Dear Readers:
I have decided to change my blog posting frequency now that I have a little content on my site. I will be posting regularly during the week, at least four posts, and leave the weekends for exploring new places. The frequency could change with time, but I am hoping that I can maintain this pattern.
Fun and adventure to you all!
Trish
After a brief bit of recovery, I am finally back and ready to begin writing again. This last trip to Las Vegas was a lot of fun but definitely drained me. Unfortunately I was one of the people caught up in Spirit’s labor disputes. Several flights had been cancelled; once it was finally confirmed that the next flight was going out, we nearly missed it due to a crash blocking the way to the airport. In the end I am happy to be home and almost feel as if I need a vacation from my vacation, which is a rare feeling for me.
We are currently on vacation time; new posts soon to come 🙂
Now that you have planned a trip to Las Vegas; you have planned a trip to Las Vegas, haven’t you? Well perhaps you don’t plan your trips as frequently as my husband and I do. We went to Las Vegas in October of 2016, January of 2017, and now we are leaving shortly to head back to Las Vegas. We go to Vegas frequently because we have family there and we know how to have a good time on and off the Strip.
Speaking of having a good time, if you are ever in Las Vegas and wondering if you should see the show Zombie Burlesque, the answer is yes. Yes you should go see the show Zombie Burlesque. It may sound a little bit odd, and it probably is. I have seen this show twice and I have taken relatives with me, as well as sent my parents on their own. Everyone has enjoyed themselves immensely.
This show is comedic and it will make you laugh. Some of the jokes are very slapstick. It’s not on the gruesome side, if that was your concern. The zombies are still fairly attractive. You will see beautiful costumes and a lot of singing and dancing; this show is silly, sexy, musical fun.
Tickets will run you about $80 per person online, plus fees. You can at times find tickets on Groupon for $39 or two for $72. I bought my tickets through Groupon and I see that there is still a special available at this time. Whatever you are doing in Las Vegas, this show is worth a view.
For more information on Zombie Burlesque, please visit: https://www.zombieburlesqueshow.com/
https://www.groupon.com/deals/zombie-burlesque-1
Many years ago, in 1931, during the Great Depression, construction on the Hoover Dam was kicked off. The Hoover Dam is a stunning example of our countries capabilities during times of hardship. At the time of completion the Hoover Dam was the tallest dam in the United States, at 726 feet tall. Now Oroville Dam in California is the tallest at 770.5 feet.
The Hoover Dam is located on the border of Nevada and Arizona. I recommend walking the bridge above the dam, at one point you are in Arizona and the next you are in Nevada. This site has long since been a popular tourist attraction and it is something that we take most of our Las Vegas travel companions to see at least once.
The views from the bridge above are phenomenal. You can feel the whole thing shake as traffic flies by, but don’t let this stop you from walking out into the middle. You will be able to get some great photos and/or selfie’s if you so choose. Be sure to bring a jacket if you are there in spring or fall, the wind is a little intense.
For a more personal experience getting to know the dam, you can partake in one of the many dam tours. If you are more interested in the views you can drive the roads surrounding the bridge and stop at the different look out points to take photographs. No matter where you are surrounding the dam, you can walk away with some great memories and photographs to document them.
For more information on the Hoover Dam, please visit:
Minnesota is a beautiful state, full of wonderful things to do during any season. One of my favorite towns to visit, especially during the summer, is Stillwater. This city is located right on the St. Croix River and really is a great place to visit any time of year. I prefer summer months because of the river and being able to sit out on patios while enjoying a glass of wine or a meal.
Stillwater has a ton of options for staying. There are many Bed & Breakfasts to choose from as well as hotels. One particular place I love to stay at is the Water Street Inn. I have stayed at this Inn on three different occasions and every single experience I have had was memorable and fun. The Water Street Inn features fireplaces and whirlpools in each room. You also have a community patio that faces out toward the river. You won’t be staying on the water at any of the other Inn’s in town. They also have their own restaurant and bar and they are located right in the middle of downtown. Location, location, location; it doesn’t get much better than that.
If you prefer something more secluded for your stay in Stillwater and you don’t mind driving, you could definitely choose any of the other B&B locations around town. I have previously stayed at the Outing Lodge at Pine Point. Not all rooms have a whirlpool, but this Inn has great food and a bar in the basement that showcases live music at times. It is set back in the woods and has a very nice romantic feel to it. This makes a great place for staying in the winter; you can easily go snowshoeing or skiing on the trails nearby. The owners make your stay very homey, at one point they brought around fresh made chocolate chip cookies, talk about winning some points there.
For those who are into good food and wine, downtown has a lot to offer. Northern Vineyards is a great place to go and take part in some wine tasting, they also have a balcony in the back where you can sit and drink wine while looking out at the river. If you are looking for great food and a view of the river, The Freight House is a wonderful experience, though on the pricier side. To enjoy some tasty Italian, Buona Sera features some great food, which I very much enjoyed; reservations are recommended. For a more low-key outing away from the high end food, there is also any number of pubs on Main Street to choose from, some of which have music on weekends.
During daylight hours you can easily wander Main Street and find plenty to do. There are quite a few antique shops, bookstores, and art stores to keep you busy. Stillwater frequently is the place to be for outdoor craft fairs as well. If you would like to spend some time on the water you can take a trip over to the St. Croix Boat & Packet Co., and sign up for one of their scenic river boat cruises. Whatever you do, be sure to end your day watching the sunset. You won’t regret this beautiful view over the St. Croix River.
For more information on Stillwater, please visit the following sites: http://www.discoverstillwater.com/
http://waterstreetinn.us/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=GMB
http://www.stillwaterriverboats.com/
As long as I can remember, I have had a strong fondness for trains. My first year of college was spent at the very top of a dormitory tower; the train track was located across the street and multiple times each day, some rather long trains, would go rushing by. The slight shake of the building and the sound of the train whizzing by would lull me to sleep almost every night. Whenever I hear a train it feels a little like home and I find it to be very comforting.
Some time ago, I wanted to surprise my husband for his birthday. I didn’t want the experience to be of the norm, so I did some looking around to see what options were out there. While perusing Groupon I came across a voucher for the Bed & Breakfast Train in Spooner, Wisconsin. This was a double-win. I would finally get to ride on a train, and it would definitely be a surprise to him.
This particular adventure was everything I could have dreamed of. We got to take a beautiful drive from Minnesota to Spooner, Wisconsin. We enjoyed some wonderful food and beautiful scenery while eating dinner on the train. We had an amazing breakfast the next morning. Everything tasted great and the service was exceptional.
Though we did not partake, there was a dance car where music and dancing went on until late into the evening. We decided to relax in the dining car for a while and then retire to our room. The rooms are definitely cramped on the train, if you get claustrophobic, I would recommend that you look into upgrading to a larger space to save yourself from panic. We actually shared a twin bed and were perfectly happy.
This was an experience that I would love to try out again. If you love trains as much as I do, I think you will greatly enjoy the Bed & Breakfast Train. We haven’t been back since this birthday excursion, but I think about it often, so a return could be in the near future.
For more information on the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s Bed & Breakfast Train, please visit: https://spoonertrainride.com/
Living a life with a very busy schedule tends to make it hard to connect with your significant other. To help the flame continue to burn, we like to take trips to Bed & Breakfasts every so often. We have been to several different Inn’s throughout Minnesota and most of them have been pleasant and enjoyable stays.
On two different occasions this past winter and spring, we stayed at the Candlelight Inn, which is a Victorian Bed & Breakfast, located in Redwing, Minnesota. Sometimes we stay in different rooms when we return to an inn, these particular ventures led us back to the exact same suite. We enjoyed the room so much we couldn’t imagine going to a different one.
We stayed in the Butternut Suite, which is the largest room at the Inn. There was a refrigerator with water and soda in it. The room had a sitting area, fireplace, television, table and chairs, and a very comfortable Queen Size bed. The bathroom had an oversized pink whirlpool with shower, which of course is my favorite part of any B&B stay.
In the afternoon when you check in the hostess is kind enough to leave out some wine and an afternoon snack. If you are looking for a place to eat dinner she is great about giving out ideas. The owners go a long way to make you feel like you are at home when you stay at the Candlelight Inn.
At the end of breakfast the hostess comes out to give you a history of the Inn. You can tell that she very much loves the house and enjoys telling its stories. She will readily answer any questions and give you a very lively answer.
The food at the Candlelight Inn is wonderful to say the least. I had no complaints either time we stayed. My favorite part of breakfast was the dessert part, because it was at type of chocolate mousse and it was delightful. This is definitely an Inn that cares about giving their guests a great dining experience, which I feel is important since it is a huge part of staying at a Bed & Breakfast.
If you are looking for a nice place to stay in the Redwing, Minnesota area, look no further than the Candlelight Inn. To book your stay, please visit: http://candlelightinn-redwing.com/guest-rooms/
Sometimes when on vacation in the mountains I get a craving for something more than just a hike or off-roading. Perhaps I want to relax while still doing something fun and enjoying the scenery. There are so many activities that provide excitement and views without a ton of exertion on your whole body. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a ton of other activities that still provide great views, are different than the norm, and give you a great workout.
A few of the things I have looked into have been gondola rides, horseback riding, alpine coasters, and boat rentals. Most often if you are in mountain territory during the summer, you will be able to locate some or even all of these activities. If you want something more exciting and strenuous though, I would look into white water rafting, mountain biking, or zip-lining.
While visiting the ski towns, you can often get free gondola rides at some locations, on certain days of the week. Keystone and Breckenridge, Colorado have previously offered a day when you can ride the gondola to the top of the mountain for free. When you get to the top in Keystone you have the chance to do all kinds of fun outdoor games, have some drinks, sit and enjoy the views, or eat a meal at the restaurant. You could spend hours up there just wandering around.
While visiting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, my husband and I, took time to do lots of different outdoor activities. We rented a pontoon and spent the day on the river. It was beautiful and we were able to enjoy some swimming as well. On the other end of the spectrum, we also went whitewater rafting, which was a blast. We rode two different alpine coasters, which are like roller coasters, but you have your own car and you control how fast you go. We tried out Goat’s On the Roof Alpine Coaster and the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. I enjoyed both but I think the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster was my favorite, though you were able to feed goats at Goat’s On the Roof, so that makes both totally worth it in my book.
On two different trips to Colorado I went horseback riding on the mountainside. The ride was great because you have a chance to see all types of wildlife as well as get some great photo views. I recommend riding earlier in the day because there is something serene about the earlier hours meandering through the mountains.
I can’t forget to mention taking a trip to the hot springs. While in Steamboat my family decided we would spend an afternoon relaxing at Strawberry Park Hot Springs. This particular park is very family friendly and has a more natural look to it. There are several different pools all at varying temperatures. We had a great time though the place was most definitely on the packed side.
When you travel, don’t forget about all of the other amazing outdoor adventures you can partake in. There is way more to the mountains than just hiking and off-roading, although hiking and off-roading are pretty great. Try something new; you never know you may find a new activity that you just can’t resist doing over and over again in the future. To you and yours, happy hiking and exploring!
For a little extra information, please visit: http://strawberryhotsprings.com/facilities/
http://www.smokymountainalpinecoaster.com/
http://www.keystoneresort.com/activities/summer-activities.aspx?page=viewall&CMPID=PPC_DEST_KEYSTONE
http://www.horsebackestespark.com/
Colorado is no doubt a beautiful state. My husband and I visit as often as possible; at the very least, once each year. One of our all-time favorite cities to call a temporary home is Breckenridge. While most people go to Breck for the skiing, we go for other reasons.
Breckenridge is beautiful and has a great area for shopping and eating. The town is located at the bottom of the mountains which makes it an ideal location for snow sports. There are several condos at the foot of the ski hill, so snow enthusiasts can virtually step out their door and walk to a lift. We have stayed many occasions through VRBO rentals of the condos in Breck. All of our stays have been pleasant and relaxing.
Neal and I frequently visit in May, during mud season. At this point in time there are a lot of places in town that closed, but some of our favorite haunts, such as Downstairs at Eric’s, are still open. Eric’s has great food and cold beverages. We have eaten there many times and always been pleased with the food and the service.
On certain days during the summer, you may be able to ride the gondolas for free, to the top of the mountain. This is always a fun ride. It’s worth it to see the view.
The main reason we visit Breckenridge is because of the great hiking and off-roading that is nearby. We also visit because it’s a quiet retreat from the craziness of everyday life. Summer, winter, or mud season, you can always have fun in Breckenridge, and there is always something beautiful to explore.
For more information on Breckenridge, please visit: http://www.gobreck.com/?gclid=CO6ao_f_vdMCFQiIaQodahUATA
Star Spirit Adventures 