A Glimpse into the Enchanted Land of New Mexico
There’s this guy I know who is a collosal dreamer. There’s really nothing wrong with associating yourself with people like that; unless perhaps you’re intent on surrounding yourself with only the more well-grounded, mundane types. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t recommend engaging this guy in anything more than casual conversation. I let my guard down just once around him and he had me nearly convinced he knew the whereabouts of some hidden treasure chest worth millions. Had I possessed anything less than the most superb rational mind, I would’ve packed my suitcase that very moment, grabbed my fedora and compass, and booked the very first flight to New Mexico.
Well, the last I spoke to this adventurous fellow, he had descrambled a bunch of secret passages in some old man’s book, purchased a flight to Albuquerque, and turned an entire wilderness area north of Santa Fe completely upside down. Unfortunately, the treasure had eluded him just like the thousands of others before. Suprisingly though, his failed expedition left him completely undaunted. He actually seemed assured that he was closer now to finding it than ever before. He told me he had simply strayed off course due to a matter of simple semantics and was planning to pick up the trail again in the coming months. I told him he should quit chasing waterfalls and come back down to level ground. He just sort of smirked at me and walked away. That’s how this guy is. He’s quite the character!
Anyway, not long after that peculiar encounter, I happened to visit the Land of Enchantment myself. Now don’t go spreading any rumors here. I wasn’t there trying to find any 11th century treasure chest full of precious gems and golden nuggets. I was simply there to get some tasty New Mexican cuisine. I heard the green and red chili toppings were to die for. Since my wife, my son, and my friend were also feeling hungry, they came along for the ride. We had quite the adventure and before departing our 47th state, the beauty of New Mexico had us all a bit entranced.
Big John and team follow the old cattle trails to a mesa top with a view. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, North America and tagged Kasha-Katuwe, New Mexico, Tent Rocks National Monument by Big John with 2 comments.
A Rocky Mountain Road Trip through the Centennial State
In mid-November, I had the pleasure of attending a work-related conference in Aurora, Colorado. After the forum ended, Rebecca and I procured a rental car and embarked on a Rocky Mountain road trip through the majestic Centennial State. Our trip would hold no particular destination point. We embraced a level of spontaneity, stopping along the way to see various points of interest, and simply enjoy each other’s company enveloped in the spirit of adventure. Our only objective was to take in some of God’s beautiful scenery and possibly catch a snowflake or two. We had a wonderful time of it all and brought back these photographic memories to share with all of you.
The skyline of the Mile High City against a majestic backdrop.
Denver, being the gateway to the Rockies, was our first stopping point along the way. As seen in the picture above, (admittingly the only picture that I did not take), the Mile High City offers a panoramic view of the mountains that spans 140 miles long. Denver has the tenth largest downtown in the entire nation and is considered one of the most walkable downtowns in all of America. With all the hype, we put on our comfortable sneakers and set out to paint the town red. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, North America and tagged Centennial State, Colorado, Denver, Rocky Mountains by Big John with 7 comments.
Warmth and Romance at the Chez Marie-Claire
For anyone curious, chez in French translates to at someone’s home or business. During my recent visit to Chez Marie-Claire, I didn’t meet anyone named Claire, but I did encounter two incredibly hospitable Bed & Breakfast hosts.
Dorian and Marie
Dorian and Marie are the lovely couple that manage the Chez Marie-Claire. The moment you arrive at this quaint Bed & Breakfast, these two will be standing there to greet you, help with bags, and let you know you’ve found that special home away from home. While Dorian and Marie speak mostly French, their English skills are rather impressive considering the two have only been studying the language for a few short months. The Chez Marie-Claire’s structure was built in the year 1885 and is located right in the heart of Old Quebec. Its ideal locale is within easy walking distance to the Chateau Frontenac and other great attractions.
(more…)Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Bed & Breakfast, Chez Marie Claire, Old Quebec City by Big John with no comments yet.
A South Carolina Island, an Old Fort, and the Legend of the Gold Bug
Even those that keen on the topic of American Romanticism and great works of literature, may not understand the link between a South Carolina island, an old fort and the legend of the gold bug. On November 18, 1827, an eighteen year old U.S. army private, Edgar Allen Poe, arrived by ship to Charleston Harbor to report for military duty. His station, Fort Moultrie, was located roughly nine miles southeast from the bustling port city of Charleston on a picturesque piece of marshland called Sullivan’s Island.
Edgar Allen Poe ( author of The Raven, Tell-Tale Heart, and more)
Private Edgar Poe’s occupation as an army clerk allowed him ample time to engage in idle activities such as exploring the island and perfecting his craft as a writer. There remains no doubt that the area’s storied history of notorious pirates such as Blackbeard (Edward Teach) inspired Poe to take to the pen and create his fascinating tale of pirate treasure and the legend of a gold bug. His short story, The Gold Bug, tells the tale of a man bitten by a mysterious gold bug that eventually leads him to uncovering a buried fortune on the South Carolina island. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Edgar Allen Poe, Gold Bug, Sullivan's Island by Big John with no comments yet.
Helen, a Big Bavarian Adventure in Small-town Appalachia
What do the Alps of Germany have in common with the southern state of Georgia? Well absolutely nothing, unless you’re talking about the picturesque village of Helen. This charming village, with a meager population of around 500 people, is hidden deep within the shadows of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Located about two hours north of Atlanta, this Blue Ridge Mountain community sprang up out of the glittering dust of the Great Georgia Gold Rush. When gold fever finally ran its course, the town became a hub for an emerging timber industry. Unfortunately, the people there had more saws than they did trees and in the 1960s the town nearly shut down. It wasn’t until 1968, when businessmen bumped heads with a local artist, that they came up with a unique solution to revitalize the town – Helen, Georgia would be given a Bavarian facelift.
Over the years that followed, the entire town was revamped and now appears as a quaint German alpine village. There are German-styled restaurants, German-themed gift shops, German traditional festivals (Oktoberfest), and one of my personal favorites -cold German beer! With all that Old World appeal, this place is just brewing with adventure!
Main Street, Helen, GA.
Main Street in Helen is perfect place to find German-themed goods, souvenirs, and tasty treats galore. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, North America and tagged Bavarian village, Georgia, Helen by Big John with no comments yet.