The Jersey Shore refers to the long stretches of sandy beach along the New Jersey Atlantic seaboard. This area just south of New York City has served for over 100 years a the key recreation place for tens of millions of big city dwellers who spend a day, a week, or an entire summer on the beaches and towns of coastal New Jersey. Although Atlantic City is the largest tourism area by far, the Jersey Shores stretch south many miles to cities like Cape May where one finds smaller family hotels rather than the huge resort casinos of Atlantic City.
Travel planning tip: If money is an object consider staying in Abescon New Jersey, about 20 minutes from Atlantic City where hotels will generally cost less than half those on the shore. However you'll probably be happier in Atlantic City where you'll have faster beach and boardwalk access.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
US History : Patriots Day, MinuteMan National Historic Park
Some would say that US History in many ways *begins* on April 19, 1775.
Patriots Day in Concord Mass is not to be missed if you are lucky enough to visit the area on the 3rd weekend of April. In Lexington and Concord there are re-enactments of the fateful first shots fired in the Revolutionary War where American citizen soldiers challenged the British Army on Lexington Green and at the North Bridge in Concord. Hundreds of colonials dress in period costume and with period firearms blast away across the cold landscape of the MinuteMan National Historic Park which stretches from Concord to Lexington Green some 6 miles away.
If you are there *DO NOT MISS* the superb candlelight interpretive activities held over a few nights on the trail during the week or so of activities around Patriots Day. At night you are given a guided tour of the area and can talk with colonists in the Tavern and on the trails, and even be haranged by the British Army. This is a fantasic experience for historians young and old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots_Day
Patriots Day in Concord Mass is not to be missed if you are lucky enough to visit the area on the 3rd weekend of April. In Lexington and Concord there are re-enactments of the fateful first shots fired in the Revolutionary War where American citizen soldiers challenged the British Army on Lexington Green and at the North Bridge in Concord. Hundreds of colonials dress in period costume and with period firearms blast away across the cold landscape of the MinuteMan National Historic Park which stretches from Concord to Lexington Green some 6 miles away.
If you are there *DO NOT MISS* the superb candlelight interpretive activities held over a few nights on the trail during the week or so of activities around Patriots Day. At night you are given a guided tour of the area and can talk with colonists in the Tavern and on the trails, and even be haranged by the British Army. This is a fantasic experience for historians young and old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots_Day
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Hawaiian Luau
The Hawaiian Luau has generally come to mean a feast featuring a pig roasted underground combined with exhibition dancing and other food and drink. Hawaiians may use this term to mean a "party" and it can be associated with a variety of celebrations.
Feasting is a traditional activity dating back hundreds of years in Polynesian History even though the name Luau has been dated back only to about 1856 when it was associated with commercial feasts rather than traditional ones.
Here, at the popular Luau held daily at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu's North Shore, a pig is roasted kahlua style - wrapped in banana leaves and bulap and then buried underground with hot coals for many hours. This cooking method results in very tender and moist pork which is served with Taro rolls and other Hawaiian treats.
Feasting is a traditional activity dating back hundreds of years in Polynesian History even though the name Luau has been dated back only to about 1856 when it was associated with commercial feasts rather than traditional ones.
Here, at the popular Luau held daily at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu's North Shore, a pig is roasted kahlua style - wrapped in banana leaves and bulap and then buried underground with hot coals for many hours. This cooking method results in very tender and moist pork which is served with Taro rolls and other Hawaiian treats.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Chemainus British Columbia Mural
British Columbia in Canada is home to some of the richest Canadian and Native American art and history you'll find anywhere.
Chemainus is one place where you can catch a ferry to Victoria B.C.
Chemainus has a simply incredible collection of public wall murals. Themes vary from Native American History to logging to the early history of Chemainus. If you visit be sure to pick up a walking guide to the town murals - you can see them all in an hour or two.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Mission San Luis Rey, California
Just north of San Diego, only a short drive from the Coast Highway is the Mission San Luis Rey.
San Luis Rey was 18th in the line of old California Missions, founded by Father Lasuen in 1798.
San Luis Rey soon became the largest of all the California Missions. Father Peyri, builder of San Luis Rey, remained at the Mission for 34 years and saw it prosper.
After the mission was taken from the Padres it became a ruin but restoration has taken place in recent times and continues today. The former Glory of San Luis Rey as “King of the Missions” can still be seen today, and a tour of this California masterpiece is strongly recommended.
San Luis Rey is only about 10 minutes off Highway 101 at Newport Beach, CA. Got Kids? Promise to drop in to the In and Out Burger for a great lunch on the way back on to California Highway 101.
Kit Carson, famous pioneer scout, led Gen. Kearny’s “dragoons” and camped at San Luis Rey in December of 1846.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Dolos, Crescent City California
Dolos in Crescent City line the huge concrete breakwater and guard the Crescent City harbor from the catastrophe of a Tsunami or major storm. The Dolos weight up to 40 tons each, and are designed to maximize the dispersion of wave energy.
When you visit Crescent City California don't miss the County Museum which has some great Maritime artifacts from this California coastal city, and of course you'll want to take in Redwood National Park, one of the few World Heritage Sites in North America. Redwood trails and parkland in the State Parks and National parks extend along the California Coast for over 100 miles in Northern California.
When you visit Crescent City California don't miss the County Museum which has some great Maritime artifacts from this California coastal city, and of course you'll want to take in Redwood National Park, one of the few World Heritage Sites in North America. Redwood trails and parkland in the State Parks and National parks extend along the California Coast for over 100 miles in Northern California.
Crescent City Lighthouse, California
Crescent City California is one of the few American Cities to have experienced a Tsunami/Tidal Wave. 1964 brought a major sea surge to Crescent City which inundated the downtown area and killed four people.
The huge cement breakwater from which this picture was taken was built after 1964 in an effort to make subsequent destruction unlikely. It also offers great views of the lighthouse, huge waves, and giant cement dolos which help disperse the energy of the mighty pacific waves.
For more about this area see our Northern California travel pages.
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