Seniors Find St. Helena To Their Liking

The City of St. Helena with a population of just under 6,000 is located in the center of the world famous wine growing Napa Valley, 65 miles north of San Francisco. Known as “The heart of the Napa Valley Wine Country” and “Napa Valley’s Main Street,” senior visitors find that St. Helena is picturesque and loaded with sophisticated shopping, dining and wine touring.

The area was settled in 1834 as part of General Vallejo’s land grant. The City of St. Helena was incorporated as a City on March 24, 1876 and reincorporated on May 14, 1889. There are two theories about how the town was named. One says it was after the local branch of the Sons of Temperance; another gives credit to Mount St. Helena, a prominent landmark to the north.

 From its inception, the city has served as a rural agricultural center. Over the years, with the growth and development of the wine industry, St Helena has become an important business and banking center for the wine industry.

The first winery founded in the Napa Valley, in 1861, was the Charles Krug Winery in what is now St. Helena. Jacob and Frederick Beringer founded Beringer Brothers Vineyards in 1876, now the oldest, continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley. Frederick built the historic 17-room Rhine House in 1883 as a re-creation of the family home in Germany.

Seniors Enjoy Napa’s First Incorporated City

St. Helena celebrates the finest in wine country hospitality, culinary adventure and the arts. Senior visitors will experience fine dining in their award-winning restaurants.

A major highlight of St. Helena is the Bale Grist Mill, built in 1846. This water-powered mill served Napa Valley’s farmers who brought their wheat grain and dried corn to the mill to be ground into flour and meal. The mill has one of the largest waterwheels in the country and still mills grain the old-fashioned way. The Robert Louis Stevenson Silverado Museum and Christopher Hill Gallery also attract senior visitors.

Along the two square blocks of historic Main Street in Napa’s first incorporated city, senior travelers will find the most charming shops in the entire valley. St. Helena’s downtown shopping area is a trove of authentic, one-of-a-kind items.

With nearly perennial sunshine and a plethora of food and dining options, it’s easy to spend an entire day strolling through downtown St. Helena. Senior friends, if you have not yet spent time in the Napa Valley…it’s time.  Enjoy St. Helena and all it has to offer you.  jeb

Seniors Stop In Zermatt

Zermatt, in the German-speaking section of Valais in Switzerland, has a population of about 5,800 inhabitants. Yes, that where we can view the Matterhorn and what a scene. Senior travelers, have you been to Switzerland? It is so unique.

Zermatt is the gourmet capital of the Alps. From simple fare in cozy mountain restaurants to haute cuisine with an international flavor, the choice is vast and the welcome is legendary. No wonder the same question keeps cropping up: why don’t we stop for a bite?

The name “Zermatt” is a contraction of the local dialect words “zer”, which means “to”, and “matta”, which means “field” or “meadow”. Therefore, “to the field”, although many of the fields have since had hotels or apartment houses built on them.

 Seniors Awed By The Matterhorn

Zermatt, famed as a ski resort and mounteering destination of the Swiss Alps, was, until the mid-19th century, predominantly an agricultural community. The first and tragic ascent of the famed Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush on the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities.

Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, Zermatt is dominated by the huge and gracefully curved pyramid of the 14,690-foot Matterhorn. Few sights are more inspiring than the Matterhorn covered with a pristine layer of snow.

The Matter valley is surrounded by 30 peaks, all of which top 4,000 meters, (13,000 feet). Between these pinnacles exists a labyrinth of valleys and trails that make this corner of Switzerland a hiker’s paradise. One such path, the mule trader’s trail, dates to the 13th century.

Senior Hikers, Skiers, Mountaineers Welcomed

From the moment you step off your Swiss-red train, and catch sight of the cobbled streets and horses with sleighs patiently waiting for their rides, you know you are in a special place. Most striking is the silence. There are no cars in Zermatt. The air is fresh, alpine and welcoming.

The main street bustles happily with pedestrians. How about that? Despite Zermatt’s popularity, despite its growth – more than 13,000 visitors’ beds – it is still only a village, open and friendly, where people mix happily in the main street, mercifully free of cars.

 Senior hikers, skiers, mountaineers and adventurers…the ski region encompasses 63 mountain railways and 360 kilometers of pistes. The region called “Matterhorn glacier paradise” is Europe’s largest and highest summer skiing region.

The region is legendary amongst mountaineers: the Haute Route, a challenging international route that takes several days to complete, leads from Mont Blanc to Zermatt. Over 400 kilometers of hiking trails lead through and out of the Matter Valley, including the mule traders’ trails, which date back to the 13th century.

So grab those hiking shoes, your best camera and plan a trip to Zermatt.  You will enjoy all the clean air, the great cheese and cuisine of Switzerland as well as the hospitality of the locals.  jeb

 Seniors Enjoy A ‘Site Not To Miss’

CNN selected one site ‘not to be missed’ in each of our 50 states. In Mississippi, it was the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Seashore offers senior travelers recreation opportunities and preserves natural and historic resources along the Gulf of Mexico barrier islands of Florida and Mississippi.

The protected regions include mainland areas and parts of seven islands. A unique dune habitat is created from wind and waves blowing sand into large piles, which are held in place by the root systems of beach grass and sea oats. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is known as “Mississippi’s Wilderness Shore.”

The Seashore spreads across two island chains off the coast of Mississippi and Florida’s panhandle. These scenic out-islands offer historic forts, white sand beaches, awesome emerald water and endless opportunities for seniors to learn and have fun.

Senior Military Historians Take Note

Military historians will find much to see and do at the Fort Barrancas Visitor Center, Fort Pickens, Pensacola Naval Air Station, and the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center. Senior visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery, hike a trail or explore the beautiful old historic brick forts within the park.

The Seashore is located on barrier islands which are a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, that is exceptionally flat and lumpy areas of sand, parallel to the mainland coast. These islands are famous for their natural, bright white sand, which is composed of quartz and scraggly pine tree forests that make a living among the sandy soil.

 Senior visitors will want to visit the Fort Pickens National Park. Fort Pickens is the largest of four forts built to defend Pensacola Bay, Florida, and its navy yard. The fort was begun in 1829, completed in 1834, and was named in honor of Major General Andrew Pickens of the South Carolina militia.

Pickens fought with distinction in several Revolutionary War battles and he also led several campaigns against the Cherokees, who called him “Wizard Owl.” That just has to be a total compliment, don’t you think? The park’s forts were built over a span of nearly 150 years; several were built as part of the Third System of coastal fortifications, a defensive system constructed between 1816 and 1867.

Outdoor enthusiasts can camp, fish, swim, snorkel, hike, bike, and birdwatch along miles of pristine shoreline. The Andrew Jackson Trail is one of nine trails leading out of Naval Live Oaks, which also offers a 40-mile biking loop.  Enjoy the Shore.  jeb

Seniors Step Back In Time In Virginia City

The Historic District of Virginia City in northwest Nevada is a National Historic Landmark that includes the former mining villages of Virginia City and Gold Hill in Storey County. Built in 1859, senior visitors will find Virginia City, the largest federally designated Historical District in America, in extreme western Nevada at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just south of Reno and Interstate 80.

Get your coffee, senior friends and let’s visit a Ghost Town this morning.

Today, Virginia City is only a shadow of its former glory, however it still draws over 2 million visitors a year. Senior visitors will not find big chain superstores or fast food restaurants. Instead you will enjoy streets steeped in the history of the Gold Rush and the birth of the American West. Folklore indicates that the town got its name from a man named James Finney who was nicknamed “Old Virginny”.

Two old prospectors by the name of Peter O’Riley and Patrick McLaughlin are credited with the discovery of the well known Comstock Lode, which was named after Henry Comstock. The once silver and gold lined Comstock Lode drew thousands of miners, including American writer Mark Twain, to its promise of riches.

After the discovery of the famous lode, the boomtown had 42 saloons, 42 stores, 6 restaurants, 3 hotels, and 868 dwellings to house a town residency of 2,345. At its height in 1863, the town had 15,000 residents. By 1863 the total production of gold and silver was over twelve million dollars.

From its creation in 1859 to 1875, there were five widespread fires. The 1875 fire, dubbed the Great Fire of 1875, caused $12,000,000 in damages and destroyed much of Virginia City.

Senior Visitors Enjoy A Living Ghost Town

Today Virginia City is a living ‘Ghost Town’ memorializing the good ole, bad days of the gold and silver rush in Nevada. The plank sidewalks on ‘C’ Street retain the look, feel and sound of former days. For a small city, 1,000+,  visitors come for miles around to take in the past that is preserved.

The Mark Twain Museum is in the basement of the Territorial Enterprise Building, home of Nevada’s first newspaper. Samuel Clemens worked as a reporter for the Enterprise in the 1860s. His office was in the basement, so when Virginia City burned to the ground in 1875, most of his stuff survived.

The Silver Queen Hotel, contains a spacious saloon and offers a second floor of hotel guest rooms, promoted as the location of repeated spirit manifestations (aka ghosts).

 Senior visitors are invited to stroll the authentic boardwalk sidewalks, visit the same historic churches, frequent the old-west saloons and ride a stagecoach just like they would have in the 1800s. 

Many come just for The Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, the World Championship Outhouse Races and the International Camel & Ostrich Races that take place in this historic setting. Seniors, you are invited to join in the fun.  jeb

Seniors Cross The Fixed Link

When I say “cross over” that is precisely what I mean. The Confederation Bridge, 8 miles long, on the Route Transcandanienne will lead senior visitors to Prince Edward Island. Islanders often refer to the bridge as the “Fixed Link.”

Prince Edward Island, one of the three Maritime provinces, is the smallest province in both land area and population. Located about 200 km north of Halifax, Nova Scotia and 600 km east of Quebec City, Prince Edward Island consists of the main island and 231 minor islands.

Prince Edward Island was first sighted and explored in 1534 by the tireless French explorer Jacques Cartier. The island may be physically small but it’s full of awesome scenery, kind hearted people, and a richness that is unique to this special place.

The area has a total population of around 150,000. Prince Edward Island is called by several informal names: “Garden of the Gulf” referring to the pastoral scenery and lush agricultural lands throughout the province, and “Birthplace of Confederation” or “Cradle of Confederation.” The homepage of the island notes that it is “The Gentle Island.”

Golf, Beaches and Cliffs Entice Seniors

Senior golfers, bring your clubs because Prince Edward Island has some terrific courses. You will have access to over 30 of the top golf courses in North America, like Crowbush Cove, Dundarave, and Brudenell Rive. The Island is known for the vivid colors of its gently rolling landscape. Surrounded by miles of sandy beaches and red sandstone cliffs,  it is great for touring.

Great seafood, prestigious restaurants, B&Bs and Inns, elegant country inns, pristine cottages overlooking the water, festivals… so much for senior visitors to enjoy. And in December, the Festival of the Lights or the Charlottetown Christmas Parade.

Designated as the Island capital in 1765, Charlottetown is both PEI’s oldest and largest urban center. However, since the whole “metropolitan” area only has a population of about 65,000, a pleasing small-town atmosphere remains.

Anne Of Green Gables…

Charlottetown is home to the University of Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown’s centerpiece is the imposing, yet welcoming, neoclassical Province House. Another popular site within the sprawling gardens of Victoria Park is Government House.

A  major Charlottetown landmark is St. Dunstan’s Basilica with three towering stone spires hovering over this neo-Gothic basilica. And another must see that merits a visit as the finest Victorian mansion in town is Beaconsfield House, with its crowning belvedere, intricate gingerbread trim and elegant 19th-century furnishings.

The whole of the island is rimmed with miles of vivid red cliffs, sand dunes and many inviting beaches. The orphan nobody wanted has been adopted by the world. Anne of Green Gables is everywhere on the Island, but Cavendish’s Green Gables farmhouse is ground zero.

Bikers can cover a stunning 6-mile waterside stretch between Morell and St. Peter’s Bay called Confederation Trail. Bring your bike and enjoy. jeb

Seniors Find Jackson Nearly Ideal

Jackson, California, ‘The Friendliest Town in the Motherlode’, was selected recently as one great place for seniors to retire. Not large, 5,000+, Jackson is the county seat of Amador County. The area was inhabited by the Northern Sierra Indians, who occupied areas along creeks.

Accessible by State Route 49 and State Route 88, senior travelers will find Jackson southeast of Sacramento and northeast of Stockton. It is not far from both the Stanislaus and Eldorado National Forests. Called “The Friendliest Town in the Gold Country,” Jackson is a gateway to the Sierra Mountains just off to the east of the town.

What is there to do in Amador County? The answer is easy: just about anything! Popular outdoor activities include whitewater kayaking through the Mokelumne River Canyon, skiing and horseback riding at Kirkwood, lake and stream fishing and spelunking at nationally acclaimed caves like Black Chasm.

There are some great wineries (Kendall-Jackson) in the region and the area abounds in fertile valleys. Senior visitors can enjoy the flowers at the Flower Farm or Daffodil Hill.

Seniors Head For Daffodil Hill

Jackson was founded in 1848 around a year-round spring, like so many settlements all over the west. Water was #1. Settlement of the region by American pioneers was stimulated by the discovery of gold in the Sierra foothills around 1848. The settlement was later named for a local lawyer who was liked by miners named Alden Appola Moore Jackson.

Being a Master Gardener, I would head for the #1 tourist attraction in town called Daffodil Hill. Each spring Daffodil Hill explodes with thousands of blooms, attracting visitors from around the world.

Also being a wannabe historian, the historic Jackson Pioneer Cemetery would be of interest to this senior as well. While Jackson had quartz mines from the 1850s, none of them – not even the famous Kennedy or Argonaut on its outskirts – were continually profitable until late in the 19th century.

You will want to take the walking tour of Historic Main Street and perhaps some gold mine tours in Jackson. That walk features antiques, art, books, crafts, fine wines and some great gourmet food. In addition, visit the historic hotel and Saloon Restaurants.

There is a host of unique shops in Jackson, in addition the Jackson Ranchera Casino is a major draw. So meander over to Jackson and enjoy. jeb

Seniors, Been to Salvador da Bahia Yet?

Salvador, Brazil’s former capital is renowned for its African-influenced cuisine, music and architecture. Known as “the Capital of Joy,” because of its exuberant week-long Carnaval celebrations, Salvador brims with contemporary music and art amid architecture that has gone untouched since the 17th century.The region is packed with fun things for senior visitors to see and do.

Salvador is the largest city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the northeast State of Bahia. The Historic Center of Salvador, frequently called the “Pelourinho”, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1985. It is renowned for its Portuguese colonial architecture with historical monuments dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Most tourists stay in Pelourinho, the historic center, or in Barra, the first urban beach out from the center, which has a lot of restaurants and bars. The next coastal area is Ondina with its big hotels on the cliffside. Ondina beach has lots of reefs.

Pelourinho’s winding cobblestone streets are packed with historical sites, colonial architecture, museums, restaurants, bars, hostels and artisanal shops. And senior “beach goers”, Salvador is home of the 3rd best beach of the World, Porto da Barra Beach.

Seniors Find a Vibrant, Exciting City

Salvador has history on its side. The Baía de Todos Santos (All Saints Bay) was first encountered by the Portuguese explorers and named back in 1500. Salvador was the capital in the heyday of the slave trade. The legacy remains today in its large black population, and the resulting culture in many ways outshines the rest of Brazil.

In music, many of the greatest names from the mid-20th century to the present hail from Salvador. It’s a vibrant, exciting city, and its people are really quite friendly.

Salvador remained the first capital of Brazil until 1763, when it was succeeded by Rio de Janeiro. Salvador settled into graceful decline over the next 150 years, out of the mainstream of Brazilian industrialization. It remains, however, a national cultural and tourist center.

By 1948 the city had some 340,000 people and by then was the 4th largest city in all of Brazil. Adventursome seniors, it’s an exciting city to check out.  jeb

Seniors Enjoy Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach

The City of Fernandina Beach whose population is 12,000+ is located on beautiful Amelia Island off the Atlantic coast of Florida. Senior visitors can play a round of golf on one of the champion golf courses, or take a tour of the many historical sites on the island.

Senior visitors can enjoy Fort Clinch State Park, take in a production at the Amelia Community Theater and visit the Amelia Island Museum of History. Amelia and Fernandina Beach are located on the northernmost barrier island of Florida. Over 13 miles of pristine beach and a quaint Victorian town make up this charming getaway only 45 minutes north of Jacksonville.

 Where Oh Where Did Its Name Come From?

There are at least two different stories behind the naming of Fernandina Beach. According to one, it was named for one of the earliest land owners, Domingo Fernandez. The other legend suggests that the name was based upon the earlier name of Cuba.

It is said that the Tories took refuge on this island when Britain had lost control of its colonies. It also functioned as a smuggler’s port when bringing slaves into the country had become illegal.

 At Fernandina Beach senior visitors enjoy what is called the Artrageous Artwalk. Galleries with pottery, stained glass and local crafts are shown alongside fine art, watercolors, and intriguing photography.

Fernandina Beach also hosts the popular ‘Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival’. Fernandina Beach is the birthplace of the modern shrimp industry and the shrimp boats depart the city docks on most days. Fernandina Beach is Florida’s northern most city.

 Seniors Enjoy This Island Destination

The city has a Historic District  as well as an “old town”. The historic area has structures built in the late 1800′s or early 1900′s. The old town is the site of the original settlement and sits on bluffs above the Amelia River.

The Amelia Island Lighthouse is currently closed to the public. Downtown in the historic area, senior visitors will find a marina with a floating dock, boutique shopping and a range of scrumptious restaurants.

With abundant wildlife and clear, calm waters, Amelia Island with its quaint charm has been a beloved destination for generations. Upscale resorts and world-class spas combine with a charming collection of bed and breakfasts, historic sites and captivating festivals for an experience that’s uniquely Floridian.

Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island have consistently been among Florida’s highest-ranked island destinations. Fernandina Beach is still comparatively undiscovered. The popular activities of this area include fishing, shelling, swimming, sailing, boating and wind surfing. Couples can relax on a sunset cruise, take a walk on a nature trail or enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Plan a trip to Amelia and and enjoy.  jeb

Welcome to Issaquah, Senior Citizens

With a name like that, there just has to be a good reason. Seniors, can you even guess the derivation? The Issaquah area was first called “Squak,” a Native American name that referred to the calls and squawks of the many water birds which frequented the boggy land, swamps, and creeks of the valley.

Several years later, the citizens changed the town’s name to Gilman, after Daniel Gilman, who was responsible for bringing the railroad to the area. In 1899, the city’s name became Issaquah.

Why do senior visitors stop in Issaquah? For starters, the neighboring highlands are called the Issaquah Alps, featuring hiking trails and outdoor activity throughout the Tiger, Cougar and Squak Mountains that surround Issaquah.

Sunset Magazine highlighted Issaquah (Feb. 2014, pp. 52-53) and noted that this “Best Burb” feels like both a time warp and a new edition of Main Street USA. Issaquah is a suburb of Seattle.

Seniors Drawn to Culture and History of Issaquah

There are many cultural and historical activities going on in Issaquah. The old Village Theatre has presented live stage plays on its main stage in historic downtown Issaquah since 1979. The Cougar Mountain Zoo is located on the north slope of Cougar Mountain just to the west of Issaquah.

Senior visitors come to the area to watch paragliders and hang-gliders descend from Tiger Mountain. Another major attraction is the Issaquah Valley Trolley #519.  It seats up to 24 passengers and is like the trolley cars in the early 20th Century. Senior passengers riding the Issaquah Trolley will get a sense of a primary mode of transportation a century ago.

Salmon Days is a two-day award-winning festival held in Issaquah on the first full weekend of October each year,  celebrating the return of the salmon to their birth-waters, and praising Issaquah’s history, culture, and ethnic diversity.

 Home of Notable Natives

A host of famous people hail from Issaquah. They include J.J Putz, Ichiro Suzuki, Tim Lincecum, Mel Stottlemyre, Detlef Schrempf and several other baseball stars.  Must be something in the water from the local creek that produces so many powerful athletes.

The local Chamber notes that “Issaquah is a great place to live, visit, conduct business and explore the best of the great northwest.  A community dedicated to local traditions, hometown values, and award-winning neighborhoods. With one of Washington State’s top school districts, a series of thriving business districts and a growing arts, nightlife and recreation scene…Issaquah has it all.”

So when you come out for your cup of Pike Place at Starbucks in Seattle, take I-90 15 miles over to Issaquah and enjoy.  jeb

Seniors Hone In On Florence

Florence, Arizona was highlighted in Sunset Magazine as one of the West’s Best Places to Live. Senior travelers will find that Florence, sixty-one miles southeast of Phoenix, remains an “Old West Town”, having preserved its past, with a “relaxed” way of life today.

Florence is  the county seat of Pinal County, Arizona and is one of the oldest towns in the county with a population of 26,500+.  My wife and I missed Florence when we visited the nearby Casa Grande several months ago.  But yesterday, we drove to Florence for lunch and a visit. Just to the north of the ruins, we also discovered another gem, a Greek Monastery…in the middle of the desert. Another blog:)

Seniors Enjoy Another Mainstreet City

Florence is an Arizona Mainstreet City. Walking through downtown Florence, with its sprawling historic district, is like strolling in an open-air museum. These seniors strolled the historic walk and enjoyed looking at all the buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The town boomed in the 1870s  with the discovery of  silver in the nearby Silver King Mine. Business prospered as the town became the commercial hub for area mines while ranching developed and farming continued.

In 1878, Florence, Arizona was known as “the garden city.” Located in the middle of the desert, its lush grass would spread outward from tall stands of cottonwood trees that lined the hard-packed streets. Farmers, ranchers and miners would join townspeople at the Pinal County Courthouse, the center of activity, to socialize and transact business.

The Crown Jewel of Florence is the Pinal County Courthouse, the second court house.  It dates to 1891 and today after a $6 million make-over, the two-story red brick structure looks nearly new.  The first picture, above, is the impressive courthouse.  The time on the clock is the same as it was in 1891:)

 3 State Prisons And National Historic District

Three state prisons are located in Florence. The state’s first prison is thick with legend and history and today officials with the Arizona Department of Corrections celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the historic Pinal County building. Actually we were told there are 9 correctional facilities in Florence.

Senior citizens might wonder about safety with three prisons in town, but Florence was chosen as one of the safest cities to live in Arizona. Its historic downtown is designated a National Historic District. Florence’s Main Street Program is another way the city embraces its past while developing a vibrant economic future.

The Gila River Runs Through It

One of the major rivers of Arizona, the Gila, runs through historic Florence. There are plenty of things to see and do in Florence. The Pinal County Historical Museum highlights the history of Florence. A major draw to the community is the annual Country Thunder Music Festival that brings in folks from all over the southwest.

We enjoyed our drive to Florence, senior friend. We thoroughly enjoy historical destination and would call Florence one of those.  jeb