Travel America

Every year millions of people take to the skies, ships, trains and cars to take the yearly family vacation. A lot of them just can’t hardly wait to cross the water and visit some distant land to see all the sights and sounds.

It is interesting to see how other cultures live. Trying to understand their customs and beliefs. Its exciting to see the sights of another country, but there is still a lot to see in the U.S.

Have you seen the City beneath a City or crossed the floating bridge in Washington? Have you visited the Sea Lion Caves on the coast of Oregon or the Sanctuary of our sorrowful Mother in Portland?

How about the wine country in California or even Disneyland? And don’t forget the sights from Mt. Shasta. And don’t forget the deserts, mountains and resorts of Arizona.

There are a lot of exciting places left to be discovered and visited right there in the good old U.S.A. A wine tour is perfect for an American vacation. There are wineries in every state and they all offer wine tasting tours.

So start planning your next vacation to see more of those wonderful places and enjoy some of the rich history of every state. History like the discovery of gold at Sutters Mill. History of outlaws of the west. Travel the same paths as the Earp brothers and the Clanton gang.

Visit some of the locations of the great train robberies and stage coach hold ups. The museums in each state are filled with artifacts of days gone by.

Plan a visit to places like New Mexico to satisfy the little cowboy hidden inside you. Ride on over to Arizona and hit Old Tucson and Goldfield. You might also make a stop at Old San Diego and then Old Town San Francisco.

I have seen the sights in many different places and enjoyed it all but I still have not seen all there is to see right here. One can travel the highways and byways and never run out of excitement.

Money is tight and so are the regulations of the airlines. U.S. travel is less expensive and you are free to make a few side trips any time and anywhere you feel.

Check it out on the Internet and find your next family vacation destination. See what kind of history you can discover.

If you have a place in mind just type it into the search bar and start making the arrangements.

I hope to meet up with you out there on the American highway.

See you there.

I had always wanted to see America. I mean really see it. What better way to see America than to hop on my bicycle and head across the United States? I finally took the plunge and decided to do a TransAmerica trip when I was twenty-two years old. I had been cycling for some time by then, and felt I was up to the challenge. But, I thought it would be even more fun to travel as a group, so I took a week long intensive camp/interview, and was hired by a cycling company to lead a trip from Williamsburg, VA to Astoria, OR.

A TransAmerican bicycle tour is not an easy task–physically or logistically. There was matters of food, drink, and shelter, just to name a few of the tasks. We also had to plan our route in advance because we did not want to suddenly find ourselves 30 miles from food or shelter.

Organizing the trip gave e a chance to challenge my leadership skills. Since I was the trip leader it was my responsibility to iron out the fine details of the journey. I found the planning of the trip exhilarating. I could picture the trip while I planned it; I imagined all of us on the road together, what were were likely to see, and imagined the people we would meet.

When we finally set out in late spring, I couldn’t help but think of the many others who had ventured before us. The Lewis and Clark Expedition and the families of settlers who bravely set out for the unknown with all of their belongings in their covered wagons. What an amazing feeling. If you are a bicycle enthusiast, and enjoy the thrill of spinning through the countryside I highly recommend a bicycle tour. Or, better yet…go the distance and bicycle across America.

America’s rich tradition of wine making began in earnest in the 1800’s, when European immigrants brought their skills to various unsettled areas of the country. A few decades before California and other west coast wine producing states were settled, many eastern and midwestern states had thriving wine industries. In the 1830’s, a group of German immigrants made their way to the Missouri river valley, west of St. Louis near the present town of Hermann, Missouri.

These early settlers noted how the topography and climate of the river valley resembled their European home areas of Germany and Switzerland. In particular, various grape varieties were growing wild on hillsides surrounding Hermann, prompting founding fathers and town leaders to encourage further cultivation and ultimately, wine making. After a few short years, the prolific grape crop merged with the settler’s wine making skills, and America’s first wine district was born.

After Prohibition, wine making became viable again, and since the 1960’s over 75 wineries have opened in Missouri. Situated on a 20 mile stretch, this wine district just over an hour from St. Louis boasts historic villages and seven wineries. Those who enjoy wine trails and wine travel are drawn here for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are award winning wines and spectacular scenery.

Missouri has long been known for deep, rich red wines typically produced from traditional grape varieties such as Norton and Chambourcin. Wineries in this area use these native grapes to develop award winning varieties of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Burgundy styles. But these wineries aren’t all about reds, as winemakers on this wine trail also produce clean and delightfully crisp styles like rieslings and chardonels.

A visit to the central Missouri wine trail usually begins with a visit to St. Louis. From St. Louis, travel west on Interstate 44 to Missouri Highway 100, continuing on Highway 100 twenty miles to the town of New Haven. This charming village is the eastern edge of the wine trail and is home to historic Robller Vineyard and Winery, which offers a spectacular view of the Missouri river valley.

Just west of New Haven and on your way toward Hermann is the Bommarito Almond Tree Winery, a family owned estate winery producing a savory award winning port, among other offerings. A few miles west is Bias Vineyards and Winery, situated on a 64 acre farm and featuring a microbrewery and winery, only the 2nd such operation in the United States. Be sure to try Bias’ River Blush Rouge, an easy drinking friendly blush.

As you reach the Hermann area, you’ll discover four thriving wineries offering the chance to try Missouri wine. Stone Hill, Oakglenn, Adam Puchta, and Hermannhof wineries all offer wine tasting, winery tours, and scenic views. Take time to savor the offerings at each. Among those we particularly enjoyed were Oakglenn’s spicy Chambourcin and Stone Hill’s Vidal Blanc. Stone Hill and Hermannhof are other must stops, not only for their fine wines but also for their historic settings.

The western end of the wine trail is punctuated by the picturesque town of Hermann, MO. This is a town you’ll really enjoy – historic architecture, local restaurants, and specialty shops galore. It’s a perfect place to spend the night and participate in one of their many local events, several devoted to enjoyment of wine. Also, for the fitness buff within you, Hermann is also known for its easy access to the Katy Bike Trail which winds through the Missouri river valley.