Category: Nature
azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic: The wild west lives on in Arizona: dust storms, horses and more
Little Ohio: Small-Town Destinations Book Signings Sunday July 14th
Where can you travel the Erie Canal on a boat pulled by a horse? What is Wapakoneta, and what does it have to do with Neil Armstrong? Where can you eat ice cream at a stop on the Underground Railroad?
Find these answers and more in Little Ohio: Small-Town Destinations. Author and blogger Jane Simon Ammeson traveled across the state to discover where to eat, stay, play, and shop in more than 90 charming small towns. Organized by region, Little Ohio offers fellow road trippers an easy-to-use guide of must-see attractions. Full-color images showcase unmissable museums, quaint Main Streets, historic sites, and more.
From wineries to chocolate shops, old mills to Amish villages, riverboats to covered bridges, Little Ohio has everything you need for a day, weekend, or week full of fun. No matter where you are in the Buckeye State, there’s always something to explore!
Come meet author Jane Simon Ammeson at the Columbus Book Festival.
Noon to 1 p.m. at Main Library Room 2A:
Jane Simon Ammeson, Breanna Carzoo, Jen Ferguson, H.D. Hunter, Lauren Kung Jessen and
Tracey Livesay
Small groups spend 5 minutes with each author to hear all about their book before the author moves to another table. Find your perfect literary match!
Mod: Kiley Orchard, CML
Book signing to follow.
3 to 4 pm at Main Library Room 3B:
Jane Simon Ammeson, Little Ohio: Small-Town Destinations
Conrade Hinds, Made In Ohio and Lost Circuses of Ohio
David Meyers, Original Ohio Dreamsville, The Magic City & Other Historic Communities
Uncover the hidden gems of Ohio’s rich past as these authors take us on a tour of our state’s
historic sites and communities.
Mod: Andy Verhoff, Ohio History Connection
Book signing to follow.
About the Author:
Jane Simon Ammeson, a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in travel, food, and personalities, is author of many books, including Lincoln Road Trip, which won the Bronze Award for Best Travel Book in the Lowell Thomas Journalism Competition and America’s Femme Fatale.
The Ultimate Summer Adventure: Swiss Huts and Alpine Views
A series of huttes or huts tucked away on hiking trails in the mountains of Switzerland offer a “cool” summer escape. In Switzerland, where 60% of the landscape is covered in Alpine splendor, huts and hiking are an unbeatable combination offering fresh, clean, and crisp air, panoramic views, and a break from life’s daily stresses. It’s all part of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC).
Founded in 1863, the club now has over 150,000 members, making it Switzerland’s largest mountaineering club and one of its biggest sports associations. The club’s goals include: promoting mountain sports, protecting and sustainably developing the Alpine region, practicing mountaineering responsibly, and making the mountains accessible to the public at a low cost.
With sustaining the natural environment a top priority, the SAC’s huts are designed to a be a leader in developing centers of sustainability. The goal of SAC’s new climate initiative is to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2040 by employing renovations that rely on renewable energy sources such as solar panels and photovoltaic systems.
SAC’s Huts fits in well with one of Switzerland’s most popular leisure activities–hiking. So lace up those boots and get your camera ready for a unique summer adventure.
Monte Rosa Hut (SAC)
The Monte Rosa hut, known as the “Highttech hut” with its special shape and silver aluminum shell, accommodates up to 120 guests in a sustainable way, as it generates over 90% of its own energy. With an advanced energy management system from ETH Zurich (Technology University of Zurich) and innovative water filtration, it is a symbol of innovation in the mountains. Nevertheless, it retains its cozy charm and serves authentic Valais and Swiss cuisine on its terrace with breathtaking views of the mountains.
Zernez, Graubünden
Chamanna Cluozza (SAC)
An overnight stay in the wild and romantic Val Cluozza is an unforgettable experience. The recently renovated Chamanna Cluozza is the only managed hut located in the heart of the Swiss National Park, the oldest national park in the Alps and a UNESCO biosphere reserve at 6,180 feet above sea level. It is open from mid-June to mid-October and offers hikers simple but sustainable accommodation with 61 beds, 34 of which are in a dormitory and 27 in rooms.
Zinal, Valais
Cabane de Tracuit (CAS)
The Tracuit Hut, nestled on the edge of the Turtmann Glacier, stands among the highest SAC huts. Its sunny dining area offers views of towering 13,000-foot peaks, while cozy sleeping quarters ensure restful nights. With last year’s webcam installation, visitors can conveniently monitor the breathtaking mountain scenery and trail conditions from the comfort of their kitchen or sofa, aiding in tour planning.
Alternatively, it offers a chance to experience the alpine world for those hesitant about the long, demanding ascent to the hut, which demands alpine skills.
Bever, Graubünden
Chamanna Jenatsch (SAC)
The Swisstainable-certified Jenatschhütte is the highest SAC hut in Graubünden and serves as a stage destination on the “Bernina Trek” in summer. Mountain enthusiasts, climbers and mountain bikers appreciate the peace and seclusion in Val Bever between the Julier and Albula Passes as well as the unique hut atmosphere. A highlight of the hut, situated at 8,701 feet above sea level, is the sauna.
While the cuisine offers regional specialties such as pizzoccheri, polenta and maluns, and the hut cellar stocks fine wines from the Bündner Herrschaft and Italy.
Engelberg, Nidwalden
Hiking Heaven
Nidwalden leads the way with its 40 cable cars, including 26 Buiräbähnli, and offers a range of transportation facilities that is hard to beat. These cable cars criss-cross the Alps and provide access to the most beautiful places in the Engelberg Valley. Ready for nostalgia, adventure and breathtaking views?
The Buiräbähnli Safari with its 8 rustic cable cars around Engelberg is waiting to be discovered and offers a unique hiking experience. The entire route spans 28 miles with over 12,000 feet in elevation and is perfect for a multi-day hike.
Across Switzerland: Glacier Bike Tour
The Glacier Bike Tour, a new offering in Swiss bike tourism, stretches 230 miles from St. Moritz via Andermatt to Zermatt, covering a total of 31,000 feet in altitude. The route is divided into ten stages and combines gravel, asphalt and easy trails, making it ideal for 3 to 4 hour rides that combine physical activity with cultural exploration. Highlights include the beautiful town of St. Moritz, the Matterhorn, picturesque villages and breathtaking Alpine landscapes in three Swiss cantons.
For more information about Switzerland travels, click here.
Overnight stays at the huts are popular, especially in the high season and at weekends. It is therefore strongly recommended that you reserve your bed well in advance by phone, email or simply via the online reservation system.
17 Spas in the Black Forest
Southwest Germany, also known as the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, is home to thermal springs and spas, places of healing and relaxation, some of which are famous and others you may not recognize. No less than 17 of the total of 34 spas in the “Bäderland” Baden-Württemberg are located in the Black Forest.
In addition to hotels with wellness offerings, there are thermal baths and thermal springs, certified climatic health resorts, 3-day wellness hikes through the region, forest bathing, and natural relaxation in fragrant fir forests. On the German shore of Lake Constance, two spa towns include Radolfzell which is synonymous with nature, and wellbeing and the town of Überlingen which has a long history as a health spa town, where guests have been ‘taking the cure’ for more than 100 years. Charming towns, such as medieval Meersburg and puzzle-rich Ravensburg, add to the spa experiences on Lake Constance with busy old towns with cobble-stone streets lined with shops, unusual museums, wineries and restaurants, castles and terraces.
Lakeside Towns with Healing Qualities
Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH
Überlingen has a long history as a health spa town, where guests have been ‘taking the cure’ for more than 100 years. The modern thermal baths are one of three of the Lake Constance region with saunas, pools of varying temperatures and lake access. What makes Überlingen extra special are the garden parks for long walks and dramatic scenes along ivy towers, plunging cliffs and memories of ancient struggles along the defense wall. The waterfront promenade is a sunset destination where the wine flows. Over some 2.5 miles, the Überlingen garden culture path connects the most attractive parks and gardens. Überlingen
The town of Untersee is home to a stretch of largely unspoiled nature with sanctuaries of reedy marsh land, forest, natural lakes, and wildflower meadows. At the heart of this unique landscape lies the official health resort of Radolfzell. It has a charming old town on the lake with great outlet shopping, the longest shoreline, and outstanding transport connections. Radolfzell is synonymous with nature, wellbeing, and a healthy holiday experience. Here you will find the spa hotel of Bora HotSpa Resort among many other tranquil and healing facilities. Bora Hotspot Resort
Black Forest Herbal Spa Just Like 200 Years Ago
The mountain village Bader Alm in Oppenau-Ibach near Freudenstadt, is a bit out of this world. A few more or less small rustic wooden huts are grouped around a historic farm. There is no WiFi, the rooms are furnished as they were about 200 years ago – with wooden beds, thick feathers and objects that at best, only the grandparents still know how to use. Outside there is a village square, a pond and a greenhouse. And in the middle of it, the bathing station with several wooden tubs. Here, as 200 years ago, you can bathe in a hot tub alone, in pairs or with up to five people in the open air. The bath tubs are filled with hot water and a secret recipe of herbs, flowers and essential oils. Guests are dressed in medieval linen bathing costumes.
Herbal Spa in the Black Forest
Baden-Baden Offers an Unparalleled Escape
The best-known spa destination in SouthWest Germany is Baden-Baden, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021 and one of the eleven “Great Spa Towns of Europe.” It offers an unparalleled escape by combining the spa experience with museums, concerts, art exhibits, cultural events and shopping interspersed with visits to the spas and an unhurried pace of life. Until the 20th century, aristocrats and high society traveled to the “summer capital of Europe.”
The world heritage can be experienced in the spa town, for example, on one of the five “World Heritage Walks,” during a carriage ride along Lichtentaler Allee or during a wellness break in the Friedrichsbad. At the time, the Friedrichsbad was considered the most important thermal spa in Europe. Today, the Caracalla Spa with its Roman mosaics is ultra-modern with a freshly renovated indoor pool and new steam bath.
Black Forest Spa Quartet: Four is More
In the densely wooded northern Black Forest, four towns form a “Black Forest spa quartet.” The spas of Bad Wildbad, Bad Teinach-Zavelstein, Bad Liebenzell and the health resort of Bad Herrenalb are so conveniently located that their thermal baths can be easily reached from one location: The “Palais Thermal” in Bad Wildbad brings a piece of the Arabian-Moorish Orient to the Black Forest.
The “Vital Therme” in Bad Wildbad offers regionally specific wellness facilities. The “Paracelsus Therme” in Bad Liebenzell has a generous sweating area with the “Sauna Pinea” and, thanks to the panorama sauna, wonderful infusions in the style of the region. In keeping with this, the “Siebentäler Therme” in Bad Herrenalb has a rustic herbal steam bath with its “Black Forest Sauna,” which is reminiscent of a rural “Badehäusl”: the floor is covered with fir branches, and fir cones in the “Tschurtschenkorb” on the ceiling exude a piney Black Forest scent.
Charming Towns Add to Spa Experience on Lake Constance
Charming towns, such as medieval Meersburg or puzzle-rich Ravensburg, also add to the experience of visitors to the spa towns on Lake Constance. Meersburg is a picturesque small town directly at the lake shore. With a historic center, small cafes and amazing views of the lake a visit is truly unique. There are many historic buildings to discover such as the Old Castle, which towers over the lake, and the New Castle, which impresses with its amazing staircase, statues, ornate ceiling paintings and a beautiful terrace overlooking Lake Constance with views of the Alps.
If you play puzzles, you surely recognize the name Ravensburg. This “City of Towers and Gates” is a 30-minute drive from Bodensee and the modern home of Ravensburger publishing company. Trading has always been its tradition. Germany’s first paper was manufactured here in 1336, and centuries ago, clever merchants sold textiles and linen throughout Europe and invested great wealth into beautifying their town. This same medieval district is the region’s favorite shopping destination. You can climb the watch tower for views of rolling farmlands, the lake and the Alps.
The Bodensee Card PLUS makes a visit to the museums or guided city tours very easy and gives guests access to over 160 attractions in the four country region of Lake Constance. After a visit to the German small towns, you can book a boat trip across the lake to visit one of the lakeside towns in Switzerland such as Stein am Rhein or Romanshorn or Austria such as Bregenz or Hard.
A Trip Back in Time: Nepenthe, Big Sur
800 feet above the Pacific coastline, the million-dollar view from what is now Nepenthe cost Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth $167 and change when they bought an abandoned cabin along Pacific Coast Highway 1 in 1944.
The golden couple—he a successful director and she a flame-hair actress—were traveling home to Los Angeles from San Francisco where they’d been selling war bonds along with actor Joseph Cotton. Paid in gas coupons, they decided to use them by traveling the new highway, just seven years old which had taken 18 years to build.
Taking a turn up a dirt road to picnic, they discovered an abandoned log cabin dating back to 1925 with a panoramic view of the craggy shores far below. Told they could buy it that very day, they came up with the cash, and the deal was sealed.
Rita measured the windows for curtains and a new stove, Wells, the director of “Citizen Kane” in which Cotton starred, considered laying a pipe to carry gas to the kitchen. Without even spending the night, they climbed back in the car and headed south. Three years later, after numerous break-ups and reunions, they divorced. They had never made it back.
In 1947, Bill and Lolly Fassett chose the location, paying $22,000 for the property though it would take another two years to actually receive the title from Welles and Hayward. The two moved there with their five children and in 1948 hired Rowan Maiden, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West in Arizona, to design the restaurant.
Maiden created an organic and open space to take in the views of both the Santa Lucia Mountains and the southern coast of Monterey County. According to Nepenthe’s website, legendary Big Sur builders Frank and Walter Trotter erected the structure using native materials such as redwoods hewn from the canyons and adobe bricks, which Lolly made with her own hands.
South of Monterey, the road, is breathtaking and treacherous with hairpin turns and tight corners and nothing between the edge and the rocky shore below, the property lies between Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and Castro Canyon. There are no off-ramps, torrential rains trigger landslides and since 1937, parts of Highway 1 have been closed more than 55 times.
Just over 30 miles or 44 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea, there’s usually a wait for those wanting to eat at Nepenthe and Café Kevah (the name of founder Bill Fassett’s mother, a one-time suffragette, numerologist, and astrologer to the stars) below. Still owned by the Fassett family, the vibe is totally Big Sur—blooming plants, colorful umbrellas and pillows, friendly waitstaff, open-air dining, a phoenix carved out of driftwood, a Bohemian-chic look, and a sense that the 60s never died. The Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe which opened in 1964 is the place to buy artwork, fabrics, furniture, Nepenthe Aromatherapy by Moss Botanicals, foodstuff, and jewelry such as the Simply Cool series— sterling silver and high karat gold mixed sprinkled with diamonds and vivid gemstones, created by jeweler Goph Albitz. But these aren’t trinkets. One personal favorite, a bracelet goes for $4500. And no, I didn’t buy it.
It’s also a place for celebrities to stop by. Liz Taylor and Richard Burton dined here when filming “The Sand Piper” nearby. Kim Novak, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Salvador Dali, Anais Nin, Ernest Hemingway, and Hunter S. Thompson have stopped by. Much more recently, visitors included Kim Kardashian, Anne Hathaway, Henry Cavill, and Natalie Portman.
As for the name, Nepenthe (ni-pen-thee) is a Greek word referring to a potion that takes away grief, translating to “isle of no care” or “a place to find surcease from sorrow.” In his poem, “The Raven,” Edgar Allen Poe “The Raven,” writes “Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore; Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”
The beauty here is such that it does indeed provide solace and forgetfulness of sorrow. And the food, including their sublime Ambrosia Burger, helps as well.
The following recipes are courtesy of Nepenthe:
Ambrosia Burger
“Nothing takes the place of eating an Ambrosia Burger, seated inside the restaurant or on the veranda perched high above the ocean,” the owners of Nepenthe write in the introduction to this recipe. “But sometimes, you can’t visit us, and you are longing for a taste of Big Sur at home. The preparation of our Ambrosia burger is very simple, but it is deceptive. The quality of the ingredients and the temperature of your grill are most important.”
THE PATTY
For 4 of these delicious Ambrosia burgers, you’ll need:
1 ½ lbs. of fresh ground beef selection of the finest, coarse ground, low fat beef is extremely important. Ours is ground fresh each morning before we receive it. Many butchers have tried to recreate “Nepenthe Grind,” but we only get ours through Carmel Meats and Specialty Foods in Marina, CA. There is none better.
Form the meat into a six-ounce ball and roll in your hand to form together. Lay the ball on a clean flat surface and press flat. The edges of the patty should be cracked and broken, not perfectly smooth. This really enhances flavor.
The patty must be cooked on a hot open brazier, either over medium hot coals or open gas flame. Turn the burger only once, immediately when you see blood rise to the top. When you see clear juice rise on the cooked side, you’ve got a perfect medium rare.
Wait as long as possible to add cheese, as this slows down cooking time.
AMBROSIA SAUCE
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Tomato Sauce
- ¼ cup Mild Chile Salsa
Mix the ingredients fresh for your Ambrosia Sauce. It is very simple, but what a great flavor it adds to your burger.
THE BUN
- 4 each fresh steak rolls
- 2 tbsp butter
Butter the buns before you toast them. When you turn your burgers, toast the buns on a pre-heated flat grill, or, over the open flame next to your burgers.
THE PROCEDURE
Upon request, have fresh lettuce, sliced tomato, onion and thin slice cheddar cheese nearby on a plate. The first bite of the burger should almost burn your palate. We believe you can never serve an Ambrosia Burger too fast. Serve with tossed green salad and French fries.
Triple Berry Pie
This is one of the best desserts we’ve ever served. Only slightly sweet, the tart fruit and delicious crumb topping are excellent when heated, then served with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream.
The recipe for the filling will yield one 10″ pie
THE FILLING
- 3 ½ cups frozen raspberries
- 3 ½ cups frozen blackberries (boysenberries)
- 3 ½ cups strawberries
- 3 TBSP corn starch
- 2 oz. Grand Marnier
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
Defrost frozen berries in a colander to drain excess juice. Mix all ingredients together and let sit for five minutes.
CRUST PREPARATION – (FOR ONE 10″ CRUST)
- 3/4 cup + 1TBSP ap flour
- 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 7 TBSP cold unsalted butter (or 3 1/2 oz)
- 1-3 tsp heavy cream
With first four ingredients in food processor, pulse until garbanzo sized chunks are formed. Bring dough together with cream. Chill up to ½ hour, roll out and fit into pie pan, flute edges.
NUT CRUMB TOPPING FOR ONE PIE
- ¾ cup walnuts
- ¾ cup ap flour
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
Pulse all ingredients in food processor until garbanzo sized chunks are formed.
TO PREPARE
Mix filling ingredients together, let sit five minutes, fill in prepared crust, top with nut crumb topping, covering all berries. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until golden brown and bubbles rage!
Gray, Humpback, and Blue Whales – the Largest Mammals on Earth – Return to Their Annual Winter Sanctuary
BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR ONCE AGAIN WELCOMES WHALE MIGRATION SEASON
Baja California Sur, the southern half of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, is the annual winter playground for whales of many species where the spectacular sight of whales in near proximity becomes downright commonplace. Whether in the lagoons and bays off the Pacific Coast or around to the eastern side of the peninsula up into the Gulf of California, whale watching in Baja California Sur is a bucket list adventure for the whole family.
Each year more than 20,000 gray, humpback, and blue whales (among others) travel 6,000 miles from the cold waters off Alaska to mate, socialize and give birth in the shallow, nutrient rich bays and lagoons of Baja California Sur. As they engage in this extraordinary pilgrimage, they also provide a magical opportunity for locals and tourists alike to witness the graceful creatures in their winter habitat.
The routes and habits of the various species differ, as do their personalities and interest in us as the human onlookers. But all offer fascinating insights and experiences with some of the planet’s most enigmatic creatures.
The charming municipality of Loreto is well known for its natural beauty and intimate proximity to some of nature’s finest offerings, but nothing comes close to the awe-inspiring sight of a blue whale, the largest animal on earth. Blue whales, often shy and elusive, make their way south along the western side of the peninsula but for a few winter months they can be found exploring up into the Gulf of California and in the tranquil waters of the Bay of Loreto.
With its crystal-clear waters, the Bay of Loreto National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Gulf of California is the perfect place for travelers to get up close with blue whales. Local companies such as Tours Loreto and Wild Loreto Tours offer tours where visitors observe these creatures, who grow more than 100 feet long and weigh as much as 30 elephants combined.
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In Mulegé, further north, gray whales make their way to the lagoons of San Ignacio and Ojo de Liebre, part of Mexico’s El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve—the largest wildlife refuge in Latin America which was established in 1988. These shallow lagoons have been the breeding grounds of gray whales for thousands of years.
Visitors can take small boat excursions out to lagoons to witness the whales as they near the boats. Known to poke their heads out of the water and interact with humans who come to watch them, gray whales have developed a reputation of being some of the most socially receptive and mellow whales in the ocean. The nearby small municipality of Comondú also offers whale watching excursions in the ports of San Carlos and Adolfo López Mateos where humpback, gray, and finback whales all can be spotted.
Whale watching is highly regulated in Baja California Sur, with the safety and preservation of these mammals and their ecosystems always taking priority. Tours consist only of small groups, led by marine biologists and local whale experts who are familiar with all the various species and conservation efforts.
As an area known for its rampant wildlife, seabirds and other marine mammals such as dolphins and sea lions can also be found in Loreto, Mulegé and Comondú. Baja California Sur also offers other ocean activities such as diving, kayaking, and snorkeling, making it a paradise for adventure seekers. Travelers can explore the area on-land further by mountain biking, hiking, or exploring the town and enjoying family-owned shops and restaurants.
About Baja California Sur
Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, the state of Baja California Sur encompasses the southern half of the Baja Peninsula. The climate is perfect for fishing, boating, surfing, and diving, making the destination an adventurer and thrill-seeker’s dream. The state features breathtaking scenery from the windswept ocean beaches on the west to the tranquil, turquoise waters on the east. In between are canyons, desertscapes and lush oasis ripe for exploration. Known for its extraordinary marine life, whale watching is one of the area’s most well-known tourist attractions along with sportfishing, kayaking and bird watching. More information on Baja California Sur’s Loreto and northern regions can be found at Visit Baja Sur.
Photo credit Visit Baja Sur.
Giving You Butterflies!
These Southern Destinations Welcome Guests of the Human and Insect Varieties
Now that fall has officially arrived, there’s plenty of chatter about the amazing hues of the season. But leaves aren’t the only colorful, fluttering signs of autumn; there are also plenty of migrating birds and butterflies in the air right now, and it’s that second group that we want to focus on today. Though National Butterfly Day is on March 14, we’re choosing to celebrate these fascinating creatures today, as many of them are making their way south toward Mexico. Here’s a roundup of places where you can see an abundance of butterflies right now … or even all year round. If any of this inspires YOU to migrate to any of the featured destinations, please check in with us for more information!
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Every fall, butterflies descend upon coastal Alabama as they fly from Canada down the East Coast and to the Gulf of Mexico. Though visitors to this region can see species that include the common buckeye, Gulf fritillary and viceroy, they’re especially drawn here by the prospect of seeing an astounding number of monarch butterflies. By mid-October, hundreds of the orange-and-black butterflies can be spotted along Pine Beach Trail, where they stop for a snack before they continue their flight to Mexico. But they’re not the only colorful critters in the refuge. Countless songbirds have been arriving during the past few weeks and their presence will likely peak in mid-October. As a bonus, the fall wildflowers ensure that while the winged creatures keep the skies and trees ablaze with color, the ground offers an equally dazzling display.
Grand Hotel in Point Clear near Mobile, Alabama
This luxury hotel in coastal Alabama has been welcoming human guests since 1847 … and butterflies since long before that. The hotel acts as an official waystation for the species, serving as a temporary home to hundreds of monarchs that pause on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay so they can rest and feed, building their strength for the final leg of their journey. Since the monarch has been placed on the endangered species list, the resort’s horticulture team is committed to helping butterflies survive and thrive. They’ve dedicated a portion of one of the hotel’s gardens to plants that are especially appealing to the species, including milkweed, verbena, lemongrass and oregano. The monarchs arrive in Alabama in great flocks during the month of October, and guests who stay at the Grand Hotel during this time report hearing the hum of thousands of tiny flapping wings. Besides watching the butterflies around the property, guests can buy monarch merchandise and butterfly-shaped cookies in the Oak & Azalea gift shop. New this year, during the month of October, registered guests can also head to the hotel’s daily “Grandeur, Grit and Glory” celebration at 3:45 p.m. to get a sip of “Monarch Nectar,” a mixture of fresh lemonade, orange juice and butterfly pea flower pollen.
Lockport Elevated Wetlands Boardwalk in Lousiana’s Cajun Bayou
Situated in southeastern Louisiana, right along the Gulf of Mexico, Lafourche Parish – aka “Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou” – is a haven for all kinds of migrating species, from birds to butterflies, and the best place to see them is by the elevated boardwalk in Lockport. It opened in 2015 as a way for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the parish by allowing them to literally enter a swamp for a safe and up-close look at flora and fauna. The 440-foot boardwalk is open daily from dawn to dusk and attracts birdwatchers and photographers from all over the world. Countless species of butterflies can be spotted here, too, from March through May and again from August until early October. As a bonus for visitors who come to see the butterflies on their fall migration, there’s also a chance to see bald eagles in October.
Northlake Nature Center in St. Tammany Parish
Popularly known as “The Northshore,” St. Tammany Parish is in the southeastern corner of Louisiana and just a short drive from New Orleans. But it feels worlds apart, especially in the parks and preserves and along the trails that remind you that Mother Nature reigns supreme here. Northlake Nature Center is a 400-acre preserve on Bayou Castine, in the town of Mandeville. Visitors come here to hike along trails that take them through forests and wetlands as they search for glimpses of interesting plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects … including several species of butterfly.
The Butterfly Palace in Branson, Missouri
If you can’t make it to the Gulf Coast this fall, no worries …we know a place where you can see butterflies all year round. Families who visit the Ozark Mountain town of Branson can find plenty of fun and adventure in the Great Outdoors, from ziplining to riding roller coasters. But for those days when it’s rainy or chilly, The Butterfly Palace brings nature inside a large dome that offers a rainforest-style adventure you wouldn’t expect to find in a mountain town. The Butterly Palace is home to more than 1,000 live butterflies imported from locales around the world.
Time your visit right and you can even help release a newly emerged butterfly into the makeshift rainforest. Guests are encouraged to dress in red – the color that most attracts the 40 to 60 species of butterfly – and everyone receives a bright red silk flower with a nectar tube in it as they enter the aviary. Walk through and just wait for the butterflies to land on the flower … or you (they tickle!). Guests are issued wrist bands that are good for three days, allowing them to come and go each day for a truly uplifting adventure.
Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky
This unique cave is toured via boat, but a visit to the site doesn’t just include time underground. There’s plenty of nature to explore aboveground, too … including the Charlie Miller Butterfly Habitat. But you’ll have to put this on your to-do list for 2024, as the habitat only operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This indoor garden is filled with native nectar plants and is home to butterfly species like monarchs, painted ladies and giant swallowtails. As a special treat, visitors can learn how to create their own butterfly gardens at home so they can enjoy butterflies in their backyard.
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
We’d be remiss to talk about butterflies and not mention one of the creatures’ biggest fans, Dolly Parton. She’s loved them since she was a little girl growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, and she tells stories of how she used to get in trouble because she wandered off while chasing them. She’s on record as saying that she feels drawn to butterflies because she admires their gentle nature and incredible beauty.
They have the freedom of flight but – unlike many other flying insects – don’t sting or bite, and she sees a lot of herself in those characteristics. In short, Dolly has claimed butterflies as her spirit animal, and fans can find them represented throughout Dollywood and its resorts. A butterfly appears as the “W” in the Dollywood logo, and the insect is incorporated into the décor of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, in everything from the weave of the hallway carpet to ornaments on the property’s signature Christmas tree each holiday season. As the park celebrates its Harvest Festival, you can even find a giant butterfly made of carved pumpkins.
Mortuary Museum, Miniatures, Mothman, and Exquisite Cuisine on American Countess Adventure
A special post from guest blogger and cruise specialist Kathy Witt takes us aboard for a most unique cruise experience.
An embalmer’s technical reference handbook—and the machine that accompanies it. The exquisitely sculpted ballerina from “Black Swan” standing en pointe. And a mythical harbinger of doom that evolved into the centerpiece of an annual festival attended by 20,000 people from around the world.
One of the biggest draws of a river excursion with American Queen Voyages (besides the luxury-level experience, genuinely friendly crew and outstanding cuisine) are all the unexpected surprises on the itinerary. As the vessel calls at one charming river town after another, a mix of highlights—museums, bustling markets, scenic parks, historic homes, Main Street shopping—offer variety and allure. The specific attractions of a given destination are detailed during a daily port review, and all are included as part of the line’s guided hop-on hop-off tours.
Especially intriguing are discoveries aboard the American Countess’ Ohio River voyage between Louisville, KY, and Pittsburg, PA, that include a taboo topic, a creature from the paranormal realm and one of the world’s finest collections of miniatures.
IT’S A SMALL WORLD
No matter your age, your inner child will be hooked upon seeing the world-class fine art collection, numbering more than 15,000 pieces and in 1/12-scale, in Maysville, KY, a picture-postcard river town whose downtown is lined with yesteryear architecture punctuated by church steeples. The Kathleen Savage Browning Miniatures Collection at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center is an extraordinary sight to behold.
Wander through the Palladian-style gallery filled with miniature houses, room boxes and vignettes—each showcasing exquisite and historically accurate re-creations right down to the tiny accessories, like a pair of vintage roller skates and a key to tighten them; building materials such as bricks on the Russell Theater’s exterior; and authentic carpets made on real looms.
In the “Lincoln Herndon Law Office,” the artisan room box replicates the office Abraham Lincoln shared with his partner, right down to the miniscule handwritten documents scattered across the desktop. The necklaces, bracelets and baubles in the “Savage & Sons Jewelers” room box are made with authentic gold, gems and crystals. Tiny copper pots and pans hang from the wall in the kitchen of “Le Plaisir De Venice” and itty-bitty puppets dance at the end of strings held by the toymaker in “McTavish Toys & Fairy Garden.”
The collection’s pièce de résistance is the re-creation of Spencer House, the magnificent eighteenth-century aristocratic palace and ancestral home of Princess Diana. Three floors showcase the fine furnishings and decorative arts objects that are true to the mid-1700s era and the exterior replicates the home’s neo-classical architecture.
RUN, DON’T WALK: IT’S MOTHMAN!
“What stands six feet tall, has wings, two big red eyes six inches apart and glides along behind an auto at 100 miles an hour?” asked reporter Mary Hyre in a November 1966 newspaper article. Hyre was covering the spectral sighting of a creature that became known as the Mothman, first seen hovering over an abandoned government WWII ammunition manufacturing facility—dubbed the TNT area—north of Point Pleasant, WVA, and later dubbed a harbinger of doom.
Coverage of Mothman sightings held the nation in its grip for more than a year. Every time the winged creature was spotted, tragedy seemed to follow in its wake, including the Silver Bridge collapse 10 days before Christmas in 1967, which resulted in the deaths of 46 people. The sightings spawned dozens of newspaper articles; a New York Times bestselling book, The Mothman Prophecies, written by journalist and UFOlogist John A. Keel; the 2002 movie of the same name, starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney; and a 2017 documentary, “The Mothman of Point Pleasant.”
The legend of the Mothman is recounted at the world’s only Mothman Museum. Memorabilia includes a recreation of Harris Steakhouse—considered a time capsule of 1960s Point Pleasant—which would eventually become known as the Mothman Diner. The museum’s small theater runs the documentary on a loop.
Outside, a 12-foot-tall, polished steel sculpture of Mothman standing atop a landscaped pedestal shows off his claws and glowing red eyes. And every third week in September, 20,000-plus visitors from around the world converge on Point Pleasant for the Mothman Festival (www.mothmanfestival.com).
‘KEEP EXERCISING. WE CAN WAIT.’
A little gallows humor framed and hanging on the wall of the garage greets those arriving at the Peoples Mortuary Museum. Tucked in a residential neighborhood in Marietta, Ohio, it was one of the most unexpected stops on American Countess’ itinerary—and a real eye-opener for those who braved a visit.
The museum began as a place for William Peoples, current owner of and a funeral director at Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home, to store his antique car collection. Peoples had a particular interest in hearses and several of them are parked in the museum among the caskets, funeral equipment and clothing, mourning jewelry and other artifacts.
The collection dates back to the late 1800s, when funerals were typically held in private homes and the collection’s ice box coffin would have been the casket of choice. (Embalming wasn’t yet the customary practice.) An infant’s coffin illustrates the design—narrow at the feet and wider at the shoulders—that got it dubbed the “toe pincher.” It is fitted with a small removable cover for viewing and fancy hardware, including ornamental screws and handles, to allow a more personal touch to the coffin.
Also in the collection are a Sayers & Scovill Horse-Drawn Hearse from 1895, a 1934 Studebaker Presidential Hearse and a 1927 Henney Hearse called “Miss Henney” that has appeared in several Hollywood movies, including Woody Allen’s “Radio Days,” Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Get Low,” a 2009 movie with Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray.
SEE THE TREASURES OF SMALL-TOWN AMERICA
American Queen Voyages’ 245-passenger American Countess is a paddlewheel boat with contemporary design. Photo: Karan Kiser
Book an American Queen Voyage (AQV) to find the unexpected in America’s river towns. Besides including unlimited guided tours/shore excursions, AQV cruise fares include unlimited beverages, including wine, spirits, local craft beers and specialty coffees; open bars and lounges, including a morning juice bar; locally sourced and regionally inspired cuisine; and live, daily onboard entertainment—which is among the very best on any body of water anywhere—plus enrichment programming
AQV also now includes pre-paid gratuities and port taxes and fees in its fares. Additionally, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with free transfers between hotel and vessel is part of the cruise package.
Voyages are on authentic paddlewheel riverboats, boutique exploration vessels and expedition ships on America’s inland waterways and Great Lakes and shores from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to the Yucatán Peninsula and Alaska.
Information: www.aqvoyages.com.
Award-winning writer Kathy Witt is a monthly cruise, travel columnist and the author of several books, including Cincinnati Scavenger: The Ultimate Guide to Cincinnati’s Hidden Treasures and Secret Cincinnati: Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure.
Heed the call of the wild with a cruise to Alaska
By Special Guest Blogger Kathy Witt
“The more I see as I sit here among the rocks, the more I wonder about what I am not seeing.”
-Richard Proennek, naturalist, conservationist, writer, and wildlife photographer
This is the mystery of Alaska. It is a place of wonder, with whole worlds in and beyond the glaciers you see right before you, the mountains that loom in the distance, the wild behind the horizon.
Last month, cruising Alaska also meant a return to Canadian waters after an absence of two to three years due to the pandemic. The first two cruise lines to arrive in Canada were Holland America and Princess Cruises, both among a number of cruise lines offering different ways to explore Alaska, from small ship active adventure expeditions to larger ship voyages offering a classic cruise experience.
CLASSIC CRUISE EXPERIENCE, AMBIENCE
Holland America Line (HAL) celebrates seventy-five years in Alaska in 2022, bringing all that experience plus an elegant fleet of six ships to themed cruises and cruisetours that last from seven to 18 days. It also offers more cruises to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve for viewing the magnificent tidewater glaciers than any other cruise line. Enhancing the epic splendor of these journeys are rangers from the National Parks Service who come aboard to narrate the geology, history and ecology of Glacier Bay, calling out wildlife sightings and answering questions along the way.
Onboard, dining options range from poolside burgers to fine dining with a gourmet flourish, with tastes and atmospheres moving from authentic Italian to classic French to Asian traditions. The cruise line is known for consistently outstanding cuisine, paired perfectly with the pours available in the wine cellar, all selected by internationally acclaimed wine critique James Suckling. Throughout, HAL retains that touch of old-world cruising aesthetic blended with twenty-first century amenities and refined shipboard atmosphere.
Entertainment blends enrichment, with the Lincoln Center Stage bringing chamber music concerts and afternoon recitals; BBC Earth Concerts immersing guests in the wonders of the world through its natural habitats and wildlife; and deep dives into the destination through the talks, shore excursions, food demos and more are offered through its EXP programming – Explorations Central Discovery Center.
UNEXPECTED, UNCROWDED, UNFETTERED ADVENTURE
Expeditions to see humpback whales, sealions and other wildlife; hiking to outback country in Glacier Bay National Park; an evening kayaking to a shoreside campfire; biking an island teeming with bears. UnCruise Adventures’ ethos eco-focused and sustainable travel that is culture- and community-centric. Its seven-, 12- and 14-night small ship sailings are all about active fun, discovery and exploration.
Photo: UnCruise Adventures
Enhancing the experience, both aboard and ashore, is the number of guests – less than 90 on most ships and as few as 22 on one – sharing in the adventures. Life onboard is casual and relaxed. Meals and pastries highlight local ingredients. Gear for snorkeling, paddle boarding and kayaking is available. Features like entry fees to national parks, UnCruise-only activities and shore visits and wine, beer and liquor (including daily signature cocktails) are included. Adding a personal touch to each sailing are the expedition guides and guest experts.
Joining the list of themed Alaska adventures this season is the new seven-night “Wild, Woolly and Wow” itinerary, featuring Chichagof Island. (UnCruise Adventures has the only permit to visit this minimally populated island, one of Alaska’s ABC islands and fifth largest island in the United States.)
CASUAL FUN TIMES
Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines
The emphasis is firmly on round-the-clock, come-as-you-are fun aboard Carnival ships – especially in 2022, Carnival’s fiftieth anniversary. Lip sync battles, deck parties, karaoke, mini golf, top deck waterpark, a piano bar that rocks out with all the old familiars, jars and jars of colorful candy at Cherry on Top, Punchliner Comedy Club and Suess at Sea for the little ones (which includes a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast featuring special appearances by Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2) and so much more.
The watering holes are equally fun, with an island-inspired pub; a mystical, magical cocktail “pharmacy;” beer station; and a martini tasting that is all about the showmanship and kicky flavor combinations, like spicy chipotle pineapple. Dining is also lively, with outdoor venues Big Chicken (the restaurant of Carnival’s CFO – Chief Fun Officer – Shaquille O’Neal) and Guy’s (as in Fieri) Burger Joint and indoor Streets Eats and Steakhouse.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival has several ships sailing Alaska, including Spirit, Splendor and Miracle, with each offering a full menu of shore tour options, everything from dog sledding in Juneau and catching a lumberjack show in Ketchikan to gold panning in Skagway and wildlife spotting in Sitka.
NEW PRINCESS, IMMERSIVE PROGRAMMING AND PUPPIES
Princess has been bringing adventurers to Alaska for over fifty years and knows how to show its guests a thoroughly magnificent time, both on land and at sea. Appealing to active cruisers with a zest for discovery, the line offers 12 unique itineraries and more than 20 cruisetour options, operating five upscale, custom-built wilderness lodges for its cruisetour passengers.
Photo: Princess
As one of the six Princess ships cruising the Great Land in 2022, Discovery Princess marks her inaugural season as the youngest ship in Alaska. The 3,660-passenger Medallion Class ship brings next-level technology via a wearable device, Ocean Medallion, which expedites service and personalizes attention to each individual guest; enormous, made-to-entertain suite balconies – the largest at sea; Broadway-style productions in the state-of-the-art Princess Theater; and puppies, lots and lots of puppies.
Part of the line’s signature and award-winning North to Alaska program, Puppies in the Piazza give guests a chance to meet sled dogs and the handlers who train them for a life of dog mushing. New to the program this season are unique wine and seafood pairings, featuring entrées like fresh salmon with premium wines available only in Alaska; hot beverages headlined by “spiked” hot chocolate recipes; and Alaska beer and spirits experiences, including tasting flights, locally brewery tours and cocktails like Glacial Ice Chilled Martinis.
Princess had the distinction of having the first ship arrive in Canada this season since April of 2019, when Caribbean Princess called at Victoria, capital city of British Columbia. The four-day Pacific Coastal voyage arrived on April 6 before heading onward to Vancouver.
COUNTRY CLUB CASUAL
The line known for small ship luxury brings even more of its trademark welcoming elegance to Alaska in 2022. Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta underwent a redesign so transformative with new rich, warming color palette, shimming chandelier lighting, marble bathrooms and new and thought-provoking art that it is being called a re-inspiration.
Photo: Oceania Cruises
Suites and staterooms are sumptuous. Dining is gourmet with a plant-based focus. Afternoon tea is accompanied by a classical string quartet. The spa is designed with a holistic approach to wellbeing. Shows are inspired by the locale. Live piano music invites guests to gather or cocktails and conversation. An English-inspired library delights with thousands of books, including mysteries, classic literature and guidebooks. The overall onboard ambience is relaxed and casual amidst sleek splendor – jacket and tie not required.
Photo: Oceania Cruises
The Regatta’s medium ship size means it can slip into ports larger ships cannot, like Alaska’s Wrangell Island, a former Tlingit Indian stronghold and Russian outpost, home to the Wrangell Museum and ancient petroglyphs. Onboard enrichment opportunities enhance the cruises – not just to Alaska, but to all Oceania destinations – with historians, naturalists and other experts offering lively programs.
About Kathy Witt
Kathy Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer who writes a monthly syndicated travel column for Tribune News Service, is a regular contributor to Kentucky Living, Georgia and Travel Goods magazines and RealFoodTraveler.com as well as other outlets like County. She is the author of several books, including Cincinnati Scavenger (Fall 2022) Secret Cincinnati and The Secret of the Belles, and is working on another travel-themed book for Fall 2023 release. Kathy is a member of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers), Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
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