Scenic Byways
A Drive to Remember…
WHAT IF I TOLD YOU. What if I told you we took our Jeep on a drive over the mountains shown in the first picture of the series? Would you believe me? What if I told you that we found about 30 big horn sheep climbing precariously on the cliffs at the side of the … Continue reading
The Beauty of Cades Cove…
OUR LAST DAY AT THE PARK. Today was our last day in Gatlinburg so we had to choose between many places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to visit. We chose Cades Cove, on the advice of several locals whom we met at breakfast the other day. There are so many things to see … Continue reading
The Many Faces of Pensacola Beach…
PENSACOLA BEACH. Anchored at the western tip of Florida, stretching miles along the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach’s sugar-white sand beaches, and crystal clear waters draw beach lovers, fishing enthusiasts and environmentalists alike. The all-inclusive term “Pensacola Beach” is however a misnomer for the location of my visit today. Because it is but one of the … Continue reading
Sentimental Journey into the South…
JUNE 7, 2016 A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY. You guys know that our friend Jon, who’s lived in the South his entire life, has been taking us around and showing us the sights. And his “tours” are lots better than what Gray Line has to offer. Those bus tours are better than nothing in a pinch, when we … Continue reading
Another Blue Ribbon Tour of Pensacola…
ANOTHER BLUE RIBBON TOUR. You’ve already met Jon York, our friend and the one who’s made our stay in Pensacola the best it could be. The tour he gave us today was “top of the line.” In fact it was “over the top.” The guy is something else. Just when we think he’s already outdone … Continue reading
New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway…
AUGUST 28, 2015 WE’RE NOW IN NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE. It’s distinctly different here than in the southern part of the state. It’s cooler. It’s mountainous. Alpine-like. We’re staying in a tiny village called Twin Mountain. It’s surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest. Stunning mountain vistas, vintage trains, majestic waterfalls, trout streams hissing along country roads, … Continue reading
Camp Wood, Texas…where time stands still!
JANUARY 20, 2014 A TOWN WHERE TIME STANDS STILL. If you enjoy going to the theater on Saturday night, don’t expect to make it happen in Camp Wood, Texas. About the best you can do is visit a biker-friendly bar called Harley’s Hideaway for some beers before having dinner at Two Fat Boys Barbecue. Or … Continue reading
Driving the back road to Carlsbad, New Mexico…
OCTOBER 14, 2014: “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” WE DROVE EAST ON STATE ROUTE 82. For our drive from White Sands to our next stop at the famous Carlsbad Caverns, we took the scenic byway, rather than the Interstate. Whenever possible and time permits, we’re staying off the “big roads” and … Continue reading
You won’t believe these road signs…
SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 THE DRIVE FROM MISSOULA TO BILLINGS, MONTANA Today was the first leg of our long 2,300 mile trek from Montana to Texas. We drove about 360 miles…quite a distance for us to drive in a day. We often don’t travel more than 150 miles or so, or even less than that … Continue reading
Palouse Scenic Byway and Top Notch Cafe…
JULY 29, 2014. A PATCHWORK OF ROLLING FARMLAND. The drive from Lewiston, Idaho to Newport, Washington via Spokane turned out to be a memorable one. State Route 195. True rural America. It took us almost 100 miles along the Palouse Scenic Byway, which is a spectacular drive through a patchwork quilt of rolling hills, celebrated … Continue reading
Lewiston, Idaho…
JULY 24, 2014. HELLS GATE STATE PARK: About 125 miles north of Riggins we arrive at Hells Gate State Park, in Lewiston, Idaho. The Park is a gateway to both Idaho’s Lewis and Clark country and to another section of Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. We have a shady campsite along … Continue reading
Columbia River Highway… Scenic Byway Route 30…
MAY 16, 2014 AN AFTERNOON SPENT DRIVING THE BYWAY. The drive along this road, which is the old route along the Columbia Gorge now “replaced” by Highway 84, is absolutely spectacular. Any way you look at it, this Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway is a marvel—for its visionary engineering, incredible scenery, and rich history. … Continue reading
Driving along the Columbia River Gorge Route toward Portland…
MAY 9, 2014. DRIVING WEST ON INTERSTATE 84. Today’s drive took us farther along Interstate 84 traveling West toward Portland, which is our next camping spot. The weather was dramatic…bright sun followed by driving rain, hail and very high winds…enough to keep me focused on the road! The trip along this route, however, is absolutely … Continue reading
