Seniors Visit Pomfret For The First Time

Pomfret , a town in Windham County, Connecticut with a population of about 4,200, was incorporated in 1713. Wow, senior friends, Pomfret is  historical, one of the oldest towns in the state! The town was named after Governor Saltonstall’s estate near Pontefract (meaning broken bridge) in Yorkshire, England, and agriculture and various mills along the town’s plentiful waterways supported the settlers’ earliest enterprises.

The town might be best known for the wolf’s den where Israel Putnam killed Connecticut’s last known wolf. Rocky paths connect to join the small cave which is the actual wolf den with a glacially positioned boulder called the Indian Chair. Now part of Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Wolf Den is on the National Register of Historic Places.

There are eerie remains of an 18th-Century Settlement in Pomfret where Welsh roots inspired the name of the new community. Obadiah Higginbotham and Jonathan Randall both settled the area in 1790. I love that first name.

Seniors Visit One Of Oldest Towns in Connecticut

This senior first came across the name of Pomfret while searching for top private schools in Connecticut. Pomfret School, with only 350+ students, is one of the state’s well known private schools.

Today, Pomfret is a residential community with light industry, including fiber optic manufacture, ample protected open land, and a large historic district listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

While the town is small it has several sites not to be missed: the Sharpe Hill Vineyard, Airline State Park Trail, Martha’s Herbary and Pomfret Wine and Spirits. I would want to pay a visit to Tyrone Farm, a uniquely beautiful 170 acre country estate. The farm is a fourth generation family business.

Senior Birders Take Note…

Pomfret offers beautiful vistas, winding country roads, stone walls, and an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants. Town government has been sensitive to maintaining the rural environment and historic charm that makes Pomfret the quintessential New England Community.

Listed on the National Register seniors will want to visit the Brayton Grist Mill, Gwyn Careg, Israel Putnam Wolf Den and the Pomfret Town House that was erected in 1841 and was used for many years as the site of Pomfret’s town meetings. It is now owned by the Pomfret Historical Society.

Senior hikers will find extensive walking, hiking and horse trails. The Connecticut Audubon Center at Pomfret offers spectacular birding and is particularly known for its grassland habitats. The motto is “Close to Home…Far from Ordinary.”  Enjoy genealogy?  Read up on the local history that describes the town in detail.

Seems like there is always more to learn about a small community and Pomfret has its related topics all on one site . Seniors travelers, I think you will enjoy a stop in Pomfret.  -jeb

Seniors Spend Time In St. Landry Parish

St. Landry Parish , Louisiana, with a population that runs around 84,000, is the Zydeco Capital of the World. Senior travelers will find the parish seat, Opelousas, 21 miles north of Lafayette, and 126 miles west of New Orleans.

The Parish was created in 1807. Its history much precedes 1807 as the territory that became St. Landry Parish was inhabited as early as  10,500 B.C. Saint Landry is the patron saint of Opelousas and his feast day is celebrated June 10 of each year.

The Parish is 939 square miles in area and there are 12 municipalities located within the Parish each with its own distinct personality. Senior visitors will see evidence of the French heritage in St. Landry Parish from the visitors guide en français, the signs, newspapers, restaurants menus, and the many surnames of its inhabitants.

Seniors Enjoy an Étouffée

La Table Française are local gatherings that take place throughout the Parish. It presents an opportunity for the locals to share conversation en français over a good cup of café. Having been a teacher of French for over 30 years, I’d like to think that I would fit right in…but with the local acadian accent…maybe not.

Senior travelers, head down to Arnaudville the end of May and take in the 32nd Annual Étouffée Festival. Étouffée is a “smothered” dish and a favorite among locals, enough to stir up some friendly rivalry.

Get a taste of the competition at the Mayor’s Cook-off, which will feature a diverse variety of étouffées including crawfish, seafood, vegetable, and even wild game. Arnaudville is a haven for musicians, artists, and champions of the French language itself. Look up their cultural events on Google.

Seniors Like the Mardi Gras in Eunice

Be sure to sample the Gumbo, a dish that originated in southern Louisiana from the Louisiana Creole people during the 18th century. St. Landry Parish is the site of one of the oldest European settlements in Louisiana, le Poste des Opélousas, an administrative territory established by the French in 1720.

The local cuisine naturally reflects its dramatic history and diverse cultures. It is said that one might best describe the history of St. Landry Parish’s cuisine as that of a cultural gumbo. Blackberry pie would be high on my dining dishes.

Eunice is known as the “Prairie Cajun Capital” and is popular for its annual Mardi Gras celebration. Seniors, spend some time in Eunice visiting the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Liberty Theater, a restored 1924 Vaudeville Theatre.

I would not want to overlook Grand Coteau (Big Ridge en français), that is on the National Register of Historic Places, that includes over 70 structures with a wide variety of architectural styles.

Krotz Springs, Leonville, Palmetto and Lebeau…the town list goes on. St. Landry Parish claims a state tourism honor and for good reason. Set your GPS for St. Landry , seniors, and enjoy some great music, Louisiana food and scenery that will be memorable. -jeb

Seniors Discover Ibiza Off The Coast Of Spain

Get your coffee, senior friends, we’re heading for Ibiza, one of the Balearic islands, off the east coast of Spain. This archipelago of Spain is found in the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Valencia.

Ibiza is where millions of folks enjoy the year-round climate and Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni is where the exciting and lively nightlife is found. Ibiza is home to quiet villages, yoga retreats and beaches, from Platja d’en Bossa, lined with hotels, bars and shops, to quieter sandy coves backed by pine-clad hills found all around the coast.

I would head off first to the beach of Talamanca with its calm and shallow bay on the south east coast. And I would not want to miss the magnificent cathedral constructed during the 13th and 14th centuries on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Mercury.

Seniors Enjoy World Heritage Town

Ibiza Town (Eivissa) , a World Heritage Town, the capital and largest city on the island, is the port city overlooking the Mediterranean. Ibiza Town was founded by the Phoenicians 2600 year ago, and since then has been continually populated.

Although called Ibiza in English and Spanish, the official name is the Catalan Eivissa (as restored in 1986) and its inhabitants call it the Vila d’Eivissa or simply Vila (“Town”).

Sa Penya is the most distinctive neighborhood in Eivissa, where the cobweb of streets stretch out to the ancient walls of the city. This is where senior visitors congregate to please their palates, shop and inhale the spirit of Ibiza Town.

Seniors Are Charmed By The Island

The  nightlife is legendary, with world-class restaurants, a great selection of bars in the pretty Old Town and in trendy Marina Botafoch, and where the world-famous Pacha nightclub with the best DJs of the world play each night in summer. The island charms visitors all year long from nations around the globe.

Seniors will find a fine array of small boutiques, high-end fashion stores, specialty shops and a variety of novelties. Ibiza attracts an international crowd all year round and is known for celebrity spotting during the summer months.

Ibiza offers senior visitors museums, beaches, cruises along with Es Vedra, Dalt Vila and Cala Comte, as well as a host of holiday rental villas and luxury hotels. Wikitravel notes that Ibiza Town is full of character, heart, soul, spirit and history and is home to the amazing UNESCO World Heritage listed site Dalt Vila – a huge, walled fortress surrounding a cobbled street town.

So seniors, set your sails for Ibiza .  Read up on the plethora of amenities this exciting island offers. Many visitors enjoy biking around the island to get to know the terrain.  Enjoy you stay in Ibiza. -jeb

Seniors Check Out Reynoldsburg

Reynolds burg, senior travelers learn, a city in Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties in the  state of Ohio, is a suburban community in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area with a population of nearly 36,000.

Originally called Frenchtown, Reynoldsburg was platted back in 1831 by John French, and named for him. The present name is for John C. Reynolds, a local merchant. A post office called Reynoldsburg was established in 1833, and the name was later changed to Reynoldsburg. The area started developing rapidly after the National Road was built.

For you salad lovers, the city is known as the birthplace of the tomato and it celebrates a fun annual summer festival dedicated to tomatoes. Reynoldsburg’s Tomato Festival features a host of activities, all revolving around the tomato.

Seniors Hike the Trails at Blacklick Woods

The area also has some interesting historical sites. The Alexander W. Livingston House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in in 1864-1865 by Livingston, a horticulturist, who is world famous as the developer of the tomato into a stable commercial crop.

For me personally, I’d want to check out Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill, The Thirsty Turtle and spend some quality time in Blacklick Woods Metro Park. In addition to the golf courses, the park offers an extensive network of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a nature center.

Before departing I would visit the Reynoldsburg Truro Historical Society, a group dedicated to promoting and preserving the local history. Senior visitors will find an interesting collection of tools, costumes, photos, household furniture, farm items and published materials relating to historic Reynoldsburg and Truro Township.

Seniors Enjoy Reynoldsburg’s Scottish Heritage

Also known as the Heritage Sports Complex, Huber Park is situated on 42 acres of land. The park includes a classic paved trail that can be used for biking or jogging.

Reynoldsburg has a very active Scottish American Society, which celebrates the city Scottish heritage year-round. The society’s main event of the year is the Reynoldsburg Tartan Day that highlights pipers, Scottish highland and country dancers, Scottish games, athletic demonstrations and weaponry displays.

Senior bikers, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is nearby in a suburb called Pickerington where over 200 motorcyclists are enshrined into the Hall of Fame, one of the museum’s main galleries.

Senior travelers, plan a stop in Reynoldsburg when you are in the Columbus, Ohio area. A fun time awaits your visit. -jeb

Seniors Visit The Old Community of Newhall

Senior travelers will find Newhall, California , the southernmost and oldest community of Santa Clarita, just outside of Los Angeles. Established in the 1850′s as a stagecoach stop, today, it is notable for its antique car shows, mountain surroundings, and ranch houses.

Named after businessman Henry Newhall, Newhall is home to the William S. Hart County Park, featuring tours of the famous silent movie maker’s mansion.

The Old West still lives in Newhall’s Western Walk of Fame and the William S. Hart Regional Park with its exhibition of Western life and an example of an old-time ranch house and the original Saugus train station.

Seniors Find Interesting History

Newhall is also home to the Pioneer Oil Refinery, the oldest surviving oil refinery in the world and the first commercially successful refinery in California. Senior visitors can enjoy the William S. Hart Museum and Ranch along with the Placerita Canyon Nature Center and Old-Town main street shops. Then there are car shows and a meal at the legendary Way Station.

Decades before the city of Santa Clarita, there were two small towns in the Valley: Newhall and Saugus. The Santa Clarita Valley was simply an area of ranches and farms in northern Los Angeles County.

Newhall was the place where ranchers bought groceries and other needs — and, at Saugus, shipped out what they produced via the railroad.  Eventually, Newhall and Saugus were absorbed into what is now Santa Clarita.

Beale’s Cut was the first man made passage from the San Fernando Valley to Santa Clarita and Northern California. Beale’s Cut was completed in 1864 by a crew headed by General Edward F. Beale and was 90 feet deep.

Seniors Have Fun At the Cowboy Festival

Santa Clarita has hosted countless location shoots in its scrubby hills for Hollywood’s cowboy pictures. The Walk of Western Stars is an extensive sidewalk tribute to the movie, TV and radio legends.

The small shops in downtown Newhall mostly close by dinner time. Not a bad time for a stroll —  It’s just you and the memories of Clayton Moore, the original Lone Ranger; Tex Ritter the singing cowboy; Hoot Gibson, rodeo champ actor and director. Remember all those folks? Maybe not if you are not as old as this senior, but I loved them all and watched many black and white TV shows featuring those cowboys.

You don’t have to be a cowboy to enjoy the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival in Old Town Newhall. Suspending inside a larger than life horse shoe, festival goers will step back in time to the 1860’s.

This is Newhall, seniors. Set your GPS for this exciting old western setting and enjoy the flavor. -jeb

Seniors Find Burlington/Skagit County Scenic

Burlington is a city in Skagit County, Washington with a population around 8,500. Dotted with hundreds of lakes and blessed with millions of acres of forest land, Skagit County has something for every senior sportsperson : fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, rock-hounding and even paragliding.

Originally, Burlington’s businesses were centered around Fairhaven Avenue. Today, Fairhaven Avenue is the center of Burlington’s old downtown, and provides a gathering place for the whole city during the annual summer Berry Dairy Days.

Fishing is a top attraction. “As one of the longest rivers on the West Coast, the Skagit River meanders from its headwaters high in Canada 150 miles to its delta just southwest of the world-famous tulip fields of the Skagit Valley.

Seniors Awed By The North Cascades

“In less than 35 minutes you can be in mountains, taking in the beautiful North Cascades. The North Cascades National Park Complex spans the Cascade Crest from the temperate rainforest of the wet west-side to the dry ponderosa pine ecosystem of the east.”

Burlington began as a logging camp, established by John P. Millett and William McKay, in 1882. It was officially incorporated on June 16, 1902. Today Burlington is locally famous for its proliferation of shopping malls and for having some of the best youth sports fields in Washington.

A short 35 minute drive from Burlington west on Highway 20 will bring you to scenic, historic and unforgettable Deception Pass State Park, a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline as well as 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on four lakes.

Senior Hiking/Biking Paradise

Seniors can enjoy a stop at the Trainwreck Bar and a visit to the Sakuma Brothers Farm. Then there’s Orca whale watching, white water rafting and kayaking through Deception Pass. Senior hikers and bikers can enjoy bicycling through the Valley or hiking one of the many trails in the national parks and forests. The views will take your breath away.

Senior visitors will love the Skagit Valley . The Skagit River system is home to many year-round resident Bald Eagles but each winter their numbers increase dramatically with the return of spawning salmon. In all, five different species of salmon return to the Skagit River to spawn, then die along the shores of the river. With such an abundance of food during these circle-of-life phenomena, eagles have found the Skagit to be an excellent fishing spot.

Then there’s Skagit Speedway, the premier motorsports facility in the northwest United States. Each year hundreds of thousands of fans of fixed-wing dirt track racing flock to the Speedway to enjoy an evening of exciting fun.

Hiking trails abound in the region and vary widely as far as difficulty. Senior hikers, try the flat Cascade Trail that follows an abandoned railroad line. So what are you waiting for senior travelers? Burlington sounds like a great destination area. -jeb

Seniors Enjoy A Top Destination In The US

Senior travelers, TripAdvisor recently listed the Top 25 Destinations in the US and up came Mount Desert (pronounced like dessert ) Island as #15. News to me as the others I had heard of and even have written blogs on several of them.

Mount Desert Island , is the largest island off the Down East coast of Maine, always referred to by the locals in Hancock County simply as “ The Island. ”

French explorer Samuel de Champlain’s observation that the summits of the island’s mountains were free of vegetation as seen from the sea led him to call the island “île des Monts Déserts” , or Island of the Bare Mountains .

There are four towns on Mount Desert Island with beautiful seashore views for visitors to enjoy. The Island is crowded with visitors during the summer months, but seniors can still find solitude by taking one the Island’s famed hiking trails. Shore Path is an enjoyable walk along the ocean next to Bar Harbor. Summer visitors discover that each of the villages has its own unique flavor and attractions.

Seniors Find Crown Jewel In Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor is the largest town, but Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor on the southwestern end affords senior visitors with both a quieter and more affordable stay. Frenchman Bay, named for Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer who visited the area in 1604, is a popular aquatic scene.

Acadia National Park—one of the most popular parks in the United States—is Mount Desert Island’s crown jewel: some 40,000 acres of mountains, river valleys, glacial lakes, bluffs, and beaches. Mount Desert Island is rich in geological history dating back to approximately 550 million years.

The island has a year-round population of 10,500+, although it is roughly estimated that two and a half million tourists a year visit Acadia National Park.

Seniors May Run Into Some Notables

The island is home to numerous well-known summer colonies such as Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor. A few of current notable summer residents include George Mitchell, Tim Robbins, David Rockefeller, Susan Sarandon, and Martha Stewart. Nature abounds as do scenic views in every direction.

Mount Desert Island has a rich history, established culture and thriving economy separate from Acadia National Park. The island has a  population that swells every summer.

Senior travelers will not want to miss the fantastic drive along the 27-mile Park Loop Road and then perhaps hike one of the great trails. Enjoy your time on Mount Desert Island. Perhaps I will see you there. -jeb

Seniors Settle Into Helsinki, Finland

Senior friends, pour yourself a cup of coffee ad let’s head up north to Helsinki , Finland’s capital. You will find this popular tourist destination sitting on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland.

Its central avenue, Mannerheimintie, is flanked by institutions like the National Museum, that traces Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present. Also on Mannerheimintie are the imposing Parliament House and Kiasma, a contemporary art museum. Ornate red-brick Uspenski Cathedral overlooks a harbor. The population runs right at 630,000.

Helsinki is sure to leave a lasting impression on its senior guests . This charming city boasts an array of attractions, historical sites and grand structures that sit next to the city’s other half, the ocean itself which stretches along the Gulf of Finland, the easternmost projection of the Baltic Sea.

Seniors Enjoy This International Metropolis

The “Daughter of the Baltic” has been the Finnish capital since 1812, when it was rebuilt by the tsars of Russia along the lines of a miniature St. Petersburg, a role it has played in many Cold War movies.

Today, Helsinki pulls off the trick of being something of an international metropolis while still retaining a small-town feel. The best time for seniors to visit Helsinki is in summer, when Finns peel off their overcoats and flock to outdoor bars and cafes to enjoy the sunshine. The city is officially bilingual, with an 86% Finnish-speaking majority and a visible 6% Swedish-speaking minority.

Helsinki is among the world’s northernmost capitals and the lengthy winter, from November all the way up to March, is dark and freezing. You can find several quality tours of the city both on foot and by water.

Seniors Find Beautiful Seaside City

Helsinki is a vibrant seaside city of 300 beautiful islands, great green parks and many historic buildings. Helsinki was founded in 1550 by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden as a trading post.

The Ateneum is Finland’s best-known art museum and the home of Finnish art. The Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Engel, rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights.

Lonely Planet notes that Helsinki is a “quirky adventure”, the capital of a country with watery geography,  that “entwines so spectacularly with the Baltic’s bays, inlets and islands”. TripAdvisor suggests seniors check out the Fortress of Suomenlinna, the Rock Church, and the Seurassari Island and Open-Air Museum.

While Helsinki can seem a younger sibling to the Scandinavian capitals, it’s the one that went to art school, scorns pop music and works in a cutting-edge studio. Despite being a capital and a popular tourist destination, Helsinki is considered to be a safe city.

So visit with your  travel agent and make plans to visit this exciting city way up north. -jeb

Seniors Visit the Best Small Town in Connecticut

Sherman has been named “Best Small Town in Connecticut” three times by Connecticut Magazine. The Appalachian Trail goes through the northern end of Sherman and part of Squantz Pond State Park is in the town.

Sherman is the northernmost and least populous town of Fairfield County. The population runs right at 3,600. The town was formed in 1802 and is named for Roger Sherman, the only person who signed all 4 founding documents of the United States of America.

He had a cobblers shop in the north end of town which has been reconstructed behind the Northrup House in the center of town.

Seniors Enjoy a Winery and a Playhouse

Senior visitors can enjoy a visit to White Silo Farm and Winery, an award winning farm and winery located in the attractive foothills surrounding Sherman. White Silo Farm is a family operated boutique winery where you can also harvest a variety of berries, fruits and vegetables.

I’d want to follow up with an evening at the Sherman Playhouse with my wife. For over 89 years the Sherman Players has provided Sherman and the surrounding communities a full range of high quality theatre.

History is packed into every corner in Sherman however it was only after the flooding of Candlewood Lake that Sherman began to increase in size. Candlewood Lake attracts many visitors and would be a great spot for a picnic. This artificial lake is the largest in Connecticut.

Seniors Walk The Historic District

The Sherman Historic District is a favorite for senior visitors who enjoy a walk around and through older structures. A old historic federal house was named for the Northrop family, prominent Sherman residents for several generations.

The Old Store and Museum, the first store at this site is listed in the Sherman land records as a mercantile belonging to David Northrop, Jr. in 1829.  It was acquired by the Society in 1999, preserved with the intent of “reviving” the Old Store.

Featuring displays from its past, the Old Store has a wide range of gifts for the family and for friends. The Old Mercantile sold for every need, so does the Museum Shop of today.  A store museum c. 1867 gives visitors a chance to reminisce and a second floor gallery shows rotating historical and art exhibitions.

Tobacco was a large cash crop grown during the early 1900′s. Considered to be of superior quality, it was dried in barns and shipped out as the wrapper leaf for cigars.

Facebook has a take on Sherman including the evaluation and opinions of folks who have been there. Seniors, swing by Sherman for a memorable visit. -jeb

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Seniors Find A Real Treasure

I rarely focus in on a county or country per se, but this exception pays off for senior visitors in Rhode Island. South County’s vacation appeal reaches to charming villages, rolling countryside, historic sites and hundreds of acres of woodlands.

Senior travelers will enjoy unlimited opportunities for hiking, canoeing, cycling, shopping and touring. History and culture are evident throughout South County as well.

Historic inns and bed & breakfast establishments offer senior visitors the opportunity to personally experience Colonial- and Victorian-era South County.

Regional history thrives at local museums like South County Museum, Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Smith Castle, while summer stock theatre productions delight audiences at charming Theatre by the Sea.

Seniors Enjoy Cultural Hotspot

South County is long recognized as a cultural hotspot with its thriving arts scene. The numerous art galleries alone are a major draw for many tourists. Parks and recreation areas dot the landscape.

The Matunuk Oyster Bar would be high on my choices for a dining experience, learning about all the work the owner goes through to put oysters on the table in his Bar.

South County’s reputation for coastal beauty precedes itself.  With 100 miles of breathtaking coastline, the wide variety of beaches are the jewels in Southern Rhode Island’s crown. From tame, foot high, family friendly waves to pristine stretches of sand, South County is an ideal spot for seniors seeking rejuvenation.

Seniors Enjoy South County’s Villages

Historic downtown Westerly is another major draw along the coast. I would put the South County History Center on my bucket list as it is located at the Old Washington County Jail ( 1858-1861) in historic Kingston Village.

TripAdvisor offers 184 things for senior visitors to see and do. TripAdvisor further notes that South County is one of New England’s favorite vacation spots.

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for adventure or you want a peaceful setting where you can simply relax and unwind, South County is the perfect vacation destination.

For you oenophiles, South County features some awesome vineyards. Scarborough, Misquamicut, Narragansett, Charlestown, and Matunuck beaches, offer open sand, some surfing, equipment rentals, and pavilions with plenty of summer food.

Senior travelers, you are welcome in South County, a place you can’t help but enjoy -jeb