Seniors Mosey On Down to Dahlonega

USA Today suggests that visitors swing down to Georgia and visit a neat town called Dahlonega. Ever heard of that town?  It’s not large, only around 6,000 inhabitants, but it is loaded with fun things for senior visitors to see and do. It’s the county seat of Lumpkin County and 60 miles north east of Atlanta.

Small as it is, Dahlonega has been selected by several publications as one of the top places to retire. Senior hikers, if you are up for some serious hiking, Dahlonega sits at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain.

The 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse is the oldest courthouse in Georgia. Dahlonega — the name means Gold in Cherokee. Licklog, Dahlonega’s first name, was a place deer would come and drink water.

First Major Gold Rush In The US, Seniors Learn

Benjamin Parks was hunting deer in this area in 1828 when he stumbled on the purest vein of gold in the world. When the cry of Gold hit the Georgia coast, fortune hunters headed west for Dahlonega and its nearby neighbor Auraria (Latin for gold). Dahlonega is “Pure Gold”, located on top of the largest gold deposits found east of the Mississippi River.

It preceded the California rush in 1848-1855. And yes, gold is still being mined there today. You’ve heard the expression “Thar’s gold in them thar hills.” That came from Dahlonega. The Dahlonega Gold Museum is a Georgia historical site and stands in the middle of the town square,  housed in the old Lumpkin County Courthouse built in 1836.

I don’t know about you, but my wife and I would first head into the older section of town and Downtown Dahlonega is one of Georgia’s foremost historic downtown centers, winning the Georgia Downtown Association’s 2010 Award for Excellence in Downtown Development.

Shopping and dining choices are abundant with 50 retail stores and 15 restaurants. A walking tour of downtown is a high priority for most senior visitors to Dahlonega.

Seniors Enjoy Dahlonega’s Festivals

Festivals are an integral part of Dahlonega’s rich heritage and are a great means to take in the outdoor beauty of the area. From the Dahlonega Trail Fest in March to the Old Fashioned Christmas celebration in December, more than a dozen fun-filled festivals are held throughout the year.

Some of the principal attractions include two gold mines, the Consolidated and the Crisson Mines.  The Historic Holly Theater packs the house on a regular basis. Gold City Corral and Carriage Company invites senior visitors to go on a one hour trail ride or if you are “not into horses”, do so in a carriage.

Families enjoy animal encounters at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo. Five inviting wineries are also nearby. Dahlonega is a major entry point for tourists going to the Chattahoochee National Forest and the North Georgia mountains that provide some awesome scenery.  Furthermore, the Chattahoochee-Oconnee National Forest allows recreational gold panning in many area streams and creeks. jeb

Seniors Discover Sancerre and Its Wine

Sancerre is a medieval hilltop town, in the Cher department of central France overlooking the Loire River. On a map of France, it is dotted right in the middle of the country. Sancerre is most noted for its wine. In and around Sancerre there are more than 300 vineyards and many have ‘wine caves’ where senior visitors can sample and purchase the local wines. Sancerre is more than one village, it is an entire region.

The village of Sancerre is not large, around 1,700 in all. There always has to be some history or particular reason for towns’ names in France. The name Sancerre is possibly derived from “Sacred to Caesar” and later Christianized to “Saint-Cere”.

Senior Oenophiles Enjoy Sancerre

Do you enjoy white wine? Sancerre is one of the most famous white wines in France. Sancerre wine is often called ”white Beaujolais” and the two wines have much in common. 16 million bottles a year come from the region. The grape is the Sauvignon Blanc.

Sancerre white wine is more delicate than close-by Pouilly Fumé, which I personally prefer. Sancerre matures a little bit faster than its neighbor. Sancerre wines come from marlterroir, called white soil, or from the more common limestone vineyards. The first are fruity and well balanced, the second are full flavored but less stable.

NY Times notes that…“The dry, flinty white Sancerre is a wine with backbone, one that is simply for drinking and enjoying rather than pontificating about. The food of this easternmost region of France’s Loire Valley is plain and pure.  Fresh river fish, fruits and vegetables, and chalky goat cheese make for a natural mate for this uncomplicated wine.”

Castle, Hilltop Village and Goat Cheese

Sancerre is a neat village with a typical castle of the Loire Valley. The village originally developed around the  medieval castle. At one time it was among the most important chateaux in the region, but like so many, was largely destroyed early in the 17th century.

At the top of the hill above the village, senior visitors can still see the castle keep known as the Tour des Fiefs. Another historical landmark in Sancerre is the belfry, now the bell tower for the Church Saint-Jean de Sancerre, that dates back to 1509. The Church of Notre-Dame in Sancerre is more recent, mostly dating to the 18th century. The village stands on a low hill from where you can view miles and miles of the surrounding vineyards.

TripAdvisor has it lined up for you already, including some suggestions for a hotel or B&B as well as what senior travelers will want to see and do in and around Sancerre. You will discover that the village’s fame comes not only from the white wine to which it has given its name, but also from the goat cheese. In Sancerre, the land that’s not good for grapes is good for goats. jeb

Seniors Take in Johns Creek, Georgia

Johns Creek is a city located in Fulton County in the state of Georgia. The population runs right at 76,000. As one of America’s newest cities, Johns Creek is a family-oriented community in the north Atlanta metro area where senior visitors can enjoy plenty of recreational and cultural events. It has a vibrant arts community, including a symphony and arts center, and its famed nature preserve has a host of hiking trails and historic buildings.

Johns Creek is an affluent suburb about 20 miles north ease of Atlanta. I came across Johns Creek in the news, noting it was selected as a great place to live with a low crime rate and it was selected as one of the best places to live in the US.

Quite frankly this senior had never heard of Johns Creek, but Money Magazine has. According to Money Magazine, Johns Creek is the 13th highest-earning city in the United States. I discovered an Estate of the Day sale priced at $13.9 million on the Riverfront.

Today Johns Creek is widely known for its vibrant neighborhoods, the majority of which have been developed since the 1980s. For many years however, the area was just an average rural farming community.

Seniors Find An Early Sacred Place

Early in the 19th century, the Johns Creek area was dotted with trading posts along the Chattahoochee River (love that name) in what was then Cherokee Indian territory. Inspired by the Chattahoochee River that acted as a boundary for their tribal nations, they agreed to make the Johns Creek area a “sacred place” where all tribal families could feel safe during their peace talks.

The city was named for a tributary that runs through the area. During the 1980s and 1990s, Johns Creek witnessed profound population growth, and in 2006, the city at long last incorporated.

The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Heritage Center draws senior visitors. Located on 46 acres of ravine forest and historic past, this nature preserve’s two miles of walking trails wind past a scenic creek with rocky shoals, spring seeps, mature trees, wildflowers, native plants, and a variety of animal life.

Ocee Park offers athletic and recreational options including walking trails, baseball/softball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts and picnic pavilions. Its a favorite of the locals. Your pooch will love the Newtown Dream Dog Park, one of the top dog parks in the country located in Newtown Park.

The Newtown Park Amphitheater provides a delightful venue for city-sponsored events, such as concerts. And golf. Its a super golf city. As the host city of the 93rd PGA Championship, the city of Johns Creek, in cooperation with the Johns Creek Convention & Visitors Bureau, presents the PGA History Exhibit free of charge to the public.

Senior visitors will enjoy some warm southern hospitality, a welcoming atmosphere and great amenities that the city has to offer. jeb

Seniors Find Ballwin Is Safe

One of the most recently selected “safe cities” and “best places to live” in the country is Ballwin, Missouri. Senior travelers find Ballwin 16 miles west of St. Louis. One half hour from St. Louis-Lambert International Airport and 40 minutes to downtown St. Louis, the population is just over 30,000.

Ballwin was named for John Ball, who settled at the town site in 1804. The City of Ballwin was incorporated in 1950 but was originally part of a 400 acre Spanish land grant given to Ballwin’s founder, John Ball in 1800.

Seniors Stop At The Barn at Lucerne

Shopping and dining facilities are numerous along Manchester Road. Olde Towne Plaza, Ballwin Plaza, Central Plaza, Baxter Shops and Lafayette Center are just a few of the shopping locations senior visitors will enjoy in Ballwin.

The Barn at Lucerne, is a St. Louis County Landmark. The Barn at Lucerne, a restored 1900′s Dairy Barn, is a Lifestyle Center consisting of Restaurants, Offices, Live Music Venue, Retail, and Beauty Services.

It began in 1906 as part of a farm owned by Henry Bopp with two brick barns that were supposedly built from brick salvaged from the 1904 World’s Fair. The next owner, Will Schisler, established a dairy farm in 1916 and built the main 50,000 square foot barn and silos.

Healthy, Safe And Best Place to Live

Ballwin was on the cutting edge in family-focused fitness when it opened The Pointe at Ballwin Commons in 1996. “Housing two full gymnasiums, an indoor track, full circuit weight system as well as free weights, meeting rooms and an indoor pool Ballwin provides ample opportunity for personal fitness and leisure time whether on an individualized basis or quality family fun.”

And now we know why Ballwin is so popular for families and why it rates so high as one of the Best Places to Live in the USA.

Beautiful Vlasis Park is the crown jewel of Ballwin’s five parks. Vlasis covers 31 acres and features two ball diamonds, four tennis courts, two ponds, pavilions, sand volleyball courts, a walking path and a fantastic playground for kids.

For senior “duffers” like me, Ballwin’s municipal golf course is traditionally recognized as the best public, nine hole facility in the area, the former home of PGA Champion Bob Tway and previously awarded the St. Louis Magazine’s prestigious Editor’s Choice Award in 2003 for “Best Quality Golf.

And for you senior joggers, maybe hit the trail at The Ballwin Days 5K race, now a Ballwin Race Series event. Check out Ballwin.  You will soon note why so many folks enjoy living in this environment. jeb

Seniors Find Nothing Bad About Aachen

Aachen, also known as Bad Aachen is a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Sometimes in English, the city is referred to as Aix-la-Chapelle (Aix is the latin word for water). Bad in German means “bath,” so it makes lots of sense that it is a dedicated spa city.

As a former teacher of French this senior recalls that Aachen was a favored residence of Charlemagne, and later the place of coronation of the German Kings. Charlemagne, Holy Roman Emperor from 800 to 814 AD., still lies buried in the impressive cathedral he himself had built. The city is packed with historic sights that remind of those olden days, including medieval buildings, city gates and beautiful fountains.

Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost city of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. I recall well riding my motor scooter through Aachen years ago when I was a student at the Sorbonne in Paris. Senior visitors will find that the old historic quarter is best explored on foot.

 Seniors Visit Oldest Cathedral in Northern Europe

You will find lots of things too see and do in Aachen starting with the Dom (Cathedral) and then the renown thermal bath called Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen. Fortunately, Aachen Cathedral suffered relatively little damage in the war.

The Cathedral known as the “Imperial Cathedral,” is the oldest cathedral in Northern Europe. From 936 to 1531, the Cathedral served as a coronation center for 30 German kings and 12 Queens. Don’t miss the Cathedral Treasury. There is a senior discount for the admission ticket and the little English guide book. Buy the book, you won’t be able to appreciate the treasury without it.

I don’t know much German language but I always loved the term Rathaus, which means City Hall.  It, too, is a must see and is an architectural marvel. Other notable landmarks are the Suermondt Ludwig Museum and the fountain with a statue of Charlemagne in the market square.

Seniors Enjoy Mix of Historic and Modern

Just strolling through Aachen enjoying the city is great way to take in Aachen. The annual Christmas Market is another major draw to Aachen with thousands of visitors taking in the flavor of the holiday.

Today, Aachen has a pleasant mix of historic grandeur and modern innovation. It has a population of 246,000 and is home to a large and highly regarded university. One visitor found Aachen to be…”a city with bright colored buildings in welcoming pastels. For a while I felt like I was a doll walking around in a city of doll-houses.”

Aachen is a green city in a spacious valley, surrounded by fields, woods and hills. Nearby, seniors can find the “Three-Countries-Point” (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium) and the wildlife resorts called Hohes Venn and Eifel.

Enjoy your time in Aachen. jeb

Seniors Find Chester Their Cup of Tea

Chester, England. This senior fell in love with the city when I saw a few pictures of the old historic quarter in town. Let’s find out more about Chester, located in the north west of England in the county of Cheshire.

The city goes way back, founded as a Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix in the year 79. The River Dee which flows through the center of Chester was the reason the Romans came to build their fort there.

Close to the border with Wales, Chester is the largest and most populous settlement (340,000) of the area. Senior visitors will discover lots to see and do starting with the famous JF Polo Academy, the Outpost Paintball and the famed Walls of Chester.

Horse racing has been part of Chester for over 500 years and has the oldest course in all of England. And what an awesome find this link was with its 360 degree Gallery of Photos of Chester.

 Seniors Enjoy One Of The Prettiest Historic Cities

 Chester is said to be one of the prettiest historic cities in England, and what I have discovered writing this blog attests to that statement. Perhaps the most distinctive medieval feature of Chester is The Rows that are double-level walkways with a continuous line of balconies and with shops at street and first-floor levels. The Rows are unique and are said to have been in existence in the 14th century.

The existing Roman Amphitheater is the largest stone-built amphitheater in Britain. Chester is called a classical/contemporary city as it is both. The official city website can fill you in on everything worth a visit. The Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is said to have the finest Shakespeare open-air productions outside of London.

 City Rich With Architectural Treasures

Today Chester is arguably the richest city in Britain for archaeological and architectural treasures preserved from the time of the Roman occupation. Originally the fortress site of the 20th legion, the town known then (c. AD70) as Deva, soon became a major trading port.

The massive harbor and border position made it one of the finest strategic outposts of the Roman Empire. Long after the Romans had gone, during the Dark Ages, Viking raiders arrived in their long boats along the same route.

Senior visitors will want to take in the UK’s #1 zoo, with 11,000 animals. Following that visit, enter the beautiful old Chester Cathedral then St. John the Baptist’s Church. The Cathedral began its life as a Norman Benedictine abbey, becoming a cathedral when Henry VIII abolished the monasteries in the 1540s.

The Dewa Roman Experience recreates Roman life. As for me, I’d love the fact that I could wander recreated streets and see actual archaeological sites currently undergoing excavation. I think that you will really enjoy spending some quality time in Chester.  jeb

Seniors Are Never Bored At The Boardwalk

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk  is a classic seaside amusement park located along a beautiful sandy beach in a friendly beach town. Senior travelers know of boardwalks in Coney Island, Navy Pier, Atlantic City as well as Ocean City, Maryland.

Now it is time to become better acquainted with what is known as the World’s Best Seaside Amusement Park featuring the historic Boardwalk and the classic red and white Giant Dipper roller coaster that just turned 90. The Boardwalk has been around since 1907 and is California’s oldest continuously operating seaside amusement park.

Visitors find the Santa Cruz Boardwalk to be great entertainment, just plain fun. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk rates near the top in popularity for visitors who enjoy this special type of attraction. Senior visitors will want to spend lots of time enjoying the wide variety of amusements on the Boardwalk.

The Boardwalk is well known for its giant wooden roller coaster called Giant Dipper which has attracted over 60 million people since it was constructed in 1924 and took 47 days to build at a cost of $50,000. It is one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the world. The exhilarating ride provides a superb view of Monterey Bay.

Seniors Also Enjoy Watching Whales, Dolphins and Surfers

You know by now that this senior is very big on National Historic Landmarks. Two of the 34 rides and attractions at the Boardwalk are National Historic Landmarks, but don’t let that fool you. The 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster still thrills riders with its hair-raising dips and turns and the 1911 Looff Carousel’s unique ring toss provides a surprising challenge.

There’s also a two-story miniature golf course, a casino arcade, and a 100-year-old carousel. The carousel features 73 unique horses that were built by a Danish woodcarver.

The city of Santa Cruz is the county seat of Santa Cruz County with a population running just over 60,000. It is situated on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay, about 32 mi south of San Jose. For you seniors who enjoy surfing or watching surfing, Santa Cruz is one of America’s surfing capitals, complete with its own museum devoted to the sport, and a beach whose waves are known all over the world. 

In addition and what is really cool is that the Boardwalk spans a wide sandy beach along Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where it’s not unusual to see otters, dolphins, sea lions, and even whales swimming just offshore. My wife is still waiting to see whales swim by any shore. Fact is that the entire property is a State Historic Landmark.

Well worth a visit folks. So swing on by and take it all in for yourself.  jeb

Seniors Visit “The Shoe Capital of the World”

León is a city in the Mexican state of Guanajuato and is the sixth largest city  in the country with a population of just over 100,000. Officially founded in 1577, León is just one of many historically and culturally rich destinations in the Bajío region.

The city is on the main rail line between El Paso, Texas and Mexico City, is a commercial, agricultural, and mining center and one of Mexico’s leading shoe manufacturers. The city’s mines yield gold, copper, silver, lead, and tin.

Senior visitors will not be wanting for things to see and do in León.  The Museo de Arte e Historia de Guanajuato provides a colorful insight into the history of the city, with expositions ranging from 13th Century Chichimecas, to the massacre of 1946 within the Plaza of Martyrs.

Seniors Find Leather Industry In León

The city is full of history and fun things to take in. It has a strong leather industry, offering shoes, boots, belts, jackets, and other leather accessories both to national and international markets. Shoe City is thriving owing to its leather industry of over 200 years and is home to some big outsourced brands produced locally, including Nike and Madden.

Senior visitors will not want to miss the Arco Triunfal that was constructed in 1893 and today remains a symbol of the city and the independence of Mexico. Created for the 83rd independence anniversary, it is still highly regarded as an important monument in the city.

León has a long history of supplying goods: in the 16th century it was the center of Mexico’s ranching district, providing meat for the mining towns and processing hides. The world famous León Fair is one of the most important in the country and yearly draws thousands of Mexicans and world visitors alike.

Millions flock to the city for the fair with agricultural displays, music, dancing, carnival rides and bullfights. Naturally, hundreds of shoemakers have displays that invite you to take home a few pairs of quality shoes as wearable souvenirs. Another major draw in Léon is the Casa de Cultura Diego Rivera.

Seniors Taste Old Mexico in León

León is a fun place to get a taste of Old Mexico with its flavors and city sites. León is an industrial colonial-era city with a lovely historic heart that centers on the tree-lined Plaza Principal (main plaza). Furthermore the city is known for its impressive baroque- and neoclassical-style architecture, cultural venues, shopping and attractions.

The pedestrian area surrounding the main plaza and the adjoining Plaza de los Fundadores is where senior tourists will find many shops, restaurants and interesting cafés. Sights of interest in the historic center of León include a cultural center, theater, contemporary art museum and the twin-towered cathedral with its lovely baroque facade.

Senior travelers, put León on your itinerary for your next visit to Mexico. jeb