Tag: history

Fall Getaways Along America’s Open Roads

Maybe you keep the windows rolled down; maybe you curate a fall playlist from Spotify, maybe you stop at farm stands along the way for the last bounty of summer’s harvest. Fall is a great time to take a road trip – less traffic, less heat and possibly more colorful than summer trips. A good fall road trip is a great way to keep that quick glamping getaway feeling alive and well. Here are a few ideas: 

Cabins at Thousand Trails Seaside
Thousand Trails Seaside

Seattle, Washington to Cannon Beach, Oregon:

We recommend starting from Tall Chief Campground at the end of your glamping stay there. Your trip will be roughly 200 miles or 4 hours with no traffic and no stops. Stops add to your timeframe, but also to your adventure. Don’t take the quick way – we promise it’s worth the time. Make sure to book a cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Seaside as your home base in the Cannon Beach area. Washington’s capital, Olympia, is on the way. A stop here could include a visit to the farmers market (open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.); the Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (about 20 minutes out of Olympia) to see coyotes, eagles, herons and more roaming the refuge; or tour the State Capitol Building and grounds. Aberdeen, the childhood hometown of Kurt Cobain, is also a possible stop if you love Nirvana or just music nostalgia. There is also the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport here. By the time you reach the charming coastal city of Astoria, Oregon, you’re almost there, but there are several things to see here too. The Oregon Film Museum is one of these – it’s a small museum dedicated to the films and television productions filmed in Oregon that includes paraphernalia from “The Goonies”, “Twilight” and “Kindergarten Cop” among others. There’s also the Astoria Column, to commemorate the settlement of the West; Fort Clatsop, a replica of the Lewis and Clark encampment and the scenic riverwalk. Then on to Cannon Beach – don’t miss Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.  

Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe
Thousand Trails Lake Conroe

Houston, Texas to Dallas, Texas:

If you’ve spent time glamping at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, most likely you’ve taken in the highlights of Houston, including Space Center Houston, the Houston Zoo and beautiful Hermann Park. Now it’s time to meander north to the Big D, aka Dallas and see what there is to see along the way. One stop to consider would be the college town of College Station, home of Texas A&M. Buy your Aggie gear, visit The Gardens, the college’s living classroom full of flora and fauna, or grab a quick bite at the many restaurants ranging with a variety of fare from wood-fired pizza to soul food. Back on the road and you may want to consider another stop in Waco – that is if you’re interested in prehistoric animals! In Waco, you will find the Waco Mammoth National Monument. This is the site that in 1978, paleontologists began the dig that eventually unearthed the bones of a nursery herd of Columbian mammoths, dating back 1 million years. Have you heard of the Pierogi Path? The town of West, Texas, is on the Pierogi Path, a route that celebrates the Czech heritage of the area and of course, has bakeries and shops along the route that offer Czech specialties like kolaches and pierogies. Don’t miss the Czech Stop and the Little Czech Bakery which can be found in West. On to Dallas, where your glamping cabins can be found at Thousand Trails Bay Landing or Thousand Trails Lake Whitney. Dallas attractions can include the Dallas Museum of Art, the Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza commemorating President John F. Kennedy, the Bishop Arts District, and White Rock Lake. If you’re visiting Dallas between now and November 1, don’t miss Autumn at the Arboretum, a spectacular harvest festival with pumpkins, a Goth Garden and more, put on by the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. 

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5 Things to do in Door County, Wisconsin

Did you know that Door County, Wisconsin is nicknamed the “Cape Cod of the Midwest?” Thanks to its miles and miles of coastline, tiny fishing villages, craggy landscape and overall charm, Wisconsin’s popular peninsula fits the moniker. Whether you come for the outdoor adventure (hiking, biking, kayaking, and more) or the unique food experiences (fish boils, all things cherry, or the Scandinavian fare), Door County makes for the perfect glamping getaway. Book a glamping cottage, cabin or yurt at Tranquil Timbers Campground, and check out these five things we found to do here: 

Tranquil Timbers Campground
1. Explore Washington Island

Take the ferry ride across Death’s Door and explore this interesting island that offers everything from unique architecture to scenic vistas, plus a few surprises that include a lavender farm (fragrantisle.com) and a pub that will give you more information on Angostura bitters than you will ever need (Nelsen’s Hall Bitter’s Pub & Restaurant.) Check out Stavkirke, a unique church built in the Norwegian architecture style, climb the 186 steps of Mountain Park Lookout Tower for an amazing view, or enjoy a stroll on the limestone rocks of Schoolhouse Beach. 

Washington Island Stavkirke
2. Do the Wine Trail:

A great way to see the area is via the Door County Wine Trail which features nine wineries spread out through tiny towns that make up Door County. The trail not only gives you the opportunity to sample the wines unique to the area but also to see the charming towns that make Door County a great destination. For more details visit doorcountywinetrail.com.

3. Visit Peninsula State Park

Wisconsin’s third largest state park encompasses over 3,700 acres with plenty of shoreline, plus miles of hiking and biking trails, and the 60-foot high Eagle Tower which offers spectacular views of Green Bay. Enjoy a picnic at Nicolet Beach, check out the 18-hole golf course, or take a tour of the historic Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. You can spend days here and never do the same thing twice!

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse at Peninsula State Park
4. Discover the History of “The Door”:

Officially, Door County was established in 1851, but the history of the area goes way beyond that. To learn all about how Door County came to be, there are plenty of places to visit. Consider a walking tour of Ephraim to see architectural heritage relating to the Moravian and Norwegian settlers; or for Belgian heritage history, visit the Belgian Heritage Center. For farming history visit the Washington Island Farming Museum or Heritage Village. The Alexander Noble House dates to 1875 and features period furniture and decor while the Jacobsen Museum is set in a lakeside cabin and exhibits historic artifacts as well as natural items.

5. Experience Fall:

From leaf peeping to apple picking, there’s plenty of fall to experience here. Festivals to consider include Autumnfest (September 12 in Baileys Harbor); Harvest Fest (September 19 in Sturgeon Bay); and the Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival (October 2-4 throughout the area). Go apple picking at Seaquist Orchards in Sister Bay, eat some cheese at Renaud’s Swiss in Sturgeon Bay and check out the corn maze at Red Barn (redbarnmaze.com). For a fall color show, check out Skyline Road in Peninsula State Park; Ellison Bluff County Park and Cave Point County Park.

Sister Bay, Wisconsin

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5 Things to Do in California’s Monterey Bay Area

Did you know that Monterey was the first capital of California? Fun fact – Monterey was the state capital from 1774 to 1849. Did you know that this beautiful bayside city is considered the “Sardine Capital of the World” thanks to these tiny fish that populated the waters here and the subsequent canning boom of said little fishes? Monterey is rich in history and is definitely worth a look-see when glamping at nearby Marina Dunes RV Resort. Here are five things not to miss…

1. Monterey Coast Trail: With 18 miles of paved trail, this is a great way to experience scenic ocean views, frolicking sea lions, sea otters, and coastal birds and access all the things along the way like the fabulous aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf and more. You can choose to bike or walk this beautiful coastal trail.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium

2. Monterey Bay Aquarium: While the Aquarium has been in the news lately due to a certain t-shirt sported by Taylor Swift, this place is known for so much more like its unique, 28-foot high Kelp Forest, a multitude of interactive exhibits, including the newest exhibit “Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean”, and the more than 35,000 creatures that make their home here.

3. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: From the amazing shoreline views to the wildlife spotting and whale watching, do not miss the opportunity to visit what is considered the “crown jewel of California’s state parks.” Birders will enjoy a hike on the Bird Island Trail while China Cove and the Gibson Beach Trail offer hidden caves and high cliffs. Lovers of sea lions will want to hike the Sea Lion Point Trail to catch a glimpse of the sea lions lounging on the rocks. Don’t miss the historic Whalers Cabin, accessible from the Cabin Trail, which leads to this cabin built by Chinese fishermen in the 1850s.

Outside of the Historic Mission, Carmel Mission
Outside of the Historic Mission, Carmel Mission

4. Small-town Charm: There are several small towns in the area worth a visit and they include Salinas, home to the National Steinbeck Center that pays tribute to author John Steinbeck who was born and raised here; Pacific Grove, home to the Point Pinos Lighthouse and the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, which is best when visited during migration season from November to February; Castroville, which is considered the “artichoke capital of the world” and is home to the world’s largest artichoke statue; and Carmel-by-the-Sea, home to the historic Carmel Mission, the unique Fairy Tale Cottages built in 1926 and plenty of shops and eateries. 

Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Park
Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Resort

5. This and That: Don’t miss the murals in Sand City, the setting sun at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, the clam chowder at Old Fisherman’s Grotto in Monterey, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive.

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Give me a T for Texas, and for Tennessee!

Natchez Trace • Hohenwald, TN
Natchez Trace • Hohenwald, TN

The only states that start with T in the list of fifty, nifty United States, both Tennessee and Texas have a variety of reasons to visit them. Tennessee comes first in terms of being admitted to the Union, which happened on June 1, 1796, making it the 16th state (it was also the last state to leave the Union during the Civil War, as well as the first state readmitted toward the end of the war). Texas was the 28th state admitted in 1845, however, Texas comes first in size. As the second biggest state, Texas measures in at a whopping 268,581 square miles while Tennessee comes in 34th at 41,220 square miles (Texas can fit about six Tennessees in it!). But, when it comes to things to do and see, they are pretty equal!

Music: In terms of music destinations, Texas has Austin while Tennessee can boast both Nashville and Memphis. Nashville has the Ryman Auditorium, which was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, a space that helped launch many music careers including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn.  There is also the new location of the Grand Ole Opry at Opryland, which is just a few miles outside the city. The city is also home to countless honky tonks where singer-songwriters play in hopes of achieving their dreams. The District is where you can listen to music to your heart’s content with its lively nightlife scene.

Lake Whitney • Whitney, TX
Lake Whitney • Whitney, TX

 Memphis is home to Beale Street, a major tourist attraction that has been designated as a national historic landmark and is lined with blues clubs and BBQ joints. Memphis is also where Elvis got his break at Sun Studio, which is still standing and offers tours of the place where he was first recorded. Of course, there is also Graceland, Elvis’ mansion, another major tourist attraction chock full of Elvis paraphernalia. Austin, Texas, is known for its two major annual music festivals: South by Southwest, held in March, and Austin City Limits, held in October. The city also has a vibrant music any day of the week. There are more than 250 live music venues offering everything from classical and jazz to rock, blues, and country.

Lake Conroe • Willis, TX
Lake Conroe • Willis, TX

History Both states are rich in history – Texas history can be traced back to the early 1500s with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors while British traders came upon a Cherokee town called “Tanasi” in the early 1700s. In terms of famous battles, Texas has the Alamo while Tennessee has the infamous Civil War event, the Battle of Shiloh. Visitors can see the site of the Alamo which is located in the heart of San Antonio. The 300-year-old Spanish Mission is open to the public and battlefield tours are available. Shiloh National Military Park, operated by the National Park Service, can be toured through both ranger-guided and self-guided options. It is considered one of the best preserved and most pristine of the Civil War Battlefields. Dallas has the unfortunate history of being the city where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Visitors can tour The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza which chronicles the events of that fateful day in November through exhibits and historic displays.

 Must-Sees Don’t miss the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas Hill Country, and Big Bend National Park in Texas. In Tennessee, must-sees include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, and Nashville’s Centennial Park with its replica of the original Parthenon in Greece. (Petite Retreats can be found at Bay Landing in Bridgeport, Texas, which is outside of Dallas, and Natchez Trace in Hohenwald, Tennessee, which is an hour and a half outside of Nashville and three hours outside of Memphis. Colorado River and Medina Lake are near Austin and San Antonio.)

Medina Lake • Lakehills, TX
Medina Lake • Lakehills, TX