PA Travel Blog » North America http://www.patravel.com/blog The Vacation Experts Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:56:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Yellowstone and Grand Tetons with Tauck – Day 4 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-day-4/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-day-4/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:56:28 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=555 Everyone had their cameras going at first light. Mostly mountains and the lake but one of our group decided to take some 7AM shots of Bernanke and friends on a pre-breakfast walking meeting. He followed with camera and right behind was a physically fit 40 year old in a dark suit and earbud. We all laughed a little and the parade broke up.

Snake River - Site of a Famous (and Better) Ansel Adams Photograph

Snake River - Site of a Famous Ansel Adams Photograph

 

Snake River Rafting

The Snake River, at least in this part of Wyoming, is moderate sized and moves quickly with no white water rapids that we had to contend with. In the park it is only open to rafters – nothing with a motor. This raft trip was just right for our group. There were about 10 to each raft with a guide who used a big pair of oars to make sure we got where we wanted to go.

The Snake River Rafting Team

The Snake River Rafting Team

 

 

Eagles

The weather was perfect at the end of August – no bugs, 60 to 70 degrees and lots of sunshine. This is a big eagle nesting area and we saw some every half mile or so, along with assorted hawks and other close relatives. The “grown ups” were generally sitting well above the water at the top of apine tree looking for lunch in the river. The youngsters were practicing recent flying lessons and making a little more of a fuss.

 

Snake River and the Tetons from our raft

Snake River and the Tetons from our raft

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-day-4/feed/ 45 Yellowstone and Grand Tetons with Tauck – Day 3 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-day-3/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-day-3/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:20:56 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=532

Day 3 - We needed to cover some Utah and Wyoming real estate. The best part of the drive was the geology lessons that we got from Don Dunkle, Tauck’s guide. We skirted the west side of the Great Salt Lake, going through some real estate that must have tested the pioneers.

The Oregon Trail
 
Our mid day stop was at the National Oregon/CaliforniaTrail Center in southern Idaho. We were well fed again – and they do an excellent job of portraying the life of the 19th century travelers on the Oregon Trail.
First View of the Tetons

First View of the Tetons

 
 
 
Jackson Hole   
The mountains around Jackson are famously spectacular. . And the town of Jackson Hole shows what well-to do tourists can add (money) to bring in upscale outdoor outfitters, art galleries, some with very good (and expensive) western art and a cross section of food and beverage opportunities. We only had an hour or two on our own could have spent a little more time here.
 
 
 
 
Sharing the Jackson Lake Lodge with Ben Bernanke
 
We needed to keep moving to reach Jackson Lake Lodge, which was worth the push. This is owned and run by the National Park Service and the lodge building  is one of their crown jewels. The lodge had a great restaurant with elk, trout and bison on the menu. We felt like we were someplace special.
We were there at the same time as the Federal Reserve System’s annual conference. It was easy to tell who was who. Casually dressed tourists were in the bar and families in the restaurants. Men and women in dark suits were in the meeting rooms, looking like a university faculty with extra security. And camera crews from 5 or 6 networks were using the mountain backdrop to stage their interviews.
Jackson Hole Art Scene - Outdoor Version

Jackson Hole Art Scene - Outdoor Version

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-day-3/feed/ 0 Yellowstone and Grand Tetons with Tauck Tours: Day 1 and 2 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-tours-day-1/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-tours-day-1/#comments Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:53:19 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=521 Day 1 and 2: Salt Lake City

Kickoff Dinner

We started with one of the many steak (or buffalo) dinners on this trip at the Hilton. This is one of the things Tauck has down pat. We met the couple we were traveling with, got introduced to the rest of the 40 + fellow passengers on this trip and got a briefing from our Tour Guide, Don Dunkle. We learned later that Don is one of the most popular tour guides on the Tauck Team – they are each rated after each trip and Don has been getting top ratings for 20 years and several hundred Yellowstone trips.

Utah Highlights

Everyone has there own idea of highlights. Our cabdriver pointed out the statues of Karl Malone and John Stockton in front of the home arena of the Utah Jazz NBA team, which the basketball fans among us (John), appreciated. We also spent an interesting few hours taking a look at the historic parts of Salt Lake City and everything Mormon.

Utah Olympic Park

The highlight for most of us was a few hours spent driving and walking through Utah Olympic Park where the 2002 Winter Olympic games were held. The bobsled and luge runs are intimidating, even in August with no snow. Our local host was also one of the US representatives on the governing body for Luge competition and explained the work that goes into preparing for competition. The little sleds are heavy, about 4 inches off the ground and hit 80 miles an hour in on this course.

Athletes train here year round. The ski jumpers and snow boarders were practicing their acrobatics while we were there, finishing the jumps in a very forgiving swimming pool. 

Training at the Utah Olympic Village

Training at the Utah Olympic Village

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2010/10/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-with-tauck-tours-day-1/feed/ 81 Susan’s Fall Foliage Tour – “Culinary New England” with Globus Tours – Day 8 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-8/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-8/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:35:51 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=261 Day 8: Salem and Boston

 

Our Coach at the Ocean - Heading Home

Our Coach at the Ocean - Heading Home

Just another hour or two in the bus. We stopped in Salem and made sure that the witches were all still dead. And finished up in Boston where we went to the airport and back to Philly to rest up from our vacation.

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-8/feed/ 2 Susan’s Fall Foliage- Day 7 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-7/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-7/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:34:03 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=257 DSCN0047

Coast of Maine near Bush Compound

Day 7: North Conway to Kennebunkport 

We talked ourselves into the Wildcat Mountain gondola. Great view of Mt Washington and more red, orange and yellow leaves than I thought I’d be able to see. We drove through the countryside to Kennebunkport. There were no reported sightings of any Bushes, but we did get a good look at the family summer place – pretty nice.

Wildcat Mountain, NH in the Fall

Wildcat Mountain, NH in the Fall

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-7/feed/ 3 Susan’s Fall Foliage – Day 6 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-6/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-6/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:25:32 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=247

Covered Brides of Jackson County

Covered Brides of Jackson County

White Mountains

White Mountains

Day 6: Cabot and North Conway, NH

We stopped at Cabot Creamery, where they make great cheddar – we watched them do it and followed up by eating a good amount. The leaves were turning a nice color once we got here (October 1) and the “fall foliage” part of the trip is starting to get redeemed quite nicely. I think  ”Bridges of Madison County” took place in Iowa, but Clint Eastwood could have come here and found all he needed.

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-6/feed/ 3 Susan’s Fall Foliage – Day 5 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-5/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-5/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:17:40 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=243 Day 5: The New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, VT 

New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction

New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction

 

This is the learning part of the culinary program. We stayed at the New England Culinary Institute in Essex. Dinner involved a “cooking” demo by the culinary institute people, followed by a “dining” demo by our crowd.

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-5/feed/ 34 Susan’s Fall Foliage – Day 4 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-4/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-4/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:13:57 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=230 Day 4: Stockbridge, MA

DSCN0037

Covered Bridge

DSCN0022

Norman Rockwell's Studio

 We drove to Stockbridge in the Berkshire Mountains. I didn’t know, but should have guessed that Norman Rockwell of the Saturday Evening Post covers lived in this area. We visited his studio/museum which looks just like it should for the Saturday Evening Post.

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-4/feed/ 0 Susan’s Fall Foliage – Day 3 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-3/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-3/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:04:16 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=225 Day 3: Newport, RIDSCN0017 

Today was Newport, RI. We visited Ocean Drive where the robber barons that we learned about in high school social studies spent all their money on a spectacular string of mansions along the ocean. Vanderbilt was one of them.

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-3/feed/ 1 Susan’s Fall Foliage – Day 2 http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-2/ http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-2/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:00:05 +0000 admin http://www.patravel.com/blog/?p=221 Day 2: Gloucester

 

Gloucester, Mass

Gloucester, Mass

We spent the day doing the historic sights in Boston including Paul Revere territory around Old North Church. The highlight was a short drive away in Gloucester (Perfect Storm country) where we did a Harbor Cruise looking for George Clooney and finished up with an outdoor lobster dinner.

]]> http://www.patravel.com/blog/2009/10/susans-fall-foliage-tour-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cculinary-new-england%e2%80%9d-with-globus-tours-day-2/feed/ 7