Gallagher's Travels

Where's Mary?

NY ,tropneerG

We'll let you know next month!

Answer to last month's Where's Mary: Gaudi Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain.

• Photo Gallery…
• November 28, 2009

A Visit to the Wilds

The Wilds, located near Cumberland, in southeastern Ohio deserves to be at the top of your family travel destination list. This unique animal preserve, one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world, was conceived as a private-public partnership in 1984. It received a gift of 9,154 acres of reclaimed strip mining land from the Central Ohio Coal Company, a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, in 1986.

• Continued…
• January 31, 2010
• Posted in Destinations, States: Ohio

Inspiration from Walled Gardens in London

An unusual walled garden in London can be found overlooking a prominent corner on Piccadilly that is directly across from Green Park and near Buckingham Palace. The Athenaeum Hotel is the only commercial property in England that has an extraordinary vertical structure of live plants that towers ten stories high. A special process allows the greenery to grow without soil on an irrigated vertical surface.

• Continued…
• January 31, 2010
• Posted in Destinations, England

Country Pursuits in England's West Sussex

Considering that few of us newbies ever thought of motor racing in Lime Rock, the British racetrack on the international circuit at Goodwood in West Sussex held great promise. Amid grey skies, driving in a high performance TVR, my friend, who actively races and I set off to explore the Sussex Downs on the southern coast of England. Stormy weather the previous night had left the road empty so we drove with little traffic to view a few local attractions near the Goodwood Racecourse. When the illustrious TVR's English founder, Trevor Wilkerson, derived TVR from his own name, TreVoR, it attracted my racing friend to drive one of these racing coupes.

• Continued…
• December 29, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, England

Folly Beach: The Edge of America

Just eight miles south of historic downtown Charleston, SC lies Folly Beach, an island steeped rich in American history from the existence of indigenous Native American tribes to the protection of Charleston during the civil war. Folly is a place to change gears in this fast paced world. In 1995 the Robert Scarborough Bridge was completed connecting downtown Charleston and James Island. The "Connector" makes the trip from Folly Beach a quick, fifteen-minute drive to Charleston.

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• December 29, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: South Carolina

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor

During his reign, Qin Shihuangdi, China's first emperor, was so concerned about assassination that he rarely stayed in the same palace two nights in a row. To make sure he was safe in the afterlife, he had an army of life-size warriors made out of clay and buried around his tomb. In all, 7,000 terra cotta figures were buried, row upon row, facing east toward a pass in the mountains through which enemies might be expected to attack.

• Continued…
• December 29, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, Washington, DC

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Revival Christmas decorations have begun appearing in the Historic Area on Duke of Gloucester Street, and the sky above Virginia's Colonial capital has been ablaze with the vibrant glow of fireworks during the Grand Illumination. Area visitors and residents are purchasing fruited della Robbia-style wreaths and swags by the dozens at the Garden Shop across from Bruton Parish Church.

• Continued…
• December 5, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: Virginia

Washington County, Birthplace of Texas

Deep in the heart of Texas—and just an hour from the Houston airport—Washington County offers down-home fun via lively small towns, quirky attractions and a chance to channel your inner buckaroo.

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• December 5, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: Texas

Exploring Northern New Mexico—Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos

It didn't take us very long to understand New Mexico's state moniker, Land of Enchantment (it appears on the state's license plates), during our visit to three of the state's best destinations: Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. With a wonderful mix of beautiful natural scenery and a variety of ways to enjoy it; a unique blending of Indian, Spanish, and Anglo cultures; and the plethora art galleries, studios, and museums, New Mexico proved to be quite enchanting. For all who envisioned New Mexico as nothing much more than desert, we can assure you that this is not a true picture of this wonderful state.

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• November 29, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: New Mexico

Spa Blends Luxury with History

Mobile, Alabama's elegant old Battle House Hotel hides a world-class full European spa and sauna. Recently named one of the "7 Must-Visit Spas in the World" by Shape Magazine, the Spa at the Battle House is open to the public daily and includes a rooftop pool, a fitness center and beauty salon in a 10,000 foot luxury facility overlooking the downtown waterfront.

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• November 28, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: Alabama

Serving—and Learning from—the Blackfeet People

As a Volunteer Team Leader for Global Volunteers I have, during more than 18 years, led many teams of volunteers to communities in developing countries on several continents. Together, we have cared for children at risk in Peru and Brazil, taught conversational English in South Africa, Portugal, and Vietnam, and worked on construction projects in Costa Rica. Several years ago, I had enjoyed serving on a program in the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, and this past summer I agreed to lead three consecutive one-week teams of "servant learners" to Browning, Montana, in the heart of the Blackfeet Nation. I was looking forward to working with and learning from the Blackfeet people.

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• November 7, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: Montana