Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I would like to visit Alaska again and take my time visiting not only southern cities but to go north.  Perhaps I will be flying with a bush pilot to a mountaintop.

What are some of your travel aspirations or places you have enjoyed?


Chrissy

I would love to go back and visit Salzburg, Austria. It is so beautiful there. I spent many weekends exploring the city, the castle, the small shops, and the food (and beer).

I would also like to visit Lincolnshire, UK. My great-great-great grandfather was born at Marsh Chapel. He moved to Leeds where he worked as a Potter at various potteries. He met his wife and raised children in that area. But potteries kept shutting down forcing him to relocate. Eventually, the family went back to Louth, Lincolnshire. He is buried at the Louth Cemetery. After his death, the family moved back to Leeds.

I would love to visit these places and get some photos for my family tree files.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 18, 2025, 12:16:11 PMWhat are some of your travel aspirations or places you have enjoyed?

Two... maybe three places. I want to visit where Danielle lives. Alaska. It's so achingly, breathtakingly beautiful. Kind of like her. :) A sort of Scandinavian beauty. Pure and crystalline. Fragile almost.

I do not do well with heat. But I love the cold. I sometimes think my blood has anti-freeze in it, lol. Second is Antarctica. Just to be in all that screaming, windswept solitude. I find that hauntingly mesmerising. Third is possibly Siberia. You're probably getting a theme. I think I like the isolation. Being away from the world. That appeals to me. Probably says stuff about me, lol.

I doubt I will ever get the chance but if I ever could, I would go to these places.

I enjoyed Vienna.  With many museums, good food, excellent musicians, gardens, overall it is an interesting city.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 18, 2025, 07:28:26 PMI enjoyed Vienna.  With many museums, good food, excellent musicians, gardens, overall it is an interesting city.

I was only there once. But yes, it is a great place to visit at least once.

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 18, 2025, 08:02:06 PMI was only there once. But yes, it is a great place to visit at least once.

Germany is fascinating with all its castles and old buildings, food, and culture.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 18, 2025, 08:22:37 PMGermany is fascinating with all its castles and old buildings, food, and culture.

I may have told you before, but my roommate and I had a large wall map of Germany. Every Saturday morning, we would throw three darts at the map. Wherever they stuck we had to go visit before the end of the day. At each place, we had to drink a pint of local beer and if there was a castle nearby, we had to visit it too. Sometimes it was quite late by the time we got back to the barracks, but we always had a great time and met some great people too.

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 18, 2025, 08:29:09 PMI may have told you before, but my roommate and I had a large wall map of Germany. Every Saturday morning, we would throw three darts at the map. Wherever they stuck we had to go visit before the end of the day. At each place, we had to drink a pint of local beer and if there was a castle nearby, we had to visit it too. Sometimes it was quite late by the time we got back to the barracks, but we always had a great time and met some great people too.

Ever had the Smoky beer?

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 18, 2025, 08:29:09 PMI may have told you before, but my roommate and I had a large wall map of Germany. Every Saturday morning, we would throw three darts at the map. Wherever they stuck we had to go visit before the end of the day. At each place, we had to drink a pint of local beer and if there was a castle nearby, we had to visit it too. Sometimes it was quite late by the time we got back to the barracks, but we always had a great time and met some great people too.

Could you really get anywhere in the country the same day?

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 18, 2025, 08:46:30 PMCould you really get anywhere in the country the same day?

Yes. I lived in the Stuttgart area in southwest Germany. As I recall Frankfurt up north was about four hours drive. Whichever location was the farthest, we would go there first. Then hit the others on the way back. We figured that after drinking at least one beer at each stop, then we would have had at least three beers before the final drive home. We wanted that drive to be the shortest.

Fortunately, when throwing darts it is rare to hit the outer edges of the target, especially a large map. So most locations were near the middle and not too far away. The downside of that was that I never made it to the far north, like Hannover. I would go to Munich for Oktoberfest, but we never made it farther east.

Belgium is also a nice place to visit.  They have their own kind of fries, waffles, and they have numerous museums and historical sites. 

Arizona is a fascinating state to visit.  There is much to do!

I found it fascinating that the state capitol of Alaska must be reached by air or sea, as there are no public roads to get there except from nearby, unless something has changed.

Big Sur is very pretty, as is much of the coastline of California.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 18, 2025, 08:46:30 PMCould you really get anywhere in the country the same day?

Most countries in Europe, you can get from one end to the other in a day. I've seen a few US reaction channels on YouTube, and it blows their minds when they learn that you could fit the whole of the UK into the state of Oregon. Only the UK has 15 times as many people, lol.

London is only like 300 miles away from Berlin.

The Oregon coastline is cool!

The California coastline is pretty cool too!

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 06:35:13 PMThe California coastline is pretty cool too!

Well, I mean not at the moment. It's quite toasty. But I get your point. ;D

What general area do you live, Chrissy?

For some reason I always thought Seattle. NO idea why. :P

Always thought of you as a kind of metropolitan gal, Chrissy.

I always heard it's very rainy there. Is that true? If so, you'd be at home in the UK, lol. <3

Yes it rains a lot there, especially this time of year.

Olympia National Park is a nice place to visit.

Bryce Canyon National Park is most interesting.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 07:48:13 PMYes it rains a lot there, especially this time of year.

Better rain than forest fires, snowstorms, earthquakes or tornadoes. The British Mantra. :P

The west coast of the USA is due for a huge earthquake.

The Southeast USA is getting an unusual amount of snow. 

The US always has something unusual going on. Snow, fire, presidents, tornadic activity. Y'all are so big you have basically a microcosm of the whole world.

I saw some of the wildfire stuff. It looked like armageddon. And the snowstorm stuff, too. It's so weird how you can have like both extremes in one country.

We have a lot of territory. 

It is amazing that we bought Alaska for about two cents an acre.
That is a big state.  What a bargain.

I will return there. 

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 07:51:09 PMOlympia National Park is a nice place to visit.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 07:52:31 PMBryce Canyon National Park is most interesting.

Still trying to work out where you live Chrissy, LOL. Those don't give me any clues, they're relatively far away from each other. :D


I'm starting to wonder if you're an omnipotent being, sent to earth for some kind of purpose. Like in the show Lucifer. ;D

Quote from: Sephirah on January 21, 2025, 08:15:37 PMStill trying to work out where you live Chrissy, LOL. Those don't give me any clues, they're relatively far away from each other. :D


I'm starting to wonder if you're an omnipotent being, sent to earth for some kind of purpose. Like in the show Lucifer. ;D

Only the Lord is omnipotent.  I am unfamiliar with that show.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 08:18:26 PMOnly the Lord is omnipotent.  I am unfamiliar with that show.

Haha, you'd be perfect for it. Check it out if you can. Is the best TV show ever made. I won't pry any more. I'm just a curious cow is all. I'm a northern lass in the UK. Probably tells you a lot about me. :P

I would like to visit Davos.  Plus travel to the Matterhorn.

I will save for traveling.  There's a whole world to see.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 08:22:55 PMI would like to visit Davos.  Plus travel to the Matterhorn.

I will save for traveling.  There's a whole world to see.

Be careful around the European mountains, Chrissy. They are massively unpredictable and claim a lot of lives. More people have died trying to climb the Eiger than on Everest. It's not as noteworthy, but the weather is also far more chaotic. The Matterhorn is another such place.

Switzerland is a massively beautiful place, though. I've been to Davos during my time in the Navy. The whole country seems very... outside the world. Very picturesque.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 08:03:10 PMThe west coast of the USA is due for a huge earthquake.

They have been saying that for over 50 years.

As a kid in the desert near Barstow, my brother and I calculated where the new coastline would be if California fractured along the San Andreas fault and slid off into the ocean as predicted. We estimated that our desert ranch would become beachfront property.

My brother spent a week building a fishing pier on the back of our land. He planned to get rich by charging a fee to go fishing off his pier. (He was about 9 years old). I was just starting high school.

Later, we learned what a tsunami is and that if these events happened, we would be underwater not living on the beach.  ;D

My brother is still waiting to go fishing on his pier.

Mount Washington New Hampshire USA is far more dangerous than Eiger!
only 6288ft or 1917meters but the weather is very unpredictable.

I've driven up to the summit of Mount Washington and Pike's Peak.
It can be very hard on cars because engines and brakes are air cooled.
If you aren't traveling fast enough there isn't enough airflow to keep things cool, so I used to go up and down very fast.

Quote from: Maid Marion on January 21, 2025, 08:40:35 PMMount Washington New Hampshire USA is far more dangerous than Eiger!
only 6288ft or 1917meters but the weather is very unpredictable.

I've seen footage of the winds on Mt Rainier in Washington. They're insane! You folks have the monopoly of probably all the wild weather in the world. It's kind of unfair. :P

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 21, 2025, 08:40:23 PMThey have been saying that for over 50 years.

As a kid in the desert near Barstow, my brother and I calculated where the new coastline would be if California fractured along the San Andreas fault and slid off into the ocean as predicted. We estimated that our desert ranch would become beachfront property.

My brother spent a week building a fishing pier on the back of our land. He planned to get rich by charging a fee to go fishing off his pier. (He was about 9 years old). I was just starting high school.

Later, we learned what a tsunami is and that if these events happened, we would be underwater not living on the beach.  ;D

My brother is still waiting to go fishing on his pier.

Yeah but to be fair, Geological time is like... 1000 years is the blink of an eye. There are lots of places that are overdue for world ending events. Yellowstone, the San Andreas, all these things are known to happen. They're going to happen again. Probably not in our lifetime but when they do... they're going to be world changing.

I think it's more likely we're going to suffer more from climate change than geological superevent cycles. Because we've done more to push that than the earth does naturally. Just look at the wildfires and snowstorms recently. Parts of the world are hotter and dryer, parts are wetter and colder. The whole world is far more unpredictable than it was even 30 years ago.

One has to be careful of avalanches.  Also pits around trees, as trees have radiant heat and snow melts quicker under trees.  This can cause problems when skiing.  Try to ski with someone else for safety.

You do not have to be on a slope to see this, but in a snow covered field you can see that snow melted faster under trees.

Quote from: Sephirah on January 21, 2025, 08:43:21 PMI've seen footage of the winds on Mt Rainier in Washington. They're insane! You folks have the monopoly of probably all the wild weather in the world. It's kind of unfair. :P

August is a good time to visit Mt. Rainier to avoid as much snow as possible and to hike.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 08:52:25 PMAugust is a good time to visit Mt. Ranier to avoid as much snow as possible and to hike.

And to not Mary Poppins off into the neighbouring state? ;D

Try Rainier cherries.  Very good!   

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 09:04:43 PMTry Rainier cherries.  Very good!   

I wish I could, Chrissy. I love cherries. Especially black cherries. But there's almost no chance of getting them in the UK.

Zion National Park is a great park to visit.

Arches National Park is another park you may wish to visit too.

The California coast is remarkable.  Cliffs, sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, surfing waves, wildlife watching, food, hiking, and more.  Pretty sunsets.

The Oregon coast is also spectacular. 

Have you been to Florida?  What places do you suggest seeing?

The Florida Keys may be an interesting visit.  It looks like the end of it is a long drive from Miami. 

I heard alligators and crocodiles are all over Florida, even on a golf course.
That seems scary to me as I heard they go faster than humans.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 25, 2025, 07:39:33 AMHave you been to Florida?  What places do you suggest seeing?

The Florida Keys may be an interesting visit.  It looks like the end of it is a long drive from Miami. 

I attended high school in Crestview for the first half of my senior year (between Pensacola and Destin). After a few arguments with the Vice Principal and the Dean, I dropped out and then joined the Army.

I love the northern Gulf area. Its sandy beaches are as white as snow, and pine trees and sea oats grow out of the sand. The water was so clear, you could see the bottom even where the water was thirty feet deep.

Back in those days (1975), Destin was a small fishing village. They had a movie theater right on the beach, which was comical when they were showing the movie "Jaws". Destin got wiped out by a hurricane, and since then has been rebuilt to rival Panama City as Florida's top Spring Break destination.

Someone told me that they can be lot of bugs in parts of Florida that bug you!

They have sand beaches that sound appealing.  Southernmost California (say near or south of Los Angeles) has a lot of sandy beaches too.  They are there north of LA too but a lot of the popular ones are south.

You can watch surfers at the beaches that have larger waves. 

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 25, 2025, 07:56:29 AMSouthernmost California (say near or south of Los Angeles) has a lot of sandy beaches too.  They are there north of LA too but a lot of the popular ones are south.

You can watch surfers at the beaches that have larger waves. 

Chrissy,

So, true. My neighboring city (and where my late wife was born) is known as Surf City USA. It hosts professional surfing competition every year.

Ellen

Quote from: EllenW on January 25, 2025, 09:48:25 AMChrissy,

So, true. My neighboring city (and where my late wife was born) is known as Surf City USA. It hosts professional surfing competition every year.

Ellen

There is a fun movie called "Endless Summer" that is about surfing.  Plus a colorful poster about it.  The artwork has been licensed and can be found on lots of things like coffee mugs, clothing, etc.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 21, 2025, 08:10:18 PMWe have a lot of territory. 

It is amazing that we bought Alaska for about two cents an acre.
That is a big state.  What a bargain.

I will return there. 

That's nothing.  President Trump wants Canada for free.  That will be a big state.  I don't know how Americans feel but I don't think that I could exaggerate the terror of America now felt in the rest of the "free" world.  Some measure may be inferred from Denmark's very carefully worded responses to President T's insistence that the USA will acquire Greenland one way or another.  Goodbye Nato.

I would be surprised if there was any intercountry territory transfer in the Americas.
Greenland included.

This is a travel topic.  Have any of you been through the Inner Passage near Canada and Alaska?

Looks very pretty when seen in a video.  Must be spectacular in person.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 25, 2025, 04:09:04 PMI would be surprised if there was any intercountry territory transfer in the Americas.
Greenland included.

I hope that you are right,  President Trump seems to be certain otherwise.  In the meantime, some of the USA's most strategic NATO allies are starting to perceive the more immediate threat to be from the West rather than the East.

I wish you were the president.  Unfortunately, as Plato pointed out, anyone who wants to rule is unfit for it. 
 

Quote from: MaryT on January 25, 2025, 02:38:40 PMThat's nothing.  President Trump wants Canada for free.  That will be a big state.  I don't know how Americans feel but I don't think that I could exaggerate the terror of America now felt in the rest of the "free" world.  Some measure may be inferred from Denmark's very carefully worded responses to President T's insistence that the USA will acquire Greenland one way or another.  Goodbye Nato.

Yeah it's not just the Canadians. Britain ruled Canada from 1763 to ultimately full legal autonomy in 1931. The orange messiah can't just goose step over the rest of the world and expect the rest of the world to not care. That's how world wars start. And I don't particularly want to be on the side of history that deems America as the Fourth Reich.

Quote from: Sephirah on January 25, 2025, 07:08:45 PMYeah it's not just the Canadians. Britain ruled Canada from 1763 to ultimately full legal autonomy in 1931. The orange messiah can't just goose step over the rest of the world and expect the rest of the world to not care. That's how world wars start. And I don't particularly want to be on the side of history that deems America as the Fourth Reich.

I feel the feeling but we'd better calm down.  Thanks to my comment on Chrissy's comment on how cheap Alaska was, the thread is digressing from travel and I wouldn't want to be responsible for closing the thread.

Travel is good! Lots of people seeing lots of places. I still want to go live in Antarctica. Where no one holds a claim to anything.

I don't blame people for having high tempers these days, though. The whole news section has literally become a refuge for people trying to get away from stupidity and showing hope where it can be found. Sites like this are a sanctuary now more than ever. If our celestial masters had their way... this site would probably be closed under accusation of sedition. That's the level democracy has sank to.

I've been thinking about this and... honestly I can't blame Trump for his lunacy. Not really. I think I blame most of America who voted him in. If y'all didn't want this messiah, he would have no power. You hated him last time but forgot all the idiocy... so... you get what you pay for. Which kind of sucks for the rest of the world and for the people with common sense. But these kinds of people only have power because you give it to them.

Travel, travel, travel.

When I could afford it, I loved to spend my free time in African game reserves and national parks.  I saw a lot of Southern Africa and had a few trips to Kenya and Ethiopia.  I haven't been abroad for a long time, though.

Two of my favourite spots were in the Kruger National Park:
Letaba Camp and Olifants Camp.  Letaba was particularly beautiful and large wildlife could be viewed from the large shaded verandah.  Olifants Camp had a viewsite overlooking a huge area in which many species could be viewed, especially with binoculars.  I also loved the northern camps at Shingwedzi and Punda Maria. 

When I first went there, Punda Maria was called Punda Milia, which is Swahili for zebra or "striped donkey".  Its original name had been Punda Maria but the park authorities thought that it must have been a spelling mistake.  However, the wife of the first ranger in that area was called Maria.  In one of my books, the author wrote that Maria wore striped dresses and that Punda Maria meant Striped Maria.  He must have made that up because Punda Maria actually means Maria the Donkey.  Maria left her husband.  I wonder why?  For better or worse, the authorities finally changed it back to its original name.

Quote from: MaryT on January 25, 2025, 07:34:59 PMWhen I could afford it, I loved to spend my free time in African game reserves and national parks.  I saw a lot of Southern Africa and had a few trips to Kenya and Ethiopia.  I haven't been abroad for a long time, though.

I think I would love to see both. But I suffer from the same problem as going to spend time with my number one gal, Sarah B, down in Oz. The heat just... it's torture for me. Put me in a cold climate, it's like Red Bull. But anything remotely warm it's like "Come on, Lion, Spider, Stonefish... fair game!"

For a few years I spent my holidays in Hong Kong and Macau, mostly when they were still under British or Portuguese rule. 

I did have a day trip to Canton, Guangzhou as it is usually transliterated now.  That was interesting although the bus broke down a lot.  We still had time to visit a temple and see pandas in the zoo.  We also dined in a restaurant where we could choose our own live snake from cages outside.  We chose more conventional meals, though.

For me, the "real" Hong Kong was the Life Guards' Club.  Guide books sometimes called it a temple but it was the unofficial name of an open air bar near which there many shrines and statues dedicated to Chinese gods, the "life guards".  The shrines had actually been donated by a variety of British colonial authorities and organizations, a fact that was usually mentioned on plaques.  This combination of Britishness and Chinese tradition was nowhere more emphatic than here. 

As for Macau, I did so much there that I couldn't or perhaps shouldn't describe it.  I did everything there that I have ever enjoyed doing. 
 

Quote from: MaryT on January 25, 2025, 07:34:59 PMTravel, travel, travel.

When I could afford it, I loved to spend my free time in African game reserves and national parks.  I saw a lot of Southern Africa and had a few trips to Kenya and Ethiopia.  I haven't been abroad for a long time, though.

Two of my favourite spots were in the Kruger National Park:
Letaba Camp and Olifants Camp.  Letaba was particularly beautiful and large wildlife could be viewed from the large shaded verandah.  Olifants Camp had a viewsite overlooking a huge area in which many species could be viewed, especially with binoculars.  I also loved the northern camps at Shingwedzi and Punda Maria. 

When I first went there, Punda Maria was called Punda Milia, which is Swahili for zebra or "striped donkey".  Its original name had been Punda Maria but the park authorities thought that it must have been a spelling mistake.  However, the wife of the first ranger in that area was called Maria.  In one of my books, the author wrote that Maria wore striped dresses and that Punda Maria meant Striped Maria.  He must have made that up because Punda Maria actually means Maria the Donkey.  Maria left her husband.  I wonder why?  For better or worse, the authorities finally changed it back to its original name.

That backstory is fascinating.

Patagonia may be fun to visit. 

Sitka, Alaska may be interesting to visit.

It may smell a lot like fish if it is a fishing town but I would like to see the park's totem poles more than fish places.  However I would eat some fish in town.

Quote from: Sephirah on January 25, 2025, 07:55:29 PMI think I would love to see both. But I suffer from the same problem as going to spend time with my number one gal, Sarah B, down in Oz. The heat just... it's torture for me. Put me in a cold climate, it's like Red Bull. But anything remotely warm it's like "Come on, Lion, Spider, Stonefish... fair game!"

I didn't know that you and Sarah B were an item.  That's great.  I have never been to Australia but I have a boomerang that my grandmother brought me and a didgeridoo that my mother brought me,  My grandmother spent a year or so visiting relatives and my mother spent a few months there.

You mention a few potentially dangerous creatures but I gather that the chances of being badly hurt by them are remote,

I think that most people who get hurt by them do the sort of daft thing that I used to do to try to get a good view or a photo.  My biggest fright was in a nature reserve west of the Kruger National Park where I was allowed to wander around by myself because there were no lions or elephants.  There were leopards, crocodiles amd hippos, though. 

I went down to the Letaba river to actually look for crocodiles.  I am actually a physical coward but am cursed with almost suicidal curiosity.  I didn't see any straight away and I became complacent.  Dense bush forced me right down to the bank to get a better view.  I walked along the bank a bit to "just have a quick peek around the corner".  Then I had a peek round another corner and so on.  As I came to the next corner, a large crocodile slid quickly into the river.  I believe that if I had met it before it heard me coming, I would probably be dead.  Thank goodness I walk like a herd of crazed elephants, even when I am carefully stalking my photographic prey.  Even so, I then had to walk back the way I came, as the bush was too dense and thorny to walk inland.  It cannot have been very far but it felt like the longest walk of my life.

How dangerous are the crocodiles to people who aren't as suicidally idiotic as I can be?  I don't really know,  After that day, I saw crocodiles every day without having to take any risks.  A couple of days after my idiocy, a Tsonga woman was angling close to the spot where I emerged to safety.  I told her about the big crocodile that lived nearby and she laughed.  I photographed her while she was fishing in her attractive traditional dress and I waited some distance back for some time.  Was I waiting to be a hero and rescue her or was I waiting to take a really exciting photo?  It was a long time ago and I'm not sure.  I like to think it was concern for her safety.  After all, I did warn her.  On the other hand, I had recently proven that I could be dangerously insane in pursuit of a photograph.

I wish that I could say that I learned my lesson.  Just days later, in an attempt to photograph baby crocodiles basking on a ledge lower than the one I was using, I found myself trapped by infamous wait-a-bit (aka hack-and-stab) thorns clinging to my clothes.  Trying to free myself, I would have fallen off the ledge onto rocks below if the thorn bushes hadn't pulled me back.  I did manage to carefully free myself but I stopped trying to get the photo. 

It was a great trip though and I saw hippos, giraffes, zebras, monkeys and a variety of antelopes and interesting birds.  I was also able to appreciate the plant life better than one can while driving in a car in reserves with lions and elephants.  The only down side of a foot safari, as some people would call it, is that it is usually easier to get close to wild animals in cars.  (Yeah, yeah, I know that wild animals don't drive.) 

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---->Recent fervid political comments here on this Travel thread/topic
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Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator                       
                              cc: @Devlyn  @Jessica_Rose  @Mariah  @Lori Dee  @Sarah B

This is a travel topic.

The world has so many places to see.


Chrissy

@ChrissyRyan
Dear Chrissy:
THANK YOU for bringing your thread back to the subject matter that you had wished for.
I am looking forward to reading more travel experiences and stories here on your thread. I hope
that more of our members will contribute their travel stories here.

Yes indeed, the world is a BIG PLACE ... 
Even many smaller countries have so very much to visit and to see.
As a child I fondly recall looking at the pictures in my parent's collection of
the National Geographic magazine.  It is certainly a life experience to see
many of those places in person that were pictured.

I have been to all 50 USA states and all 10 Canadian Provinces and the 3 Northern Territories.
In Alaska I live fairly close to the Yukon Territory.

Also on my "been there list" .... are many Central and South American countries,
a few countries in Africa, numerous European and Scandinavian Countries, Asia including India,
China, Philliipines, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia and New Zealand.
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.  Some of the
visits to those countries were a result of my time serving in the US AirForce.

I have way too many pictures to share or to even find but my fond memories of where I have
been are beautifully clear.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 26, 2025, 07:45:55 AM
This is a travel topic.

The world has so many places to see.


Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 18, 2025, 12:16:11 PMI would like to visit Alaska again and take my time visiting not only southern cities but to go north.

The heartland of Alaska is beautiful. My last trip through the interior of Alaska I had my eyes peeled looking for that elusive "Northern Start Girl" hoping to get a picture her in the wild.  ;D

I have been very fortunate and have traveled to world. It all started, when I was a sophomore, with a high school study trip to Japan. My favorite cities are Florance IT and Salzberg AT. However, for me heaven on earth is Sequeira National Park. In my opinion, there is nothing more humbling than walking among those ancient giants that were mature trees when Jesus was born.

I will continue to take a couple of cruises a year. (Just took a transatlantic couple of weeks ago.) I plan on going to the F1 Mexican GP later this year. Still, on my bucket list is to see Australia and New Zeeland.

Ellen

Quote from: EllenW on January 26, 2025, 03:08:46 PMMy favorite cities are Florance IT and Salzberg AT.

Salzberg is one of my favorites too. I spent many summer weekends there.

I have never been to Italy. I had a chance but missed it. The American Express Travel Office was offering a tour to Turin and it happened to be one of the rare events when the Shroud of Turin would be on public display. I signed up and paid my fee. Two days before the trip, there was a terrorist attack and our base was put on lockdown and high alert for a week. By then the trip and the event were over, but I did get a refund.

One of those once-in-a-lifetime missed opportunities.  ;D

Quote from: EllenW on January 26, 2025, 03:08:46 PMThe heartland of Alaska is beautiful. My last trip through the interior of Alaska I had my eyes peeled looking for that elusive "Northern Start Girl" hoping to get a picture her in the wild.  ;D

I have been very fortunate and have traveled to world. It all started, when I was a sophomore, with a high school study trip to Japan. My favorite cities are Florance IT and Salzberg AT. However, for me heaven on earth is Sequeira National Park. In my opinion, there is nothing more humbling than walking among those ancient giants that were mature trees when Jesus was born.

I will continue to take a couple of cruises a year. (Just took a transatlantic couple of weeks ago.) I plan on going to the F1 Mexican GP later this year. Still, on my bucket list is to see Australia and New Zeeland.

Ellen

It is nice to travel. 

Alaska's Dalton Highway seems like it would be a challenge but I have heard that more of it has been paved.

It would be interesting to stop at Coldfoot and then go to Deadhorse.

Would not want to stay very long though.   These would be some of those places to go to just because maybe you could!

Another peculiar place to visit is Chicken, Alaska.
Not that much there except gold panning, a bar, maybe a store and a post office.
Plus the big chicken.

It would also be just one of those places to visit just because maybe you could!

North Pole is a small Alaskan city, near Fairbanks. It's known for its
year-round Christmas decorations, including candy cane–striped street lights.
Santa Claus House is a Christmas store with walls covered in children's letters to Santa and
a huge Santa statue outside. Streets have names like Kris Kringle Drive and Mistletoe Lane.
          (https://www.bestplaces.net/images/city/NorthPole_AK.gif) 
Note: It is NOT located at the North Pole.  Despite its name, the city is about 1,700 miles (2,700 km)
south of Earth's geographic North Pole and 125 miles (201 km) south of the Arctic Circle.

click link for photo:
https://www.newsminer.com/visitors_guide/north-pole-home-of-santa-claus-and-much-more/article_1efe9722-0be1-11e5-bdbd-6ba4f66039a8.html

HUGS, Danielle

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 26, 2025, 08:29:45 PMNot that much there except gold panning

FULL STOP

Say no more. I want to go... in the middle of SUMMER!
 

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 26, 2025, 10:33:45 PMFULL STOP

Say no more. I want to go... in the middle of SUMMER!
 

Yes, just in the summer.  There may still be some actual gold mines open not far from Chicken, Alaska too.

Quote from: Northern Star Girl on January 26, 2025, 09:01:32 PMNorth Pole is a small Alaskan city, near Fairbanks. It's known for its
year-round Christmas decorations, including candy cane–striped street lights.
Santa Claus House is a Christmas store with walls covered in children's letters to Santa and
a huge Santa statue outside. Streets have names like Kris Kringle Drive and Mistletoe Lane.
          (https://www.bestplaces.net/images/city/NorthPole_AK.gif) 
Note: It is NOT located at the North Pole.  Despite its name, the city is about 1,700 miles (2,700 km)
south of Earth's geographic North Pole and 125 miles (201 km) south of the Arctic Circle.

click link for photo:
https://www.newsminer.com/visitors_guide/north-pole-home-of-santa-claus-and-much-more/article_1efe9722-0be1-11e5-bdbd-6ba4f66039a8.html

HUGS, Danielle

Well if I ever return, I will stop at North Pole.  Also Delta Junction, Tok, Fairbanks, Talkeetna, Denali, and the southern cities and parks.  Maybe even the southeastern peninsula for cities such as Skagway, Juneau, and more via boat or air.

Not Nome and Prudhoe Bay, but it may be interesting to dip into the Arctic Ocean via an excursion from Deadhorse. 

Parts of Alaska are often not as cold as one may think.  It is not just igloo land.  In fact, I may get bugged literally by mosquitos.

Chrissy

In some countries people routinely eat foods that may make most Westerners cringe.

Have you seen or eaten strange street vendor or restaurant foods when you traveled?
Perhaps bugs being eaten, guinea pigs, and so on.

Did you try them, and what did they taste like?  Would you have that food again?

I have told the story elsewhere about a weekend trip to Mexico. A street vendor was selling sandwiches. We asked a young kid what kind of sandwiches they were and in his broken English said, "Ass of a chicken."

So of course, we had to try the Chicken's Ass sandwich! It was delicious.

We later learned that the translation was off. The vendor buys chicken bones from the local poultry plant for cheap. He and his wife scrape the bones and remove all the meat stuck to them. This discarded meat is what he cooks up to make the sandwiches.

So it isn't like we were eating butts, or beaks and feet. Just other meat from the ribs and other bones being thrown out by the processing plant.

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 27, 2025, 04:55:06 PMI have told the story elsewhere about a weekend trip to Mexico. A street vendor was selling sandwiches. We asked a young kid what kind of sandwiches they were and in his broken English said, "Ass of a chicken."

So of course, we had to try the Chicken's Ass sandwich! It was delicious.

We later learned that the translation was off. The vendor buys chicken bones from the local poultry plant for cheap. He and his wife scrape the bones and remove all the meat stuck to them. This discarded meat is what he cooks up to make the sandwiches.

So it isn't like we were eating butts, or beaks and feet. Just other meat from the ribs and other bones being thrown out by the processing plant.

Sounds like meat scrapings that can go into hot dogs.  Maybe not chicken, but some meat.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 27, 2025, 05:06:08 PMSounds like meat scrapings that can go into hot dogs.  Maybe not chicken, but some meat.

That is true. My "sawdust with everything on the floor" comment was a joke my grandfather made. He was a butcher his whole life. From working with his dad and siblings in a meat market stall in Erie to retiring from a grocery store chain in California as a meat cutter (the politically correct name for a butcher).  ;D

I think I would like to go to Hawaii.

I want to see the lava flow, the road to Hana, and the beaches.

I watched some travel videos and remember scorpions being served as food.  I think that was in China somewhere.

Not appealing!

It won't happen in my lifetime but if Yemen becomes safe enough, I would like to go back there if it is still like guide books from the 1980s describe. 

To the east is the Hadhramaut where towns like Shibam have traditional multi-story buildings.  I gather that on some buildings, windows are painted on to give the impression of an extra floor.  Women traditionally wear hats similar to those once worn by Welsh women.

To the northwest, the country is green and well-watered, with some surviving stretches of tropical forest and mangroves. From articles in National Geographic, the scenery is spectacular, with terraced farming.

The fauna and flora have a lot in common with Africa on the other side of the Red Sea.  Lions and ostriches have been extirpated and oryx are now only found in neighbouring countries but there are hamadryas baboons, striped hyenas and hyraxes.  Sadly, leopards are now few and even wild gazelles are scarce.  Dugongs, once tourist attractions when stuffed and called "mermaids of Aden", are also rare.  (Chimeras composed of stuffed fish and monkeys, displayed as curios in America and Europe, were also sometimes called "mermaids of Aden".) 

I spent part of my childhood in Aden but the furthest I got from Aden territory itself was an up-country village called Shuqra.  My father was going to be working there and he and his colleagues wanted a look around.  We travelled in two landrovers.  The road was untarred and part of it was on a wide beach, where the border checkpoint also was.  We passed through a village called Zinjibar, which is the Arabic name for Zanzibar.  I read that it was so named because of a large community of freed slaves,

I won't write sbout Aden itself as my memories are vivid but outdated.  Writing about past experiences on a travel thread is only worthwhile if travellers can still enjoy the same experiences.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 27, 2025, 05:06:08 PMSounds like meat scrapings that can go into hot dogs.  Maybe not chicken, but some meat.

For a couple of years overseas I was a programmer at a large meat and cold storage company.  I was asked to write a program relating to recipes for a variety of meat products.  I commented to the manager that I supposed that the cheaper products like poloni contained a lot of soya flour.  He replied that what they put into poloni was cheaper than soya flour.

I don't eat poloni.

Quote from: MaryT on January 28, 2025, 02:43:35 PMFor a couple of years overseas I was a programmer at a large meat and cold storage company.  I was asked to write a program relating to recipes for a variety of meat products.  I commented to the manager that I supposed that the cheaper products like poloni contained a lot of soya flour.  He replied that what they put into poloni was cheaper than soya flour.

I don't eat poloni.

I guess sawdust would be cheaper.  ;D

Our unit in Germany sent some "advisors" to Yemen back in the 80s. I was not one of them.

One of the soldiers was caught shoplifting gold necklace chains. The penalty was having your hand cut off. He spent a year in Yemeni prison while the State Department negotiated for his release. They finally agreed. He kept his hand, but after spending a year in Yemeni prison, spent five years in military prison and then got a Dishonorable Discharge.

I don't know if the laws there have changed. It may seem barbaric, but it was effective. You know who the thieves are on sight. Most people won't risk losing a hand.

Quote from: MaryT on January 28, 2025, 02:43:35 PMFor a couple of years overseas I was a programmer at a large meat and cold storage company.  I was asked to write a program relating to recipes for a variety of meat products.  I commented to the manager that I supposed that the cheaper products like poloni contained a lot of soya flour.  He replied that what they put into poloni was cheaper than soya flour.

I don't eat poloni.

Mary,


I do not even know what poloni is!  But I will look it up.

Chrissy

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 27, 2025, 04:55:06 PMI have told the story elsewhere about a weekend trip to Mexico. A street vendor was selling sandwiches. We asked a young kid what kind of sandwiches they were and in his broken English said, "Ass of a chicken."

So of course, we had to try the Chicken's Ass sandwich! It was delicious.

We later learned that the translation was off. The vendor buys chicken bones from the local poultry plant for cheap. He and his wife scrape the bones and remove all the meat stuck to them. This discarded meat is what he cooks up to make the sandwiches.

So it isn't like we were eating butts, or beaks and feet. Just other meat from the ribs and other bones being thrown out by the processing plant.

Lori,


I am glad you liked that chicken sandwich!

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 28, 2025, 05:16:32 PMMary,


I do not even know what poloni is!  But I will look it up.

Chrissy

I gather that it is usually spelled "polony" and has variations in different countries and Americans call it baloney.

In the Wikipedia article for bologna sausage, it says

"South African 'polony' is similar to bologna in constitution and appearance, and is typically inexpensive".

That is the polony to which I was referring.

Back to travel. . .


Have you been to the Caribbean?  Did you enjoy the visit?

Saint Thomas may be a nice place to see.  Have you been there?

The Big Sur area of California is gorgeous.

Try to visit if you can. 

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 01, 2025, 08:15:24 AMThe Big Sur area of California is gorgeous.

Try to visit if you can. 

I love the whole Pacific Coast. I was stationed at Fort Hunter Liggett, not far from Big Sur and Hearst Castle.

Before that, I was stationed in Germany when my grandparents celebrated their 50th anniversary. The family had a huge reunion, so I flew in to attend. I intentionally arrived very early. I landed and rented a car in San Francisco. I drove the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) all the way south to San Diego. At night I would sleep on the beach where permitted. If not, I would find a parking lot and sleep in the car. The beaches have showers and restrooms.

From San Diego I headed northeast into the Mojave Desert where I grew up and made a stop to visit my brother's grave. Then continued up to Bishop (at the base of Mount Whitney) where my grandparents lived.

After the reunion, I drove through Yosemite National Park and then back to San Francisco where I returned the rental car and flew back to Germany. Best 30-day vacation I had in long time.
 

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 01, 2025, 08:46:06 AMI love the whole Pacific Coast. I was stationed at Fort Hunter Liggett, not far from Big Sur and Hearst Castle.

Before that, I was stationed in Germany when my grandparents celebrated their 50th anniversary. The family had a huge reunion, so I flew in to attend. I intentionally arrived very early. I landed and rented a car in San Francisco. I drove the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) all the way south to San Diego. At night I would sleep on the beach where permitted. If not, I would find a parking lot and sleep in the car. The beaches have showers and restrooms.

From San Diego I headed northeast into the Mojave Desert where I grew up and made a stop to visit my brother's grave. Then continued up to Bishop (at the base of Mount Whitney) where my grandparents lived.

After the reunion, I drove through Yosemite National Park and then back to San Francisco where I returned the rental car and flew back to Germany. Best 30-day vacation I had in long time.
 

It is a pretty drive down the coast.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 31, 2025, 09:28:19 PMBack to travel. . .


Have you been to the Caribbean?  Did you enjoy the visit?

Yes, have been to the Caribbean several times. Not my favorite area, too hot and muggy for my taste. I like cooler temps (not as cold as Danialle enjoys). Plus, I live less than two miles from the Pacific Ocean. 

Ellen

I might go to Southern California again and catch a Jay Leno show on a Sunday evening at a comedy club. 

The Oregon coast is very pretty too.

I find it best when on a road trip to stay on old 2 lane highways and roads and only on the Interstate Highways as needed.  A lot more of the country can be seen and enjoyed than if one stays on the Interstates.

It was sad to see the small towns that have been bypassed by the Interstates... some of them were almost ghost towns with closed gas stations, shops, restaruants, and vacant buildings. 

However I have met some very nice folks in towns like that and found some interesting small shops and small restaurants... they were grateful for my business and they were most friendly to have travelers stop in.

Quote from: Northern Star Girl on January 26, 2025, 09:01:32 PMNorth Pole is a small Alaskan city, near Fairbanks. It's known for its
year-round Christmas decorations, including candy cane–striped street lights.
Santa Claus House is a Christmas store with walls covered in children's letters to Santa and
a huge Santa statue outside. Streets have names like Kris Kringle Drive and Mistletoe Lane.
          (https://www.bestplaces.net/images/city/NorthPole_AK.gif) 
Note: It is NOT located at the North Pole.  Despite its name, the city is about 1,700 miles (2,700 km)
south of Earth's geographic North Pole and 125 miles (201 km) south of the Arctic Circle.

click link for photo:
https://www.newsminer.com/visitors_guide/north-pole-home-of-santa-claus-and-much-more/article_1efe9722-0be1-11e5-bdbd-6ba4f66039a8.html

HUGS, Danielle

I call that false advertising. There's a lawsuit in there somewhere. ;D

Totally want to go there.

Quote from: Northern Star Girl on February 01, 2025, 01:48:14 PMI find it best when on a road trip to stay on old 2 lane highways and roads and only on the Interstate Highways as needed.  A lot more of the country can be seen and enjoyed than if one stays on the Interstates.

It was sad to see the small towns that have been bypassed by the Interstates... some of them were almost ghost towns with closed gas stations, shops, restaruants, and vacant buildings. 

However I have met some very nice folks in towns like that and found some interesting small shops and small restaurants... they were grateful for my business and they were most friendly to have travelers stop in.

I agree.  These old highways can provide interesting venues.


Chrissy

Those out-of-the-way Mom & Pop restaurants have the best food!

Quote from: Sephirah on February 01, 2025, 02:00:06 PMTotally want to go there.

Add to your bucket list: Hell, Michigan.
Especially at Halloween time.

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 01, 2025, 02:22:21 PMThose out-of-the-way Mom & Pop restaurants have the best food!

Add to your bucket list: Hell, Michigan.
Especially at Halloween time.

Haha.

My bucket list recently has had the addendum of wanting to go hug you, honey. I'll bring the candy floss and bacon sandwiches. :P

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 01, 2025, 02:22:21 PMThose out-of-the-way Mom & Pop restaurants have the best food!

Add to your bucket list: Hell, Michigan.
Especially at Halloween time.

That could be a good idea.  When I am told to go there, I would love to say "been there, done that".

For the same reason, I would like to visit Ge Hinnom in Jerusalem, the real valley that gave its name to the terrifying Gehenna of the Bible and the Jahannom of the Koran.  According the Bible, there was once in the valley a tophet where children were passed through a fire to the god Molech or Moloch, which I suppose would have contributed to its reputation.

Is there actually a place called Hell in Michigan? I mean I would not be surprised. You should see some of the absurd names we come up with for places in Britain. Most of which you'd be like "No that has to be some kind of weird joke!"... but it isn't, lol.

I rest my case...

https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-english-place-names-signs/

Quote from: Sephirah on February 01, 2025, 06:14:06 PMI rest my case...

https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-english-place-names-signs/

https://www.gotohellmi.com/

And let's not forget the Austrian town of F**king that had to change its name to Fugging.
https://nypost.com/2021/06/29/town-of-f-ing-officially-changes-name-after-getting-fed-up-with-trolls/#:~:text=After%20decades%20of%20F%20%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20king,name%20was%20finally%20rechristened%3A%20Fugging.

The Olympic peninsula in Washington is worth a trip!

Or two. . .   Or three. . .

If you are a fan of the old Sleepless in Seattle movie, you can see the floating house that was used for external scenes in the movie.  It is on Lake Union, on Westlake Avenue N.  You can see it easier from a boat. 

If you go to Port Angeles, Washington you can visit the John Wayne Marina. 
This marina is named after the actor John Wayne.

John Wayne's family donated the land for this marina.  Mr. Wayne often visited the area on his family yacht.  He thought a marina should be located in this scenic bay.

Crater Lake in Oregon is worth a visit. 

Sanibel Island, Florida has some nice beaches.

Lots of sea shells too.

If you go to see Mount Rushmore, take note that there is a hidden chamber behind Lincoln's head called the Hall of Records.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 09, 2025, 07:42:12 PMIf you go to see Mount Rushmore, take note that there is a hidden chamber behind Lincoln's head called the Hall of Records.

But don't try to go there, it is off-limits. Every year people get arrested for going to places without authorization. They are trying to prevent damage to the monument, and in today's world, terrorism is always a concern.

Do you tend to travel on vacation to a warmer place during your cold season?

Or, at least, wish you could?

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 12, 2025, 12:27:25 PMDo you tend to travel on vacation to a warmer place during your cold season?

Or, at least, wish you could?

I tend to hibernate in winter. Then when the weather warms up, I can travel and most places are open that were closed for the winter.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 12, 2025, 12:27:25 PMDo you tend to travel on vacation to a warmer place during your cold season?

Or, at least, wish you could?

I am the opposite, and wish I could travel to a colder place during summer. I do not do well with heat. I don't really feel the cold.

Would you want to visit Antarctica?

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 15, 2025, 10:14:25 AMWould you want to visit Antarctica?

Chrissy

There are places there that I would like to see... for about fifteen minutes. Then immediately go find a nice warm active volcano to visit to warm back up.

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 15, 2025, 10:52:54 AMThere are places there that I would like to see... for about fifteen minutes. Then immediately go find a nice warm active volcano to visit to warm back up.

You might want to watch the silly movie, "Joe vs. the Volcano."

South Dakota is the geographic center of the United States.
It is a bit north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 15, 2025, 11:19:58 AMSouth Dakota is the geographic center of the United States.
It is a bit north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Yes, I have been there!
https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/belle-fourche/national-state-parks/national-monument/geographic-center-nation-monument

Belle Fourche is just north of the Black Hills. I have a secret prospecting spot in the north Hills over near the Wyoming border. The wilderness is so dense there that I am pretty sure Big Foot lives there and no one would know.

I always wanted to hike back in there and set up some camera traps. But the terrain is so rough, it took all day to hike just two miles.

Say hi to Big Foot for me should you ever meet it.

Thank you.

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 15, 2025, 12:49:07 PMSay hi to Big Foot for me should you ever meet it.

Thank you.

Chrissy

I won't be sticking around to shake hands. I encountered the local Big Foot while stationed in Louisiana. He has been seen so often that locals have named him "Zeke".

On night patrols one night, I was using the tank's thermal sights to scan a treeline. I could see a figure walking on two legs that must have been about eight feet tall. My tank driver was local, so I called him up to the turret to take a look. He said, "Yup, that's Zeke." Then he crawled down into the driver's compartment and closed and locked the hatch.

On another night, my car broke down not far from the same area, (Peason Ridge Training Area). The headlights just shut off. The engine was still running, but I had no lights. I raised the hood and was jiggling wires looking for a loose connection or a short. I heard the most horrific sound I have ever heard. It sounded like what a cow would sound like if a giant ripped it in half. It was a loud screeching kind of bellow. I got back in my car and drove back to base without headlights. When I pulled into my parking lot, the headlights came back on.

Photos from a camera trap would be cool. Meeting Zeke face to face would require an immediate change of underwear.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 15, 2025, 10:14:25 AMWould you want to visit Antarctica?

Chrissy

Literally on my bucket list.

I don't really feel cold and I would adore the isolation.

You might like the colder parts of Alaska and Canada too.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 15, 2025, 05:21:17 PMLiterally on my bucket list.

I don't really feel cold and I would adore the isolation.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 15, 2025, 07:52:17 PMYou might like the colder parts of Alaska and Canada too.

100% I would.

Would be like... to go Alaskan salmon fishing with Danielle, or seeing the vast Canadian wilderness... yeah.. that would be way up there on my list of things to do before I die.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 15, 2025, 07:57:48 PM100% I would.

Would be like... to go Alaskan salmon fishing with Danielle, or seeing the vast Canadian wilderness... yeah.. that would be way up there on my list of things to do before I die.

Would you spend a night in a genuine igloo? 

Or in a tent on a mountain, as part of a mountain climb?

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 15, 2025, 08:05:31 PMWould you spend a night in a genuine igloo? 

Or in a tent on a mountain, as part of a mountain climb?

Yes. I have done both when I was in the navy. I love the solitude. I love the whole person vs nature thing. That's totally my jam.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 15, 2025, 08:08:42 PMYes. I have done both when I was in the navy. I love the solitude. I love the whole person vs nature thing. That's totally my jam.

Try the northwest peninsula of the upper peninsula of Michigan.  It is a lot of wilderness.

The US has a lot of incredibly beautiful locales. It's like a world inside a country.

It can get cold in the Grand Canyon too.  You can hike down to the bottom.  Maybe take mules down too.

Have you been to Norway?

Have you visited Sweden?

Have you visited Denmark?

I went to Iceland many years ago with my mother.  We visited the Blue Lagoon spa and had a tour of Reykjavik and the surrounding country.  It was June but there was still snow on the hills. 

There were few, if any, trees, although I read that when the Vikings arrived, one third of the island was covered by ice, one third by lava and the rest was covered by forest.  Sheep prevented any seedlings from growing.   Where were the Wyoming cattlemen when they were needed? 

We also had a cruise during which we saw orcas and seabirds such as puffins.  I would really like to get a closer view of puffins.

In Reykjavik, we saw a rocky park that was supposed to be a reserve for fairies.  Many Icelanders claim to believe in them. 

Our guide told us that one night when her car broke down, some men that she had never seen before (perhaps that is unusual in a population as small as Iceland's) fixed her car for her and she never saw them again.  She believed that they may have been hulduvolk (hidden people) who are usually invisible and sometimes mess with people but occasionally help them. 

I read somewhere that there is, or was, in Europe, a widespread belief in hidden people who were said to be descendants of the unwashed children of Eve.  According to the story, God visited Eve and asked to see her children.  However, Eve only presented the ones who had had their baths.  God was so angry that he decreed that if he couldn't see her unwashed children, neither would anyone else, nor would their descendants be seen.

If that story is true, God, maybe you could consider lightening up a bit.

Have you been to Maine?

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 26, 2025, 08:24:16 PMHave you been to Maine?

I have been to Bangor, Maine four times. I never got off the plane. They were refueling stops before and after crossing the Atlantic on trips to Germany.

But looking out the window, I saw beautiful forests. The guy sitting next to me said it truly is "God's Country".

Germany is a very interesting to visit.

I enjoyed walking the downtown areas of a Flagstaff, Arizona.
There are a variety of stores and eateries there.  Also trains arrive nearby.

It is a nice stop for days that you plan to visit the many other interesting areas in the northern part of Arizona.

Chrissy

Thailand is by far my favorite vacation destination! Best vacation I've ever had was going there for 3 weeks 2 years ago with my wife. We're going back this November :D

Quote from: MaryT on February 25, 2025, 09:28:06 PMI went to Iceland many years ago with my mother.  We visited the Blue Lagoon spa and had a tour of Reykjavik and the surrounding country.  It was June but there was still snow on the hills. 

There were few, if any, trees, although I read that when the Vikings arrived, one third of the island was covered by ice, one third by lava and the rest was covered by forest.  Sheep prevented any seedlings from growing.   Where were the Wyoming cattlemen when they were needed? 

We also had a cruise during which we saw orcas and seabirds such as puffins.  I would really like to get a closer view of puffins.

In Reykjavik, we saw a rocky park that was supposed to be a reserve for fairies.  Many Icelanders claim to believe in them. 

Our guide told us that one night when her car broke down, some men that she had never seen before (perhaps that is unusual in a population as small as Iceland's) fixed her car for her and she never saw them again.  She believed that they may have been hulduvolk (hidden people) who are usually invisible and sometimes mess with people but occasionally help them. 

I read somewhere that there is, or was, in Europe, a widespread belief in hidden people who were said to be descendants of the unwashed children of Eve.  According to the story, God visited Eve and asked to see her children.  However, Eve only presented the ones who had had their baths.  God was so angry that he decreed that if he couldn't see her unwashed children, neither would anyone else, nor would their descendants be seen.

If that story is true, God, maybe you could consider lightening up a bit.

Scandinavian countries always have a lot of folklore. It's rooted in their identity. I have been to Norway, Sweden and  Denmark, during my time in the navy. They all have their own myths. Admittedly way cooler than the whole burning bush Christianity myths. Who doesn't want a literal race of giants? Or trolls that don't revolve around the artist formally known as Twitter, and internet chatrooms? ;D

Iceland is the northern hemisphere version of New Zealand. A place so achingly beautiful that you can't help but wonder at the majesty of this planet we live on.

Those giants found their way to North America. There have been numerous skeletons found in Michigan and Minnesota of humans from 8 to 12 feet tall.

There was a TV show a while ago where a guy investigated these finds. He was interested in their culture, origin, and eventual demise.

We could add this to Chrissy's Unusual but True Thread!

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 28, 2025, 11:06:44 PMThose giants found their way to North America. There have been numerous skeletons found in Michigan and Minnesota of humans from 8 to 12 feet tall.

There was a TV show a while ago where a guy investigated these finds. He was interested in their culture, origin, and eventual demise.

We could add this to Chrissy's Unusual but True Thread!

Yes, you could!

Chrissy

LOL! I like that idea. Chrissy... you would be going head to head with William Shatner.

Chrissy's Believe it or not.

Belgium is a most interesting country to visit.

There are numerous WW I sites of interest too.

Hill 60 in the Flanders area has a lot of historical significance.

There was a movie made about Hill 60.

"Beneath Hill 60" (A 2010 Australian film) is based on the true story of the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company's efforts during World War I.

In 1917, the British laid 19 mines packed with 454 tons of explosives in tunnels under the German trenches at the Messines ridge in West Flanders, Belgium during World War I. However, two of these mines were left abandoned and unexploded because the Germans had moved their lines. One of these abandoned mines was detonated by lightning in 1955, leaving a crater 20 meters deep and 40 meters wide. The location of the other abandoned mine remains unknown.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 02, 2025, 10:58:13 AMBelgium is a most interesting country to visit.

There are numerous WW I sites of interest too.

Lots of other battle sites too, including Waterloo.  Nobody has any particular interest in conquering Belgium but it so conveniently placed and laid out that it is the perfect battlefield for France, Germany and their allies.

This may have made some Belgians somewhat bitter.  In Goldmember, Dr Evil reveals that he became evil because he was raised by Belgians.  According to Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker novels, "Belgium" is the rudest word in the galaxy.  I suspect that some of the unfortunate perception of Belgium may be due to the relentless campaign waged against the Singing Nun by Belgian bureaucrats seeking the money that she donated to her Church, which eventually resulted in her suicide.

I have met some very nice Belgians, including one who is still the most gallant person I have ever known, even though he was a high school boy.  Gerard, God bless you wherever you are.

It is interesting that many cities in Europe have canals with buildings right along the water.

Amsterdam is one such city.

Buildings next to the canal allows easy loading and unloading of cargo.
Similarly you see the backs of buildings designed for the loading and unloading of goods.

If you are concerned about having enough space in your luggage at the departing or returning leg of your flights or cruise, or perhaps travel via another method, consider this:

Do not forget that you can get laundry service on cruises, albeit at high prices.  On select days, a discount may be offered for laundry service.  So if you are fretting over squeezing in the last one or two outfits, you may wish to use laundry service.  For a short cruise you would not need as much clothing of course and may not need to wash your clothing.

Yes, you can wash your under clothing perhaps in your cruise cabin's bathroom but blouses, skirts, dresses, and so on may be better washed by the laundry staff.  You can buy expandable hanging cords with clips to hang your clothing onto for drying.

Some people save up and bring some clean "worn out" under clothing that you would not want to donate and simply discard them after wearing during the cruise, freeing up space for the return trip.  That may sound ridiculous but it is a tip shared among cruise travelers.  This can free up space for souvenirs, gifts, or other purchases you wish to bring home.

As always, try to bring the basics, with multiple outfits that could be selected by using different combinations of items.

If you need to fly by commercial air, be sure to check out the cost and the amenities that come with each class of ticket.  Sometimes upgrading effectively costs less than you may think because you receive additional amenities that may be of value to you.  If you were going to pay for those extra amenities in a lower class seat, the upgrade charge may effectively be less than the ticket price difference.

As an example, premium economy seats may give you additional legroom and cheaper baggage fees.

As another example, first class perhaps may waive your baggage fees and provide an upgraded meal on some flights, bottomless beverages, WiFi, and maybe the use of the airport lounge with a reduced fee if you do not qualify somehow for free lounge access.  The seating is nice.  Note that I personally do not travel first class much, it would be rare.  I do like premium economy.  On a longer flight the extra comfort is nice to have.

Sometimes you can get upgrades to the higher seat class at no cost, if you travel a lot. 

There are so many ways to save money on travel.  Look for the many, many tips on this that you can find online.

What are some interesting places to visit in the southern United States (coast to coast), and why?

Pensacola, Florida, or any of the panhandle coast. White sand beaches with clear blue water.

Quote from: Lori Dee on March 08, 2025, 05:07:45 PMPensacola, Florida, or any of the panhandle coast. White sand beaches with clear blue water.

Lori,


Do they do gold panning in this panhandle area?
You have to hold the pan.

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 08, 2025, 05:15:18 PMLori,


Do they do gold panning in this panhandle area?
You have to hold the pan.

Chrissy

I am not aware of any gold panning there. I have a gold pan that sort of has a handle, called a Banjo Pan. Fits in a backpack nicely and works okay-ish for doing quick samples in a remote area.

It was invented by my friend, Mike Pung, the inventor of the Gold Cube.
https://goldcube.net/product/banjo-pan-worlds-fastest-gold-pan/

Have you visited or lived in Australia?

What would you recommend doing and seeing in Australia?

Have you been to the Space Needle?

(Seattle)

Have you been to the Grand Canyon?

Have you been to San Francisco?

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 16, 2025, 11:35:52 AMHave you been to San Francisco?

I have visited a few times. I went and saw a show at Finocchio's Club when it was still open. Some of the best female impersonators, not just make-up and costumes but singing and dancing by very talented performers. It was very fun to see, like being at a live concert with Cher and Dolly Parton, with comedy by Joan Rivers thrown in.

Also had lunch on Fisherman's Wharf. And, of course, the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay bridges.

Do you like to travel in RVs?  Like motor homes, tow behind trailers, converted pickup trucks, etc.?

Grand Canyon!

Crater Lake in Oregon (NOTE: Park access may be closed for a few years soon because of  renovations.)

Marco Island, FL

Sanibel Island, FL

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on March 16, 2025, 11:35:02 AMHave you been to the Space Needle?

(Seattle)

Yes. Loved and the Glass Garden.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on April 20, 2025, 08:32:24 AMGrand Canyon!

Spectacular and in range of Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater.

Roswell, NM has a McDonald's has a UFO shaped building and there are plenty of alien figures and signs in town.

The California coastline is most interesting.

So is the Oregon coastline.

That is an understatement!  The Pacific coast never wears on us.  Always a joy.  May have to do with the cooler weather or inclement weather, or the mountains, or the raging storms...sigh.

I'll be in Colorado next week. I'll bring back pics. I love the Rocky Mountains!

Any things of interest during a visit to Kansas City, Kansas or Omaha, Nebraska?
What about in the San Jose, California area (besides San Francisco)?

Winchester house, San Jose.

Quote from: D'Amalie on May 01, 2025, 12:21:05 PMWinchester house, San Jose.

I will look into that for a future visit.  Thank you.

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 01, 2025, 12:17:33 PMAny things of interest during a visit to Kansas City, Kansas or Omaha, Nebraska?
What about in the San Jose, California area (besides San Francisco)?

Rosicrucian Park in San Jose. They have a top-notch Egyptian Museum, Planetarium, and a Peace Garden. The Temple might be for us members only, but it is worth the trip to see everything else.

https://www.rosicrucian.org/rosicrucian-park

Quote from: Lori Dee on May 01, 2025, 12:49:26 PMRosicrucian Park in San Jose. They have a top-notch Egyptian Museum, Planetarium, and a Peace Garden. The Temple might be for us members only, but it is worth the trip to see everything else.

https://www.rosicrucian.org/rosicrucian-park

Thank you Lori.

Chrissy

Quote from: D'Amalie on May 01, 2025, 12:21:05 PMWinchester house, San Jose.

I would love to visit there. I have only driven by the grounds and never taken a tour. It has a very interesting (freaky) history.  ;D

My parents and I are going to Hawaii in September. I'm really looking forward to it. We're going to see multiple islands.

Quote from: CosmicJoke on May 01, 2025, 02:35:53 PMMy parents and I are going to Hawaii in September. I'm really looking forward to it. We're going to see multiple islands.

Have fun.  Try to go to Hana.

Chrissy

Go to the north shore of Oahu.  Less crowded.

Go to the northwest part of the island too. There are some nice little towns there.

You may enjoy driving, hiking, and exploring both sides of the Columbia River Gorge.