travel

10 Best Ghost Towns of the West

Posted January 16, 2017 by David E. Franck

10-best-ghost-towns-west

Visiting ghost towns is a great way to give your kids a quick education about the history of our country during the days of the Wild West. Not all of these places have disappeared into the landscape. Some were revitalized into thriving towns again and been given a second life. I can’t guarantee you’ll actually encounter any ghosts here, but the more remote ones can be a bit spooky. Courtesy of Toyota I had a chance to check out some of these 10 that are by far the best in terms of preserved buildings and are fairly easy to get to.

Bodie, California

In the Sierra Nevada Mountains straddling the California-Nevada border, this former gold town had 10,000 residents in the late 1800s. After the gold rush days it slowly declined, with its post office finally closing in 1942. Only a small part of the town survived, but Bodie still has a lot left to see, including saloons and a red-light district. Don’t even think of taking anything from it’s still stocked stores though or bad luck may come your way.

Settled:1876
Abandoned:1915
Current Status:National Historic Site

Calico, California

This Southern California town peaked in the 1880s. Prospectors came in droves to mine silver. When the price dropped in the 1890s, people began to leave, and it quickly became a ghost town. Today,Calico is a park, but you can still see a lot of the original buildings and you can tour the mine, or stroll through the old post office and schoolhouse.

Settled: 1881
Abandoned:1907
Current Status:County Park

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10 Really Bizarre Things to See & Do in Texas

Posted January 16, 2017 by David E. Franck

bizarre-things-in-texas-travel

I recently had the chance to explore some of the more unusual sites in Texas. Being such a big state there are plenty to choose from, but they’re spread apart so you need to plan ahead. If you’re looking for something different from the normal tourist attractions, check out some of these really bizarre things to see and do in Texas.

1. Cadillac Ranch

Sitting out in the middle of a field are ten half-buried cars sticking up out of the ground. The Cadillacs are covered in constantly changing graffiti, which although not exactly encouraged, is not frowned upon either. So feel free to stop on by and leave your own contribution to this wild art installation.

2. Eiffel Tower

Paris, Texas may lack the nightlife of that other Paris in France, but this one has it’s own Eiffel Tower topped with a giant cowboy hat, Texas-style. Better yet, no passport is necessary and you don’t even have to speak French!

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Fun Things for the Whole Family in Tucson, AZ

Posted January 15, 2017 by David E. Franck

7-fun-things-whole-family-tucson-arizona

Are you sick of the long, cold winter? Are the kids going a bit stir crazy? Then come visit Tucson Arizona. Right now the weather is great, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, and the sun shines almost every day of the year.

Whether it’s outdoor fun or cultural and educational activities your family is into, there are lots of things to see and do in Tucson. It’s a laid-back city with a vibrant history, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. And in this economy, it’s a truly low-cost vacation for the entire family.

I had the chance to explore some of the best places to go while you’re in town, and I guarantee the kids will love it! Whether it’s nature and outdoor activities, exploring the Wild West, or cultural diversions you crave, Tucson has something to offer for everyone.

Saguaro National Park

A must see for any visit are those giant saguaro cactuses native to this part of the Southwest. The park is split into two sides, east and west of the city. The Western part is lower in elevation with a denser cactus forest. There are lots of parking spots along the way for you to get out and look around or even take a hike. It’s also on the way to the Desert Museum and Old Tucson, which makes it a great day trip.

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National Geographic

Posted January 15, 2017 by David E. Franck

Route 66 is Still the Place to Get Your Kicks

Posted January 12, 2017 by David E. Franck

Route 66, also known as the Mother Road and the Main Street of America, may have had its heyday years ago, but it’s definitely still worth a drive to see these Route 66 attractions. Construction of the highway began in 1926 and it became one of the most famous roads in America. Connecting Chicago to Los Angeles and passing through 8 states, and covering over 2,000 miles, people came in droves to Get Their Kicks on Route 66.

Though long since bypassed by modern highways, Route 66 attractions still make it a road trip your family should take. Large sections are gone now, but cities, towns and individuals have preserved its charm and history along the way. Don’t forget to bring a camera and capture the adventure, giving your family something to truly remember for years to come.

If you have a couple of weeks you could make the whole trip, but I recommend breaking it up, as I’ve done over the years. That way you can slowly enjoy the whole experience, like people did before modern day highway speed limits. The Western section has a lot more of the original route and attractions preserved, but the Eastern half still has some great surprises as well. Courtesy of Toyota, here are some of the highlights I’ve had a chance to see. I’m sure you will have your own stories to add to this great part of American history.

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10 Big Things in Texas & How They Got There

Posted January 12, 2017 by David E. Franck

Texas is a huge state and prides itself on being biggest at everything. Courtesy of Toyota, I had the chance to drive around and see some of these big things in Texas and find out why they are there. Not all are the “world’s largest,” but I guarantee you’re in for some really BIG surprises.

1. World’s Largest Cowboy Boots

Originally these giant boots were built to fill an empty lot in Washington, D.C. At 40 feet tall and 30 feet long they were promoted as the World’s Largest Cowboy Boots. That is debatable, as the cowboy boots in Seattle are probably bigger. A year later they were moved to their Texas home at a mall in San Antonio, where oddly enough, as far as I could tell there isn’t a shoe store in sight.

2. Texas’ Biggest Texan

Speaking of cowboy boots, who better to fill them than Tex Randall, the Biggest Texan. Especially now that the Big Texan at the State Fairgrounds is toast. Tex has been in Canyon since 1959, originally to promote a Western curio shop, now long gone. Luckily the new owner of the lot didn’t want to pay the hefty fee to have him torn down, leaving this giant dude to age gracefully where he still stands.

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