Park Views: Theodore Roosevelt Side Trail and Pulpit Rock
Teddy Roosevelt loved to hike, and Rock Creek Park was his favorite place to do it while president. We’re taking a look at one of his favorite spots and the trail that leads there and bears his name in another installment of Park Views. Let’s head on down the Theodore Roosevelt Side Trail and see what we find.
Continue reading “Park Views: Theodore Roosevelt Side Trail and Pulpit Rock”Going For A Walk – One Week Out
Just over a week from today, I’ll head off on the first leg of my walk from Cape May to Atlantic City, and ultimately, the entire Jersey Shore. I’ll be heading out to Lewes, Delaware, on Friday night and spending Saturday in Delaware with Morgan. I’ll catch an afternoon ferry from Lewes to Cape May, and we’ll be off.
Continue reading “Going For A Walk – One Week Out”Amtrak Long Distance Service: Finally Back To Normal!
As the threat of COVID-19 continues to recede and the country re-opens, Amtrak is following suit with its long-distance routes. And the changes mean easier travel planning for your next trip!
COVID-19 Forces Amtrak Long Distance Changes
Like every other form of travel, Amtrak saw ridership plummet following the nationwide COVID-19 lockdowns. By their own estimates, 80% fewer passengers took the train in the first half of 2020. This forced the rail service to reduce trains on some of its less-traveled routes, including long-distance favorites like the California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Crescent, and City of New Orleans. All of these and a half-dozen others were reduced from daily service to tri-weekly in October 2020.
Continue reading “Amtrak Long Distance Service: Finally Back To Normal!”Monday Morning Moment: Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Good morning. This picture was taken along Wildlife Drive at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel, Florida, in March 2019.
Sanibel is really a unique place within Florida and the United States. In a different universe, developers covered the island in high rises, chain restaurants, and waterparks, all taking advantage of the unbelievable beaches and world-renowned shelling. But it isn’t. There are a few larger condo buildings and resorts, sure, but they’re low and spread out. By and large, the island remains gloriously unspoiled. There are no stoplights, almost all local stores and restaurants, and a vast amount of preserved nature. Ding Darling is part of this.
Continue reading “Monday Morning Moment: Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge”10 Must-Have Road Trip Essentials For Your Next Vacation
Ah, road trips. The allure of the long white line drawing you into the distance and toward adventure. But forgetting some crucial road trip essentials is an easy way to turn your dream vacation into the car ride from hell. We rounded our list of the must-have, can’t forget items that will keep you and your fellow travelers happy, entertained, safe, and fed no matter how far the road takes you.
Continue reading “10 Must-Have Road Trip Essentials For Your Next Vacation”Monday Morning Moment: Near Gilroy, CA
Good morning. This picture was taken from an Amtrak Coast Starlight train south of Gilroy, CA, in September 2018.
The Coast Starlight runs all the way from Seattle to Los Angeles. Over a day and a half, it passes through some incredible scenery, including these fields at the southern edge of the Santa Clara Valley. The entire ride is one of the best ways to see the incredible and varied geography of the west coast. It’s also a great route to connect a cross-country Amtrak trip arriving in Portland, Seattle, Emeryville/San Francisco, or Los Angeles to other cities up and down the coast.
Continue reading “Monday Morning Moment: Near Gilroy, CA”Park Views: Rock Creek Park’s Miller Cabin
Those who’ve traveled through Rock Creek Park just north of Military Road may have seen a small wood structure set between the creek and Beach Drive. It’s known as Miller Cabin, and it provides a unique glimpse into DC’s past. But why is it even here? Let’s take a closer look.
Continue reading “Park Views: Rock Creek Park’s Miller Cabin”Going For A Walk: The Jersey Shore
Even though I grew up in New Jersey, I never felt particularly connected to the shore in the way some people I knew were. I had friends whose parents rented the same house in the same town for two weeks every summer. When I was very young, my grandparents had a shore house. My aunt and uncle have had a home in Ortley Beach for years, where they spend half of their time these days. Still, anyone who’s lived in New Jersey knows there are “shore people.” I am not one of them.
Continue reading “Going For A Walk: The Jersey Shore”State Park Spotlight: Calvert Cliffs State Park
For some of the Chesapeake Bay’s most dramatic and distinctive coastal scenery, head down to southern Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs State Park. It’s a trip to the beach and a trip back in time, all rolled into one outing.
Continue reading “State Park Spotlight: Calvert Cliffs State Park”The Ultimate Guide to Amtrak Cross-Country Travel
It was one of the original methods for bridging the vast expanses of a young United States – the railroad. The age of the freeway and discount air travel may have ended rail’s status as top dog in the travel world. But train travel is still very much alive for those willing to seek out a little adventure. Long-distance and cross-country rail travel can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget. But if you’re like many people intrigued by the idea, the logistics may be holding you back. We’re taking a look at everything you need to know for a successful and fun trip on Amtrak cross-country.
Can You Travel Cross-Country By Amtrak Train?
Yes, and no. Let me explain.
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