Acadia National Park Worth The Visit

This senior read recently that Acadia National Park covering 60 sq. miles is one of the most revered among the 58 national parks in the US. It also is the oldest National Park east of the Mississippi River. Actually the park exists out of different islands and is located in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Back in 1919 it was called Lafayette National Park and in 1929, the name was changed to Acadia. The park encompasses approximately 47,748 acres in three main areas.

Samuel de Champlain was sailing down the coast of Maine in 1604 and noted this large off-shore island. He named it Mount Desert Island. It is the largest island off the coast of Maine and the second largest (behind Long Island, New York) on the eastern seaboard.

 Seniors Visit Bar Harbor

Widely known as the home of Acadia National Park, the town of Bar Harbor, a small seaside resort on the northeastern side of Mount Desert Island, draws about two million visitors each year yet only has an approximate year-round population of about 10,000. Bar Harbor, has a unique relationship with Acadia National Park and is well worth a visit as well. Still, all the beauty of Maine comes together in Acadia National Park.

The scenic Summit Road as it is called officially opened in 1931. It meanders along the north and eastern side of the mountain for approximately 3.5 miles until reaching the top.

The park is home to some 40 different species of mammalian wildlife. It is also known as home to over 50 percent of all the vascular plants in the state of Maine. Senior hikers will discover a host of popular hiking trails from very easy to strenuous.

Bar Harbor, has a unique relationship with Acadia National Park and is well worth a visit as well. “Together, they are like conjoined twins, both born of the same mother – and she is the land and ocean combined.”

Mountains, conifers, and wildlife meet the ocean in a spectacle that, once seen, is never forgotten. You will certainly note Cadillac Mountain in the park, at 1,530 feet, the highest point along the entire North Atlantic seaboard.

Rockefeller Got Involved

Many well-to-do folks like John D. Rockefeller, Jr., played a critical role in developing the park. He was instrumental in the building the famous carriage roads (1915 – 1933) and donated over 11,000 acres of land.

There have since been countless others who have donated their time and resources towards the continued realization of this dream so that we may all experience its raw natural beauty.

Eagle Lake, at 436 acres, is highly popular and is the largest fresh water lake in the park on Mount Desert Island. It has a maximum depth of 110 feet.

For a cool summer getaway, seniors traveling in the northeast will want to head towards Maine to visit Acadia National Park.  jeb

Seniors Head to Sherwood

Money Magazine selects America’s Best Small Towns and Sherwood ranked #5 out of 50 select towns. There are plenty of reasons senior citizens love this small town (15,000) just outside Portland — quaint historic downtown, top-ranked schools, relatively affordable home prices — but residents gush most about its proximity to fun stuff.

Just west of Sherwood is Willamette Valley wine country. Keep going and in less than two hours senior travelers are on the Oregon Coast. Or travel 65 miles east to Mount Hood for skiing or hiking. Then there’s Portland, home to highly acclaimed restaurants, microbreweries, museums, theater, and more.

The first people to live in Sherwood were the Tualatin Indians. They roamed the area for many years before the first white men came. The first wagon train arrived in Oregon in 1843, and by 1853, Sherwood was being settled by farmers.

They built their houses of the logs taken from the forest which once covered the area. They grew nearly everything they needed. Twice a year they took the three day journey into Portland for staples like salt, sugar and syrup.

 What Seniors Can See And Do In Sherwood

A major attraction in Sherwood is the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. A comment from a recent visitor noted that “This delightful wildlife refuge is located on land that was previously a dairy. It has a lovely visitor center with well-composed educational exhibits and informed volunteers.”

The Refuge, just a few miles from the center of Oregon’s largest city, is where the honking of geese replaces the honking horns. This special place is a refuge, a haven for wildlife and people. Born of a community’s dream, and made possible by their support, a wildlife refuge now thrives in the backyard of a growing metropolis.

Another highly popular attraction is Safari Sam’s. The centerpiece is the largest play structure in Oregon. Visitors have hours of fun discovering all the different features built into a jungle gym built strong enough for seniors to enjoy as well.

For you gardeners like me, take in Al’s Garden Center that is ranked #1 for visitors. Sherwood’s Family Days Out launched a site in January 2009 and they hope to have over 5 million visitors and a staggering 15 million page hits, and that’s a whole bunch!

A drive through scenic wine country is a senior visitor’s top choice. Even if you don’t like wine, the drive is beautiful and the grounds of the wineries are often breath-taking.

Nike is headquartered in Beaverton, 12 miles away, and Intel’s largest site is located among other high-tech companies in Hillsboro, 18 miles away. Despite its proximity to Oregon’s biggest city, Sherwood has many restaurants and cultural activities of its own.

The town of Sherwood claims that its unique combination of modern business and small town charm make it one of the most livable cities in Oregon. Take in some terrific views on the “Official Travel Oregon” site that will make one say “wow!” jeb

Seniors Flock to Avon

Travel & Leisure magazine recently highlighted Avon as a place to spend some vacation time. I’ve been through Vail and that region of Colorado but Avon was not on my list. It is now. So welcome to Avon, called “The Heart of the Valley” some eight miles from Vail. In Avon senior visitors will discover a variety of events, recreational activities and guest shopping as well as a great spot for you gourmets.

Senior visitors can enjoy the many small boutiques and shops, cafes and bakeries that are all close and convenient. Beaver Creek Stables operates horseback riding stables in the Vail Valley to provide you with one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities on your Colorado vacation.

 What Senior Citizens Can Do In Avon

Visitors will discover a strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere in Avon. Whether skiing, hiking, paddling the Eagle River or enjoying a leisurely day in town, seniors find that launching your mountain adventures from Avon is easy and convenient.

With 6,500 year-round residents, plus another 3,500 part-time residents, Avon offers a small mountain town atmosphere with a multitude of recreational opportunities, special events and parks with open space and trails, and a mix of local and national shops and restaurants. Lodging ranges from the economically friendly to the downright opulent.

Take at look at all the attractions in and around Avon.  Overall, Avon is a good pick for visitors who need a little more activity in their life, or just a new twist on fun that seniors will enjoy… concerts, festivals and the site of the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships.

Take advantage of secluded hiking trails, steep single track, exhilarating whitewater rapids, a scenic horseback ride, a hot air balloon ride, a rugged Jeep tour, fish the Gold Medal waters of Gore Creek, hit the greens, play tennis, take a dip in the world’s largest natural hot springs, the list goes on and on.

 The Heart of Avon

At the heart of Avon is Nottingham Park which serves as a beautiful setting for walking, jogging or bicycling and ice-skating and hockey in the winter. The park is named after the Nottingham family, who settled Avon at the turn of the 19th century. Although Avon has been incorporated as a town since 1978, the Nottingham legacy lives on as the namesake for the lake that is the town’s centerpiece.

Dubbed the ‘commercial core’ of the Eagle Valley, Avon is where you’ll find great shopping in no short supply. Hiking, biking along the paved trails that snake through the entire valley, mountain biking in extreme proportions at nearby Vail, and more things to do in the snow than you thought possible. It’s all waiting for you in Avon. So stop in on your next Colorado vacation. jeb

Seniors Discover The Dolomites

This senior is the world’s greatest fan for World Heritage Sites and the Dolomites rate right up there with the very best as one of those sites.  Also known as the Oriental Italian Alps, the Dolomites are a section of the Alps that are a part of Southern Limestone Alps.

Water, mountains, huge trees and deep blue lakes make this an unforgettable site for senior visitors.The name? The name “Dolomites” is derived from a rock called dolomite which is responsible for the characteristic shapes and color of these Italian mountains. Le Corbusier called  it “the most beautiful work of architecture ever seen.”

Just Made For You Senior Hikers

From short day hikes to long treks – the Dolomites have trails for every senior hiker interest and ability level. Wild alpine meadows, deciduous and evergreen woods, lunar landscapes, high altitude terrain, alpine lakes, soaring peaks, dramatic walls, and towering heights. Sound like your kind of place?

The mountains feature an infinite number of trails winding their way through these incredible landscapes, with breathtaking vistas adding to the drama. For true lovers of mountain scenery, the Dolomites has it all as a tourist mecca. Alpine grandeur and mountain meadows serve as a most dramatic backdrop for your visit through the heart of the Italian Dolomites or Dolomiti as they are known locally.

Cradled within the soaring peaks, the senior visitor will find enchanting villages replete with picturesque architecture, warm and welcoming hospitality and some of the most spectacular views of the mountains. Eighteen peaks in all, which are located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Too bad we don’t use the metric system.

The Dolomites are an appealing year-round destination. These mountains feature one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes with their vertical walls, long and deep valleys and sheer cliffs. While the Dolomites are visually stunning and internationally renown, the area is plagued by frequent landslides, avalanches and floods.

Most Attractive Mountain Landscape

The Dolomites are famous for skiing in the winter months and mountain climbing, hiking and Base Jumping, as well as paragliding and hang gliding in summer and late spring/early autumn. Senior citizens will find the Dolomites are widely regarded as being among the most attractive mountain landscapes in the world.

Their intrinsic beauty derives from a variety of spectacular vertical forms such as pinnacles, spires and towers, with contrasting horizontal surfaces including ledges, crags and plateaux, all of which rise abruptly above extensive talus deposits and more gentle foothills.

I really don’t know why I have not discovered this area in the past.  I’m glad to share it with senior readers. It’s gotta be on my travel bucket list now. The best time to visit — when everything is open and booming, but also at full-price and crowded — is from mid-July through September and during the ski season. Enjoy your every moment in the Dolomites. jeb

Seniors Are Jumping In At Moses Lake

Have you ever heard of Moses Lake? It was new to me. It’s the lifestyle that attracts senior visitors to Moses Lake and that keeps them coming back year after year…or for some, for a lifetime. The friendly people, small town charm, low cost of living, sunshine and recreational opportunities make Moses Lake a great place to visit and an even better place to call home. Oh yes, Moses Lake is out there in central Washington State.

Wine, festivals, natural freshwater lakes, parks, campgrounds…Moses Lake is an outdoor haven and the largest city in the county with just over 20,000 citizens. Moses Lake, on which the city lies, is made up of three main arms over 18 miles long and up to a mile wide. It is the largest natural body of freshwater in the county and has over 120 miles of shoreline covering 6,500 acres. That’s a lot of fishing territory, so throw in your pole seniors. Moses Lake is part of the Columbia River basin.

Moses Lake is east of Seattle and Ellensburg on Hwy 90 on your way to Spokane. All in all Grant County has over 247,000 surface acres of water.  That’s bunch and the hunting is as good as the fishing.

City History Interests Seniors

Wikipedia will give senior readers lots of great information on Moses Lake, including how it got its name. Interestingly enough the city was originally named Neppel, after a town in Germany where one of the original settlers had lived. When the town was incorporated and renamed Moses Lake in 1938, the population was estimated at 301 people.

Laketown Landing is the name given to the newly remodeled downtown shopping area of Moses Lake. In 2007, after much discussion and debate, the City of Moses Lake decided to remodel the original downtown business shopping district of the city. For nearly a year, things were in a state of construction and sometimes a little chaotic, but the city survived and now the downtown area is graced with new sidewalks and attractive street fixtures.

The Water Park, State Park and The Links at Moses Pointe draws in many visitor each year. The Moses Lake Museum and Art Center has the largest collection of American Indian artifacts in the area. With lots of sun, sand and water, Moses Lake offers up many things to do like canoeing, fishing, off road driving, bicycling, hiking, wildlife photography and bird-watching just to name a few. And for you senior birders, the official bird list for the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge includes over 200 species in the 23,200 acre area.

Moses Lake looks to me like a great place to spend a few days. jeb

 

 

Let’s Take a Hike, Seniors

I recently read that Coastal Trail at Land’s End was one of the best hiking trails in the county. So, you senior hikers, boot up.  Lands End in San Francisco has scenery with awesome views of the coastal inlet on every step of this Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It’s one of the favorite trails for folks who just enjoy walking.

At every turn of the trail on this wild and rocky northwestern corner of San Francisco, there is another stunning view. Along the way seniors will see hillsides of cypress and wildflowers, views of old shipwrecks, access to the epic ruins of Sutro Baths, pocket beaches, and a new Lookout Visitor Center.

As you hike you can thank community volunteers all along the trail who have helped revitalize and restore the trail and the native habitat. Note the bird and map link on this site.

Seniors Start the Hike at Ocean Beach

The trail begins near Ocean Beach and winds its way north and east along the ocean bluffs to China and Baker beaches. In its entirety, Coastal Trail is 11 miles long, although it’s not contiguous. The favorite stretch for many senior hikers is a 3.5-mile round-trip that follows the most “wilderness-like” section from above the Cliff House Restaurant to 32nd Avenue and El Camino del Mar. At least for a while, you’ll forget you’re anywhere near a major metropolitan area.

Folks ask all the time what the wildest place in San Francisco is.  For many it’s Coastal Trail. The ocean views from the Merrie Way trailhead are a satisfying first impression. As senior citizens lace up the hiking boots, watch for a Golden Gate-bound freighter or the spout of a gray whale, and lend an ear to the chorus of barking sea lions.

The Land’s End trail is an easy to moderate hike — depending on how far you walk. If you do the three-mile round trip from Point Lobos to Eagles’ Point, you can meander past the Sutro Baths, the Legion of Honor, and along cliffs with beautiful views of the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge.  Runners who make the trek often note that it is a great running trail.

Happy Hiking!  jeb

Do You Speak Sonoma?

Good question.  For all the good folks who live in Sonoma County, they love where they are planted.  Senior visitors will find countless wineries, quaint towns, quality cafes, a hoard of art galleries and so much natural beauty. North of San Francisco 3/4 hr  and just to the west of Sacramento, Sonomads as they call themselves, are the folks who embrace the wanderlust of Sonoma Wine Country.

Corkscrews and Coasting

The Sonomads living among so many famous wineries and the long west coast of California, invite senior visitors to come and to learn their language.  It does not require a dictionary or any grammar rules, just a desire to explore those 370 wineries and miles and miles of Pacific coastline. If you are an “epicurious senior”, you will discover a host of fine restaurants, many of them new.

Taste a new varietal as you visit some of the fine wineries, and get outdoors. The largest area, the Russian River Valley, has 130 wineries, which do their thing with grapes grown on 10,000 acres.

The 1000 year old redwood forests and hiking trails invite outdoor-oriented senior visitors to enjoy the many sounds of nature. The 50 miles of coastline have a plethora of scenic viewpoints where senior travelers can observe whales basking in the azure waters.  Any way you slice Sonoma County you find 15 American Viticulture Areas (those are the appellations or wine regions) each with a unique terroir (ground condition) that features some of the best Zinfandels in the world.  The Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs rate right up there and  you will even discover a fine Malbec that is a new favorite. They like to use the term “Forkscrews” as while the wine is excellent, the food is a delight as well. That term actually is used as a multipurpose utensil facilitating wine and food pairings.

The “Official Sonoma County” URL has it all put together for you with links for Things to Do, Food and Wine, Lodging, Maps and Planning, Travel Tips and Special Deals just for you.  The county boasts a world-class arts scene along with music, theater, dance, film, literature and many visual arts. You can plan your visit around a series of festivals and events if that is your interest.

That Coastline Draws Senior Travelers

The 50 mile coastline of northern California Sonoma County makes for a stunning drive as you pass through state and regional parks. The Coast is rugged, dramatic and highly scenic. And those grey whales! They claim that there are pods of over 20,000 that migrate along the coast from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Cortez.

Bodega Head seems to be a favorite spot for a great whale watch. The coast is cool and the weather is always moderate. You’ll find a host of fine resorts in picturesque settings all along the Pacific. Enjoy Sonoma County and America’s premier wine country. jeb

 

 

Seniors Discover Point Reyes

Wikipedia notes that Point Reyes  is a prominent cape and popular northern California senior tourist destination on the Pacific Coast. It’s about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco and the headland is protected as part of the Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s a Natural Sanctuary, a human haven.

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers senior visitors over 1500 species of plants and animals to discover. Have fun in the Point Reyes National Seashore or the among the towering redwoods of Muir Woods. Enjoy the wealth of events that take place year-round in West Marin/Point Reyes National Seashore.

Point Reyes’ first inhabitants, the Coast Miwok, have left evidence of well over a hundred encampments on the peninsula, with a population estimated to have been nearly 3,000. Seasonal hunters and gatherers, rather than cultivators, they were nourished by fish, clams, mussels, and crab, in addition to the deer, elk, bear, mud hen, geese, and small game they hunted with spears and bows.

ABC says YES to Point Reyes

ABC News cited Point Reyes as being one of the “Most Beautiful Places in America.” They called it a “Slice of Heaven on Earth,” so senior travelers, plan on spending some quality time in and around Point Reyes. Point Reyes’ beauty today lies in the sensory overload senior visitors experience as soon as you step outdoors. “The panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean fill your eyes; the smell of sea air mixed with the area’s fir, pine and eucalyptus trees consumes your nose; the sand of the sea touches your feet; and, for your ears, there’s a virtual cacophony considering half of all North American birdlife can be found at Point Reyes.”

TripAdvisor advises a visit to the Point Reyes Station. Not only will you discover a neat lighthouse, but hiking trails, Heart’s Desire Beach and a plethora of other attractions that will keep you glued to the area. The Point Reyes Station Travel Guide will continue to fill in your itinerary with a visit to Alamere Falls and Tomales Point. A host of recreational areas as well as state and federal parks will keep you busy viewing abundant wildlife, exploring miles of beaches and tide pools and gathering wildflowers.

So let’s go to Point Reyes and enjoy some of the wonderful natural scenery. You’ll love cruising the Point Reyes National Seashore. Plan on spending at least a full day just exploring along the coast. jeb

Elkhart Lake is Another “Cool Town”

Budget Travel continues to find small towns with a population of under 10,000 and to “put them on the map” for senior visitors.  You might say Elkhart Lake runs on two speeds: adrenaline-pumping fast and good-ol’-days calm. Just outside of town, in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, speedsters can find Road America, a four-mile off-road race circuit built in the 1950s where racers have been known to pass the 200 mph mark. Road racing is still a major in Elkhart Lake.

But back around the lake—crystal blue, spring-fed, cedar-lined, and 120-feet deep—the pace is decidedly more relaxed. At the three lakeside Victorian-era resorts, activities such as pontoon boating, wakeboarding, and summer bonfires will call to mind those long-lost memories of summer camp. One beautifully restored vintage resort, Victorian Village Resort, is walking distance from downtown  where senior visitors will find ice cream shops, art galleries, eclectic stores, foodie-worthy dining and a world class spa.

The locals call it a “Legendary Getaway” and with all the amenities in the area, senior visitors will soon find out why it received a “cool” label.  It’s right in the middle of Kettle Moraine State Forest and just one hour north of Milwaukee, so it’s easy to find. Find it on the Wikipedia map and read all about the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive… that was once the road racing circuit.

The area abounds in sightseeing, and a classic spa called Aspira, meaning ‘infused with spirit’,was borne on the banks of this lake, considered sacred by the Native Americans who lived there. Shaped like an elk’s heart, the lake bestows it’s powerful natural energy upon all who encounter it. Seniors who enjoy hiking, biking, camping, cross-country skiing and fishing facilities will find Elkhart Lake a Shangri-La. Maybe even take in a Friday Night Fish Boil that every Wisconsin inhabitant knows all about.

Farmer’s & Artisans Market Attract Senior Visitors

There’s something for everyone at this popular open-air market held every Saturday from 8:30 am-12:30 pm, rain or shine, in downtown Elkhart Lake. Beginning the first Saturday in June and continuing through mid-October, residents and visitors are treated to the appetizing sites and smells of a variety of fresh produce and baked goods. If you are “into food” and a “classic gourmet…or gourmand”, Elkhart Lake has the Ecole de la Maison where you can take first-class cooking lessons.

Enjoy Elkhart Lake.  Enjoy beautiful Wisconsin…    jeb

 

 

Seniors Find Santa Lucia “Simply Beautiful”

Another island today senior friends, only this time down south. The island is well known for its beauty. The island has many amenities to offer senior visitors. Why Santa Lucia? Seniors find Santa Lucia “Simply Beautiful.”

The beauty of Saint Lucia provides the perfect backdrop for adventure: mountains to climb, forests to explore, an underwater world to discover. The ancients revered Saint Lucia — Ioüanalao or Hewanorra, as it was called — and fought to preserve it.

In recent decades, the famous have returned there to find solace in this enchanted place. The “Official St. Lucia Guide” provides lots of history and sites for seniors to enjoy.  It has a rich supply of “cultural treasures” with many beliefs and traditions.  The many natural attractions keep senior visitors busy for days with hikes and a variety of programs.

Some say that St. Lucia is like an island in the South Pacific plucked down in the Caribbean.  Magnificant rainforests line miles of beaches.  Steep coastlines and lovely reefs offer excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.

 The rainforest preserves of St. Lucia’s mountainous interior are one of the Caribbean’s finest locales for hiking and birdwatching.  Then of course senior travelers will find great golf courses, tennis, sailing and the world’s only drive-in volcanic crater-Soufriere volcano.

Part of the Lesser Antilles and one of the Windward Islands, St Lucia has a population of around 175,000 happy island folks. And incidentally, they speak English there so no problem communicating. Wikipedia has lots of history and info to share and notes that it’s a Caribbean Island Getaway.  Castries, the capital, is full of markets and will make for a nice stroll through its streets.

Have fun in St. Lucia.  jeb