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Summer Events Along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

Ron — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:00:03 +0000

Enjoy music, arts, crafts, food and wine to celebrate 75 years of the Parkway

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia’s small towns and communities along “America’s Favorite Drive,” are celebrating with special events and festivals all summer long.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is an iconic travel destination, stretching 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains. Reconnect with loved ones and nature in this pristine part of Virginia where music festivals, arts and crafts fairs, and food and wine events showcase the traditions and hospitality of Virginia’s Blue Ridge region.

Details on select special events are below. Visit www.Virginia.org/brp for more events, travel packages, trip itineraries and a chance to win a seven-night, six-day family vacation for four along Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway region.

Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive

Crafts in the Meadow/Meet the Authors – Meadows of Dan, July 3–4, 2010

The sixth annual Arts and Crafts Fair will feature regional artisans and traditional arts — local Blue Ridge historians and regional authors will be available for book discussion, book signings and sales. FREE.

Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival – Floyd, July 3–4, 2010

An annual Fourth of July festival featuring the finest in Virginia wines and regional craft beers, plus art vendors, overnight camping and main stage music. The Floyd Fandango takes place on a beautiful 80-acre Blue Ridge Parkway plateau. Attendees can relax under two giant tents – one featuring all-day wine tastings and the other offering samplings of craft beers – all while enjoying headlining acts on the gorgeous timber-framed main stage. Go for the weekend, and enjoy free overnight camping on-site. Admission Fee: $25 in advance and $30 at the gate.

Wooden Canoe Building Workshop – Floyd, July 4–9, 2010

Torben Hanson, instructor of woodcraft at the Danish School of Craft in Copenhagen, Denmark, will be teaching this wooden canoe building workshop at Ambrosia Farm Bed and Breakfast and Pottery in Floyd — a community that encourages and therefore celebrates its artistic diversity, through music, visual art, traditional craft and theater. Admission Fee: $1350 per couple.

Chateau Morrisette Wine & Music Festival – Floyd, July 10, 2010 and August 14, 2010

Enjoy a pristine setting where local area artists, advocates and youth are encouraged to participate in the festival. Celebrating 30 years of successful winemaking in 2010, Chateau Morrisette advocates conservation of the Parkway’s natural setting, and partial proceeds of sales of Mile Marker 000 and Mile Marker 469 wines are contributed to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Admission Fee: $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.

FloydFest 9 – Floyd, July 22–25, 2010

FloydFest is a four-day celebration of music and arts in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Featuring seven stages of bluegrass, old-time, folk, world music and more, as well as a children’s universe, healing arts, dance tent, Appalachian workshop porch and more than 100 local and regional artisans. FloydFest is an annual epicenter for music, culture and art in Southwest Virginia and beyond. Admission Fee: $145 for the weekend or $60 for a day.

Microfestivus – Roanoke, August 14

The Square Society presents the 13th annual MicroFestivus, a micro and craft beer festival. Taste from a selection of over 50 beers from 20 micro and craft breweries from the Mid-Atlantic region. Admission Fee: $5.

Galax Moose Lodge Old Fiddler’s Convention – Galax, August 9–14, 2010

The Galax Fiddler’s Convention will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010. Musicians and fans from around the world travel to Galax to perform and hear the music that defines the sound of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Galax, a venue of The Crooked Road, has been designated the world’s capital of old-time mountain music and is proud to be identified as hosting the world’s oldest and largest fiddlers convention, which has taken place consistently since 1935. Admission Fee: $5 — $8.

Fries Fiddlers Convention – Fries, August 20–22, 2010

The Fries Fiddlers Convention promotes the music of the area’s heritage and hopefully introduces a new generation to traditional old-time music. Besides the normal various instrument competitions and band competitions, there is also a youth competition and a flatfoot competition for young and old. $.

Virginia State Peach Festival – Stuart, August 19 – 21, 2010

The Virginia State Peach Festival is Virginia’s celebration of one of its star fruits – the peach. The festival traditionally holds a ticketed Saturday night music concert with major bands and a barbeque dinner. The festival has now grown to cover a weekend of celebration and includes a Thursday night gospel sing at Patrick Springs, the Virginia State Peach Pageant on Friday and a Saturday Folk Fair celebration at Meadows of Dan. Admission Fee: $12 in advance.

5th Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Music Fest – Wintergreen, August 21, 2010

Wintergreen Performing Arts will present the voices of the Blue Ridge through its fifth annual Blue Ridge Mountain Music Fest. The 2010 program features traditional bluegrass bands, gospel, blues and rock and roll. Admission Fee: Adults $20.

Chinquapin Festival – Meadows of Dan, September 4–6, 2010

The sixth annual Chinquapin Festival celebrates the soon-to-ripen Chinquapins, a nut-bearing shrub indigenous to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Craft vendors will be on-site selling their goods and locally-grown produce will be available. Live old-time and bluegrass music and a hay bale maze are also there for people’s enjoyment. FREE.

Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Weekend Festival – September 10 –12, 2010

The official 75th anniversary celebration — a multi-day, multi-venue festival staged along the Virginia, North Carolina shared border where Parkway construction began on September 11, 1935. The festival will include a formal ceremony featuring local, state and federal officials, regional music and crafts, antique car and travel trailer vehicle exhibits, interpretive and environmental programs, storytelling, children’s activities and local foods. FREE.

Virginia celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway throughout 2010 with special events, travel deals and promotions up and down the parkway. Complete details are available at www.Virginia.org/BRP.

Photo by Tom Stanley

National Park Getaway: Saratoga National Historical Park in Upstate New York

Tonia — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:00:33 +0000

The battleground at Saratoga has a record of getting people engaged in the American Revolution. After British forces surrendered to the Americans in October 1777, the French entered the war as allies of
Britain’s one-time colonies.

In 2010, visitors to Saratoga National Historical Park can find themselves hooked on the history of the Revolutionary War. This week’s National Park Getaway introduces Saratoga and makes potential visitors aware of the recreational opportunities available in upstate New York.

Awaiting the Redcoats: Saratoga Battlefield Reenactment, Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga is the 41st park featured in the Getaways series, which helps people find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family, and friends. Come here to get in touch with nature as you ride on horseback, bird-watch, or bicycle with a loved one. Follow the park’s tour road to tap into history. At one stop on the route, you’ll stand where Benedict Arnold fought for the American army and suffered a bullet wound. At another, you’ll visit an 18th-century farmhouse. The Schuyler House (1777) awaits you north of the battlefield, as do the Saratoga Monument and Victory Woods, site of the British forces’ last efforts in the battles of Saratoga.

This week’s Getaway article acquaints readers with all that the park has to offer and situates the park in context. That is, Saratoga National Historical Park belongs to a collection of attractions in upstate New York, and the Getaway inspires you to plan a vacation that allows you to see them all.

“Stillwater, Schuylerville, Saratoga Springs, and the surrounding area pack in a lot of life and culture,” said Superintendent Joe Finan. “Our park fits right into such a rich area, but it also stands out. Before or after taking in the local restaurants and shops, the concerts and dance performances, visitors here can walk upon hallowed grounds that were key to winning our nation’s struggle for independence.”

Let Saratoga pull you into this struggle—as it did the citizens of France—and then use the National Park System to discover the American Revolution further in places like Lexington, Concord, Boston, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, and Yorktown. Please visit www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm and click “By Topic” and “Revolutionary War” for more information.

Amtrak Connects to National Parks with a New Web Site

Tonia — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:00:49 +0000

Amtrak to Parks website

Amtrak introduced a new Web site designed to show travelers how convenient it is to travel by train to visit the country’s national parks.

With the theme “Parks in Your Backyard,” Amtraktoparks.com allows users to see the nearest Amtrak route to featured national park sites, each of which can be reached using public transportation from an Amtrak station.

Amtraktoparks.com offers a trip wizard which allows users to customize their search based on geographic location and personal interests — Monuments/Memorials, Revolutionary History or Water Activities to name a few.

Information on accommodations such camping sites and hotels is also provided. Once the user selects a national park, information on the park as well as which Amtrak route provides service to that park is shown. The site provides a direct link to Amtrak.com, allowing users to book rail travel.

Initially, the featured national parks include Glacier, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Everglades, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Rocky Mountain and 50 others located along the Northeast Corridor and in the nation’s capital.

These parks were selected due to their proximity to an Amtrak route. There are plans to add more national parks to the site. Eight routes are currently highlighted on the site. They are:

Acela Express (Washington — New York — Boston)
Northeast Regional (Virginia Beach — Richmond — Washington — New York — Boston)
Silver Service (New York — Miami), Palmetto (New York — Savannah)
Empire Builder (Chicago — St. Paul — Portland/Seattle)
San Joaquins (Bakersfield — Sacramento — Oakland)
California Zephyr (Chicago — Denver — San Francisco Bay Area)
Southwest Chief (Chicago — Albuquerque — Los Angeles)

“This new website brings together two of America’s favorite pastimes — traveling by train and visiting national parks,” said Emmett Fremaux, Amtrak’s vice president of marketing and product development. “With more than 500 Amtrak stops in 46 states and the District of Columbia, a national park is as close as your backyard.”

“Passenger rail and national parks have rolled through history in tandem since the 1880s,” said Dean Reeder, National Tourism Director of the National Park Service. “By facilitating visitor access to the many wondrous experiences available in many of our nation’s parks, Amtrak helps us advance the values of sustainable tourism.”

In addition to the highlighted Amtrak routes, seven other routes are also included so users may see other Amtrak routes that offer service to stations near national parks. Those routes are:

Capitol Limited (Washington — Pittsburgh — Chicago)
City of New Orleans (Chicago — Memphis — New Orleans)
Coast Starlight (Seattle — Portland — Los Angeles)
Crescent (New York — Washington — Atlanta — New Orleans)
Lake Shore Limited (New York/Boston — Albany — Chicago)
Texas Eagle (Chicago — St. Louis — Dallas — Los Angeles)
Sunset Limited (New Orleans — Houston — Los Angeles)

Under the Find a Park function, users may view a complete list of national parks that are accessible by train. Another link provides details on special fares and Amtrak Vacations packages which include rail travel, hotel accommodations and tour tickets.

Missouri Travel Sites Rich in African-American History

Tonia — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:10:16 +0000

Dred Scott. George Washington Carver. Scott Joplin. Buck O’Neil. You might be familiar with the names, but have you been to the courthouse where Scott, a slave, sat after he successfully sued to earn his freedom? Have you walked the grounds where Carver developed his love for agriculture? Can you hear the music play as you imagine Joplin sitting at his piano and composing “The Entertainer” or picture what O’Neil’s accommodations might have been like for road games?

If you answered “no” to these questions, it’s time for a visit to Missouri, a state rich in African-American culture and a great location to learn about the people who struggled to gain freedom, fought to make contributions to society, put their own stamp on a generation and simply wanted to get in the game.

Old Courthouse, St. Louis, Missouri. Photo circa 1862

The Old Courthouse in St. Louis, www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/och.htm plays an important role in the history of African-Americans in Missouri and in American history. It was the site of the first two stages of the Dred and Harriet Scott freedom trial, which began in 1847, sparking debates that divided the nation and playing a central role in the beginning of the Civil War.

If you’d like to walk the halls where the Scotts’ battle for freedom began (roughly 300 other people sued to earn their freedom at the courthouse, too), view a display about the trial or watch a video featuring an interview with one of the Scotts’ descendants, visit the Old Courthouse, which is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. It is open from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. daily and admission is free.

George Washington Carver — One of 20th Century’s greatest scientists

The freedom Scott sought was something Carver enjoyed and his early life is interpreted at the George Washington Carver National Monument, www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm, located on the property where Moses and Susan Carver lived just outside of Diamond in Southwest Missouri. It was at this site, once a working family farm, where Carver’s love for science and the outdoors was born.

Although he sought to further his education, he often was denied access to schools because of his color. But he persevered and earned a master’s degree in agriculture in 1896 — the same year Booker T. Washington asked him to head the Agriculture Department at the Tuskegee Institute.

“It was quite an achievement at that time,” says Diane Eilenstein, a Park Ranger at the Carver National Monument. “That’s an inspiring story in itself.” Spanning 240 acres, all of which is considered the monument to Carver, the park focuses on Carver’s first love: the outdoors. The monument features the mile-long Carver Trail, the Carver Family Cemetery and the 1881 Carver House.

Additionally, park staffers conduct hands-on experiments in plant science at an on-site lab. Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a visitor center and museum are open daily from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. The Carver Monument also will host special films on African-American history during January and February.

Scott Joplin — A visionary in music

While Carver was a pioneer in the field of science, Scott Joplin was a visionary in music. His ability to combine musical styles earned him the moniker “The King of Ragtime.” Today, Joplin’s life and times are preserved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, www.MoStateParks.com/scottjoplin.htm in St. Louis.

The sounds of Joplin’s music still fill the air at this home, where Joplin lived with his wife, Belle, and produced some of his better-known works, including the “The Entertainer” (featured in the movie, “The Sting,” Oscar winner for Best Picture of 1973).

“This site is an interpretation of him, his music, and Ragtime music,” said Sue Holst, an information officer with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks. “We’ve even recreated what we call the new Rosebud Café, which interprets a café or music hall that would have been in existence during his era.”

The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through February. From March — October, hours are 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon — 4 p.m. Sunday. Tours are offered every hour. And if you enjoy Joplin’s music, make a trip to Sedalia, home of the annual Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, www.ScottJoplin.org/. This year’s event is set for June 2–6 and will mark the festival’s 30th year.

You’ll find another area that pays tribute to the contributions of African-Americans by visiting Kansas City’s museums at 18th and Vine, home of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum.

During his life, Kansas City’s John J. “Buck” O’Neil played for and managed the Kansas City Monarchs, the city’s Negro Leagues franchise. Today, a sculpture of O’Neil looms over a field of legends depicted on a replica baseball diamond at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, www.NLBM.com/s/index.cfm.

O’Neil’s story is just one of many told at the museum, where guests must earn the right to set foot on the field by reading and learning more about the game’s history, great players and businessmen. As you enter, take note of the chicken wire that separates you from the field when you first walk in: That’s how most African-Americans were segregated at ballparks.

Before stepping onto the field, you’ll have the chance to read about greats like Satchel Paige and James “Cool Papa” Bell, who was so fast, even Olympic champion Jesse Owens wouldn’t race him around the base paths.

The museum is open 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and noon — 6 p.m. Sunday.

The same building also houses the American Jazz Museum, www.AmericanJazzMuseum.com where displays focus on Louie Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. At each station in this modern facility, information about the featured musicians and his or her contributions to the genre is presented, and you’ll find listening stations to hear them in action. And while the American Jazz Museum has plenty of information about the history of jazz, it also plays a vital role in today’s jazz scene.

Inside the museum are the Blue Room jazz club, where some of the country’s hottest acts perform, and the Gem Theater, a 500-seat performance venue. The American Jazz Museum also is open 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Elsewhere around Missouri, you’ll find a variety of locations where the history and culture of African-Americans is depicted or interpreted. Among them is the Black Archives in St. Joseph, www.StJosephMuseum.org/black_archives.htm where displays focus on the Underground Railroad, desegregation and African-American history in the St. Joseph area. An on-site museum also includes the area’s African-American Hall of Fame. The Black Archives are open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday.

If you’re near Missouri’s capital, Jefferson City, you’ll find a couple of opportunities to learn more about African-American history in the Show-Me State.

At the Missouri State Museum, which is operated by DNR and located in the Capitol, there’s a special display called “Slavery’s Echoes” where quotes from interviews with former slaves give first-hand accounts of working conditions, family life, housing and treatment they endured. Also in the display, you’ll find “hands-on” artifacts like shackles and clothing, along with an audio component that allows you to hear stories from the aforementioned interviews.

Jefferson City is also home to Lincoln University, one of the nation’s historically black colleges. Lincoln University was founded in 1866 by Civil War soldiers from the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantry, many of whom were Missourians, with the goal of providing higher education to freed African-Americans. Today, you can walk through the picturesque campus and visit the Soldiers Memorial Plaza, which pays tribute to the university’s founders.

African-American soldiers in the Civil War also are the focus of another important Missouri State Historic Site being developed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks. The site is associated with the Battle of Island Mound and will showcase the area near the battlefield where African-American soldiers first fought in the Civil War.

“That’s a pretty major interpretative find,” Holst said of the site. “It’s significant not only statewide, but nationally.”

This 40-acre park, located southwest of Butler in Bates County, was home to what was called “Fort Africa,” a house that served as the operating base for the soldiers of the First Kansas Colored Infantry. The men of this infantry engaged in battle nearly three months before President Lincoln’s administration approved the enlistment of African-American fighting units. The Missouri State Parks Foundation currently is leading a campaign to raise money to develop this site.

For more information about African-American history, or to receive a free copy of the 2010 Missouri Travel Guide, log onto www.VisitMO.com.

Photo by army.arch

Exploring The Great Lakes Seaway Trail in Winter

Ron — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:59:10 +0000

Near the whirlpool, Niagara River

Living so close to the Great Lakes (Lake Michigan to be exact), I often take them for granted. Then along comes something new that I hadn’t heard of before. Case in point: The Great Lakes Seaway Trail.

“Great Lakes what?” Exactly. If you’ve never heard of it before, the Great Lakes Seaway Trail is a driving/boating byway that parallels the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes in New York and Pennsylvania. The trail is a National Scenic Byway that includes includes Niagara Falls; 1000 Islands; 29 lighthouses; War of 1812 farm and nature sites; lots of harbors, world-class sportfishing, bridges and ferries to and from Canada, and the Seaway Trail Discovery Center.

So now that you know what it is, let’s get started on what you can actually do along the Seaway Trail during the remaining winter months.

Photograph Spectacular Ice Dunes

Waves surging inland from Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River form spectacular ice dunes all along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail’s shoreline. Presque Isle State Park along Seaway Trail Pennsylvania in Erie is perfect for photographing the dunes and hearty souls ice boating on Presque Isle Bay, or rent cross-country skis or snowshoes to explore 11 miles of natural and groomed trails. The Bay also offers outdoor skating and fishing, but know how to check the ice thickness for safety before stepping out. Check the Winter Report at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/winter/winterb.aspx?park=6200 or call 814–833-7424.

Sleigh Riding and Hot Tubbing

“Lake Effect” snows create Great Lakes Seaway Trail winter playgrounds when cold winds cross the warm freshwaters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Horse-drawn sleigh (or wagon) rides through Chautauqua Institution’s Victorian-era National Historic Landmark landscape in Chautauqua, NY, start at 1 pm and run about every half-hour weekends through January to February 28. Purchase same-day tickets after 12 noon at the Institution bookstore.

Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky dog sled demonstrations, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, winter camping and cooking will be outside at Jamestown’s Audubon Center’s Snowflake Festival on Saturday, February 6, 2010, with live bird, hand-quilting, Master Gardener demos and bluebird box building indoors. A $5 pre-event sale coupon book includes chances for a handmade Swedish afghan and one week of summer day camp for a child of your choice. For details: 716–569-2345 and http://snowflakefestival.wordpress.com/.

Where can you find 27 slopes and trails for crisp wintry downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing followed by a warm, relaxing dip in an outdoor hot tub? Peek’n Peak Resort & Spa, 1405 Old Road, Clymer, NY, 716–355-4141, http://www.pknpk.com/.

Send Your Kids to 18th Century Winter Camp

Need your kids to burn energy on their mid-winter break February 16–18? Send them to camp on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail. Old Fort Niagara offers three day-long programs for kids to learn how to light a campfire with flint and steel, write with a quill pen, cook a colonial-style meal, snowshoe and race with fur traders. The 8:30am to 4:30pm program includes an 18th-century puppet show and building a model of the historic fort at the mouth of the Niagara River on Lake Ontario. Registration is $40 and limited to first 20 children/day. Call 716–745-7611 for details.

Hockey for Heroes in Buffalo

Travel the Great Lakes Seaway Trail to exciting Buffalo Sabres’ National Hockey League action! Military service members from Western NY can apply for “Tickets for Troops” to see a game courtesy of Sabres’ defensemen Chris Butler. Find application online at http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=501129. Not military, call 888-GO-SABRES for tickets.

Gateway to Snow-Cruising and Snow Strolling through Historic Landscapes

Snow-cruising aboard a snowmobile is a refreshing way to experience the byway’s beautiful wintry landscape and its historic architecture. For example, 8 miles west of Albion, NY, ride the only road that passes under the Erie Canal. Culvert Road is a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not highlight. Check out Trailwide snowmobiling and winter trail resources at http://www.seawaytrail.com/. (Note: As of this writing, the seawaytrail.com website seemed to be down. You could also try http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2488/.)

Ancient glaciers helped create a 19th century dolostone wall and extinct waterfall at the Nature Center at Genesee Country Village. On Saturdays and Sundays, for $5–10 rent skis and snowshoes, some small enough for 3-year-olds, to explore 6 miles of trails through chickadee– and deer-filled meadows and woodlands. Enjoy self-guided “snow strolling” 12 noon-4pm past the 40-plus historic buildings representing American pioneer life from 1795 to 1920. Call ahead to 585–538-6822 x262 to confirm conditions are right. Find more details online at http://www.gcv.org/

Bavaria on the Byway

Check out Bavarian Ski Day on January 24, 2010 at Brantling Ski Slopes where now-retired Olympian downhiller Diane Roffe-Steinrotter once trained. The special event features music, traditional Bavarian food and drink: sausage, sauerkraut, German potatoes, German beer and wine. Lift, lesson and rental package is available for $33-$46. You can also snowboard here, 4051 Fish Farm Road, Sodus, NY, 315–331-2365, http://www.brantling.com/

Outdoor Fun Galore

What’s your winter recreation pleasure? Fair Haven Beach State Park on Lake Ontario on Route 104A has it all — from cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and winter birdwatching opportunities along trails and 1500 feet of beach. This historic park dates to the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corps built cabins and pavilions here. Call 315–947-5205 or check www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks for details.

Ice Climbing at Salmon River Falls

Play It Again, Salmon; Mate, Spawn & Die; Shale We Climb — all names of ascents, some as high as 100 feet — for ice climbers at Salmon River Falls Natural Area in Altmar, NY. When crisp winter temperatures set, the frozen falls become a mecca for ice climbers. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages the area and requires that climbers observe strict safety precautions and register daily to climb. Call 315–298-7467 for ice conditions — generally best in February-March. Find more details and photos at http://www.visitoswegocounty.com/tn/MoreFun/IceClimbing.aspx.

Are You Crazy? Polar Bear Dipping in the St. Lawrence River

Ready to jump into freezing water for a good cause? The 20th annual Friends of River Hospital Polar Bear Dip is February 27, 2010. Hearty, and harnessed, souls from all over the U.S. will plunge into the St. Lawrence River through a hole cut in the ice off the Rum Runner’s Dock at Bonnie Castle Resort at Alexandria Bay, NY. Minimum entry is $100; funds raised purchase equipment for the hospital. Prizes are awarded for Best Costume, Best Dipping Technique, and Most Money Raised. The Bay’s resort hotels offer preferred or reduced rates. The celebration includes a Feburary 21st Snolf (snow golf) Tournament, and has raised more than $50,000 in a single year. More info: 315–482-5421, kvpeters@ridgeviewtel.us.

Re-enacting The War of 1812

On February 20–21, 2010, the British Crown forces will slip across the St. Lawrence River to attack the Americans at Ogdensburg in a recreated battle of the War of 1812. Reenactors bring to life Forsythe’s Rifles Regiment at the future site of the recreation of historic Fort de la Presentation. Watch for details as the event approaches.

Tunnel Your Way Under the Seaway

To reach Robert Moses State Park at Massena, NY, drive underneath the Eisenhower Lock that allows six-story-tall freighters to travel the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The Park’s Nature Center offers cross-country ski and snowshoe rental for exploring 25 km of tranquil trails along the St. Lawrence River. Park entry is free. Call 315–764-5630 or check http://www.rmspnaturecenter.org/contact_us.html for dates for moonlight skiing, family snowshoe hikes, and indoor “snowy meadow” painting and carving classes.

Learn more about traveling the Great Lakes Seaway Trail in your time, at your pace, in your style at http://www.seawaytrail.com/ or call 1–800-SEAWAY-T. (Note: As of this writing, the seawaytrail.com website seemed to be down. You could also try http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2488/.)

Photo by Ken Lund

Pennsylvania’s Steamtown Offers Glimpse of Railroad Heyday

Tonia — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:01:17 +0000

CN #3254 pauses atop Tunkhannock Viaduct, PA.

Steam rises around you. A giant turntable revolves. Excitement simmers in your chest.

It might sound like you’re dancing the night away at a trendy club, but the turntable before you (used for positioning locomotives) isn’t manned by a DJ, and here, steam creates power not ambiance.

Our entire family has a distinct love of trains, and Steamtown is one of those places made for people like us. At Steamtown National Historic Site, thrills sweep through you as you travel by rail or watch an “iron horse” race along its track. The park offers train excursions of varying lengths. In 2010, trips start in April, but don’t delay a visit until then. Steamtown, like the United States in the 19th– and early 20th-century heyday of rail travel, boasts plenty of opportunities in addition to riding the rails.

You can enter locomotives for a view of their controls and take a peek inside one locomotive that has had parts of its exterior cut away to reveal the operation of its steam engine. You can also walk through a post office car and a business car and check out museum exhibits.

The History Museum at Steamtown acquaints visitors with life on the railroad and with early railroads, as well as with the interaction between businessmen, laborers, members of the government, and people who used, owned, or worked on railroads.

After you’re done indulging in the historical aspect of early railroading, head over to the Technology Museum, where you’ll learn about freight cars and the building of railroad tracks.

Find out more about the railroads’ architecture, a sample of which is available at Steamtown in surviving portions of the Scranton roundhouse and locomotive repair shops of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad, and other attractions at Steamtown, including its wintertime movies, by visiting the National Park Service’s Steamtown website.

Photo by Ken Ganz. Courtesy of the National Park Service.

Win The Ultimate Family Road Trip With Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway Sweepstakes

Ron — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:15:41 +0000

Win a seven-day family trip with hybrid rental car, Virginia Green lodging and airfare for four

Yonahlossee Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway

Virginia has added a lot of green to the Blue Ridge Parkway with a brand-new family vacation giveaway celebrating the parkway’s 75th anniversary.

The Virginia “Go Green on the Blue Ridge Parkway Sweepstakes” is the chance to win the ultimate family road trip. Visitors to www.Virginia.org/BRP can enter to win a seven-day, six-night vacation for four, complete with airfare, a hybrid rental car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and overnight stays at Virginia Green hotels, resorts and cabins. The sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents 21 and older and runs through November 1, 2010.

2010 marks the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which covers 469 miles of scenic byway from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Virginia Green program recognizes hotels, restaurants and attractions for taking steps to preserve the environment including water and energy conservation, waste reduction, optional linen service and more.

“For 75 years, the Blue Ridge Parkway has been an inspiration for conserving Virginia’s natural beauty and sharing that beauty with our visitors,” said Alisa Bailey, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Virginia Green continues that legacy as travelers visit the Parkway and its communities to reconnect with nature and their families.”

The Blue Ridge Parkway family vacation prize is full of outdoor adventure, exciting activities and premiere accommodations. The prize trip includes overnight stays at Virginia Green certified favorites such as Wintergreen Resort, the Hotel Roanoke, Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center and Shadow Mountain Escape.

Each of the seven days is filled with entertainment for the whole family. Highlights include:

Earn Junior Ranger badges at Shenandoah National Park
Outdoor fun at Wintergreen Resort
Hike to Mill Mountain and the Roanoke Star
Tours of the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the Science Museum of Western Virginia
Picturesque photo stop at Mabry Mill
Music and more at the Blue Ridge Music Center
Picnic lunch at Peaks of Otter
Living history at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton
Outdoor thrills with Appalachian Adventures

“Today’s families are bombarded with technology, digital communications, and virtual recreation. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers families an opportunity to relax and reconnect exploring the natural beauty of the region,” said Catherine Fox, President of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association.“ We look forward to welcoming visitors to help us celebrate the 75th anniversary.”

Virginia will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway throughout 2010 with special events, travel deals and promotions up and down the parkway. Complete details and contest rules for the Go Green on the Blue Ridge Parkway Sweepstakes are available at www.Virginia.org/BRP.

To request a free Virginia is for Lovers travel guide with a commemorative cover design, call 1–800-VISITVA.

Photo by numbphoto — Color mad

Exploring Yellowstone National Park by Snowmobile

Tonia — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:17 +0000

Snowmobiling in Yellowstone. Photo courtesy Togwotee Mountain Lodge.

As one of the first and arguably most popular national parks in the country, Yellowstone National Park can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. Togwotee Mountain Lodge, located right outside the park near Jackson, Wyoming, offers guided trips that showcase the best of Yellowstone. With various tours to choose from, guests can rely on an interpretive guide to explain the sights instead of frantically flipping through a guide book.

Togwotee has some of the most spectacular and popular snowmobiling destinations in North America. Snowmobilers of every level can enjoy stunning views of the majestic Teton Mountain Range, a matchless wealth of wildlife, and surreal geothermal features.

Operated out of the Togwotee Lodge, Togwotee Snowmobile Adventures provides guided trips of Yellowstone from the town of Jackson. All of Togwotee’s Yellowstone tours include an interpretive guide, transportation, photographic opportunities, and breakfast in Jackson, clothing, snowmobile, gas and oil, lunch in the park and transportation back.

Snowcoach Tours into Yellowstone occur everyday providing a comfortable warm method of visiting Yellowstone—via vans equipped with tank-like tracks to maneuver the snowmobile trail into Old Faithful. Visitors can learn from the specialized knowledge of their Yellowstone driver as they travel through the park.
Togwotee Snowmobile Adventures also offers three Yellowstone National Park Snowmobiling Tours:
The Old Faithful Tour is a classic snowmobiling adventure that provides a one-on-one encounter with the finest beauty that nature has to offer. The tour includes pick-up at the lodge, a buffet breakfast, a hot grill lunch at the geyser and drop-off back at the lodge. Mileage: 90 miles round trip
The Canyons Tour enters from the south entrance of Yellowstone and travels up to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone on the eastern roads of the park. This tour does not visit Old Faithful, but guests have the opportunity to explore the Canyons and Yellowstone River, travel to the south gate and enjoy a picnic lunch. Mileage: 125 miles round trip
The Yellowstone Loop Tour enters from the south entrance of Yellowstone and travels up to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone on the eastern roads of the park. After a short stop at the Canyon, this more advanced tour continues on the lower loop of the park to Old Faithful. Mileage: 170 miles round trip

Togwotee translates to “from here you can go anywhere” in the language of the Mountain Crow Indian tribe. True to this meaning, Togwotee Mountain Lodge lies in close proximity to the Grand Loop, which includes Jackson and Grand Teton, as well as Yellowstone. The central location of Togwotee Mountain Lodge allows for easy access to other winter activities such as extreme snowmobiling, dog sled tours into the backcountry and night and day trips to Jackson.

If you’d like more information on winter activities at Togwotee Mountain Lodge, head over to www.togwoteelodge.com or call (866) 292‑6720.

U.S. Highway 25E Receives National Scenic Byway Designation

Tonia — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:52 +0000

Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. Photo by Charlie Bay.

The stretch of U.S. 25E from Cumberland Gap to Newport, called “East Tennessee Crossing” by the local organizations who promote tourism, received designation as a National Scenic Byway on October 19, 2009. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made the announcement at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Five counties in East Tennessee (Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson and Cocke) have being working since 2003 to achieve the federal designation for the portion of U.S. 25E that runs through those counties.

Benefits of the designation include funding of $25,000 per year for five years; eligibility to apply for federal competitive grants; America’s Byways® branding; national and international marketing through the federal program; and technical assistance from National Scenic Byways Program staff.

“My predecessor, Chuck Davis, had the vision to pursue National Scenic Byway designation for 25E, “said Maria Fisher, tourism director for the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce. “After Chuck passed away in 2006, the steering committee continued working on the project. This is such a wonderful tribute to his memory since this designation will help increase visitation to our area and drive tourism development for years to come.”

In applying for the national designation, the steering committee had to demonstrate that the byway has elements of regional and national significance. Such assets include: Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Wilderness Road, Daniel Boone National Historic Trail, planned extension of the Lewis and Clark Trail, planned Daniel Boone National Historic Trail, Lincoln Museum, Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Quilt Trail, first TVA dam and lake, Warrior Path/Buffalo Trail, Davy Crockett history, Daniel Boone history, Dixie Highway, Civil War history, Thunder Road history, Appalachian culture, arts and history.

“Our region has such an interesting story to tell travelers,” Fisher noted. “That’s why it was so important for us to be accepted into the national program because it will give our five counties more resources and funding to promote this area to tourists.”

The steering committee for the East Tennessee Crossing Byway will host a local ceremony to commemorate the designation later this fall. Details on that event will be announced once plans are finalized.

Today’s announcement of 42 new designations includes five All-American Roads and 37 National Scenic Byways in 26 states. This increases the number of America’s Byways® to 151. There was only one other designation in Tennessee, the Great River Road in West Tennessee.

“By enriching the National Scenic Byways program with their own unique historical or aesthetic quality, these new additions help our national road system tell our country’s story,” said Secretary LaHood. “These routes continue to offer Americans exciting new opportunities to explore the nation — whether they travel close to home or across the country.”

Created in 1991, the National Scenic Byways program is a collaborative effort to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. It has funded 2,672 projects for state and nationally designated byway routes in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. With Massachusetts and New Jersey included in the 2009 designations, 46 states have America’s Byways® in them.

For more information visit www.byways.org.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/charliebay/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Top 10 Ways to View Ohio’s Fall Foliage

Tonia — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:26 +0000

Beaver Creek, OH

With Ohio’s peak fall foliage season nearly upon us, now is the perfect time to plan an Ohio getaway that offers a new perspective on how to view the blazing reds, yellows and oranges throughout the state. Whether you are interested in exhilarating outdoor activities or are looking for a bird’s-eye view of the landscape, Ohio has a number of ways to enjoy the fall foliage season. For additional ideas and getaways created to maximize Ohio’s fall foliage and to view the latest fall color report, we encourage travelers to check www.DiscoverOhio.com and click on the Autumn Adventures icon. Ohio’s fall season truly is too much fun for just one day!

Ride the rails through it. Traveling through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features vintage engines and coaches built in the 1940s and 1950s. Round-trip excursions take visitors to Peninsula, Hale Farm and Village, Quaker Square and Akron’s North side and offer some of the most stunning fall foliage sights in the state on a relaxing train ride. While the park is located near Cleveland, Akron and Canton, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is worlds away. The 33,000 acres of diverse landscape include sandstone ledges, 70 waterfalls (most notably the 60-foot-tall Brandywine Falls), rolling hills and river gorges that can be viewed from 186 miles of trails. Peak fall foliage views: Late September/early October.
Rise above it. For a truly breathtaking view of Ohio’s fall foliage, consider getting a birds-eye view with a hot air balloon ride. There are numerous options geographically to start off your adventure. Prices for hot air balloon rides range anywhere from $320 — $500 for two people. After an exhilarating balloon ride, stay grounded at a local restaurant and share stories of this high-flying experience. Peak fall foliage views: Depending on geographic region, late September through late October.
Segway into it. What better way to combine technology with the outdoors than to embark on a journey through Mother Nature’s territory on a guided Segway tour? Firefly Hollow Segway Tours in Little Hocking (SE Ohio) offers fantastic eco-friendly opportunities to navigate the outdoor landscape for anyone, even those with physical limitations. Along 3.5 miles of terrain, visitors travel deep into the woods, up and down hills, enjoying the finest in fall foliage. Be sure to bring binoculars, as the tour educates visitors on the area’s birding population and provides tips on how to spot birds. Peak fall foliage views: Late October.
Fly through it. Ohio offers two unbelievable ziplining adventures with two different experiences. In Oregonia (SW Ohio), Ozone Zipline Adventures takes thrill seekers above the Little Miami River Valley canopy on seven sky bridges spanning two miles. Among the reds, oranges and yellows, see 500 million-year-old fossils and 2,000-year-old Native American earthworks in the valley on this educational ride. In Rockbridge (SE Ohio), the Hocking Hills Canopy Tours takes riders on a faster zipline where views of the Hocking River and rock cliffs provide a breathtaking backdrop for the area’s natural flora and fauna. Peak fall foliage views: Late October.
Float past it. No visit to Historic Roscoe Village is complete without a relaxing float along a 1.5-mile stretch of canal aboard the horse-drawn Monticello III. A part of the Lake Park Recreational Complex, the 45-minute canal boat ride allows passengers to experience a serene glide at 4 mph from which fall colors along the forested banks can be savored. The canal boat captain provides passengers with a little insight into life on the canal during its 1800s heyday. Don’t miss the village’s historic shops and restaurants and sited including the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum or the nearby Raven’s Glenn Winery. Peak fall foliage views: Early to mid-October.
Trot past it. Take a horse-drawn buggy ride through the rolling hills of Ohio’s Amish Country at Schrock’s Family Farm near Berlin (NE Ohio). Located in the heart of the country’s largest Amish population, the farm provides visitors with an understanding of local Amish customs, traditions and lifestyle. Take the opportunity to browse the region’s numerous cheese houses or shop for quilts and hardwood furniture. Peak fall foliage views: Late September/early October.
Get up close to it. Ohio has two backpacking trails that offer hikers opportunities to get away from it all and experience nature’s fall foliage. The 23.5-mile Zaleski State Forest backpack trail in Vinton County (SE Ohio) is great for beginners or those looking for a less strenuous hiking and backpacking experience in Ohio’s second-largest state forest. Also called “The Little Smokies of Ohio,” Shawnee State Forest’s backpacking trail in Scioto County (SE Ohio) offers 60 miles of rugged terrain ideal for more moderate and advanced hikers. Peak fall foliage views: Late October.
Paddle through it. Ohio’s 14 state scenic rivers offer unique views of brilliant fall foliage and migrating birds. Located in Hiram (NE Ohio), the Camp Hi Canoe Livery offers visitors a peaceful canoe or kayak experience along the upper portion of the scenic Cuyahoga River. On the State Scenic Sandusky River, Ridgway Canoe Livery near Tiffin (NW Ohio) offers canoe or kayaking trips for spectacular fall foliage views. Peak fall foliage views: Late September/early October.
Road trip it. Ohio’s scenic byways are a fantastic way to enjoy Ohio’s fall colors, and each one offers a very different experience. Consider a drive along the Covered Bridge Scenic Byway through Wayne National Forest (SE Ohio) in Ohio’s Appalachian region or cruise along the flatlands of the Old Mill Stream Byway (NW Ohio) along the Blanchard River and Lake Erie. Peak fall foliage views: Depending on geographic region, late September through late October.
Hoof it. Ohio state parks and forests offer more than 500 miles of bridle trails through all types of landscapes and terrain in 24 parks. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced equestrian, Ohio has eight state parks that are adjacent to state forests and provide more than 200 additional miles of riding trails. In particular, Hueston Woods State Park in Butler and Preble Counties (SW Ohio) offers horse rentals and guides who take horseback riders along the park’s scenic trails. Peak fall foliage views: Depending on geographic region, late September through late October.

For the most up-to-date information on Ohio’s fall foliage, follow us on Twitter @DiscoverOhio or become a fan of the Ohio Tourism Division on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DiscoverOhio. To order a free copy of the 2009 Ohio Travel Planner or the 2009–2010 Fall/Winter Ohio Calendar of Events, click on the Free Publications icon at www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1–800-BUCKEYE. The Ohio Travel Planner and Ohio Calendar of Events also are both viewable online. Trained travel counselors are available to assist 1–800-BUCKEYE callers weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.