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

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.

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• 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.

• Continued…
• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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

The Other Side of Delaware's Seashore

At the beach without a cloud in the sky and hot, I found myself forgoing the popular Atlantic beaches of Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, and Fenwick Island of Delaware in lieu of sipping a 300 year-old sample of local shipwreck rum offered by the gracious owner of a modest second floor maritime and artifact museum displaying once molten gold fingers poured by local buccaneers of the 18th century. The gold bars were two fingers wide and could visualize the owner hurriedly melting the metal at the beach to prepare for shipping while looking over this shoulder.

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• October 25, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: Delaware

Alice Moseley's Art Draws Folks to the Coast

Bay St. Louis, a charming little town on the storm-wracked Mississippi Gulf Coast, is becoming an arts destination for travelers seeking a respite from the casino-glitz ambiance of Biloxi. Four years after Hurricane Katrina, the town's shops, galleries and cafes are open for business. The ornate 1928 train depot (which had a supporting role in the 1966 film This Property is Condemned) weathered the storm and today is headquarters for the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau as well as the centerpiece of the Historic Depot District.

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• October 25, 2009
• Posted in Destinations, States: Mississippi