Alternative Routes

Wagon Train Routes

admin — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

If you want to take a “less traveled” vacation, consider following one of the many wagon train routes that still exist. In many locations you can still see the ruts that were created by the wagons.

The Oregon Trail is actually the Oregon-California Trail and runs between Independence, Missouri, and Oregon City, Oregon. The whole 2,170-mile route goes all the way to California. In the 1840s most emigrants were farmers going to Oregon or ones wanting to mine for gold in California. In 1843 approximately 1,000 pioneers made the trip at one time, and more than 500,000 people made the brave trip in covered wagons between 1843 and 1860.

The Applegate Trail was named for three Applegate brothers who traveled the Oregon Trail back in 1843. In 1846, two of them along with other men wanted to find what became a better southern route of the Oregon Trail. The Applegate Trail goes from Humboldt, Nevada to Dallas, Oregon and connects at Humboldt with the California Trail.

The Santa Fe Trail was an important commercial route back in 1821 to 1880, extending from Missouri to Sante Fe, the New Mexican capital. Later this trail became a link to the gold in California and for the immigrants going to the Far West.

The Overland Trail

admin — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The Overland Trail was a wagon and stagecoach trail that stretched through the American West in the 19th century. Since the 1820s, trappers and explorers had been using the route, but it was most traveled during the 1860s as an alternate to the trails that ended in Oregon and California.

The Overland Trail began in Atchison, Kansas, then winded through Colorado before crossing Wyoming and ending at Fort Bridger, where it joining the Oregon Trail.

Much of the original route can be traversed today by car. Interstate 76 goes from Fort Morgan, Colorado to the South Platte River, the trail’s path to Laramie is echoed on US Route 287, and US Route 34 spans the distance between Greeley and Fort Morgan.

Wyoming and northern Colorado are dotted with the remains of stage stops. The most well-preserved buildings remain at Point of Rocks, Wyoming, and Virginia Dale in Colorado. Markers denoting the trail are clearly seen on highway 287 in Colorado, and nearby portions of the route are well-preserved, but they run through private properties.

The Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Center maintains an Overland Trail Heritage Center. There, visitors can walk through a resting spot for travelers who took the trail and explore the cabin where many of them stayed. The hits keep cominâ€™: The archetypal Western gunslinger Jack Slade was born today in 1831. Now We know em

Discovering Laurel Canyon

admin — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Located inside Los Angeles, California is the neighborhood of Laurel Canyon, incorporated in 1923. The major thoroughfare is Laurel Canyon Blvd., and it’s considered the main travel corridor between the San Fernando Valley and West Hollywood. Homes line the boulevard, as well as retail shops, country stores and restaurants.

The beauty of the area is apparent. Wildlife and scenic views are a part of canyon life, and hiking trails and parks offer an excellent way to see nature up close. The hillsides are covered in a shrub called a Chaparral, native to the area, that is a drought and fire tolerant evergreen.

In the past, Laurel Canyon was a hub for many famous musicians and bohemian types. Jim Morrison, Frank Zappa and Joni Mitchell all have called Laurel Canyon home. Many Hollywood stars found Laurel Canyon the perfect place to get away from the hectic life of movie making. Today, the relaxed vibe and art culture still remain.

Take in the Views at Royal Gorge

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Royal Gorge is an impressive canyon located near Caon City on the Arkansas River in Colorado. Royal Gorge is 10 miles long and is one of the deepest canyons in the state of Colorado. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is a tourist attraction in which you can experience the majesty of Royal Gorge.

Royal Gorge is absolutely breathtaking. At the park, you will be able to view the scenic Royal Gorge alongside one of the loveliest bridges in Colorado. The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in America. It is one quarter of a mile in length, and a walking or driving across it is akin to a journey through the sky. The awe you will experience when you visit this unspoiled Colorado gem is indescribable. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park has entertainment to keep you and your family satisfied for an entire day as you take in the sites.

If you live in Colorado, or are planning to visit, be sure to plan some time to experience this excellent attraction. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park brings together the natural beauty of the world with one of the most innovative and impressive man-made structures of all time.

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most relaxing and breathtaking roadways in the world. This 469 mile stretch of 2 lane highway running from the southern end of the Skyline Drive to the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina is said to be the most popular roadway in the US National Park System.

One of the best times to enjoy the parkway is in spring when its numerous specimens of trees and wildflowers are in bloom. The area is home to more species of mammals and birds than anywhere on the entire continent of Europe. At Grandfather Mountain, visitors have a chance to see bears, deer, cougars and America’s national bird, the bald eagle.

At the northern end of the parkway is Humpback Rock featuring a pioneer farm where visitors get a feel for 19th century farm life by walking into a furnished log cabin style farmhouse. Many demonstrations are performed by authentically dressed greeters.

In 2010, visitors have the opportunity to transverse through a 3 mile corn maze with clues provided along the way. This particular maze was especially created in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s commission by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Hike the Appalachian Trail

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Appalachian Trail is a trail 2,181 miles long that stretches from Mt. Kathadin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia. The trail passes through 14 states and is scenic and a chance to experience the Appalachians in a natural way. This is a trail that has many serious hikers called through hikers, hiking the expanse of the trail every year. More casual hikers will tackle a portion of the trail every year,as the trail is within a days drive of 2/3 of the population of the United States. The trail has many entrance points for the many hikers who hike all or part of it every year. Part of it passes through Shenandoah National Park, and the highest point of the trail Clingman’s Dome is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This trail is an amazing experience in hiking and also seeing what the Appalachian Trail has to offer. It offers hikes through woodlands, forests and the cultural landscape. Hiking the trail whether you are a seasoned outdoorsperson or a day hiker gives an individual time to spend reflecting on nature, and enjoying all the bounty that nature has to offer is an outdoor setting. It is the reason people hike the trail again and again.

Grand Canyon Mule Trips

www.alternative-routes.com — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sure, hiking the Grand Canyon can be a lot of fun and is one of the most common ways for visitors to get to the one-mile bottom of the 277 mile long national park. But if you want to experience the journey the way that explorers may have hundreds of years ago, you might want to consider one of the park’s mule trips. They are offered for visitors to both the north and south rims of the canyon, and range from a one hour trip to overnight rides. Obviously the one hour ride will not get you to the bottom of the canyon, but it will give you an opportunity to experience the magnificence of the canyon’s walls from a different perspective as you traverse the Canyon’s rim. An overnight ride will let visitors spend a night at Phantom Ranch which is nestled deep in the canyon very near the rustling Colorado River. These rides include accommodation and meals. For those wanting to spend more time exploring the deep caverns and scenic beauty from the bottom of the Canyon there is a two-night ride also available from the National Park Service website. There are a few restrictions for mule riders: they must not weigh more than 200 lbs fully dressed, must be at least 4 feet 7 inches in height, must be able to speak and understand fluent English, must be in good physical condition, should not be afraid of heights or large animals, and cannot be pregnant. If you fall outside of these parameters you may be able to still enjoy some scenic beauty via a horse ride along the south rim which can also be arranged by visiting the park department’s website.

Stagecoach Travel

www.alternative-routes.com — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Talk about alternate travel options the stagecoach was just the way to do just that before the advent of railway transport (and everything which followed). For those trivia buffs, the term “stage” in the name of the mode of travel refers to the distance between stations along a route with the coach traveling in “stages” to get to its ultimate destination. But the history of the stagecoach in the United States dates back to 1744 when the first one was used in New England to carry passengers between the region’s cities and towns. Eventually overland stages followed which encompassed continuous travel for up to 22 days through all types of weather conditions with only brief stops at weigh stations. Because these conditions were so rugged and cramped Wells Fargo had to post a set of rules to enforce passenger behavior, and they are indeed quite interesting: Abstinence from liquor is requested, but if you must drink, share the bottle. To do otherwise makes you appear selfish and unneighborly. If ladies are present, gentlemen are urged to forego smoking cigars and pipes as the odor of same is repugnant to the gentler sex. Chewing tobacco is permitted, but spit with the wind, not against it. Gentlemen must refrain from the use of rough language in the presence of ladies and children. Buffalo robes are provided for your comfort in cold weather. Hogging robes will not be tolerated and the offender will be made to ride with the driver. Don’t snore loudly while sleeping or use your fellow passenger’s shoulder for a pillow; he or she may not understand and friction may result. Firearms may be kept on your person for use in emergencies. Do not fire them for pleasure or shoot at wild animals as the sound riles the horses. In the event of runaway horses remain calm. Leaping from the coach in panic will leave you injured, at the mercy of the elements, hostile Indians and hungry coyotes. Forbidden topics of conversation are: stagecoach robberies and Indian uprisings. Gents guilty of unchivalrous behavior toward lady passengers will be put off the stage. It’s a long walk back. A word to the wise is sufficient.As often depicted in western movies, a real and eminent threat to stagecoach travel was robbery by highwaymen or bandits as well as Indian attack, the worst of which occurred in the New Mexico Territory in 1861.The closing chapter in the use of stagecoaches as a mode of transportation took place when the road to Young, Arizona was paved and the stagecoach was replaced with a motorcar made by Ford.

Top three GPS products

www.alternative-routes.com — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:15:36 +0000

With so many navigation systems on the market, choosing one can be overwhelming. Most GPS products fulfill the same basic travel needs: however, it doesn’t mean they provide the same quality. We’ve compared the systems from different brands and made a list of the three most recommended navigators.Magellan RoadMate 1700The longest running company, Magellan has been in the navigation business since 1986. The fact that Magellan is such a highly recommended brand is attributed to its features. Take for example the RoadMate 1700. The 1700 has distinctive features: such as a 7″ screen and an AAA Tourbook and Roadside Assistance program. The GPS also contains multidestination routing, a WAAS receiver, and voice navigation. For its large screen and useful applications, you can’t go wrong with a Magellan RoadMate.Garmin Nuvi 255WThe foundation for the Garmin industry was laid in 1989. Over the last 21 years, the company has been navigating their way to top of the line GPS systems. One of the most popular Garmin products is the Nuvi 255W. This GPS provides your basic driving needs, such as automatic rerouting and voice-guided navigation. But the system also has applications that assist with travel plans: like a currency and measurement convertor, as well as a world clock. While these items aren’t necessary for your everyday road trip, they are extremely useful for travel outside of the U.S. This product receives high marks for getting you where you need to be, but also, for its functional travel apps.TomTom XL 335LETomTom has been working with navigational products since 1991. However, until 2004, the applications were for mobile systems and PDAs. While it took thirteen years to release separate devices, the process led to reliable, state of the art products: like the XL 335LE. One of the best features of the XL 335LE is the traffic rerouting. The system processes what traffic conditions are like and offers drivers the quietest course. Amongst these features, TomTom also includes a 4.3″ screen, multiple roadmaps, and voice-directed navigation. The TomTom is great for road trips, but the traffic app is certainly useful during rush hour traffic.

Bourton on the Water

www.alternative-routes.com — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:09:09 +0000

If you’re planning a trip to England, you may have stumbled across the South West in your search of must-see regions. Home to the Roman baths in Bath, and Shakespeare’s Stratford Upon Avon, the area offers many infamous British towns. However, one town you may not have come across is Bourton on the Water.This cozy town is nicknamed “Venice of the Cotswolds” for its beautiful river, which is enclosed by luscious stretches of grass as well as shady willow trees. The town’s natural beauty is perfect for picnics or an afternoon walk. But if you forget the picnic basket, the area has a variety of delicious eateries which offer a traditional British lunch: such as the Mad Hatter Tearooms or the Riverside Caf.Alongside its natural beauty, Bourton also contains interesting attractions. The most popular tourist spot is the Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum. Throughout the exhibits, view a collection of vintage cars: such as a 1937 BMW 327 or a 1930 Austin Chummy. Another part of the museum showcases various toys. Get transported back to your childhood as you see antique slot cars, rocking horses, and skittle-sets. However, the museum’s biggest charm is Brum: the leading car from a T.V. show in England. Not only does the car permanently reside there, but the series is recorded there, too.Don’t forget to visit The Cotswold Pottery (the works of John and Jude Jelfs), the Cotswold Perfumery, and Birdland during your stay. While it may not be a large town, Bourton on the Water contains plenty of British charm.