Category: Escapes

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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

We spent about three hours in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Very well done, this museum is designed for self-guided activities. There are plenty of knowledgeable volunteers and docents on hand to answer questions.

Nancy and Ronald Reagan

Here are a few highlights:

Throughout the 18 galleries are highlights of President Reagan’s life as America’s 40th president. Some of his life prior to politics we knew about. Other things and events we did not. We watched short films depicting his life as a radio personality in Iowa and ones explaining his connection to General Electric Theater.

His Oval Office is recreated as a full-sized reproduction of the Oval Office as it appeared during his presidency. Even though the basic shape and architecture have changed little since the 1930s, each president makes his own changes in interior design, new carpet, and artwork.

President Reagan’s Oval Office replica

In the Air Force One Pavilion, we walked through Air Force One, the “Flying White House” for President Reagan and six other US presidents from 1973 to 2001. We also walked through Marine One, the presidential helicopter. Included in the museum is an actual presidential Secret Service motorcade featuring President Reagan’s 1984 parade limousine.

It was interesting to see the history of Air Force One depicted in a wall mural. The mural featured aircraft from FDR’s Dixie Clipper to the current Boeing 747.

On the upper floor of the three floors is the Mezzanine Gallery, where we learned more about his face-to-face diplomacy with other world leaders. We also learned about the Secret Service and their role in protecting the president while he travels.

The section detailing the Iron Curtain and the fall of it are included in one gallery. The Iron Curtain took shape following WWII, as a profound division between communism and democracy, oppression and freedom. Pieces of the Berlin Wall can be seen here as well as events happening and leading up to the fall of the wall.

Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall sign

Nancy Reagan played an important part in President Reagan’s life and presidency. An entire section and galleries are devoted to her and what she did as First Lady. She was a stickler for details as she became very involved in planning all White House events, right down to the details. She was also the president’s closest confidante, staunchest defender, and took on special causes of her own. She started the campaign of “Just Say No” to combat drug use.

This is a place to visit to learn more about President Reagan and our country at the time of his presidency.

If You Go: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, California. Advance tickets are required as of this post, with timed entries. Masks are required throughout.

Check out more places to visit at https://travelsandescapes.net/

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Visit Old Mission Santa Barbara

During a recent trip to the Santa Barbara area, we stopped to visit one of California’s 21 missions, Old Mission Santa Barbara. Stretching from San Diego to Sonoma, these missions are reminders of California’s and the nation’s past. Over a period of 54 years these were built, along with forts or presidios. Some of these evolved into major cities in California.

According to this mission, it is a community of many parts, but one spirit. The Mission has served as a gathering place and spiritual home for many since its establishment in 1786.

Santa Barbara Mission

Today the Mission operations include a museum, gift shop, cemetery and mausoleum, and several historic gardens, as well as being the home to a community of Franciscan Friars on about 15 acres. This is also home base for Saint Barbara Parish, which operates under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library, a separate Franciscan-sponsored non-profit, and a Novitiate which provides the first year of education for Friars in training from across the United States.

Santa Barbara Mission inside

We spent about two hours wandering through the multiple gardens and touring around the mission. Our self-guided tour allowed us access to the museum where historical artwork, artifacts, and information on living here many years ago gave us insight into the history of this area.

Santa Barbara Mission

The Mission church, mausoleum, and cemetery offered a calming effect as we reflected on life centered around a Mission. The grounds encompass 15 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Peaceful is the best way to describe the visit.

Santa Barbara Mission cemetery

Definitely worth time to visit when you are in the Santa Barbara area.

If You Go: The Old Santa Barbara Mission is located at 2201 Laguna Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

There is a small charge for admission.

Check out other things to do in Santa Barbara at https://travelsandescapes.net/

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Bonsai at Denver Botanic Garden

One area of the Denver Botanic Garden is the Bonsai Tree area. We looked at trees no more than two feet tall which had been growing for 10 years to over 50 years.

We overheard one person say these were just little trees that are not very impressive and asked why they were even here. That might be a common misconception if you do not know what it takes to keep these trees little.

Exactly, what is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a Japanese term which literally translated means planted in a container. The ultimate goal of growing a Bonsai is to create a miniaturized but yet realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree.

They really are little trees. And, so much more.

Can you train any plant to be a bonsai?

Apparently, almost any tree or shrub can be turned into a bonsai. Why? Because it is created from perennial woody-stemmed tree or shrub species that produces true branches and can be cultivated to remain small through the size of the pot. You need to prune both the crown and the root.

Structural pruning keeps bonsai trees small by cutting off thicker branches. This will adjust and guide the appearance of your tree over the years. You want to trim branches close to the ground, ones parallel with the trunk.

What are the best trees for beginners?

One choice is Chinese Elm, a semi-evergreen tree with small leaves. Another choice is Juniper, an evergreen tree with scale-like foliage. This one is a bonsai classic and old specimens from Japan are extremely valuable. You could also pick Cotoneaster, an evergreen tree with small leaves and flowers.

The Summer Bonsai Show was happening during our visit to the Denver Botanic Garden. We walked around through the tents housing the winners, classes, and displays of dozens of trees. Just when we thought we saw an ‘old’ tree, we found one even older.

Some of these were in excess of 100 years old. They have obviously been tended to by multiple generations. Amazing!

Check out more from the Denver Botanic Garden at https://travelsandescapes.net/

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A Day at Denver Botanic Gardens

A Day at Denver Botanic Gardens

When we decided to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens, we did not realize it was recognized as one of the top five botanic gardens in the US.

After spending several hours there, wandering most of their 24 acres, it is easy to see why they receive that recognition. With the wide diversity of plants from all over the world, there are several gardens within the facility.

The first area we explored is Garden of the West with its regional garden areas and plants native to this area. The Bristlecone Border, one of three gardens in the Western Panoramas, is a demonstration of Colorado’s subalpine ecosystem from 10,000 feet to 11,500 feet. Gnarled bristlecone pines are accentuated by a variety of native grasses, flowers and shrubs.

In the Cactus and Succulent House, tender cacti and succulents representing 20 families are displayed in this quaint glass house. Unusual, desert-adapted old-world exotics lead into native species of North America, Central America and South America.

The Conservation Gardens area spotlights Colorado’s rare and threatened plants and their companions, primarily from the southwestern portion of the state. Featured plants often correspond with those studied in the Gardens’ Research and Conservation Department.

Receiving no supplemental irrigation, the Dryland Mesa Garden is a showcase for arid-adapted plants. The garden features cacti, agave, yuccas, trees and shrubs that are suitable for our region. Peak bloom is from mid-May to mid-June.

This western-themed garden, Dwarf Conifer Garden, highlights the subtle variations in color and texture of dwarf conifers, a category of cultivars well-suited for small spaces. These slow-growing evergreens, perhaps best viewed in winter, gain only 1-6 inches of height annually.

The Welcome Garden serves as a gateway to the Gardens, offering year-round interest while hinting at what is possible in your yard. Among its features are flowing water, a gathering space and native plants intermingling with ornamental cultivars. 

Next, the Ornamental Gardens with perennial and annual favorites of gardeners. We walked through herb gardens, daylily gardens, fragrance gardens, rose gardens, romantic gardens, sensory gardens, and scripture gardens. Well tended with beautiful flowers we felt like we were in someone’s back yard garden.

Since it was hot in Denver that day, the Shady Gardens provided a welcome relief to cool down. The Birds and Bees Walk allowed us to sit and watch hummingbirds and bees dart among the blossoms. Just the spot we needed after walking on a hot day.

In the Water Gardens, an extensive waterway system meanders through the Gardens and feeds seven water gardens. Together, they display more than 450 aquatic plant species and varieties. The Gardens is a world leader in aquatic gardening and the display of aquatic plants.

The Four Towers Pool is a pond adjacent to the Science Pyramid. There is a changing array of aquatic plants including papyrus, swamp hibiscus and cannas along with hardy and tropical waterlilies. The tower fountains in this pool are the entry point for water recirculated throughout all of our waterways running west to the Gates Montane pond.

The Monet Pool was my favorite spot of all. It is the Botanic Garden’s largest water garden and features a stunning collection of aquatic plants including hardy and tropical waterlilies, Victoria waterlilies, pickerel plants, cannas, iris and more. Peak bloom occurs from June through September each year. We learned an annual Water Blossom Festival is held in early August.

Now to explore the Pyramid. The Science Exhibition Pyramid explores the ways in which the lives of Colorado’s living things are intertwined through landscapes and the finite resources we share. Interactive activities and stories allowed us to see and hopefully understand the bonds we have with nature. My favorite was a hologram of a globe showing how hurricanes, drought, and more affect different areas of our world.

Take some time next time you are in Denver and visit the Botanic Gardens. Plan to spend at least three to four hours. You may take in water or you can buy drinks and food at two cafes within the facility. At this point in time, masks were not required outdoors if you were vaccinated.

If You Go: The Denver Botanic Gardens are located at 1007 York Street, Denver, CO. The hours are 9 to 7.

For more information check out https://www.botanicgardens.org/

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Montezuma Castle Near Flagstaff, AZ

If you travel in the southwest United States, you know about the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. You might have never heard of Montezuma Castle, however.

What exactly is Montezuma Castle?

Southern Sinagua farmers built this five-story 20 room dwelling between 1100 and 1300 south of Flagstaff, Arizona. Called Montezuma Castle, It occupies a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley floor.

Why is it called Montezuma Castle?

Early American settlers assumed it was built by the Aztec, therefore naming it Montezuma Castle. One structure, called Castle A, is badly deteriorated. It was once an imposing five-story apartment-like building with around 45 rooms. After all this time, many entrances are still visible.

Reliable water could be found in the creek and fertile land on the nearby terrace. Close by is Montezuma Well, a limestone sink formed long ago. It is still fed by continuously flowing springs. Crops, consisting of corn, beans, squash, and cotton, were irrigated by a canal system with its waters. The pit house dates to about 1050. Dwellings near it range in size from one-room houses to larger pueblos.

Was it a Large Dwelling?

Between 1125 and 1400 about 100 to 150 people lived here.

Why Was it Abandoned?

No one knows why the Southern Sinagua people migrated away by the early 1400s. Speculation includes overpopulation, depletion of resources, disease, spiritual beliefs, or conflicts.

Both the castle and the well have visitor centers with exhibits showing how the people lived in the area.

Where Can I Find More Information?

More information can be found at www.nps.gov, www.nps.gov’moca, and www.nps.gov/tuzi.

How Do I Get to Montezuma Castle?

If You Go: Montezuma Castle is located 50 miles south of Flagstaff off I-17.

What is the Weather Like?

Since this is in a high desert, it is hot. There is not much shade on the trail to the site, so be mindful of the sun and heat. Dress appropriately and take water with you.

Find more interesting side trips at http://travelsandescapes.net

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Dollar-Stretching Tips for Travelers

Guest post by Jesse at jesse@soulful-travel.com

Dollar-Stretching Tips for Travelers

Photo via Pixabay by ThePixelman

Traveling has many benefits, but for those who don’t have much time or money, it can be difficult to get away. Fortunately, there are several ways you can travel to just about anywhere your heart desires without breaking the bank, and if you do a bit of research ahead of time, you’ll save yourself several hours of driving or walking by looking for the best destinations for your needs.

That research is important; while the idea of jetting off to a new city is romantic and fun, it’s not ideal for those looking for a way to save time and money. Do some homework to find not only the best deal on transportation, but the best deal on a place to stay and how to find one close to everything you need. For instance, if you grab a hotel room by the airport simply because it has the cheapest rate, you might find yourself having to spend extra money on a cab or Uber to get to restaurants and events, or you might have to walk long distances to get there, which will take up valuable time.

Travels and Escapes shares some great tips on how to avoid wasting hours and dollars on your next trip.

Plan ahead

Planning your trip a couple of months in advance will often ensure you get the best deal on accommodations and plane tickets. You can also plan your departure and arrival on days that aren’t typically peak travel times; Tuesdays are usually the best days to get a good price for air travel, according to BudgetTravel.

Do some homework

Make sure you know everything worth knowing about your transportation and accommodations before you book anything. Resorts sometimes have added, “hidden” fees that you won’t see until the end of your stay, which can be a nasty surprise to say the least. Understanding exactly what you’ll be responsible for will help you stay on budget and will give you peace of mind.

Think locally

Travel doesn’t have to be exclusively to faraway places; you can likely find all sorts of fun things to do in cities near you. Look online for the best cities to visit that are within an hour or two of your hometown and take a day or weekend trip. This is a great option for people who have full schedules and can’t afford to take a longer trip.

You don’t even have to leave town! Simply rent a vacation home in San Diego and stay near the city’s attractions that interest you. For example, if you want to enjoy San Diego’s thriving restaurant and music scene, you can find a home in the Gaslamp Quarter. If you’d prefer to spend time near the water, look for a home near one of San Diego’s beautiful beaches. Most vacation homes come with fully equipped kitchens, so you’ll be able to save substantially by cooking your own meals instead of eating out all the time.

Take public transit

Just about anywhere you visit will have some form of public transportation, so take advantage of it! It’s usually either free or very inexpensive, and if you’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing it’s the way to go if you want to save money (and shoe leather).

Remember that traveling on a budget means you’ll need to be careful about keeping your funds safe. Never flash your cash in public, and, if possible, wear a travel pack that straps to your body to keep your money and credit cards close. With a little planning, you’ll be able to take the trip you’ve always wanted to take and keep your cash where you want it: in your pocket.