This month at iExplore.com, I’m advising baby boomers on how to combine cultural adventures with a food and wine tour. Are you a fan of wine, food, culture or all three? Click on over to read the article. Bet it will make your traveling feet itchy.
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Want to visit the United States’ other Grand Canyon? Travel to Kauai to experience Waimea Canyon. Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon offers baby boomers photographic opportunities along with numerous hiking adventures. Or you can just stand at one of the lookouts to marvel at the beauty of the lush green foliage punctuated by red cliffs, with waterfalls that form long, white ribbons down the canyon’s steep sides.
Since we were with a friend whose mobility had been hampered by an injury, hiking wasn’t on the agenda the day that Alan and I visited Waimea Canyon. We limited our exploration to the paths along the lookout area at Waimea Canyon State Park. A humid haze filled the air, challenging our photographic skills. As we looked for the perfect camera angle, an occasional helicopter buzzed in and out of the canyon giving its passengers a close-up view.
I’ve been doing a little research to see what adventures that we missed. On our next visit to Kauai, we’ll include Kokee State Park, located at the end of Waimea Canyon Drive. And we’ll be sure to include a hike. I’ve found some good resources from the blogging world:
For detailed advice on where to go and what to do, I like this Go Visit Hawaii post.After exploring Waimea Canyon, we stopped at Kauai Coffee Plantation for a coffee tasting located in a coffee grove bordering the Pacific. We thought it was the perfect way to end our Waimea Canyon day.
Have you hiked in Waimea Canyon? Post a comment to tell me about your adventure. I’ll be hiking on my next trip to Kauai.
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They'll be ringing the bell in Greer, Arizona
Baby boomers, how will you celebrate the 4th of July? Since Alan and I will be staying at home on Independence Day, I thought I’d satisfy my itchy travel feet by taking a look at the festivities in some of our favorite destinations, just in case you would like to go somewhere on the 4th.
For a California wine country 4th of July, Solvang starts the morning off with an Independence Day Parade and Barbecue. Spend your afternoon at the free 4th of July Jamboree where the Santa Ynez Master Valley Chorale and Blue Grass Band present a concert of American music. Then head on over to the Solvang Independence Day Festival at Santa Ines Mission grounds for the fireworks display.
In Paonia, Colorado, they’ll be celebrating Cherry Days along with the 4th of July. The festivities begin on July 3rd with Downtown Days where you can wander the booth-lined sidewalks to sample food, entertainment and shop the sales. After filling up at the Firefighters Breakfast on the 4th, claim your space on the sidewalk to watch the Bed Race before the grand parade begins. End the day with a free concert in Town Park. Leroux Creek Inn makes a convenient 4th of July headquarters. Don’t foreget to hike on the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison whil you’re in the area. It’s a great way to walk off that piece of cherry pie you ate on the 4th.
The 4th of July holds bittersweet memories for the residents of Vicksburg, Mississippi. It’s the anniversary of the day the city surrendered to Union forces, after a 47-day seige, during the Civil War. The residents of Vicksburg did not celebrate the 4th of July for many years after that event. But Vicksburg seems to be making up for lost time with this year’s celebration. The city is hosting a free 4th of July concert featuring the Living Legends, a Beatles tribute band, along with a “special fireworks display.” If you stay at Baer House Inn, simply walk down the hill to the festivities.
What could be better than sitting on my favorite beach to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July? That’s what will be happening on South Carolina’s Kiawah Island with beach music, island drinks and great food thrown in for good measure.
Have I whetted your appetite for a fun 4th of July? Here are a few more suggestions from the blogging world:
Where will you be celebrating the 4th of July? Post a comment to tell me about your holiday. I’m already planning for next year.
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Yes, we’ve lost another quality travel product. Last year, I wrote about a Peter Deilmann River cruise for music lovers. Although I have not traveled with the company, their reputation is outstanding. I was looking forward to trying them one day as many of my baby boomer travel friends have enjoyed their Peter Deilmann experience.
Unfortunately, that won’t be happening. Yesterday, the company announced that it is ceasing river cruise operations in 2010. Kudos to Peter Deilmann for announcing this far enough in advance to allow travelers the time to reconsider their travel plans. According to Andrea Rotondo, publisher of Luxury Cruise Bible, Deilmann will continue to operate their ocean cruising vessel. For more information read this explanation from Cruise Critic.
Have you sailed on a Peter Deilmann River cruise? Post a comment. Here’s your chance to tell us what we’ve missed.
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Want to visit Colorado alpine country up close and personal? 4-wheeling the trail to Yankee Boy Basin will satisfy any baby boomer longing for mountain scenery combined with a little adventure. Along the way, you’ll discover the remnants of old mines wedged into the sides of the canyon. If there’s been a good snow year, the waterfalls will be running. Arrive at just the right time in early summer and the basin will be wearing a dazzling wildflower display.
Yankee Boy Basin is located in the San Juan Mountains near Ouray, Colorado. The trail is a good introduction to 4-wheel-drives in the San Juans as it’s not that hard. However, I do take a deep breath when we’re driving along the narrow ledge that looks down into the canyon. Just as you enter Yankee Boy Basin, a clearing houses restrooms and a bulletin board with brochures and other information. Most of the time, Alpine Hosts, volunteers from the Yankee Boy Conservation Association, are available to answer questions or dispense advice.
Alan and I have enjoyed both of our visits to Yankee Boy Basin. On our first trip, we entered the basin just as a late August thunderstorm turned the sky dark and stormy. But we still had time to park the jeep and walk around a bit. Surrounded by a 360 view of mountain peaks, I wanted to belt out a verse from the Sound of Music. Don’t worry. I didn’t.
On our second trip, we arrived in late June as the mountains were recovering from a record winter snowfall. Waterfalls streamed down evergreen covered hillsides while snow still decorated the higher peaks. Avalanche damage was evident but didn’t block our progress, although the trail was rough from winter damage. This time, walking in the basin was wet and muddy as we looked for the season’s first wildflowers.
We’ve shared the trail with 4-wheel-drive convoys, off-road motorcycles, ATV’s, even trail runners preparing for a race. If you’re not a boomer who’s into 4-wheeling, several companies in Ouray offer tours where they do the driving and you do the looking. Don’t miss the opportunity to travel deep into Colorado backcountry for a scenic ride.
Do you have any tips for exploring Yankee Boy Basin Trail? Post a comment. I’ll definitely be returning to one of my favorite areas of southwestern Colorado.
A hlepful tool for planning a San Juan Mountain trip. Southern Colorado 4-Wheeling, The San Juans
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Yes, they use a tablecloth for dinner. I returned at lunch to take this photo of Holuakoa Gardens and Cafe.
If you’re a baby boomer traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii, don’t miss the locals. Food that is. From your resort room on the Kona Coast, drive up into the hills above Kailua-Kona to Holualoa Town for a meal at Holuakoa Gardens & Café. Your taste buds will thank you.
During a visit to the Big Island, Alan and I enjoyed a meal in Holuakoa’s garden setting. But first we walked the town of Holualoa, stopping in the shops and galleries that line Mamalahoa Highway. Located in the middle of coffee country, Holualoa Town has become a haven for local artisans. Have you visited a ukulele gallery? Holualoa has one.
But let’s get back to the food. Holuakoa Gardens & Café takes the slow food concept to the highest level. Most of the food products served at the restaurant come from within a 5-mile radius. The menu is changed often to reflect local availability and freshness of ingredients. Alan and I think organic never tasted so good.
My “Grilled Local Ahi Tuna” was served over lemon risotto, accompanied by the sweetest oven-dried tomatoes. Alan sampled the “Red Wine Braised Local Beef Shortribs” with red bliss potatoes, rainbow carrots and heirloom turnips. Even the wine was organic. Our dinner at Holuakoa Gardends & Café reminded me about the tasty benefits of eating local. I plan to put it into practice at home.
Have you visited Holualoa Town? Did you eat at Holuakoa Gardnes & Café? Post a comment to share your experience. Just thinking about our meal makes me hungry.
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Three miles of golden sand mark one of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches. When Alan and I visited Papohaku Beach on Moloka’i, Hawaii we were the only ones there.
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