Seniors Stop In Menasha

The historic community of Menasha, Wisconsin has a quaint downtown and beautiful waterfronts along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. Senior visitors enjoy the gracious homes, built by turn-of-the-century paper barons, that are scattered throughout town. 

Menasha, Your Place On The Water, was originally inhabited by Native Americans.  The city’s name comes from the Winnebago word meaning “thorn” or “island”.

James Doty, the second Territorial Governor of Wisconsin, first traveled through the area in 1820, and the U.S. Government purchased the land in 1831. The City of Menasha was incorporated in 1874.

Seniors Invited To 2017 Arctic Club

TripAdvisor suggests that seniors not miss the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, and the Barlow Planetarium and the Weis Earth Science Museum both of which are  housed at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley.

Then there is the Outagamie Museum & Houdini Historical Center. And the local festivals: the Community Fest, Polk County Fair, the Turtle Days Fall Harvest Festival. Toss in your clubs and join the Classic Golf Scramble on May 26.

The Menasha Fox Jazz Fest on the beautiful shores of Lake Winnebago features local, national and international Jazz artists. The Menasha Rotary Club invites senior visitors to the 2017 Arctic Club event on Saturday February 4th from 10am to 1pm… Dress warm!

 Seniors Choose Seafood Fest

 Enjoy the Menasha Seafood Fest on September 8 & 9, featuring Lobster, crab leg and salmon dinners, plus a full array of other seafood and grilled items along with live music.

Maybe I’ll run into you there with all the fine food… I love lobster and crab legs.  My wife would prefer the salmon dinner.

Plan to spend some time visiting the UW Fox Valley Arts Theatre in Menasha. Let Facebook help senior travelers with their suggestions. 

So what are you waiting for? Set your GPS for Menasha and enjoy all the amenities the city has to offer. -jeb

Seniors Discover Vietnam

We have friends who visited Vietnam and loved every moment. Senior friends, get your coffee and  please join me today… we’ll also take a look at Vietnam. There are many tours available for tourists, so check out a few.

Today Vietnam is in “full bloom” and abundant with awesome scenery in every portion of the county.  The population runs close to 90 million inhabitants. Many visitors say that Vietnam is a “Sensory Overload” and a country abounding in “Timeless Charm.”

This southeast Asian country on the South China Sea is known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, with a huge marble mausoleum.

Seniors Awed With Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong soldiers. The local currency is the Vietnamese dong: 1.00 USD = 22,452.50 VND.

Hanoi is a must and the Old Quarter is a major attraction. For those who visit Hanoi with a genuine desire to have a grasp of the city’s culture or a curiosity to travel back in time, Ha Noi Old Quarter is a must-go place.

As the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, Hanoi’s Old Quarter has a history that spans 2,000 years and represents the eternal soul of the city with what are called the 36 Streets.

For senior gourmands, LonelyPlanet notes that the Thais may grumble, but in Southeast Asia nothing really comes close: Vietnamese food is that good.

Incredibly subtle in its flavors and outstanding in its diversity, Vietnamese cooking is a fascinating draw for travelers – myriad street food tours and cooking schools are testament to this. Senior visitors find that the Vietnamese cuisine is a culinary superpower.

 Vietnam: A Veritable Phoenix Arisen From the Ashes

I enjoyed reading what Rough Guides had to say about Vietnam: “Few countries have changed so much over such a short time as Vietnam. Less than forty years since the savagery and slaughter of the American War, this resilient nation is buoyant with hope.

It is a country on the move: access is now easier than ever, roads are being upgraded, hotels are springing up and Vietnam’s raucous entrepreneurial spirit is once again alive and well, as the old-style Communist system gives way to a socialist market economy.

As the number of tourists visiting the country soars, their talk is not of bomb craters and army ordnance but of shimmering paddy fields and sugar-white beaches, full-tilt cities and venerable pagodas; VIetnam is a veritable phoenix arisen from the ashes.” Well said Rough Guides.

Seniors, I suggest a visit with your travel agent and plan to visit a country that is attracting millions of visitors from all around the world.  -jeb

Seniors Discover Great Wine

Columbia Valley is the largest of Washington State’s valleys, with almost 11 million acres. It also encompasses smaller valleys, like Walla Walla and Yakima. The Valley is home to Cabernet Sauvignon that this senior enjoys. Grapes have been grown in the Columbia Valley since the 1860s.

Columbia Valley is on the label of one of my favorite red wines. They say that the bold style Cabernet Sauvignon displays great complexity and structure with aromas of dark berry fruits and plum on the nose with chocolate and vanilla on the palate. Wow. Sounds good to me, I like the “dark berry fruits”, my wife likes the “chocolate and vanilla”.

 So senior oenophiles, buckle up as we go to Columbia Valley in Washington state to check out the territory and some fine wines. Columbia Valley is huge, roughly one-third of the state’s entire landmass. Nearly 99 percent of the grapes grown in Washington come from Columbia Valley.

 Seniors Enjoy Beautiful Vineyards

The Columbia Valley, referred to locally as the Columbia Basin, is an American Viticultural Area which lies in the Columbia River Plateau, through much of central and southern Washington State, with a small section crossing into the neighboring state of Oregon.

As Columbia Valley is a dry region, irrigation is often required and this restricts the location of its vineyards. The development of intricate irrigation systems has allowed this Valley to become a premium grape growing region.

Vineyards are planted on predominately south-facing slopes, increasing solar radiation in summer and promoting air drainage in winter. Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted varietals with a growing season of 180-200 days. Gotastewine.com has a listing of the major tasting opportunities senior visitors will have in the area. 

 The Valley and valleys, River and rivers

The Cascade Range forms the western boundary of the Valley with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with Canada. The valleys within the Valley are formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River.

Wikipedia notes that…the whole region shares the common climate traits of cold winters and long dry growing seasons with low humidity. The warm days and cool nights of the area help retain the balance of acid and sugar levels in the grape which give Washington wines their characteristic balance in flavors.

 Seniors, don’t miss scenic Columbia Valley.  It will be a memorable trip, a scenic trip and a highly tasty trip! -jeb

Seniors Drop By Greenwood Village

This senior has spent time in Colorado but had not heard of Greenwood Village. Have you? Greenwood Village is located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of around 36,000.

Once primarily a rural community, today Greenwood Village includes nationally recognized business parks and select neighborhood associations. Cyrus G. Richardson operated the Greenwood Ranch, after which the town was named.

The area continued to develop during the 1860s after settlers came from the east coast and midwest searching for gold. By the early 1900s it had become a farming community. There were beautiful orchards with cherry, apple, plum, apricot, and pear trees throughout the area in the early 1900s. In the early years of the 20th century, Greenwood Village was occupied primarily by farms and dairies.

Native Americans were the first settlers in and around Greenwood Village.

 Seniors Check Out Landmark Theatre

TripAdvisor  encourages senior visitors to visit The Landmark Theatre that is well known for screening new releases as well as independent, foreign and avant-garde films. Greenwood Village offers easy access to a number of nearby historic sites and museums.

The Colorado State Capitol, Colorado Governor’s Mansion and the Denver Mint are all within a radius of 10 miles of the city. The Wildlife Experience Museum has an excellent collection of wildlife art. The Museum is operated as part of the University of Colorado South Denver and includes an art and natural history museum and a large-screen movie theater.

Take a One Minute Stroll  with me through the city to gain an overview of what you will experience on your visit. Start now to make out a planned itinerary as there is so much to see and do in this part of Colorado.

 Seniors Enjoy Greenwood Village’s Environment

Greenwood Village offers a wide variety of recreational and cultural activities that appeal to youth, seniors, and everyone in between. In addition to sports and art activities, the locals enjoy art exhibits, lectures, outdoor concerts, fine dining and quality shopping at Greenwood Village businesses.

 Senior outdoor interests can be pursued at the Village’s developed parks, and shelters or on the pedestrian, equestrian and bicycle trails that wind through the village.

I enjoyed reading their homepage information featuring coyotes as we often see them crossing our backyard here in Arizona. Beautiful creatures they are. Bring along your camera and perhaps you may be able to go home with a couple of nice shots featuring a coyote or two.

Seniors, set your GPS for Greenwood Village, Colorado and take part in the exciting environment and scenic views.  Enjoy your visit. -jeb

Seniors Discover Bristol

Seniors traveling through Pennsylvania find Bristol Township 23 miles northeast of Center City Philadelphia, opposite Burlington, New Jersey on the beautiful Delaware River. The population is around 55,421.

The Harriman Historic District in Bristol is one area senior visitors enjoy. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720 but, after 1834 became very important to the development of the American Industrial Revolution as the terminus city of the Delaware Canal.

Bristol was platted in 1697, and like so many cities in the UK, named after Bristol, England. It was originally used as a port and dock. Bristol is rich in history, boasting many historic and restored houses.

From its earliest days Bristol was a center of textile mills, foundries, and milling. By the 1880s Bristol was home to many factories, including companies manufacturing wall paper and carpet.

 Seniors Check out Bristol Riverside Theatre

Attractions that interest senior visitors include the Bristol Riverside Theatre, and the Margaret R. Grundy Library and Museum.  I know that my wife and I would enjoy The Bristol Riverside Theatre. TripAdvisor puts the Theatre at top of their list for Must See in Bristol. Facebook notes that Mill Street Market Place is a great place to shop.

In the summer Bristol features many festivals and free concerts: cultural festivals like Celtic Day, Puerto-Rican Day, African-American Day, and Italian Day, with a Doo-Wop Concert.

Seniors can also find an Antique Car Show, an Arts & Crafts Festival, and a Fall Auto Show, they will enjoy. All held at the Bristol Lions Park, Bristol Wharf and in the Historic Mill Street Shopping District along side the Delaware River.

Seniors Like Bristol Historic District

Today, Radcliff Street that parallels the River is part of the Bristol Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. Anchored by the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum and the King George II Inn, this street tells the colorful story of Bristol with its old buildings.

Senior visitors are invited to take a self-guided walking tour to learn about the colorful local history that reflects the greater changes that were happening in the fledgling nation.

Mill Street, which saw a decline with the rise of shopping centers and malls in the suburbs, is seeing a return of retail and dining establishments. The Bath Mineral Springs at Bristol were recommended by Dr. Benjamin Rush and Benjamin Franklin as an important health retreat.

The famed canal between Bristol and Easton was built for the transportation of anthracite coal and stimulated economic growth for the community between 1827 and 1931. One of the Bristol’s parks is located at the lagoon of this former canal, near the former Grundy Woolen Mill and its iconic clock tower. Seniors, set your GPS for Bristol and enjoy quality time in a quality town. -jeb

Seniors Discover Mining Communities

Globe-Miami, Arizona is an area long lived for mining, ranching and Old West stories that have captivated senior visitors over the years. While silver was discovered in 1870, it did not take long for miners to add copper ore to their inventory.

While Globe was founded as a mining camp, mining, tourism, government and retirees are most important in the present-day Globe economy. In February, two of the best “wildflower drives” in Arizona pass through Globe-Miami.

Thanks to Globe’s relative isolation from the rest of Arizona (88 miles east of Phoenix) and its proximity to the San Carlos Apache reservation, Globe remained a frontier town. Globe’s history abounds in events such as murders, stagecoach robberies, outlaws, lynchings, and various Apache raids.

 Seniors Enjoy ‘Best Small City in Arizona’

Globe annually celebrates festivals like the Apache Jii Day and the Gila County Fair. Senior visitors interested in history of the area will enjoy the Besh-ba-Gowah Archaeological Park.

Occupied by Salado populations between AD 1225 and AD 1400, Besh-Ba-Gowah was one of the largest single site archaeological collections in the southwest.

Some call Globe “The Best Small City in Arizona.” TripAdvisor suggests that senior travelers not miss the Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive. I would not want to miss the famed Historic District that lies in Globe.

 Seniors Like Classic Western town

Let’s head 6.3 miles on Hwy 60 over to neighboring Miami, a classic Western copper boom-town, near the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Miami, Globe, and the unincorporated areas nearby, including Inspiration, Claypool and Central Heights-Midland City, are commonly called Globe-Miami.

Miami is located on the northeastern slope of the Pinal Mountains, and is surrounded, except to the east, by the Tonto National Forest. Seniors can visit Miami’s old downtown which has been partly renovated. The Bullion Plaza Museum, featuring the cultural, mining and ranching history of the Miami area, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

One of Arizona’s largest copper operations, Miami is the site of one of only three copper smelters in the entire country. On your route to Globe-Miami, pay a visit to The Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, the largest and oldest botanical garden in Arizona, with 323-acres that includes a wide range of habitats and a 1.5-mile walking trail.

 Seniors, when you are traveling through Arizona, don’t miss these fascinating, historic old towns. You will find scenery and old buildings round every turn. Check out both communities on Google for various festivals that seem to be ongoing all year long. Your visit will be memorable. -jeb

Seniors Travel Afar To Port Hedland, Australia

How did I come up with this one? I saw an awesome lightning photo just off of Port Hedland..it was fantastic. So, today seniors travel to the Outback in Australia. 

Port Hedland is the second largest town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with an estimated urban population of 15,100. It is also the site of the highest tonnage port in Australia.

Port Hedland, is known by the indigenous Kariyarra and Nyamal people as Marapikurrinya, which means “place of good water”, as told by a Nyamal language speaker.

Port Hedland is the gateway to the Pilbara. To the east senior travelers can explore the wild, rugged beauty of Karijini National Park, with its spectacular natural gorges, waterfalls and pools, perfect for hiking and walking. The main industries are iron ore processing and export, salt production, and livestock production.

 Seniors Visit A Large, Working Harbor

Port Hedland was established in 1896 in Kariyarra country on the Pilbara coast about 1,110 miles from Perth. Today there are two main centers: business Port Hedland, located on the coast, and residential South Hedland, 8 miles inland.

Port Hedland is one of the world’s largest and busiest working harbors, filled with grand, austere ships that transport hundreds of millions of tons of cargo each year to distant places.

In Port Hedland, anyone coming to the center of town has a ringside seat for some of the greatest industrial drama in the Pilbara, a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples, its ancient landscapes, the Red earth and its vast mineral deposits.

 Seniors, Meet Red Dog

Red earth…now view Red Dog, a 2011 film about a dog who took it upon himself to travel all over the Outback. It is based on the incredible, legendary, true story of a red dog who united a disparate local community while roaming the Australian Outback in search of his long lost master. At the 2011 Inside Film Awards, Red Dog was nominated in nine categories and won seven, including best feature film.

Port Hedland has a natural deep anchorage harbor which, as well as being the main fuel and container receiving point for the region, was seen as perfect for shipment of the iron ore being mined in the ranges located inland from the town.

Other major resource activities supported by the town include the offshore natural gas fields, salt, manganese, and livestock. Grazing of cattle and sheep was formerly a major revenue earner for the region but this has slowly declined.

TripAdvisor has been to Port Hedland and suggests that seniors visit Pretty Pool. Senior travelers are invited to discover the rich cultural heritage of Port Hedland, incredible stories of the local Indigenous people and its economic significance as a powerhouse of the Australian economy.  -jeb