Whenever I see a magazine listing top hotels, I peruse the list to see if I have stayed at any of them. For Travel & Leisure’s 500 top hotels, the list was derived from the 2020 World’s Best Awards survey results. On this list, I found three hotels where I had stayed: one in Turkey and two in South Africa. In Istanbul,
Discovering Edinburgh
Old Town is where Edinburgh began: Edinburgh Castle to the west, the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the east, and the Royal Mile connecting the two. Edinburgh Castle, the twelfth-century stronghold and favored residence of Scotland’s kings and queens, towers over the city. Although archaeological evidence suggests the first settlers were Bronze Age around 1000 BC, the site had developed into
Exploring Martin Creek Lake State Park, Texas
One thing is for sure. Not being able to explore the world this past year, I got to know my own neighborhood, so to speak. My daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter live in the small East Texas community of Tatum. It’s a half-hour drive from my home in Henderson. Every time I travel along Route 43, I pass the sign for
Finding fun where you live
For many of us this year has meant staying close to home. As a travel writer, I decided to get to know the communities close to me while I had the opportunity. One I enjoyed exploring was my own—Henderson, Texas. I moved to Henderson more than 10 years ago after I retired from my fulltime writing position. I wanted to
What to get the Traveler on your Gift List
I bought an ornament for my Christmas tree that says “2020, the year I stayed home.” I’m sure many of you found yourself in the same situation as did your family and friends. Staying close to home This year, as I offer ideas for the traveler on your gift list, I certainly kept 2020 in mind with a positive
Gladewater: An East Texas Gem
Like many travel writers, I am staying close to home this year. Fortunately for me, many of the communities in East Texas have a lot of reasons to visit; many offering excellent museums and fun shopping. Case in point — Gladewater. Gladewater Museum I start my tour at the Gladewater Museum located in a 1939 Art Deco building used over
Appalachian Outreach helping West Virginia’s poor
John Denver sang a beautiful ode to West Virginia with his hit Take me Home Country Roads: “Country roads, take me home to the place I belong. West Virginia, Mountain Mama, take me home, country roads.” West Virginia is a naturally beautiful state with a rich and interesting history. Once part of the state of Virginia, tourists travel here to
Book Your Bubble Travel Collection
If you’re like me, you miss travel – big time! One solution is traveling with your family and friends that you’ve been quarantined with. So how are you going to manage this family/friend-only trip? One company addressing the situation is G Adventure. They recently introduced “Book Your Bubble Collection” private group travel. Let me interject here that I have traveled
Appalachian Outreach, Inc.
Appalachian Outreach, Inc. is a non-profit organization fighting poverty for West Virginians living in rural areas. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at 13 W View Lane, Glen Dale, West Virginia 26038. Personal items needed: Soaps, Hand Sanitizer Shampoo, Brush, Combs Toiletry Samples Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Dental Floss Denture Cleanser, Mouthwash Shaving items Toilet Paper, Tissues Feminine Hygiene Adult Diapers
Visiting America’s Rose Garden
This summer day I decide to take my five-year-old granddaughter Ainsley to the American Rose Society Public Gardens, located just west of Shreveport, Louisiana. It’s only an hour’s drive from our East Texas homes. Ahead of our visit I read that the gardens exist to promote the culture, preservation and appreciation of the rose, and to improve its standard of