Blanchard Springs – A Natural Freak of Nature

Sometimes, the best freaks of nature are those made by nature itself over time. Blanchard Springs in Arkansa’s Ozark National Forest is the perfect example because, although I have seen some very unique cave formations in my travels, Blanchard offers some of the best I’ve seen, as well as a beautiful pond for fishing. This pond is the result of the natural spring and is called “Mirror Lake.”

The cave system is a three-level cave system and two of them are open to tours. What can be seen are some of the most amazing stalactites and ground formations you have ever seen. The Dripstone trail includes a cave room called the Cathedral Room with a stone column that is over six stories tall. So how can a cave have a column this tall? Well, you get the honor of riding an elevator 216 feet into the ground.

In addition to the Cathedral Room is a natural bridge and so much more. If you’ve toured caves in the past that are not as deep into the ground, this is going to be a unique treat. This is actually the only cave I have ever had to ride an elevator to get to. The other cave, Discovery Trail is even further underground, but there are almost 700 stair steps to be encountered on this tour to reach the 366 foot depth and to make your way back out of the cave at the end of the tour. This is one where you need to be comfortable walking.

For advanced cave explorers, there is the Wild Cave and is available to tour by reservation only. Reservations are for three to twelve people. There is a lot of crawling, climbing, and boulder scaling involved with this one.  

There is so much to do in the area. The entire family can enjoy the caves ($10 per cave for adults, $5 for children, and $75 for Wild Cave). Mirror Lake is also an adventure in itself. Close to the lake are the falls, which consists of the water that is exiting the caverns. This is one of the most beautiful spots that you will find. As a matter of fact, I find the falls to be rather competitive with others I’ve seen.

You may also wish to see the Old Mill. The mill is not in its entirety, but is the remnants of what was once a functional mill. I am not 100% certain what the mill was responsible for making during its time, but it is still a rather interesting area and one that leaves the imagination open.

There is a lot of history in the area. For example, in 1955 a 1,000 year old Native American skeleton was found in one of the caverns as they were being explored. It is not certain how the Native American entered the cave, but broken bones suggested it was not a pleasant trip. This is just one of the stories that exist about the area. 

Pay Tribute To The King of Rock And Roll On A Budget

In Holly Springs, Mississippi is a must see for an Elvis lover. Then again, even those that were not big fans of Elvis or even born after they could be will find a special tribute to the King of Rock and Roll that is purely fascinating.

This tribute is called Graceland Too and it is a floor-to-ceiling tribute to Elvis that has a lot to see, including the most expensive candy in the world.

Although Elvis died a little less than three years before I was born, I have always been fascinated with him. My mom was an Elvis fan and, of course, all generations are familiar with his music because it is always played somewhere. I was so fascinated with him that I had to go see Graceland when visiting Memphis several years ago. I also bought a book that told about his life, has tons of pictures of him, and also shows what you see within the mansion and surrounding structures. It was definitely a site.

That’s why when I was visiting the Holly Springs area I had to stop at Graceland Too. The museum is open 24 hours a day. If you want to visit at 4:00 a.m. you just have to knock pretty loud to be let in. You’ll be greeted by Paul McLeod, who is a very pleasant individual. He is obsessed with Elvis, seeing 120 of his shows before Elvis’s death. That’s why the museum is set up in his residence.

Just like the original Graceland, the second floor is not a part of the tour, but everything on the first floor is. There is a lot to see, such as a record room with several hundred records tacked to the wall. McLeod, however, has tens of thousands more records. He even has carpet remnants from the real Graceland, including Jungle Room carpe that is on display.

Much of what McLeod has is memorabilia that he has collected throughout the years. Because he is operating a museum, he has been able to get his hands on some impressive stuff that has quite a bit of value on it, such as a cardboard Elvis record that now has less than a dozen in existence around the world. And his back yard resembles a prison yard (Jailhouse Rock)

What really got to me, though, was the most expensive candy in the world. It is worth a whopping $85,000!!

If you want to see all of this and meet Mr. McLeod, all you have to do is knock and pay him $5 admission. It’s worth it. He gives the tour himself and makes you feel very comfortable. If you must stay in the area, you have a Days Inn, the Le’ Brooks Inn, and the Magnolia Inn…all well priced in a pleasant community. 

Crazy in Alabama – Getting Weird in Birmingham

Many have heard of Birmingham, Alabama, but what most do not know is that this city has some really interesting attractions that are worth a short stay. Depending on where you come from, you may consider these attractions to border on strange or you may consider them something else. For me, I find them quite interesting and worth a mention.

The first place to visit is the Sloss Furnaces. These industrial ruins are a National Historic Landmark and were used in the production of Pig Iron from 1882 to 1971. Where many Pig Iron furnaces around the country had gone out of commission much earlier, this one was still going strong.

Despite the fact that some believe the site to be haunted (SyFy’s Ghost Hunters and the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures have investigated the site), it is the site of a nationally-recognized metal arts program, a barbeque cookoff, a fire show, and hosts concerts and festivals. Every year around Halloween, the site hosts the Sloss Fright Furnace for those looking to be intentionally frightened.

When finished here, a visit can be paid to an African Village replica in the Middle of America can be found. It’s Joe Minter’s African Village in America. Joe Minter’s yard is filled with totems and shrines to Africa. It’s a rather fascinating site, especially since Joe built everything with whatever he could find from pots and pans to hubcaps.

There are also some more famous sites, such as the Statue of Liberty replica. It is amongst the largest Statue of Liberty replicas in the U.S. because it stands at 36 feet tall. There is also the Racist Dogs Sculpture that replicates a time in which civil rights marchers were assaulted by water cannons and the dogs.

And then there is the Vulcan Iron Man, which is one of the most famous statues. The statue keeps watch over the heart of Birmingham. Vulcan is the Roman God of Fire. The statue stands at 52 feet and was at one time the largest statue in the United States. Vulcan is a rather breathtaking site. Vulcan can be found on the Summit of Red Mountain, which was not the original placement, but had to be moved to its current location due to repairs that needed to be made.

I have found that Birmingham just offers a taste of what Alabama has to offer. The entire state is an adventure in itself with a lot of history that goes back a long way. For those interested in the civil rights movement, Alabama is a state to visit in order to learn a lot and to see some of the sites that hold places in our history books. 

The Craziest Roller Coasters On The Planet Are Waiting For You

If you’re like me, you want to experience some of the craziest roller coasters you can find. Well, if you are looking for a thrill, then Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio has got some gut wrenching rides for you to experience.

What is so neat about Cedar Point is that it rests on a little peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie. It is literally sitting on a little island surrounded by water. From an area called Lighthouse Point, Cedar Point makes for an interesting view. You can’t help but want to swim Erie to experience everything this fun park has to offer.

One thing I really like about Cedar Point, aside from the roller coasters and the family friendly environment is the fact that there is a beach. You can decide to stay at one of the resorts and literally be beachfront. There are seagulls and everything to make you feel like you are sunbathing on an East Coast Beach. The only difference is that you can see the land on the other side.

The beach is a mile long with plenty of places to stay, in addition to miniature golf and plenty outdoor activities that don’t include the many rides at the park. There is something for the thrill seeker and the non-thrill seeker to enjoy.

And for more fun in the sun, there is an outdoor water park called “Soak City.” However, there is Castaway Bay, which is a hotel and indoor water park for when the weather is less than favorable for outdoor fun in the water.

With that said, it is time to get back to the roller coasters for those thrill seekers out there. As it stands, Cedar Point is in a class by itself since it is one of the only amusement parks with four roller coasters that exceeds 200 feet, giving it the title of “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” Just this past year, Cedar Point was recognized as the park with the most rides. The total number of rides equals 75.

Anyway, one of the most famous roller coasters is Raptor, which is one of the first rides that are noticed at the park’s main entrance. It is a suspension coaster that is rated with a rating of “aggressive thrill.” This is in addition to the steel thrill, called Magnum, which has been a staple of the park since 1989. Gemini and Corkscrew are also aggressive thrills with high thrill rides available that include Blue Streak, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Disaster Transport, Iron Dragon, Wildcat, and Woodstock Express.

And all of these roller coasters are just some of the thrill rides because there are more that are not roller coasters. One such ride is Calypso and it makes me sick because the cars spin counter-clockwise while the platform spins clockwise. That makes for an experience that could result in some cookie tossing for those with weak stomachs. “Turn me upside down and twist me, but don’t spin me.” That’s my motto.  

Get A Taste Of History - Address Gettysburg First-Hand

In Pennsylvania is the historical Gettysburg where Abraham Lincoln spoke the words of the famous Gettysburg address. The speech was spoken at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery four and a half months after the Confederacy fell to the Union Armies in the Battle of Gettysburg.

It was this battle that the war saw a major turning point, but it was also the war with the largest number of casualties. The battle was also one that is sometimes referred to as a “fluke.” Robert E. Lee took his forces to the north and his goal was to penetrate as far as he could possibly go. Major General Meade began moving the union army in order to block this pursuit and thus the bloodiest battle of the Civil War was born.

Since I LOVE history, I love going to Gettysburg. It makes for a good weekend trip to simply imagine the many soldiers fighting for what they believed was right on what now appears to be a beautiful expanse of land. It is hard to believe that such brutality occurred there.  

There are a lot of statues depicting certain events and thee are monuments. One beautiful monument is the Soldiers’ National Monument. It stands tall and is quite commanding. The cemetery consists of union soldiers that were moved from shallow graves on the battlefield to their final resting places. Believe it or not, the confederate dead were not removed from their shallow battlefield graves until 7 years after the 3 day battle.

The cemetery is also the final resting place for soldiers killed in other American wars throughout history since its dedication on November 19, 1863, which is where Abraham Lincoln spoke the famous Gettysburg Address. It was through this speech that Lincoln redefined the war’s purpose and made it about equality for all and a unified nation.

The Gettysburg Address Memorial displays the entire Gettysburg Address for all to see. It is hard to resist reading every word, although most of us most likely read the entire text in history books numerous times when in school.

As for how Gettysburg is as a vacation destination, it is fun for the entire family and an educational experience for individuals of all ages. In regards to places to stay, I am a Days Inn fan when I want to stay somewhere nice, yet affordable. There are other places to stay, as well as plenty of places to dine. You have fine dining, pizza joints, plenty of fast food, Chinese, Mexican, and all that you can expect to find. Everything needed to be comfortable is available so that you can enjoy exploring a very important piece of American history. 

A Town Named Santa Claus

Although we are now 24 hours from Christmas (depending upon your time zone), there is a unique destination you have to check out any time of year if you are ever traveling through Indiana or looking for a short vacation on a budget. That destination is Santa Claus, Indiana.

Yes, there is a town named Santa Claus and if you don’t believe me, check this out:

I stumbled across this little gem by mistake when traveling through the state and had to stop. As a matter of fact, I added a day onto my trip and found that this is a great place to vacation on a budget. Not only do you see Santa Claus everywhere all year round, you also get to visit Holiday World, which is an amusement park that focuses on the holidays.

The history of this town is quite unique. It was founded in 1856 and when the citizens decided they wanted a post office, their original town name of Santa Fe was not going to work since there was already a Santa Fe post office. So on Christmas Eve, the townsfolk met to discuss a new name. When the wind blew the door open and sleigh bells could be heard, a child cried out, “It’s Santa Claus” and the people of Santa Claus, Indiana decided that was going to be the name.

When visiting the town, you will find that there are streets such as Christmas Boulevard and Kringle Place Boulevard. They definitely stay true to their name, which can also be seen by the many pictures and statues of Santa Claus. Even Santa’s Lodge, the local motel, and an affordable one at that, there are two Santas standing 12 feet high. Even the town’s fire trucks are named after a few of Santa’s reindeer.

But what I want to touch upon is the theme park, Holiday World. It used to be called Santa Claus Land and is the oldest theme park in the world. Santa shares holiday time with the 4^th of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

I have been to a number of theme parks and this one was a lot of fun. There are four major roller coasters with a large number of family rides and tons to do for little ones, so this can be an affordable vacation for the entire family. When the weather is warm, the Splashin’ Safari is open for people of all ages to enjoy.

Something that also impressed me is that many of the restaurants within the park serve dishes that are allergen-friendly, which means they serve foods that stay away from the most common food allergies.

And if you’re wondering whether or not this little town receives a lot of mail around Christmas, they do. They receive millions of letters and post cards from children all around the world, writing to Santa Claus. What’s great is that the postmaster loves it. 

Andersonville Is Not Just A Movie

You may or may not have seen Andersonville, the movie about the happenings within the Andersonville Civil War Prison Camp, also called Camp Sumter, in Georgia. The movie is rather engaging and so is an actual visit to the site. Whether you’re just passing through or you decide to get a hotel, it is worth the stop.

I will warn you that the area to look for a hotel is in Americus because there are a number of very affordable choices that start as low as $50 per night. There are a couple of Days Inns and places like the Jameson Inn. Americus is only about a 15 minute drive from Andersonville.

There is a lot for the entire family to learn. The prison opened in February 1864 with a 15 foot stockade that contained 23 acres of land. When new prisoners were brought into the prison, what they saw were men who were starved to death. Many imprisoned union soldiers would describe these men as walking skeletons and it was through this that all hope was drained from them. The men were covered with vermin. As disgusting as this sounds, it is a very sad truth. All the men had to use as a basin was a swamp. Within 7 months, approximately 1/3 of the prisoners had died from scurvy and dysentery.

Yes, this is all quite appalling and is information that makes you feel the eeriness when visiting the site. It is hard to believe that so much tragedy happened on the land. There was a total of 45,000 prisoners accepted at the prison with almost 13,000 of them dying.

The commandant at Andersonville was actually court-martialed for war crimes and cruelty. All of these deaths resulted in the erection of a national cemetery at the site. There are well over 13,000 graves with almost 1,000 of those being marked “unknown.” The cemetery is still active, so when visiting the Andersonville graves, you can also visit the graves of present-day veterans and their family members.

While visiting Andersonville, it is also good to stop at the National Prisoner of War Museum. It was opened in 1998 and is used to memorialize all prisoners of war and not just those of Andersonville. There are photographs, artwork, video presentations, and more. All of these pieces depict the living conditions and all that prisoners of war from different eras had to go through.

The history here is so incredible. Knowing what occurred here and how significant it is to Civil War history, there is a lot of excitement, yet a lot of somberness, to be had. This makes for a great experience for the entire family and one that can be done easily on a budget. It is a way to take a step back into our Nation’s history.

Andersonville Is Not Just A Movie

I love to visit Nags Head because it is one of the least crowded beaches on the East Coast…at least it has been while I’ve visited there. I love to visit the different beaches and this is one that I enjoy quite a bit. Not only because of the beach, but because of the recreation that is available there.

One of the things I like to do is snorkel around old shipwrecks. This is not something that you can do at just any beach. This, however, is definitely something that you can do here and I love it. It is so fascinating to see these colossal structures underwater when they originally belong on top of the water.

You can also go hang gliding, kayaking, go on dolphin watches, go fishing, walk along a wooded trail, or go biking. Everything that is needed to create the best beach experience possible is there. What I like is the fact that there is not so much that you become overwhelmed by all that is available. Although I like to visit major beaches because of everything there is to do, there are times it is good to keep it simple.

Also, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. If anything, individuals like it when there are plenty of dining options and there are with many price ranges. This means that it is easy to stay within a budget.  There are also plenty of shopping options and places to stay. There are oceanfront hotels, beach houses, and much more. Again, there are different price ranges so that individuals can stay within their budgets.

Another thing that Nags Head is great for is getting married. The ocean makes a beautiful backdrop. There are many beautiful places for guests to stay and the event can be a private one due to the fact the beach is large and mostly not crowded. And to make the experience even more memorable, there are plenty of shops in the area that make wedding cakes and there are wedding caterers available as well. Photographers and videographers can also document the special occasion, while there are plenty of wedding musicians for hire.

Many couples take their weddings to Nags Head to make the experience a unique one. With some of the beach houses that are available, it is easy to house a large number of guests for as cheap as possible. This is especially useful when the bride and groom are fitting the bill for the guests.

So if you want a nice little beach trip, Nags Head is a great place to go. Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to do a vacation. Also, keeping it simple can keep the wallet in check. 

The Everglades Make For A Spiritual Experience With Nature

There are many visitors to the Everglades that say the incredible wetlands are a spiritual experience for them. I have heard many individuals say in the past that they have experienced a spiritual connection with nature. When I visited the Everglades, I understood this better.

When you visit these vast wetlands in Naples, Florida and all over a wide area of Southern Florida, you are presented with nature in its raw form. There are many trees, swamps, and a lot of wildlife to see that include various species of birds, alligators, snakes, sloughs, and many kinds of fish.

Since I live in an area where it’s not unusual to see a snake (came face-to-face with a 3 foot long Copperhead slithering up my front door once), that part actually doesn’t bother me. As a matter of fact, seeing a strange snake fascinates me. An alligator, on the other hand, does surprise me.

What’s sad, however, is that the Everglades are approximately 50% of what they once were. Many conservation efforts are being made so that visitors can continue to enjoy the boat tours via jet boats or air boats, fish in kayaks, go hiking into the wetlands, go canoeing, and so much more. I am not one to fish, but I love to go hiking and canoeing. I also loved going to the Manatee hideout. The boat tour is a 90 minute tour, but the beauty is just amazing. Even bird watching is fun in the Everglades.

And being the nerd that I am, I had to go to the Historic Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee, which is a museum. It used to be an Indian trading post. There is a lot of Native American history in this area. Being that my grandmother was ½ Cherokee Indian, giving me more Native American blood running through my veins than most, I am always interested in the many different Indian cultures of North America.

As for where we stayed when we went to the Everglades, we stayed at the Captain’s Table Hotel. It is located directly on the edge of the Everglades in Everglades City. It most definitely suited our budget. I was visiting a friend in Orlando, so the Everglades was a side trip for us to do together. Saving money was a very important aspect of the trip. Also close by was the Seafood Depot, which had pretty good seafood (which I am nuts about). When you sit at the right table, you may see alligators going about their day and see birds testing the patience of these large reptiles.

This was a great experience that I hope to repeat someday. I think the next time my family treks down to Disney World, we will take a couple of days for the kids to experience nature that is of a different world from what we have near our Appalachian Foothills home. 

Looking For a Good Florida Beach? Try Some Cocoa

I LOVE going to Orlando. I used to go there to visit a friend when she was attending film school there. And so I decided all of a sudden to visit her and take my brother along. We loaded up the car and off we went, driving from Ohio to Central Florida.

It was my intention to go to the beach while we were visiting because my friend had one day where she was in class all day long. My brother and I needed something to do other than blowing a ton of money at the Florida Mall. Our original plan was to go to Daytona Beach because it is not that far from where we were. It is less than an hour from Orlando, but so is Cocoa Beach.

It was a debate. My brother and I had been to Daytona Beach before, so we decided to do something different and head to Cocoa Beach. I enjoyed the ride there from Orlando, especially when we passed Port Canaveral and we were able to see cruise ships at port. Overall, the ride was an easy one.

When we arrived, I was surprised at how not crowded it was for the middle of July. My brother and I headed down to the beach and we spent a considerable amount of time there, enjoying a nice private area where no one was bothering us.

After spending some time on the beach, we were hungry, so we simply took off walking rather than drive to find food. This is because the street that runs parallel with the beach is filled with restaurants. We ate, went back to the beach, and sunbathed some more. We also decided to go get some better beach towels at the massive Ron Jon Surf Shop. This was the largest one I had ever encountered. I am a major Ron Jon fan and this was actually before there were as many locations as there are now.

There are a number of places that we didn’t visit that I hope to visit if I ever go to Cocoa Beach again. I’d love to spend more time there as well, as I know that there is some great lodging there. I do have a friend who vacations there twice per year and she knows what’s hot and what’s not. She stays at the Four Points, which is pricey, yet beautiful. However, there are more affordable hotels, such as the Best Western Oceanfront that is also quite nice.

As for the attractions, I’d like to go to the Andretti Thrill Park, the Brevard Zoo, and one or more of the many miniature golf courses. The Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory is also a place I’d like to visit. So it’s pretty obvious that there is a lot to do, a lot to see, and plenty of relaxation to be had. 

Do You Like to Rock Climb? It's Time for a Challenge

I’ve written about West Virginia before and, perhaps, that is because it is a state that is full of nature. Even traveling around the state’s capitol city, Charleston, shows how rural this state really is because the city itself is surrounded by mountains.

In Northern West Virginia in the Monongahela National Forest is Seneca Rocks. Many rock climbers or those wishing to rock climb will come here. As for me, I am not a climber, but I have a friend who is and I was able to stand by as she climbed. I did consider rock climbing school while at Seneca Rocks, but I’m going to admit, like I have before in the past, that I am not a climber. Unless I am strapped into a seat, I don’t do heights.

With that said, the classes are available for those wishing to rock climb. The courses include self-rescue, anchor building, and a number of others. For the experienced, this mountain makes for a great thrill.

For people like me, there are a number of other activities. I am an expert horseback rider. I am a former farm girl, so it is only right that I know how to throw on a saddle and go. There is also rafting, hiking, fishing, and spelunking.

Now, if you are looking for a fast food joint, a Hilton, or a shopping mall, you may as well forget it. The premier place to stay is the Smoke Hole Caverns Hotel in Smoke Hole, West Virginia. The hotel is located next to Smoke Hole Caverns. If you decide to take a tour of the caverns, which is not a bad idea, you will see a moonshine still. Due to the many caverns in the area, moonshiners would hide their stills. There are many underground wonders to explore. Plus, you do have access to the largest souvenir shop in West Virginia.

Really, you feel like you’ve been thrown back into the 1950s. There is Harper’s Old Country Store. The writing on the building looks like something from the late 1800s, yet there is a sign on the side of the building that says ATM, so visitors are not thrown back in time too far. However, Harper’s also offers dining with a view of Seneca Rocks. You can actually see rock climbers climbing the rocks while you are eating one of the amazing homemade pizzas that Harper’s is well-known for in the area.

But let me warn you when heading to Seneca Rocks. If you are someone who gets car sick easily, you better pick up some anti-nausea medication. The route is beautiful, but it is twisty. You will see places such as Lost River and Lost City, but none of that is going to matter if you feel like you’re going to lose your cookies. In the end, however, whatever twists and turns you endure to get there, it is well worth it. 

Serpent Mound is Eerie Yet Fascinating

In Adams County, Ohio along Ohio Brush Creek in Peebles lies a rather eerie, yet fascinating, sight. It is called Serpent Mound. If you want to see a piece of history and are staying or passing through this area, you are in for a treat.

Serpent Mound is 1, 330 feet long and stands only 3 feet high. There is an observation tower that shows that this strange mound looks just like a serpent. However, it is what possibly lies below the surface of the mound, which gives it its height, that sends chills down your spine and that fact is that the mound may be an ancient burial ground. It has not been said whether there are human remains within, although it is speculated, but there have been remains dating back to 1000 BCE that have been found in the vicinity.  

I went to Serpent Mound for the first time as part of an elementary school field trip when I was a child. I didn’t really get the significance of it until I was older and saw it with my dad. Still, I think I spent more time in the gift shop that time, but both trips were educational. It was when I became an adult and went back that I truly understood the depth of how the mound was formed and done so in such a perfect manner.

When I was a kid, it was thought that the Adena culture, an ancient Indian culture, was responsible for its creation. It is now believed that the Fort Ancient Culture was responsible for the mound’s creation, although the Ohio Hopewell Indians are thought to be the first to engage in this creation.

It is so amazingly precise with seven coils and then the tail ends in a triple coil. The head of the serpent rests on a cliff above a stream. The mouth of the serpent is open and it seems to surround a long oval feature that is 120 feet long and hollow. It is believed by historians that this oval feature is an egg. There is also another feature to the west that is a triangular mound that is just over 31 feet at its base.

The United States Department of Interior has deemed Serpent Mound a National Historic Landmark. Yes, this is rather neat. A lot of criteria have to be met in order to earn this title. However, Serpent Mound is also the largest serpent effigy in the world.

For those interested in astronomy, it is said that there is astronomical significance in the way the head of the serpent and the oval, or egg, is placed. The two are perfectly aligned with the summer solstice sunset. There are many arguments that state the coils in the serpent coincide with a number of lunar alignments. Even the bedrock the mound is placed upon has an odd formation that has been deemed the result of a meteorite impact.

All in all, this is one of the “cool” sites to visit. The entire family can enjoy it and the gift shop is rather neat with arrowheads, souvenirs, and much more. There is also the opportunity to really get to enjoy nature because the area is beautiful. It is also a very affordable adventure. 

I Saw A Concert In Nashville And Did It Cheap

I love the Foo Fighters and so I wanted to see them in concert, but they were not coming to a venue anywhere near me. The closest venue was the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee which is five hours away from me.

So the $30 tickets were bought, my best friend was in tow, and the hotel reservation made. We left about 5:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, which was also the day of the concert. The concert was to start at 7:30 p.m. We, however, wanted time to have some fun before the concert. On the way, we passed through the Cave City area of Kentucky and passed one of my favorite places, Dinosaur World. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to stop there this time, but my friend grabbed my Blackberry and made sure to document us passing by.

The trip was rather smooth and, because of the time zone change, we arrived in Nashville at almost 10:00 a.m. with a hotel check-in time of 3:00 p.m. I only had to stop for gas once on the way down, which had me spending approximately $40 in gas to make that trip. In a fuel efficient car, this is a very affordable road trip.

Once there, we decided we wanted to go to the Opry Mills mall so that we could check out all of the outlets. This is a very large mall and it is located next to the Grand Ole Opry. I actually have Grand Ole Opry ticket stubs from the early 1980s from where my grandpa would take my grandma to see concerts there. It was good to see a place away from home that the two of them enjoyed together.

While at the mall, we did find some great deals at stores like Gap, A Children’s Place, and my friend found a purse store that I almost had to drag her out of before she blew every dime she had. We were then starving and I wanted to go eat at the Rainforest Café, where we were able to observe Atlas holding the weight of the world on his shoulders.

After the mall, we had to go to the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. Neither one of us likes country music, but we were mesmerized by the exhibits. It cost us $17.95 each to get in, but it was well worth it. By the time we were done, it was time to go to our Days Inn, which was on the other side of the tracks from downtown Nashville. When looking at the below image taken by my Blackberry through the hotel room window, you can look down and see railroad tracks, so I’m not joking.

Despite our hotel being located in the proverbial “West Side” of Nashville, it was a nice little room with a Jacuzzi and a good city view. It was approximately a mile from the Municipal Auditorium and the nice little Italian restaurant we dined at before the concert. The hotel also had a friendly bar with some very interesting Karaoke action taking place.

In the end, ticket and all, I spent $300 for our weekend trip. That included me paying $100% of the hotel cost. So yes, I went and had a blast on a budget.

West Virginia’s New and Gauley Rivers – You Better Hang On

There are two rather wild rivers in Lansing, West Virginia. The first is the New River and the second is the Gauley River. Both are rather popular on the East Coast because of a number of activities that take place there. One of the main activities is white water rafting.

I never thought I would ever do this. The thought of the boat overturning and me getting sucked under by the undercurrent scared me, but I had a friend who just had to go and so I risked my life out of the kindness of my heart…or I thought I was.

When we arrived, my friend wanted to go down both rivers, so we did the New River Express trip first, which is a 2 to 3 hour trip on Class III to V rapids. In other words, these were some wicked rapids and at that moment I was thinking I was thankful for the life jackets and my exceptional swimming ability. I figured I had those two things working for me. It did cost about $79 for me to take approximately 3 hours of my life to risk it, but what I found surprised me.

First off, the guides are excellent. They tell you everything you need to know and they do everything to keep the boat from tipping. However, I do hate to disappoint you, but about a mile and a half into the trip I faced my first Class IV rapid and the boat stayed upright. So no, I don’t have a story about how I fought for my life and survived. Instead, I screamed like a banshee.

Now when the rapids were calm, I did get to enjoy some amazing fall scenery. And because it was fall we were able to enjoy the 13 mile trip along the Lower Gauley River. There were class III to V rapids and, by this point, I felt like a pro after my trip down the New River. I wasn’t afraid anymore, but thrilled to get to feel that adrenaline rush again. This one, however, didn’t really have any breaks. I’m talking 13 miles of wondering if I was ever going to be able to catch my breath again.

In the end, I spent a total of $209 to ride down some of the most exciting canyons you can find. My friend was ready to go for the Upper Gauley because she was a more experienced white water rafter, but I was able to talk her out of it since I am not. But for those that want an even greater adrenaline rush than I experienced, there are other trips to choose from. There are also calmer trips for those that don’t want to dig their hearts out of their stomachs. What’s more is that there are trips available all year round.

And for those wanting even more to get excited about, there is the famous “Bridge Day” that takes place at the New River Gorge Bridge. It is held on the third Saturday in October and is closed to vehicular traffic so that base jumpers and rappellers can enjoy a good rush of adrenaline. Bungee jumping has been banned at the bridge, but many base jumpers from all over the country visit this bridge due to its amazing scenery and the fact that it is a prime and legal place to jump.

And no, I am not a jumper. I do enjoy remaining upright.

Tourist Attractions That Make You Go Hmmm

One of the things that I love is odd tourist attractions. I live in a small town, so anything that is the least bit odd will appeal to me due to the low shock factor that tends to come with small town life. Perhaps I look for the odd because my teeny tiny town is chock full of small “serious” attractions with no humor. For instance, you can experience a piece of the Underground Railroad by visiting the John Campbell House, the home of the city’s founder.

Now, this is something I am quite proud of about my town. I really am proud of its history. We even have a very old and large cemetery that is the resting place of a Russian princess and home to a statue that has to be sandblasted frequently because it cries.

Now, if you are into crying statues, then Woodland Cemetery in Ironton, Ohio is the place to find an odd tourist attraction.

But really, I like to see what I can find when I hit the road. I like to look for such things as smiley face water towers. Just looking at one makes me happy. They are one of those things that bring a smile to your face and you just can’t help but to try and take a clear photo as you drive by.

Another strange thing that I have encountered that I found to be fascinating was the giant coffee pot in Winston Salem, North Carolina’s Old Salem area. My family and I passed through to and from Myrtle Beach this past summer and, of course, I had to lengthen the trip by nosing around this coffee pot:

Although it seems a little insignificant, the significance lies in the history and, when you’re a history buff like me, you’ll find this shiny metal object quite fascinating. It was built in 1860 with the purpose of promoting a silversmith. This is also the oldest coffee pot of its kind, so it is worth the photo op.

Neat roadside attractions, even if insignificant to most, appeal to me a great deal…obviously. I like to stop at places such as Dinosaur World in the Cave City area of Kentucky with their museum, Fossil Dig, and other activities that both children and adults can enjoy. Although this may not seem like an odd place, this attraction is a hidden gem that most don’t find until they’re on the road in that area. It is sort of in the middle of nowhere. You’re driving and then all of a sudden you see a sign and a giant dinosaur alongside the road.

So if you don’t mind making stops on your way to or from your destination, you will find that the vacation doesn’t start or end when you reach where you’re going, but it is happening while you’re on the road. That’s one reason why I always drive to where I’m going. I have been to some vacation destinations more than once, yet always seem to find something different – and sometimes strange - along the way. 

Umberto's: Italy over and over again

Interior of Umberto's

Do you know how some places carry special memories for us? They become associated with good times, with people we’re close to, with our lives. Somehow Umberto’s is like that for me. I’m not really very fond of restaurants with a lot of people, preferring instead to snoop out hole-in-the-wall eateries. But Umberto’s is definitely one of my few exceptions.

I chanced upon the restaurant by accident. It was summer, and after happily shopping at the stores that line Bronx Avenue with a close friend, we noticed that we were suddenly parched and in need of a cool fix. We saw Umberto’s, and the first thing we noticed – boy was it crowded! But they did have a lovely bar, and after being warmly welcomed by the bartender, the crowd just seemed to gradually fade into the background as my friend and I dumped our shopping bags at the foot of our stool and chatted amiably, waiting for a table to be vacant.

That was years ago.

After that I found myself going back to Umberto’s several times I lost count anymore. I would go there with my parents almost every time they visit me; my friends and I would usually eat there before or after a game; I’d troop there whenever I have a craving for Italian – or even when I just happen to be in the area. I’ve been there with an assortment of different people, for a host of different reasons, but I guess it all boils down to this: Umberto’s effortlessly managed to be one of those places I’m completely at ease with.

Usual scene at the restaurant

And obviously I’m not the only one who thinks so. One look at the usually full tables in the restaurant is proof enough.

Of course, arguably the best reason to head to Umberto’s is the food. Their dishes are absolutely fantastic! I’m the kind of person that whenever I sample a dish that I really like, I’d order it again and again whenever I’m in the restaurant. I’m like that with Umberto’s. My favorite staples are the baked clams and the fried calamari, and I’d pair it off with pasta. My friends think it’s very funny that I have yet to change my order, but I don’t care. A lot of them, however, have tried just about everything on the menu already, and they have yet to complain. The food there is simply delicious. Oh, and they have generous servings which makes for sharing. That’s why the place is popular with families and big groups.

Umberto’s also has this great idea to come up with all sorts of specials every now and then, which I really like. It gives its guests something to look forward to, and from what I’ve experienced, it’s always bound to be a pleasant surprise – over and over again.