The most direct route from the coast of North Carolina to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park system in western Carolina is Interstate 40, past Maggie Valley, where any self-respecting biker — or classic automobile enthusiast, for that matter — must take time to stop and explore Dale Walksler’s Wheels Through Time Museum, a shrine to rare American vintage motorcycles.
In Brenham, Texas, about halfway between Houston and Austin, there is an old carousel in the city’s Fireman’s Park. I can remember my father taking me for a ride on that carousel about sixty-five years ago. Recently, I had a chance to revisit the park and it brought back many vivid memories.
A long weekend in northern Arizona with good friends — what could be better? Not much! It’s the Grand Canyon and more, in the off-season.
Where in the world would you find a transatlantic journey that once offered a lounge, a formal dining room, a white linen table setting for up to 35 passengers, a menu of shrimp cocktail, turtle soup, steak, fresh vegetables, peach Melba, and a wide choice of drinks? This was not a transatlantic cruise, because ships took seven to nine days to cross the ocean. No, this was a transatlantic flying boat, which in 1939 took 25 hours and 40 minutes to fly one way.
A long weekend in northern Arizona with good friends — what could be better? Not much! It’s the Grand Canyon and more, in the off-season.
