CONTENTS 5. Editors Block
PARKS & DESTINATIONS 8. Winter in California’s Sequoia Country 10. Discover San Benito County, California 12. Yosemite: A Park for All Seasons 17. South Dakota’s Black Hills & Badlands 18. Birdwatching in Yerington, Nevada 22. Yuma Bird, Nature & History Festival 28. Amp Up the Adventure in Hells Canyon 36. Colorado Model Railroad Museum 42. Dinosaur National Monument 45. Oregon’s Grove of the States
EAT, DRINK & SLEEP 46. Savor Downtown Santa Fe 52. Stay at The Fredonia Hotel 54. Riverfront Stay in Little Rock, Arkansas 58. Cabin Stay in Springfield, Kentucky
HISTORY, CULTURE & THE ARTS 60. Winter at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun 64. Playwright Alan Olejniczak in Hawaii 66. Follow the Natchitoches Film Trail 72. Go Find the Fish in Toledo Bend 74. Historic Vernon Parish Courthouse 76. Louisiana Roots Travel & Family History 78. The Mark Twain of the Desert PAGE 3
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EDITORS BLOCK “The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” John Muir A good adventure yanks you from your comfort zone. No matter what you plan, the recipe will be different, the ingredients unexpected, and the flavors new. In this issue, we take you across America, from the Giant Sequoia trees in the Sierra Nevada region to Hells Canyon, the deepest and narrowest river gorge. From birding watching in Arizona and Nevada to the historic first cities in Texas and Louisiana, model trains to dinosaur bones in Colorado, to awesome lodging establishments in Kentucky and Arkansas. It’s all about history, nature, food and the arts. The stories of people and their connection to place. Stories we hope you experience on your next adventure! This issue of Parks & FRONT COVER PHOTO: Great Egret in West Travel Magazine is Wetlands Park in Yuma, Arizona, by dedicated to our friend Lisa D. Smith. See the story on page 22. and tourism pioneer, BIG BLEND MISSION STATEMENT: Big Blend is John James Peach. John a company based on the belief that education is was in the hotel and the most formidable weapon that can be waged hospitality industry his against fear, ignorance and prejudice. It is our entire life. He traveled just about everywhere to belief that education starts at home and branches outward. Education leads to travel, promote Yuma, Arizona and travel leads to understanding, acceptance, as the year-round and appreciation of cultures and customs destination that it is. different to our own, and ultimately to world peace. Our company is further based on the From Siberia to South America John lived life to principle that networking, communication, and the fullest. He never said 'no' to an adventure or helping others to promote and market a new experience. May you rest in peace John. themselves leads to financial stability; thus paving the way to better education, travel, and To keep up with our new stories and the spirit of giving back to the community. This destinations, visit NationalParkTraveling.com magazine is developed by Big Blend Magazine™, and subscribe to our weekly Big Blend ecopyrighted since 1997. No part of it may be Newsletter. reproduced for any reason, without written permission from Big Blend Magazine. Although Here’s to the next great adventure! every effort is made to be accurate, we cannot be Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith held responsible for inaccuracies or plagiarized Big Blend’s mother-daughter travel, publishing, copy submitted to us by advertisers or and radio team. contributors. PAGE 5
California’s Sequoia Country A Winter Wonderland for the Whole Family By Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith Like icing on a cake, the sugary white snow drapes down the rich cinnamon trunks of the giant sequoia trees. Icicles melt into glistening droplets as the sun bursts its way through the snow-laden greenery. Vast blue skies stretch wide above the deep, snow-crusted canyons and towering mountains, that will give way to waterfalls in the spring. The waterways pose as mirrors, reflecting a tranquil winter wonderland of drifting cotton clouds, stunning ice formations, statuesque boulders and majestic trees. A raucous blue jay breaks the silence to offer a stellar display of his iridescent feathers. A herd of deer stop to listen with their heads up and ears alert, standing proud in front of an impressive grove of sugar pines.
Whether there’s snow or just frosty dustings, one of the best ways to experience the natural wonders of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, is to get out of the car, and take a walk. There are hundreds of miles of nature, hiking and backpacking, snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing trails to follow, as well as wheelchair accessible trails. Throughout the season, there are also various ranger-guided snowshoe nature programs. For the more skilled winter explorer, the parks offer overnight ski and snowshoe trips through the wilderness areas (with permits only).
The region offers the whiz of a snowball zipping past your cheek and landing with a deep thud on your foot; the thrill of lying in the snow and making your first snow angel; and the sheer fun Snow play, tranquility, and awesome mountain of getting together and making a snowman with beauty welcome you to a magical winter a sugar pine cone nose. From snowshoeing to wonderland in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Feel the crisp crunch of snow and snowman building, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are a winter haven for families ice under your hiking boots, make like a snow who are ready to put down the electronics and hare and float across the white powder with snowshoes, or propel forth elegantly with cross- get outside and play together. country skis. PAGE 8
Spanning 461,901 acres, Kings Canyon National Park is made up of mostly wilderness, forests and spectacular canyons, with Kings Canyon being one of the deepest canyons in the United States. The park is known for being home to the General Grant Grove of giant sequoia trees, the famous General Grant Tree, and the Redwood Mountain Grove which is the largest remaining natural grove of giant sequoias in the world. One of the first parks in the country, the 404,064 acre Sequoia National Park is famous for its giant sequoia trees, especially the General Sherman Tree - the largest living organism and tree (by volume) in the world. Both parks are located in central California. Tulare County serves as their main gateway destination. Don’t forget to pack your snow chains and check the park website for snow conditions and winter travel alerts. Be sure to visit www.NPS.gov/seki.
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DISCOVER SAN BENITO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Eastern Gateway to Pinnacles National Park
San Benito County Big Blend Radio segment with Jared McDonald. Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.
Enjoy hiking trails, rock climbing, exploring caves, star gazing, camping and bird watching. Keep your eyes open for a lucky glimpse of a California condor, as this park also manages a release site for captive bred California condors. Boasting a Mediterranean climate, the Park enjoys mild winters with moderate precipitation. San Benito County is true California ranch country and a nature lover’s paradise. Visit www.DiscoverSanBenitoCounty.com.
Located in central California, east of Monterey and Salinas, San Benito County is the eastern gateway destination of Pinnacles National Park and a destination on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Local communities of Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos, Aromas, and Paicines welcome visitors to enjoy the region’s historic towns and outdoor recreation, wine tasting and breweries, delectable variety of dining options, boutique and antique shopping, historic parks and museums, public art, and festive events. Located along the San Andreas Fault, Pinnacles National Park is of geological significance and is known for its beautiful and diverse habitats that range from spectacular wildflowers to oak woodlands and chaparral scrub, caves and rock spires. The giant boulders you see at Pinnacles today were formed as a result of volcanic activity that occurred over 23 million years ago. PAGE 10
YOSEMITE:
A PARK FOR ALL SEASONS By Linda Ballou PAGE 12
Wawona Meadow walk - Photo by Linda Ballou Yosemite offers an array of natural attractions throughout the year. Spring’s snow melt gorges waterfalls that gush over granite lips to the Merced River, charging to the valley floor and giving river rafters a thrill. Emerald meadows are festooned with wildflowers and the park’s creatures come alive after a long winter. In languid summer days, hikers cool off with a dip in the glacier-fed waters of the Merced. Magical winter scenes call for snowshoe walks and cross- Listen to Linda Ballou on Big Blend Radio here country skiing. in the YouTube player, or download / listen to it on Spreaker.com. Skirt the crowds in busy Yosemite Valley with a stay at Tenaya Lodge. Located just outside the south entrance, it makes a perfect home-base for The Mariposa Grove of giant sequoia is just explorations in the 1,169 sq. mile park. I was inside the south gate entrance and the historic surprised to learn that famed Yosemite Valley is a Wawona Hotel. The nature center is just 4 miles 35-mile (one-hour) drive from the south gate from the south entrance. Whether you stay entrance. Glacier Point provides a stunning view inside the valley, which is a beehive of activity, or of the valley floor, Half Dome, North Dome, and a outside the park in the peaceful setting of mountain-scape that spreads to eternity and is Tenaya Lodge, you will find that mountain driving another hours drive, whether you are is in order if you want to get to the high points in approaching it from the lodge or the valley floor. a short visit. Continued on Next Page… PAGE 13
Patio Overview - Courtesy Tenaya Lodge
Yosemite Continued‌ Tenaya Lodge offers an all-day tour in an openair safari vehicle that takes you to all the high points in the massive park. This saves you time trying to figure things out, and leaves the driving to your competent guide. Tenaya is an allinclusive, high-end resort with hot and cold pools, a complete spa center with steam room and sauna, indoor/outdoor patio dining, and a very attentive staff. You emerge from the dark of a mile-long tunnel drilled through granite, to a vista of Yosemite Valley captured by artists like Ansel Adams in black and white photography, and landscape artist Albert Bierstadt. Bierstadt, a White Mountain artist so dumbstruck by the beauty of Yosemite, painted the 40-foot square landscape, Looking Down the Yosemite Valley, in 1864. It brought hordes of tourists from the east. This view of El Capitan in the fore and Half Dome in the distance, continues to inspire millions of visitors from around the globe each year.
elevation gain and a mile climb, can cause heat stroke. Carry lots of water and make rest stops in the shade on a rock overlooking the charging Merced River below. There are hike options for all levels of fitness, from rock climbers to handicapped. The trails in the valley are paved and family friendly. The park’s shuttle service has 20 stops in the valley, with Yosemite Falls being one of the easiest hikes. This easy walk loops to the Yosemite Lodge where, if you are not inclined to hike and want to see as much as you can in a short time, you can catch a tour on an open-air tram with a ranger guide. ($37.50)
If you choose to hike the most popular trail in the park to Vernal and Nevada Falls, do it early in the day. In spring, hikers ascending the 600 granite steps to the base of the falls, are soaked with spray. In summer, the waters calm but temps can go into the 90s. This, combined with PAGE 14
Cabin Living Room - Courtesy Tenaya Lodge
Half Dome from Washburn Overlook - Photo by Linda Ballou A snaking road, through a thick forest, takes you to Glacier Point with a vista of unrivaled beauty. My lunch stop was the Washburn Overlook where Half Dome dominates the scene with three waterfalls and unceasing mountaintops. At Glacier Point you overlook the verdant valley 3,200 feet below. There are many trails fanning out from Glacier Point, but the Panorama trail takes you along the rim for more stunning views.
meadow. Persimmon-tipped willows framing the meadow, spoke of fall just around the corner. In spring the meadow is awash in wildflowers and in winter the level trail is perfect for crosscountry skiing.
One mile south of Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite Trails Saddle and Sleigh, located in the Sierra National Forest, offers rides in a pristine wilderness. A highlight on my journey was the 2-hour ride on a Recently refurbished trails, throughout the fit, well-mannered mount. Through the deep Mariposa Grove of ancient sequoia, are accessed shade of ponderosa pines and incense cedar by shuttle at a parking lot just inside the south trees, we clomped across clear water streams entrance to the park. framed in frilly ferns, to Vista Crest with views Here is a chance to breathe deeply the tranquility forever. of the forest, and admire the nobility of these In an attempt to bring nature closer to their giants that have withstood fire, flood, and the intrusion of mankind for thousands of years. The guests, Tenaya Lodge owners are building a complex of cabins with decks overlooking Big Grizzly trail to the patriarch of the park, is an Creek, where birdsong is your wake-up call. They easy amble anyone can enjoy. are excited to offer 2-bedroom cabins big I found my moment with nature on a 3-mile loop enough to share. The clubhouse, (with a near the historic Wawona Hotel, built in 1897. I restaurant,) will be completed by spring of 2020. was the sole hiker on this path shaded by Continued on Next Page‌ towering pines and sequoias tracing a lush PAGE 15
Yosemite Continued…
Horse-drawn sleigh ride - Courtesy Tenaya Lodge
A shuttle is currently provided from the Explorer cabins to the main lodge to give guests easy access to all amenities. If you are looking for a very special Christmas and New Year celebration, Tenaya Lodge could be for you. The massive lobby is graced with a towering Christmas tree. The grand hall is festive with lights and holiday cheer that includes gourmet treats, dancing, and music. Sleigh rides and an ice-skating rink add to the fun. For some, Yosemite is more dazzling in winter than summer because the crowds have thinned. Vast granite walls glisten and the forest drips with icy jewels. No matter what time of year you visit one of our country’s greatest natural treasures, you will not be disappointed.
Linda Ballou is a Southern California based travel writer, and author of the books, “Lost Angel Walkabout,” “ Wai-nani: A Voice from Old Hawaii,” and “The Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon.” Her latest effort “Lost Angel in Paradise” take readers to her favorite day trips on the Coast of California. This book is Linda’s way of giving back to all those friends who have said they would like to hike with her. From her roots in Alaska she received strength, centeredness, and respect for the awful power of nature that carried her forward into and adventure travel writing career. You will find a host of travel articles on her site www.LostAngelAdventures.com. For more about her novels and travel books go to www.LindaBallouAuthor.com.
Yosemite Valley Floor Tour Courtesy Tenaya Lodge
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Photo: Bison herd, Custer State Park, South Dakota, by Becky Pokora Travel blogger Becky Pokora, publisher of www.SightDOING.net, talks with Big Blend Radio about her adventures in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota. Listen to her interview here in the YouTube player or download / listen to the podcast Spreaker.com. Far too many travelers skip over South Dakota, picturing a vast state of open prairies, Mount Rushmore, and not much else. However, head to the western section of the state and you'll be wowed by ponderosa pine forests, rolling hills and impressive peaks (including the tallest point east of the Rockies), frequent wildlife sightings, and some of the country's most unique scenery in the Badlands. Although outdoor adventures are a strong draw here, travelers can also enjoy more relaxing activities, like scenic drives on the Needles Highway, Old West history in Deadwood, and breweries throughout downtown Rapid City and the nearby Black Hills. It's time to give South Dakota another look!
Photo: Badlands National Park by Becky Pokora
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Birdwatching Around Yerington, Nevada By Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid
The mountain bluebird is the Nevada state bird, and it’s a beautiful and bright one to see. It lives year-round in the northwest portion of the Silver State, and if you’re visiting the Yerington and Mason Valley region, you might get lucky enough to see some flying around the agricultural and wetland areas, along with magpies and yellowheaded blackbirds. East of Yosemite National Park and south of Reno, Yerington is located on the Pony Express and California National Historic Trails. Boasting four gentle seasons, this valley region is a haven for birdlife with green agricultural fields that are surrounded by high desert mountains, shrublands, lush wetlands, meadows, and lakes.
marsh wrens, red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds, Savannah sparrows, and song sparrows. Other less common species include the blue grosbeak, ash-throated flycatcher, black phoebe, and western bluebird. Wilson Canyon sits about 20 minutes southwest of Yerington. The drive along State Route 339 provides beautiful views and access points (some with picnic areas) to Walker River. The 3 mile Wilson Canyon Interpretive Trail, accessed from State Route 208, offers the opportunity to view chukar, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and mule deer.
A 5-minute drive from downtown Yerington, the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area is home to a series of wetlands. It’s a terrific bird watching location with species that range from tundra swans in the winter, to over 21 species of duck, pelicans, California quail, ring-necked pheasants, magpies, and osprey. Nesting species of raptors in the area include great horned owl, short-eared owl, Cooper’s hawk, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, Swainson’s hawk and northern harrier. Other species include bald eagles, golden eagles, prairie falcons, Peregrine falcons, and merlins. Songbirds that regularly nest include common yellowthroats, horned larks, PAGE 18
Fort Churchill State Historic Park, just 30 minutes north of Yerington, is another birding destination with a 1.6-mile interpretive nature trail that runs from the Fort, along the Carson River to historic Buckland Station. Keep your eyes peeled for beaver, fox, mule deer, wild turkey, and Canadian geese. A 45-minute drive northeast of Fort Churchill, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is an area of International Importance within the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve
Network, and is a popular birding site to view shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds, blackbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. If you head south on Highway 95 for about 45 minutes, you’ll come to Walker Lake State Recreation Area in Hawthorn. This over 30,000acre lake is a rare perennial lake of the Great Basin and is important for a variety of resident and migratory wildlife species. It’s also a great place to spot bighorn sheep.
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YUMA BIRD, NATURE & HISTORY FESTIVAL
January 10-12, 2020 in Yuma, AZ By Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid
Greater Egret in the West Wetlands Known as the Gateway to the Great Southwest, Yuma, Arizona is located along the lower Colorado River, between Tucson and San Diego. It’s an historic, cultural and outdoor adventure destination with attractions that include the Colorado River, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, Yuma Territorial Prison, Colorado River State Historic Park, Yuma Art Center & Historic Yuma Theatre, and a charming, historic downtown district that bustles with an eclectic array of shops and restaurants.
We attended the inaugural event and look forward to this upcoming festival that has another fantastic line up of activities and presentations, plus a trivia night, beer tasting and the Craven Raven festival cocktail. Here’s a glimpse of some festival highlights, and please note that most of the activities are limited in attendance so it’s good to register as soon as possible.
With Yuma’s diverse habitats that range from desert farmlands to the lower Colorado River wetlands, around 400 species of birds make the region a seasonal stop or year-round home. From garden walks to hikes and canoe trips, the Yuma Bird, Nature & History Festival will immerse you in all of the region’s natural beauty. This time of year is prime for viewing raptors and Big Blend Radio interview with Nancy Meister, President of the Yuma Audubon Society. Listen waterfowl. There’s also Yuma’s thrilling aviation here in the YouTube player or download/listen and military history, Native American cultural heritage, and Colorado River and tourism history on Spreaker.com. to connect with. PAGE 22
Red Hot Poker Plant at RJ Moody Demonstration Garden East Wetlands Birding: Vianey Avila, will lead a birding tour in the East Wetlands Park. Expect to see Abert’s towhees, spotted sandpipers, hummingbirds, flycatchers, woodpeckers, Verdins, and perhaps some warblers. Bird & Nature Walk at Sunrise Park: Chase Choate, Environmentalist Director for the Quechan Tribe, will lead a bird and nature walk along the bank of the Colorado River. Learn more about the uses of native plants and the importance of the river to the original inhabitants of the area.
Robert G. Fowler, Jr. Monument
Bird & Nature Walks, Gardens Tours & Wetland Wanderings RJ Moody Garden Demonstration Garden: Janine Lane, horticulturist with the University of Arizona, will be your guide in the garden which is planted in native and desert adapted plants. Janine will help you with suggestions on plants for your garden and answer questions about water and fertilizing issues in the desert southwest.
Wildlife and Native Plants: Val Morrill, biologist with a special interest in plants, will lead a tour through the unique Yuma Conservation Garden. Val will share not only the names and how to identify plants but will also talk about the medicinal and food uses of them. You may even get to do a little tasting.
West Wetlands Park: Botanist Karen Reichhardt will teach you how to identify native and desert adapted plants in the Hummingbird Garden in the West Wetlands Park. Bring binoculars just in case you see a hummingbird, a thrasher, or perhaps a family of quail. Continued on Next Page‌ PAGE 23
Bird Festival Continued…
Sunrise in the East Wetlands
Presentations on Yuma’s Diverse History & Cultural Heritage
appliances from the early 1900s, and historic photos.
Wings Over Yuma: Bruce Gwynn, a native of Yuma and member of the historic Sanguinetti Family, will entertain you with stories of the first airplane landing in Arizona, that happened in Yuma, Yuma’s role in training pilots for WWII, and of course the extraordinary flight of Bob Woodhouse and Woody Jongeward that began August 24, 1949, and ended October 10, 1949.
Cocopah Museum & Fry Bread Tasting: A tour of the Cocopah Tribe Museum and Cultural Center on the West Reservation, led by tribal members, will be followed by a cooking demonstration where participants will make their own Cocopah style fry-bread. You may also get to try the ancient recipe for screwbean mesquite tea and learn the names of various birds in the Cocopah language.
Mysteries of Yuma: Yanna Kruse, Arizona Historical Society Rio Colorado Division Director, will regale you with delightful stories from Yuma’s very colorful history. Meet at the Sanguinetti House. Colorado River History: Tammy Snook, City Historian, will present the story of the past, present, and future of the Lower Colorado River, and Yuma’s unique role in the settlement and development of the Southwest.
Birds, Bats and Outdoor Adventures Canoe Trip: City of Yuma staff will lead an afternoon canoe trip down the lower Colorado River. Bat Viewing: Gary Hovator will lead the group to a former mine where hundreds of bats will soar overhead as they leave the opening to begin their evening feast in the winter sky.
Casa de Coronado Museum: Yvonne Peach will Imperial National Wildlife Refuge: Al Borgardt will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of the provide a free tour of the Casa de Coronado refuge. Expect to see ducks and shorebirds and Museum, located by the office at Coronado Motor Hotel. The Museum showcases the history listen for rails. At the refuge headquarters is a viewing tower, desert tortoise enclosure, and of tourism in Yuma, the growth of Yuma as a several hummingbird feeders. city, and the development of the Best Western brand and the historic Coronado Motor Hotel Muggins Mountains Hike: Raymond Castro will over the last 80 years. It features historic lead a 5 mile challenging hike in the Muggins tourism pamphlets and brochures about Arizona Mountains wilderness area. and Yuma, travel guides, furniture and PAGE 24
Beaver in the West Wetlands
Ed Pastor Hummingbird Garden Mittry Lake & Vicinity: Wayne Bowers will lead a birding tour of some of the most reliable birding spots near Yuma. Expect to see many kinds of ducks and shore birds as well as desert and oasis passerines. Look for phainopeplas, flycatchers, wrens, and hawks overhead.
Senator’s Wash: Biologist Daniel Steward will lead the tour to Senator’s Wash in hopes of spotting a loon. Stops along the way include Imperial Dam and West Pond. Birds to expect include ducks, grebes, egrets, herons, vermilion flycatchers, and shrikes.
For the full schedule, tickets and registration Betty’s Kitchen: Jan Swarm will lead the group details, visit to an area that historically was a shanty town www.YumaBirdNatureHistoryFestival.com. complete with a restaurant. Now the area includes the spillway of the oldest dam on the Colorado River, a nature trail, fishing dock, cottonwood restoration area and a peek into the Parks & Travel Magazine Yuma lower end of Mittry. Expect to see ducks, Video Library: shorebirds, gnatcatchers, quail and perhaps WETLANDS OVERVIEW some pelicans. Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge: Wayne Bowers and Chris Schoneman, Manager of this California Refuge, will meet your van at Unit 1. Expect to see thousands of snow geese, sandhill cranes pelicans, ducks, shorebirds and hawks. The next stop will be at the Refuge Headquarters where Chris will lead an easy one mile walk along ponds full of ducks and geese. On the way expect to see desert birds such as quail, verdins, and flycatchers. At the shoreline of the sea, enjoy the peeps, stilts, avocets, and other shorebirds probing in the mud. At the end of the trail, there is a hill providing a great overlook of the area and its interesting geology. PAGE 25
EAST WETLANDS WEST WETLANDS MOODY GARDEN CASA CORONADO MUSEUM SPIRIT OF YUMA
Yuma Landing Bar & Grill Come Eat, Drink & Be Merry where the First Airplane Landed in Arizona!
Hangar Sports Bar 24 Beers on Tap ~ Daily Drink Specials Appetizers & Entrees Televised Sports Events Live Music & Entertainment
Captain’s Lounge Top-shelf Cocktails ~ Fine Wines Specialty Coffees
Yuma Landing Restaurant American & South-of-the-Border Cuisine Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Win! Win! Win! Sign up onYumaLanding.com for our Captain’s Log e-Newsletter and you will be entered into our monthly drawing for a $25 Yuma Landing Gift Certificate, plus you'll get news on other great giveaways, specials, Yuma Landing recipes, events news & more! Located on the same property as the Historic Coronado Motor Hotel, the Yuma Landing Bar & Grill is the site where the first airplane landed in Arizona, and features a state monument, historic photos and memorabilia. Groups of 15 or more diners get a 15% discount on breakfast, lunch and dinner. All Military Personnel Receive a 20% Discount on Meals!
195 S. 4th Avenue, Yuma, Arizona Tel: (928) 782-7427
www.YumaLanding.com
AMP UP HE ADVENTURE IN HELLS CANYON! by Debbie Stone
Hells Canyon Vista PAGE 28
Prepare to get wet! Picture courtesy of Hells Canyon Raft “Let’s paddle,” says our guide Barry, in a calm, relaxed tone. We obey, albeit a bit distractedly, as we’re busy chatting with one another. Then we hear that telltale roar – the one that signals some mighty big rapids are ahead. Soon, we see them in all their frenzied glory. And now Barry urgently yells, “Paddle hard everyone!” We immediately dig into the churning whitewater, whooping with unbridled enthusiasm. The noise is deafening, but somehow Barry makes himself heard, bellowing at the top of his voice, “Charge!” Listen to Debbie Stone’s Hells Canyon Big Blend Radio interview here in the YouTube player or It’s all hands on deck now, as we head into a download / listen to it on Spreaker.com. massive wall of green. We feel the power of the water, pitching our boat in every direction. making it through another hellacious rapid Mother Nature’s reminding us she’s in charge. without losing anyone. Now we can comfortably Though I furiously keep paddling, I realize at one sit back and watch the other boats navigate this point that my oar is only grabbing at air. Before I white knuckle roller coaster in Hells Canyon. can adjust, a massive surge hits the raft, I had always wanted to see Hells Canyon. The walloping it in serious punitive fashion. I’m name alone was enough to arouse curiosity. And thrown off-balance and feel myself starting to I had heard one of the best ways to explore this topple overboard when suddenly a hand grabs infamous place was via a raft trip down the me hard and I fall back into the boat. Saved for Snake River. I opted to do a four-day adventure this round! with Hells Canyon Raft to assure I’d have ample time for the full experience. We all look like drenched rats after the waves finally spit us out, but we’re so stoked! We clap Continued on Next Page… oars overhead to congratulate ourselves on PAGE 29
Hells Canyon Continued…
A peaceful scene.
Hells Canyon Raft has a stellar reputation in the industry and takes pride in its highly trained guides, top of the line equipment, attention to detail and exemplary safety record. The company has been family owned and operated for over thirty years, and consistently receives top ratings from travelers who view its raft trips as the adventure of a lifetime. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area straddles the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho and contains over 650,000 acres of unparalleled scenic beauty. It’s a vast and remote region that is home to North America’s deepest and narrowest river gorge – deeper than the Grand Canyon by 2,000 feet. Carved by the steady erosive force of the great Snake River, Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon’s west rim and 8,000 feet below the Devil Peak of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains. To comprehend how deep the canyon is,
imagine six Empire State Buildings; forty-seven Niagara Falls; four Yellowstone Canyons; or nearly two Yosemite Valleys. It’s been said that you could drop the entire Catskill Range into the canyon and still come fifteen hundred feet short of filling it. As for the gorge’s name, no one can exactly trace its true origin, though, it most likely has something to do with the wild journey a boat endures through this stretch of the Snake River. The river, on the other hand, refers to the Native Americans who lived in the region. To identify themselves years ago, they used a hand sign that resembled the movement of a snake. Although it didn’t mean “snake,” that name was given to this group of people, now known as the Shoshone. The river that ran through their land was eventually give the tribal name. Today, a portion of the Snake River within Hells Canyon is designated as a Wild and Scenic River.
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A good core workout! There were twenty of us plus six guides, who came together to raft Hells Canyon in early August. Our group consisted of multigenerational families, couples and solo travelers. And though we hailed from different places and backgrounds, we all had one thing in common – a shared desire to discover this fabled place of the Wild West.
Rest assured, the guides give a thorough safety orientation at the start of the journey, with much attention paid to what to do if/when you accidentally fall into the river. Throughout the trip, they also take time to explain how to read the water and use the current to your advantage. They point out the obstacles and discuss the best path around these hazards.
We wanted to experience the thrills and chills of rafting impressive Class IV rapids like Wild Sheep, Granite and Waterspout. Hells Canyon boasts the biggest whitewater rafting rapids in the Pacific Northwest. Who wouldn’t want those bragging rights? And with Hells Canyon Raft, you can alternate the type of craft you want to use during your adventure – oared raft with a guide at the helm, rubber ducky or standup paddleboard. The duckies are single and double inflatable kayaks. The latter have been humorously coined, “divorce boats,” for the arguments they often provoke among couples.
Several times, we scouted the more extreme rapids before riding them, which provided an excellent view of the situation from the cliffs above the river. Having this perspective and knowing the plan of attack is essential, as once you’re in the water, everything happens quickly. Rafting a class IV rapid is like being on an extreme version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. The water packs a fierce punch and it knows no boundaries. It’s a life force with a heartbeat and mind of its own, and you learn to give it the respect it deserves.
It was fun to try out all the options, and yes, initially, there were plenty of spills, or as the guides colorfully called it, “carnage,” on the duckies and paddleboards. This is par for the course, as it definitely takes a bit of practice to achieve a level of comfort and an understanding of how these boats and boards function in rapids. Hint: a strong core is helpful!
There’s immense satisfaction in mastering the rapids. It’s a personal, yet also shared accomplishment. On a raft, teamwork is key and each person needs to commit to doing his/her part in the process. Everyone becomes conscious of the responsibility they have for each other’s well-being and safety, and for the group as a whole. As a result, a strong sense of camaraderie develops and bonds form quickly.
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The outdoor cantina
Hells Canyon Continued… Though rafting is the obvious focus of the trip, you’ll discover there’s so much more to the experience. This is a multi-faceted vacation where the rewards are many. You’ll gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the geology and history of this national showcase. The first thing you’ll notice about the canyon is that its austere, brooding beauty is so vast, it’s hard to capture on camera. Every part of it is massive, making hikers and boaters feel minuscule amid such rugged and awe-inspiring landscape.
paddle-swallowing holes. As far as human presence in the area, evidence in the form of Clovis points suggests that people may have lived here as far back as 15,000 years ago. The Nez Perce lay claim to the canyon, regarding it as their ancestral home. According to a tribal legend, the mythical figure, “coyote,” dug Hells Canyon with a big stick to protect the tribe’s ancestors living in the Blue Mountains of Oregon from the “Seven Devils” across the gorge in Idaho.
Rock aficionados will appreciate that most of the The first historical record of Hells Canyon is older rocks in the canyon came from underwater found in the journals of Lewis and Clark, who volcanoes, formed around 150 million years ago, passed nearby in the fall of 1805 and then again as a result of tectonic plate movement. Uplifting a year later. They had been warned to avoid the formed the Seven Devils, while the canyon itself canyon by the Native Americans and had carefully skirted it, bypassing it on their is a result of the processes of uplifting and erosion. Over time, enormous boulders and rock outbound exploration. But, on their return journey, snow forced them to camp in the slides have rolled into the river, generating vicinity. formidable wave action and creating notorious PAGE 32
Artifacts in Sterling Cabin Three members of the expedition, looking for a fishery on the Snake River made it to the north end of the canyon. Lewis recorded their impressions of this mountainous country, noting that the rocks of the river banks rose to great heights. Little did he know the true extent of this height. Ranchers and prospectors started coming to the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s after copper and gold were discovered in the Seven Devils Mining District, on the Idaho side of the Snake River. They began eking out a living in the harsh conditions of this remote wilderness.
One of the best examples of early pioneering days is Kirkwood Ranch. Though no longer a working ranch, the place is open to the public and includes several structures that help tell the story of ranching in Hells Canyon. One building, the Sterling Cabin, serves as a small visitor center with displays of artifacts and photographs reflecting the history of the area. The center is manned by volunteers, who live on the property for various periods of time. When our group passed through, Chuck Hawkins was in his sixth year of volunteering at the site. He typically spends the month of August at the site, sharing his extensive knowledge of the place with rafters and hikers.
Exploring the canyon is like taking a trip back in time. You’ll hike to abandoned homesteads with Plenty of wildlife call the canyon home, including dilapidated cabins and the remains of old wild mountain goat, bighorn sheep, cougar, elk, farming equipment, and you’ll also tread Native deer and black bear. There are also 106 species American trails to view prehistoric pictographs. of birds, making the destination a bird lover’s Thanks to the canyon’s dry air, such evidence of paradise. human history has been preserved over the Continued on Next Page… years. PAGE 33
Hells Canyon Continued… The raft trip gives you a chance to disconnect from civilization for a few days and get in touch with nature on a personal level. Think of the canyon as a separate world-within-a-world. There are no cell phones, no computers or other technological devices demanding attention. You’re off the grid and out of communication with the rest of the world. It may take a day or two to get into the river routine, but once you adjust, that nagging need to check your phone disappears. You’re on canyon time now. Tune in to your surroundings and let your senses run as wild as the landscape. Decisions are few and far between, as your guides tend to all the details. These hardworking folks are more than just experienced boatmen and women, who can read the mercurial water and navigate boats through the gnarliest of rapids.
Daily hikes give you a chance to stretch your legs. Hells Canyon Raft guides are truly dedicated to ensuring their clients have the most memorable and safest journey while under their care. And they are passionate about their surroundings, acting as nature interpreters, historians and storytellers, who gladly share their knowledge and connection to this special place with others. You’ll have the opportunity to make new friends. Strangers at first, your fellow rafters will soon feel like family, minus the emotional baggage! You’ll be among kindred spirits, who are adventurous, fun-loving and out-going individuals, with a shared respect for the environment. They also understand the importance of cooperative effort and pitch in to help without being asked.
The trip offers people the chance to try something different and possibly step outside their comfort zones. For some, this might be They juggle multiple roles throughout the trip, their first rafting experience, and learning to from rustling up meals to setting up the paddle efficiently is the main objective. Others, campsites each day before your arrival. So, may want to attempt kayaking or standup instead of spending time putting up your tent, paddle boarding, or hone their skills in these you can go for a hike, swim, fish or relax on the sports, particularly in whitewater conditions. banks of the river. Jumping off of Sturgeon’s Rock into the river was PAGE 34
a challenge for one woman in my group, but with evening, we had a choice of salmon or pork tenderloin with apricot chutney, accompanied by our support and encouragement, she managed Brussels sprouts, pasta with pesto sauce and to make her goal a reality. pineapple upside down cake for dessert. Then there are those who set their sights on Bellies full, you’ll sleep like a baby under a starcatching the “big one.” Hells Canyon is wellstudded sky with the river as your lullaby, known for its bounty of trout, bass and dreaming of running the rapids over and over steelhead, as well as the elusive sturgeon, and again. And if you keep having this dream long the guides know all the prime fishing spots. It’s after you’ve returned home, you’ll know for sure the perfect place to put your talents to the test that Hells Canyon has claimed a bit of your soul. and enact a scene from “A River Runs Through It.” During my trip, one family caught (and If you go: Hells Canyon Raft runs three, four and released) a whopping ninety bass in a day. five-day trips on the Snake River, between midAnother definite plus to the trip is the food. You’ll May and late September. The company also get to eat plenty of delicious grub, and you won’t offers four and five-day trips on the Salmon have to step inside the “kitchen” once! Meals are River. www.hellscanyonraft.com a highlight and everyone gathers in the vicinity of Debbie Stone is an established travel writer and the outdoor cantina to see what’s cooking. In the columnist, and regular contributor for Big Blend morning, you’ll awaken to the aroma of bacon Radio and Big Blend Magazines, who crosses the and eggs benedict or blueberry pancakes hot off globe in search of unique destinations and the griddle. experiences to share with her readers and listeners. Lunches are a buffet of sandwich fixings, She’s an avid explorer who welcomes new accompanied by fresh fruit and veggies, while opportunities to increase awareness and dinner is where the guides perform true culinary enthusiasm for places, culture, food, history, nature, magic. One night, we started with an appetizer of outdoor adventure, wellness and more. Her travels baked brie topped with huckleberry, followed by have taken her to nearly 100 countries and to all trout, asparagus, beer bread and salad. Another seven continents. PAGE 35
A Love Your Parks Tour Story of Excellence by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid, assigned by Bobbi DePorter, President of Quantum Learning Network
Journalist and newspaper publisher Dave G. Trussell’s lifelong passion for trains and model railroads led to the creation of the Colorado Model Railroad Museum in downtown Greeley, Colorado. It all began in the small town of Shelbina, Missouri where his granddad worked as the station agent for the Burlington Railroad. He was just 3 years old when his father died during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, and it was only natural for him to hang out at his granddad’s depot and watch the coming-andgoings of the trains. From hopping trains to creating scale structures, his big dream was to build the ultimate model railroad layout. He also wanted to give something positive and purposeful back to his local community.
Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with Colorado Model Railroad Museum Executive Director Michelle Kempema here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com.
The model railroad boasts hundreds of railroad sceneries, more than 500 scale locomotives, 80 scale miles of train track, and thousands of other handmade artifacts including around 28,000 handmade trees. The museum features a unique open-air design with broad aisles and theatrical lighting, and also utilizes a dispatcher for train operations.
Upon his retirement, with the help of many friends and volunteers, Trussell’s dream became a reality. In 2002, he broke ground for the museum. It then took seven years of construction, some of it at an intricate inch-at-atime pace, to create the now complete 5,500 sq. foot HO scale model railroad layout of the Oregon, California and Eastern Railway. PAGE 36
Colorado Model Railroad Museum The museum also houses thousands of artifacts such as the Post-War Lionel Collection of rare locomotives, and a 1919 Colorado and Southern Caboose that you can tour. Other highlights include the Department 56 Christmas Villages Exhibit that features the complete collection of Heritage Villages – including Dickens’ Village, North Pole Village, Christmas in the City, New England Village, Alpine Village, and Seasons Bay Village. Continued on Next Page…
David G. Trussell courtesy of Colorado Model Railroad Museum
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Model Railroad Continued… The 8 Keys of Excellence Character Education Program embraces the challenge of bringing excellence to 50 million children and young adults. This free program builds excellence in communities by guiding young people and families, toward a positive future full of confidence, motivation, creativity, teamwork, leadership, and valuable life principles. The 5th Key of Excellence is “Commitment – Make your dreams happen. Take positive action. Follow your vision without wavering.” A visit to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum proves that dreams can come true if you commit to them. Kudos to David G. Trussell whose commitment to fulfill his dream and give back to his community has brought joy to over 150,000 visitors of all ages, and from all over the world. For more information about the Colorado Model Railroad Museum please call (970) 392-2934 or visit https://www.cmrm.org. For more about the 8 Keys of Excellence Character Education Program, please visit https://www.8keys.org/ PAGE 38
THIS DINOSAUR BONEYARD IS WORTH THE DETOUR! by Debbie Stone
A giant Stegosaurus statue greets visitors. Most people have probably never heard of Vernal, Utah. This remote and isolated city in northeastern Utah doesn’t quite make it on the top travel destination lists. But, for those who have even the slightest interest in paleontology, it’s a rewarding side trip if you’re in the region. Vernal, which is also known as “Dinosaurland,” is the gateway to Dinosaur National Monument. The monument, which straddles the border of Utah and Colorado, spans more than 200,000 acres. It is home to 150 million year old dinosaur fossil beds, as well as Native American petroglyphs and pictographs that provide evidence of an extensive cultural history. Though each state offers a chance to see distinctive areas of the monument, the west side in Utah features the renowned dinosaur quarry.
bones of an Apatosaurus on top of a ledge. As he began to excavate the bones, he found fossils of other dinosaurs mixed with the Apatosaurus skeleton. This marked the beginning of the Carnegie Quarry. The bones Douglass found that summer day turned out to be part of the most complete Apatosaurus skeleton ever discovered. In the next several years, the fossilized skeleton was extracted and sent to Pittsburgh, where it was mounted in the Dinosaur Hall at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. It is still displayed there today. Carnegie eventually relinquished its claim to operate the quarry after obtaining sufficient fossil material and in 1915, President Woodrow Wilson established Dinosaur National Monument to preserve its rich paleontology finds.
Earl Douglass, a paleontologist at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, PA, is credited with the Start your exploration of the monument with a discovery of dinosaur bones in this Utah high stop at the Quarry Visitor Center, where a giant desert. In August, 1909, he spotted eight tail Stegosaurus statue from the 1964 World’s Fair PAGE 42
Exhibits inside the hall. greets visitors. Inside is a variety of informative exhibits and a film about the history of the park and its ancient life. You’ll learn that the fossil beds are the result of several factors. During a drought, many dinosaurs died near a river’s edge. When the rains returned, floodwaters transported the bones of over 500 dinosaurs to this area. River sediments then entombed the bones of these creatures and cast them in stone. Eventually, erosion exposed the fossils.
dinosaur fossils discovered in the quarry to date, most of which are on display in several different museum collections around the country. Those in the exhibit hall include remains from species of dinosaurs such as Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus and Stegosaurus, and more. Continued on Next Page…
From the visitor center, head to the famed Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall, via a shuttle (in the busy months) or ranger-led caravan using your own personal vehicle (in the off-season). Upon entering the two-tiered hall, you’ll be faced with a jaw-dropping, massive wall of dinosaur bones. It’s the closest you’ll come to encountering the real Jurassic Park! Over 1,500 fossils are embedded and exposed in this wall, which is actually a cliff face, now covered by a building. There have been 5,000 PAGE 43
The massive wall of bones.
Dinosaur Boneyard Continued…
The quarry and surrounding scenery has a stark beauty.
There are also exhibits and a wonderful 80-foot long mural, which tells the story of these creatures and others that existed during the late Jurassic Period. You can even reach out and touch real 150 million year old dinosaur fossils in some places. During my visit, both young and old were fascinated by this wall of bones, though there was a handful of kids momentarily distracted by a mouse that was playing hide-and-seek in the corners of the building. After one of the kid’s parents tried to redirect his attention, the child replied, “But Dad, the mouse is alive! The dinosaurs are dead!” It was a humorous, yet totally factual response, which garnered much laughter among those of us nearby. Research is ongoing at the quarry and some years ago, a team of paleontologists announced the discovery of a new, large, plant-eating dinosaur, Abydosaurus McIntoshi. Four heads, two still fully intact, of this species were unearthed from the quarry. Scientists determined that the species shares close ancestry with Brachiosaurus. After you’ve marveled at this incredible trove of fossils, take the half mile walk to Swelter Shelter, aptly named by the researchers who excavated the place in the blistering, sweltering heat of summer.
At the base of a cliff, which marks one of the monument’s oldest known sites of human occupation, you’ll see a variety of petroglyphs and pictographs designs. Created by the Fremont people, who lived in this area a thousand years ago, these designs include patterns chipped or carved into the rock, or painted upon its surface. Although most consist of outlines of forms, there are some that are of solid figures, both human and animal-like, along with circles, spirals and patterns of lines. No one really knows the true meaning of the petroglyphs and pictographs and whether they served a ceremonial or religious purpose, or were simply an expression of imagination and creativity. Contemplating such mystery is part of this unique experience for visitors. After your hike, get a guidebook from the visitor center and hop in the car to do the Tour of the Tilted Rocks. There are plenty of opportunities to pull off, get out and explore more petroglyph and pictograph panels, marvel at the fascinating rock formations and geologic layers, stroll along the scenic Green River and stop at Josie Bassett’s cabin. The latter was the homestead of a colorful female character of the Wild West, who lived there from 1913 until her death in 1964. If you go: https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm
Debbie Stone is an established travel writer and columnist, and regular contributor for Big Blend Radio and Big Blend Magazines, who crosses the globe in search of unique destinations and experiences to share with her readers and listeners. She’s an avid explorer who welcomes new opportunities to increase awareness and enthusiasm for places, culture, food, history, nature, outdoor adventure, wellness and more. Her travels have taken her to nearly 100 countries and to all seven continents. PAGE 44
OREGON’S GROVE OF THE STATES By Linda Kissam “Food, Wine & Shopping Diva” Rest stops are a must when traveling with a dog. This one gets our vote as one of the nicest in the US. Oregon’s Grove of the States is located at the French Prairie Rest Area (southbound I-5 at Milepost 281), near Wilsonville, Woodburn Company Stores and the National Historic Districts of Aurora and Champoeg. The Grove is believed to be the oldest arboretum of state trees in the US and was originally a collection of trees from 53 US states and territories. As you walk the clean well maintained paths, each tree has a plaque identifying its name and state. The Grove was the brainchild of former Oregon Attorney General Robert Thornton in the mid1960s as a way to honor Lady Bird Johnson’s Highway Beautification Act.
project, there’s a pet exercise area, solar station viewing area, and native plant gardens. Who knew rest stops could be so fabulous? Nice going Oregon.
Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’ is a Encompassing 40 acres on each side of the professional travel, food, and wine writer who interstate, French Prairie is the largest rest area in the state. It was constructed in 1966, and was specializes in easy, breezy destination stories sharing her favorite things about the places she an used for staging military operations during the Cold War era. Today, along with the beautiful visits. Follow her Pacific Northwest adventures at https://www.pnwtourist.com/ trees that are part of a special restoration PAGE 45
SAVOR DOWNTOWN SANTA FE A Culinary & Cultural Adventure in The City Different
A Love Your Parks Tour Story by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid
Yucatan Organic Chicken Breast Salad at Café Pasqual’s PAGE 46
Enchiladas Christmas Style at San Francisco Street Bar & Grill Nestled at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe was originally the site of ancient Pueblo villages dating back between 1050-1150. Then in 1540, conquistador Don Francisco Vasques de Coronado charged into the region and claimed those sites as the "Kingdom of New Mexico" for the Spanish Crown. Later, in 1607, Spanish governor Don Pedro de Peralta founded Santa Fe as a new city, calling it “La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís,” which translates to “Royal Town of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi.” This makes Santa Fe, New Mexico the oldest capital city in the country.
Exploring Santa Fe’s Restaurant & Watering Holes One of the best introductions to Santa Fe’s restaurant scene is on a walking tour with Food Tour New Mexico. Our guide Nick Peña met us at the Historic Santa Fe Plaza and along with another mother-daughter team, led us to four different foodie experiences. What a fantastic way to connect with the city’s cultural traditions, and to learn some of the legends and lore that helped build Santa Fe’s reputation as "The City Different."
If you visit Santa Fe today, along with its impressive amount of outdoor recreational opportunities, you’ll find a cultural mecca that celebrates the arts and cherishes its diverse history and heritage. The downtown district is laid back and loaded with southwest charm and character, not to mention big on flavor. It all goes back to its cultural roots which from our Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with experience, has created a culinary adventure like Nick Peña of Food Tour New Mexico here in the no other. We’re talking margarita perfection and the ultimate of mouthwatering cuisine with those YouTube player, or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com famous green chiles, posole, enchiladas served Christmas style, chile rellenos, and so much more. Continued on Next Page… PAGE 47
Santa Fe Continued…
Margarita Shrimp at Thunderbird Bar & Grill
Our first stop was at the La Posada where we got a wonderful taste of posole and pork in a piquant red chile sauce, paired with a crisp white wine. At San Francisco Street Bar & Grill we savored chicken enchiladas splashed with green and red chile sauce (hello Christmas!), paired with a margarita. After all, Santa Fe has its own Margarita Trail and so we must indulge! At the Upper Crust Pizza, we sampled the difference between a typical American pizza and a Santa Fe style pie, and tried some local New Mexico craft brew. The grand finale was the delicious drinking chocolate at Kakawa Chocolate House. Their chocolate elixirs span cultural history from Mesoamerica to Europe, Mexico, and contemporary America. If true farm-to-table fare is your style, Cafe Pasqual's is a festive and extremely popular venue that sources the majority of its ingredients from certified organic farmers and sustainable producers. Between the colorful décor and fresh, vibrant flavors of the food which included the Yucatan Organic Chicken Breast Salad, Blue Lady Enchilada Plate, and Dark Chocolate Semifreddo Dessert; our lunch experience was a fabulous feast for the senses. They also have a nice little art gallery upstairs.
their patio overlooking the Plaza. In fact, there’s so much fun and flavor over there, we went for dinner twice! Along with an impressive selection of specialty cocktails, brews, and wines, the Thunderbird is known for its contemporary southwestern dishes. One of their more popular signature plates is the Margarita Shrimp that features gulf shrimp sautéed with tequila, butter, fresh lime, cilantro, jalapeños, and tomatoes. We give a big thumbsup to their Prime Beef Sliders, Calabacita Vegetarian Wrap, the New Mexican Burger with cheddar cheese and roasted green chile, and yep, the Hangover Burger…it’s a must-have after following the Santa Fe Margarita Trail! Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with Rick Galligan of Thunderbird Bar & Grill here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com.
After exploring Santa Fe’s galleries, parks and museums all day, upstairs at the Thunderbird Bar & Grill is an ideal spot for an end-of-day margarita and early dinner, especially out on PAGE 48
Tea and Sherry at Inn of the Governors, photo courtesy of Inn of the Governors
Eat, Drink & Sleep in Santa Fe Comfort and History We spent four wonderful nights In downtown Santa Fe, experiencing both the Inn of the Governors and La Fonda on the Plaza. Inn of the Governors is a beautiful and historic family-friendly hotel in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. Its history starts over a hundred years ago when it was a cavern used to store ice. Then in the early 1900s, the cavern evolved into a livery stable, then an auto shop, and later a GM dealership. Tourism was growing in Santa Fe, and in 1965 Mr. Jeff Vander Wolk made plans to turn the dealership into a hotel, and to build the first 80 rooms of what is now the Inn of the Governors. Twenty years later, he expanded with 20 more guest rooms.
Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with Sam Gerberding of the Inn of the Governors here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com
Along with a lovely pool and patio area, guests enjoy a complimentary full breakfast buffet, plus from 4 pm-5 pm, there's tea and sherry time served with Biscochito, New Mexico's state cookies (see the recipe on our sister site BlendRadioandTV.com)!
Today the Inn of the Governors is known as The hotel also has a great onsite restaurant and “Your Home in the Heart of Santa Fe,” and we couldn’t agree more. The exterior welcomes you bar Del Charro that has a reasonably priced menu featuring Santa Fe favorites like Frito Pie, with free parking and a vibrant array of flower as well as a good selection of burgers, salads, power, and the interior greets you with friendly and sandwiches. It's on the Santa Fe Margarita and attentive staff, southwestern style Trail too. Continued on Next Page… furnishings all with a touch of European flair. PAGE 49
Rellenos de La Fonda at La Plazuela Santa Fe Continued… The only hotel situated right on the Plaza, and also on the historic Santa Fe Trail and Route 66 'The Mother Road,' the award-winning La Fonda is a destination unto itself. Casual elegance exudes from every corner with over 1000 original art pieces and a history that spans over 400 years, plus, a fine selection of facilities and amenities that include top-notch dining and entertainment venues, beautiful wedding and event spaces, spa and wellness services, boutique shopping, art and history tours, valet parking, and more. Located in the heart of La Fonda, the La Plazuela Restaurant was built in the 1920s, and is surrounded by hand-painted windows. From chile rellenos to carne asada, fajitas and Hatch green chile burgers, the menu features contemporary and traditional New Mexico dishes. Their docent led tours are popular, and a great way to learn about the rich history and art that has made La Fonda’s story and experience so distinct. The tours are free for hotel guests and non-guests alike, and well worth the time. You'll hear how it sits on the site of the very first Inn that was built back when the city was originally founded in 1607. After a few more changes, in 1922 it was rebuilt with architects/designers Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and John Gaw Meem in charge. In 1925 it was purchased by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway and leased to Fred Harvey who spearheaded the world of cultural tourism. At La Fonda, comfort is king and the experience reigns supreme! Cheers to Santa Fe!
La Plazuela Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with Ed Pulsifer of La Fonda on the Plaza here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com.
Plan your Santa Fe culinary adventure: - Visit Santa Fe: https://santafe.org/ - Food Tour New Mexico: https://www.foodtournewmexico.com/ - Café Pasqual’s: https://pasquals.com/ - Thunderbird Bar & Grill: http://www.thunderbirdsantafe.com/ - Inn of the Governors: https://innofthegovernors.com/ - La Fonda on the Plaza: https://www.lafondasantafe.com/ PAGE 50
STAY AT THE FREDONIA HOTEL
A Mid-Century Boutique Hotel in Nacogdoches, East Texas Boasting a charming downtown district along with numerous historic sites, gardens and natural areas, this East Texas destination has the distinction of being the “Oldest Town in Texas,” As our friend Ralph Masengill “Mr. Change Agent” as well as the “Garden Capital of Texas.” reminds us, “Every one of us is constantly We enjoyed our stay at The Fredonia Hotel, a affected by change. Change never stops, and beautiful mid-century boutique hotel. The hotel whether it’s positive change or not, our first is listed in the National Register of Historic reaction is usually fear. The truly successful Places, and is named after the Fredonia people of the world have a good understanding Rebellion of 1826, when Haden Edwards and a of change and how to make it work to their group of settlers declared Nacogdoches advantage.” independent from Mexico. The rebellion was unsuccessful but the hotel’s story is not. It’s one that positively changed the tourism landscape for Nacogdoches.
A Love Your Parks Tour Story of Change by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid, assigned by Ralph Masengill, author of “Conquer Change and Win.”
It was back in the late 1940s when the local boosters and Chamber of Commerce realized that because of the lack of accommodation in the region, the town was losing valuable tourism dollars. In the 1950s Jack McKinney and a group of businessmen created the New Hotel Campaign for Nacogdoches, later renamed Big Blend Radio interview with Ryan Russell of Nacogdoches Community Hotel Corporation. The Fredonia Hotel and Joanna Temple from Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau. Creating a ‘people’s hotel,’ this unique Listen here in the YouTube player or corporation sold over $500,000 of stock to the download/listen to the podcast on local citizens to help with the building costs. Spreaker.com. Spanning an entire city block near the This summer we spent some time in historic commercial district and right across from the Nacogdoches, a destination on the El Camino bus depot, The Fredonia Hotel opened its doors Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. on April 1, 1955. Modern in design, the hotel was PAGE 52
fully air-conditioned, featured 100 guest rooms, offered conference facilities for 600, had a heated swimming pool surrounded by cabana suites, a coffee shop, and guest parking for up to 100. For over a decade, the hotel was recognized as the most successful community hotel in the country. Through the years, the hotel underwent some name and structural changes, such as the addition of the Terrace area, the convention center, and the Nine Flags Bar. It sadly closed its doors in 2013, however in 2016, local business owners Barbara and Richard Dewitt purchased the hotel and got to work on a 10 million dollar renovation. The Fredonia Hotel reopened in June 2017. While the hotel maintains its historic integrity it sparkles with a fresh, contemporary and sophisticated design. The hospitality is second to none and the atmosphere is fun and lively. We stayed poolside in a terrace room and appreciated the modern amenities along with a comfortable night’s sleep. Let’s not forget the fabulous dining with three on-site restaurants from which to choose. Whether you’re planning a wedding or convention, looking for a romantic retreat or a family gathering spot, The Fredonia Hotel is a fantastic lodging choice that’s just steps from the downtown district’s shops and restaurants, galleries and historic sites. For more about The Fredonia Hotel visit https://www.thefredonia.com For more about Nacogdoches, Texas visit https://www.visitnacogdoches.org/ PAGE 53
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock A Love Your Parks Tour Story by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid
We followed a good run of the Arkansas River from its rushing, gushing, and rollicking headwaters in Colorado to its wide, laid back flow in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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View of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas at night from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock Continued on Next Page… We’re talking whitewater rafting country to the long, stretched out historic truss bridges with powerboats zooming underneath. We drove in from East Texas and finally reached the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock, right in the heart of the capital city’s downtown. We were tired from the road, worn out, and wanted to skip the formalities and be magically checked into our room, along with all of our luggage. Oh, and yes please, a cocktail would be nice…
Big Blend Radio interview with Jeff McClure of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock. Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com. PAGE 55
The Robinson Center
River Front Stay Continued… Amazing how a friendly smile and a warm greeting, especially one with cookies, can reset a harried traveler’s mood. Not to mention being set free of luggage duty when a helpful porter steps in with a strong hand, and makes the elevator trip up to your rooms fun and informative on our new local surroundings. He couldn’t wait to show us the views from each of our rooms, and they sure did not disappoint. Offering spectacular sunset views one room overlooked the Arkansas River, while the other showcased the downtown district which was a dazzling sight at night.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock The hotel’s location is great for exploring the downtown restaurants, shops, sites, and attractions like the Statehouse Convention Center, Riverfront Park, and the Old Statehouse Museum. A premier event and entertainment venue, the Robinson Center is right next door was notably where Elvis Presley’s very first “Hound Dog” recording was made. Along with the city’s historic sites, parks, and amazing local cuisine, one of our favorite Little Rock adventures was the 2nd Friday Art Night where the downtown lights up with mini concerts, art exhibits, and demonstrations in various venues. What a wonderful introduction to the city’s vibrant cultural side.
Our rooms were especially quiet for such a large hotel, which is an especially popular lodging choice for convention-goers during the week, as well as leisure seekers on the weekends. We We spent four fabulous nights at the DoubleTree found our rooms to be stylish, clean, spacious, comfortable and furnished with all the necessary by Hilton Hotel Little Rock and can’t wait to return! modern amenities. Plus, the hotel’s signature restaurant Bridges made for a great spot to More at relax, enjoy a cocktail and taste some local fare. https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/doubl The hotel offers a free shuttle service to the etree-by-hilton-little-rock/ airport and local area, and if you drove in as we did, there’s underground parking. PAGE 56
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CABIN STAY IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD, KY
A Love Your Parks Tour “English Connection” Story by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid, assigned by Glynn Burrows of Norfolk Tours. We’ve been covering historic Springfield, Kentucky for quite some time on our Big Blend Radio shows, and finally this summer we made it there in person. Through conversations with Glynn Burrows of Norfolk Tours and Springfield local Stephanie McMillin, we discovered that there’s a special connection between Springfield and Swanton Morley in Norfolk, England. It is all about President Abraham Lincoln’s family heritage. His ancestral roots are in Norfolk, and his immediate family lived in the Springfield area for almost 30 years.
Sue Blair of Chic Cabin on Main on Big Blend Radio. Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com.
Springfield is in the heart of Central Kentucky, the “Land of Bourbon, Horses, and History,” and is on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Lincoln Heritage Scenic Highway and Heritage Trail, Kentucky Holy Land Tour, TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, the Barn Quilt Trail, and Kentucky Fiber Trail. The region is beautiful with lush rolling hills and tree-lined horse pastures, and a haven for outdoor recreation. We stayed in charming and historic downtown Springfield in the Chic Cabin on Main. This newly remodeled mid-1800’s original log cabin is just steps from Lincoln’s history including the Lincoln Legacy Museum, and the 1816 Courthouse that preserves the original marriage certificate of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, Abraham Lincoln’s parents. You can also visit some of the historic churches that are part of the Holy Land Tour, the historic Opera House, browse the boutique shops, and grab a bite at popular restaurants like Mordecai’s and Snappy Tomato. While the Cabin is remodeled it still has the original stairs that lead up to the bedroom and living room area.
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The décor is stylish and cheerful and the furnishings comfortable. The bathroom, laundry, and spacious full-service kitchen are downstairs. Our wonderfully hospitable host Sue Blair even stocked the fridge with all the necessary breakfast fixings, including fresh tomatoes from her garden. We loved the backyard that a little stream, and a lovely patio and fire pit. It’s a peaceful spot to relax in after a busy day of exploring. One evening while we were enjoying a glass of wine, we saw fireflies in the backyard! If you want to soak up more Lincoln history, take a short 7-mile drive to Lincoln Homestead State Park that features both historic buildings and reconstructions associated with Thomas Lincoln, as well as the original two-story Francis Berry House where Nancy Hanks lived and worked as a seamstress, while being courted by Thomas. Springfield is just 45 minutes from Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, the country’s first memorial to President Abraham Lincoln. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park has two separate sites where Abraham Lincoln was born and lived early in his childhood. Enjoy our radio chat with Chic Cabin on Main host Sue Blair, and learn more about her vacation rental here.
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1816 Courthouse, Springfield, KY
For more about historic Springfield, see: http://visitspringfieldky.com/
WINTER AT DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN Exhibits, Visiting Artists and La Fiesta de Guadalupe!
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Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre National Historic District designed and built by acclaimed Arizona artist Ted DeGrazia.
Southwest. Rotating exhibitions display some of the 15,000 DeGrazia originals housed at the gallery, including oils, watercolors, sketches, serigraphs, lithographs, sculptures, ceramics and jewelry. A consignment room displays DeGrazia originals available for purchase, while the gift shop offers a wide selection of reproductions. The grounds also feature the recently reopened and restored Mission in the Sun, the artist’s original home, his gravesite, and the Little Gallery that hosts visiting artists during the winter months.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is maintained by the DeGrazia Foundation, which was established by Big Blend Radio segment with Lance Laber, the artist before his death to ensure the Executive Director, who discusses winter events preservation of his beloved gallery and and exhibits at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. permanent exhibitions of his work for Listen in the YouTube player here, or download generations to come. It is listed on the National / listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com. Register of Historic Places, and included on the National Geographic Map Guide of the Sonoran Ted DeGrazia is most likely the most reproduced Desert. This is a must see gallery for those artist in the world, and the Gallery showcases six interested in art and Mexican, Native American permanent collections of his paintings that trace and southwest history. historical events and native cultures of the Continued on Next Page‌ PAGE 61
DeGrazia Continued…
29th Annual La Fiesta de Guadalupe Mark your calendars for the annual La Fiesta de Guadalupe returning Sunday, December 8th, 2019 from 10:00-4:00! This festival honors Mexico's patron saint with music, dancing and performances including mariachi bands, folklorico dancers, and Yaqui Deer Dancers. Local food and art vendors offer southwestern fare and souvenirs to guests. The event is free and open to the public.
Current Ted DeGrazia Exhibits On display until January 29, 2020 “DeGrazia Paints the Jungle” – Tucson artists Ted DeGrazia and Marion Sheret DeGrazia were married in a jungle wedding chapel in Oaxaca, Mexico in 1947. Ted came prepared to paint on their honeymoon, and was inspired by the lush tropical jungles and primitive native cultures of Southern Mexico, which provided him with exciting new subject matter featured in “DeGrazia Paints the Jungle”. This wildly colorful selection of paintings from the 1940’s and early 50’s features a dozen paintings on display for the first time.
DeGrazia Downtown
“DeGrazia Downtown” – From lively but remote Indian trading posts, to the traffic jams and skyscrapers of New York City, “DeGrazia Downtown” showcases a collection of street scenes dating from 1940 to 1974. “Arizona Highways and Ted DeGrazia” – The exhibit commemorates Ted DeGrazia’s relationship with editor Raymond Carlson and Arizona Highways Magazine, and includes selections of artwork featured in the magazine.
Dec. 29-Jan. 10: Lynn Sakellar - Gekas, Pencil & Ink Wash
Visiting Artists in the Little Gallery
Feb. 9- 21: Geri Niedermiller - Mixed Media Feb. 23-Mar. 6: Julie Rose - Mixed Media
2019/2020 Fall & Winter Season: Nov. 3-15: Andrea Mendola - Oils, Acrylics & Charcoal Nov. 17-29: James Burton & Clydean Troner Digital Art & Mixed Media
Jan. 12-24: Robin Miller-Bookhout - Watercolor & Oil Pastel Jan. 26-Feb. 7: Tana von Isser - Mixed Media
Mar. 8-20: Lynn Waltke & Muriel Timmins Mixed Media DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is located at 6300 N Swan Tucson, AZ 85718. For more information call (520) 299-9191 or (800) 5452185, and visit www.DeGrazia.org.
Dec. 1-13: Joanna Pregon - Acrylic & Oil Paintings Dec. 15-27: Suzanne Villella - Acrylic & Mixed Media PAGE 62
San Francisco based playwright and opera librettist Alan Olejniczak talks with Big Blend Radio about his career and experience as the first National Parks Arts Foundation playwright-in-residence in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Listen to his interview here in the YouTube player or download / listen to it on Spreaker.com.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park showcases the link to its human past. Alan is working on an results of at least 70 million years of volcanism, audio drama about the natural history and migration, and evolution in the Hawaiian Islands. future of Hawai‘i Island. His operatic verses and Created to preserve the natural setting of performances usually center around human Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the park is also a refuge impacts on the environment, but his work from for the island’s native plants and animals and a his residency in the park will incorporate active PAGE 64
volcanoes and other natural forces beyond our control. Alan is an Associate Artist with FaultLine Theater in San Francisco and co-founder of bicoastal At Last Theatre in Kingston, New York. Alan currently has two full-length chamber operas in development. An adaption of Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich with John Young with a workshop concert with Opera Orlando in May 2020 and the bilingual opera SueĂąos Americanos, loosely based on Cyrano de Bergerac with composer, Chris Pratorius-GĂłmez. His plays have been developed and produced across the country. They include: Transgress, Dominion, and Present Tense (available on New Play Exchange.)
HELT TEXAS is currently being developed as an online theatre production with Punch Presentations in Hong Kong. Last November, Alan was a member of the Micro-Galleries Artist Collective and participated in their residency in Patan, Nepal. There he facilitated a workshop on personal storytelling with The Blue Diamond Society, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group in Katmandu. Alan is on the board of Theatre Bay Area Board, a member of the Dramatist Guild and Opera America. More at: https://www.alanolejniczak.com
The Artist in Residence program is sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation. The National Parks Arts Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit Last summer, Alan was on an expeditionary artist dedicated to the promotion of the National Parks residency with The Arctic Circle sailing the icy of the U.S. through creating dynamic waters around Svalbard. There he completed the opportunities for artworks that are based in our first draft of HELT TEXAS, a new play about climate natural and historic heritage. All NPAF programs change, sustainability and contemporary are made possible through the philanthropic discourse. It was workshopped with FaultLine support of donors ranging from corporate Theater and later presented to the sustainability sponsors, small business, art patrons and citizen team at Google in Mountain View, CA. supporters of the parks. Learn more at www.NationalParksArtsFoundation.org PAGE 65
Beau Jardin was the site for the Easter Egg Hunt in Steel Magnolias PAGE 66
The Wedding Scene in Steel Magnolias was filmed at St Augustine.
Louisiana’s Oldest City Celebrates 30 Years of Steel Magnolias & More! A Love Your Parks Tour Story by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid Natchitoches made history as becoming Louisiana’s first settlement when it was founded by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis back in 1714. Natchitoches made history again when the 1989 movie “Steel Magnolias” was filmed in and around the city. The story comes from Robert Harling who grew up in Natchitoches and lost his sister to diabetes in 1985. He turned that experience into the iconic stage play “Steel Magnolias,” which was then adapted into the famous film directed by Herbert Ross, starring A-list actors Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, and Daryl Hannah.
Big Blend Radio segment on the Natchitoches Film Trail and Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights with Arlene Gould, Kelli West, and Jill Leo. Listen to it here in the YouTube player or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com.
On Nov. 7-10, 2019 Natchitoches will roll out the filmed in Natchitoches such as “The Horse red carpet for the Blush & Bashful Weekend of Soldiers” starring John Wayne (1959), “The Man in th special events celebrating the 30 Anniversary of the Moon” starring Reese Witherspoon (1991), “Steel Magnolias.” Along with an Easter Egg Hunt, “The Year Without a Santa Claus” starring John Armadillo Cake Contest, screenings of the movie Goodman (2006), “The Garden Club” based on and panel discussions, one of the key events is the book by former Natchitoches Mayor Robert the unveiling of the new Natchitoches Film Trail. “Bobby” DeBlieux (2008), “For Sale By Owner” This brand new trail incorporates the starring Kris Kristofferson (2009), and most already established Steel Magnolias Tour of recently, the 2016 artist documentary Filming Sites, as well as locations featured in “Clementine Hunter’s World.” Continued… PAGE 67
Film Trail Continued…
Front Street was featured in ‘The Year Without a Santa Claus.’
We went to some of the Natchitoches film locations when we visited the area back in 2014 and then added more to our list this summer. With the sites being part of the Cane River National Heritage Area and on the Cane River National Heritage Trail, the Natchitoches Film Trail is a fantastic way to explore the region and experience this original French Colony’s vibrant blend of French, Spanish, African, Native American and Creole cultures.
is home to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum where you can view artwork displays portrayed in the documentary “Clementine Hunter’s World.”
The Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District spans a 33-city block area of century-old buildings built in Queen Anne, Italianate, Spanish Revival, Federal, Art Deco, Victorian and French Creole architectural styles. One of the best ways to experience this historic district and to get a good understanding of the area’s rich history, is on one of the Cane River National Heritage Area’s free, guided walking tours. A stroll along the brick-paved Front Street offers beautiful views of Cane River Lake, a variety of restaurants, galleries, and shops including the Kaffee-Frederick General Mercantile which is the oldest general store in the state. The street was featured in “The Year Without a Santa Claus” and PAGE 68
Clementine Hunter Exhibit at Northwest Louisiana History Museum.
Susan Harling Robinson Park City Park and the Tante Huppé House in the National Historic Landmark District were the settings for the film “The Garden Club.” Along with some private homes, the District was also the setting for quite a view scenes in “Steel Magnolias.” The centerpiece of the film was the Eatenton home, which is now the Steel Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast. The Easter egg hunt took place at the Beau Jardin Water Park & Garden on the downtown riverbank.
St. Augustine is America’s first Roman Catholic Church created by and for the people of color in Louisiana, and the second oldest. It was the first traditional cultural property to be added to the National Register of Historic Places in Louisiana. The church was the film location for Shelby’s wedding, and the cemetery is the final resting place of folk artist Clementine Hunter.
The post-game interviews were held at the Northwestern State University Field House. Truvy’s church was the Trinity Episcopal Church which dates back to pre-Civil War days and was the first non-Catholic church in Natchitoches and the third Episcopal church in Louisiana. Shelby’s funeral was in the American Cemetery which established around 1737, is said to be the oldest cemetery in the Louisiana Purchase and where the town founder St. Denis may be buried. There’s also the tranquil Susan Harling Robinson Memorial Park to visit. Head out along the Cane River National Heritage Trail, a Louisiana Scenic Byway, to St. Augustine Catholic Church & Cemetery. Founded in 1803, PAGE 69
Continued on Next Page… Susan Harling Robinson Park
Film Trail Continued…
Melrose Plantation where Clementine Hunter worked and lived.
Built in 1796, Melrose Plantation is a National Historic Landmark that shares the story of slave Marie Thérèse Coincoin and her ten FrancoAfrican children with Thomas Pierre Metoyer, as well as the Isle Brevelle Creole community, the Civil War, plantation history, and Louisiana folk art. After 1884, under the ownership of John Hampton Henry and Miss Cammie Garrett Henry, Melrose Plantation became a haven for writers and artists, including famous folk artist Clementine Hunter, who was once a field hand and cook at the plantation. Melrose Plantation is featured in the award-winning short documentary “Clementine Hunter’s World.” Established on November 2, 1994, Cane River Creole National Historical Park includes Oakland Plantation, and just a few miles down the road, the Magnolia Plantation. The most intact examples we have in the USA, these two French Creole cotton plantations are both National Historic Landmarks.
From "Steel Magnolias" to "12 Years a Slave", "Blaze" and "The Horse Soldiers", Steve Schneickert recalls the Hollywood History of classic movies filmed in central and northwestern Louisiana. Listen to it here in the YouTube player or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker.com.
Oakland Plantation, a National Bicentennial Farm, was featured in “The Horse Soldiers,” a fact-based story about a Union mission to destroy a railroad junction deep within Confederate territory. The Magnolia Plantation Complex was featured in the horror film “For Sale By Owner.”
The 65 historic structures and over a million artifacts in this park have survived for 7-8 generations through good times, poverty, and war. They tell the stories of the plantation agriculture through the perspective of the landowners, enslaved workers, overseers, skilled The majority of “The Man in the Moon” was workers, and tenant farmers who resided along filmed in nearby Robeline and Many, in Sabine the Cane River for over two hundred years. Parish. PAGE 70
Magnolia Plantation Complex was featured in the horror film ‘For Sale By Owner.’ Get the full list of film sites and download the Natchitoches Film Trail and Steel Magnolias Tour of Film Sites brochures at https://natchitoches.com/natchitoches-film-trail.
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Go Find the Fish in Toledo Bend Lake Country
Miss Sunshine by Jaen Sutton A ‘Love Your Parks Tour’ Public Art Story by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid, assigned by contemporary figurative artist Victoria Chick.
The abundance of water, fish, and natural areas also makes this region a destination for birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Toledo Bend Lake Country in Sabine Parish is part of western Louisiana’s historic No Man’s Land, the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, and on the beautiful Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Byway that travels the length of Toledo Bend Reservoir.
To show their lunker love, the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission developed the Fish Statue program in 2011. A wonderful means to showcase the local artistic talent, these colorful public artworks also share the culture of the region and make for a fun “find the fish” day trip of exploration. We met three of the seven Toledo Bend Welcoming Committee: “Allure” by Linda Boren at the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission & Chamber of Commerce, ”Miss Sunshine” by Jane Hutton at Cypress Bend Park, and "King Toledo" by Judy Wong on Texas Highway in Many at the Exxon Gas Station and Toledo Town & Tackle.
Toledo Bend Lake is known for being one of the top bass fishing lakes in the country. Located on the Sabine River, connecting Louisiana with Texas, the reservoir is 65 miles long, spans 186,000 acres, and boasts 1,200 spectacular miles of shoreline. It’s the largest man-made body of water in the South and the fifth-largest in surface acres in the nation.
In Toledo Bend Lake Country, you can literally Bass fishing is big in Toledo Bend, along with “Go Find the Fish.” See the list of fish statues with catching other species like crappie, bream, white their artist name and location guide at bass, stripers, and catfish. https://toledobendlakecountry.com/fishstatues PAGE 72
King Toledo by Judy Wong Allure by Linda Boren
Looking for Lunkers in Toledo Bend Lake Country!
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HISTORIC VERNON PARISH COURTHOUSE
A Love Your Parks Tour Law & Order Story by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid, assigned by San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs Located in west-central Louisiana, Vernon Parish has a fascinating history that swirls with myths and legends and is part of Louisiana’s final frontier known as No Man's Land. Our initial experience in this beautiful region, that’s also home to Fort Polk and Kisatchie National Forest, was in historic downtown Leesville where we met Marci Cook, our gracious tour guide for the day. Our first stop was at the grand and historic Vernon Parish Courthouse. Standing tall and proud with its giant Corinthian columns and as the only Beaux-Arts building in the parish, the courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1909.
Marci Cook of Vernon Parish Tourism Commission on Big Blend Radio. Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen on Spreaker.com. new city as treasurer. He donated a block of land for the very first courthouse, which was at that time, just a simple wood-frame structure. The building served the parish until 1889 when the Police Jury stepped in to build a more substantial structure. Unfortunately, due to the artesian wells on the site, this second building suffered several structural problems which eventually caused the tower to split away.
It all started back in 1871 when Vernon Parish was established and named after George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon. Dr. Edmund E. Built in the shape of a Greek cross, the third and Smart, “The Father of Leesville,” served in the Louisiana House and Senate and also served the now historic Vernon Parish Courthouse boasts PAGE 74
who discusses the historic courthouse as well as two full stories and a third story cupola which houses the original Seth Thomas clock with four other regional highlights, and learn more about Vernon Parish at https://vernonparish.org/. faces. The cupola once held a large bronze bell that you can now see hanging in the gazebo out on the lawn area. There’s also a buried time capsule, and historic markers highlighting the Vernon Parish Founding Fathers, and the history of the Great Louisiana Maneuvers during WWII. We even saw an old sign marking the courthouse as a fallout shelter from back in the days of the Cold War. As you enter the building you’ll see a wonderful collection of paintings that tell the stories of the region’s past. Much of the interior is modernized with offices, including the Vernon Parish Visitor Center, but you can still see historic elements like the staircase’s decorative iron balustrades, the blue and brown tiled floor, the paneled wainscoting in the main hall downstairs, and the decorative balustrades and woodwork on the legal bench. The current courthouse is just a block over, and is also in a restored and renovated historic building that dates back to 1907. Take a listen to our radio chat with Marci Cook PAGE 75
Louisiana Roots Travel and Family History Research By Holly T. Hansen
There are many records for researching Louisiana family history. I recommend, for those with online access, starting with the FamilySearch.org website. The research wiki has a detailed page with many hot links to help you access online records, see: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Louisian a,_United_States_Genealogy
Holly T. Hansen talks Louisiana Family History Research on Big Blend Radio. Listen in the YouTube player here, or download/listen from Spreaker.com.
You will easily locate step-by-step guides and how-to articles with details on getting started. Hot-links to each parish and a description of their records are available. There are several libraries and archives you will want to be aware of too, such as: Division of Archives, Records Management and History in Baton Rouge; National Archives at Fort Worth; Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society; Louisiana State Library; Louisiana Historical Association; and University of Southwestern Louisiana. There are more great resources available for Louisiana and the FamilySearch.org Research Wiki will point you in that direction. Holly T. Hansen aka “Miss Holly GenTeacher,” is the President and Founder of Family History Expos, Inc, and as an author, lecturer, editor, and publisher, has been instrumental in helping thousands understand the principles, strategies, and sources they can use to trace their roots in today’s everchanging technological environment. She is the mastermind behind more than 50 Family History Expos held across the United States, and is dedicated to helping individuals and families, oneon-one, with their personal research needs. Currently, she is involved creating podcasts, webinars, and video presentations to help people move forward in their family history endeavors from the comforts of home. Learn more at www.FamilyHistoryExpos.com
Some record types include: Census, Court Records, Vital Records, Cemeteries, African American resources, American Indian resources, Bible records, Biography, Directories, Emigration and Immigration records, Migration routes, Gazetteers, History, Genealogy, Land and Property records, Maps, Military records, Naturalization and Citizenship records, Newspapers, Notarial records, Periodicals, Probate records, Taxation, Voting registers, and Records from the parishes. PAGE 76
Dick Wick Hall
The ‘Mark Twain’ of the desert… A Love Your Parks Tour Literary Story by Nancy J. and moved to Yuma County to work on an irrigation project. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, assigned by the literary publicist team at JKS Communications. When Hall heard the railroad was planning to lay tracks from Wickenburg to California, he sensed As part of our road trip form Yuma, Arizona to Gallup, New Mexico, we were driving on Highway an opportunity. In 1904, with the help of Charles W. Pratt and other investors, he founded the 60 towards Wickenburg and Prescott when we town of Salome where they thought the railroad saw a sign for a historic marker in the tiny town of Salome. Naturally, we pulled over. The historic route would be. The railroad tracks were laid marker paid tribute to and was the grave site of twenty miles south of where originally planned, but that did not phase Hall. Despite complaints, Dick Wick Hall, a Mark Twain like humorist and he moved the community and the Salome Post road-sign pioneer. Hall was also a writer, prospector and businessman originally from Office south to meet the railroad. Creston, Iowa. As a 21 year old young man, Hall arrived in Arizona in 1898 after studying ornithology and engineering at the University of Nebraska. His intention was to live with the Hopi and learn about their Snake Dance. He traveled throughout Arizona taking several jobs ranging from ranching to government positions to running an amusement park in Phoenix.
Gold was discovered, much to Hall’s delight, near Salome in 1909. This prompted Hall to write news articles promoting Salome, in hopes of persuading people to invest in mining stock and purchasing town lots. Enchanted with the idea of becoming rich, he invested in mining and oil and continually pushed for better roads in the Salome area.
Eventually, Hall and his brother Ernest, moved to Hall started his ‘Laughing Gas Station’ and garage Wickenburg and started a newspaper. When the in Salome in 1921. At the same time he started a newspaper business led Hall into debt, he sold it one sheet publication, the Salome Sun, to hand PAGE 78
out to visitors to the area. He invented fictitious Salome residents like ‘Reptyle Kid,’ ‘Chloride Kate’, and ‘Sheep Dip Jim’. Perhaps the most famous, was a 7-year-old frog that could not swim because he had never seen water. Hall claimed Mrs. Grace Salome Pratt, the wife of Charles Pratt, his partner, once took off her shoes and danced as the hot sand burned her feet. This led to the town name and motto, ‘Salome - Where She Danced.’ Due to the humor in his writing, the visitors passed the Salome Sun to friends and family. Hall became known as Arizona’s best known humorist. His writings ended up in several magazines and newspapers, including, the Los Angeles Examiner and the Saturday Evening Post. He was often compared to Will Rogers and Mark Twain.
Born DeForest Hall, March 20, 1877 – April 28, Hall also made funny signs to post along the dirt 1926, Hall had his name legally changed to road in both directions leading into town. Sayings "Dick Wickenburg Hall" in honor of Henry like “Free Hot Air” and “Smile, Smile, Smile; You Wickenberg and to get a middle name. Don’t Have to Live Here But We Do,” gave travelers something to laugh about as they traveled the hot, dusty road. Later Hall started the Blue Rock Inne and built the Greasewood Lynx Golf Course. The course plans, according to Hall, had been soaked in perspiration and he read "yds" (yards) as "rds" (rods), making the course the largest in the U.S. Jokingly, Hall would warn of bandits, Gila monsters, jumping cactus, and poison water holes on the course. He claimed it would take two months to play one round, but he would provide canteens, pack mules and maps for golfers. In early 1926, Hall signed a contract to become a screenwriter for Universal Studios. Unfortunately shortly after a multiple tooth extraction, he developed an infection and died on April 28, 1926.
Follow the Love Your Parks Tour Literary Story Series on NationalParkTraveling.com. PAGE 79
