Tag Archives: Travel

Wine connoisseurs have an abundance of choices this summer

July 25, 20163-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, TravelTravel, vineyards, wine, wineryJoanne

Thanks to tremendous growth in Michigan wine and a spike in both quantity and quality of vineyards and wineries, West Michigan’s wine culture has quickly evolved into a tour de force with people around the world coming to try these new wine offerings. Here’s your opportunity to enjoy local wine by attending events, scheduling a tour or bringing home a bottle or two from these local wineries.

South

The Lansing Area has numerous downtown restaurants and they love to bring wines from around the world to Michigan. You can sample fares ranging from local wineries to some from within the United States and even other countries. Either way, you’re getting a diverse lineup of fantastic wines each with their own history and distinct style.

Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks offers two wine-influenced spirits. The Kissing Cousins is a Featherbone Bourbon that is aged for 15 months in their barrels and then an additional six in used wine barrels. Journeyman’s Fine Girl Brandy is distilled from Vidal Blanc grapes grown at St. Julian Winery before being aged in Last Feather Rye Whiskey barrels. You’ll find a unique take on wine here.

Dablon Winery & Vineyards in Baroda is a must visit in Southwest Michigan. They have a gorgeous tasting room and events throughout the summer. You can also take a tour with one of their winemakers through their vineyard, barrel room and wine production area. There is live music throughout the summer so that you can have a soundtrack to your tastings. Sip these handcrafted, estate-grown and -produced wines this summer.

Every month there is something happening on the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. This July, enjoy some of the newest additions to the trail such as Cogdal Vineyards, Dablon Winery & Vineyards and Vineyard 2121. Wineries are close enough that you can enjoy two or three and come back next time for a few different ones. Get more out of your wine trips with a day on the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail.

Central

Muskegon has a great recurring event for wine lovers: The Art & a Glass event is your Thursday Happy Hour! Every Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, grab a glass and check out some of the great art pieces at the Muskegon Museum of Art. General admission is free during this event so this is a great opportunity to discover your local museum at no cost.

Bygone Basics Cooking School located at Amanda’s Bequest Bed & Breakfast in Montague will host their Pasta & Pinot event on July 23rd and 31st. Here, you’ll be able to learn how to make fresh pasta by hand! Enjoy a glass of wine there or bring your own. This event is all about the pasta, but wine is more than welcome as you cook and eat your pasta creation.

Downtown Ludington loves its wines. They have a boutique winery, tasting room and gift shop located right in the heart of downtown Ludington. They love their local and unique wines as they match their creations to the seasons.

Reserve Wine & Food in Grand Rapids offers over 100 wines by the glass in addition to their extensive bottle list. It has been recognized by USA Today as one of the top ten places in the country offering wine flights. Pair your favorite wine with one of their locally sourced dishes for a great evening of wining and dining with friends and family.

North

Black Star Farms in Traverse City has fun and unique experiences built around their wine. One of these is their Sunrise Sundays: Yoga in the Vines which is every Sunday in July. Enjoy one hour of gentle yoga followed by a special six-flight wine tasting. Following yoga, you will head over to their tasting room where you’ll be guided through your flight. If yoga isn’t your style, you can sample visit their tasting room where their helpful staff will help you explore their range of wines.

Hotel Walloon’s Wine Maker’s Weekend is November 4th and 5th. This year’s event will feature Adelsheim Vineyards from Williamette, Oregon. The meet and greet will be on Friday, November 4th while the dinner at Walloon Lake Inn will be on Saturday, November 5th.

Douglas Valley in Manistee transforms 640 acres into a sustainable vineyard community. At the center of Douglas Valley is their town square and winery, surrounded on all sides by orchards, vineyards and farms. The rolling hills and panoramic view of Lake Michigan adds a rhythm of nature that is remains unparalleled to this day.

Blustone Vineyard in Lake Leelanau started 20 years ago when the owner’s family visited the area for the first time. They quickly fell in love with the lakes, dunes, hills and fields. Now, the area is home to their vineyard and winery. Their love for family and this amazing part of Northern Michigan reflects in every glass of their wine.

Bellaire offers family-owned wineries with the scenic views of the area. Views such as Lake Bellaire, Torch Lake, and the vineyards where your favorite wines are produced will act as the backdrop to your perfect summer evening. Enjoy a glass or two as you spend time with friends and family.

Charlevoix has helped put Northern Michigan on the map for its famous wines. They have several locations that offer complimentary wine tasting including their Farmer’s Market every Thursday morning. There is even a specialty store that sells unique and hard-to-find wines both local and internationally.

With a wine and mead tasting room in Beulah, St. Ambrose Cellars takes the ancient beverages of mead and wine and gives them a modern twist. They pride themselves on being a family friendly destination and are a must-see destination the next time you vacation up north. They’re pushing boundaries with their innovations in both flavor and process.

Situated on 190 acres of farm in Petoskey, Rudbeckia Winery is nestled in the rolling hills of the “Up North.” The winery has a beautiful view of both Lake Michigan and Walloon Lake. Of course, the main draw is their wine. They specialize in creating limited quantity, delicious artisanal wines that is a must taste for any enthusiast.

A visit to the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula is the perfect summer getaway. Enjoy nine unique wineries as you make your way through this beautiful part of our great state. The wineries include stunning views, tasting rooms, decks, hospitality and their signature wines.

More West Michigan Wineries

Couch Surfing in Treviso, Italy

July 21, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Food, Travelcouch surfing, italy, Lynn Strough, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

What do you do when you want to go to Venice, but the hotels are way out of your budget, and you’d really rather get to know the locals anyway, than stay in an anonymous hotel in a crazy tourist area?

You try couch surfing!

Couch surfing is more of a cultural exchange than a free place to stay. True, there is no charge (although it’s suggested that you bring your host a small gift, or cook them a meal). If you are not familiar with couch surfing, go to the website for all kinds of information. You become a member (free, or a nominal charge if you want to be “verified”) and then you can host or surf or both. It’s not like a home exchange, you can surf and not host, or host and not surf, and it’s a fantastic way to meet people from all different cultures and make travel more affordable, too.

I unofficially couch surfed at the beginning of my trip in 2014, staying with a woman in Australia that I’d never met, and then with several of her friends. But this was my first official couch surf using the Couch Surfing site. And what a great experience it turned out to be!

My host, Tiziana, an Italian woman about my age, welcomed me with a smile and a big hug, and whisked me off to a huge, late night party where I was the only non-local and non-Italian, and I got to try my very first “spritz,” (prosecco and Aperol). The next night she invited her Couch Surfing friends, both hosts living in the area, as well as their guests, to a dinner at her home to welcome me.

She cooked her grandmother’s pasta recipe for me (I cooked for her as well, although it’s not my area of expertise, so I also gave her a watercolor that I’d painted, and took her out for lunch). She showed me around the city of Treviso, where we dined like the locals in a restaurant full of old phones, checked out the market, and she showed me the architecture as well as telling me a little about the city’s history –- Treviso is known as home of the famous Pinarello bikes.

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I did get to go visit Venice for two of the days that I stayed in Treviso, once on my own, and once with a couple of lovely young couch-surfing girls from Germany. Typically, a couch surf is for one to three days, and Tiziana had agreed to host me for two. But we were having so much fun that she kept extending the invitation to stay longer. We still had to go wine tasting, she told me.

The area is known for its famous prosecco, and we were told to go to a small, boutique winery known for the best. It’s the kind of place where the owner is also the winemaker and tasting room host in his home, with old family portraits on the walls. His mother and daughter came to say hello, and we were given several wines to taste. We were not only not charged, but when we tried to buy some wine to take with us, he insisted on giving it as a gift. There was even a small sculpture garden nearby that he and his daughter showed us on our way out.

But the fun didn’t end there. Also nearby was a tiny but famous restaurant, where there are no employees; you just help yourself to what you want –- bread, cheese, wine, charcuterie, hard boiled eggs –- and then you check yourself out on their register. In the barn attached to the restaurant, a couple of cows lay snoozing, and the view outside where the few tables lay scattered is spectacular.

One of the other local couch surfing hosts invited me to a dinner with even more couch surfing guests. We all pitched in to help with the cooking. Francesco taught us how to play cards, a game called Buracco, and we realized that out of the group of us, we were from six different countries, including Italy, France, Romania, Azerbaijan, Albania, and the U.S.

It’s nice to help pay for gas when your host takes you touring places, and also to offer to help around the house, like doing dishes, cooking prep, laundry, or whatever special skills you might have to offer.

Tiziana asked me to help her out with my art skills and create a sign for her school where she teaches English, and I was happy to oblige. We visited her school, which had just let out for the summer, and she introduced me to some of her colleagues, and provided me with endless amounts of art supplies. Again, not your typical tourist experience.

My couch surfing experience was so amazing that I lined up my next couch surf while still in Treviso –- next stop? Paris!

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something-year-old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

You know you’re in Tokyo when…

July 7, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Local Faces, TravelLynn Strough, nomad, sushi, Tokyo, Travel, world travelerJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

Welcome to this week’s chapter in the ongoing series by our world traveler, Lynn Strough. It’s time for Tokyo!

So, we asked, “How do you know you’re in Tokyo?” And she said, “You know you’re in Tokyo when”:

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About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Day Tripping — Montenegro and Lokrum

June 30, 20163-bottom, architecture, Editorial, Education, Entertainment, Holidays, Local Faces, TravelArch Program, architecture, Croatia, cruise ships, day tripping, dubrovnik, kotor, Lynn Strough, montenegro, Sveti Stefan, swimming, tourists, Travel, wanderlustJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

Welcome to this week’s chapter in the ongoing series by our world traveler, Lynn Strough. Let’s do some day tripping!

Not far from Dubrovnik, Croatia, is the country of Montenegro, and it’s easy and inexpensive to go day tripping there. Montenegro is known for its beaches and the old city of Kotor, and they’re both worth a look, although on the day I was there, so were three cruise ships and thousands of other tourists, so not the ideal circumstances for my visit.

In Kotor, you will find inside the city walls, plenty of places to shop and to dine –- it’s quite touristy. But you will also see some interesting architecture, and the inevitable beautiful doors and flapping laundry. An old fortress gives you some lovely views and more places to relax.

Many people go there to climb to the top of the mountain above Kotor, although we were told by our tour guide that we didn’t have time. Our guide also informed us on numerous occasions that Montenegro has become a playground for rich Russians. I don’t know if this is true, but there is certainly wealth displayed, in the marina in the form of large yachts, as well as on the nearby tiny island of Sveti Stefan where the 5-star Aman Sveti Stefan hotel beckons to those with deep pockets.

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It’s always fun to discover the local color of a new country, including markets and graffiti, and taking a day trip to Montenegro is certainly worth a visit, although it’s not on my top list of places to go. I’ve met people who love Montenegro and people who don’t, and to be fair, going on a tour — even a small group tour — isn’t the best way to get the full picture, although I hope you’ve enjoyed a few of mine.

Day trips to Mostar, Bosnia, are also available, although I was told it’s five hours on a bus round trip, with only an hour and 1/2 off the bus to see the famous Stari Most bridge, which is not the original but a reconstruction started in 2001. I skipped this.

More my style for Dubrovnik day tripping, it’s just a little leap to the island of Lokrum, a nature reserve where it’s possible to get away from the crowds of the old town. You depart from the harbor in Dubrovnik, and it’s only a 15-minute scenic ride by taxi-boat. 6.30 euro includes your ride and entrance into the island park reserve. Bring your bathing suit, as you can swim off of one of the many ladders that sink into the sea, or then again, you may not need one.

On the island, you can also go hiking, past the Benedictine monastery and up to the top to the old fort, for some interesting history and amazing views. Wear good hiking shoes, as the trails are dirt and rocks and slippery pine needles. It smells like sea and balsam, and I heard a young man with a guitar, sitting on top of the fort strumming and singing.

The only inhabitants of the island are feathered and full of eyes. Peacocks were brought over from the Canary Islands a century and a half ago, and wander the auto-less island freely. This guy strutted up to me, spread his fan tail, then turned his back on me. I wasn’t sure if he was flirting with me or mooning me.

There are a couple of restaurants on the island, but my recommendation is to pack a picnic and pick one of the many perfect rocky shores to dine with a view.

Day tripping from Dubrovnik is easy and affordable, so why not stay a few more days before heading off to the rest of the islands, any of over 1000 of them.

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Time to Split, Croatia

June 23, 20163-bottom, architecture, Education, Entertainment, Holidays, Travelcathedrals, Croatia, dalmatian coast, diocletian's palace, fortress, hotels, Lynn Strough, restaurants, shops, split, tourists, Travel, vibrant, wanderlustJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

Welcome to this week’s chapter in the ongoing series by our world traveler, Lynn Strough. Here, Lynn takes us to Split, Croatia.

Split is a vibrant town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, which is known for Diocletian’s Palace, a fortress-like structure erected by the Roman emperor in the 4th century. Now it’s full of restaurants, shops, cathedrals, hotels, and tourists.

Note that the cruise ships dump huge crowds here, but if you see the tour guides holding up a flag followed by the masses, just head the other direction. They usually go for the area with the most souvenir shops.

If you’re in the old town at the right time, you might bump into some men in metal or possibly even Santa Claus or Dumbledore.

You’ll notice many interesting architectural details both on the ground and up in the air if you climb the bell tower, which I have to say is a really high one! Inside the walls, you’ll find the beautiful Croatian National Theatre and just outside the walls, a colorful market.

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Speaking of walls, there is a fair amount of graffiti, but most of it is artistic and interesting. Oftentimes in Split, you’ll stumble on to a flea market, and you never know what you might find. And after the sun goes down, the colorful lights come on, if you’re into late nights with food festivals and free concerts… free, unless you care to donate some spare Kuna.

If you tire of old town Split, there are many day trip opportunities, like taking a ferry to the island of Brac (pronounced “Brach”), which is known for its very famous beach, Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape). This beach is a protected nature park and it changes shape under the influence of tides and waves.

If water and beaches aren’t your thing, there’s Trogir, another walled village a short bus ride away from Split. It has the usual fortress you can climb for a view, plus canals, shops, restaurants, churches and the like for you to explore. Or you can set up office with a pizza and free wifi, if you need to get a little travel blogging done.

Now, after a month in Croatia, it’s time for me to split Split and head to Slovenia. But looking back, what’s not to love about Croatia? I’d go back in a heartbeat, and highly recommend it for a beautiful, affordable, fun and sun-filled holiday for you.

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Heavenly Hvar, Croatia

June 16, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Holidays, Local Faces, Recreation, Traveladam and eve, Croatia, entertainment, garden of eden, hula hula, hvar, Lynn Strough, Palmizana, sailing, san clemente, Travel, wanderer, wanderlust, yachtJoanne

By Lynn Strough

TravelynnTales

Welcome to this week’s chapter in the ongoing series by our world traveler, Lynn Strough. More Croatia is in store…

Hvar is glitzy and high-rolling, and it’s where the yachting crowd comes to see and be seen. On Hvar, you might go for a morning stroll and be so mesmerized by the scenery, that you’re still in the same spot at sunset. The Hula Hula Bar offers comfy lounge chairs for a pittance, with a view to die for.

I stopped for a breakfast orange juice, stayed for a salad for lunch, and found myself sipping a glass of wine watching the sun sink into the sea several hours later, and I wasn’t the only one. I met lots of people from all over the world who were also tethered to their chairs for the day, other than to periodically take a dip in the crystal clear, freezing cold water.

If you prefer to be on the water, rather than in it, there are plenty of opportunities, from ferries to water taxis, power boats to boats powered by wind. Sailing is my preference, so my new friend Roma (from California) and I headed out for a half-day sail. They take up to 10 passengers on this 35′ racing boat modified as a cruiser, but we got lucky as it wasn’t peak season, and had the boat and Captain Bronco all to ourselves.

The gods provided great wind, and at 15 knots we were sailing. It was blowing 30 knots farther out, but Captain B decided to keep it a little less exciting and more comfortable, as it turns out Roma had never sailed before.

We sailed to a nearby tiny island, to Palmizana on San Clemente, for lunch. It’s a gorgeous spot, with a beautiful harbor to protect the yachts, and a few small restaurants. It’s a real life Garden of Eden, where if you look carefully, you might even spot Adam and Eve.

Back on Hvar, we got ambitious and climbed the hill to the fortress for some spectacular views of the harbor and rooftops below. Hvar is a medieval city, with walls started in 1278. There’s a strong Venetian influence in the architecture, as the Venetians ruled here on more than one occasion.

Besides the walled old town and famous harbor, Hvar is also known for its vineyards and wines, olive groves, and especially its lavender fields, and it’s one of the sunniest islands. With a population of over 11,000, it’s the fourth most populated of the islands of Croatia.

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As with all of the water I’ve seen in Croatia — inland lakes, rivers and waterfalls, as well as the sea — it’s crystal clear and the most breathtaking shades of blues and greens.

You can spend a small fortune staying at one of the fancy hotels, or a very affordable $50 per night for a good-sized room that sleeps three, if you’re willing to stay out of town and walk a bit. I stayed at an “apartman,” a room in a guest house, about a 15-minute walk from the center of town, but I didn’t mind as the walk was along the sea with scenic views the whole way.

And this location put me about half-way between the old town in one direction, and another fabulous beach in the other direction, also with a scenic walk to get there.

The town itself is filled with great little restaurants and shops, full of enticing things. Other than food, my one souvenir was a couple of little sachets of fragrant dried lavender to tuck into my well-worn hiking boots, a big improvement in their scent.

There are plenty of night clubs and bars if you want a vibrant night-life. And on Hvar, as in all of Croatia, I felt very safe, even walking around alone after dark, with the moon and stars and lamplight to guide me back to my temporary home.

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

West Michigan offers endless things to do with Dad on Father’s Day

June 16, 20163-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Holidays, Recreation, Senior Living, Sports, Travel, Upcoming Eventsentertainment, Father's Day, golf, Travel, West Michigan Tourist AssociationJoanne

Father’s Day is June 19th — this Sunday! — and the West Michigan Tourist Association has some excellent suggestions for making it the perfect day for any father in your life. Enjoy great meals, fun events, and give gifts DADicated to that special man. Show your appreciation for your dad 365 days a year, but make sure to celebrate in style on June 19th with Father’s Day in West Michigan.

Golf
Here’s just one idea: Take dad for a round of golf at one of the four championship courses at Shanty Creek Resorts. The tight fairways, formidable doglegs, and elevation changes will challenge any golfer. Or if you’re looking for a new unique way to experience golf, why not try FootGolf at Shanty Creek’s Summit Golf Course. This hybrid between soccer and golf has you trying to kick a soccer ball into a 21-inch diameter cup.

The Heatherwoods Course at the Charlevoix Country Club is another ideal place for golfing with dad. Their Father’s Day special includes $29 for 18 holes and $15 for 8 holes. Their Golf & Dine special is perfect for making this an all inclusive day of golf. The dining package is valid at both Sports Grill and the Triple C Clubhouse Dining Room. Book your tee times online at their website.

coldwater country locomotives — Coldwater Country Locomotive

Family Fun

Enjoy a trip through the countryside on the historic Little River Railroad steam locomotives in Coldwater Country. Dads ride free with purchase of a regular ticket. The round trip train ride lasts an hour and forty five minutes and takes you from Coldwater to Quincy where you’re given the opportunity to see the locomotive switch around for your return trip. For times and reservations, visit their website.

South Haven’s Harborfest falls on Father’s Day weekend. Bring the whole family to enjoy live music by the river, dragon boat races, a classic boat show, and more. If you want to give the gift of relaxation, the beaches of South Haven offer a great “no agenda” day to enjoy with dad.

The Port City Princess in Muskegon will have a special Father’s Day cruise to celebrate dads all over the world. Enjoy a champagne brunch with local microbrew beers and a live bluegrass band. You’ll also be able to watch the powerboat races that are going on all weekend.

St. Ignace is perfect for planning a trip for Father’s Day. Take a day trip to Mackinac Island and enjoy the summer weather. Then spend the day in St. Ignace, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. Plan a golf or fishing trip during your stay.

Gaylord offers family fun year-round, and Father’s Day is no exception. Head to Gaylord to experience the Air Show with jaw-dropping aerobatic aerial performances, jets and vintage war birds performing and on display.

The 38th Annual White Lake Area Father’s Day Arts & Crafts Festival will be June 18th and 19th at Goodrich Park in Whitehall. The family favorite festival features 75 talented artists, crafters, food vendors, live entertainment, and children’s activities.

Hit the waters of Mackinac Island with dad at Great Turtle Kayak Tours. Choose between kayaking or standup paddle boarding and explore the waters together. This is a fun and outdoor family activity that everybody can participate in. For more information and reservation options, visit their website.

The Historic Charlton Park hosts their 35th Annual Father’s Day Car Show on Sunday, June 19th. Admire vintage cars and the craftsmanship of yesteryear throughout the park’s 310 acres. You know you’re getting the best of the best when every car is from 1990 or earlier and must be able to drive itself to the park.

The Muskegon CVB also wants you to celebrate Father’s Day with them. On June 19th, dads enjoy a free tour of the Hackley & Hume Historic Site. Explore the grounds and see the beauty that went into this historic location. If powerboats are more your speed, then check out the Chase Charity Powerboat Event from June 17th to the 19th at the Muskegon Yacht Club. You can either race or watch the boats while enjoying refreshments at the club.

Charlevoix is ready to help you create special moments with dad for Father’s Day. Take a hiking trip through their great trail system or golf on one of their five area courses. Kayak or boat on the lakes and rivers where you can go fishing. There is also skydiving, trail biking, and more adventures to be discovered and had.

Charlevoix Lighthouse

Lemon Creek Winery’s 32nd Annual Father’s Day Festival features live music, a classic Corvette car show, kids’ games, hayrides and more. Of course, food and wine will play a big part in the celebration. The entry fee is $12 for adults 21 and older and includes free parking, admission to the event, a souvenir wine glass, and three free wine tastings. Those under 21 get in free when accompanied by a family member over 21.

Beer, Dine, & Wine

Head out to the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula this Father’s Day to try some award-winning wines from nine distinct wineries along the peninsula. Each of the nine wineries has their own distinct tasting rooms, patios, and beautiful decks. Stop by all of them and find which one you like the best.

Journeyman Distillery will be hosting a Father’s Day brunch and Three Oaks Single Malt release on June 19th from 10am to 10pm. There will be both a special steak sandwich that has shaved prime rib and a full brunch menu to choose your meal. The whiskey won’t last long on the shelves, so make sure to check out this special release while you’re at it. For more information on the event and the Three Oaks Single Malt, visit their website.

Food is on the mind of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance for Father’s Day weekend. Their farmers market will be open June 18th and is great to get some fresh produce for cooking your Father’s Day feast. If dining out is more your style, Schuler’s Restaurant will have their Father’s Day Brunch on June 19th from 9:30am to 2pm. The dinner menu begins at 1pm if you would rather have an evening meal together.

Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo celebrates Father’s Day the best way they know how: delicious beer and meat-centric food dishes. All Father’s Day long, dads can enjoy $5 off growler fills of any draft beer. At 5pm, live entertainment will be provided by Roma Ransom who traveled all the way from Colorado to perform.

Gifts

Give dad a membership to Club Mich for Father’s Day. A membership to the Michigan Breweries T-Shirt Club is a perfect gift for dads who love craft beer. As a member, he’ll receive a shirt every month featuring a different Michigan brewery. You can buy it as a monthly plan or purchase the plan in various increments.

The Art Gallery of Algoma will be having a Father’s Day Gallery Shop Sale from June 14th to June 18th. Get dad the perfect gift or get him an AGA Membership which helps support the gallery and its efforts. Or you could visit the gallery and take a tour with your loved ones. Check out the Art Gallery of Algoma when you are out shopping and planning for Father’s Day.

A Little Bit of Everything

Treat dad to the perfect day at Crystal Mountain. If he loves golf, send him to the Callaway Club Fitting from 10am to 3pm on June 18th for a 15-minute fitting. Then, on June 19th, buckets of driving range balls are buy one, get one free! Plus you can golf at Mountain Ridge for $45 and Betsie Valley for $35. If golf isn’t his thing, on Father’s Day, dads get free entrance into the pool, a free Alpine Slide Pass, or free bike rental with purchase of a child pass or rental.

Pierce Cedar Creek has a great Father’s Day dinner, program, and artist’s reception on June 19th. Enjoy dinner at 5pm expertly prepared by Chef Paul. After dinner, artist Laura Christensen will present her photography titled “The Wildlife and Waters of Barry County.” Enjoy a reception and an optional hike out to Cedar Creek afterward for an evening view of the Institute’s wetlands. There is a fee for dinner, but the program, reception, and hike are free and do not require attendance at dinner to be enjoyed.

No matter what you end up doing, you’re sure to have tons of fun!

In love with Croatia: From A to Zagreb

June 2, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, TravelCroatia, Lynn Strough, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

Welcome to this week’s chapter in the ongoing series by our world traveler, Lynn Strough. It’s time for Croatia…

Croatia is one of my new favorite countries. Its capital, Zagreb is a gateway into a country

full of beautiful scenery, interesting history and kind people. It’s a great mix of old and new, including old peeling walls, beautiful churches and a bustling square.

Art appears everywhere, spilling out into the streets, and great graffiti graces the walls. It’s also a city full of museums. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out the Museum of Broken Relationships, sad, funny and heartening all at once, a glimpse of the human condition that most can relate to.

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Great restaurants abound in Zagreb. So do places to grab a snack, and there are plenty of shopping opportunities as well as lots of green space. It’s easy to get around on the local blue trams and other forms of transportation.

My friend Beth from Michigan flew into Zagreb to join me for a week of travel in Croatia, and we spent two lovely days here. She said her time in Croatia was one of her best trips ever!

So if you’re looking for a destination that’s full of history, charm, art, architecture, good food and good people, with an affordable price tag, consider Croatia. Come on along for the ride, and then book your own ticket.

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

What to bring when you travel: The eternal dilemma

May 26, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Local Faces, Travelbeaches, fun, hiking, packing, restaurants, swimming, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This week, Lynn interrupts her parade of places to bring you a comprehensive packing post (at least from a woman’s perspective—guys, you’ll have to adjust accordingly).

This packing list is for long-term travel on a budget, mostly following summer. It’s not for a short-term trip to a big city where you’ll be dining out every night in fancy restaurants, or on a cruise with formal dinner parties, although I think even with what I have, I could make do. This list can take you from hiking in the mountains to lounging on beaches, to perusing museums, to wine tasting, to dining out at a fish shack or a 4-star restaurant.

Note: This kind of travel isn’t about making a fashion statement, although it’s nice to look presentable. It’s about being comfortable, warm and dry (except maybe when snorkeling or diving), and having a great time exploring our beautiful world.

Try to leave a little empty space in your bag for acquisitions, as you’re bound to see something you like, and it would be nice to have room to carry it. The hardest part of my trip is that moment each time I move (which is frequent) when I try to zip my backpack closed, because as light as I’ve packed, I still have too much stuff.

And if you’re traveling to Southeast Asia, you can go with just what you have on and an empty backpack and buy a complete wardrobe for about the price of one quick-dry name brand outfit back home.

Just remember, those elephant pants that look so cool out on the street in Thailand might look a little out of place back in the mid-west, but if you’re a bit of a bohemian, who cares?

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Ready? Here we go!

Packing List:

Kindle (1,000 books for the size and weight of one)
1 pair jeans (I brought one pair, and despite how long they take to dry, I’m glad I did)
1 pair gray quick-dry hiking pants
1 pair quick-dry black pants (can be used for dress or casual or pajamas)
1 pair quick-dry green capris
1 pair black tights (can wear with a dress or layer under pants for warmth)
1 pair quick-dry tan shorts
1 black quick-dry dress
1 brown quick-dry skort (skirt with shorts built in)
1 quick-dry white blouse (I’d have picked a different color, given a good choice—white might look nice, but not for long)
1 gray t-shirt—long-sleeved, quick-dry
1 black long-sleeved, lightweight cotton shirt (alternates as a pajama top)
1 brown patterned, quick-dry top with long sleeves (patterns are good as they hide the dirt)
1 patterned quick-dry green t-shirt
1 green quick-dry, short-sleeved t-shirt
1 striped quick-dry, short-sleeved shirt
2 cotton tank tops
1 striped sleeveless top, brown and black
1 black quick-dry, sleeveless hiking top
1 taupe cotton long-sleeved top with black tank (layers for warmth and tank can be used for pajama top in hot weather)
3 pair hiking socks
2 pair short black socks
Hiking boots
1 pair cushy flip flops
1 pair Tom’s shoes (couldn’t find summer walking shoes, so I took my old Tom’s as a temp solution. They ended up lasting me five months and I was sorry when they bit the dust)
Gloves (lightweight)
Bathing suit
Sarong (multiple uses—skirt, dress, beach cover-up, nightgown, towel, blanket, tablecloth)
1 pair short pajama bottoms
2 thin decorative scarves
7 pair quick-dry bikini underwear (you can get away with 3 pair if they’re quick-dry, but my 7 rolled up only take up the room of a pair of socks or 2, and I like not having to do laundry every day)
2 bras
A few pair of inexpensive earrings, rings, necklaces (leave your good jewelry at home, you’re likely to lose it, and flashy stuff makes you more of a target for thieves)
Rain jacket and rain pants
Fleece jacket and thin cardigan
Pashmina (can be used as a blanket or a shawl)
Packing cubes
Silk sleep sack (you might not need this often, but when you do it’s nice to have and takes up the room of 2 pairs of socks)
Money belt (not the most comfortable, but important to have)
Pack towel (a bit pricey up front, but well worth it—they’re quick-dry, antimicrobial, and pack up small)
Door stop (cheap, small, with a big security factor)
Drain plug (can’t tell you how many times I’ve used this!)
Converter kit (I only use the adaptor plugs, as my phone and computer have their own, and many appliances like hair dryers now come with a way to switch the current)
Tiny keychain flashlight
Small packets of laundry soap (you can always buy more where you go)
Mini-sewing kit
Wet Wipes
Snacks (just a few for on the plane, you can always buy more wherever you go. Keep in mind many countries don’t allow fruit or nuts in, so eat them before you arrive)
Reading glasses
Regular glasses and sunglass clips
Sunglasses
Zip-lock plastic bags, quart and gallon size (bring more than you think you’ll need—you’ll use them all and wish you had more)
TSA-approved locks for backpack and daypack
Travel document pouch with passport, driver’s license, credit cards, debit cards, plane ticket (always bring at least 2 credit cards—if one is compromised, you’ll have another one for back up)
Small amount of cash in US dollars (bring some ones, and make sure they’re new, not creased or torn—some places will only take new bills.)
Immunization certificate
10 extra passport pictures (for visas—you can get them abroad but it’s a hassle)
iPhone (I use this as my camera, but otherwise add camera to your list)
iPod for music
Small notebook
Lightweight 11″ Macbook Air Laptop
Cords and plugs for computer, phone, spare battery, Kindle
Spare battery charger (I use this almost every day)
Earbuds for iPod
Backpack (up to you if you want a roller bag or backpack, both have advantages and disadvantages)
Small zip-off daypack
Small purse
Dop kit
Pocket-sized plastic poncho
Water bottle
Whistle
Length of nylon rope (can be used for a clothesline, among other things)
Spork (small plastic spoon/fork/knife all in one)
Prescriptions (bring what you think you’ll need as you may not be able to get the same thing abroad, however I was able to get my migraine rx for a fraction of the cost in both New Zealand and Thailand – $5 vs the $40 a pill I have to pay in the States!)
Antibiotic—general rx for potential intestinal problems
Epipen for allergy
Ibuprofin
Aspirin
Benadryl
Pepto Bismol
Bonine for motion sickness
Health and beauty aids—remember, airlines have rules about small quantities in a clear plastic quart bag. You can always pick up shampoo, toothpaste, etc. where you’re going.
Shampoo and cream rinse
Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
Razor and extra blades
Mascara, liner and remover
Lipstick
Chapstick
Brush/comb
Hair ties
Headband
Eye and face cream
Body lotion
Soap
Facewash
Sunscreen
Deodorant
Tweezers (make sure you put tweezers, nail clippers and nail files in checked bags; some airports really will take them)
Nail file
Nail clippers
Contacts and solution (bring extra contacts)
Eye drops
Hair dryer/flatiron (you can really leave these at home)
Swabs
Shower cap
Band aids
Tissues
Earplugs
Neosporin

Art supplies (something most of you probably won’t need):

Travel watercolor kit
Travel-size brushes
Paper
Refill paints
Spray bottle
Pencils and sharpener
Eraser
Pens – drawing and calligraphy
Small watercolor paintings as gifts for some of my longer-term hosts

Things you can get ahead, but I planned to get at my first destination:

Good walking shoes
Hat (more fun to buy on the road, unless you already have a favorite—make sure it’s crush-proof, as no matter how careful you are, somebody will sit on it or put their bag on top of it)
Bug spray (too many liquids are hard to carry. Almost any place you travel that you need these, they will be readily available)
Travel Umbrella

That’s the list! Modify to suit your needs. This is pretty much all I needed in the first six months. You can figure that whatever you need for a week should just about cover you for a year, with a few exceptions. I did end up buying a base layer in Australia, as I’d planned to hike in the glaciers in New Zealand and had already been caught in rain and hail hiking in summer in Tasmania. These I don’t need often, but when I do, I’m glad I have them, and have used them for pajamas in chilly places as well. I also bought a wool beanie cap, and have worn that to bed, and used it out on the fjords in New Zealand. I left the gloves in a hostel for someone else in the give-away bin. I might need some down the road, but something had to go as I couldn’t zip my bag.

What have I brought that I haven’t used? I’m happy to say I’ve used almost everything I brought, except for things I’m glad I didn’t have to use, like motion sickness pills, and my Epi-pen (thankfully, no allergy-inducing mushrooms have crossed my lips), and my emergency whistle. I’ve used only one band aid when I cut my finger on a metal door hinge, and did have to use Benedryl for a couple of colds I picked up in a hostel and on the Tokyo trains (they wear those face masks for a reason).

I’ve used my hairdryer only twice, even though I have long hair now, but if I’d been traveling in cold weather places instead of mostly following summer, I might have used it more. I brought a mini hair straightener and only used it once, so that was a waste of space. On the road, you need very little makeup, jewelry, or fancy clothes, unless you’re doing a very different kind of traveling. Really, it’s a nice break to not worry all the time what your hair looks like.

What did I wish I’d brought? More zip-lock baggies. You use them way more than you’d think, and even though you can purchase them most anywhere, I don’t really need a box of 50. Pretty much anything else you need you can find most places—toothpaste and shampoo, clothes, tissues, you name it, other countries have it too. I highly recommend quick-dry clothes, which you can’t always find in all countries, or in some, they’re very expensive, unless you want to be waiting for days for your heavy clothes to dry on the line. Most of the countries I’ve visited don’t use clothes dryers, which are so prevalent in the US. They use good old-fashioned clotheslines and pins. Which reminds me, throw a few clothespins in as well!

What have I acquired? Very little. A pair of loose cotton “elephant” pants and a top in Thailand for my meditation retreat. Some clothes were loaned or given to me, and some clothes I gave away. I did buy a bikini in Australia—they have great bathing suits there. And women in their 80’s don’t hesitate to flaunt their stuff in two-piece bathing suits, so I got over my “I’m-too-old-for-a-bikini” mindset.

I replaced my years-old cardigan, and I’ve bought a few gifts for people who have provided me with accommodations or made the effort to come meet me, however with my minimal budget and lack of backpack space, plus no home of my own to ship things to, I haven’t bought much. It’s hard when you see so many cool things in other countries that you know you can’t get at home, and I’ve thought more than once I might like to be an importer and shop for a living

But back to packing—remember, whatever you do take along or pick up, you have to lug around, so think seriously about if it’s worth it.

Also, remember when you pack your bag full and head off from a winter location, wearing your jeans and long-sleeved shirt and fleece jacket and hiking boots, and head to a summer place where the temperature is 99F, you aren’t going to want to keep wearing all of that heavy gear. So then where do you put it? In a kangaroo bag! And now you have three bags to tote around. Pack light, pack light, pack light. And bring twice as much money. That old adage, for better or worse, is true.

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Yudanaka: Ryokans and Onsens

May 19, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Local Faces, Travelcherry blossoms, futon, inn, japanese, onsen, ryokan, slippers, tatami, traditional, Travel, YudanakaJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This is the seventh installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

I’m in love…with the ryokan and onsen experience! It’s like stepping back in time to old Japan.

A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that usually features tatami-matted rooms, communal baths that are separate for men and women, with onsen (or hot springs), if you’re lucky.

When you walk into Yudanaka Seifuso, the first thing you do is take off your shoes and don a pair of their generic one-size-fits-all blue slippers, which are lined up on the inner doorstep. There are very specific rules about what foot attire to wear – no shoes allowed, only slippers in the building, except for on the tatami mats in the rooms (there you go stocking-footed) – while in the bathrooms, you wear special toilet slippers.

The very kind owners only spoke Japanese, which made for some interesting but fun communication challenges. They showed me to my charming room, with its low table and chairs and futon bed on the floor.

There’s a hot pot on the table so you can drink fragrant green tea at any time, and a yukata, a lightweight kimono, hanging in the closet, with sash and jacket so you can dress the part.

The doors slide silently from side to side, the inner doors painted with Japanese scenes, the outer with opaque panes divided by wooden slats.

The bathroom is shared with other guests, (separated by male or female), with 2 stalls – in one, a Japanese style floor toilet (whose icon reminds me of a slipper), and in the other, a modern Western-style toilet, whose lid lifts automatically when you open the stall door.

There are detailed instructions for all of the buttons – the best part is the heated seat! (If I could import the heated seats to Michigan, I’d make a fortune!) Surprisingly, these fancy toilets are not rare – you find them in airports, budget hotels, malls and restaurants, as well as in many homes, and for sale in the duty free shops in airports.

There’s a Japanese feast for dinner, each dish a work of art. I hadn’t known that many ryokan include breakfast and dinner. With my booking through a discount site, they were not included, however on this day of the week the restaurants were all closed, so my plan to go get a cheap bowl of noodles was foiled. Tough as it was, I ate at the ryokan instead.

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After dinner, time for the onsen (hot springs pools)! There is a small indoor pool and a bigger outdoor pool. They switch times between the men and the women, so you have a chance to try both.

I’d thankfully read about onsen etiquette on line, or I would’ve been clueless – first you put your kimono into a wicker basket, then you wrap your towel around your head, turban style, to keep it dry. You shower off with the outdoor nozzle while sitting naked for all to see (women anyway) on a small plastic stool, then you slip into the heavenly hot pool.

Steam swirls up, and if you’re in the outdoor pool at night, you can see the moon up above with its twin reflected on the inky-black surface, while listening to water stream from a long bamboo pipe. When you get out, you don’t shower again, as the minerals in the onsen water are good for your skin. This pool is about 14 ft x 14 ft square, made of stones, and surrounded on two sides by stone wall. The ryokan provides the other two walls for a fully enclosed courtyard. You sit on cement or stone benches submerged around the perimeter and soak your cares away.

I watched shadows dance across the stone walls, between the green of trees and plants, and once again thought of how lucky I am. I may currently lack a home (wherever I lay my head is home), a partner (I’m learning to be my own best friend), a job (unless you count this blog and research for the book I’ll write) or much money (that part is for real), but I’m happy.

The next morning, a ryokan breakfast. The breakfast cost – $10, a splurge for me, as I usually just have a glass of juice and toast, but it was a deal when you consider it was enough for lunch as well.

Yudanaka is not a very big city. The main tourist street has a few restaurants, and a handful of shops, all a little worn and shabby, but charming. I was surprised to see that the spring blossoms were mostly the same flowers I grew up with in Michigan – yellow daffodils, forsythia and dandelions, red and pink tulips, purple hyacinths, and a rainbow of pansies.

And then there are the cherry blossoms…

I’d been told that cherry blossom season was over, and in Tokyo and Kyoto this was true. However, Yudanaka is up in the mountains where it’s cooler, and cherry blossom season was at its peak — huge billowing masses of white-pink blossoms everywhere, floating down from the trees like sweet-smelling snow.

Springtime in Yudanaka is magical, especially at a ryokan and onsen.

*Tip: Book on weeknights rather than weekends as the price is much lower. This experience was a big splurge for me on my shoe-string budget, however the $87 I spent per night for two nights was well worth it, when you consider that it included the hot springs and transportation to the Monkey Park, and that standard western-style Japanese hotels in the big cities often run $200-600 a night and up.

By using the booking sites and shopping for deals, I’ve managed to keep my accommodation expenses really low overall. Using Air B&B, which I did for seven out of 14 nights in Japan, you can find rooms for around $50 if you’re willing to stay in more out-of-the-way places. Keep in mind that Japan is one of the most expensive countries to travel in, compared to the $12 a night rooms available in Thailand, but worth it! I don’t post much about accommodations, as most of the places I stay are pretty unremarkable and spartan, but I love to share the periodic unique experiences.

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Kyoto: Temples and Geishas

May 12, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Local Faces, TravelCeremony, fan, geisha, japan, japanese, kyoto, tea, temple, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This is the sixth installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

Kyoto is a city of contrasts – modern buildings and very old temples, the latest fashions and traditional kimonos. It’s the kind of place I envision when I think of Japan.

My first morning in Kyoto, I navigated the train system to get to Fushimi Inari, the temple of 10,000 gates (which should also be called the temple of a million steps). It sits at the base of a mountain with thousands of giant red gates all in a long row snaking upward, which you walk through, following the path past many smaller temples or shrines.

It leads up to a view at the top looking out over Kyoto. It’s about four kilometers and takes about two hours to walk up, and is totally worth the effort, not just for the view, but for the experience of all of the different things to see along the way.

The entrance was jam-packed with people, and the usual money-making things like fortune telling in various forms – the sticks in a tube, the place to hang bad fortunes out to dry, and tons and tons of food booths selling mostly things I didn’t recognize.

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Many foxes are found in Inari shrines, and Inari is the god of rice. You can purchase a small fox-shaped board and put your own fox face or message on it to leave behind.

From there, I wandered to the Gion area, which is the “old Kyoto” where women dressed in Geisha garb hang out. Some are “real” geishas and many more “pretend” geishas – there are actually kimono rental shops!

On my way there I accidentally stumbled upon a park, so I headed through instead of taking the direct map route, and discovered Kennin ji, a Zen temple & garden – what a happy accident! I’d been trying to find what I thought was a Zen temple on the map this morning, with no luck, and here I found one when I wasn’t looking!

It was beautiful, with a rock garden raked in circles and swirling lines, lovely rooms with tatami mats and square green cushions, and amazing paintings. Girls dressed like geishas posed for photographers, and a couple of them took a selfie with me.

Also while not looking, I ran into a dance show venue where tickets were about to go on sale, and someone was handing out sheets for a discount, another happy accident. The show included a bit of traditional music, flower arranging, tea ceremony, comedy play, Kyoto dance, and puppet theater. It was a bit touristy but still worth seeing.

Gion at night is a sight to behold. In Kyoto, you can also visit Nijo Castle and visit the Golden Pavillion, Kinkakuji.

You can visit amazing ceramics shops and a gallery where 102 different artists works are displayed, all tea ceremony related, contemporary as well as traditional, and shop in places that just sell Japanese fans…

You can attend a Japanese tea ceremony, where they will show you all of the intricacies involved. It’s quite fascinating, full of way too many details for me to remember. But then it’s also sort of meditative. Even the tea scoop has a name. This one translated to something like “cherry blossoms that float like snow in spring.”

Later, dinner with a new Swiss friend, Ruth, at a local’s joint, sitting at the bar eating dumplings and beer. A great way to end the day.

Even without your own kimono and tea bowl, you can have a lovely time in the beautiful Japanese city of Kyoto!

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something year old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Cambodia: Sights and Sounds of Siem Reap

April 28, 20163-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Food, Local Faces, TravelAmber Tamblyn, bangles, beads, buddha, Cambodia, clothing, colorful, hammocks, lamps, noise, shoes, Siem Reap, silk scarves, smells, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

This is the fourth installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

Siem Reap, Cambodia, is the gateway city to Angkor Wat, with exotic appeal, as well as the ease provided by being set up for the tourist trade. If you are looking for adventure, with all of the comforts of any major tourist destination, and a much cheaper price tag than most, you might want to consider a trip to Cambodia.

I’d booked a guesthouse ahead, based on a recommendation from a traveler I met in a hostel in New Zealand (hostels are great for swapping travel tips!) The Okay Guesthouse was $18 a night for a private room with bathroom and fan, $23 if you wanted AC, and at 90-100 degree temps, the AC was worth an extra $5 a day. It also boasted a beautiful rooftop pool and a row of hammocks for your snoozing pleasure. You can spend a little less for something super basic, and possibly not quite as clean, or spend hundreds of dollars a night if you want something 4-star, it’s all available here.

My room at the guesthouse was fairly basic, not quite what the rooms looked like on their website, but hey, the price was right. It was clean, and quiet, and cost less than an 8-bed hostel with shared bath in other countries. Then, a nice surprise when I got back from visiting Angkor Wat – the desk manager asked, “are you in room 222?” We have a surprise for you. We are upgrading your room to the villa!”

“That’s great!” I said, perplexed. “But why?” He said, “We just want you to be happy.” I am happy, but I’m even happier now!

The new room is about the same size, but it has a little nicer decor, a phone, a small packet of tissues, thicker towels, and there are rubber flip-flops by the bathroom to wear in the shower. Other than that, it’s about the same, but still, it was very nice of them. The staff are friendly and helpful, and they keep the place looking lovely.

They even sent someone to move my bags, while I went up and swam in that serpentine pool, which I thought about a lot while climbing temple steps in 90 degree heat earlier. I splurged and had a happy hour drink for a couple of dollars, while watching the sun set behind an unlit lamp by the rooftop pool, so it looked like the lamp was lit by the sun, and thought about how life is beautiful and how lucky I am!

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What else is there to do in Siem Reap besides exploring stone temples? Lots of things, it turns out, although hanging by that pool isn’t a bad thing to do in and of itself. The market is a great spot to check out, and it’s only a 20-minute walk or a five-minute, $2 tuk tuk ride away. It’s huge and spills out into the surrounding streets, blocks and blocks of sensory overload, smells, colors, tastes, noise! You can find just about anything you can think of there, shop after shop of colorful clothing, silk scarves, shoes, hammocks, lamps, beads, bangles, and buddhas; fruits, fish, vegetables, and foods you’ve never seen before.

You can get a massage on the street or in a spa, for a fraction of the price at home, or have your feet nibbled by fish.

You can also attend a local circus! Not the kind with animals, rather think of a small cirque du soleil, in a tent, with very talented young Cambodian men and women who sing, dance, and perform amazing feats of acrobatics, all while telling a story about Cambodian history and culture. The circus, Phare, is the product of a school of art and performing arts that was started to help get kids off the streets. I saw the show Sokha, about a little girl haunted by visions of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Intense story, but told with compassion, and yes, even humor, and an uplifting ending.

One of the hard parts of visiting Cambodia is seeing the poverty here, and the after effects of the land mines. You will see people missing hands and legs and feet, some trying to make a living selling you books near the market. This is hard to see, and you may experience travel guilt (why are we able to fly off to foreign countries, while people here earn $2 a day, if they’re lucky), but also remember that tourism helps boost the economy here and provides jobs and income for many families. The inequities in the world are mind-boggling, and not a problem easily solved. If I have any thoughts of hardship, not having a job or a home right now myself, they are made irrelevant by what I see here, and I’m reminded once again of just how lucky I am.

All of this fun is at a very affordable price for Westerners. Just to give you an idea, my hotel bill, at the end of a full week, was $221.75. This included seven nights hotel room ($161), $18 for my driver to Angkor Wat from 5am until 5:30pm, $18 for a ticket to the circus, $6 for a two-hour tuk tuk tour, $1.75 to have my laundry done (usually I do it myself in the sink, but the sink was tiny, and hey, for less than $2?!), a two-hour massage for $12 (a pre-birthday splurge), and a $5 fare to the airport. Not a bad price tag, when some people spend that on one night of hotel expense in a major US city.

And this was for solo travel. If you’re traveling with a companion, you can cut most of this expense in half.

Food, of course, was extra, but you can have a nice meal for $3 to $4. If you really want to splurge and add an appetizer, wine, and dessert, you might spend up to $15 or so. Overall, it’s probably less than you’d be spending on food staying at home! It’s $20 to get into Angkor Wat for a day, one of your major expenses here, but totally worth it, and it helps fund the restoration of the site.

And there are other things you can do in the area, like visit the land mine museum, or the silk farm a few kilometers outside of town. The silk farm is free, and it’s worth a blog post of its own (go here to read it).

About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

In Cambodia: The Art of Making Silk

April 10, 20163-bottom, Education, Recreation, TravelCambodia, Lynn Strough, Siem Reap, silk, TravelJoanne

By Lynn Strough
Travelynn Tales

Editor’s note: We are excited to share with you the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

In this first installment, Lynn is in Cambodia and shares the art of creating silk.

Just outside Siem Reap in Cambodia is a silk farm, where for free, you can go on a tour and see the whole process. They will even give you a free ride on their shuttle bus. Yes, they have a gift shop at the end, a very lovely one, but there is absolutely no pressure to buy anything, although you might be tempted to! And it’s nice to tip your tour guide. I was amazed at what it takes to go from a worm to a single piece of fabric. I think you will be too!

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About Lynn Strough

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Secluded, Tent-only Campsites added to Wilderness State Park

February 4, 2016Recreation, Travel, Upcoming Eventsbarrier-free, camp, campers, campsites, DNR, tent, Travel, visitors, wilderness state parkJoanne

By Victoria Mullen

Just think of it: Watching the sun set over Lake Michigan from a campsite, secluded from the madding crowd.

Just that one simple thought.

Idyllic.

The stunning beauty of Michigan continues to delight residents and visitors alike, and one of the most beautiful areas, Wilderness State Park is about to get even better. On June 23, a new campground opens there, offering both full hook-up camping and rustic, tent-only camping along with amazing views of Lake Michigan.

Campers spoke up and State officials listened. More than 30 percent of the park’s campers use tents and wanted more secluded sites, fewer amenities and to be away from the sounds of larger campgrounds, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. The design of the campground came from campers’ input both at the park and online. Most visitors will be able to see the sun set over the lake from their campsites. One of the sites is barrier-free.

The tent-only campground has 10 sites on the Lake Michigan shoreline, designed for campers to walk a short distance to sites. There is no electricity, modern restrooms or shower, but campers will have access to a common water source and vault toilet in a central location. The cost is $20 a night, with each campsite provided a designated parking spot.

Wilderness State Park is on Carp Lake at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula. It has wilderness areas, 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, multiple campgrounds, six rustic cabins, three rustic bunkhouses and year-round recreation.

There’s a full hook-up campground as well, with 18 sites on wooded dunes on Lake Michigan’s Big Stone Bay. All campers must be self-contained because there are no restrooms or showers. All sites include water, sewer and electrical. Lakefront sites are $45 a night while others are $40.

The park starts taking reservations Thursday, Feb. 4.

To check camping availability and make a reservation, go here or call 1.800.44PARKS (800.447.2757).

Loving Retirement Life on the Love Boat

July 13, 2015TravelAlaska, Canada, Don Upp, Part 3, Travel, TravelougeJoanne

Part 3: 1988 – Canada and Alaska

At last, retirement! Well, sort of. At least I retired from my full time job, so we could start looking at travel.

The night before the retirement party, I stood, looking at my garage, where I saw both a new van and a new car – what am I doing? – but this was all in our plan. Anyway, it was time for travel, both in our van and by other means.

The first trip we wanted to make was a trip into Western Canada and up to Alaska. We had traveled with another couple in the past, and since he just retired a well, we started planning with them for a trip to Canada and Alaska.

Joe was lukewarm on the idea, his wife was raring to go. While discussing options, we found a small ad for a trip to the Pribiloff Islands, where 150 varieties of birds nest each summer. Joe was an avid birder, and this caught his attention. So in the Spring of 1988, off we went to Anchorage.

Our fist visit was to the Wetland preserve on the edge of town, then a tour around town. We had a couple of days to sight-see in the area, then we were to fly to Pribiloff Islands. The Pribiloff Islands sit one third of the way between Nome and Russia.

When the plane lands, it touches down on a crushed lava runway, no pavement. There is no terminal, just a school bus to greet you. The airport is part of a military base, so there is no access to any of the buildings.

A side note on the flight – the plane only flies three days per week, and some times the fog is so bad the flight is cancelled. It is recommended that you plan a couple open days in your schedule. We were fortunate not to have a problem.

St. Paul Island has One and a half restaurants: a cafeteria operated by the locals, and a private home that serves meals only if the porch light is on.

One evening, I became the prime attraction at the cafeteria when I turned too sharp with my tray, and ended up with spaghetti all over the floor. All the locals laughed and I turned red. The manager said to just get another plate full, that it happens almost every week, and the locals come to watch.

We saw Terns, Horned and Tufted Puffins, Murrs, skates, and a herd of reindeer that live on the island. We also saw locals scale the cliffs to harvest Murr eggs. If you take the first clutch of eggs, they will lay a second.

There were other hikes to see other nesting birds, and our friends had a great time, but we are not birders, so we stayed with the puffins.

We next went to see the seal harems and beach masters, and watched the fights for mating. In the 1890s and early 1900s, St. Paul and St. George, the two main islands in the Pribiloffs, were Russian prison colonies set up to harvest seal pups. In order not to harm the pelts, the pups were clubbed to death. Although no longer a prison camp, and they no longer club the pups, seals were harvested up to 1948.

Our return to Anchorage was via Cold Bay in Aleutian islands, where we went through security. This was long before 911, but was a possible smuggling entry, so we went through full inspection. There was a guard with two pistols and tear gas canisters, so no funny business.

Beach Master. He is bleeding from his battles, he saved his space, but lost his harem.

Back in Anchorage, we had a couple of days for a visits to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and to the Anchorage Museum, plus various shops and sightseeing things.

We flew on to Fairbanks, where we took a Riverboat tour, saw the salmon catching wheels, and watched an Iditarod sled dogs demo. It takes on whole salmon per dog per day to run the race. Then we took the bus tour for views of Mt. McKinley and panned for gold.

Next was the train to Denali, where we took the tour of Denali National Park and then stayed overnight to catch the morning train back to Anchorage. Joe was wearing a neck brace, so we got on train first and were able to sit at a table on the observation level.

Unfortunately, the train was late arriving in Anchorage, so we missed the connection to our boat. So they put us on a bus, and put the bus on a flat car, attached it to a freight train, and went off to Whittier, where the tour boats dock.

Here we boarded the “Love Boat.” We were actually on the one used in the TV series. I wore a shirt, tie and sport coat. We were assigned to the Captain’s Table for entire trip.

We were allowed on the bridge as the Captain’s guest, so we were first to know of Whales, etc. along the way.

The boat made many stops along the inland waterway, so we had time for things like a helicopter trip to the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau. We watched elk and moose swimming across the waterway. The Inland Waterway is the smoothest tour boat trip, and is suggested for those who might fear sea sickness.

Our boat trip ended in Vancouver, where we rented a car, and drove to Butchart Gardens in Victoria. An outdoor wedding was in progress amongst the flowers.
After returning to Vancouver for the night, we flew home. And so ended our first, and easiest, retirement trip.

Soon after our return, my wife and I sat down and each listed about 1000 goals in our life. Travel to all seven continents is not one goal, but seven. To visit all 50 states is not one, but fifty goals. Some of these goals we had done.

We each did our own list, then compared notes. All the goals that were the same became our ”do it together” goals, some of the other goals became “time apart” goals, some became more of our “do it together” ones. Once you write them down, they are no longer “I Wish” thoughts, but real goals. When my wife passed away, we were down to a couple of hand-fulls each.

Next we will go live in a cottage in a cow pasture in Ireland. Isn’t that everybody’s goal?

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