Seniors Enjoy Another Best Coastal Small Town

USA TODAY and 10best.com selected Ocean Springs one of the best. Senior visitors will find this city, whose population is a little over 17,000, about 2 miles east of Biloxi. The name Ocean Springs was coined by Dr. William Glover Austin in 1854. He believed the local springs had healing qualities.

Ocean Springs became a prosperous resort town and after several years reinvented itself as a historically-oriented residential community. The history of the town is celebrated annually in reenactments depicting Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville’s landing, over 300 years ago, near a replica of Fort Maurepas (1699).

“The splendor and allure of Ocean Springs and her awesome oaks remain to this day as one of the utmost experiences for its locals and out of town visitors.”

It’s known as the City of Discovery  in recognition of the French establishment of a settlement.

Seniors Drawn By The Arts and Festivals

Wikipedia notes that the town has a reputation as an arts community. Its historic and secluded downtown streets are lined by live oak trees. Ocean Springs is home to several art galleries and shops, and to a number of ethnic restaurants.

A couple of the major festivals that senior visitors enjoy in Ocean Springs are the Peter Anderson Festival and The Herb Festival.

Each year, on the first weekend of November, thousands of folks come from all over the country for The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival.

The Ocean Springs Artwalk gives senior visitors an opportunity to watch artists in action.  This festival takes place in August and features  potters, painters, sculptors, mixed media artists.  Senior visitors enjoy the Art Walk and shop for local art, dine at more than 30 restaurants, and mingle with locals and tourists alike in attractive small boutiques, shops and galleries.

 Seniors Love The Seafood

And bring your food loving palate to Ocean Springs as from colonial times to present day, seafood has been celebrated. The abundance of seafood allowed French and French-Canadian explorers and settlers to thrive within the Fort Maurepas/Old Biloxi area.

In the late nineteenth century, the development of ice plant industries along the coast increased seafood sales. Locals and visitors alike can still purchase freshly harvested shrimp, fish, crabs, and oysters because of this thriving industry.

Senior visitors will enjoy the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. A pair of other major draws include the Ocean Springs Museum of History and Fontainebleau Nature Trail, that is loaded with beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees.

The local Chamber of Commerce invites you to consider staying for a few days in Ocean Springs. -jeb

Seniors Enjoy One Of the Best Coastal Small Towns

Senior travelers discover one of the Best Coastal Small Towns in the country… Chincoteague, Virginia, with a population just under 3,000.  A Chincoteague site asks  …”Are you ready for a change from the big city beach resorts? In Chincoteague there are no high rises, boardwalks, or traffic jams. Chincoteague Island is a serene, yet fun filled, tourist destination.”

Chincoteague Island, Virginia’s only resort Island, is located on Virginia’s eastern shore. Chincoteague is within easy reach of all major cities on the mid-Atlantic seaboard. Chincoteague is the gateway to the Virginia portion of Assateague Island, home of the famous Chincoteague Wild Ponies.

“Chincoteague offers a relaxed atmosphere and the beauty of unspoiled nature.”  The town is called the “Beautiful Land Across the Water”. Costal Living Magazine labels Chincoteague “The Happiest Seaside Town in America”.

Senior Visitors Meet The Wild Ponies

The Island is loaded with history. The name is derived from the Native American name for the island  Gingoteague. In 1943 the name of the town became “Chincoteague.”

Interesting story on the wild ponies that occupy the Island. Legend has it that the feral ponies that run wild on Assateague are descendants of survivors of a Spanish galleon that sank in the 16th century off  the Virginia coast.

The likelihood is that they are actually descended from domesticated stock, brought to the island by Eastern Shore farmers in the 17th century to avoid fencing requirements and taxation. You choose, this senior just likes the story of a Spanish galleon sinking, with horses on board that swam to safety.

There is an annual event called Pony Penning that takes place in July. The ponies all swim across a channel. Salt Water Cowboys round them up on Assateague and drive them across the water to Chincoteague where several are auctioned off.

Oyster Beds, Clam Shoals And Birdwatching Await Seniors

Chincoteague has several small hotels, B&Bs, a campground and restaurants. And a fun miniature golf course. Assateague Island, is said to be perhaps the most beautiful island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

World famous for its oyster beds and clam shoals, Chincoteague is the gateway to the Assateague Island National Seashore and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.  Adventure awaits senior visitors as history and legend blend with the wild bucolic atmosphere of the seasonal shore.

Seniors, take your pick…fishing, boating, surfing, sunbathing, shell collecting, biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, shopping, dining….. Chincoteague and Assateague awaits your arrival. And for senior birders, it’s a paradise for birdwatching.

TripAdvisor notes that you can catch or dig up your own seafood, and the beaches bring literal breaths of fresh air. There are a host of tours for you to consider. Enjoy the island. -jeb

Seniors Tour On Bicycles

The latest is to have fun exploring a city or site by hiring a guide that will take you on a bike tour. This senior recently read an article in the the paper of a couple who toured both in London and in Paris by bicycle.

EBT Europe helps to answer questions about bicycling in Europe. London’s public bike sharing scheme is available 24/7, 365 days a year. There are more than 10,000 bikes and over 700 bike docking stations across London to help senior bicyclists get around quickly and easily. The “Boris bikes” are nicknamed after London’s Mayor Boris Johnson.

 Seniors Enjoy Paris By Bike

Paris Bike Tour offers senior visitors everything you need to explore Paris your way. Some call riding a bike in Paris a “moving feast.”  True.

All this began in 2007, when the city of Paris began the implementation of an ambitious bicycle rental scheme with almost no cost to users, inspired by a similar program in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the bike rental program had been a big success for over a decade.

Known as “Vélib”, which is a contraction of vélo libre (free bicycle), this innovative transportation program has become so popular since its introduction in Paris that there are now self-service rental stations at almost every corner (officially every 300 meters).

After rapidly gaining popularity, the Vélib program today has 20,000 bicycles and 1,450 stations all over Paris. Because the program has been so successful, the city plans to double the number of bike rentals by the year 2020. Take a bike, return it where you like. Vélib’ is a self-service bike system available 24 hours a day, all year round.

 Seniors Find Guided Bike Tours

I know that there are organizations that visitors use for first purchasing a new bike abroad and then touring with that bike and shipping it back home. They are always very classy bikes. They include lodging and meals plus a lot of great site seeing.

Cycleroute.com has some information to help first-timers enjoy all the open spaces and bike paths. Bike Tours Direct  offers their Top 10 Lists as well as a listing of countries where you can ride.

 When I input “guided bike tours” the first to come up was  a good example of what many senior travelers enjoy, called Bicycle Adventures. You will note their tours all over the country and even in Spain. Adventure Cycling is another popular guided bike tour organization.

Each organization carefully handpicks the most scenic routes from the coastal shores to the Tuscan countryside.  jeb

Seniors Find Harmony In Concord

Concord, North Carolina is an historical city and Historic Downtown Concord is like no other attraction or shopping venue in the region. Within a radius of two city blocks, senior visitors can enjoy two live theaters, a museum, two art galleries, a library, a gourmet French chocolate shop, a pottery studio, an up-and coming university, a botanical garden, and a pedestrian greenway system.

The name “Concord” means “with harmony“. By United States standards, Concord is considered an old town, incorporated in 1806. Look for markers identifying the original town limits as you walk along the downtown area. Concord is an “All American City.”  I am always impressed with cities that carry this high honor that is awarded for good reason.

Cabarrus County’s largest city, was established in 1796 near the center of the county to serve as the seat of local government. It began as a small hamlet and became the major cotton market for an area that included parts of several surrounding counties.

 Senior NASCAR Enthusiasts, Take Note

I first became acquainted with Concord watching a NASCAR race on TV. I noted that it was coming from NASCAR Speedpark that is Home to NASCAR Races, Driving Schools, and Speedway Tours. It is a major draw for tourists of all ages and a centerpiece of the city.

Only a half-hour drive north of Charlotte, Concord is home to two of North Carolina’s most popular tourist attractions, the legendary Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Concord Mills. Lowe’s Motor Speedway is a 167,000 seat facility with a 1.5 mile track that is host to numerous events and activities including three of the country’s largest car shows, driving schools and of course NASCAR racing events.

Displaying over fifty classic, antique, 50s and 60s automobiles, Backing Up Classics Auto Museum is located next to Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Concord Mills is the shopping entertainment destination of the Carolinas and is the most popular visitor attraction in North Carolina, featuring over 200 stores.

Historical Homes And A Gold Mine Interest Seniors

The Cabarrus County Courthouse was completed in 1876 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can’t help but notice the sixteen foot marble Civil War monument, dedicated in 1892, located on the front lawn. For senior architectural fans, Concord boasts a comprehensive collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth century historic homes.

Senior visitors will enjoy a visit to the Reed Gold Mine, the site of the nation’s first gold discovery back in 1799. It was John Reed’s son who found a 17-pound yellow rock in the meadow, which was later identified as a gold nugget.

Concord is host to several quality museums, galleries, theaters and historical attractions. Frank Liske Park offers a variety of outdoor opportunities like fishing, golfing and hiking.

Seniors, when you are in North Carolina, drop by Concord and enjoy this exciting city.  jeb

Seniors Are Going To Golling

Golling, Austria (pop. 4,000) was featured on my CNN Travel Photos of the Day as a place we all need to experience. Golling was mentioned in historical sources as a farm hamlet in the 9th century. Today, residents of this quietly stylish outlying burg tend to commute to work in Salzburg. Senior visitors often use Golling as a base for various outdoor activities in the nearby mountains.

Golling, just 25 kilometers south of Salzburg is ideal for families, culture, hiking, sports enthusiasts and senior citizens who appreciate good clean air. It is just a fun and attractive village with great amenities: a multitude of excursions, great accommodations, a long history, and gourmet experiences.

Golling an der Salzach is a “market town” where the Salzach River and Lammer tributary form a confluence. A definite must see is a visit to the awesome Gollinger Wasserfall (Golling Waterfall) that attracts tourists of all ages and from all over the world.

Senior Visitors Enjoy The Golling Waterfalls

In the part of Golling known as Torren near the fascinating late gothic pilgrimage church of St. Nikolaus, the Golling waterfall plunges 75 meters down two giant steps into the valley below. The thunderous Golling Falls have been a popular subject for many.

The path to the roaring Golling Waterfall will lead senior visitors along the Schwarzenbach (“Black Brook”) to a steep ascent over a romantic wooden bridge to the source of the Schwarzenbach Brook.

Perhaps the most notable figure is Joseph Mohr (1792–1848), who wrote the words to the Silent Night Christmas carol and served as priest of the Golling parish church from 1820 to 1821. Salzach Gorge near Golling is another popular visit.

Tiny Golling Entices Seniors

Heimatmuseum Burg Golling has a chapel and an interesting folklore collection. Senior visitors will see remains of cave bears, fossils, and copies of rock drawings, plus old pictures of the village. There’s also a hunting room, exhibits of regional costumes, and a chamber of torture. That last room is definitely not for children…and perhaps a few adults.

Aqua-Salza (spa) and the Museum Burg Gollin are popular. In 1968 there was talk of creating a museum in Golling Castle. With the establishment of the first rooms, the museum was opened in an initially modest scale in 1971.

TripAdvisor highlights tiny Golling and has prepared some suggestions on hotels, B&Bs, flights, maps and things to see and do. Seniors, enjoy your visit to Golling.  jeb

Seniors Visit Point Mugu State Park

Point Mugu State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California is part of the Western Santa Monica Mountains. Senior visitors will find the park at 9000 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu.

Point Mugu, features five miles of ocean shoreline, with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts.

The name is believed to be derived from the Chumash Indian term “Muwu“, meaning “beach”, which was first mentioned by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in his journals in 1542. The beach features swimming, body surfing and surf fishing and is 15 miles south of Oxnard on the famed Highway One.

Seniors Find Famed Rock

The park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area. The Mugu Rock is a distinctive feature of the coastal area that has been featured in many film shoots and television commercials.

The Rock was formed when a path for the Pacific Coast Hwy and was cut through the mountain. One visitor writes…“Point Mugu State Park may be a little bit of a haul for most L.A. residents, but it’s worth it.  After all, how many parks can boast great ocean views, quiet canyons, peaceful meadows, interesting geology – and two seasonal waterfalls?”

Senior hikers will discover more than 70 miles of trails that lead from the shore to the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area. For more serious senior hikers, take in the Big Sycamore/Serrano Loop.  This epic trip of nearly 10 miles travels the southeastern corner of the park.

Senior Hikers, Bikers and Campers, Take Note…

Peaceful Serrano Valley, the rugged Backbone Trail and dramatic views of the ocean and Sycamore Canyon are among the highlights. For a quick hike, try the “Scenic Trail – Overlook Fire Road, that will lead to awesome views of the Pacific.

Point Mugu State Park is set in a quiet and secluded 14,000 acres of land. With all those miles of hiking trails, it’s great for hikers of all ages. For those of us who enjoy camping and wildlife, there is abundant wildlife including seals and dolphins with baby seals coming up on the beach every so often.

Tack your bike on the back of your vehicle and enjoy a super ride. There are some great trails around Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley, but many people consider Sycamore Canyon in Point Mugu State park to be the best.

Seniors, plan a visit to Point Mugu State Park and enjoy the clean air, the views, the trails and the shoreline and all that the Park has to offer.  It will be a memorable visit. jeb

Seniors Seek Adventure in Genalguacil

It’s a bet that should win when I challenge senior travelers as to whether or not you have ever heard of Genalguacil. It is a town of 500 in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately 150 km north of the city of Málaga on the Mediterranean coast.

Set in the middle of the Genal Valley, a stone’s throw from the sea and one of the highest mountains in the Ronda mountains, the woods of Genalguacil are of enormous value and beauty. These woods are populated by chestnuts, corks and pines, including the Blue Spanish Fir, a botanic relic that is found nowhere else in the world.

Almost 90% of this territory is covered by woods. Besides the forests, there is an abundance of water in this region that makes possible a large number of orchards.

 Senior Visitors Find Cobblestone Streets, White Houses and Cork

The town’s name comes from the Arabic “GEN-AL-WACIR”.  It is known that there were mines of gold, silver and copper, and even some remains are in a place called Los Morteretes. Genalguacil is a town with steep, narrow winding cobble stone streets and white houses everywhere (testimony to its Morrish origin), each adorned with pots of colorful flowers. The only monument in town is the Church of San Pedro de Verona dating back to the 17th century.

The town of Genalguacil Malageño shares with other “white villages” of the province of Andalusia an enviable setting. Senior visitors will find it nestled in the mountains and surrounded by sites of high ecological value, and charm and picturesque character given by its whitewashed houses.

Genalguacil is not just another village. Its little squares and balconies overflow with flowers and its inhabitants lead peaceful, silent lives that are historically and economically dependent on the extraction of cork for your wine bottles.

 Senior Visitors Have An ‘Art Encounter’

Genalguacil is an “open air museum” and as you walk along cobblestone streets, senior visitors will find paintings, sculptures and other works of art integrated throughout the village.

Art Encounters in Genalguacil takes place the first two weeks of August, every two years, Yes, that video is in Spanish, but I found it to be a good one…so maybe time to work on your Spanish with my Spanish Websites. Gracias.

For the past 20 years, the town has supported artists from all over the world to create their ‘works’ for the festival and in return the pieces become part of the village life.

Seniors, come to Málaga and see if you can find Genalguacil up there hidden in the hills and enjoy your adventure. jeb

Seniors Stop Along Lake Ontario

Oakville is a suburban town in southern Ontario, Canada. Senior travelers will find Oakville on Lake Ontario, part of the Greater Toronto Area. The population runs just over 182,000.

History abounds as the original Oakville Settlement is centered on Oakville Harbour. The natural harbor at Bronte was a commercial port of entry for merchants and sailors in the early 1800’s. In 1827, Colonel William Chisholm purchased land at the mouth of the Sixteen Mile Creek on Lake Ontario to develop a shipbuilding yard. Ship-building and timber became important industries that attracted a variety of settlers to the area.

They say that Oakville is “A place where modern influence meets the spirit of the past.” The city is one of the most affluent towns in all of Canada. Senior visitors will find plenty to do in Oakville starting off with the Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

Seniors Enjoy A Favorite Park

For me, being a Master Gardener, I’d head off with my wife to explore the Gairloch Gardens, a place designed for some needed relaxation. Seniors can take a stroll amongst beautiful flowers, breath taking scenery, and majestic trees. It’s the favorite park in Oakville.

The beautiful historic home and gardens of the Erchless Estate once belonged to the town’s founding family, but are now the setting for Oakville’s Community Museum. Oakville has a plethora summer camps for your grandkids so if you’re looking for music, dance, drama, art, outdoor fun, swimming, sports, academic, cooking, horse back riding for them, check it all out.

Seniors Are Close To Niagara Falls In Oakville

A stroll around Downtown Oakville looks to me like a great place to shop, dine and enjoy the pleasant surroundings. For your gourmet tastes, Cucci Ristorante is for those who enjoy the pleasures of dining. ‘Cucci Chefs are forever searching for ways to tease your senses and stimulate your palate.’

Oakville is located only a half an hour from downtown Toronto and an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls and the United States border. Google the Oakville News and read about the city and what is going on all year long. After you “Google” Oakville, bring up Facebook for a host of additional information and suggestions for your visit.

And immerse yourself in beautiful Oakville.  jeb

Seniors Dine Well in Waxhaw, NC

Slow Food USA recently designated Waxhaw as a place senior gourmands might enjoy  some great food…from New Town Farms. Waxhaw (originally called the Wysacky), is a town located in Union County, North Carolina with a population right at 10,000.

Slow Food is a group of dedicated to sustainable local agriculture and Matt Jones shared this great new find with USA Today (Oct. 19). Farm-to-table restaurants are booming all over the country, he writes, and farms are getting into the act. They offer super-fresh cuisine that is often raised on site.

New Town Farms is that small family farm, established in 1990 by Sammy and Melinda Koenigsberg.

New Town Farms focuses on the art and craft of growing vegetables on a five acre garden, and has diversified to include what they call “pastured poultry”, “pastured laying hens”, and “Heritage breed, free range hogs.”

Sound good to you? New Town Farms is able put together a full meal from the farm.

 Seniors Surprised By Serene, Park-like Farm

Arriving at the farm, senior visitors would not expect a meandering gravel drive with well-established trees ringing a beautiful lake.  New Town Farms is so serene, it feels more park-like with trees and shade, open pasture for chickens, wooded areas for the Ossabaw hogs and a tilled garden.

There is a beautiful house on the property that the Koenigsbergs hope one day to turn into a related enterprise – an Inn that would serve guests food from the farm.  It’s a fitting vision for a family that is so incredibly hospitable.

Sammy Koenigsberg, a former architect, who operates the farm with his family, says “Healthy Soil.  Healthy Plants.  Healthy Us.”

Sammy writes…”We are a small diversified family farm with a focus on certified organic vegetables. We also raise pastured poultry, Heritage breed pastured pork, and free range eggs. We market our food through Community Supported Agriculture, The Matthews Community Farmers market, and to local restaurants.

Our season begins early spring and goes throughout the summer, usually ending in September. We harvest every Tuesday and members of the Community Supported Agriculture Program pick up on the farm or have a choice of two other pick up points in Charlotte.

We plan and plant for the largest variety of vegetables possible including a lot of specialty items The vegetables are always harvested and delivered on the same day”

Seniors Learn A New Kind Of Farming

Sammy built a poultry processing facility. Seniors can learn about his love for Red Bro chickens, how financially beneficial the facility has been, what it takes to build a poultry processing facility, and the importance of learning about where our food comes from.

Seniors, here is a site that will fill you in on products and crops from the organic gardens at New Town Farms.

Plan on viewing the farm and spending an evening dining with the Koenisbergs and enjoying their special cuisine. It will be memorable. jeb

Seniors Visit Farmington

This senior has always like that name…Farmington, but don’t know zip about the  city. So it’s time for a visit to see what awaits senior travelers to New Mexico’s Four Corners. Farmington is in San Juan County in the northwest corner of New Mexico.  

This largest city of San Juan County is in one of the geographically largest counties in the United States, covering 5,538 square miles. The population runs just over 46,000.

The history of the Farmington area dates back over 2,000 years when Anasazi lived in “pit houses” covering the entire the area. Ancient sites can be visited at both Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins.

The city was originally known as “Junction City” because of the access to three different rivers. In 1901 the town was incorporated and given the name Farmington with a population of just under 500. Today Farmington is known as the city “Where your four corner adventure begins.”

Farmington Is The Ultimate Destination

Farmington is the ultimate destination for senior explorers, history buffs and nature lovers alike. “Immersed in scenery photographers dream of, the Four Corners region is rich with Native American history, National Parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hike and explore unique landscapes like the Bisti Badlands, fly fish the world-class Quality Waters along the San Juan River or test your golfing skills at nationally ranked Pinon Hills Golf Course.”

If indoor recreation is more your speed enjoy an afternoon of shopping at local Trading Posts for authentic Native American artwork or visit several Art Galleries, Museums and Shopping Centers. Sound neat? It is.

“Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves the monumental architecture and complex community life of a major center of Ancestral Puebloan Culture (Anasazi) that took root and flourished for a thousand years.” I know of a site called Chaco Canyon where there are many Kivas.

Seniors Enjoy Ideal Climate In Farmington

Farmington is surrounded by world class scenic and historic treasures, all in this area called the Four Corners. Shiprock, originally called “The Needle”,  the most prominent landmark in northwestern New Mexico, rises nearly 1,600 feet above the high-desert plane of the Navajo nation. The formation plays a significant role in the Navajo religion, mythology and tradition. It resembles a 19th century clipper ship, thus the name, Shiprock.

The Mesa Verde National Park is an archaeological preserve famous for its concentration of cliff dwellings, 75 miles north of Farmington on Hwy. 491. There are a plethora of very weird geological formations to be seen in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness.

Because of its great location and nearly ideal climate, the city is an outdoor recreation paradise.  Senior fishing enthusiasts will enjoy fishing the streams around Farmington with some world-class trout to be caught in the San Juan River.

Bring your mountain bike along and your golf clubs. There are great trails and world class golf courses.   -jeb