Like everywhere in America and many parts of the world, popular attractions, restaurants and hotels have empty parking lots. Like ghost towns, they sit empty because of COVID-19, social distancing and shelter in place. We’re all looking forward to the day when we can, for some, go back to work and travel for business and pleasure. Now is the perfect
Oklahoma City Attractions offer online fun
Many Oklahoma City attractions and organizations have temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but they’re still posting special experiences online for you and your family to enjoy at home until you can visit them again. Oklahoma City Zoo The animals of the OKC Zoo are missing us as much as we’re missing them, but you can take a live virtual safari daily
Finding Manitoba’s Big Five
By Marilyn Jones The Tundra Buggy is slowly moving along a rutted road originally created in the 1940s by the Canadian and US military. We’re on the lookout for polar bears. It’s not cold. There’s no snow on the ground. In this remote area near Churchill, Manitoba, the bears spend the summer. Although they are not as easy to find
Dreaming of Kentucky? Go on a virtual vacation
The Kentucky Department of Tourism released 11-video mini-series to help you plan your next Kentucky vacation to the Bluegrass State. The videos highlight the state’s beautiful nature, fascinating stories and cherished traditions. Available videos include: Kentucky in Focus with Elia Locardi: In this six-part series, renowned travel photographer Elia Locardi guides tours of Kentucky’s most iconic sites in episodes exploring
National Tile Museum offers a look at Portugal’s storied past
Lisbon is known for decorative ceramic tiles. On houses and apartment buildings, shops and restaurants, churches and theaters; they are everywhere creating a distinctive sense of place. It is fun to walk through the city and see the grand murals and individual geometric masterpieces. For anyone interested in this historic art form, a visit to the National Tile Museum is
Finding history in East Texas
Nacogdoches, Texas is the oldest community in the state. Around 1700, the Spanish began establishing missions in and around Nacogdoches to have a presence in the area and to bring Christianity to Native Americans. Naturally when you visit this East Texas city you expect to find several historic attractions and you won’t be disappointed. Two homes open for tour are
East Texas Animal Park offers education and fun
On a beautiful winter’s day recently I experienced a little bit of Africa and other exotic locations in the rolling hills of East Texas. My destination was Cherokee Trace Wild Animal Park, just east of Jacksonville, a 300-acre preserve and drive-thru safari. “The safari as it is today was started in 2003. It is still owned by the same family,”
EXPLORING CLASSIC GREECE
By Marilyn Jones Many visitors to Greece vacation only on its islands, but the mainland has its own appeal. It is a place of antediluvian history, mythology, legend, and lore. Start in Athens, which is regarded as the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization. Named for the goddess Athena, this welcoming modern city is at least 5,000
On a tour in Tanzania, a friendly cheetah and an elusive black rhino
By Marilyn Jones It is late morning in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania when we spot a cheetah in the tall, yellow grass. She is looking for prey, maybe a gazelle, our guide tells the six of us in the truck. Her hunting success rate is 100%. She can run up to 75 mph for short distances. As we photograph the beautiful
Plan your family vacation now
If you are thinking about your upcoming summer vacation, try to find a destination offering natural beauty, history and lots of fun activities. When my children were young, we went all over the United States. Below are a few of my favorite places that cater to children, parents and grandparents all rolled into one. Williamsburg Williamsburg, the 18th century capital