Vacation Station Travel Magazine – Summer 2023

SUMMER2023

AdventuresinAsheville

WowMomentsinJordan

DivinginCrete

EpicInterna�onalCruises

GlobalGardenGetaways

TheTopofEurope

GenealogyTravel

Ireland,Scotland&England

ExperienceOregon

CaliforniaParks&Places

Bou�queHotels&Inns

TheDesertSouthwest

Mississippi&Louisiana

SteubenCounty,NewYork

HistoricJeffersonHighway

CONTENTS Con’t…

TRAVELAMERICA

EDITORSBLOCK

Howexci�ngtoseetravelandsummereventsback infullswing,sparkingourcuriosity,feedingour wanderlust,andboos�ngcommunityprideandthe economy.

Thisissuewillwhetyourglobetro�ngappe�te withstoriesandpodcastconversa�onscovering interna�onaltravelsuchascamelridinginJordan toscubadivinginCrete,anepiccruisefromVenice toCapeTown,visi�ngthe"TopofEurope"in Switzerlandtoafamilyhistoryadventurein Scandinavia,andtouringEngland,Ireland,and Scotland.

ReadyforaroadtripthroughNorthAmerica?

CheckoutourfeaturesontheJeffersonHighway,a historicvaca�onroutebetweenWinnipeg,Canada, andNewOrleans,Louisiana.Plus,weshinethe spotlightondes�na�onsinCaliforniaandthe PacificNorthwest;Arizona,Nevada,andNew MexicointheSouthwest;Louisiana,Mississippi, andNorthCarolinaintheSoutheast;andUpstate NewYork.

Keepupwithourlatesttravelstories,magazines, andpodcasts.SubscribetoourBigBlend e-Newsle�er, orfollowuson Instagram, Facebook, or Twi�er.

Whereveryougoonyournextadventure,wehope youenjoytheexperiencesandmemoriesthatyou make!

HappyTravels!

NancyJ.Reid&LisaD.Smith

BigBlend’smother-daughterteaminpodcas�ng, publishing,andtravel.

BIGBLENDMISSIONSTATEMENT: BigBlendis acompanybasedonthebeliefthateducation isthemostformidableweaponthatcanbe wagedagainstfear,ignoranceandprejudice.It isourbeliefthateducationstartsathomeand branchesoutward.Educationleadstotravel, andtravelleadstounderstanding,acceptance, andappreciationofculturesandcustoms differenttoourown,andultimatelytoworld peace.Ourcompanyisfurtherbasedonthe principlethatnetworking,communication,and helpingotherstopromoteandmarket themselvesleadstofinancialstability;thus pavingthewaytobettereducation,travel,and thespiritofgivingbacktothecommunity. This magazineisdevelopedbyBigBlendMagazine™, copyrightedsince1997.Nopartofitmaybe reproducedforanyreason,withoutwritten permissionfromBigBlendMagazine.Although everyeffortismadetobeaccurate,wecannotbe heldresponsibleforinaccuraciesorplagiarized copysubmittedtousbyadvertisersor contributors.

FrontCoverPhoto: LookingGlassFallsinPisgah Na�onalForest,nearAshevilleinNorthCarolina, byLisaD.Smith.SeetheAdventuresinAsheville featureon Page108.

"Explora�onisreallytheessenceofthe humanspirit."FrankBorman

ByLindaMilks

Jordancanbedescribedasapeacefulcountryof welcomingpeople!Jordanistheplaceto understandArabcountrywithhospitableci�zens. SurroundedbyIsrael,Lebanon,Iraq,andSaudi Arabia,thishistoricalgemofacountryhasmuchto offer.

Thesearesomeofmy“wow”momentsonatrip hostedbyVisitJordanforagroupof mediaoftheInterna�onalFood WineTravelWritersAssocia�on.

ThroughLocalEyesTour

TheThroughLocalEyesTourdrewall ofusin.Twenty-somethingbrother andsister,AnasandLana,ledus throughtheJabalal-Weibdehstreets. WemetatParisSquare,asquare rehabilitatedin2003withfour ParisianstreetlampsandaWallace fountainwithfourfemalestatue�es surroundingit.

Itissuchaninspira�ontofeelthe passioninthevoicesofthesetwo talkingaboutAmman,thecitythey love.Aswewalkedalongthearea,we no�cedbothgraffi�andmuralsthatofferedupso muchbrightnesswithflashesofmanycolorsnextto thedrabgrayconcretewalls.Anascommentedthat thegraffi�o�enexpressesmoreofatruefeelingof thear�stbecauseitisdonequicklyandwith passionwhereasthemuraltakesmanyhoursor daystopaintandmustbeapprovedfirst.Many �mesthestreetartisnotdoneforaesthe�c

purposesbuttoexpressamessagethear�st wishestoconvey.

WadiRum

WadiRum(Wadimeans“valley”),describedby LawrenceofArabiaas“vast,echoingandgod-like”.

Con�nuedonNextPage…

GalsoumAl-SayyahOfferingTea

AmmanStreetArt

LindaonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcaston Podbean.

JordanCon�nued…

Thesprawlingvastnessofthisdesertlandscape feelslikeitgoesonforever.Oncewearrive,we headoffinanopen4X4Mitsubishiwithacanopy toprotectusfromthesun.Outofthegoldensand rise,largerockforma�onsinthedistanceandviews ofsiqspeakingbetweenthosemassiveforma�ons. Aswecametoastop,severalcamelsgreetedus withwelcomingsmilestoen�ceriders.

Webouncedbackinthejeepstoourhomeforthe night,theSharahLuxuryCampinourdomehomes withviewsofthemountainsandstars.TheSharah RestaurantunderthemanagementofExecu�ve ChefZaidNawa�eh,offeredwallsoffreshlymade bread,salads,grilledvegetables,chicken,lamb, fish,andmanydessertchoices.

At5:45a.m.thenextday,fourofusmountedour kneelingcamelsandthenhungonfordearlifeas theanimalsstoodupontheirbacklegsfirst.Offwe wenttoseethesunrise.Ourcamelswerestrung togetherbyleadropesandhaddonethisdesert sunrisetripmany�mes.

Onceaboutamileout,weweregreetedby Bedouinmenwhopreparedasmallfiremadeof s�cksonwhichtheysatateapot.Theflameswere fannedbythemaninchargeofthefirewithhis thoab(along,dress-likeca�an).

Themagicofthesunriseandthepeacefulnessof thedesertintheearlymorningissomethingIwill neverforget.

Jerash

AtriptothenorthernpartofJordantothetownof Jerashgaveusaclearunderstandingofjusthow manyciviliza�onshavecrossedthroughthisland.A lushandgreenareaknownasthe“Crossroadsof

Galsoum'sKitchen-MansafandSalad

WadiRumBedouinFireMakerwithCamelsinthe background

Civiliza�on,”Jerashishometoahumanoccupa�on da�ngback6,500years.Thisareaholdsthe remainsofthosefromtheNeolithic�mes,the Greeks,theByzan�nes,andtheOmayyad civiliza�ons.Jerashispar�cularlyknownasoneof thebest-preservedRomantownsintheworld.

Wewalkedonpavedandcolonnadedstreets surroundedbywalls,towers,andgates.Mosaics canbeseenfromtheruinsofhomes.The hippodromewherechariotraceswereheldspurred ourimagina�onsbacktothose�mes.

Petra

PetraByNightwasourfirstglimpseofthis encompassingsiqlitbyover1500luminaries stashedalongthepathwayandoverheadonrock ridges.Thewonderofthesiqopeningtothe massiveTreasuryisbeyondwordsandvalidates beingoneoftheSevenWondersoftheWorld.At nighteveryoneseatedonthegroundinfrontofthe Treasuryholdscandlesastheylistentostringed instrumentsandseethelightshowofreds,greens, andbluesacrossthefrontoftheTreasury.The Treasurydatesbacktothe1stCenturyB.C.andwas builtbytheNabataeans.

Petraduringthedayisawholedifferentworld.We walkedtotheTreasuryandbeyondtothestepsof theMonastery.Thereare890unevenstepsupto theMonastery,sowechosetoridemulesupthe steps.Thatwasquitethethrill,butthebeautyat thetopmadeupforthejourney.

Thelistofexperiencestotakeintheen�retyof Jordanisimmense.Thesearesomeofmy“wow” moments.

PlanyourJordanexperienceat h�ps://www.visitjordan.com/

LindaMilksspecializesinexploringallthatisfood, wine,andtravelwithaheartysupplyofcuriosity andenjoyment.ShehasbeenpublishedinBig BlendMagazines,FWT(Food,Wine&Travel Magazine),andfeaturedonBigBlendRadio.Linda servesontheexecu�veboardoftheInterna�onal Food,Wine&TravelAssocia�on(IFWTWA)asthe TreasurerandistheMediaTripsChair.Followher adventuresonhersite, h�ps://toas�ngfoodwinetravel.com.

TheMonasteryinPetra

DIVING&TRUSTIN CHANIA,CRETE

ByLeaBrovedani “TheTrustArchitect”

SpirosPapakastrisios,our dive-masterfortheday, wasalsotheownerof BlueAdventuresDivingin Chania,Creteandhewas leadingusona6-cave dive.Itoldhimitwasmy birthdayandIcouldn’t thinkofabe�erwayto celebrateitthangocave diving.Spirospromisedto makeitspecial.

Thediveboatwasan inflatablecigare�eboat whichmeantthere wasn’tenoughroomto takeanythingbutour tanks,BCD(Buoyancy Compensa�onDevice… itlookslikealifevestbut holdsyourtank),masks, andfins.A�erashort20-minuteride,wewereover atthedivesite.Wewereallinstructedtodoa backwardrollofftheboatintothewater.

WhenIlookeddown,Icouldn’tseeanythingbut theoceanfloorexceptforonesmallblackspot. Fromthesurface,itlookedlikeashadowonthe oceanfloor.Wewerenomorethan20feetdown whenSpirosstoppedandindicatedthatwewereat theopeningofthefirstcave.Itwasthedark shadowIhadno�cedfromthesurface.

Theopeningwasnobiggerthanasmallcoffeetable

anditwasdarklikeImeanablackholethat reflectsnolightatall.IcouldhearmyDarthVader breathingspeedupasIan�cipatedwhatwewould discover.Therewasnothingtoindicatetherewas anythingbeyondmoreblacknessandIcouldfeela thrillofexcitementcoursethroughmybody.The an�cipa�onoftheunknownwastemperedbythe trustIhadinapersonIhadonlymetthatmorning.

Theopeningtothecavewasnarrowenoughthat wecouldn’tenteritatanangle.Itwashead straightdownandtrustthatourdive-master

LeaBrovedanionBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcaston PodBean.

Leadiving

knewwhatwaitedforus.

IturnedonmyflashlightandIcouldfeel pressureinmyearsasIdovestraight downthroughthenarrowtunneland eventuallyintoalargercavern.

Whenyou’reunderwater,communica�on isthroughsignalsyoulearninclass.If you’regoingtoexperienceanunusual situa�onyou’redebriefedonshore. Spiroscommunicatedwhatwecould expectthroughoutthedive,sotheonly surpriseswerepleasantones.Heletus knowthathewascommi�edtogivingus aspectaculardivingexperiencebut keepingussafewas#1.

Aspecialtreatwasdivingthrougha halocline,amixtureoffreshwaterand saltwaterintoanopencavernwhere wewereinacavebutabovewater.Spirosledthe groupinsingingHappyBirthday.

Foronehourweswamthroughcavernsandcaves, sawstalac�tesandstalagmites,fieldsofcoralthat lookedlikelilies,andexperiencedbeautythatonly existsunderwater.

Morethananyothersportorac�vityI’vedone, divingdemonstrateseverythingIteachabouttrust. BeforeIventureintothewater,I’veestablished thatthepersonI’mgoingwithissomeoneIcan trustandIdothatusingmy5tenets.

CARING..COMMITMENT..CONSISTENCY.. COMPETENCE..COMMUNICATION

Leaisaspeakerandworkshopfacilitatorontrust whoisrecognizedasaTopThoughtLeaderonTrust forbytheorganiza�onTrustAcrossAmericaandis theauthorof“TRUSTMe–RestoreBelief& ConfidenceinanUncertainWorld”and“TRUSTED–SecretLessonsfromanInspiredLeader.”Listento “TrustTalkwithLea”everyThirdThursdayonBig BlendRadio.

More: h�ps://leabrovedani.com/

DivingCon�nued…

Leadiving

GARDENGETAWAYS AROUNDTHEWORLD

It'sallaboutGarden Getawaysonthisdebut episodeofBigBlendRadio's new3rdFridayVaca�on Sta�on"TravelWritersPanel Discussion"Showwiththe Interna�onalFoodWine& TravelWritersAssocia�on (IFWTWA).FromLowther CastleinEnglandtoButchart GardensinCanada,tothe HollandTulipFes�valin Michigan,thisshowcovers gardendes�na�onsand flower-poweredcelebra�ons acrossthecountryand aroundtheworld.

Plus,ourguesttravelwriterssharetheirwri�ng andtravelbackgroundsandtalkabouttheirlatest andupcomingadventures.Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcastfrom PodBean.

FEATUREDGUESTS

-LindaKissam"Food,Wine&ShoppingDiva" is thePastPresidentoftheInterna�onalFood,Wine &TravelWritersAssocia�onandcon�nuestoserve asaboardmember.Sheisaprofessionaltravel, food,andwinewriterwhospecializesineasy, breezydes�na�onstoriessharingherfavorite thingsabouttheplacesshevisits.

Moreat h�ps://allingoodtaste.info/ & h�ps://pnwtourist.com/

LookingOutOverButchartGardens,CanadabyLindaKissam

-PennyZibula"SixLegsWill Travel" isafreelancetravel writerbasedinGreenville,South Carolina.Shehasalwayshada passionfortravel,wri�ng,and learning.Withherhusband/ photographer/FAAcer�fied dronePilot,SimonLock,andher guidedog,shetravelstheworld focusedoncrea�ngcontentof interesttoserioustravelers, armchairtravelers,boomer travelers,andtravelerswith disabili�es.

More:

h�ps://sixlegswilltravel.com

-VeronicaBareman"TheHipGrandmawitha Camera" isanaward-winningphotographerand theownerofVeronicajunePhotography,basedin WestMichigan.Fromaveryyoungage,Veronica haslovedtravel,photography,andwri�ng.A�er spendingayearinJapanasahighschoolexchange student,shewasbi�enbytheinterna�onaltravel bugandhasbeenexploringtheworldeversince.

A�erraisingfivekids,shebeganhersecondcareer

asatravelwriterandphotographerandlovesto shareheradventuresinlife,travel,and photographywithherreaders.

More:

h�ps://www.veronicajunephotography.com & h�ps://www.hipgrandmalife.com

LearnmoreabouttheInterna�onalFood,Wine& TravelWritersAssocia�onat h�ps://www.ifwtwa.org/

TulipStarburstbyVeronicaBareman

McKeeBotanicalGardensinVero,Beach,FLbySimonLock

ByElsaDixon

ArrivalInVenice

Onelookatthei�nerary,andI signedup.The30-daycruisefrom VenicetoCapeTownonthe MSCSinfoniacheckedquiteafew placesonmybucketlist.Beinga regularcontributortoPlayStayEat, Ipitchedsomeideasto Sco�Kendall,reachedoutto tourismboards,andsecuredfour presstrips.

Fourdaysbeforethestartofthe cruise,mycompanion,Karen,and IflewtoVeniceviaLisbon.We arrivedlateatnightinarainyand darkVenicea�erstrugglingtofind thevapore�aattheMarcoPolo airport.Wedraggedourwetcases andourselvesoverthedeserted square,canals,andsmallbridgesandmiraculously arrivedatourdes�na�on,the18thCenturyHotel AteneonearPiazzaSanMarc.

A�erafewgloriousdaysin“TheFloa�ngCity,”we boardedtheMSCcruiseliner.Wetookawatertaxi totheharbor,whereweregisteredbeforeboarding

asmallvesseltoreachtheMSCSinfonia.We happilyse�ledintoourspaciousocean-view stateroomwithabalconybeforeexploringthe opendeck,restaurantareas,anddifferent ameni�es.

ElsaDixononBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube player ordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

MSCCruiseShip©ElsaDIxon

EpicSailCon�nued…

OurFirstTwoPorts

Thesunrosetoabeau�fulviewofSplit,Croa�a, earlythefollowingmorning.Acharmingyoung tourguideshowedusaroundthepalacebuiltby theRomanemperor,Diocle�an,inthe4thcentury AD.Wehadanunexpectedtreatwhenamaletrio performeda’cappella.Theirvoicessoaredthrough theoniondomewithitsbeau�fulacous�cs.

A�eradayatsea,wereachedKatakolon,Greece,a seasidetownoverlookingtheIonianSea.Wetook alocaltourbustovisittheUNESCOWorldHeritage ArchaeologicalsiteofOlympia,abouta40-minute rideaway.Olympiapayshomagetowherethe ancientOlympicGamesoriginatedin776BCin honorofthegodZeus.Theexcava�onsareatruly humblingsight.Itisworthvisi�ngtheneighboring ArchaeologicalMuseumofOlympia,withinshort walkingdistancefromtheruins.

SuezCanalandEgypt

Earlymorning,weenteredtheSuezCanalalong theEgyp�ancoastfromPortSaid,twotugboats steeringustheen�rejourney.Thenarrowpassage allowedonlyone-waytraffic,exceptfor22miles whereawidenedsec�oncreatedatwo-way op�on.Thiscausedthetemporaryclosureofthe ElFerdanRailwayBridge,thelongestswingbridge intheworld.

Thefollowingday,KarenandItookataxitoabeach atSharmElSheikh.TherewereTourismpolice buildingsatregularintervals.Wespentafewhours luxuria�ngonpaddedsunbedsunderumbrellas andswimminginthesalty,warmocean.

OurthirdportofcallwasSafagaontheRedSea. MyexcursionwastoLuxor,anancientwalledcity, about155milesfromtheport.Wepassedadesert withrockyhillsbeforereachingthegreen,irrigated pastures,neglectedfarmhouses,andacitycalled Qena.Theprincipalmodeoftransportseemedto bedonkeys,donkeycarts,andtuk-tuks

Next,wereachedtheValleyoftheKingsda�ng backtoabout1000–1500BCwithtombsofat least63pharaohssuchasThutmose1and RamessesXandX1.ImarveledattheEgyp�an hieroglyphicsandthebrightlycoloreddrawingson thewallsandroofs.Theimpressivetombof Tutankhamunremindedmeofthearchaeological museuminthebasementofHighclereCastle (DowntownAbbey ofTVfame)inLondon.The5th earlofCarnarvonwasthepatronofthe1922 Egyptologicalexpedi�onthatopenedthe Tutankhamuncrypt.

EgyptSharmel-SheikhNaamaBayBeach©ElsaDixon

Jeddah,SaudiArabia

Twodayslater,wearrivedinJeddah,SaudiArabia. Thenightbefore,crewmembersremovedall alcoholfromthemini-fridgesandbars,leavingonly fruitjuicesontheshelves.Alcoholsalesand consump�onareforbiddenhere.A�ersome confusion,KarenandIfinallyhadthenecessary stampsinourpassportsandboardedtheescorted bustothecustomsbuilding,wherewewere photographedandfingerprinted.Thoughmasked andformal,thecustomsofficialswerepoliteand friendly.Wetookataxitotheoldtown.

Onlythejewelrystoreswereopensinceitwas prayer�me.Wemarveledatthebalconiesboxedin withwoodenshu�ersforwomentopeepoutside. Wesawonlymenbuyingvegetablesandfruitatthe markets.Thevisitmadeanindelibleimpressionon usboth.

ThreeIslandsInTheIndianOcean

Seychelles,Mauri�us,andReunionarevolcanic IndianOceanislandsinfairlycloseproximityto eachother.Theyarefamousfortheirbeau�ful whitesandybeaches,tropicalwaters,andcoral reefs.Allthreehavedarkhistoriesofcolonial domina�on,slavery,sugarplanta�ons,and indenturedIndiansincommon.

EachislandhasamosaicofpeoplefromIndia, China,Africa,andEurope,speakingFrench-based

Creole.Weenjoyedtas�ngthetypicalCreole cuisine.

SeychelleshastwoUNESCOworldheritagesites: theMaiValleyanditsindigenouscocodemerpalm trees,andtheAldabraAtoll,hometoSeychelles’ gianttortoises.Mauri�usclaimstwoaswell,Le MorneCulturalLandscapeandAapravasiGhat, whileReunionhasanimpressivefive:allPithons, cirques,andrampartsfoundintheReunion Na�onalPark.

DurbanandCapeTown,SouthAfrica

OurlasttwostopswereDurbanandCapeTownin SouthAfrica.WehadatourofDurbanCenterbut weredisappointedattheneglectedstateofthat city.However,wewokeuptoastunningviewof TableMountainastheshippulledintoCapeTown harbor.

WetooktheCeresRailsteamtrainoverSirLowry’s Pass,enjoyingthemountains,fynbosvegeta�on, coastalvistas,andfruitorchards.Weexplored differentstallsandproduceattheElginRailway Market,andenjoyedthelivemusicbeforehaving lunchandboardingthetrainback.

SeychellesMaheharbor©ElsaDixon

ReminiscingabouttheMSCCruise KarenandIspentthelastnighttogether reminiscingaboutourexperiencesontheMSC Sinfoniacruiseship.Wecana�esttotheexcellent residententertainmentteamandthevarietyofacts weenjoyed.Thisamazingcruisecertainlychecked allthean�cipatedboxes.

TravelPlanningSitestoVisit: SeychellesTouristOffice,CapeTown, SouthAfrica www.seychelles.travel

Mauri�usTourismPromo�onAuthority h�ps://www.mymauri�us.travel/

IleDeLaReunionTourisme www.reunion.fr

CeresRailCompany h�ps://www.ceresrail.co.za

Author,travelwriter,andtourdirector,ElsaDixon, lovestoexploretheworldandshareher experiences.Shespecializesincustom-madesmall grouptours,especiallysafaristoSouthAfricaand Tanzania.Herinterna�onaltravelhasledtomany adventuresandmisadventures,makinghertravel ar�clescompellingreading.

SheisamemberofIFWTWAaswellasTravel WritersUniversity.Shehaspublishedtwobooks underhermaidenname,ElsavanderByl,thelatest

being“Hippos,Hotspots,andHomelands.”Follow herblogsandpublica�onsat h�ps://travelswithelsa.com/.

DraggingluggageinVenice©ElsaDixon

EpicSailCon�nued…

EgyptTombTutankhamun©ElsaDixon

OCTOBER1-7,2023

DateofDeparturefrom Vancouver,BritishColumbia: October1,2023

DateofArrivalinLosAngeles, California:October7,2023

TotalCruiseNights:6

HIGHLIGHTSINCLUDE:

WelcomeCocktailPartywiththePrincess CulinaryTeam&SeniorOfficers

TwoSpecialtyDiningExperiences& The360Experience IndustryWorkshops&Networking Opportunities

Andmuchmore…

TheInternationalFoodWineandTravelWritersAssociation (IFWTWA)istheorganizationofchoiceforfood,wine,and travelwriters.

IFWTWAcreatesprogramsandservicestoenhance professionaldevelopmentandfacilitatenetworkingwhile creatingamarketplacefordestinations,brands,andmedia professionalstocollaborate.

SWITZERLAND’SJUNGFRAUJOCH ISAYEAR-ROUNDWONDERLAND OFICE&SNOW

byDebbieStone

Picturepostcardsdon’tbegintodojus�ceto Switzerland’sbeauty.Inperson,thecountrycomes aliveinvividTechnicolor,leavingyougrasping desperatelyfortherightsuperla�vestodescribeall itstreasures.Wordssimplyfallshortof communica�ngthegrandeurofthisalpine paradise.

It’shardtodecidewhattoseeanddointhis countryofscenicwondersbecausetheop�onsare endlessandcaneasilyoverwhelmyou.Take comfortinknowingthatyoucan’tgowrongno ma�erwhatyouchoosebecausenaturalsplendor iseverywhere.

Letyoursensesbeyourguidethroughthisdrama�c landscape.Drinkinvistasofmajes�cpeaksand sun-drenchedvalleys,listentoagamelanconcertof cowbellsasyouhikeinthemeadows,smellthe fragrantwildflowersinbloom,samplecheesesand chocolatesthatwillsendyouintoecsta�cswoons, andbaskinthewarmthofold-worldSwiss hospitalityinthecharming,hand-hewnchaletsand innsthatdotthecountryside.

OneofSwitzerland’smostuniqueadventuresisa triptoJungfraujoch,the“TopofEurope.”Togetto thismagnificentdes�na�on,you’llfirstboardthe

EigerExpresstri-cablegondolafromGrindelwaldto theEigergletschersta�on.Thissystemoftransport justopenedin2021andisahuge�mesaverfor day-trippers.Therideisanunforge�able experience,asyou’llgettoseethenorthfaceof theEigerMountaincloseupandhavebreathtaking viewsoftheAlpsallaround–thatisiftheweather godsarefavorable.

Onmyjourney,themountainwasunfortunately sockedinwithfoganditwaseerieandabit unse�lingnottobeabletoseeanythinginthe whiteoutcondi�ons.Ididn’tknowitthen,but thankfullyclear,sunnyskiesawaitedmeattheTop oftheWorld.

OnceyoureachtheEigergletschersta�on,you’ll thenboardthecogwheeltrainleadingto Jungfraujoch–theTopofEuropesta�on–the highestmountainrailwaysta�oninEuropeat 11,333feet.Thecogwheelrailwaytrack,which involveddiggingalongtunnelthroughtherockof theEigerandMönchmountains,wascompletedin 1912andtooktenyearstofinish.Ithasbeenin con�nuoususesincethen.

Switzerlandisfullofviewslikethisone

SwitzerlandCon�nued…

ThemightyEigerMountainiswell-knownto climbers.It’sfamousforits5,900-footnorthfaceof rockandice,whichisthebiggestnorthfaceinthe Alps.ThefirstascentoftheEigerwasmadein1858 byapairofSwissguidesandanIrishman,who climbedthewestflank.Asuccessfulascentofthe northface,however,didn’toccurun�l1938byan Austrian-Germanexpedi�on.Thisrouteis consideredamongthemostchallengingand dangerousascentsandithasclaimedthelivesofat least64climbersovertheyears.Duetothesetragic accidents,ithasearnedtheGermannickname, “Mordwand,”or“murderwall.”

Whenyoutakethecogwheeltrainyoucanenjoy viewsofthemountainfromwindowscarvedinto therockface.Ifyou’relucky,youmightevengetto seeclimbersinac�on.

AtJungfraujoch,thereareanumberofac�vi�esto experience.Takeafastelevatortoascend354feet in25secondsandarriveattheSphinxObserva�on DeckandAletschGlacier.TheSphinxisoneofthe highestastronomicalobservatoriesintheworld. Thoughtheobservatoryisnotopentothepublic, you’llbeabletostepoutontothelookoutterraces, whichofferspectacularviewsacrosstheAletsch Glacier.It’saseaofsnowandice,13-plusmiles longandoverahalf-milethick.

TheGlacierPlateauisanotherhighlightthat providesvisitorswithvistasofboththeAletschand

JungfrauGlaciers,alongwiththeJungfrauand SilberhornMountainpeaks,fromavantage pla�orm.ASwissflagwavesinthebreezeasyou takeinthisspectacularwintryworld.Knowthese frozencondi�onsareguaranteed365daysayear.

GlacierPlateau

CogRailwaytoJungfraujoch

GondolaridetotheEigerGlacierSta�on

IfyouwanttoreachMönchsjoch,Switzerland’s highest-servicedmountainhut,makesureyouhave goodhikingbootsandadecentfitnesslevel.The pathfromJungfraujochleadsthroughtheglacier andtakesatleast45minutestoanhourtoreach thehut.Andrememberyou’reatahighal�tude!

Formoreac�vity,headtotheSnowFunPark, whereyoucandowintersportsinsummer.Get youradrenalinerushonskisorsnowboards,sleds, ortubes,asyouracedowntheslope.

Anddon’tmisstheIcePalace!Takeawalkthrough thisicetunnelundertheglacierwithitsvastcavern ofnichesandpassagewayscontainingcrystal-like sculptures,suchaseagles,penguins,andbears. Theseshimmeringworksofarttransformthe gro�ointoamuseumofsorts,albeitaverycold one!Interes�ngfact:SomepartsoftheIcePalace moveuptosixinchesperyear.

Connec�ngtheSphinxHallwiththeIcePalaceis theAlpineSensa�on,atributetothosewhobuilt therailway.It’samul�mediatripbackin�mefora historicalperspec�veoftheplace.Andthere’salso theJungfrauPanoramafilm,whichshowcasesa 360-degreepanoramaofthearea.

You’llfindseveralrestaurantsandstoresforyour ea�ngandshoppingpleasure,includingLindt ChocolateHeaven.Thisuniquechocolate experienceisnotonlytastybutinforma�ve,as you’lllearnabouttheprocessofmakingLindt

chocolatestar�ngfromthecocoabean.Endyour stayatJungfraujochonasweetnote!

DebbieStoneisanestablishedtravelwriterand columnist,andregularcontributorforBigBlend RadioandBigBlendMagazines,whocrossesthe globeinsearchofuniquedes�na�onsand experiencestosharewithherreadersandlisteners. She’sanavidexplorerwhowelcomesnew opportuni�estoincreaseawarenessand enthusiasmforplaces,culture,food,history, nature,outdooradventure,wellness,andmore.Her travelshavetakenhertonearly100countriesand allsevencon�nents.

IcePalace

IcePalaceCarvings

CRUISINGSCANDINAVIA ONASMALLSHIP

ThispastsummerIacceptedan invita�onfromVikingCruisestogo onatwo-weekScandinaviancruise. Atfirst,Ialmostsaidno,asIama reallybigfanoftheirsmallshipriver cruisesandthoughtImightwantto dothatagain.Thatbeingsaid,I begantowonderiftheiroceansmall shipexperiencecouldbejustas goodastherivercruises.Itwas.

Intheirownway,eachcruiseis curatedtoincludegood�mesina sophis�catedbutrelaxedmanner. VikingCruisesisdes�na�onfocused andculturallyenrichingnoma�er whichtypeofshipordes�na�onyou choose.

InlateAugustIsetsailfortwoweeksontheViking JupiteronaBergen,NorwaytoStockholm,Sweden route.Thishistoricrouteallowedmetodiscovera lotofScandinaviawithstopsinStockholm,Oslo, scenicBergen,charmingAlborg,fascina�ng Gdansk,andthegrandci�esofBerlinand Copenhagen.It’shardnottobeimpressedaseven the�meaboardtheshipprovidesbreathtaking sceneryasthesmallshipglidesthroughmajes�c Norwegian�ordsinthelegendaryhomelandsof theVikings.

EverydetailonboardaVikingshipisdesignedto enrichandenhancethetravelexperience,helping eachpassengerfullyimmerseintotherichcultures theyarevisi�ng.

YouTube Podbean.

Fromthethough�ullycuratedship-widelibraryto theinsightsofguestlecturersandVikingResident Historianstocookingclasseswiththechefand winetas�ngswiththesommelier.Theonboardart collec�onisnottobemissed.Passengerscangoon aself-guidedaudiotour.

WhataVikingCruiseisNot

Some�mesit’swhatacruiselineisnotdoingthat makesallthedifferenceintheworld.Didyouknow thatallaboardVikingriverandoceanexpedi�ons therearenocasinos,nochildrenunder18,no umbrelladrinks,nophotographysales,noart auc�ons,nochargeforbeer&winewithlunchand

GdanskPoland

ByLindaKissam“Food,Wine&ShoppingDiva”

CruisingScandinaviaCon�nued…

dinner,nochargeforalterna�verestaurants,no chargeforWi-Fi,nochargeforuseoflaundere�es, noentrancefeeforTheSpa,insidestaterooms,no formalnights,nobutlers,norwhitegloves? Someonefromthiscompanyneedstocomeaccept TheSmartCookieAward.

Asyouwillreadbelow,thiswasmoreofafoodie tourthansouvenirshoppingforme.Icamehome withafewitems,butit’sthememoriesthatfedmy soulthis�me.

Myfavoriteexperiencesaboardthisship

TheNordicSpa-It’stheul�matehealthy Scandinaviantradi�onfromtheSaunaandSnow Gro�otoarelaxingmassage.Ihadtheirsignature organicrejuvena�ngHydraFacialfacial.Igotoa spaeverymonth.Thisoneranksinthetopthree.

Explorers’Lounge -TheExplorers’Loungeisthe idealplaceforgueststositbackwithanaquavitor acra�beerwhileenjoyingfloor-to-ceiling windows,magnificentscenery,andentertainment. There’splentyofroomforeveryoneandthe beverageserviceisimpeccable.

Wintergarden -Inthiselegantspaceundera canopyofScandinaviantrellisedwoodeach a�ernoonfrom3–4PM,acalmingteaceremony

allowspassengerstoindulgeinana�ernoontea servicewhileenjoyingtheso�strainsofastring quartet.Trulymagnificent.

Manfredi’s -Therearefourplacestodineinthe evening.Itriedallfour.Eachwasexcellentinits ownright.ThisoneoffersItaliancuisine.Thefarminspiredhear�nessofTuscany,thefamedflavors fromRome,andthesubduedambientligh�ngall entwinetocreateawarm,welcomingairinthis tradi�onalrestaurantthatrecallsItaly’sbeloved tra�orias.Reserva�onsarenecessary.Bookyour �mepriortogoingonthecruise.

Myfavoriteexperiencesoff-ship Stavanger,Norway- ATasteofStavanger. Stavangerisconsideredapremierculinary des�na�on.Manyofthecity’sresidentchefsare rankedamongthebestinEurope.Wewalkedoff ourshiptostrollaroundOldTown.Ourguide helpeduslearnallaboutthecity.

Wemadestopsalongthewaytosavorthearomas andtasteseveraldifferentfooditemsthathave playedasignificantroleinthedevelopmentof Stavanger.Wesampledlocaldelightssuchasheartshapedminiwaffles,chocolate,tea,sardines,and hotchocolate.

Manfred’sItalianRestaurantaboardtheship

DailyA�ernoonTea

Oslo,Norway -Aself-guidedfoodietouratthe MathallenFoodCourt:MathallenOsloisinspired bythegreatEuropeanfoodcourts.Wefound specialtyshops,cafés,andgreatplacestoeat.The placewascrowdedwithalltypesofpeople.We (MyhusbandandI)finallydecidedtotrytheravioli atViaItalia.ViaItaliaisdevotedtoquality ecologicalfoodsfromItaly.Theysourcemanyof theirproductsfromproud,small-scaleproducersin AltaTuscia.FabulouswineandpastainNorway. Whoknew?

Gdansk,Poland –GuidedCitytour:Astunningcity. IamPolish.Ilovedthisplace.Gdańskiswidely knownasthecityofglowingamberandGothic cathedrals.Thecity’srichhistoryisondisplayinthe remarkablyrestoredOldTown,asplendidmixof Gothic,Renaissance,andbaroquestyles.Wetook the�metositatalocalrestaurantservingdelicious tradi�onalPolishpierogisoraglassofbeer. Wonderful.

CopenhagenDenmark –CopenhagenFoodLover’s Tour:Wetookourtastebudsonaguided adventurethroughNordiccuisineinthemarket halls.TheTorvehallernefoodmarkethallsinthe citycenterareopenyear-roundandareconsidered themodernluxuryedi�onofafoodmarketwith groceries,bakeries,coffee,wine,beer,delis,and fastfood-mostofitorganic—lotsoftouristsand locals.Wesampledcheese,porridge,mini sandwiches,andthebest-everchocolate,inthe formofclassicFlodebolle.

Vikinghelpsitspassengerstoconnecttotheir des�na�onineverypossibleway.Perhapsyouare readyforaspecialvaca�on.Putthiscruiseonthe

topofyourlist.AsVikingsays,“Wheredowego next?Onwards.”

LindaKissam‘Food,Wine&ShoppingDiva’isa professionaltravel,food,andwinewriterwho specializesineasy,breezydes�na�onstories sharingherfavoritethingsabouttheplacesshe visits.Visit www.AllInGoodTaste.info

TheRestaurantaboardtheship

ClassicFlodeBolle

GENEALOGYJOURNEY

Myinterestingenealogysprings frommychildhood,whenmyfather andgrandfatherwouldtalkabout ourDanishheritage.Ialsoreadthe diariesofmygreat-greatgrandparents.

Althoughwehadsomegeneral familyhistoryatthe�meabouttheir homelandandknewthenamesofa genera�onortwothatcamebefore them,today’stechnologyhasmade atremendousimpactongathering familyinforma�onthatcangoback hundredsofyears.

ADNAtestthroughAncestry.com wasthefirsttoolonmyjourneyof ancestraldiscovery.AsIexpected, Danishwasahighpercentageofmy ethnicity.However,thetestalso showedasignificantpercentageofSwedish heritage,whichwasasurprise.

Istartedchar�ngmyfamilytreeonAncestry.com. Thenmycousintoldmeaboutafreegenealogy service,FamilySearch.org.Ienteredmyancestors’ names,birthdates,deathdates,andplacesIknew theylivedonbothservices.Thereareother ancestryservices,thesearejustthetwoIused.

Thousandsofentrieshavebeenaddedtothe databasesbytheseservices,interested communi�es,andchurchvolunteers(especiallythe ChurchofLa�er-DaySaints).

Everydaymoreofficialdocumentsareuploadedto ancestrysites–bap�smalrecords,marriage cer�ficates,deathcer�ficates,militaryrecords,the U.S.Census,andevenphotosofcemetery headstones.Thegeneralpubliccanalsoupload informa�on,andalthoughthevastmajorityof informa�onisaccurate,Ihavefoundafewerrors. So,mycaveatwouldbetocheckthatdatesand rela�onshipsareexact.Oneofmyinteres�ngfinds wasmygreat-great-grandmotherwasfromSweden ––whichexplainsmyDNAreport.

LindaStewartonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

FerryfromFrederickshavn,DenmarktoGoteborg,Sweden

A�ergatheringmygenealogyinforma�onand enteringloca�onsonGoogleMaps,Iwentona Scandinavianjourneywithmycousinandmygreatniece.Werepresentedthreegenera�ons:Baby Boomers,GenX,andGenZ.Ourfirststopwasat theDanishIslandofBornholm,locatedintheBal�c Sea,about100mileseastofCopenhagen.The informa�onfrommarriageandbap�smalrecords allowedustofindthechurchestheya�ended, touchthebap�smalfontwheretheywere bap�zed,andviewthealtartheystoodbeforeto saytheirweddingvows.Theroundchurcheson Bornholmdatefromthe12thand13thcenturies.

Thebeau�fulfrescoeswerepaintedinthe14th century.Thesea-faringDaneshavemodelsofships hangingfromtheceilingsoftheirchurches.This customcommemoratesthosewhohavebeenlost atsea,offersasymbolicsafereturn,andrepresents thechurchasarefuge.ManyDanishimmigrantsto NorthAmericatookthiscustomwiththem,and shipscanbefoundinsomeLutheranchurchesin theUnitedStatestoday.

WeflewtoCopenhagenfromBornholmIslandand rentedacartodriveacrosstheDanishandSwedish countryside,visi�ngmoretownsfromourfamily history:Mon,Ammendrup,Ugilt,Haestrup,and Tars(Hjorring).

CaptainJensPedersen,MaglegaardEstate,Bornholm

Wealsotookinnotablesitesalongthewaywitha 994roundtripstephiketoMonKlint(whitecliffs madefrom70-million-year-oldseashellremains), andavisittoRibe,theoldesttowninDenmark. Ournoteworthyfamilydiscoverieswereafamily farminKeldby,anestateinAmmendrup,anda creamerywheremygreat-great-grandmother workedbeforeemigra�ngtotheU.S.in1860. LutheranChurchrecordswereinvaluablebecause oftheScandinavianprac�ceofpatronymic,crea�ng surnamesfromtheirfather’sfirstnameplussonor daughter,e.g.,LarsHanson’schildrenwouldhavea surnameofLarsonorLarsdo�er.

WetookaferryfromFrederikshavn,Denmarkto Goteborg,SwedentoseeSandhult,Bone,and Beatenberg.EkeskogKyrkawithabeau�fulpainted woodceilinginMoholmwasneartheendofour heritageadventureandtheres�ngplaceofour ancestorLarsNillson1726-1803.Aswereflected onourjourneytogether,wefeltaspecial connec�ontothosefamilymemberswhohad comebeforeus,recognizingtheiraccomplishments andtheirchallenges.Andwefeltaspecialbond witheachother.Ibelieveagenealogyjourneyadds apersonalassocia�onandasenseofpurposeto travel.

hernewfoundcareerasawriteroffood,wine, cocktails,andtravel.Throughtheyearsshehas livedinthePacificNorthwest,Washington,D.C., andSouthernCaliforniaandbringsthesedifferent perspec�vestoherwri�ng.Cookingandthe culinaryartshavebeenherlife-longpassions,and shehaseditedandpublishedthreecookbooksfor non-profits.LindawritesacocktailcolumnforLifeUncorked.com�tled,“TheCocktailCorner.”This websiteencompassesfood,travel,andthearts. ShealsowritesforTripa�ni.comandisamemberof theInterna�onalFoodWineandTravelWriters Associa�on(IFWTWA).

LindaStewart,aformerEnglishteacher,isenjoying

RasmussenFamilyBap�smalFont1660, AllerslevKirke

1700AncestralFarm,Elmelunde,Currentlya Museum&FarmResidency

SymbolicShipinBodilskerKirke,Bornholm

TRAVELWRITERSPANELDISCUSSION: EXPLORINGIRELAND

It'sallaboutTravelinginIrelandon BigBlendRadio's3rdFriday Vaca�onSta�on"TravelWriters PanelDiscussion"Showwiththe Interna�onalFoodWine&Travel WritersAssocia�on(IFWTWA).

Fromwildoutdooradventuresto lookingforfairiesandtouring historicsites,hearIFWTWAtravel writerssharetheiradventuresin Irelandandbeyond,aswellas�ps onplanningyourvisittothe "EmeraldIsle."

Theyalsodiscusstheirwri�ng, photography,andtravelbackgrounds,alongwith theirlatestandupcomingadventures.

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Podbean.

FEATUREDGUESTS

-MARYROSEDENTON hastraveledthroughoutthe U.S.,Canada,andintoWesternEurope,andis excitedtokeepaddingcultural,sustainable,offthe-beaten-pathadventuresbothathomeand

abroadtoherbucketlist.Followheradventuresat h�ps://maryrosedentonwriter.com/

-KATHLEENMESSMER isaphotographer,travel writer,andfounderofIndieSpiritLive!Shebelieves travelins�llsanapprecia�onforotherworld culturesandhistoryyoucan'tachievestayingin yourcomfortzone.

Followheradventuresat h�ps://indiespirit.live/

CruitIslandIrelandbyEd&JenniferColeman

IrelandCon�nued…

-ED&JENNIFERCOLEMAN,knownas "ColemanConcierge,"sharetheir storiesofamazingadventuresthrough ac�vity-driventransforma�onaland experien�altravel.

Followtheiradventures(including Ireland)at

h�ps://www.colemanconcierge.com/ andcheckouttheirIrelandadventure ar�cles:

“7-DayRoadTrip”

“IrishAdventuresfromMildtoWild.”

LearnmoreabouttheInterna�onal Food,Wine&TravelWriters Associa�onat

h�ps://www.ifwtwa.org

DunluceCastlebyKathleenMessmer

DIFFERENTWAYSTOTOUR &EXPLOREIRELAND

Fromescortedcoachtoursto roadtripping,thisepisodeofBig BlendRadio's3rd Wednesday Vaca�onSta�on"HeyWannaGo" TravelShowfeaturesCherylOgle whosharessomeofthedifferent waysyoucantourIreland.Watch hereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcaston PodBean.com.

Cherylisaworldtraveler, accreditedtraveladvisor,and ownerofHeyWannaGothat specializesintraveltoEuropeand theUK,aswellasriverandocean cruises.Checkoutherblog outliningthreemainwaysto exploretheEmeraldIsleon HeyWannaGo.com. Phototoright:Churchofthe Transfigura�on,Sneem,Ireland

CliffsofMoher

ENCHANTINGBUCKET LISTTRAVELS: IRELAND&SCOTLAND

ByLindaKissam, “Food,Wine&ShoppingDiva”

IrelandandScotlandhavebeena “bucketlist”itemformeforyears. YouknowwhatImean,it’sthelist whereyoucloseyoureyesand completethissentence:“BeforeI die,Iwantto….”

Crea�ngandupda�ngalistofwhat youhopetoseeordokeepsusin touchwithwhatwefindmovingand inspiring.Thelistkeepsusdreaming andstayingexcitedaboutlife,giving usapurposetoworkhardandgetup inthemorning.

Ourscheduled10-daybucketlisttour ofIrelandandScotlandbeganin Edinburghatthelovelybou�que hotelMercureEdinburgh Haymarket.Soona�erwearrivedwe weretomeetthetourgroupatthewelcome dinner.Butfirst,allpar�cipantsneededtoprovide anega�veCOVIDtesttothetourguide. Unfortunately,justcomingoffatonofplane connec�onsandatwo-weekcruise,bothmy husbandandItestedposi�veresul�nginafive-day quaran�neinthehotel.

Luckily,ourtravelinsuranceandGoAheadTours coveredthecostofthequaran�ne.Queen ElizabethIIhadjustpassedaway,sowewatched non-stopcoverageofthatevent.Hotelstaff memberPeterDavidsonfussedoverusbringing breakfastanddinnertous,alwaysinquiringabout ourhealthandwatchingthatwehadeverything necessary.

LindaKissamonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

Gendaloug

Thisdelayknockedoutmuchofourtourist�me. Wewereonourowntryingtofitin1daytouring EdinburghandtwodaysinIreland,whilecognizant thatweneededafly-indaytoEnglandtoreturn homeonourscheduledairlinedeparture.

Edinburgh

MyhusbandandIareworldtravelers.Welearned longagotogowiththeflowofa“broken”i�nerary. Wedidtestnega�veondaysix.Sincewehadli�le �meanddecreasedenergy,wedecidedtousethe HopOn-HopOffBus.Oneofthepickupstopswas justfourblocksawayfromourhotel.Wetookthe busaroundonefullloopmakingnotesofwherewe wantedtogoonthenextloop,hoppingonandoff toseethesitesthatappealedtous.Severalofthe Royalfamilya�rac�onswereshutdownduetothe Queen’sdeath.

Wedidgetofftoimmerseourselvesinthevery popularfarmersmarket,StAndrewSquare(acity park)theSco�shParliament,andtheRoyalMile. TheRoyalMileisbasedintheOldTownandwithin aWorldHeritagesite,theareaisculturallyand historicallyimportanttothecityandjam-packed withthingstoseeanddolikeashoppingwalking touroffunandseriousshops,restaurants,cafes, andpubs.Justafewblocksoffthe“Mile”wefound anextraordinarya�ernoonteaatthePalmCourtat theBalmoralintheCityCentre.

NostrangertothetophotelsinEdinburgh,an a�ernoonteaatTheBalmoral’sPalmCourtisabig

foodiebucketlist.Wedecidedtosplurgeand celebrateourmilestoneanniversary.Theairyroom hasitshugeglassdometothankforitsglitzy–but elegantambianceandpalmtreesforitsname.A chandelierhangsfromtheroofandchampagne a�ernoontea.Thereisaharponthebalcony.The menuconsistsofavarietyofteasincludinglooseleafandinfusionsandthemealkicksoffwitha fresh,coldsoup.Freshscones,cakes,andclassic andcontemporarysandwichesarealsoincluded. Thisisanaward-winningEdinburgha�ernoontea experience.Itwasmyfavoriteexperienceonour landtrip.

Ireland

Justashortairlinehopandwewerereadyto exploreDublin,Ireland.Dublinisacitywherethe mostpartiswalkabledependingonwhereyou decidetostay.WestayedattheHiltonGardenand ondayoneoftwo,wetooktheHopOn-HopOff Bus.Again,westayedonthebusforthefulltour andthenwentbacktoafewofourfavorites.

TheGuinnessStorehouseandtheIrishWhiskey MuseumandTeelingsDis�lleryprovidedcountless sippingexperiencesbutitwasverybusy.A�er wai�nginaslow-movinglineforaverylong�me, wehoppedbackonthebus.

TheTempleBarisanareafulloffunkyshops, eclec�ccafes,andhordesofstylishlocalsand touristsmakingitoneofthemostpopulartourist des�na�onsinthecity.Ihadagrand�mehere.

KillarneyShoppingDistrict

IrelandCon�nued..

PhoenixParkclaimstobethelargestenclosed publicparkinacapitalcityinEurope.Thereare manysmallgreenoasessca�eredthroughoutthe park.At1,752acres,PhoenixParkistwiceasbigas NewYork’sCentralPark.PhoenixParkisan important“greenlung”forDublin,aswellasan enjoyablespacetowanderaround.Ithasadiverse communitywithvariousspeciesofanimals includingdeer.Thisplaceismind-blowing.

Ondaytwowetookanine-hourCollinsBusTourto Glendalough,Wicklow,andKilkenny.Imusttellyou thatthisscenicbustourwasamazing.Youalways hearhowgreenIrelandis,butthisisoneofthese des�na�onsyouneedtoexperienceforyourself. GlendaloughisoneofIreland’smosticonicregions. Wewentonawalkingtourofthe6th-century monas�cse�lement,includingagraveyard.Mostof thebuildingsthatsurvivetodaydatefromthe10th through12thcenturies.TheRoundTowerisabout 100feetabovethegroundandwasbuiltalmost 1000yearsagobythemonksofSt.Kevin’s monastery.Ashortwalkfromthese�lementlies thestunningGlendaloughLake.

WewerefortunatetoridethroughtheWicklow MountainsNa�onalPark.Knownlocallyasthe DublinMountains,the25-milejourneyfromDublin alongthespineoftheWicklowMountainsisan awe-inspiringsightthatstretchesovermostof CountyWicklowonIreland’seastcoast.The windingmountainroads,naturalruggedness,and fast-flowingriverswereinspiring.

KilkennyCityisIreland’smedievalcapitalandwas thelaststoponourtour.Withitsnarrowwinding streets,interes�ngshops,andancientcastlesand ruins,it’saspicturesqueasitisfullofrich, intriguinghistory.

Thegoodthingaboutabucketlistisitcanbe changedoreditedatany�me.Nojudgment follows.So,Iampu�ngIrelandandScotlandback inmybucket.Therewassomuchwedidnotgeta chancetoexplore.Iknowtherearemanymore adventuresthereforus.

LindaKissam‘Food,Wine&ShoppingDiva’isa professionaltravel,food,andwinewriterwho specializesineasy,breezydes�na�onstories sharingherfavoritethingsabouttheplacesshe visits.Visit www.AllInGoodTaste.info

STUDENT&YOUTHTRAVEL INENGLAND

ByGlynnBurrows,NorfolkToursUK

Whenwethinkofyoungpeople traveling,weprobablyimagine back-packing,beachpar�es, hitch-hiking,andthegeneral carefreelifethatissoo�enseenon filmandTV,but,althoughitcouldbe likethatifyoulike,itneedn’tbe. Thereisnoreasonwhyyoung peopleshouldn’thaveagreat experiencetravelingaroundthe country,stayingingood accommoda�ons,andseeingthe sightswithalocalguide.

Afewyearsago,Iwascontactedby aparentofastudentwhowas comingovertostudyforafew monthsatthelocalUniversityand shewantedmetoshowher,her daughter,andafewfriends,whattherewasinthe area.Wehadagreatday,drivingaroundthe county,lookingatvariousplacesofinterest,ea�ng localfoodinalovelycountrypub,andhavinggreat conversa�onsaboutwhatitisliketoliveintheUK.

Ihavealsoarrangedtoursforgroupswhowere studyingspecificsubjectsandonegroupwhowere thinkingaboutstudyingintheUK.

Englandisagreatplacetostudy,aswehavesome amazingmuseums,collec�ons,libraries,andstudy facili�es.Wealsohavemanyexamplesofawide rangeofnaturalwildlifehabitats,thousandsof historicalsites,andsomeofthemostspectacular Medievalbuildingsintheworld.

EnglandalsohastheoldestUniversi�esand,dueto theirearlyfounda�onsandtheimportanceoftheir alumni,theircollec�onsholdsomeofthemost importantdocuments,objects,andothermaterials forresearch.

OneofthebestthingsaboutstudyingintheUKis theproximityofeverything.IfyouareinLondon, CambridgeandOxfordareaneasycarortrain journeyaway.Ifyouarevisi�ngEdinburgh,youcan beinLondoninfiveandahalfhoursonthetrainor takeabusforaroundninehours.

Let’stakeanexampleofastudytripforstudents studyingEnglishLiterature.

GlynnBurrowsonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

Shakespeare'sGlobeTheatre

EnglandCon�nued…

YouarriveatHeathrowAirport,andImeetyouall onabus,takingyouacrosstoOxford.Thisareais wellknownbysuchwritersasJRRTolkien,CS Lewis,PBShelly,andWSChurchill,andwhereyou willfindtheamazingBodleianLibrary.Wewill spendtwofulldayshere,toallowyou�meto explore.

WethenmakeourwaytowardStra�ordUpon Avon.SomewhereIneednottalkmuchabout,but oneplacewhichhastobeonthelistforallpeople interestedinEnglishwriters.

WetaketwodaysinStra�ordtoo,withthe possibilityoftakinginaperformancebeforethe journeytoCambridge,oneofmyownfavourite placesinthecountry.

CambridgehasthePepysLibrary,whichholdsthe originaldiaries,andthereareworld-classmuseums andcollec�onsavailableforstudents,aswellasthe CambridgeUniversityLibrary,whichholdsovernine millionitems.Itisoneofthesixlegaldeposit librariesintheUK.

A�ertwofulldaysinCambridge,wegodownto London,wherewespendanotherthreedays, visi�ngtheusualtourista�rac�onsandalsosuch placesasShakespeare’sGlobeTheatre,Poet’s CornerinWestminsterAbbey,CharlesDickens’ Museumand,ifyouareafanoftheHarryPo�er, wecanvisitthestudios.

A�ersuchafulli�nerary,ashorttriptotheairport andoffbackovertheAtlan�c.

Anotherexampleofatourforstudentsstudying geographycouldstartinCambridge,wherewewill visittheSedgwickMuseumofEarthSciences&

Geology,withitscollec�onsofmineralsand paleontology.Thebotanicalgardens,wherewewill seeexamplesofplantsfromallovertheworld,isan amazingplaceforstudy,aswellasrelaxa�on.The PolarMuseumholdscollec�onsrela�ngtothe Arc�candAntarc�c,withphotographicand documentaryresourcesforstudyandresearchand thereareothercolleges,togetherwiththe CambridgeUniversityLibrary,ifstudentswantto carryoutanyresearchinanyoftheninemillion itemsinthearchives.

WetakeadaytripacrosstoTheIsleofEly,tosee theareaknownasTheFensandwelearnhowthe fensweredrainedtobringthislargeareaof wetlandintouseasagriculturalland.

A�erthreefulldaysinCambridge,wetravelupto ThePeakDistrict,visi�ngaveryimportant

TheMathema�calBridgeinCambridge

AnearlyphotographofShakespeare'sbirthplace.

archaeologicalsite,showinghow peoplelivedinthefensinthepast.

Thepeakdistrictisanareaofamazing sceneryandachancehereforstudents tocarryouttheirownfieldstudyproject, aswewilltakefourdayshere.Wewill haveadayvisi�ngcavesandmines, includingtheonlyplaceintheworld wheretheamazingBlueJohnisfound andthentherewillbethreedaysforfieldstudy trips.

Suggestedsubjectscouldbetheimpact oftourism,mountainenvironments, rocksandsoils,rivers,renewableenergy, etc..

A�erge�ngtoknowthearea,wewilltravelback downtoLondon,wherewewillhavetwodays visi�ngthesights,beforetheflightbackacrossthe Atlan�c.

Thesetwoexamplesarejustanideaaboutwhat wecandoforgroupsofstudents.Wecanactually arrangetourscoveringanysubject,from ArchaeologytoZoology,andforanylengthofstay. Wecanadapttoanyrequests.

Pleasedofeelfreetocontactmewithyour requirements.

Glynnprovidescustomized,privatetoursandalso helpshisclientstracetheirEnglishfamilyhistory. Pastguestshavevisitedandexperiencedstately housesandgardens,castlesandchurches,ruins andvillages,birdingandwildlife,WorldWarII airfields,andgeneralareatastertourstoo.

Accommoda�onscanbeinalltypesof establishments,fromcharacterbuildingssuchas, thatchedco�agesandcastles,self-cateringorfive starluxury–justsaywhatyouwantanditcanbe arranged.NothingistoomuchtroubleforGlynn! Visit www.Norfolk-Tours.co.uk

ThePeakDistrict,TheFamousGate

TIPSFORFIRSTTIME INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Frompackingtorenewingyour passportandunderstandingthe fineprintintraveldocuments,this episodeofBigBlendRadio's Vaca�onSta�on"HeyWannaGo" TravelShowfeaturesCherylOgle whoshares�psforfirst�me interna�onaltravelers.

Watchhereinthe YouTube player ordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

Cheryl’sTips,asfeaturedin herblogon HeyWannaGo.com:

Tip1:Passport: Yourpassportshouldhavea minimumofsixmonthsandthreeblankpages.This canvary,dependingonwhereyouaretraveling.It isyourresponsibilitytoknowifyouhavethe properdocumenta�ontotravel.

Tip2:Speakingofknowingifyoucantravel…you alsoneedtoknowifyouhavepastlegalissuesthat maypreventyoufromtravelinginterna�onally.Do youhaveaDUIinyourbackground?Youprobably can’tflythroughCanada,visitMexico,theUAE,and othercountries.

Wereyouconvictedofacrime?Maybeyouserved �meandareclearedformanythings,butsome countrieshavetherighttorefuseentrytoyou.I hadaclientwhothoughthislegalissueswerein thepast…butthecountryhewasvisi�ngdisagreed andescortedhimbacktotheU.S.Knowifyoucan travel!

Tip3:Read!Read!Read! Inprepara�onfortravel,I sendmyclientsinvoicesanddocumentstoreview. ItisimportantthatyouREADwhatissent,asthey containinforma�oncri�caltoyourtravels.

Florence,Italy

ByTravelAdvisorCherylOgle

Confirmthespellingofyourname,asitmust matchyourpassport.Checkanddoublecheckthe datesoftraveltomakesureweareallonthesame page.Ialsoprovidemyclientsalengthydocument withtravel�ps.Whilethisisop�onaltoread,it maymakethedifferencebetweenSURVIVINGand THRIVINGduringtravel.Itwillanswerques�ons youhaven’teventhoughtofyet.Thingslike:How doIgetforeigncurrency?Willmycreditcardsbe accepted?CanIusemyphoneabroad?HowdoI pack?

Tip4:Packing: Remember,youwon’tneedthe kitchensinkduringyourtravels.Thinkthrough whatyouNEEDvsWANT.Ifyoucanmanage,using acarry-onbagisidealasyoucanhaveitinyour possessionatall�mes,and,a�erlanding,youwill beheadedtoFUNwithouthavingtowaitfor luggage!

Tip5:Berealis�c. Iworkwithmyclientstomanage theirexpecta�onsandbuildthebesttrip,basedon their�me,budget,andinterests.Youmaynotsee everythingacountryhastooffer,butmygoalisto createapersonalizedi�nerarythatwillleaveyou withalife�meofmemories.

Tip6:PackanextradoseofKINDNESS. Workersin thetourismindustryareinshortsupplyandare doingtheirbest.

OnBigBlendRadioeverythirdWednesday,Cheryl isaworldtraveler,accreditedtraveladvisor,and ownerofHeyWannaGothatspecializesintravelto EuropeandtheUK,aswellasriverandocean cruises.More: h�ps://heywannago.com/

StonehengeinEngland

13TH ANNUAL KIDSTO PARKSDAY

AlwayshostedonthethirdSaturdayofMay,Kidsto ParksDayencourageskidsandfamiliestoget outsideandcreatetheirownadventureat thousandsoflocalparkeventsandprograms. Na�onalParkTrustworkswithci�esandtowns, teachers,families,parkandpubliclandsofficials, andnumeroussponsorsandpartnerstomakethese eventspossible.

ThisepisodeofBigBlendRadiofeaturesIvanLevin, DirectorofStrategicPartnerships& Communica�onsfortheNa�onalParkTrust,who discussestheorganiza�on's13thAnnualKidsTo ParksDay,heldacrossthecountryonMay20,2023. Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

Getinvolvedhere: h�ps://parktrust.org/kids-to-parks-day/

EXPERIENCEWILLAMETTEVALLEY,OREGON

Willame�eValleyfollows theWillame�eRivernorth tosouthforover150miles fromtheMt.Hood TerritoryeastofPortland tojustsouthofEugene.It isaquiltofci�esand townsthatofferunique experiencesforeveryone, fromruralenclavesthat popupbetweenexpanses offarmsandfields,to serenecollegetownswith historicinnsandclassic mainstreets,toci�esalive withcultureandheritage, includingthestatecapital ofSalem.Italsohasthe largestconcentra�onof wineriesandvineyardsinOregon.

ThisepisodeofBigBlendRadio’s2ndTuesday “Food,Wine&Travel”ShowwithIFWTWAfeatures DawnielleTehama,theExecu�veDirectorof Willame�eValleyVisitorsAssocia�on,who discusseswhatthereistoexperienceinbeau�ful Willame�eValley,Oregon.

h�ps://willame�evalley.org/

AllphotoscourtesyofWillame�eValleyVisitors Associa�on

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

Le�CoastEstate,byLaviNair

AlbiquaFalls-bySchrock

Willame�eRiver-bySchrock

MCMINNVILLE’SCHARMS AREMANY

byDebbieStone

NestledintheheartofOregon’s winecountry,justfortymilesfrom Portland,isthecityofMcMinnville. Thoughsmall,withapopula�onof 33,000,thetownisbigonallthings wine,asit’sattheepicenterofthe Willame�eValley,thestate’sfamed winelocale.

Thevalleyboastsnearly250 wineriesandvineyards,whereavid oenophilesflocktotourandtaste. Theyknowtheregion’smoderate climateandvolcanicsoilareidealfor producingaward-winningred,white, rosé,andsparklingwines.

You’llfindthemajorityofthese wineriesandvineyardswithin twentymilesofMcMinnville,butif youwanttostayput,thecity’shistoricdowntown hasanumberoftas�ngroomsofrenowned wineries,includingR.Stuart&Company, Willame�eValleyVineyards,Bri�anVineyard, ElizabethChambersCellar,andothers.Andthey’re allwalkable.

ThenewkidontheblockisTheGrove.Locatedina beau�fullyrestoredoldcoffeeroasterbuildingon 3rdStreet,thistas�ngroomishometotwo acclaimedOregonwineries:Mon�noreEstateand LandlinesEstates.

TravelwriterDebbieStoneonBigBlendRadio:Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

Bothwineriesshareacommitmenttosustainability rootedinbiodynamicandorganicfarming.They takeprideincra�ingwinesthatareexpressionsof theirrespec�veterroirs.

Ifwine’snotyourthing,don’tdespair.Op�ons aboundfromcra�beerstospiritsandcider.The town’scra�beveragesceneismakingwavesas taprooms,dis�lleries,andciderhousescon�nueto open,presen�ngvisitorswithplentyofchoices.

Votedamongthefi�ybestsmall-townmain streets,�nyMcMinnville’sdowntownoffersmuch morethanmeetstheeye.Andbymore,Imean eclec�cshopsandbou�queswithone-of-a-kind handcra�editems,galleries,outdoorart,andof course,cafes,bistros,andothereateries. Findgreatsouvenirsandfooditemsfromthe PacificNorthwestatNWFood&Gi�s.Thestore’s winecollec�onisextensivewithover160labelsof hand-selected,small-runlabeledwinesfrom OregonandWashington.Youcanalsodowine tas�ngsherewithflightsofsixwines.

LaBellaCasaisatroveofhomedécortreasures, children’sclothing,andmore,albeitatadpricey. Gals,youmightwanttostopinatMesAmiesfor thelatestinwomen’sapparelandaccessories.

I’masuckerforindependentbookstoresandspent much�meperusingtheexcellentcollec�onofnew andusedbooksatThirdStreetBooks.

McMinnville’sartsceneisrobustforasmalltown. Andifpeekingintogalleriesandcha�ngwith ar�stsisyourthing,you’reinluck.

Long�meareapainterJohnStrommehashisown galleryandiso�enmanningtheplacesochances areyoumightgettomeethim.Thear�stprimarily usesacrylicashismedium,thoughhedoeslikeoil, too.Hisworkisvaried,everythingfromportraits andlandscapestos�lllife.

CurrentsGalleryisar�st-ownedandoperated, represen�ngworkbymorethansixtylocalar�sts. Ithasawonderfulselec�on,includingpain�ngs anddrawings,handmadecards,jewelry,ceramics, glass,furniture,andclocks.Iwaspar�cularlydrawn toClaudiaHerber’sdecora�vegourdpieces.

AnotherfavoriteofmineisRJPhotographyStudio. Thelocalphotographercapturestheessenceofthe Willame�eValleylandscape.They’reanodetothe region’sloveaffairwithwine.

Asyoustroll,takenoteofthepublicart.Muralsdot thetown,addingsplashesofcolortothecharming,

McMinnvilleCon�nued…

Tas�ngroomsabound

turn-of-the-centurybuildings.Lookforsculpturesin alleysandonlawns.OneofAmerica’sFounding FathersoccupiesthecornerofThirdandDavis. SculptorGaryLeePrice’sbronzeofBenjamin Franklinisamagnetandyoucanseeitsa�rac�on bythenumberofpeopletakingselfieswithdear oldBen.

McMinnvilleevenofferslivestageproduc�onsover atGalleryTheater.Thevenue’s2023season includessuchbelovedshowsas“IntotheWoods,” “Harvey,”“9to5,”“Ma�lda”andmore.

Justashortdrivefromtownareseveralnotable museums.TheEvergreenAvia�on&Space Museumisamustforavia�onfana�cs,aspiring astronauts,andhistorybuffs.Therearetwo separatebuildings,onedevotedtoavia�onandthe othertospace,withawidevarietyofmilitaryand civilianaircra�,unmannedaerialvehicles,and spacecra�ondisplay.

IntheAvia�onMuseum,thestaristheSpruce Goose.Thismegaaircra�wasconceivedduring WWIIwhenGermansubmarinesweresinkingAllied ships,andtherewasaneedtomovetroopsand equipmentacrosstheAtlan�c.HenryKaiseris responsibleforcomingupwiththeideaofa

massiveflyingtransportandlookedtobillionaire aviatorHowardHughestodesignandbuildit.

Six�meslargerthananyaircra�ofits�me,the SpruceGoose,alsoknownastheHughesFlying Boat,isconstructeden�relyofwood,dueto war�mera�oningofmaterialslikesteeland aluminum.ItflewjustonceonNov.2,1947,inLong Beach,CA,li�ingoffthegroundtoaneleva�onof seventyfeetandflyingaboutamilein26seconds. Bythe�meitwascompleted,the$23million,the one-flightwonderwasnolongerneededforthe wareffort.

Inaddi�ontotheSpruceGoose,theAvia�on Museumfeaturesplanesfromthebeginningdays ofavia�on,suchastheWrightFlyerandCur�ss Jenny,tomodernaircra�,withspecificexhibits dedicatedtoTheGoldenAge,Homebuilts,Korean War,WWII,andCivilian.Displaysshowhowplanes firstbecamepopularizedamongfarmersandthen becamemass-producedforbusinessandthe military.

TheSpaceMuseumtakesvisitorsonajourneyfrom earlyrocketrythroughmodernspaceavia�on

today,includingfascina�ngandinforma�veexhibits onthestartoftheSpaceAgeandtheSpaceRaceto theMoon.HighlightsincludeSputnikandExplorer I,MercuryandGeminicapsules,TitanII,Apollo LunarLanderandRover,SpaceShu�lear�facts,the A-10Warthog,andSR-71Blackbird.Comingsoon tothemuseumistheVL3MarsLander,theonly VikingLanderremainingtoday.

RightnextdoortothemuseumisWings&Waves Waterpark.Aseriesofslides,tunnels,andwave poolswillgiveyoutheperfectrush,I’mtold,and it’stheonlyplaceintheworldwhereyoucan experiencewhatit’sliketobarreldownfromthe bellyoftheEvergreen747.I’veputitonthelistfor mynextvisittoMcMinnville,withorwithoutmy grandkids!

Foraflashinthepast,stopatYamhillValley HeritageMuseum,a40,000-square-footcomplex containingdisplaysofthearea’sagriculturalhistory. Amongtheitemsaremorethan100an�que tractors,horse-drawnequipment,buggies,early 1900sautos,andfire-figh�ngequipmentda�ng backtothelate1890s.Youcanalsovisitanoriginal 1880sone-roomschoolhouseandageneralstore, plusaworkingblacksmith.

Getyournaturefixandhikethetrailsaroundthe area,suchasBakerCreekFalls,MillerWoodsLoop, thenaturepathsinJoeDancerPark,andHarvey CreekTrail.Thela�ertakesyouthroughforested areaswithvineyardviews.

Forsomethingabitoutoftheordinary,there’s Erra�cRockStateNaturalSite.Here’swherea90tonrockwasdepositedduringanIceAgeflood.The rockcamefromthenorthernRockyMountainsand floated500-plusmilesinanicebergviathemighty

ColumbiaRiver.Whentheicemelted,therock remained.Thisisthelargestglacialerra�cfoundin theWillame�eValleyanditstandsout,asit’snot thetypeofrocknormallyfoundinOregon.Asignat thebeginningoftheshorttrailexplainstherock’s historyandwhenyoureachit,you’llhaveanice panoramaofthevalley.Justimaginewhatitmust havelookedlikeduringaflood.

Allthisac�vitywillmakeyouhungry.You’reinluck becausethebountyofOregonwinecountry extendstoitsfood.Alongwiththeincreasing numbersofin-townwineriescomegrowing numbersofrestaurantsemphasizingfresh, seasonal,farm-to-tablefare.Theyhavereclaimed historicbuildingsfortheircafes,bakeries,bistros, andfine-diningestablishments.

Forbreakfast,tryCrescentCafé,afamily-owned spotwithfarm-freshentreesincomfydigs.Menu itemsrangefromcrepesandFrenchtoasttohash andeggdishes.Ihadthefriedcornmealwitheggs andtoast.Havingneverhadfriedcornmeal,Ican saywithcertaintyittasteslikepolenta,whichI love.

Atlunch,headtoWildWoodCafé,whereyou’lldine onheartygrubsurroundedbyassortedretro memorabilia.There’severythingfromsandwiches, melts,andburgerstohomemadesoupsandsalads withallthefixings.

Ifyouwanttodinesomewherespecial,makea reserva�onatHumbleSpirit.Therestaurantdoesa commendablejobofcelebra�ngthevalley’s ingredients,showcasingsourcedingredientswitha focusoneverythinglocal.Theyhighlightthework oftheregion’sfarmers,ranchers,fishermen/ women,winemakers,andar�sans.

Erra�cRock

McMinnvilleCon�nued…

Mymealwasscrump�ous,beginningwiththe OregonBayShrimpRolls,followedbyanincredible RoastCarrotSalad.Thepiecederesistancewasthe WholeTrout.Andfordessert,myhusbandandI splittheRoastedPearwithwinesyrup,fennel crumble,andwhippedcream.Fullysated,we waddledoutoftheplaceandtookawalkaround towntodigestourmemorablemeal.

Thereareampleaccommoda�onsinMcMinnville andmanyofthemareunique.Historicandquirky proper�esarealwaysofinteresttomeandwhenI heardaboutMcMenaminsHotelOregon,I immediatelyknewIwantedtostaythere.

Thebuilding,whichdatesbackto1905,wasjust twostoriesini�allyandborethenameHotel Elberton.Twomorefloorswereaddedin subsequentyearsandthenamechangedtoHotel Oregonin1932.Seventeenyearslater,newowners builtanapartmentonthetopfloorastheirhome. In1967,thehotelroomswereclosedtothepublic, butbusinessesoccupyingthefirstfloorkept thrivingun�lMcMenaminsboughttheplaceand beganrenova�ngitin1999.

Thehotelwasalivelyplaceinitsheydaywith numerousbusinessesoccupyingitsstorefronts, frombeautyparlorsandphotographystudiostoa WesternUnionOffice,dancelounge,andsoda fountain.Itwasahubinthecommunity,a�rac�ng youngandold,withacastofcolorfulcharacters whomadeittheirhangout.

McMenaminslovinglytransformedthis McMinnvillelandmark,breathingnewlifeintothe propertywithaninfusionofartwork,murals, vigne�es,andhistoricphotos,whileretainingthe richwooddetail,archedwindows,artdecofixtures, andmore.Theyreopenedallfourfloorsforlodging, dining,andevents,andcrownedthebuildingwitha one-of-a-kindroo�opbarthatoffersstunningvistas fromdowntowntothedistantCoastRange.

Forthosestayingatthehotel(oranyoneelsefor thatma�er),McMenaminsPubisaneasydining op�on.Breakfast,lunch,anddinnerentrees emphasizeseasonalandhousemadedaily special�es.Intheevening,wanderovertothe ParagonLoungeandenjoyacocktailorglassof wine,withtheen�cementoflivemusicon ThursdaythroughSaturdaynights.Orheadupfour storiestothatlegendaryroo�opbarforyour liba�on.You’llfeellikeyou’reinadifferent stratosphereorperhapsacloudbankasyousipon yourMcMenamins-madebeer.

Eachofthehotel’sguestroomscelebratesa characterorcharactersassociatedwiththehotelor community.Someoftheroomshavecommon privatebathroomsdownthehall,othersshare bathroomsbetweenadjoiningrooms,whilethe suiteshavetheirownprivatebathroomsandcomfy si�ngareas.Originalartadornstheroomssothat notwoarealike.

Friedcornmeal,eggsandtoastatCrescentCafe

DeliciousdinneratHumbleSpirit

Istayedinroom203,whichisdesignatedforOllie RuffnerWhite.Describedasadiminu�vewoman, Olliewasresponsibleforthecanningopera�onsat thefamily’sfarm.Thisopera�onproducedjarsand jarsoffruitpreserves,whichwerestoredinthe hotel’sbasementforlateruse.

OthercharactersincludeMcMinnville newspapermanandcivicleaderPhilBladine,who wasresponsibleforge�ngthenowfamousUFO storyouttotheworld(moreonthatlater);sisters JoyceandIvaWidness,who“twistedhair”onthe firstfloorofthehotelformanyyears;HeckHarper, theRoyRogersofPortland;LoisDeever,hotelclerk extraordinaireofthe1940s;RosieWadersky,hotel chambermaidfortwentyplusyears;BillPowell, respec�veMcMinnvillereporterwhocoveredsaid UFOstory,andmany,manymore.

AsforthisUFOstory,theeventhappenedin1950. LocalresidentEvelynTrentwasfeedingtheanimals onherfarmwhenshespo�edadisc-likeobjectin theeveningsky.Shewentinsidetoalerther husband,PaulTrent,whograbbedhiscameraand wasabletosnapapairofpicsbeforetheobject disappeared.Ofcourse,thephotoswentviral, igni�ngamediafrenzy.Andtheso-called “McMinnvilleUFO”earnedthetownaspecial notorietythathasbeenembracedandcelebrated everyyearsince.

EachMay(thisyearthedatesareMay19-20, 2023),thousandsofvisitorsflocktoMcMinnvilleto a�endthefamedMcMenaminsUFOFest.The celebra�onfeaturesaUFOparade,expert speakers,livemusic,apetcostumecontest,and more.Thisevent,whichbeganatHotelOregon, wasconceivedasawaytohonortheTrentsigh�ng. It’sevolvedtobecomesecondinpopularityonlyto theUFOfestinRoswell,NM.Soifyoucravesome goodoldsupernaturalfun,markyourcalendars now!

Ifyougo: www.visitmcminnville.com

www.mcmenamins.com/hotel-oregon

DebbieStoneisanestablishedtravelwriterand columnist,andregularcontributorforBigBlend RadioandBigBlendMagazines,whocrossesthe globeinsearchofuniquedes�na�onsand experiencestosharewithherreadersandlisteners. She’sanavidexplorerwhowelcomesnew opportuni�estoincreaseawarenessand enthusiasmforplaces,culture,food,history, nature,outdooradventure,wellness,andmore. Hertravelshavetakenhertonearly100countries andallsevencon�nents.

McMinnvilleCon�nued…

BenFranklinBronze

UFOFestpostersatHotelOregon

TRAVEL MEDFORD, OREGON

Wine,Sports&TheGreatOutdoors

Fromaward-winningwineriestoincredibleoutdoor recrea�onandathle�csportsopportuni�es,this episodeofBigBlendRadio's2ndFriday"Food, Wine&TravelShow"withtheInterna�onalFood WineandTravelWritersAssocia�onfeaturesTJ Holmes&AshleyCatesofTravelMedfordin

Oregon'sRogueValley.Hearwhatthereisto experienceinMedfordandtheRogueValleythis springandearlysummer.Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

Planyourvisitat: h�ps://www.travelmedford.org/

Youareinvitedtocelebratethe secondannualCaliforniaState ParksWeek,June14-18,presented byCaliforniaStateParks,Savethe RedwoodsLeague,andParks CaliforniaandCaliforniaState ParksFounda�on.

Throughspecialcommunityevents andin-personandvirtual programming,thisweek-longevent celebratesCalifornia’s280state parksandthepeoplewhovisitand helpprotecttheseiconicplaces. Acompletelistoftheweek’s eventsandhowtopar�cipateare availableat www.CAStateParksWeek.org

“Weareexcitedtohostthesecond annualCaliforniaStateParksWeek andbuilduponlastyear’s inauguralsuccesses,”saidArmandoQuintero, directorofCaliforniaStateParks.“CaliforniaState ParksWeekservesasareminderthatstateparks belongtoallwhocallCaliforniahome.Everyone deservestoenjoythem,tostayhealthyandac�ve, findinspira�onandconnectwithnatureandareas ofculturalsignificance.”

Launchedin2022,CaliforniaStateParksWeek offersafullweekofspeciallythemeddayswithinpersonandvirtualac�vi�esandeventsinparks acrossthestate.Initsinauguralyear,California StateParksweekwelcomedvisitorstoall280parks topar�cipateinmorethan143eventsstatewide.

OnBigBlendRadio: JessicaCarter,DirectorofParksand PublicEngagementfortheSaveTheRedwoodsLeague, discussesthe2ndAnnualCaliforniaStateParksWeek. Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.com.

JuliaPfeifferBurnsStateBeach

CaliforniaStateParksWeekadvancestheOutdoor AccessForAllini�a�vechampionedbyGov.Gavin NewsomandFirstPartnerJenniferSiebelNewsom, aswellastheCaliforniaOutdoorsForAllini�a�ve. Theseeffortsexpandoutdooraccesstoall Californiansthroughfocusedinvestmentsinopen spaceinfrastructure,outdoorprogramming,and improvementstopermitapplica�ons,witha prioritytoexpandaccessinunder-served communi�es.

WhyCaliforniaStateParksWeek?

California’s280stateparkunitspreserveand protectthestate’snaturalandculturalhistory.In recentyears,ithasbecomeabundantlyclearthat publiclandsplayacri�calroleinmaking communi�esstronger,happierandhealthier.Our sharedparksareplaceswhereeveryonecan connectwithnatureandfindinspira�onandjoy.

CaliforniaStateParksWeekisafunwayto celebratethewonderandsenseofcommunitythat theoutdoorsprovidetoCaliforniansandvisitors fromallovertheworld.

WeareexcitedtocelebrateCaliforniaStateParks Weekandonceagainencourageaccesstosomany joyfulexperiencesandbenefitsofnature,”said SamHodder,presidentandCEOofSavethe RedwoodsLeague."Researchhasconfirmedthe manyhealthbenefitsofge�ngoutside,beingin natureandexperiencingawe.

California’sstateparksaretheaccesspointtothese experiencesforeveryone,whetherthey’restanding atthefootofamajes�credwood,hikingtoaridge topvistaorge�ngimmersedinhistoryatacultural heritagesite.”

CaliforniaStateParksprotectthebestofthestate’s naturalandculturalhistory;morethan340milesof coastline;thetallest,largestandamongtheoldest treesintheworld;anddeserts,lakes,riversand beaches.Across280parksstatewide,thereare morethan5,200milesoftrails,and15,000 campsites,prehistoricandhistoricarchaeological sites,ghosttowns,historichomesandmonuments —allwai�ngtobeexplored.

“CaliforniaStateParksWeekhighlightsthemany benefitsparkshavetooffertothecommunity,”said KindleyWalshLawlor,presidentandCEOofParks California.“Fromopportuni�estolearnabout historyandbiodiversitytoexploringthesescenic spaceswithfamily,weareexcitedtocelebratewith communi�esacrossCalifornia.”

“ForthesecondannualCaliforniaStateParksWeek, wearecelebra�ngwellness,stewardship, communityandadventure,”saidRachelNorton, execu�vedirectorofCaliforniaStateParks Founda�on.“Theseareallgi�sthatourincredible stateparkssystemgivesCalifornianstoenjoyeach andeverydayoftheyear.”

PointLobosStateNaturalReserve

StateParksCon�nued….

CALIFORNIASTATEPARKSWEEK2023THEMEDDAYS:

Wednesday,June14: ExploreNewExperiencesWith280stateparksthatoffereverythingfromthe magicofancientredwoodforeststoepicbeach days,weencourageeveryonetovisitastatepark andtrysomethingnew.Curiousaboutcamping,or adventureslikesurfing,boa�ngoroff-roading? Everhikedtothetopofaridgeorlearnedabout ecologyonaninterpre�vehike?CaliforniaState ParksWeekisyourinvita�ontoexploreanew ac�vity—oranewpark—youmightfallinlove with.

Thursday,June15: NourishYourHealthandWellbeing-Studieshaveshownthat�meinnaturecan boostourphysical,mental,andemo�onalwellbeing.California’sstateparksgiveallofusplaces wherewecanfindrefuge,inspira�on,challenges andjoy.

Friday,June16: SupportClimateResilienceCalifornia’sforests,oceans,grasslands,andother ecosystemsarenotjustbeau�ful—theystore hugeamountsofcarbon,makingthemsomeofthe mostpowerfultoolsinadap�ngtoclimatechange.

Saturday,June17: CelebrateCommunityand Culture-California’sstateparksareforeveryone. Wereaffirmthistruthbyeleva�ngtheperspec�ves andexperiencesofcommuni�esthathave historicallybeenunderrepresentedinpubliclands. Joinusforcelebra�onsandculturaleventsthat honorBlack,Indigenousandcommuni�esofcolor atparksstatewide.

Sunday,June18: CareforOurSharedLands-It takesourfullcommunitytocareforpubliclands. Partnersandvolunteersarevitaltokeeping California’sstateparksystemhealthy,beau�fuland richinbiodiversity.Discoverhowyoucanget involvedineffortstoprotectandsteward California’sstateparks—asaprofessionalstaff member,volunteer,partneroroneofmanyother opportuni�es.

Weinviteyoutoexploreaparknearyouandlearn abouthowtosupportCaliforniaStateParksandits partners’effortstoexpandprotectedareasand restoreforestsandwetlandstobuildresiliencein thelandscapesthathelpprotectusall.

ForafulllistofCaliforniaStateParksWeekPrograms,visit

RedRockCanyonStatePark

Spring&SummerFuninTulareCounty

TheHeartofCalifornia’sSequoiaCountry

HometoSequoiaandKingsCanyonNa�onalParks, theGiantSequoiaNa�onalMonumentandSequoia Na�onalForest,TulareCountyisknownas California’sSequoiaCountry,andmakesfora fabulousdes�na�onofferingavarietyofoutdoor ac�vi�es,acalendarfullofarteventsandseasonal fes�vals,andaneclec�cselec�onofshoppingand diningopportuni�esintheparkgateway communi�esofThreeRivers,Exeter,Visalia, Porterville,Tulare,Lindsay,Woodlake,andDinuba. EastofFresno,theareaisaneasy4–5-hourdrive fromtheSanFranciscoBayAreaand3-4hours fromLosAngeles.

ThisepisodeofBigBlendRadio’s1stThursday “TravelTulareCounty”ShowwiththeSequoia TourismCouncilfocusesonlatespringandearly summerfuninthecommuni�esthatmakeup California’sSequoiaCountry.FeaturedGuestsfrom theSequoiaTourismCouncilincludeDonne�eSilva Carter-TulareChamberofCommerce,Suzanne Bianco–VisitVisalia,andDeniseAlonzo–Sequoia Na�onalForest&GiantSequoiaNa�onal Monument.Watchhereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcaston Podbean

MooneyGroveParkinVisalia

OwnerofWood“N”Horse TrainingStablesandan awardedCaliforniaTopTrainer, ChristyWoodalsooffersWorld ChampionShowTrainingfor English&WesternPerformance Horses,Clinics,andTrainingfor MountainTrails.

JudgeChristyWoodforaTrailRidein ThreeRivers,GatewaytoSequoia NationalPark!

PalmSpringsPreferredSmallHotels(PSPSH)isan associa�onofindependentlyownedbou�que hotels,whichareanessen�alpartofthisSouthern Californiadesertresorttown’suncommonculture andeconomy.Fromquirkytocharming,midcenturymoderntoclothing-op�onal,PalmSprings PreferredSmallHotelshasyourstay,andyoucan hearallaboutitonBigBlendRadio’s“Sunshine Stays”Show.

Airingevery2nd Saturday,thispopularpodcast coversthedifferentbou�quehotels,andwhatto experienceinPalmsSpringsincludingseasonal eventsandac�vi�es,thearea’srichandvibrant history,publicartandgalleries,midcentury-modern architecture,vintageandspecialtyshopping,spas, outdooradventures,restaurants,entertainment, andmore.

FollowsarethreeofthelatestSunshineStays podcastscoveringremoteworkdes�na�ons, roman�cescapes,andlocalspring/summer ac�vi�es.Youcanalsokeepupwiththeupcoming episodeson YouTube orlisten/downloadthe podcastson Acast.com

.Andofcourse,planyour PalmSpringsSunshineStayat Authen�cPalmSprings.com.

Thiswebsitetakesyourighttoeachhotel’sbooking enginesothatyoumaybookdirectly,andyoucan alsosubscribetoPSPSH’smonthly“Bou�quely PalmSprings”e-newsle�ertokeepupwithlocal eventsandac�vi�es,andseasonaldiscounts,and lodgingfeatures.

TheHacienda-WestPoolwithMountainViews

SunshineandRomanceatLosArbolesHotel

SPRINGFLINGINPALMSPRINGS:KIMBERLIMUNKRES

Fromrelaxingpoolsidetosippingcocktails, rockingoutatconcerts,exploringthegreat outdoors,andsavoringuniquedining experiences,thisepisodefeaturesKimberli Munkres,representa�veofPalmSprings PreferredSmallHotels,whodiscusseswhatthere

istoexperiencethisspringinPalmSprings, California.

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownload thepodcaston Acast.com.

WORK,STAY&PLAYINPALMSPRINGS:ALCAZARHOTEL

A�endingaConferenceorBusinessRetreatinPalm Springs?Ormaybeyou'relookingforasunnyand relaxingdes�na�ontoworkremotely?It'sallabout MixingBusinesswithPleasureinSunnyPalm SpringsonthisepisodewithKimberliMunkres, representa�veofPalmSpringsPreferredSmall Hotels,andRobertHunt,GeneralManagerof AlcazarHotelPalmSprings.

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Acast.com.

FormoreaboutAlcazarHotelPalmSprings,visit h�ps://alcazarpalmsprings.com

DESERTMODERNISMINPALMSPRINGS

PalmSpringsCon�nued…

It'sallaboutMid-CenturyModernArchitecturein SunnyPalmSpringsonthisepisodewithMichael GreenofTriangleInn,KurtCyrofPalmSpringsMod SquadArchitecture&DesignTours,andjournalist KathyCondon.

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Acast.com

FormoreaboutTriangleInn,visit h�ps://www.triangle-inn.com/

FormoreaboutPalmSpringsModSquad Architecture&DesignTours,visit h�ps://www.psmodsquad.com/

KeepupwithjournalistandtravelwriterKathy Condonat h�p://www.palmspringsinsiderguide.com/

ROMANTICSTAYSINPALMSPRINGS

It'sallaboutRoman�cStaysinSunnyPalmSprings onthisepisodewith KimberliMunkres, representa�veofPalmSpringsPreferredSmall Hotels,SteveSiehlfromTheHaciendaatWarm Sands,andKarinaCastanedaofLosArbolesHotel andElMirasolRestaurants.

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Acast.com.

FormoreaboutTheHaciendaatWarmSands, visit h�ps://thehacienda.com/ FormoreaboutLosArbolesHotel,visit h�ps://losarboleshotel.com/

DEGRAZIAGALLERYINTHESUN

“Thegallerywasdesignedbyme.I wantedtohavethefeelingofthe Southwest.Iwantedtobuilditso thatmypain�ngswouldfeelgood inside.” –E�ore“Ted”DeGrazia

DeGraziaGalleryintheSunisa 10-acrehistoricdistrictinthe foothillsofTucson’sSantaCatalina Mountains.Itwasdesignedandbuilt fromthegroundupbyTedDeGrazia whoachievedworldwideacclaimfor hiscolorfulpain�ngsofna�ve culturesoftheSonorandesert.

Usingtradi�onaladobebrickscra�ed on-site,DeGraziabuiltthegalleryso hispain�ngs“wouldfeelgood inside.”Openedin1965,thegallery ishometoover15,000DeGrazia originalsincludingoilpain�ngs,watercolors, ceramics,andsculptures.Therearesixpermanent collec�onsondisplayandseveralrota�ng exhibi�onseachyear.AlimitednumberofDeGrazia originalsareavailableforpurchase,whilethegi� shopandonlinestoreoffersawidevarietyof popularDeGraziareproduc�ons.

ThegroundsalsofeaturetheMissionintheSun, thear�st’soriginalhome,hisgravesite,andthe Li�leGallerythathostsvisi�ngar�stsduringthe wintermonths.

DeGraziaGalleryintheSunismaintainedbythe DeGraziaFounda�on,whichwasestablishedbythe ar�stbeforehisdeathtoensurethepreserva�onof hisbelovedgalleryandpermanentexhibi�onsofhis workforgenera�onstocome.Itislistedonthe Na�onalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.Itisamust-see galleryforthoseinterestedinart,architecture,and southwesthistory,andsharestheinspiringand fascina�ngstoryofanar�stwhoignored boundariesandthrivedonbeingauthen�cand independentincrea�vity.

AnArt&ArchitectureDestinationinTucson,Arizona

LanceLaberonBigBlendRadio:Listenhereinthe YouTube player ordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

AlonebyDeGrazia

DeGraziaUnderground:MinersandProspectorsof theOldWest” –Minersandprospectorsoftheold Westarethesubjectofthisnewexhibit.Thisnew selec�onofdrawingsandoilpain�ngsbyTucson ar�stTedDeGraziadatesfrom1936to1972.

“OntheTrailwithTedDeGrazia” –Da�ngfrom 1948to1972,ridersonhorsebackarefeaturedthis newexhibit.Thesepain�ngsincludecowboys, Na�veAmericans,andMexicanrevolu�onaries.

“AbstractPain�ngsofTedDeGrazia” –Arare collec�onofabstractworkbyTucsonar�stTed DeGraziaisfeaturedin“AbstractPain�ngsofTed DeGrazia”.Beginningwithhismaster’sthesis pain�ngsinthemid-1940’sandcon�nuingthrough themid-1950’s,theseworksrangefromsmall sketchesandstudiestolargeformatpain�ngsand screenprints.

“TheWayoftheCross” –Theannualshowingof TedDeGrazia’s“TheWayoftheCross”isondisplay throughLentwith15originaloilpain�ngsthat depictthesufferingandcrucifixionofChrist.

Insteadofthetradi�onal14Sta�onsoftheCross, DeGrazia’scollec�onculminateswiththe resurrec�on.“Ineverthoughtthecyclewouldbe completedunlesswehadthe15thsta�onwhere Jesusarisesinglory,”thear�stexplainedona15minuteaudiotapethataccompaniestheexhibi�on.

TheDeGraziaGalleryintheSunisOpenDailyfrom 10am–4pm,andislocatedat6300NorthSwan, Tucson,AZ85718.Admission:Adults$8,Students 12-18years$5,childrenunder12arefree.Yearlongpassis$25.Forup-to-dateeventandexhibit informa�on,call(520)299-9191or(800)545-2185, orvisit www.DeGrazia.org

ListentoBigBlendRadio’snew“TalesofTed DeGrazia”Podcastthatairsevery4th Sundayon Acasy.comat

h�ps://shows.acast.com/ar�st-ted-degrazia

ONDISPLAYNOWUNTILAUGUST30,2023:

Sta�onIXbyDeGrazia

Ar�stTedDeGrazia

EXPERIENCETHE WONDER&BEAUTY OFANTELOPE CANYON

byDebbieStone

ONBIGBLENDRADIO:TravelwriterDebbieStonesharesherArizona adventuresinAntelopeCanyonandHorseshoeBend.Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean

AntelopeCanyonisthemost-visitedandmostphotographedslotcanyonintheSouthwest.This naturalmasterpiece,whichgotitsnamefromlocal Navajostoriesregardingtheherdsofpronghorns thatusedtowanderinthearea,islocatednear Page,Arizona.It’sasacredmonumentofthe NavajopeopleandaNavajoTribalPark,which meansyoucanonlyseeitwithanauthorized Navajotourguide.

Thecanyonhadbeenonmybucketlistforawhile, andIfinallygottheopportunitytovisititduringa roadtripthroughnorthernAZ.Thoughthe countlessphotosandInstagrampicsofthisgem,as wellastheWindows7screensaverthatrocketedit intothefamestratosphere,arealluring,Icana�est theydon’thavethesamemesmerizingeffectas seeingitinperson.

KnownbytheNavajoas“Theplacewherewater runsthroughtherocks,”AntelopeCanyonis comprisedoftwoseparatecanyons–Upperand Lower–andyoucantouroneortheotherorboth, asIdid.UpperAntelopeisknownas“TheCrack” becauseit’sshapedlikeanA,narrowatthetopand wideratthebo�om.Thisdesigniswhatcreatesthe strikinglightbeamsthatoccurwhenthesunis beingprojectedontothecanyonfloor,an occurrencethatisbestviewedinthesummer monthsduringmidday.It’stheseiconiclightbeams thathavemadeUpperAntelopelegendary worldwide.

LowerAntelope,knownas“TheCorkscrew,”isthe opposite.IthasaVshape,wideatthetopand narrowatthebo�om.Thoughitdoesn’thavethe eerielightbeameffect,inmyopinion,it’sequally asbreathtakingasitssibling.

Thisstunning,colorfulsandstoneforma�onwas createdbylayersofrain,wind,anderosion,a processthattookmillionsofyears.Itswallsstand upto120feetabovethestreambed,whilethe canyonitselfissituatedabout3,700feetabovesea level.Itgetsitsvaryingshadesofvividorangeand redhuesfromtheironoxidedepositsthatwere mixedinwiththewindblownsands.

SueTsosiediscoveredthecanyonwhileherding sheepasayoungDinégirlbackin1931.Icanonly imaginehersurpriseandamazementupon stumblingacrossit,andhowsheproceededto describeittoherfamily.Wordssimplydon’tdoit jus�ce.Fi�ngly,today,Sue’sdaughterCaroline operatestoursofthecanyon.

ThemajorityofpeoplevisitUpperCanyonifthey onlyhave�metoseeoneofthecanyons,duetoits massivepopularity.You’llstartyourtouratthetour company’soffice,whereyou’llboardavehiclefor theridetotheentranceofthecanyon.Thenyour driver/guideescortsyouthroughthecanyonfora quarterofamilewalk,asheexplainsitsgeology andgives�psontakingthebestphotos.

UpperCanyonViews

Thecanyonbo�omiswideandsandyandeasyto navigate.You’llspendlessthananhourinthe canyonandattheend,you’llexitandwalkdowna seriesofstairsandrampstoreturntothevehicle.

AfewthingstonoteaboutUpperCanyon:Sinceit’s morepopular,it’smoreexpensivethantheLower andmorecrowdedasyoucanexpect.Tourscanget backedupandyoumightfeellikeyou’rebeing herdedaroundwithnotmuch�metofullyenjoy thesights.Anotherpointtoconsideristhatif you’renotvisi�ngduringpeak�mes,youprobably won’tgettoseethelightbeams.

IwasinthecanyoninlateOctoberandalthoughI didn’tgettoexperiencethisphenomenon,Is�ll wasdazzledbythedrama�ccolorsandtextures andcouldn’tstoptakingpicturesofthissurrealand uniqueenvironment.Icouldn’tgetoverhowthe wallsseemedtoundulateasIwalkedthroughthe labyrinthofcorridors.

Ifyou’relookingforanadventurewithmorerugged terrain,headtoLowerCanyon.DuetoitsV-shape, you’llhavetosqueezethroughnarrowpassages, climboverrocksandgoupanddownseveral ladders.Theexperienceismoreofahikewithsome funobstacles,andyoumightjustfeellikeyou’rein ascenefromanIndianaJonesfilm.Addi�onally, thecanyonisbrighterandwhenthesunhitsthe walls,itcreatesitsownspeciallighteffectsonthe wave-likesandstoneforms.

Tourslastabout1.5hours,thesameasthoseof UpperCanyon,butyou’llgettospendmore�mein

thecanyonitselfsincethetourstartsonlysteps awayfromwhereyouparkyourcaratthe company’soffice.Thepaceisslowerduetofewer people,soyou’llbeabletotakeyour�measyou explorethisotherworldlyplace.Andtotopitoff, tourscostabouthalfofthoseofUpperCanyon.

I’mgladIdidbothUpperandLower,astheyoffer differentexperiences,butbothguaranteeyou’llsee incrediblerockforma�onsinakaleidoscopeof colors.

Ifyougo:

*Reserveyourtourinadvance,especiallyifyou’re doingUpperCanyon,astheygetbookedupquickly. *Thereareseveralcompaniesthatdotoursof UpperCanyon:AdventurousAntelopeCanyon Tours,AntelopeSlotCanyonTours,Antelope CanyonTours,andAntelopeCanyonNavajoTours *TherearetwocompaniesthatdotoursofLower Canyon:Dixie’sLowerAntelopeCanyonToursand Ken’sTours.

DebbieStoneisanestablishedtravelwriterand columnist,andregularcontributorforBigBlend RadioandBigBlendMagazines,whocrossesthe globeinsearchofuniquedes�na�onsand experiencestosharewithherreadersandlisteners. She’sanavidexplorerwhowelcomesnew opportuni�estoincreaseawarenessand enthusiasmforplaces,culture,food,history,nature, outdooradventure,wellness,andmore.Hertravels havetakenhertonearly100countriesandallseven con�nents.

LowerCanyonView

AntelopeCanyonCon�nued…

Bed&BreakfastDes�na�onsAcrosstheLandofEnchantment

NewMexicoisabeau�fulandvariedstate,with spectacularmountains,astonishingrock forma�ons,ancientpueblosandcliffdwellings, intriguingdesertareas,andlotsofpre-historicand OldWesthistory.

WhenplanningyourtriptoNewMexico,make reserva�onsatoneoftheNewMexicoBed& BreakfastAssocia�on’sinspectedandapproved bedandbreakfastsorinns.Theseinnkeepersknow NewMexico’ssecretsandareexcitedtoshare themwithyouduringyourstaywiththem.They havelocalknowledgeandwilldirectyoutothe bestplacestovisitandexplore,thebestplacesto hikeandbird,thebestdining,thebestshopping.

WhenyoustayinaNewMexicoBed&Breakfast Associa�oninn,youcanbesureyourlodgingisas uniqueanddiverseasNewMexicoitself.O�en furnishedwithSouthwesternartsandcra�s,each innprovidesadeligh�ulinsideviewoftheculture andpeoplesintheLandofEnchantment.Walk acrosslocallywovenrugs,snuggleunderahandcra�edquilt,viewextraordinaryart,andawaketo afreshlypreparedbreakfast.

Savorflavorfuldisheshighligh�ngtherich,varied, andlocallygrowningredientsofNewMexico.

Chooseanadobecasita,historichacienda,an elegantVictorianinn,orawonderfulfamilyhome andtakeinNewMexico’sspectacularazureskies, breathtakingmountainviews,andTechnicolor sunsets.Ourruralinnsoffereveningstargazing, scenicgrandeur,andthelullabyofnature’ssounds. Checkintooneofthemanycharminginnsinthe heartoftownandyouwillfindthehistoricstreets ofSantaFe,Taos,orOldTownAlbuquerqueatyour doorstep.

SharinganoverviewofBed&Breakfastlodgingand travelexperiencesinNewMexico,BigBlendRadio hoststhe2ndThursday“NewMexicoBed& BreakfastAssocia�on”Showwithvarious innkeepers.Followsaresomeofourrecent podcastswithinnkeepersfromacrossthestate.

StayNewMexicoTrueand

Visit: h�ps://www.nmbba.org/

TheBobcatInninSantaFe

CASAESCONDIDA&THEBOBCATINN

ThisepisodefeaturesKimSanchezofCasa EscondidaBed&BreakfastinChimayo,andRyan MillerofTheBobcatInnBed&BreakfastinSanta Fe.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean. Visittheirrespec�vewebsitesat h�ps://casaescondida.com/ and h�ps://www.bobca�nn.com/

BOTTGERMANSION&CASITASDEGILA

ThisepisodefeaturesKathyHia�-Bo�gerMansion ofOldTowninAlbuquerque,andBeckyO’ConnorCasitasdeGilaGuesthousesinGila,nearSilverCity. Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

Visittheirrespec�vewebsitesat h�ps://bo�ger.com/ and h�ps://www.casitasdegila.com/

NewMexicoCon�nued…

ThisepisodefeaturesChris�neScypinski,owner andinnkeeperofAdobe&PinesInnBed& BreakfastupinTaos.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

Visitherwebsiteat h�ps://adobepines.com/

ELOPEMENTS,SMALLWEDDINGS&HONEYMOONS

ThisepisodefeaturesKimatCasaEscondidain Chimayo,andSherryattheInnoftheTurquoise BearinSantaFe.Listenhereinthe YouTube player ordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

Visittheirrespec�vewebsitesat h�ps://casaescondida.com/ and h�ps://www.turquoisebear.com/

AttheheartofNewMexico beatsthepulseofavibrant city.InAlbuquerque,diverse cultures,authen�cartand �melesstradi�onshave helpedshapeourcenturiesoldstory.

Noma�eryourinterests,the cityhascountless opportuni�esforyouto explore.

Experiencetheoldest wine-growingregioninthe country.Sampletradi�onal NewMexicancuisinethat takesminutestomakeand hundredsofyearstoprepare.

Soarhighabovethecityinthehotairballooning capitaloftheworld—asightsuretochangeyour perspec�ve.

ThisepisodeofBigBlendRadiofeaturesBrenna Moore,PR&Communica�onsManagerforVisit

Albuquerque,whoshareswhatthereisto experienceinbeau�fulandculturallydiverse Albuquerque,NewMexico.

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownload thepodcaston Podbean.

PlanyourAlbuquerqueadventureat h�ps://www.visitalbuquerque.org/

WHYVENTUREINTOCOASTALMISSISSIPPI?

ByLisaEvans,authorof “100ThingstoDoInCoastalMississippi BeforeYouDie!”

ExperiencetheUnique&Interesting

Many�mes,sinceIrelocatedto CoastalMississippi,Ihavebeen askedthisques�on.Most�mes,it isfromapersonthathasnotvisited thisareaandjudgesittooquickly basedonerroneousinforma�on fromotherdisheartenedsouls.Or becauseofsomethingtheyhave seenorreadwhichcouldquite possiblybeseverelybiasedand one-sided.Iwouldliketotakethis opportunitytoofferyousome insightintotheallurethatis CoastalMississippi.

Astheauthorofthebook“100 ThingsToDoInCoastalMississippi

BeforeYouDie,”myresearchand informa�ongatheringpresentedmewitha wonderfulopportunitytolearnandexploremany aspectsofmyadoptedhome.Fromfoodand beverage,musicandentertainment,sportsand recrea�on,cultureandhistory,tofinallyshopping andfashion.WhatIfoundwastherealiza�onthis areaisabundantwithuniqueandinteres�ng–for localsandtouristsalike.Letmesharejustafew.

FoodandBeverage

DidyouknowthatBiloxiwasonceknownasthe seafoodcapitaloftheworld?Ourfishingand marineindustriesarewovendeepintothehistory ofthearea.Theupsidetothisisofcoursethefact thatCoastalMississippiboastssomeofthe absolutebestseafoodrestaurantsinthecountry.

Wehaverestaurantsthatarefamilyownedand operatedfordecades.Perhapsyou’veheardof someofthecelebri�esorpresidentsthathave casuallydinedatMaryMahoney’salongsideallthe otherpatronsthereforthenight.Wehave establishmentsthatarenewandtrendy,which servefabulousfood,andhavebeennominatedfor manyJamesBeardFounda�onawards.Wehave manybeachside,casualrestaurantsthatserveyou tastytreatswithastunningviewofourcoastline.

Whateveryou’reinthemoodfor,you’llfindaplace tosa�sfythathungerinCoastalMississippi.

LisaEvansonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube player ordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

MusicandEntertainment

Beinghometonumerouscasinohotelsandresorts allalongourcoastgivesourareatheadvantageof offeringhigh-quality,LasVegas-stylegamingwith perfectviews.Eachcasinoisindividual,offering accesstonotonlyslots,sportsbooks,andtable games,butmanyotherameni�esaswell.

Wehaveothersourcesofmusicandentertainment aswell.TheMississippiCoastColiseumand Conven�onCenterhostssomeofthebiggest namesintheentertainmentindustry.Thenewly openedGroundZeroBiloxiBluesClubbringsthe heartandsoulofbluesmusictodowntownBiloxi. Inkeepingwiththebluesmusictheme,wehave severaltrialmarkersontheMississippiBluesTrail onthecoast.

Manyofthecoastalci�eshavevibrantdowntown areasandsomehostgatheringsmul�ple�mesa year.Wearealsowellknownforourfes�vals.We hostthebiggestblockpartyinthecountry–Cruisin’theCoast,withthousandsandthousands ofclassiccars.MardiGrasisanotherbig celebra�onandfes�valinourarea,aswellasthe HummingbirdFes�val,SeafoodFes�val,and CrawfishFes�val.

SportsandRecrea�on

Whilewehavemanyindoorac�vi�esforoneto enjoyinourarea,withourproximitytothe MississippiSoundandtheGulfofMexico,weare anoutdoordes�na�on.Whateverexcursionyou wanttoexperienceonornearthewater,wecan accommodate.Fishing,sailing,playing,andrelaxing onthebeach–allcanbedoneformostoftheyear, duetoourtemperateclimate.Whileyoumaynot beabletotaketheferryouttoShipIslandtwelve monthsayear,it’sclose.Goonadolphincruiseor asunsetcruise.

Takesailonaschoonershipandfeelthe exhilara�onasyouglideoverthewater.Visitthe MississippiAquarium,GulfIslandsWaterPark, Ins�tuteforMarineMammalStudies,orthe INFINITYSpaceCenter.Perhapsyou’dliketosee somewildlifeattheGulfCoastGatorRanchorthe MississippiSandhillCraneRefuge.Be�eryet,goon theMys�cGhostBoatandWalkingTourandfeel theancientspiritsallaround.Somuchtodo,so li�le�me!Thereisalwaysanadventureawai�ng you.

BackPorchInsideGroundZeroBiloxi©LisaEvans

SeafoodFes�val-BlueCrab

MississippiCon�nued…

MardiGrasMuseumBiloxi©LisaEvans

MississippiAquarium©LisaEvans

CultureandHistory

Historybreathestoyouthroughthewallsofaplace like100MenHalloroneofthehistorichomesin ourarea.PerhapstheLapointe-KrebsHouse,da�ng backto1757.IfCivilWarhistoryintriguesyou,go nofurtherthanBeauvoir,theJeffersonDavisHome, andPresiden�alLibrary.Orclimbtothetopofthe BiloxiLighthousesituatedinthemedianofcurrent dayHighway90,circa1848.Beenthralledbythe storiestheareacantellyou.

Wearealsoaveryartsycommunity.Explorethelife andworkofthe‘MadPo�erofBiloxi’GeorgeOhr atthebeau�fulanduniqueOhr-O’KeefeMuseum ofArt.RoamthroughtheWalterAnderson MuseumofArtwhichshowcasesthebrillianceof WalterAnderson.VisittheAndersoncompound andvisitShearwaterPo�ery,startedbyanother famousAndersonbrother–Peter.Interestedin learningallabouttheseasonofMardiGrasand viewingsomegrandcostumes?VisittheMardiGras MuseuminBiloxiorheaddowntoBaySt.Louisand viewtheirMardiGrasMuseum.Hereyouwillalso learnaboutthefascina�ngAliceMosely.

ShoppingandFashion

Manypeoplewanttotakesomethinghometo commemoratetheirvisit.Stopbythehugesouvenir shopwherenotonlycanyourfindhundredsof items,butyoucanalsohaveyourpicturetaken insidethemouthofapinkshark!VisitSharkheads onthebeach.Headtothemuseumgi�shopsfora one-of-a-kindgi�foryourselforafriend.Graba bookfromoneofourlocalbookshops.Asoycandle fromWavelandCandles;someoliveoilsfromPass Chris�anOliveOilsandVinegar;aframedtreasure fromNegro�os.InCoastalMississippi,wenotonly havemallsandbrandnamestores,butwealso havetheuniqueandindividual.Isn’tthathowyou wishtorememberus?

VisitCoastalMississippianddiscoverforyourselfall ithastooffer.Mybook“100ThingsToDoIn CoastalMississippiBeforeYouDie” willserveasa roadmapandplacetostart.Exploreaway!

LisaEvansistheauthorof“100ThingsToDoIn CoastalMississippiBeforeYouDie.”Sheenjoys wri�ngaboutherlocalareaofCoastalMississippi andsharingitwitheveryone.Sheisalsoafreelance traveljournalistandphotographer,havingstories publishedinmul�pleoutlets.Shehasalways enjoyedtheoutdoorsandnatureando�enincludes theminherwri�ngandphotography.Historyis anotherpassion.Everyplacehasastorytotellif onlyyoufindit.LisaisamemberofTravMedia, IFWTWA,andTravelWriter’sCafé.Herwebsite canbefoundat www.writerlisa.com andshecan befoundonsocialmedia@mygypsytravel

FrontviewofBeauvoirhome

BiloxiSchooner©LisaEvans

OUTDOORADVENTURESINLAFAYETTE,LOUISIANA

VisittheHappiestCityinAmerica

Frombird-watchingandoutdoor adventurestofes�vals,music, andfoodiefun,thisepisodeof BigBlendRadio’s3rdMonday “Food,Wine&Travel”Showwith IFWTWAfeaturesBenjaminJ. Berthelot,President&CEOof Lafaye�eConven�on&Visitors Commission,whoshareswhatto experienceinLafaye�e, Louisianaduringthespringand summerseasons.Watchherein the YouTube playerordownload thepodcaston Podbean.

Lafaye�eisattheheartofLouisiana’sCajun& CreoleCountry,anareaknownastheHappiestCity inAmerica.HometotheAtchafalayaBasinthat encompassesover860,000acresofswamps,lakes, andwaterprairiesthisbeau�fulregionteemswith wildlife,whichmakesittheperfectdes�na�onfor birdwatching,paddling,fishing,andnumerous otheroutdoorac�vi�es.

Italsohappenstobeconvenientlysituatedonthe MississippiFlywayandtheAtchafalayaLoopof America’sWetlandBirdingTrail.Noma�erwhere youendup,youcanbesuretohaveaunique experienceenjoyingLafaye�e'soutdoorsandleave withasmileonyourface.

More: h�ps://www.lafaye�etravel.com/

Foundedin1714byLouisJuchereaudeSt.Denis,Natchitoches (pronouncedNack-a-�sh)istheoriginalFrenchColonyandoldest cityinLouisiana.Celebra�ngavibrantblendofFrench,Spanish, African,Na�veAmerican,andCreolecultures,thischarmingcity ispartoftheCaneRiverNa�onalHeritageAreaandLouisiana’s NoMan’sLand.It’snaturallybeau�fulwithsprawlingoaktrees, flowers,andwaterways,richwithhistoricandarchitecturalpoints ofinterest,andoffersafantas�carrayofshoppinganddining opportuni�es,allsealedwiththewarmembraceoftruesouthern hospitality.

Tuneinevery3rdTuesdaytohearBigBlendRadio's"Goto Natchitoches"showwithArleneGould,Execu�veDirectorofthe NatchitochesConven�on&VisitorsBureau,andherspecial guests,wherewetalkaboutseasonaleventsandcelebra�ons, thecity'srichculturalhistory,deliciousfoodanddining opportuni�es,parksanda�rac�ons,andmuchmore.Followsare thepodcastsfromthefirstquarteroftheyear,covering everythingfromlakefrontdiningandriverfrontfes�valsto historicsites,ac�vi�es,anda�rac�ons.

Youcanalsofollowthepodcasthere: h�ps://shows.acast.com/go-natchitoches-louisiana

June17-18:JuneteenthCelebra�on

July1-2:Celebra�onontheCane

July22:43rdAnnualNatchitoches-NSUFolkFes�val

July27-30:LouisianaSportsHallofFame2023

Induc�onCelebra�on

Sept.2-3:CaneRiverZydecoFes�val

Sept.16:MeatPieFes�val

Sept.29-30:17thAnnualNatchitochesCarShow

DINEWITHALAKEFRONTVIEWATMARINER’SRESTAURANT

GetaTasteofLouisiana'soldestcityonthisepisode thatcoversMariner'sRestaurant,apopulardining andspecialeventsdes�na�onthatoverlooksSibley LakeinNatchitoches.Featuredguestsinclude

ArleneGould,andChefBen&KeriFidelak,owners ofMariner'sRestaurant.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Acast.com.

NatchitochesCon�nued…

VISITFORTST.JEANSTATEHISTORICPARK

ParkinterpreterFeliciaBrandandArleneGouldtalk aboutthehistoryandvisitorexperienceatFortSt.

JeanBap�steStateHistoricPark.Locatedonthe CaneRiverLakewaterfront,thisfortisareplica�on oftheoriginalFortthatwassetupjustafew hundredyardsawaybyNatchitochesfounderLouis AntoineJuchereaudeSt.Denisin1714.

GetasenseoftheFrenchColoniallifeonatour throughthefort,museum,andhistoricbuildings.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Acast.com

EXPERIENCEBLACKHISTORY&AFRICANAMERICANCULTURALSITES

ArleneGouldandJennaeBiddiscombe,Branch DirectorLouisianaSportsHallofFameand NorthwestLouisianaHistoryMuseum,talkabout therichblackhistoryofNatchitochesandthe culturalhistoricsitesthroughouttheparish.Hear aboutthelegacyoffamousprimi�vefolkar�st

Clemen�neHunter,Bap�stministerAlfredRaford Blunt,businesswomanMarieThérèseCoincoin, entrepreneurandphilanthropistMr.BenD. Johnson,andmanymore.

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownload thepodcaston Acast.com.

ROADTRIPPIN’…

Readytotakeanepicroadtripthissummer?How abouttravelingthehistoricJeffersonHighway! CreatedbytheJeffersonHighwayAssocia�on, whichwasoriginallyfoundedin1915,theJefferson Highwayisaninterna�onalhighwaythatrunsfrom Winnipeg,CanadadownthroughMinnesota,Iowa, Missouri,Kansas,Oklahoma,andTexas,toNew Orleans,Louisiana.Therearesomepartsof Arkansasthatwerealsopartofthehistoricroute. O�enreferredtoas“ThePinestothePalms Highway,”thishistoricNorthAmericanvaca�on routeisgoingthroughatourismrebirthandit’s exci�ngfortravelersanddes�na�onsalike!

Every4thThursday,BigBlendRadiobroadcastsa specialJeffersonHighwayshow.Fromourspecial2partbroadcastthatcoverswhattoexperiencein eachstateontheroute,totheupcoming conference,andculturalhistoryalongthehighway, followsaresomeoftherecentpodcaststowhet yourroadtrippingappe�te.

Youcanalsofollowthepodcastandcatch uponalltheepisodeshere: h�ps://shows.acast.com/big-blend-radiojefferson-highway

PlanyourJeffersonHighwayexperienceand learnmoreabouttheJeffersonHighway

Associa�onat: h�ps://jeffersonhighway.org/ Mapimageinpodcasts,courtesyofMikeConlin

“Roadsarearecordofthosewho havegonebefore.”RebeccaSolnit

Thepodcastofthisspeciallivebroadcastfocuses on23uniquemust-doexperiencesonandoffthe historicJeffersonHighwayincludingWinnipeg, Canada;Owatonna,Minnesota;LamoniinIowa;St. Joseph,Joplin,andHarrisonville,Missouri;Fort Sco�inKansas;Muskogee,Eufaula,Atoka,and

McAlesterinOklahoma;GladewaterinEastTexas; andNatchitoches,Alexandria,andNewOrleansin Louisiana.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Acast.com.

Thepodcastofthisspeciallivebroadcastfocuseson 23uniquemust-doexperiencesonandoffthe historicJeffersonHighwayincludingWinnipegand ManitobaCanada;FortSnellinginMinnesota; MasonCityinIowa;JoplininMissouri;Pi�sburg& CrawfordCountyinKansas;TulsainOklahoma; DenisoninTexas;andBunkieinLouisiana.

Plus,hearsomeLouisianaHollywoodHistoryby SteveSchneickert.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston Acast.com.

23+DESTINATIONSONTHEJEFFERSONHIGHWAY–PARTTWO

23+DESTINATIONSONTHEJEFFERSONHIGHWAY–PARTONE

EXPERIENCETHEHISTORYOFGEORGEWASHINGTONCARVER

JeffersonHighwayCon�nued

HearaboutthelifeandhistoryofGeorge WashingtonCarver,theacclaimedbotanist, scien�st,educator,andinventorwhochangedthe worldofagricultureinthesouth.FromMissourito Iowa,Texas,andbeyond,hislegacyispartofthe JeffersonHighway,especiallyattheGeorge

WashingtonCarverNa�onalMonument.Featured guests:RogerBell-JeffersonHighwayAssocia�on, andPaxtonJ.Williams–actor,playwright,and ChautauquaScholar.

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WOMEN’SHISTORYINOKLAHOMA,LOUISIANA,ANDIOWA

FromAdaKimballofShreveporttoAliceRobertson ofMuskogeeandCarrieLaneChapmanCa�of MasonCity,thisepisodefocusesonwomen's historyontheJeffersonHighway.Featuredguests: RogerBell-JeffersonHighwayAssocia�on,Jonita Mullins–Authorof“TheJeffersonHighwayin

Oklahoma,”andPatSchultz-Authorof"Amazing WomenofEarlyMasonCity.”

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HearabouttheupcomingAnnualJeffersonHighway Associa�onConferencehappeningJune7-10,2023 inMasonCity,Iowa.FeaturedguestsincludeRoger Bell&SandraHuemannKelly-JeffersonHighway Associa�on,andLindseyJames-Execu�veDirector

ofVisitMasonCity.

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ThisepisodefocusesontheIowaSociability Caravanthatwilltakeplaceafewdaysbeforethe JeffersonHighwayAssocia�onConferenceheld June7-10,2023inMasonCity,Iowa.Featured Guests:RogerBell-JeffersonHighwayAssocia�on, DianaThies-IowaFallsChamberMainStreet,Jim

Hamman-IowaFallsHistorian,AshleighEckelsOsceolaChamberMainStreet,andEvonSalleeTheHotelOsceola.

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JEFFERSONHIGHWAYCONFERENCEINMASONCITY,IOWA

JEFFERSONHIGHWAYCONFERENCESOCIABILITYCARAVAN

ADVENTURESINASHEVILLE

Frombreweriestoroo�opcocktails,musicstoresto bou�queshops,arteventstoavarietyoffes�vals, botanicalgardenstohistoricsites,forestbathingto yogawithgoats,theBiltmoreEstatetotheNorth CarolinaArboretum,andofcoursethewaterfalls, wildlife,andnatureadventuresinGreatSmoky MountainsNa�onalPark,BlueRidgeParkway,and PisgahNa�onalForest,there’ssomethingfor everyoneinAsheville,NorthCarolina,andinall seasons.

Every1stTuesdayonBigBlendRadio’s“Adventures inAsheville”show,innkeepersSteveandKaren

Theyo�enbringspecialguestsontotheshowtoo! Knownas“Mr&MrsWildofAsheville,”theyown andruntheLionandtheRoseBed&Breakfast,isa stunningpinkladyVictorianMansionintheheart oftheMon�ordHistoricDistrict.Moreaboutthem at www.Lion-Rose.com

TohelpyouplanyourvisittoAsheville,enjoythe following“AdventuresinAsheville”podcasts.You canalsocatchuponallthepodcastsandfollowthe latestoneshere: h�ps://�nyurl.com/44xy4s65

Wilsonsharewhatthereistoseeanddoin Ashevilleandthesurroundingregions.

AMust-VisitNorthCarolinaDes�na�onintheWesternBlueRidgeMountains

23+MUST-DOEXPERIENCES

Talkaboutwhattoseeanddo,thisshowcoversa lotofgroundwithSteve&KarenWilson-TheLion andTheRoseBed&Breakfast,KristyTolley-Author of"100ThingstoDoinAshevilleBeforeYouDie,” KayeBentley-AshvilleRoo�opBarTours,

NicoleWill-WellnessTours,andKyleSamplesLaZoomComedyBusTours.

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THEMONTFORDHISTORICDISTRICT

ExperiencethemosthistoricneighborhoodinAsheville! Featuredguests:Steve&KarenWilson-TheLion&The RoseBed&Breakfast,UncleTedfromGrayLineTrolley Tours,JohnRussell-Mon�ordParkPlayers,Aaron Thomas-NineMileRestaurant,andElainaHaile-Li�le JumboBar.

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AshevilleCon�nued…

ExperienceBeerCityUSA’seats,drinks,andcooking classes!Featuredguests:Steve&KarenWilsonTheLionandTheRoseBed&Breakfast,Nikki Mitchell-HighlandBrewingCompany,JohnGodts &LiisaAndreassen-Co�ageCookingAsheville,

MikeSemenec–Dssolvr,JoeRagazzo-TwoTrees Dis�lling,DavidAckley&AndieWhigham-Ginger's Revenge.

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MUSIC&PERFORMINGARTS

Getreadytotapyourfeetandclapyourhandswith applauseforthisvibrantperformingartsscene!

Featuredguests:Steve&KarenWilson-TheLion andTheRoseBed&Breakfast,Ka�eJones–The Magne�cTheatre,StephanieHicklingBeckmanDifferentStrokesPerformingArtsCollec�ve,John Baldwin–Actor&Director,Elizabeth“Liz”Teague–

Singer/Songwriter,DennisBerndt–ChalwaReggae Band,andHankBones,PaulaHanke&PeggyRatusz –LoveBubbleBand.

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EAT,DRINK&BEMERRY

EXPLORESTEUBENCOUNTY, NEWYORK

1886BarrelSeriescourtesy Dr.Konstan�nFrankWinery

ThisepisodeofBigBlendRadio’s2nd Tuesday“Food,Wine&Travel”Show withIFWTWAfeaturesDaveDeGolyer fromExploreSteuben,whoshareswhat toexperienceinCorningandSteuben County,upintheFingerLakesregionof NewYorkState.Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

Betweentheextraordinarylandscape andoutdooradventures,thecharming smalltowns,thevarietyand affordabilityofac�vi�es,the accessibilityoftheregion,thefirst-rate culinaryop�ons,world-renownedart, andthelaid-back,unpreten�ousvibe thatdis�nguishestheregion’s personality,it’sdifficulttofind anywherequitelikeSteubenCounty.

Planyourvisitat h�ps://www.corningfingerlakes.com/

SpencerCrestPondcourtesyBrianMaloney

HistoricPatIIonKeukaLake

FoodDishcourtesyTheParkInn