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 1, 2011

ROAD TRIP – - – to New London, Connecticut

Posted by louise C. under Out of the Suitcase | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |
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You'll have a whale of a good time in New London doing a little whale watching - Flickr photo by sneakerdog

Could it be an echo of the past?  Boys and girls of all ages cringed when learning of an impending road trip with Mom and Dad.  It certainly wasn’t the destination: It was simply getting there that caused all the commotion. 

We’re here to take the pain out of that road trip – so pull up a seat and join us as an armchair tourist because we’re heading to the seaport city of New London, Connecticut, a city steeped in seafaring tradition and located at the mouth of the Thames River along the upper eastern seaboard of the U.S. 

New London was originally called Nameaug by the Pequot Indians; later named after London England on March 10, 1658.  It was said to have the best deep water harbor on Long Island Sound, and consequently became the base of American Naval Operations during the American Revolution.  Today, it is home to the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Here are some of the reasons you should take a road trip to New London:

  • The U.S. Coast Guard Eagle - photo as seen on Wikimedia Commons

    Tour the Coast Guard’s Cutter, “Chinook” or its tall ship, the Eagle (She is one of only two active commissioned sailing vessels in American military service).

  • Visit the historic United Church of Christ  on State Street.
  • It was (at one time during the 19th Century) the 2nd busiest whaling city in the world – you’ll want to trek down Whale Oil Row between 105-119 Huntington St.  You won’t want to miss visiting the Tale of the Whale Museum while there.
  • Wet your whistle at Dutch Tavern on Green Street – “a favorite of Nobel and Pulitzer-prize playwright, Eugene O’Neill, which is also part of the fun, delicious, historic, scenic, and cultural district of New London.”  Be sure to order a cheese-burger!
  • New London is the half-way point between New York City and Boston.
  • Attend the I AM Festival – learn more about festival dates and entertainers who will be there?  Check this site: http://www.myspace.com/iamfestival

 

An imposing site - Fort Trumbull is protected by canons - Flickr photo by divemasterking2000

  • Tour Fort Trumbull.
  • Make your way to the New London Historic Waterfront District.

Road trips can be fun for the whole family.  There are numerous site-seeing opportunities; many of them at no cost.  Pack a picnic lunch, and after a day of exploring new sites, consider overnight lodging as part of your excursion. 

Click here to get information about a good night’s sleep in New London and the Connecticut area.

 

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

 

February 8, 2011

GENTLEMEN (and LADIES) START YOUR ENGINES!

Posted by Christine B. under Family Friendly Adventures | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
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NASCAR and the U.S. Navy teamed up for charity - photo ca 2002

NASCAR fans will all agree the Daytona 500 launches a year of NASCAR excitement, so its no surprise that Daytona [Beach], Florida gets a big boost in tourism during the month of February.  And, what better time to travel to their southern sandy shores, when the cold winds, and often times, snow, are chilling the air in the northern climes.

Park or drive on the white sands of Daytona Beach Shores - Flickr photo by gamiziuk

Although the Daytona 500 is a major highlight of tourism attractions in Daytona Beach, there are many reasons you might want to trek to the white sandy beaches along Florida’s east coast.

  • Driving your automobile ‘on the beach’

 

  • Attend at least one race at the Daytona International Speedway; there are a dozen events throughout the year, with the Daytona 500 being the most celebrated

 

  • Are you hungry? There are many restaurants that serve great seafood and most any cuisine you have a craving for.  Check out this website for Daytona Beach restaurants: http://daytona.beach.diningguide.com/

 

  • Historic White Hall, located on the campus of Bethune-Cookman College

    Visit a museum or other historic site; there are plenty, and some quite unique, like the Mary McLeod Bethune Home and White Hall, both national historic landmarks located on the campus of the Bethune-Cookman College, and the 1903 S.H. Kress Building

 

  • Play a few rounds of golf; with numerous championship golf courses you’re bound to find a favorite –http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/usa/florida/daytonabeach/

 

  • Try your luck at catching a big one off the Sunglow Fishing Pier or just catch a few rays on the white sandy beach . . .

 

A typical sunrise along the shores of Daytona Beach, Florida's fun coast

  • Cotton candy anyone?  You won’t want to miss the Boardwalk Amusement Park and Pier for shopping, eating and a fun place for the whole family.

 

  • Spend the night in one of many small motels along the beach or on the Intercoastal Water Way where you’re sure to get a good night’s sleep
 

January 21, 2011

Snowbirds . . .

Posted by louise C. under Out of the Suitcase | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Canadian Snowbirds - Canada's 9-plane military aerobatics and airshow flight demonstration team - Flickr photo by Armchair Aviator

. . . “Spread your tiny wings and fly away

And take the snow back with you

Where it came from that day  . . .”

. . . “So, little snowbird, take me when you go

To that land of gentle breezes where the peaceful water flows . . .”

The term snowbird might have already been in use prior to Anne Murray’s popular song “Snowbird” but, its use in the song by this Canadian singer would serve to explain the term further as people from the northern climes travelled southward during the cold winter months.  This seasonal migration dates back as far as the Colonial times “when Bostonians would often go (by sea) to Charleston or Savannah for winter.”  

A popular snowbird destination is near Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi - Flickr photo by NatalieMaynor

So, where do the snowbirds come from, and where do they go?  They come from the  Northeast, the Midwest and Canada, for the most part.   They go to Florida, California, Texas, the Carolinas, and anywhere along the sun belt regions of the southern and southwest areas of the U.S. as well as Mexico, plus the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand are all popular  destinations.   

Snowbirds are typically retirees and people whose income allows them to maintain two homes, with one being located in warmer climates during the winter time.  Many of these migratory people are also RVers, and travel in their recreational vehicle, which also serves as their home-away-from-home, but many more rely on hotels and motels along the way.  The migration of snowbirds is also considered a tourism boost for many cities that provide that mid-way point, and final destination. 

Snowbirds flock to Daytona Beach, where one can drive on the beach - Flickr photo by chenines

Majestic mountains are seen in the background of Palm Desert - Flickr photo by Accretion Disc

Affordability, convenience, multiple attractions and accessibility to shopping and medical facilities are key factors when snowbirds settle upon their final destinations.  Cities like Daytona Beach and Lake City, Florida, Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi; Palm Desert and San Diego, California, and Yuma, Arizona are but a few popular areas that snowbirds flock to.

Although the economy over the past few years has been a factor with fewer snowbirds heading southward, predications for 2011 are optimistic for a rebound, with Pensacola, Florida being named as a primary destination.

 

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