Travel, Tour & Cruise Tips

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Looking for Beautiful Fall Getaways??

Travel, Tours & Cruises - Dream Vacations

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September 23, 2017


The most wonderful time of the year is just beginning! You don't have to travel far to take in the phenomenon of fall foliage. All across the U.S., from New England to the Pacific Northwest, deciduous trees put on their dazzling display of color. Everyone has their favorite part of fall but no matter which is your favorite, everyone can agree that the fall foliage is absolutely breathtaking. Check out a few amazing drives to truly experience the change in season firsthand.

Adirondack Mountains The Adirondack Mountains are famed for their fall colors. Red and silver maples, birch, aspen, oaks, and beech trees stretch out along the Olympic Trail scenic byway (which runs through Lake Placid), providing a striking show of color for its 170 miles. Or take the Fall Foliage Train tour on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Prime viewing time tends to be in early to mid–October, which conveniently coincides with the Lake Placid Brewfest.	Michigan's Gold Coast Begin in Traverse City and cruise along the northeast shore of Lake Michigan as it takes you through delightful fishing towns and sand dunes. Continue onto Grand Transverse Bay to witness the sea of vibrant greens and reds. Don't forget to stop by Northport for Kilcherman's Christmas Cove Farm to pick a variety of apples or try the "World's Best" apple cider. What better way to get in the fall mood?!

Green Mountain Byway Winding through the towns of Waterbury and Stowe, this drive offers the glorious vista of Green Mountain to the west. Not only is the scene set with a mountain backdrop, but the brilliant evergreen and golden leaves contrast with the deep crimson to make it a true slice of fall foliage heaven. Top it off with a taste of fall by visiting to Cold Hollow Cider Mill for a tour and cider tasting. One step inside and you are instantly swept away by the smell of Cold Hollow's cider donuts. A walk through the shop will leave you feeling very warm and fuzzy, not to mention hungry!	West Elk Loop Scenic & Historic Byway This 205–mile drive may be a long one but it's worthwhile when you arrive at the jaw–dropping panorama of endless gold, maroon, and orange. Make sure to loop around and reach the north rim of Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park for a hike. Not fall enough for you? Then grab some pumpkin spice truffles or caramel apples at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Crested Butte!

The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway Fall foliage isn't just in the east! Take this route to experience the west intensify as the aspen trees turn gold and cottonwoods blush red. In addition to the beautiful fiery foliage, you can attend the Taos Art Festival (September 22nd–October 1st) or take a dip in a hot spring.	The Smoky Mountains The Smoky Mountains is an amazing place to kick off fall! If you commence your drive at the top of the mountain at Newfound Gap and head down to Cades Cove, you can see the breathtaking yellow and fiery red that the trees radiate. After the wonderful drive, end your perfect fall day with a hayride or a visit to the pumpkin patch at Kyker Farms.

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Friday, September 15, 2017

The True Legend of Blackbeard

There are many stories about the life of Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, who lived and died doing what he loved best – being a corsair, or pirate. Many infamous pirates lived during the 1600-1700s, the Golden age of Piracy, but none had a reputation as notorious as his. His intimating looks would terrorize even the strongest of men. To make himself appear even more evil, he would place lighted fuses under the brim of his hat, creating an appearance that struck fear into the crew of any ship he attacked. Very few people wore beards in this period of history, and Teach grew an enormous beard that was braided into pigtails with colorful ribbons tied to it. Robust and towering over most men, he carried an arsenal of assorted pistols, daggers, and a huge cutlass tucked into his belt. Teach planned to retire and settle in his favorite stomping ground of Bath, North Carolina, but instead met his fate on November 22, 1718, at Ocracoke Inlet, decapitated at the hands of a contingent of the British Royal Navy, under command of Lt. Robert Maynard.

An Illustration of Blackbeard's Decapitated Head Displayed on the Bowsprit of the Jane, one of Lt. Maynard's Armed Sloops

During his life as a pirate, Teach made numerous voyages to the Caribbean Islands. Among them was St. Thomas, one of the United States Virgin Islands. Charlotte Amalie, the capital, and largest city, boasts a watchtower originally called Skytsborg (“protection castle”) that was built in 1679 to protect the harbor. It was renamed Blackbeard’s Castle since it became part of the lore of the island that Blackbeard used the tower as a lookout for his own purposes of piracy.

Blackbeard's Castle at Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas, View from the Harbor

Blackbeard's Castle with Statute of Blackbeard

Other islands lay claim to Blackbeard’s presence, such as New Providence, Bahamas, where Nassau, the capital city is located. Nassau’s main harbor is protected to the north by Paradise Island.

The city was founded by British noblemen in 1670. Its settlers built a fort and named it Charles Town, after King Charles II of England. In 1684, it was burned to the ground by the Spanish, and rebuilt in 1695 and renamed Nassau. However, due to ineffective governors, the town fell on hard times and it eventually became known as a pirate refuge during the height of piracy, attracting the likes of Blackbeard, who used the fort as his base. In 1718, the Bahamas’ first Royal Governor, Woodes Rogers, expelled them and restored order – the same year Blackbeard was killed! Could that be why he returned to Ocracoke?

Today, the fabulous British Colonial Hotel is located on the site of that fort. A freshwater well, apparently used by Blackbeard and named after the pirate, is still located on the property.

The British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, Bahamas

"Blackbeard's Well" located on the British Colonial Hilton's Property

Another tower named for Blackbeard still stands in Nassau, although it is now a crumbling monastery. It is off the beaten path and it is unknown if any tour groups visit it.

"Blackbeard's Tower" in Disrepair

There are two known places claiming the grave of Blackbeard.

Coco Cay Island in the Caribbean, which is Royal Caribbean’s private island. There you will find a decorated grave marked “Blackbeard.”

"Blackbeard's Grave" on Coco Cay Island

Edward "Blackbeard" Teach’s gravesite and Historical Marker is located at Irvin Garrish Highway (Route 12), Ocracoke, Hyde, North Carolina.

Arial View of Blackbeard's Burial Marker, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

He was actually buried at sea off the coast of Ocracoke Island, so the second marker would be more accurate.

When you think about it – he was decapitated during the battle in Ocracoke Inlet. Even though the November weather was cold: (1) why would the British keep the body to take it to Coco Cay to bury it there? There was no morgue onboard, and the weather would only get warmer as they traveled further south. (2) His crew couldn’t bury it because the British took control of the ship and crew. (3) Why would they bury the body in the first place? He was a notorious pirate! They just threw it overboard and kept his head to prove he was killed.

The legend of Blackbeard has been portrayed throughout the years in movies, plays, and books, some being more off target than others, and some stories even romanticize him as a hero. His frigate, Queen Anne’s Revenge, was discovered, fittingly, on November 21, 1996, located offshore of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, near where he ran it aground at Beaufort Inlet.

The Mainstay, or Anchor, of the Queen Anne's Revenge

One of the 31 Cannons Found Onboard the Queen Anne's Revenge

Eastern North Carolina is known to most everyone living in the region as Pirate Nation, home of East Carolina University. Blackbeard called its coastal area his home, so it is aptly named. ECU is directly involved with the excavation, cleaning, and preservation of artifacts from the Queen Anne's Revenge.