My friend Brian recently challenged me to name how many of our 58 national parks I had visited thus far. As we compared our lists, Brian reminded me that one of our nation’s newest parks, Congaree National Park named for the Congaree Indians, was just over the border from me near Columbia, South Carolina. Continue reading
Providence Canyon, GA
As I headed towards Columbus on Columbus Day, I contemplated the irony of this holiday which should instead be known as Native American Indian Day, since they were here first. Continue reading
Hershey RV Show
After three visits to the Atlanta RV and Camping Show, I can now recognize the same models, the same show layout, and even the same cheesy Georgia Bulldog decorations. So this year, I decided to try a different venue in hopes of seeing some models not typically demo’ed at the Atlanta show. What better venue than “America’s LARGEST RV Show” in Hershey, PA? I was getting serious this time…I even bought the three day pass! Continue reading
There are two distinct vibes in Asheville for which one could easily draw a political parallel. But I won’t, because in the case of Asheville, I happen to enjoy both sides. Continue reading
Dominica, (pronounced Dom-uh–NEE-kuh,) not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, this island is much further down south near St. Lucia. Actually a Commonwealth which gained independence from Britian in 1978, this volcanic, mountainous island nicknamed “The Nature Isle” is a part of the Lesser Antilles chain.
I have wanted to visit this island covered in lush rain forest, waterfalls, and volcanic mineral pools since my brother Don and his wife Kathey were there back in 1999. They reported back on the pristine natural beauty, affordability, and lack of commercialism typically associated with the Caribbean. When I read the entry line from the Lonely Planet website, “Dominica is the place to go for those who prefer hiking boots over high heels and are content with a nightlife where the only music is the murmur of the jungle,” I knew I had found my place!
Would I still find this a pristine, unspoiled paradise? Please read on to find out…
I slowed way down once I got to my third and final stop, the beautiful Jungle Bay Eco Lodge, noted as much for its “adventure” packages as for its pampering at the Spa du Soliel, where all the treatment rooms are open to the sounds of the ocean crashing on the rocks below. I was in it much more for the pampering, as every day in Dominica had offered some type of “adventure” since I arrived. Continue reading
Beautiful gardens of Papillote
Papillote Wilderness Retreat is one of those places where the longer you stay, the harder it is to leave. The grounds were like having a botanical garden right out your hotel room door. Continue reading
One of the most unique attractions on the island of Dominica is the Boiling Lake, believed to be a flooded fumarole, a crack through which gases escape from the molten lava below producing a bluish gray boiling lake, accessible only by an eight mile, six and a half hour round trip hike. Continue reading
I planned my visit to Dominica to cover three different areas so as to experience the varied scenery and atmosphere of the coastal towns as well as the rain forest. By this time, I was feeling much more comfortable with Dominican driving, but still wanted to get an early start to allow plenty of time to cross over the island, as road signs are practically non-existent. Continue reading
Red sky at morning, sailor's warning!
I woke up to more pouring rain, thunder, and lightening again at 6:00am this morning so I went back to sleep thinking “well, at least I brought some good books to read!!” I woke up around 8:30am to find that the rain had miraculously stopped, and the sun was peeking out!! I hadn’t heard from Prim the previous day due to the heavy rains, so I didn’t know if I would hear from him again. Continue reading
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