a museum? Or even just plan a family night to stay at home and play games or watch a movie.
  • Remember the less fortunate during the season. Volunteer for a food drive for the needy or support our troops by helping military families who may be far away from family at this time of year.  If you are alone, this is a good way to get involved in the community. For families, helping children to realize that there are others who do not have all the advantages, may allow them to appreciate how blessed they are.
  • Finally, if you think that trip to Grandma’s house may cause too much stress and anxiety, just say no. Instead, perhaps arrange a visit at a less hectic time of year, or visits with individual family members versus a large family gathering.

Remember, if you are traveling at this time of year, visit www.bookroomsnow.com for a good night’s sleep at a price that won’t add stress to your holidays!

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April 27, 2011

Shuffle Off to Buffalo – a Road Trip Near the Falls

Posted by Christine B. under The Road Less Traveled | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Buffalo Skyline – Wikimedia Commons Photo

 There’s more to Buffalo, New York than the “Falls”  . . . located on the eastern shores of Lake Erie, Buffalo has the second largest population in New York.  The city could attribute its growth to the Erie Canal and its proximity to Niagara Falls, which is the 6th most popular attraction in the world (according to Forbes Top 10 most visited attractions).  Perhaps the 1933 tune, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, with its lyrics “there’s no honeymoon that’s cheaper” aided in Buffalo’s tourism growth as well.

Buffalo is a city steeped in cultural history; From the Iroquois, who originally settled Buffalo, and Seneca Indians who were said to have destroyed the Neutral Nation (of which the Iroquois were members) to The French, who were rumored to have exclaimed, beau fleuve (translation: beautiful river) upon seeing Buffalo and Niagara Falls.  During the  War of 1812,  Buffalo was burned by British forces. On November 4, 1825 the  Erie Canal was completed with Buffalo strategically positioned at the western end of the system.

Despite these early set backs, Buffalo grew and became an economic force in the State of New York; of which tourism played an integral part .  There are plenty of attractions and things to do (some of which are shown below), plus lots of shopping excursions (evidenced by Canadian visitors just across the border).

  • Michigan Street Baptist Church (This African-American church was founded in 1845 as the Macedonia Baptist Church and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974)
  • Buffalo’s Underground Railroad (The railroad and the Macedonia Baptist Church were of historical significance during the Civil War)
  • Buffalo Zoo (The zoo, more than a century old, experienced some excitement late 2010, when Sidney, a 13-year old gorilla, gave birth to a baby boy gorilla, dubbed Tiny by zoo caretakers.  It had been 10 years since a gorilla gave birth at the Buffalo Zoo)

    Sidney is shown with baby gorilla – Flickr image by dpape

  • Wilcox Mansion (Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site)
  • Shea’s Performing Arts Center
  • Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park (The USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker are among the historic ships on display)
  • Erie Canal
 

Maid of the Mist – Flickr image by mahfrot

 

 Not only is there a lot to do and see in Buffalo; but raising a family might take center stage (Forbes rated Buffalo the 10th best place to raise a family in America) and seeking a medical profession, which is a strong economic factor with the University of Buffalo and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus maintaining their growth and expansion in spite of a sluggish economy, could be a good reason to call Buffalo home.

Although, if you’re not looking to relocate, and you need a good night’s sleep while visiting this vibrant western New York City, visit www.BookRoomsNow.com

 

 

April 11, 2011

A Road Trip along the Mississippi Blues Trail . . .

Posted by louise C. under The Road Less Traveled | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Elvis Presley childhood home - Tupelo, Mississippi, Flickr photo by divemasterking2000

There are more than 75 reasons for you to take a meandering road trip along the Mississippi Blues Trail.  It is here that you’ll find the ‘roots of the blues’ – music that reaches way down deep in your soul.  A famous blues artist, Willie Dixon, said it best, “Blues is the roots of all music, and you know you can’t have no fruits without first you have the roots.”

Trumpet Records, Jackson, Mississippi

Don’t just meander though: stop by any Mississippi welcome center and pick up your official Mississippi Blues Trail map.  This road map will not only show you how to get to B.B. King’s birthplace in Berclair, or head you in the direction of McComb, home of Bo Diddley, “acclaimed as the founder of rock ‘n’ roll;” it also provides tid bits of 77 blues artists, like Muddy Water’s who called Rolling Fork home, or Vicksburg’s Willie Dixon.  While some of these names may not be familiar to you, unless you are a-died-in-the-wool blues fan, the one name associated with music and blues in the State of Mississippi is known to people throughout the world: Elvis Presley, who revolutionized popular music by blending the blues he first heard as a youth in Tupelo.

Sign marker for Jimmie Rodgers Museum, Meridian, Mississippi

A giant in post-World War II Chicago blues, Chester Arthur Burnett, better known as Howlin’ Wolf, was known as a pioneer in electrifying the Delta blues … stop by (with an appointment) to visit the Howlin’ Wolf Museum in West point.  What a treasure trove: West Point was designated one of America’s top 100 small towns and features a historic downtown area with quaint shops and regionally acclaimed restaurants.  You won’t want to miss the 33rd annual Prairie Arts Festival (September 3), cited as one of the top 10 events in the South.

Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale, Mississippi

How about heading to the Joint Juke Festival in Clarksdale, beginning April 22, where you can do some “Day Trippin’”, Antiques and Art shopping, Jookin, Bluesin and Dancin’, and eating: Try the Dutch Oven or Ground Zero Blues Club where they serve Southern soul food, or watch the chefs work their magic as you take a seat at the kitchen bar in the upscale dining establishment known as Lady at the Levee.  

No matter where you start, or end up, you’ll discover a musical legacy like no other, in Mississippi towns like:

  • Jackson, home of Trumpet Records and The Alamo Theatre
  • Vicksburg, where Willie Dixon, often called “the poet laureate of the blues,” hailed from
  • Hattiesburg, where rock n’ roll is rooted in the blues of Mississippi
  • Pelahatchie, home to Rubin Lacy, “one of the most talented and influential artists in Mississippi blues”
  • Raymond, where blues singer-song-writer’s, The McCoy Brothers, left their stamp on blues history with songs like “Corrine Corrina and When the Levee Breaks”

  • A typical marquee is a beacon in the night for one of seven B B King Blues Clubs

    Meridian, where Jimmie Rodgers, widely known as the “father of country music” was a major blues artist influence in the 1950s and ’60s

To learn more about the Mississippi Blues Trail, log on to www.msbluestrail.org

Comfort and affordability

No matter where your travels take you in Mississippi, you’ll want a good night’s sleep after a day of musical touring.

 

March 15, 2011

PACK YOUR BAGS … IT’S A ROAD TRIP TO SPARTA!

Posted by Misty M. under The Road Less Traveled | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |
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A typical Spartan? Statue of King Leonidas at Sparta, Greece - Wikimedia Commons

Did you think we meant Sparta, Greece? 

There are a total of 28 towns named Sparta in the U.S., plus one in Canada and two in South America.  Although Sparta, Greece would provide the most historic significance, our travels are taking us to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, and to the town of Sparta, North Carolina, about six miles to the famed Blue Ridge Parkway.

Don’t overlook places you’ve never heard of as they could be that diamond in the rough, like the sleepy little town of Sparta, tucked away in the midst of the Smoky Mountains, near its State Park and many other beautiful tourist areas: nature at its best. 

View from the east ridge off Blue Ridge Parkway, near Sparta looking toward Pilot Mountain - Flickr photo by billkrisjacob

Folks around Alleghany County say that Nature created Sparta, and if you visited their chamber of commerce site you’ll find their claim to be true.  http://www.sparta-nc.com/

Looking Glass Falls - Flickr photo by Alaskan Dude

Along with the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll find artisans galore, weaving their magic spells in the form of pottery, quilting, painting, photography, woodcrafts and the revival of traditional music of the hills. 

There’s something to do and see around every bend of the road:

  • Take in a music venue

Alleghany Historic Museum, Silver Dollar Music Park, Alleghany Jubilee or Blue Ridge Music Center

  • Cast your rod, swing your club, shoot the rapids or small game

Check out local trout and fishing farms, let the balls fly at Olde Beau or New River Golf clubs, thrill at an exhilarating ride in a canoe, or aim for the bulls eye, and nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina atop a gentle steed as you meander through the beauty of the mountains.  

  • Tour the local museums or art galleries

Alleghany Arts and Crafts, Blue Ridge Gallery of Fine Arts, and many more

  • Sip in the sites and fine wine at local wineries

Chateau Laurinda, Grapestompers, Thistle Meadow Winery

  • Upcoming special events include

Alleghany Jubilee (every Tuesday and Saturday evening)

Lawn Mower Racing in May, June and August – NASCAR of a different scale

Lions Club Rodeo July 1 and 2

Mountain Heritage Festival in September

 

February 22, 2011

Take Time: To Smell the Roses . . .

Posted by louise C. under The Road Less Traveled | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Many of you, our readers, have heard the saying, “take time to smell the roses” but, do you really heed these words.  Today our lives seem to revolve around technology; Throw in work, family and extra curricular activities; and often times we find ourselves asking, where does the time go?   SLOW DOWN . . .

. . . especially at this time of year when nature has begun to stretch her arms out and shake off the doldrums of those blah winter months.  It seems, every state in the union, has some type of spring wake up call, usually known as a flower festival.  Since technology is so much a part of our lives now, there is no excuse for you not finding one in your own back yard or in a community within an easy day’s drive.

Check these out:

  • In Arkansas you’ll find Magnolias and Jonquils being show cased.  Travel to Washington, Arkansas and you’ll be treated to those sunny yellow early bloomers plus a whole lot more:  http://www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com/ 

  • Where else would you celebrate the majestic magnolia than in Magnolia, Arkansas, where you can enjoy a sidewalk art show and a championship steak cook off as well? http://www.blossomfestival.org/

 

  • Who would have thought a festival in the Northeast would be so popular in brrrr: February!  Hartford, Connecticut puts on one of the most prestigious flower and garden shows in New England, with its breathtaking gardens spread over 3 acres featuring many floral and horticultural masterpieces. 

 

  • Let’s spring forward to March and head to Georgia for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Conyers, a bustling community East of Atlanta, where more than 400,000 visitors can enjoy continuous entertainment and more than 300 booths of arts and crafts amidst a canopy of cherry pink blossoms.  Learn more at: http://www.conyerscherryblossom.com/

 

  • Tulips anyone?  In April and May you need look no further than Holland, Michigan.  This namesake town for Holland in the Neatherlands, celebrates its Dutch heritage with 1,500 wooden shoe dancers and tulips of every color and type imaginable.  Learn more here: http://www.tuliptime.org/ but, if Michigan is too far north for you, then stop by Pella, Iowa where they scrub the streets twice daily for Dutch dancers in authentic costume  for both afternoon and evening performances.  Here’s the scoop on this flower festival: http://www.pellatuliptime.com/

Check out this website to find out about more colorful flower festivals, and please take time to smell the roses . . .  . http://www.topeventsusa.com/flower-events.html  

Need overnight lodging when visiting a flower festival?  Want to save money as well?  Visit us at www.BookRoomsNow.com

 

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