Vacations Blog

Walking Dixie Land Jazz Band

The quaint Little River Waterfront

As the weather cools and the crowds head home, the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area continues to supply lots of fall cultural activities often unexpected in beach communities.

Kick off your autumn fun with flavorful food and music on October 10-11 at the Shrimp & Jazz Festival in nearby Little River, SC.  Relax on the historic waterfront that once harbored Captain Kidd and Blackbeard and catch sounds like the rollicking Voodoo Flute or follow a strolling Dixieland jazz band.  The music is free flowing and contagious, so expect to see as many people dancing and bopping their heads as you do sampling the seafood goodies.  Read More »

The Big Lake campground, located in Springerville, Arizona, is the “Best Kept Secret in the White Mountains”. It takes some determination to get there (the elevation is at 9200 feet, accessible only by a vast network of dirt roads), but once you do, it’s easy to spend four or five days, or even more, enjoying the area.

Big Lake as seen from our campsite, at dusk.

The hosted campgrounds boast such amenities as well-maintained outhouses and public showers ($5 per shower, which seems worth it after not bathing for two or three days!). There are charcoal grills, fire pits, and picnic tables at each camp site. A general store sits at the head of the campground complex, right on the lake. Row boat and motor boat rentals are available, and the store stocks plenty of what you may have forgotten, such as matches, charcoal, tarps, bait, tackle, ice, snacks, and fresh coffee. You can even get a fishing license at the General Store – required for anyone aged fourteen and older who plan on trying to snag the elusive lake trout. Unleaded gasoline is also sold, but is limited to five gallons per customer.

There’s lots more information and pictures! Click here to Read More »

When the Hostas finally, after a long and cold Winter, start pushing the warming earth, that’s when I usually come out of the cave.  It’s like my very own Bat Signal.  Only it’s not trouble that calls the Great Bear out of his hibernation.

It’s water.

Kentucky, as is it written in A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Kentucky, can boast more moving water than any other state in the Nation.  Save for Alaska.  Now, I can’t, with accuracy, say that the afore mentioned statistic is true or not.  And to be quite honest, I’m far too lazy to do the research.  Maybe lazy is not the right word. Hmmmmmm.  Motivation.  That’s it.  I lack motivation for the research of such statistics.

At any rate, after loading the Necky kayak and fully caffinating myself, I pointed my Volvo west.  Destination?  Frankfort, Kentucky and the Elkhorn Creek.

At the put in.

What’s that you say?  You don’t have your own boat or even gear?  No worries.  My friends at Canoe Kentucky have everything you need.  Canoes, Kayaks, PFD (personal flotation device – otherwise known as Life Vests) and paddles.  Those fine gentlemen, for a modest fee, will even pick you up and schlep you back to your car.  If you are uneasy about the water all together, a guided trip can be arranged.

From towering Palisades, to rolling farmland, from class II – III whitewater to fine Smallmouth bass and bluegill fishing in deep, cool pools, Elkhorn Creek has it all.  The creek will meander about some of the prettiest country around and if you’re lucky, you’ll fall out and go for an unexpected swim.  Who doesn’t like surprises?  That being said, it’s best to leave you’re cell phones and other “damaged by water” items in your car.  No need for GPS.  The creek will take you where you need to go.

Merrily Down the Stream

Like camping?  Try the Elkhorn Campground. If that isn’t your cuppa, there are a number of fine Hotel/Motel establishment just a few miles west.  I’ll just say, the Elkhorn Campground is smack on the edge of the Elkhorn Creek and having a river/creek sing you to sleep is just about better than anything.  Save for free beer and money.

I’d like to tell you that there is a cute little Mom and Pop in the immediate vicinity that serves Kobe beef and cold beer in 50 gallon buckets, but much like my date with the very pretty French princess from Braveheart, it’s a dream.  But fear not, Downtown Frankfort has a variety of eateries that are sure to please.

So what are you waiting for?  It’s getting warm.  Why not take an un-chlorinated swim?

It’s better for your hair.

All photos by C.A. Downs III

When planning a vacation to the North Carolina coast, Wilmington, Cape Hatteras and Nags Head are first places to come to mind. Many people often overlook the small towns and enclaves that dot the Tar Heel state’s vast coast. These hidden gems offer history, relaxation, culture and fun activities for the entire family to discover.

A great place for a coastal North Carolina vacation is New Bern. Located where the Trent and Neuse Rivers meet before spilling into the Pamlico Sound, the city is the second oldest in the state. Settled by the Swiss in 1710 and named after the city of Bern, Switzerland, New Bern served as the capital of the North Carolina colonial government and later briefly as the state capital immediately following the Revolutionary War. 

New Bern’s rich history can be seen as you wander it’s old narrow streets lined with small shops and cafes. One of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat is The Chelsea, located at 335 Middle Street. The restaurant offers casual dining at a great price. Their fried green tomatoes are superb. You can follow your meal with a short walk over to Bradham’s drugstore, located at 256 Middle Street, for an ice cold beverage. It was there that pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink” in 1898, which was later renamed and marketed at Pepsi. Today, the store is owned and operated by Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company and offers Pepsi, of course, as well as variety of Pepsi souvenirs and memorabilia for sale. Afterwards, New Bern Tours offers a 90-minute trolley ride through downtown, providing a look at many of New Bern’s other historic sites. 

If you’re a fan of history and architecture, I recommend these must-see places:

Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
Tryon Palace was built under the direction of North Carolina Governor, William Tryon, and completed in 1770. The elaborate building became ”a monument of opulance and elegance extraordinary in the American colonies.” In 1775, when the Revolutionary War began, the mansion was siezed by the Patriots and converted into the North Carolina state capital building. It remained as such until Raleigh was declared the capital in 1794. Later, in 1798, the building was consumed by a fire that started in the cellar. To preserve New Bern’s colonial heritage, the massive structure was reconstructed in the 1950s and is now a state historic park. 

When visiting this historic site, wear your walking shoes. The expansive Palace gardens, which overlook the Trent River are a great place to wander and enjoy shady trees, fountains, colorful flowers and a spectacular view. And adjacent to the Palace are other historical structures, including, a house  built in the 1830s for George W. Dixon, a wealthy merchant tailor, who was also a former mayor of New Bern; the Hay House, built at the start of the 1800s; and the New Bern Academy, the first school in North Carolina established by legal mandate, in 1766. Like Tryon Palace, the original academy building was destroyed by fire. The current structure was built between 1806 and 1809.

Historic Churches
Like many colonial towns and cities, churches played a major role in New Bern’s history. Many of the old structures can be found in the city’s downtown, offering a look at some interesting architecture.

The Christ Episcopal Church celebrated its 268th anniversary in 2008 and is the oldest church in New Bern and one of the oldest in North Carolina. Located at 320 Pollock Street, the current Gothic Revival building was rebuilt in 1871–1885 after a fire gutted the c. 1821–1824 church. It’s graveyard still contains a number of eighteenth-century stone markers. King George II of England gave the church a silver communion service, a prayer book, and a Bible in 1752 that are still in use today. Another Gothic Revival church is the First Baptist Church at 239 Middle Street, built in 1847. 

First organized as a congregation in 1772, construction of the Centenary United Methodist Church was 1905. Standing at the corner of New and Middle streets. The church features rounded walls and turrets that give it a Moorish look.

The oldest continually used church building in New Bern, First Presbyterian Church was built between 1819 and 1822. Located at 412 New Street, the church is surrounded by a cast-iron fence that dates from 1903.

Celebrating the Arts
Located at 516 Hancock Street, the Masonic Theatre, which dates its beginning to 1805, was once the cultural center of New Bern. Architects described it as “the largest and most elaborate building ever built in New Bern up to its time, with the exception of Tryon Palace.”

Through its more than 200 years, the Masonic Theatre was the scene of many stage plays, talent benefits, concerts, vaudeville acts, political rallies, civic conventions, school commencements, church services and other community gatherings. During Civil War, it was used as a Confederate arsenal and later as a hospital when Union forces occupied New Bern.

After having served all this time as New Bern’s chief place for civic gatherings, it became a motion picture theatre in 1917 and remained so until 1974 when it closed. It was the nation’s oldest continually operating theatre until that time. The theatre is currently being resorted to its historical glory and offers a variety of shows and performances.

For the first three decades of the twentieth century, New Bern was known as the “Athens of North Carolina” because of its many artistic and educational endeavors. While the Great Depression put a halt to much of the activity, a rebirth occurred in the 1970s, and today locals enjoy performances and exhibits from an ever-increasing number of local and touring artists. Along with with many art galleries throughout downtown, New Bern’s main venue for arts is the Bank of the Arts, located at 317 Middle Street. It’s a great place to see the work of local painters, sculptors and other artists showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. 

Fun on the Water
There’s a saying in New Bern – “water sports are NOT a luxury in New Bern. They are ‘our thing.’” The city’s location on two rivers and close proximity to the Pamlico Sound certainly do make New Bern a great place for fun on the water. Whether cruising the rivers in a power boat, taking a leisurely sail boat ride, skimming across the water on a wake board, kayaking or canoeing a narrow, calm creek or casting a fishing line, there are plenty of water activities to suit everyone’s desire. 

If you’re not into getting in or on the water, you can enjoy a relaxing walk at the Union Point Park, a scenic six acre site located at the point of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in downtown New Bern.  The hallmark, a recently constructed Gazebo frequently used for weddings, festivals, and various special events, highlights what is a magnificent and breathtaking view.  The park complex includes a walkway bridging Union Point Park with nearby Bicentennial Park, two boat launches, restroom facilities, picnic tables, fishing pier, grills, and a small playground. 

And, don’t forget, New Bern is also just a short drive (or sail) from the beaches and marinas of the Atlantic Ocean. You can rent a car and head to nearby Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, or Atlantic Beach for a day in the sand and sun.

While in Atlantic Beach, be sure to visit the 398-acre Fort Macon state park. Built between 1826 and 1834 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the pentagon-shaped fortress was the scene of a significant Civil War Battle while occupied by Confederate troops. The fort was under a Union artillery siege from March 23 to April 26, 1862. Its fall into Union hands gave the Northern forces complete control of the entire North Carolina coast. It was re-garrisoned during the Spanish-American War and again during World War II. 

How to Get There and Where to Stay
New Bern is surprisingly easy to travel to by air with daily flights offered by U.S. Airways via Charlotte and Delta via Atlanta. The airport is located just off Highway 70, just minutes south of downtown. New Bern is only a two hour drive from Raleigh via Highway 70 and a just under two hour drive from Wilmington via Highway 17.

New Bern offers a variety of accomodations from the major hotel chains like the Sheraton New Bern Hotel & Marina and Comfort Suites Riverfront Park to the small, quaint bed and breakfasts, such as the Harmony House Inn and Meadows Inn.

As always, these are just a few of the sites and things to do. New Bern offers much more that can’t be fit into a single post. Book your vacation today and you’ll discover much, much more.

Photos by Jason Roth and VisitNewBern.com

Courtesy of Wikimedia

So now that the weather is getting warmer in Southern California and the whales are near the end of their southward migration through the Pacific, it’s a good time to take advantage of pre-summer rates and thinned out crowds for adventures and sightseeing.  The off-season is considered mid-September through April, so you still have a month to hop on to some good deals.  But be forewarned:  even with discounts a trip to Catalina can add up quickly.

Courtesy of Catalina Ferries

Just getting there is no joke.  The most popular way to make the jump is by ferry.  At this time of the year Catalina Ferries runs a high-speed catamaran between Marina del Rey and Avalon or Two Harbors on Catalina Island only on the weekends.  Adult tickets are $75.00 and the less than $10 bump is worth the cost for the time you’ll save NOT sitting in traffic on the 710, which will get you down to Long Beach where Catalina Express departs from three ports, and one in Dana Point.  The Long Beach company operates more frequently, however, and that would be the way to go if you want to depart during the week.  All trips are advertised as taking one hour to an hour and fifteen minutes but you have to allocate time for parking and boarding and getting settled, especially if you are bringing children who walk and can run away from you.

View from Island Express helicopter

If your children are seaworthy, you can sail to Catalina from either point with companies like Mariner Sailing Charters , but that ride takes 7 to 8 hours and can be pretty expensive, so you should really know that you love the water.  If lack of money or fear of heights are not issues for you, you might as well take a helicopter.

The two main places to land are Avalon (check it out on the webcam!), the quaint little town filled with hotels, restaurants, shops, and vacation outfitters that cater to your every whim, or Two Harbors, a much less-populated landing with a smaller harbor and more rugged lodgings.  Hikers, sailors, campers, and people who don’t like people will be happier in the latter spot.  If it’s your first time visiting the island, you should probably check out Avalon, especially if “camping” to you means a roof over your head and flush toilets.

Avalon is home to plenty of hotels ranging from cruddy and thin-walled to luxurious, but like everything else the hotels are on island scale, since everything there had to be brought in on a barge.  Just beware that some hotels are specifically NOT for children.  There is also one campground near Avalon, if “camping” to you means “camping.”  There are very few cars on the island, so people get around on foot or on bicycles, or you can rent a golf cart.

Avalon Bay and Village

Once you are there and settled the list of things to do with your family is as long as the inevitable line outside Big Olaf’s Ice Cream Parlor.  Many of the tickets or fees for activities can be purchased in combination with hotel costs or ferry tickets.  Here are just some of the possibilities.

Kayaking
Beach combing and swimming (althought right now the water is pretty cold)
Touring the island by bus – you might see some bison which roam the less peopled hills
Underwater sightseeing by submarine
Glass bottomed boat tour
Enjoy a buffalo burger
Snorkeling and scuba diving – at Lover’s Cove the fish will eat right out of your had
Fishing – those are some fat, tourist-fed fish!
Dining and shopping in the village

Courtesy of Descanso Beach Ocean Sports

So enjoy.  And don’t forget your sweater.  It gets chilly.

Orogenisis. Mountain building. Plate tectonics and erosion. A geological blink, really, but an eternity to us.

Mountains have always had a calming effect on me. I run to them like a child running to his mother with a scraped knee or hurt feelings. Mountains always reciprocate my feelings. Pulling me gently into their arms and soothing me.

Yosemite, Yellowstone, Denali. These locations are all fine specimens, steeped in history and tradition. The afore mentioned mountains are of epic proportions. A fine place to visit. Explore. Escape. But, to truly see how mountains age, I would recommend a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park

While the winter months will keep even the most seasoned backpackers out of the high country, the views and majesty of these old, hard-luck mountains can be viewed through the now barren forest canopy.

Townsend, Tennessee, dubbed “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies” is an excellent place to get away from the hustle and bustle of more popular areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is my home away from home. You can warm your cold and weary bones after a long hike at Doc’s Motel. Ask for Sharron. Tell her Charles Downs, the Younger, sent you.

My stomach tells me things after a long hike. Things like, “if you don’t feed me I’m gong to make things rough on you.”  Fuel is needed after, as well as before, a good hike. While Townsend offers a myriad of dinning options; Smokin’ Joe’s Barbecue in particular is very good.  May I suggest a short 30 minute drive to Maryville, Tn. Say hello to my friend and, on occasion, Flyfishing partner, Tommy Vaughn, at Foothills Milling Company. The fare is gourmet, the atmosphere is casual, and you won’t leave hungry.

Now go. Lace up those boots. Grab a warm jacket and load the camera with film. The ghosts of spring are calling you. If you listen close, you can hear them.

Photos courtesy of nps. gov

Located 30 miles east of Las Vegas, Lake Mead is a water lovers paradise.

Straddling the borders of Nevada, Arizona and California, the lower Colorado River system features two major lakes attracting millions of tourist each year seeking the very best in water sports, swimming, boating, camping and fishing.

Located just 30 miles east of Las Vegas is the enormous Lake Mead, the centerpiece of the 1.5 million-acre Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Created in the 1930s with the construction of Hoover Dam, it is one of the most visited recreation lakes in the Southwestern United States. Its bright blue waters are a refreshing sight in contrast to the harsh desert landscape and jagged, majestic cliffs that contain it.

The lake is popular for both motor and sail boating, primarily due to its vast size. Several marinas offer boat launch ramps and rentals for both leisure boating and water sports. Houseboats can also be rented from Forever Resorts or Seven Crown for fun family getaway, offering a chance explore the lake’s many sheltered coves, islands and beaches with all of the amenities of home. For vacationers casting a line, Lake Mead is famous for its large striped bass.

Secluded campsites can be found throughout the recreation area and can be reserved for a nominal fee. For families interested in hotel accommodations, the Hacienda Hotel & Casino is located just a few miles from Boulder Beach and the Las Vegas Boat Harbor on US Highway 93. Other hotel and motels can be found in nearby Boulder City.

The Desert Princess offers spectacular views for sightseeing and dinner cruises on Lake Mead.

For day visitors, Lake Mead Cruises offers sightseeing and dinner cruises aboard the Desert Princess. Passengers are treated with spectacular views of the lake’s breathtaking scenery,  including the colorful landscapes and panoramic views of landmarks such as Fortification Hill, a clearly-defined, extinct volcano, and the Arizona Paint Pots. The Desert Princess embarks daily from the Lake Mead Cruises Landing at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor for sightseeing cruises. Dinner cruises are seasonal, so visit the Lake Mead Cruises Web site for schedules, rates and reservations.

Located 67 miles south of Hoover Dam is Lake Mohave. Also part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mohave is formed by the Davis Dam at Laughlin/Bullhead City.

Lake Mohave is a popular desination for boaters.

Like Lake Mead, Lake Mohave is a popular destination for boaters. A long, narrow lake, it’s ideal for waterskiing. Boat ramps and rentals, as well as houseboat rentals can be found at the Cottonwood Cove Marina, accessible from US Highway 93 on the way to Laughlin, and Katherine Landing, located above Davis Dam, just north of Bullhead City on the Arizona side of the Lake.

Lake Mohave is just minutes north of the resort town of Laughlin, where hotel casinos line the riverfront, offering accommodations, shopping and entertainment after sundown.

Enjoy the nightlife in Laughlin.

Both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave also provide good locales for freshwater diving. Visibility is best from October through April and local dive shops organize dives and offer equipment rental. Land-based activities include hiking through the eastern Mohave Desert, especially during the cooler winter months, or horseback riding on trails designated for equestrians.

The best time of year to visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area is during the fall, winter, or spring, when desert temperatures aren’t sweltering. The region’s winters are mild, however water temperature can be quite colder during the winter months.

Due to the climate and surrounding rugged landscape, careful planning for a vacation to Lake Mead or Lake Mohave is essential. Read the “Things to Know Before You Come” feature on the National Park Service Web site to ensure your family’s visit is safe and enjoyable.

Fees for entry in the Lake Mead Recreation Area are $5 per vehicle for one to five days or an annual pass may be purchased for $20 for families planning frequent visits. Motorized vessels fees are $10 for the first vessel and $5 for each additional vessel for one to five days. Annual passes for vessel fees are also available for purchase.

Photos: Lake Mead Panorama courtesy of MLBbrad and Lake Mojave courtesy KJKolb via Wikimedia. Desert Princess and Laughlin are from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The 6,000-foot Hells Canyon is not only the deepest river gorge in North America, but it’s also a part of a huge recreation area that includes over 650,000 acres of wilderness, three Wild and Scenic rivers, and 900 miles of hiking trails.

Beamers Jet Boats

The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area sits along the border of Oregon and Idaho.  It’s extremely remote, and mostly roadless.  I’ve been wanting to get a look at the canyon for twenty years, so I was as excited as anyone to board the Beamers Tours jet boat in Lewiston, Idaho, where Captain Dan waited to guide us down the Snake River and into this rugged land that has remained mostly untouched for thousands of years.

Right from the start we spotted osprey, eagles, antelope, bighorn sheep, and even some old guy panning for gold. The kids had a blast with Captain Dan swerving back and forth along the river at an exhilirating 45mph. Along the way he pointed out unusual geological formations and a few pioneer homesteads, and even stopped to let us all get a close-up view of ancient petroglyphs that dated back at least 2,500 years.

Cache Creek Ranch

The turnaround point for the half-day tour we took is Cache Creek Ranch, where we had an hour to eat, lay in the grass, and watch the kids play. The Forest Service runs the ranch now as an interpretive center. While we lazed around, Captain Dan was down at the river catching smallmouth bass right and left.  The river is a fisherman’s paradise.

Even though this trip was just a taste of what the canyon has to offer, the kids absolutely loved it. They had no idea that just a few hours south of where they live is such a massive, and totally unique, wilderness area. There’s so much more to see and explore.

Wet and wild jet boat

You can choose to see the canyon in several different ways.  Traveling by jet boat is the easiest, and quickest.  Most tour operators offer half-day, all-day, or multi-day tours.  Hiking in is another option, with three major trails designated as National Recreation Trails.

If you’re looking for a rugged and remote wilderness that doesn’t feel overcrowded like some of our national parks, look into spending some time in Hells Canyon.  It’s a surprisingly short and easy drive from the large population centers of Portland, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.

All photos by Phil Corless

Ancient petroglyphs

Snake River