Tag: USA

North Georgia

I made another trip recently to northern Georgia. It is early fall but I do start to see some leaves changing. It is a nice time of year to enjoy all that part of Georgia has to offer.

I visit Gibbs Gardens, the large botanical garden north of Georgia. Luckily it is zinnia season. I see the large display of flowers they have for the season. I love their Japanese garden as well where you can see fall peaking through.

Does it look like Monet’s Water lilies?

I also do a wine tasting at Ott Vineyards.

We also do a short little hike to Amicalola Falls State Park. The hike is pretty easy until you get to the stairs of Amicalola Falls in order to view the falls at all the different heights. It is a bit of a workout.

Top of Amicalola, we drove to the very top

We also visit a mushroom farm. It is interesting to see how mushrooms are actually farmed. I spend way too much money at this farm store.

I also pick up some cut flowers. They are pretty but get beaten up on the long drive home.

Finally I visit an orchard store and had a nice dinner in the town of Blue Ridge. It is a nice ending to my visit. I always enjoy a getaway to North Georgia.

Wisconsin and Minnesota

A litttle while ago I visited Minnesota and Wisconsin to visit a long time friend and attend a wedding. While I was in town I managed a bit of sightseeing.

I started with a quick visit to Hudson, a cute town on the border of Wisconsin. There are many charming old houses in town. There are also two cute pink Airbnb’s marketed toward girl’s trips.

The Octagon House

The downtown area is cute as well. I take a walk by the water and stop for lunch at a post office converted to a restaurant. I have to order cheese curds.

The wedding today is at a charming winery about 30 minutes away.

The next morning I visit Paisley Park, recording studios and sometimes residence of the artist Prince located outside of Minneapolis.

I also make a stop at the famed Lake Minnetonka talked about in the movie Purple Rain. I did not purify myself in the waters.

In the afternoon I stop by Minnehaha Falls for lunch and to admire the waterfall. The park has nice trails along the water. Coincidently today it is hotter here than my home state of Florida. Luckily I am used to a good sweat when I am enjoying nature.

Later that day my friend and I take a walk to see Willow Falls near Hudson.

We also tour downtown Minneapolis which I learned has quite a milling history. You can see all the prominent brand signs on the buildings.

We go to the observation level at the Guthrie Theater for better views.

Lastly we drive by First Avenue, the historic club known to host big acts, especially the local artist Prince when he was still alive.

I was supposed to leave a day earlier but I realize a band I like is playing in St Paul the following night. I change my flight and book a historical hotel slash old custom house in the heart of downtown St Paul. While it is a generally safe city, it looks like it is in a state of transition. I look forward to returning to see the changes in the future.

It is such a brief trip that I plan to return and try some restaurants and all the other things the city has to enjoy. Plus it is really good catching up with an old friend.

Alaska: last Day

Today is my last day in Alaska. I have a flight scheduled this evening in Anchorage. I planned on doing an entire day of sightseeing before my flight but I am exhausted. I don’t leave super early but I do have to check out of the hotel so I load the car and say goodbye to Seward where I have spent the last few days. I will definitely be back to visit.

I stop at this lovely spot of purple flowers.

Plans this morning include a wildlife conservation and then lunch on the way to the airport.

I stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, an animal sanctuary. Anything in the wild I was unable to see during my last few weeks I can see here at this rehabilitation center.

Porcupine
Fox

I see a black bear playing with his stick.

It’s feeding time.

Muskox

I am tired and it is raining so I start the journey back to anchorage. I still have some time to kill so I stop at the Lake Hood Seaplane base to watch sea planes take off and land. There is surprisingly little security there so I am free to drive around to get a good view as long as I don’t pull out in front of a plane.

It is time for the airport so I return the rental car and eat dinner at the airport since I don’t return home until late.

Visiting Alaska is a once in a lifetime adventure that I hope to repeat again someday.

Alaska: Seward Glacier and Alaska SeaLife Center

Exit Glacier

Today is my last full day in Alaska and I pack the day with activities.

I start the morning with breakfast at the Porthole food truck. They’ve been a reliable provider of coffee the past two days.

The travel fatigue is catching up with me so I choose a short hike today to go see Exit Glacier. Exit Glacier is part of the Harding Icefield, a 700 square mile ice block that feeds many glaciers. Exit Glacier is easily assessable through a short trail with just a short bit that might prove a little challenging for some. However there is a farther viewing area for those who can’t make the hike.

On my drive to the glacier I see a moose family trotting along the road. My drive is slightly delayed while I wait for them to turn off the road.

I stop to finish my coffee with a view.

Walking down the paved path to the Exit Glacier you will come across signs with years on them. The years represent how far the glacier extended during that year. It visually shows how much the glacier has receded over the years.

There are also beautiful views of the valley formed by the former glacier.

The final part of the trail.

Some glacier views

I follow the trail back and I decide to go off to the side trail that I didn’t take earlier. I end up in a large rocky area which I believe used to be part of the glacier. I walk on the rocks to get another view of the glacier.

I leave Exit Glacier and drive back in town to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. I am not normally a big fan of aquariums but this one is highly rated so it is worth a visit. I am not disappointed. I learn so much about local sea life and come up close to sea life I am only able to see at a distance prior.

One of the great things about the museum is seeing all the sea birds up close. It is entertaining to watch them swim, fight and swaddle about. I see Common Mure, Horned Puffin, Tufted Puffin, King Eider and more.

We don’t get up close to the Stellar Sea Lion (and I am glad) but we do get to see them swim around.

I of course need to stare at the salmon. I love to eat salmon and am ever interested in witnessing spawning of salmon someday.

Another (new) favorite of mine, the King Crab; plus friends

Aren’t mermaid purses cool?
Potential Album Cover

Octopus

While at a lower level I observe the tank below the birds. I catch puffins diving. They are excellent swimmers.

Jellyfish

I finish my day with a sandwich and a view and a local spot. It is still very light out but I feel like I need a rest. The cruise exhaustion is catching up with me. Good thing I am going home tomorrow.