Travel

A Stop at Darien, GA

Another one of my goals as a newly transplanted wannabe Savannahian is to explore the Georgia coast. Darien was the closest city, and it appealed to me because they have an old jail that they’ve turned into an art center, a fort, and the legend of Altie (a Sea Monster, what else could it be?).

The Old Jail Art Center

Old Jail Art Center - Darien, GA — ***Old Jail Art Center – Darien, GA***

The Old Jail Art Center is located at 404 North Way just before historic downtown Darien. The McDonald Brothers Jail Building Company constructed the jail in 1888. Today, it is part local gallery (5 rooms solely dedicated to art exhibits) and part museum. The cells are still intact, and there are plenty of exhibits on display inside them! The museum is free, but donations are accepted. There is even a gift shop downstairs. The McIntosh Art Association offers painting, pottery, and even creative writing classes here. This is a charming and oh so worthwhile venue.

Fort King George

The fort was constructed in 1721 and was abandoned in 1732. What you see here today is a replication from maps and drawings. It’s funny because I called that from the parking lot. I looked at Bob and said: “This is what Disney World thinks a fort is.” It is nicely done, and an enjoyable stop, but just know that you are not walking through buildings from the 1700s. When you go in the visitor center to pay, you need to make a left and walk through the museum. Then, make like you are back in elementary school and watch the film. You’ll actually get a kick out of it. It will give you the cliff’s notes version of the history of Darien becoming a seaport, the Guale Indians, and the Santo Domingo de Talaje mission.

Once inside the block house, climb to the top and look through the window out into the Altamaha River. This is actually one of the most popular spots to try and find Altie.

The buildings may not be authentic, but the grounds are beautiful, and this is where you hear the history if you are listening. Ruins of the sawmill and some tabby ruins are still on the grounds. When you leave the blockhouse, take the nature trail back to your car.

Fort King George - Darien, GA — ***Fort King George – Darien, GA***

I can’t guarantee this for future guests, but there was a very brazen raccoon out there who really amused me. He trotted out of nowhere and made a direct play for the trashcan right outside the visitor’s center. I was rooting for him, but I guess it was a slow day and he left empty-handed. He was a fast little sucker too. I couldn’t even get a photo.

Altie – Darien, GA

The aquatic cryptid (sea monster) is very serious business. There is an entire pamphlet devoted to Altie that can be picked up from the very sad and empty outlet mall directly off the interstate (Exit 49). The first Altie sightings date back to the 17th century with the Yamasee Indians. The most recent reporting is from a fisherman in 2002. I would love to take a boat down the Altamaha River in search of Altie.

Further reading:

Welcome to the McIntosh Art Association

http://visitdarien.com

http://www.gastateparks.org/fortkinggeorge/

September 27, 2013 0

Sedona, AZ

For several years now, I have had the habit of making it a point to travel somewhere new to ring in the New Year. Sedona is known as being one of those places that feeds your soul, so it appealed to me on reputation alone. Sometimes, you go some place and you find that it is a sort of sterile destination that looks just like some other place you just got back from. The moment you get close to Sedona, you know you have seen nothing else like it in the world. The red rocks surround you and the entire town.

Enchantment Resort

Enchantment Resort was home base, and was luxe and perfect and all of that, but truthfully a little over the top for us. We did enjoy a private guided tour into Boynton Canyon where I made a point to ask about the tarantulas. I had not seen even one of them yet, so I was concerned about where they might be hiding. I was told that they run in September, so I made a note to myself to stay the hell out of Sedona during September.

Shopping

The best shopping excursion we took was meandering through the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. We easily spent a few hours here. The Renee Taylor Gallery literally almost made us cry. Everything in there was so beautiful, and believe me, they were passing out the champagne to loosen purse strings! We had never seen so much fine contemporary art that we liked all in the same place. In particular, there was an artist who was working with steel, but the work was so fluid that you thought it was glasswork.

Hiking / Vortexes / Aura Photos

On New Year’s Eve Day, we saw all of the vortex sites. The map for them can be found at www.lovesedona.com. Sedona is known to have four main vortexes. The claim is that they are centers of energy that strengthen people. Well, we went to all of them and were not cognizant of feeling any energy. However, when we got to our last stop at Bell Rock, we did have a wonderful experience. It began snowing lightly, and we enjoyed about a two hour quiet peaceful hike with some light rock climbing sprinkled in. The red rocks were magical looking with a little snow on top. (Although slightly resembling a giant plate of blue cheese potato chips, if you ask me).

We kept seeing heart-shaped rocks being placed in trees. Then we started noticing them everywhere. I don’t know what the story is on this, but they are fun to spot.

Almost immediately after our long hike on Bell Rock, I was drawn to Center for the New Age. I insisted that Bob pull over and we went in and asked about having an aura photo taken together. We were the last appointment of the day for Jamie Jones-Hoaglund. Amazingly, the photo came out with us showing the same colors. Lots of white, and we were told that we had the highest spiritual colors. It was a very touching and moving experience for both of us.

We loved Sedona.

Further reading:

http://enchantmentresort.com/

http://www.tlaq.com/

http://reneetaylorgallery.com/

http://www.visitsedona.com/article/213

http://sedonanewagestore.com/psychics/jamie/

September 18, 2013 1

Jerome, AZ

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Leaving Phoenix with an overnight stay in Jerome, AZ in mind, a detour was made to check out the Montezuma Castle National Monument. These prehistoric cliff dwellings date back approximately 800 years! It is an amazing sight to see. Prior to 1951, visitors could actually ascend into the dwellings by climbing ladders.

Tuzigoot National Monument

The second detour was made to explore the ancient pueblos of Tuzigoot National Monument. You can still go inside the structures and walk all around the property. Great views are yours to be had if you climb all the way to the top.

Gold King Mine & Ghost Town

Once in Jerome, I just had to go check out the Gold King Mine & Ghost Town. I tempered my expectations, because I had no idea if it was for real or if it was a tourist trap. I still don’t know. But I did meet a great donkey named Pedro (who is on a diet, or at least was on a diet), and got some cool shots of the old junk cars.

As we were leaving, we somehow picked up a hitchhiker. He was as hairy as Sasquatch, with the skinniness of a meth-addled Shaggy. But, he was carrying a tiny Chihuahua with him, so I figured he was good people. As we proceeded down the short road leading back into downtown historic Jerome, the hitchhiker proceeded to offer up some of his best storytelling services to us – “You want to know about the town? I know all about this town.” I asked him how long he had lived in Jerome. His reply? About two months! Hysterical.

Jerome Grand Hotel & Jerome

Jerome Grand street view — ***Jerome Grand Hotel***

The former circa 1926 United Verde Hospital is now the Jerome Grand Hotel. The hotel still utilizes a 1926 Otis Elevator that is very fun to use! You have to manually open the gate and doors and insert your old-fashioned (actual) room key to operate the elevator. There is much speculation about the supposed hauntings going on here at the Jerome Grand Hotel. The television show Ghost Adventures even featured the location on one of their episodes. The hotel offers ghost hunting packages on select days during the week. When the hospital closed in 1950, the building remained vacant for 44 years until renovations began for the hotel. You may find the accommodations a bit rustic, but you should strive to enjoy the Jerome Grand Hotel for what it is – a true piece of history. Today, it is a charming historic hotel that seems to be doing just fine from its position on top of the hill, looking down into the Verde Valley.

The town of Jerome is a haven for artists, and there is a thriving downtown area of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Jerome is also home to the 1918 Liberty Theatre, which is said to be the oldest silent movie house still in operation today. The whole town has a good buzz of energy about it. All in all, this was a good overnight visit on our way to Sedona.

Further reading:

http://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/tuzi/index.htm

http://www.sedonaverdevalley.org/jerome/goldkingminejerome.html

http://www.jeromegrandhotel.com/

http://www.azjerome.com/jerome/

September 18, 2013 0

I Had a Great Time!

Cave Hill Cemetery - Louisville, KY — ***Cave Hill Cemetery – Louisville, KY***

I was looking through the photos I took when visiting Waverly Hills last year. This is a gravestone in the historic Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. Cave Hill is 160 years old, and might remind southerners of Atlanta’s Oakland or even Savannah’s Bonaventure.

The stone speaks volumes. This is the kind of life I aspire to. This is the legacy that I want to leave behind.

Now, Mr. Adams is not too far from where the great Colonel lies. And yes, I am talking about that delicious chicken (along with the concept of food in a bucket, which is just as equally brilliant, if you ask me).

Further research into the life of Mr. Adams turned up the fact that he was actually the grandson of Colonel Sanders!

I have no idea what the chicken legacy pays to grandchildren, but I do know that Mr. Adams gave money to charity, and that there is a ski run out in Aspen that is named after him (“Village Bound”). It is easy to scoff and remark “Well, I’m sure he did have a great time with all that chicken money and all. But I don’t have any chicken money, how am I supposed to have a great time?”

By pursuing activities that bring you joy. This gives you hope, and will keep you fighting for a better life. Hope, along with a bag of rice and a can of beans will keep you rowing through life’s rough waters. Maybe not everyone winds up at the end with chicken money. But the point is to have fun trying and enjoy the journey along the way. You can’t take it with you, after all. All we have is now. What are you doing with it?

September 8, 2013 1

Flight

Sometimes, it can be extremely difficult to find a sense of peace and purpose in our lives. A good way to know if you are on the right path is to pay attention to what you find wonder in. I do not fly airplanes. I ride in them. And I do it with a constant sense of joy and wonder. Gypsy traveler on my way to somewhere else. I use the time to reflect, create, plan, study, and read.

Somewhere in between worlds, fully believing that God sent me a heart-shaped cloud. Coincidence? I don’t believe it.

August 31, 2013 0

Route 66 – Edmond, OK to Stroud, OK

Route 66 - Rock Cafe — Route 66 – Rock Cafe

Route 66 - Rock Cafe; Stroud, Oklahoma — Route 66 – Rock Cafe; Stroud, Oklahoma

Skyliner Motel, Route 66: Stroud, Oklahoma — Route 66 – Skyliner Motel, Stroud, Oklahoma

Route 66 - Red Barn, Oklahoma — Route 66 – Red Barn, Oklahoma

I set off on Route 66 full of hope and promise, much like the original travelers must have felt. In my case, though, the first thing I saw was POPS in Arcadia. A very modern, sleek gas station with color-coded beverage sections that will set your heart all aflutter if you are one of those crazy organized types (ahem). A few more miles down the road, and we were snapping photos of the 1898 Round Barn. I set off with a picture in my head of discovering some American nostalgia. Perhaps I would see some quirky, romantic, and even kitschy roadside attractions. Alas, the fun stopped in Arcadia.

When we arrived in Stroud at the Skyliner Motel I almost insisted that we abandon ship. “It’s not too late. We can just go back to Oklahoma City and find a nice safe Marriott.” But we were in it. We signed the registry with “Bob,” and got a priceless/hilarious demonstration of how to use the remote control. Walking through downtown Stroud, I’ve never encountered such a weirdly abandoned ghost of an apocalyptic town. Abandoned junk in the storefronts, as though everyone just abandoned the shops one day. Packed up and didn’t look back.

I set out wanting to see America. I looked around me at the devastation and depression that was Stroud and I no longer wanted to see it. I wanted to see an art museum and go shopping. Get a pedicure and relax by the pool. I wanted to see the “real America.” But the “real America” is dead or dying and the people who are stuck here now are the walking dead.

We went next door to the gas station, and when we asked the cashier how she was doing she replied “Alright, I guess,” and let out a heavy sigh.

As always, our travels are marked in our “Play” Journal from Stealth Journals. The entry page can be seen here below:

August 26, 2013 1

Buffalo Central Terminal

Undoubtedly, one of the most awe-inspiring buildings I’ve had the pleasure of entering in a long time. The Terminal is one of the most impressive examples of Art Deco architecture still in existence today. Restoration is a long hard road, but the folks at the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation are dedicated to seeing the old grandeur return to the Terminal.