We were recently in St. Augustine, Florida and visited the Castillo de San Marcos. It was there that one of the park rangers told us of this real steal. By the way, the Castillo is an absolute must-see if you get a chance to visit that part of the country. It is in excellent condition, despite dating back to 1672. Built by the Spanish to protect their empire in America, it was built to last. Some of the walls are said to be between 14 and 19 feet thick. It was also surrounded by a 40 foot moat. Large cannons still line the gun deck. At 2:30 p.m. during our visit last Sunday, there was a demonstration of the firing of one of those cannons. It was an excellent show that had everyone cheering.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
National Park Service Senior Pass
If you are 62 years old or older, you are eligible to purchase a lifetime pass for seniors from the National Park Service. For only $10, you can have access to all of the national parks run by the National Park Service. Since that number is close to 400, that is quite a bargain. But, as they say in those infomercials on television, it gets even better. Not only you have that access, you can take along 3 other persons with you on your visit---at no charge.
We were recently in St. Augustine, Florida and visited the Castillo de San Marcos. It was there that one of the park rangers told us of this real steal. By the way, the Castillo is an absolute must-see if you get a chance to visit that part of the country. It is in excellent condition, despite dating back to 1672. Built by the Spanish to protect their empire in America, it was built to last. Some of the walls are said to be between 14 and 19 feet thick. It was also surrounded by a 40 foot moat. Large cannons still line the gun deck. At 2:30 p.m. during our visit last Sunday, there was a demonstration of the firing of one of those cannons. It was an excellent show that had everyone cheering.
Two suggestions: If you are interested in visiting the national parks, by all means secure a senior pass. And if you are in the vicinity, you must stop and see the Castillo de San Marcos.
We were recently in St. Augustine, Florida and visited the Castillo de San Marcos. It was there that one of the park rangers told us of this real steal. By the way, the Castillo is an absolute must-see if you get a chance to visit that part of the country. It is in excellent condition, despite dating back to 1672. Built by the Spanish to protect their empire in America, it was built to last. Some of the walls are said to be between 14 and 19 feet thick. It was also surrounded by a 40 foot moat. Large cannons still line the gun deck. At 2:30 p.m. during our visit last Sunday, there was a demonstration of the firing of one of those cannons. It was an excellent show that had everyone cheering.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Tamarack Revisited
In my last post, Country Roads, Part Two, June 2, 2012, I discussed the wonderful facility known as Tamarack, located outside of Beckley, West Virginia. In the May, 2012 issue of Smithsonian Magazine, www.Smithsonian.com, Beckley is listed as one of the 20 Best Small Towns in America. If you get a chance, take a look at the entire article. There are some real surprises on the list, including Butler, Pennsylvania. All of them are well worth looking into for a visit.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Country Roads--Part Two
Last time I wrote about two well-known resorts in West Virginia, the Greenbrier and Oglebay Park, Today, I'd like to tell you about another West Virginia spot you will undoubtedly enjoy visiting. It is called Tamarack and is located near Beckley, West Virginia, just off Exit 45 of Interstate 77.
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Opened in 1995, Tamarack is not a resort as such, it is an arts and crafts center, run as an economic development project of the West Virginia Parkways Authority. It consists of a large circular building with multiple shops for the sale of locally produced glass, pottery, jewelry, fine art, wood and textiles. Most are reasonably priced. The area is particularly well-known for glass ware.
In addition to the shops themselves, there are resident artisan studios where you can watch as their art objects are being produced. Many weekends during the summer, there are also craft demonstrations. There is also a small theater that offers musical theater and dancing. Finally, for those foodies (like me), the food court offers food from the Greenbrier resort. The broiled trout is one of the specialities. And for dessert, you must try the Greenbrier's signature peaches or the cherry cobbler. Both are outstanding. In addition, a small shop offers Greenbrier merchandise.
That's it for our short tour of places to visit in West Virginia. For more information, please go to www.tamarackwv.com or phone 304-256-6843.
Next up is Lisbon, Portugal.
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Opened in 1995, Tamarack is not a resort as such, it is an arts and crafts center, run as an economic development project of the West Virginia Parkways Authority. It consists of a large circular building with multiple shops for the sale of locally produced glass, pottery, jewelry, fine art, wood and textiles. Most are reasonably priced. The area is particularly well-known for glass ware.
In addition to the shops themselves, there are resident artisan studios where you can watch as their art objects are being produced. Many weekends during the summer, there are also craft demonstrations. There is also a small theater that offers musical theater and dancing. Finally, for those foodies (like me), the food court offers food from the Greenbrier resort. The broiled trout is one of the specialities. And for dessert, you must try the Greenbrier's signature peaches or the cherry cobbler. Both are outstanding. In addition, a small shop offers Greenbrier merchandise.
That's it for our short tour of places to visit in West Virginia. For more information, please go to www.tamarackwv.com or phone 304-256-6843.
Next up is Lisbon, Portugal.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Coffree: A Life Saver
Several weeks ago, I wrote about the beneficial effects of coffee "Coffee: Just What the Doctor Ordered", April 28, 2012.. Recently, The New England Journal of Medicine, May 17, 2012, published an article about a study that showed that coffee drinkers (particularly those who consumed three or more cups a day) had a 10% less chance of dying from heart problems, stroke, diabetes and other causes The study was conducted by researchers from the National Cancer Institute and the AARP. The researchers followed some 400,000 men and women over a 12 year period. .The study involved those who drank coffee with and without caffeine, so it does not appear that caffeine is the operative ingredient that may be beneficial.
So, have another cup of java and drink up!
So, have another cup of java and drink up!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Country Roads
John Denver sang about the "country roads" of West Virginia. Those country roads lead to some wonderful vacation spots.
Almost everyone has heard of the Greenbrier resort. Located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, eighty miles from the Roanoke Regional Airport, for over 200 years, it has been a playground for presidents(26 of them have stayed or visited there) and princes, as well as those who want to pamper themselves a little .It is a AAA Five Diamond award winning luxury resort and spa. With three championship golf courses, this year it is the host to the Greenbrier Classic, July 2-8. Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia are expected to play in this PGA event.. Slamming Sammy Snead himself was the golf pro there for many years.The rooms are brightly decorated, the food is superb and the atmosphere is just outstanding.With a movie theater, two pools and, since 2010, a casino, it offers excitement every day and night.
But this post is not just about the Greenbier. Plenty of information is available on the Greenbrier See www.greenbrier.com .Moreover, not everyone can afford the Greenbrier. No, this post is also about two other West Virginia places you might want to consider visiting this summer. Moreover, not everyone can afford the Greenbrier.
First, is Oglebay Park, in Wheeling, West Virginia. Once the summer estate of Earl Oglebay, at his death, he willed all 1700 acres to the City of Wheeling. It is still owned and maintained by the city of Wheeling,and is located at the top of a mountain just off of Interstate 70. As you climb the mountain, you will pass on the left a sign stating that the property was once owned by Lawrence Washington, the brother of George Washington. Once you have zigzagged up the mountain, you will see a large yellow building. This is the Oglebay.mansion and it is available for tours of the antique filled rooms. For more information, phone 304-243-4090 or visit the website at www.Oglebay-resort.com
Once you pass the mansion, you will see a sign, reading "Wilson Lodge," Turn there and it will take you down to the lodge which is the center of activity. As the name suggests, it is just that, a "lodge." Nothing too fancy but very much directed at families and conventioners or those on a business retreat. Just off the lobby is a fine gift shop with branded merchandise and bottles of wine. Cottages are also available.
In addition to a skiing area just down the road and its own zoo, Oglebay is blessed with two magnificent golf courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer, and the other by Robert Trent Jones Sr. If you are a golfer, you will enjoy both. The Palmer is the flatter of the two courses and if, like me, you do not favor playing off the side of a mountain, try it first.
Each Christmas season, Oglebay puts on a Festival of Lights, which draws families from the surrounding states. Also, in April, Oglebay hosts an antique show with dealers from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Florida. Each of these events is well worth the trip.
The next post will be about another West Virginia attraction, Tamarack. Make sure you come back to read it.
Click on the sidebar for more information about the Greenbrier.
Almost everyone has heard of the Greenbrier resort. Located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, eighty miles from the Roanoke Regional Airport, for over 200 years, it has been a playground for presidents(26 of them have stayed or visited there) and princes, as well as those who want to pamper themselves a little .It is a AAA Five Diamond award winning luxury resort and spa. With three championship golf courses, this year it is the host to the Greenbrier Classic, July 2-8. Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia are expected to play in this PGA event.. Slamming Sammy Snead himself was the golf pro there for many years.The rooms are brightly decorated, the food is superb and the atmosphere is just outstanding.With a movie theater, two pools and, since 2010, a casino, it offers excitement every day and night.
But this post is not just about the Greenbier. Plenty of information is available on the Greenbrier See www.greenbrier.com .Moreover, not everyone can afford the Greenbrier. No, this post is also about two other West Virginia places you might want to consider visiting this summer. Moreover, not everyone can afford the Greenbrier.
First, is Oglebay Park, in Wheeling, West Virginia. Once the summer estate of Earl Oglebay, at his death, he willed all 1700 acres to the City of Wheeling. It is still owned and maintained by the city of Wheeling,and is located at the top of a mountain just off of Interstate 70. As you climb the mountain, you will pass on the left a sign stating that the property was once owned by Lawrence Washington, the brother of George Washington. Once you have zigzagged up the mountain, you will see a large yellow building. This is the Oglebay.mansion and it is available for tours of the antique filled rooms. For more information, phone 304-243-4090 or visit the website at www.Oglebay-resort.com
Once you pass the mansion, you will see a sign, reading "Wilson Lodge," Turn there and it will take you down to the lodge which is the center of activity. As the name suggests, it is just that, a "lodge." Nothing too fancy but very much directed at families and conventioners or those on a business retreat. Just off the lobby is a fine gift shop with branded merchandise and bottles of wine. Cottages are also available.
In addition to a skiing area just down the road and its own zoo, Oglebay is blessed with two magnificent golf courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer, and the other by Robert Trent Jones Sr. If you are a golfer, you will enjoy both. The Palmer is the flatter of the two courses and if, like me, you do not favor playing off the side of a mountain, try it first.
Each Christmas season, Oglebay puts on a Festival of Lights, which draws families from the surrounding states. Also, in April, Oglebay hosts an antique show with dealers from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Florida. Each of these events is well worth the trip.
The next post will be about another West Virginia attraction, Tamarack. Make sure you come back to read it.
Click on the sidebar for more information about the Greenbrier.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Beneficial Effects of Meditation
The many beneficial effects of meditation continue to be recognized. In an earlier post, " Every Breath You Take," I discussed a number of different forms of meditation or mindfulness. In today's edition of The New York Times,an article entitled "In Sitting Still, A Bench Press For the Brain," the Times reports on a number of studies which tend to show that meditation has a number of beneficial effects on the brain. These are believed to include increased gray and white matter which can improve cognitive performance in older adults. What is fascinating is that the longer meditation is practiced, the greater the benefits appear to be. This is in addition to the physical benefits such as lower blood pressure as shown in such studies as the "Relaxation Response.."
Moreover, it is never too late to start. It requires no equipment and almost no time. Just get started.
Moreover, it is never too late to start. It requires no equipment and almost no time. Just get started.
The Secret of Success
If you are looking for the secret of real success at your job, with your family and in life, you might want to consider the above little saying: "To Do a Common Thing Uncommonly Well, Brings Success."
The quote is from H.J. Heinz, the founder of the Heinz food company. The print is by Sister Corita Kent, a wonderful pop artist known for these type of prints.
You might be asking yourself, "what exactly does this mean?" I think it means that whatever you do, no matter how apparently small it may be, if you do it as best as you can, you will already have succeeded.
What do you think?
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