Mid-West Adventure through IA, MN and NE – August 2023

Mid-West Adventure 1

Last month Gene got some unexpected time off (expiring vacation days) and we decided to do a Mid-West adventure through IA, MN, and NE. The first stop on our trip was in Des Moines, IA. Gene doesn’t remember being there, but I still say we were there together in like 2009 or 2010. Anyway, we started our Mid-West adventure there and it happened to be there during their annual State Fair. It was so amazing and it was extremely organized. They had everything, even parking and shuttles to the site down to a science. I was VERY impressed. Anyway, once inside the fairgrounds, I enjoyed seeing all the animals, especially some of the horse shows. I am going to eventually do a post on the fair, but wanted to share a little bit on this post about its history. Continue reading “Mid-West Adventure through IA, MN and NE – August 2023”

Japanese Tea Garden – San Antonio, Texas

Japanese Tea Garden 1Last year, Gene and I spent Christmas and New Years in San Antonio, Texas. One day after spending a few hours at the  Alamo and River Walk, we decided to check out the Japanese Tea Garden. The Japanese Tea Gardens also knowns as Sunken Gardens is located on the northwestern edge of Brackenridge Park and was originally a limestone rock quarry. Years later, in 1880,  it was a cement company called the Alamo Cement Company for over 26 years. Continue reading “Japanese Tea Garden – San Antonio, Texas”

Phoenix Gold Mine Tour – Idaho Springs, Colorado

Phoenix Gold Mine - EntranceA couple of years ago we only had a few days for our anniversary so we spent a long weekend in Idaho Springs here in CO. It’s only an hour or so away and was a nice but short getaway. While in the area we decided to a tour of the Phoenix Gold Mine. We had been to a few cave tours like Carlsbad Caverns in NM, but never a gold mine. This was new and different for both of us, and we were excited for our tour. Continue reading “Phoenix Gold Mine Tour – Idaho Springs, Colorado”

Junction Bridge and Riverfront Park – Little Rock, Arkansas

Junction Bridge - 1While in Little Rock, Arkansas we did a lot of exploring, and enjoyed checking out the Arkansas River. One of the cool things we saw was the Junction Bridge near the Clinton Presidential Library. Originally built as a railroad bridge in 1884, Junction Bridge was then rebuilt in the 1970’s and was eventually converted into a pedestrian bridge in 2008. It is a life-span bridge crossing the Arkansas River and ties together the towns of Little Rock and North Little Rock. Continue reading “Junction Bridge and Riverfront Park – Little Rock, Arkansas”

Pompeys Pillar National Monument – Pompeys Pillar, Montana

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Sign

Standing 150 feet above the Yellowstone River in Southern Montana and consisting of sandstone from the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation, 75 – 66 million years ago, is Pompeys Pillar National Monument. While we were staying in the area to see family, and being related to John Colter of the Lewis and Clark expedition, we made sure to check it out one evening. Although perhaps best known for the inscription left behind by William Clark of the expedition, this site boasts the markings of thousands of years of human occupation. I will share more about the monument in a minute, but first want to share a little about the interpretive center. Continue reading “Pompeys Pillar National Monument – Pompeys Pillar, Montana”

Stax Museum of American Soul Music – Memphis, Tennessee

Stax Museum - Bldg

While in Memphis in October of 2020, we did a lot of museums related to music such as the Rock n Soul Museum, Sun Studio, as well as seeing Elvis’ Graceland. We ended up buying a Backstage pass pilgrimage with included the three above, as well as the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.  I didn’t know much about this museum before we went, but I learned a lot while there and while working on this post Continue reading “Stax Museum of American Soul Music – Memphis, Tennessee”

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum - Bldg

Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is something I had wanted to visit and explore for quite a while. I was very happy to be able to see it on our latest trip to the area. For those that may not know, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum is in honor and dedicated to the artistic legacy of none other than Georgia O’Keefe. More about her life throughout this post. For now I want to share more about the museum itself. Continue reading “Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – Santa Fe, New Mexico”

End of Summer Tour – 8-Days in NYC, Niagara Falls and Washington D C.

End of Summer Tour - Summer

I am happily looking for to saying GOODBYE to summer as I do not like the heat or humidity. I am gladly looking forward to the fall season and the crisp fall weather. However, I know I am not like everyone, and many or sad that summer is ending and want to extend it as long as they can. Why not do an end of summer tour right here in the US? I found this fun-looking 8-day tour through Trafalgar where you will spend time in NYC, Niagara Falls, and Washington DC. FYI, this trip does take you to Canada so you can see both sides of the falls, so you will need a passport. Here are the details. (from Trafalgars website) Continue reading “End of Summer Tour – 8-Days in NYC, Niagara Falls and Washington D C.”

Phoenix Zoo Lights – An Annual Tradition in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Zoo Lights - Sign

Last year we were in Phoenix on Christmas and Gene and I went to the Phoenix Zoo Zoo Lights with my best friend’s sister and brother’s families. It was something I had never done even here in Colorado so I was so excited to experience it with my extended family.

Continue reading “Phoenix Zoo Lights – An Annual Tradition in Phoenix, Arizona”

Albuquerque, New Mexico- 8 Fun Things To Do in Duke City

Albuquerque

Hi there everyone.  In a couple of weeks, Gene and I will be heading to Albuquerque so I did some more research on the area and check out some of the things we wanted to do while in New Mexico. We have actually been to Albuquerque quite a few times and have fond memories of the Balloon Fiesta, and our Breaking Bad tour. However, there are always more things to see and do, or explore in a different city.  Thus I did some research (so you don’t have to) and found 8 must-see attractions in the area. These are in no particular order.: Continue reading “Albuquerque, New Mexico- 8 Fun Things To Do in Duke City”