Travel articles by Teresa Gibbs published in Source: a Publication of Athens-Limestone Hospital

TRA v EL Year-round Excitement in The Palm Beachesof Florida!

by Teresa Gibbs

West Palm Beach, Florida is located approximately 60 miles north of Miami. It is the largest city in Palm Beach County and blessed with sunny palm-lined streets, breathtaking waterfront views, quaint shopping districts and historic neighborhoods.

With an average annual temperature of 78 degrees and approximately 234 days of sunshine, who wouldn’t want to vacation here? It’s a year-round paradise! Grab a canoe, kayak or paddleboard; suit up and dive into warm, crystal clear Gulf Stream waters; take a hike - and take your camera too; cast a line - the fishing season is virtually all year. If golf is your game, tee off on one of many public and private golf courses. There are many famous golferspast and present - that call The Palm Beaches home.

Some of our favorite family activities are driving through the Lion Country Safari and feeding the giraffes, and climbing up the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse for a spectacular view of

The Palm Beaches. Once the sun goes down, the night comes to life with activities for all ages - from vibrant dance clubs and rooftop bars, to free outdoor eventswaterfront family movie nights, street festivals, and live musicand a free trolley connecting it all.

Clematis Street is the historical heart of Downtown West Palm Beach. Starting at the Waterfront on the east end, walk west along Clematis Street and you’ll experience the ethnic flavor of the area’s colorful boutiques, nightclubs, restaurants, antique shops and historical landmarks. On Saturday mornings, we enjoy walking to the Saturday Green Market at the Waterfront Park. On Thurday nights, the park comes alive when the band of the week hits the stage with loud, live music. This free family event, called Clematis By Night (which just celebrated its twentieth year), is a favorite of ours. We love watching visitors and locals - young and olddancing the night away.

CityPlace, a premier outdoor mall with over one hundred shops and restaurants, is one of the top

visitor destinations as well as Antique Row, a charming district with over forty antique shops.

If you’re looking for the beach, cross over the beautiful Lake Worth Lagoon, onto the barrier island of Palm Beach. This island of ritz, glamour and stunning architecture dating back decades was established as a resort by Henry Morrison Flagler in the late 1800s. Since then, Palm Beach has been considered the “playground” for the rich and famous.

With 47 miles of pristine, uncrowded beaches, Palm Beach is an island of wealth and extravagance. Winter home to the vanderbilts, the Kennedys, the Rockefellers and many others, Palm Beach features lavish upscale hotels, restaurants and shops. The beautiful beaches and warm turquoise waters offer year round activities. You won’t find the crowded beaches here like you do a little further south.

For more outdoor adventure, we enjoy riding our bicycles along The Lake Trail. The beautifully manicured paved path runs along the Intracoastal Waterway for approximately nine miles providing glimpses into the backyards of stunning mansions, some belonging to well-known celebrities. The Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop, located near the trail on Sunrise Avenue, rents bicycles of all shapes and sizes.

Of course no trip to Palm Beach Island would be complete without a visit to Worth Avenue, the east coast’s version of Rodeo Drive, where you’ll find luxurious shopping and fine dining. This is where the rich and famous shop. Since we’re neither, we just enjoy taking a stroll to admire the historic Mediterranean architecture and colorful landscaping. Try to head back over to West Palm Beach around sunset - you’ll catch a beautiful view of the sun setting over the city’s sky line.

When visiting West Palm Beach, our favorite place to stay is Pure Paradise @ the Prado! This delightful condo unit is located on the ground floor of an upscale eight story condominium that is perfectly situated in the center of Downtown West Palm. The kitchen is well-appointed and has everything we need for preparing delicious seafood and fresh Florida fruits and veggies. The fourteen foot ceiling makes it feel larger than it actually is so you never feel cramped or crowded even when you have company. The mattresses are new and extra comfy - providing a restful night’s sleep for busy days. One of the greatest conveniences is the parking which is literally out the door and down four steps. To rent our favorite condo, go to vrbo.com/673476 or email julia@imjulia.com.

Pure Paradise @ the Prado

A Downtown West Palm Beach Condominium!

Private permitted parking space and private entry

Walk Score of 93% - a certified “walkers paradise”

2 blocks to the Intracoastal Waterway

6 blocks to Clematis Street • 8 blocks to the Clematis Street Waterfront

1 mile to the Atlantic Ocean and Worth Avenue on Palm Beach Island

2 blocks to City Place and Kravis Performance and Convention Center

2 miles to Antique Row • 5 miles to Palm Beach International Airport

Gorgeously Landscaped Pool and Spa Terrace

24-hour Concierge and Security

Fitness Center • Clubhouse • Business Center

2 bedrooms w/queen beds • 2 full bathrooms

Well-appointed kitchen - stocked with cooking and serving utensils

Wireless internet and cable TV • Washer and dryer in unit

Great for business, pleasure, romance, family fun, runners, walkers, bikers and R&R! For more information on renting Pure Paradise @ The Prado, go to vrbo.com/673476 or email julia@imjulia.com

Vacation in this paradise!

TRAV e L Traveling America’s Scenic Highways

by Teresa Gibbs

T H e B L ue R IDG e P ARKWAY –

Have you ever driven the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway? If not, you need to add it to your bucket list. Breathtaking views, abundant hiking trails, picnic areas, campsites, and exhibits make it one of America’s best loved highways. There is no admission fee and most of the points of interest along the way are free and easy to find with the use of a milepost system.

Take your time and enjoy! This slow-paced winding highway offers beautiful long-range vistas and stunning views of pastoral landscapes. The 469-mile, twisting, curving road follows the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and connects the Shenandoah Valley to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You’ll travel up to some of the highest summits east of the Mississippi River and descend into picturesque valleys with meandering mountain streams.

Although my husband, Wyman and I traveled the Parkway many times in the past, we never had the opportunity to travel it from one end to the other – until recently.

We traveled from elkmont, Alabama to Cherokee, North Carolina and entered the Parkway at milepost 469.1. The milepost numbers start at Front Royal, Virginia, the north end of the Parkway, and increase as you drive south.

We started at the south end of the Parkway and drove north to milepost 388.8 and took the exit to Asheville, North Carolina. We toured the Biltmore estates and strolled through the beautiful surrounding gardens. It was October and the estate’s grounds and vegetation displayed rich golden hues of autumn.

We stayed the night in Asheville and got back on the Parkway early the next morning. We traveled several miles north to milepost 176 and took the exit to Mabry Mill, a historical exhibit depicting how early settlers made their living.

Photo credit: RomanticAsheville.com

Photo credit:The Biltmore Co.

This was also the exit for Floyd, Virginia, home to Heaven’s Holler B&B, where John and Linda Franklin offer a truly unique mountain style bed and breakfast. When we arrived, we found ourselves in a spectacular setting, surrounded by fruit trees, gardens, chickens, ducks, peacocks and wild ponies from the Grayson Highlands. We loved the quaint, rustic feel of the Heaven’s Holler. There are three suites. The Fountain Cottage, which we chose, is separated from the main house with a beautiful view of the valley. The privacy of the cottage provided us with such peace and tranquility. We enjoyed our evenings sitting out on “the knob” admiring the views. At an elevation of almost 3,000-feet, the views were mesmerizing. Heaven’s Holler, once a Civil War plantation, has been carefully manicured and offers many hiking trails. While out hiking, we marveled at the magnificent views, munched on apples straight from the tree, spooked a few deer and even ran across a small cemetery. Later that day,

during a conversation with John, we learned that the old cemetery on the hill belonged to the original owners and that many slaves had been buried in unmarked graves along the hillside.

As we chatted, John found out how much we enjoy eating trout and surprised us the next morning with fried trout and grits – it might sound strange to you, but oh what a treat it was for us! This all-time favorite breakfast of ours was accompanied by southern style home-made biscuits, sausage gravy, and fresh fruit. The Franklins claim they enjoy making people happy and they sure know how to go about doing it!

After a couple of glorious days at Heaven’s Holler, we headed back to the Parkway and continued traveling north. When the Parkway ended we got out our map and searched for scenic roadways taking us to the Finger Lakes area of upstate New York - avoiding Interstates as much as possible.

Au T u MN IN Ne W Y ORK –

Not the movie with Richard Gere and Winona Ryder, but a scenic road trip over winding mountain roads - driving past old red barns, bountiful grape vineyards, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches - roadside stands with bins stocked full of fresh fruit - mountains ablaze with vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red - cool, clean mountain air. Yes, it was autumn in New York.

We drove through the beautiful countryside of upstate New York. As we approached Keuka Lake, one of the major Finger Lakes, we began driving past several grape vineyards. Rolling hills were covered with row after row of grapevines as far as the eye could see. And oh the smell –it was incredible! The air was filled with the aroma of delicious sweet-smelling grapes. It was harvest time and the fruit had burst forth with a heavenly aroma.

Keuka Lake is surrounded by steep hills and lovely lake homes. Located on the north-east shore, is Steamboat Castle Bed and Breakfast. The architecture of this turn of the century home was designed to resemble the bow of a steamship. In 2013 Ginny and Jamie, who had grown up

admiring the beautiful abode, purchased the home, did some renovations and created a place where visitors could come and enjoy all that Keuka Lake has to offer. There are plenty of areas inside to sit and enjoy the stunning lake views visible from large windows throughout the house. Decks and porches provide outside sitting areas. Guests are welcome to use the hot tub, fire pit, kayaks and canoe. Or they can spend the day out sightseeing, hiking the Finger Lakes Trail and sampling the fine wines offered along the Finger Lakes Wine-Trail. Ginny and Jamie are very helpful with suggestions for making your vacation extra special. Mornings are started with a delicious gourmet breakfast beautifully presented. Be sure to check out the recipe on page 13 for the scrumptious egg crepes with a velvety cheese sauce.

When we left Keuka Lake, we put the top down on our convertible and headed east, into the Adirondack Mountains. Meandering highways took us up and over majestic mountain ranges where lush green forests provided the backdrop for a splendid fall color show.

After traveling through several quaint little mountain towns, we reached the village of Lake George. We traveled up Prospect Mountain, then took a trolley to the summit for a beautiful panoramic view of the 32-mile-long lake. Then we headed to our next home away from home.

Photo credit: fingerlakes.com

T H e Qu ART e RS AT L AK e Ge ORG e

This beautiful resort is situated on the shore of Lake George. The units are roomy and nicely decorated. When we arrived the weather was cool and the gas fireplace made it convenient for enjoying a cozy and relaxing evening. From our own private balcony, we had a fabulous view of the lake. The resort is located about a mile from all the action. Being away from all the activities made it the perfect private get-a-way. And if you’re in good enough shape to take on the hills, you can even walk to the village of Lake George.

The historic village of Lake George is located in the southeastern portion of the Adirondack Mountains and offers yearround fun. Horseback riding, camping and fishing in the fall, skiing and snowboarding in the winter, whitewater rafting and rock climbing in the spring, and golfing and boating in the summer. Spend a day visiting museums, watching a French-Indian War reenactment or touring wineries, breweries and sugar-maple farms. A train ride or a boat cruise is a fun way to enjoy the wonderful views of the Adirondacks. In fact, we took a 3-hour boat cruise aboard the Mohican.

After being out on a chilly fall day, the indoor spa back at the resort was the perfect way to relax and get warm. There is also a small indoor exercise pool, exercise equipment, a large outdoor pool overlooking the lake, a small beach area with a patio, gas grills, and docks for boating visitors.

A special “thank you” to Joanne Conley of the Warren County Tourism Department for her assistance with our visit to Lake George. And to the Quarters at Lake George Manager, Jessica Martino, assistant Debbie Seelye, and to Mike Lephart, who’s condominium unit we had the privilege of enjoying!

blueridgeparkway.org

exploreasheville.com

romanticasheville.com

biltmore.com

heavensholler.com

steamboatcastle.com

visitlakegeorge.com

lakegeorgeresorts.com

lakegeorgesteamboat.com

Isn’t it time you planned your next vacation? Don’t depend on your GPS to take you on a scenic trip! Get out your atlas, or better yet each state’s map. Route your trip including some scenic highways (they’ll be markedcheck the map’s legend). Now go, explore and discover!

The Southernmost Point

by Teresa Gibbs

There’s a famous, concrete buoy on a beautiful, tropical island that marks the southernmost point of the continental united States. This large, colorfully painted buoy, located in Key West, Florida, is a tourist attraction established in 1983. The southernmost point was originally just marked with a small sign, which was often moved or taken, so the city erected the now celebrated, concrete buoy. Cuba is 90 miles south of this point.

Visit Key West and you’ll find more than sunshine and beauty. Key West is rich in history. Each time I visit, I learn a little more about its fascinating history.

The Florida Keys were discovered in 1513 by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon while searching for the fabled Fountain of Youth.

For almost 200 years, ownership of the Keys went from Spain to England and back to Spain. In 1815, Key West was sold to John Simonton, an American businessman, for $2,000. Simonton convinced the united States Navy that Key West would be a great place for a base of operation in the northern Caribbean, with easy access through the Gulf of Mexico.

In 1822, the u.S. Navy sailed to the southernmost point of the united States, planted a flag and claimed the Keys as united States property. Besides military personnel, others came -professional residents such as doctors, lawyers, journalists, publishers and more.

Between 1845 and 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor was built to protect the southernmost part of Florida’s coast during the civil war. Today the fort is a State Historic Park, with shady picnic grounds, a beautiful swimming beach, snorkeling areas, and fishing.

Five miles offshore from the Keys lies a string of natural coral reefs. During the golden age of sail, over 100 ships per day passed through the treacherous waters of Key West. Shipwrecks were a common occurrence. When a wreck was spotted, the cry of “Wreck ashore!” echoed all over the island as men scrambled to the docks to join the race to the reef. The first man to reach the wreck became the “wrecking master” who controlled the salvage operation and got a larger share of the prize. The goods salvaged from the wreck would later be sold at auction. Key West became the richest city per capita in the united States. Nowadays you can relive the era of the wreckers and marvel at the treasures found when you visit the Shipwreck Historical museum.

In 1912, railroad tycoon Henry Flagler completed his impossible railroad “that went to sea,” and wealthy visitors began traveling to the Keys. By 1921, Key West had become Florida’s largest populated city.

In 1934, an open air aquarium was built. It was one of the first and largest of its kind in Florida. Many changes have been made over the years, but today key west Aquarium visitors can still see some fascinating creatures from waters of the Florida Keys.

unfortunately, in 1935, the railroad was destroyed by a hurricane. Soon after, the concept for a highway was born. The famed “Florida Keys Overseas Highway” opened in 1938.

Today travelers can start out in Kent, Maine on u.S. Highway 1 and end their 2,639 mile trip in Key West, Florida.

In the 1940s President Harry S. Truman enjoyed his stays in Key West where he established his Little white House. In fact, he enjoyed his warmweather retreat so much that he once wrote to his wife, “I’ve a notion to move the capital to Key West and just stay.” The house is now a public museum offering daily tours.

In 1958 Jimmy Buffett wasn’t the only unknown that rolled into town. An exciting and creative way of learning about the history of Key West made its debut. Today, almost 60 years later, passengers still enjoy touring the island on what is now known as the World Famous key west Conch Tour Train. Historic landmarks are visited while passengers listen to tales of how pirates, Indians and wreckers lived, fought and worked, giving Key West its extraordinary reputation. Each time I ride the train, I pick up a little more of Key West’s history while exploring the island and marveling at the lush, tropical gardens and Victorian architecture dating back to the 1800s.

Key West was a sleepy town through the 1970s. Writers, painters and a number of artists were imported to stimulate the tourist trade again. Many famous authors and writers - Ernest Hemingway. Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams, and others - made Key West home or at least a “second home.” Key

West visitors can tour the Ernest Hemingway Home and museum, wander through the lush grounds and enjoy the whimsy of the more than 40 polydactyl (six-toed) cats that live there.

The 1990s saw much growth and development in the Keys. The once sleepy Duval Street of Key West became filled with bars, t-shirt shops and tourist shops intermingled with art galleries, designer shops and fine restaurants. Now Key West offers a large number of restaurants with such talented chefs that no matter which restaurant you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious meal.

Each year more than two million visitors arrive in Key West. For most, the Florida Keys are the closest thing they will ever find to the Fountain of Youth. Visitors are mesmerized by the island’s magnificent sunsets. mallory Square Sunset Celebration is famous for watching the glowing pink and red sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico horizon. Nightly festivities include entertainment from local street performers, musicians, artists and food vendors. It’s an incredible cultural experience that many noted figures have enjoyed over the years. Legend has it that Tennessee Williams initiated the ritual of applauding the sunset at Mallory Square.

Another fun way of celebrating the magnificent Key West sunset is to board one of the island’s many sunset cruises offered by Danger, Fury, Sebago, Sunset and others. Besides sunset cruises many offer snorkeling,

dolphin watch trips, kayaking excursions and more.

barefoot billy’s watersports rents boats and offers a guided island tour on wave runners. They also offer bicycle rentals which is a great way to see the island and the best way to get around - never having to worry about parking.

On a recent trip to the Keys, my husband, Wyman, and I enjoyed a kayak (and paddleboard) tour offered by key west Eco. We paddled through the backwaters of Geiger Key, an island 10 miles north of Key West, as our guide educated us on the mangrove that surrounds the Keys. We spotted exotic birds and glided past star fish, nurse sharks, turtles, fish as well as a variety of coral and sponges. We had planned to rent a boat and dive for lobster on this trip, but unfortunately lobster season was over – maybe next time.

One of the most popular places in Key West to have your picture taken, is in front of – you guessed it – the famous concrete buoy. Every day, hundreds, if not thousands of visitors, smile for the camera and commemorate visiting the southernmost point of the continental united States. A photograph here is proof that you have made it to the end of the road, escaped normal life on the mainland, and know the difference between too much work and too much play.

For information on hotels, restaurants, attractions, activities and more, visit fla-keys.com and start planning your trip to Key West, Florida.

tra V el Costa Rica! A Vacation in Paradise!

by Teresa Gibbs

pura vida (poo-rah Vee-dah) is a common phrase used in Costa rica. the english translation for the slogan is “pure life,” but it means much more to Costa ricans, affectionately called t icos. it is the expression of eternal optimism. it is a phrase that means no matter how bad life is for you, there’s always someone worse off than you are, making your life look like a “vacation in paradise.”

speaking of a “vacation in paradise”, have you ever considered visiting the magnificent country of Costa rica? Wyman and i just got back from there, so if you’ve never been, let me tell you about it! Costa rica is a vibrant country full of incredible natural beauty – beaches, waterfalls, jungles, volcanoes, and wildlife.

Guanacaste, the northwestern province of the country, is known for

having beautiful beaches. Fly into liberia international airport and you can be in the beautiful beach town of playa del Coco (Coco Beach) in less than an hour. Calm waves and a shady palm lined beach also make this a favorite for t ico families. lots of people having fun in a small beach town lined with restaurants and bars can be quite a lively scene, especially on the weekends.

on the outskirts of this energetic town, we found the perfect retreat. rancho armadillo is away from it all, yet close enough for a short drive to the beach for fun in the sun or dinner at a beachside restaurant. rancho armadillo is like a bed and breakfast, but it’s even more than that. it’s a 25 acre estate, with wonderfully landscaped gardens, offering beauty in every direction. the views of blue-green shades of the pacific

Pura vida!

The expression of eternal optimism.

ocean, encircled by mountains, is mesmerizing. the sunsets are spectacular. the surrounding jungle is home to over 50 species of birds, mountain deer, monkeys, iguanas, coatimundi and the endangered Guanacasta Grey Fox. We enjoyed most of our time relaxing in the hammocks hanging from the pavilion and swimming in the ocean view pool. owner, rick, is very kind and personable and when you book a stay with him, he will help you plan the remainder of your vacation.

From Coco Beach, we headed south to playa tamarindo (tamarindo Beach), a popular beach town well known for its amazing surfing and laid-back vibe. at high tide, surfers line up to catch the best waves. our son, Hollis, spent a few days with us in tamarindo and decided to hit the waves. although he had never

tried surfing before, the experts from Kelly’s surf shop had him surfing in no time. Kelly’s also offers stand-up paddle board lessons, rents kayaks and bikes and can set you up with many of the area tours.

tamarindo is one of the most developed beaches on the peninsula with no shortage of hotels and restaurants. luckily we found the best place to stay, sirena serena Boutique Hotel. the hotel is within walking distance to the beach. a car isn’t necessary when vacationing in tamarindo. Many fine restaurants, ice cream shops, bars, souvenir shops, grocery stores and more are all within walking distance. resident owners, Jesslyn and sebastian, recently bought the property and put their heart and soul into developing a beautiful gated retreat nestled in a luxurious tropical setting. Within

the cozy setting is a pool with a waterslide and a covered area where breakfast is served each morning. the rooms are air-conditioned (which is something you have to look for in Costa rica) and decorated in bright, beachy colors. Jess and sebastian are very charming and go the extra mile to make sure their guests have a wonderful vacation.

From the shores of the pacific ocean, we headed inland to lake arenal and arenal Volcano.

this area of the county offers much to see and do. Besides views of the lake and volcano, there are lush jungles to hike through, spectacular waterfalls to hike to, the lake for boating and rivers for rafting. there’s 4-wheeling, zip lining, horseback riding and more. Visiting the coffee plantation is interesting. although the area of the country closer to

san Jose is better known for coffee plantations, there is one in this area. there are also chocolate plantations scattered throughout the country.

While most main roads have been blacktopped in recent years, side roads are usually gravel which can make for a rough ride. such was the case when heading to nepenthe Bed and Breakfast located near the lake town of la Fortuna. traveling along the mountain cliff, the bumpy road had narrowed so much that i was praying we didn’t meet another car. But when i saw our view, i realized it was well worth the drive. Manager, augustin was very welcoming and showed us to our charming chalet. From our private porch, we had spectacular views of lake arenal and arenal Volcano, and we were surrounded by sounds of the jungle.

the next morning we were awaken by the same sounds - howler monkeys, toucans, parrots, parakeets and a host of other tropical birds. one look out the large glass bedroom windows reminded us we had just spent the night surrounded by the majestic jungles of Costa rica. the top of the volcano is often shrouded in clouds, but one morning the misty cloud cover lifted and we were fortunate enough to get a perfect view of the top. this was just after the lord had presented us with the most beautiful rainbow we had ever seen.

to top off our marvelous morning, we were treated to a delicious typical Costa rican breakfast of Gallo pintos (rice mixed with black beans), served with eggs, fried plantains and fruit.

r e C ipe

the typical restaurant in Costa a soda. you’ll find them in every town, on the beach and along county roadsides. Costa rican meal for lunch or dinner is called a casado. a casado consists of rice and beans, a small serving of pork, beef, chicken or fish, fried plantains, and cabbage salad.

the plantain, is the typical t ico snack. this fruit has the appearance of a large banana, but cannot be eaten raw.

Green plantains are sliced diagonally and deep fried for a crunchy snack. When a plantain become black, it’s ripe and can be cut in half, then sliced lengthwise and fried or baked for a sweet snack.

another typical Costa rican meal is con ___ just fill in the blank – as it can be made with any type of meat and is typically served with a side salad and plantains.

Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

1 medium carrot, diced

1 stalk of celery, diced

1⁄2 cup frozen green peas

1/2 cup frozen corn

1 small onion, diced

1⁄2 red pepper, diced

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided 6 cups cooked white rice, cold

5 tablespoons lizano sauce*

1⁄2 cup cilantro, finely chopped

1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped salt & pepper

*lizano sauce is a common condiment in Costa rica, but is so hard to find in the Us that i even ran across a facebook page for lizano sauce spottings! But it can be ordered from amazon. i fell in love with this sauce while i was in Costa rica and plan to order a couple of bottles.)

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook carrot, celery, peas and corn in salted water until tender, drain and set aside.

2. in a wok-type pan, sauté onion and red pepper in 2 tablespoons olive oil until pepper is tender and onion is translucent. set aside in small bowl.

3. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in the wok until hot, then add the cooked rice, stir-frying for several minutes.

4. add the onion/pepper mixture and mix well; add the lizano sauce and mix well; add chicken and mix well; add salt and pepper to taste then remove from heat.

5. add cilantro and parsley. to serve in a typical manner, fill a serving-sized bowl with arroz con pollo and press down. turn the bowl upside down onto the dinner plate and slowly lift the bowl.