This astonishing castle is situated in the beautiful countryside of County Mayo and is in the heart of Ireland's most spectacular scenery. Ashford was found in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family after they defeated the native O'Connors of Connaught. The de Burgo's built several such castles throughout the province but Ashford remained their principal stronghold. 3D tours and virtual tours of the castle is available on their website.

Dromoland Castle

Dromoland Castle is situated in the west of Ireland just a stone throw away from the mighty Shannon River and the unique rugged landscape of The Burren. Dromoland Castle, one of the most famous baronial castles in Ireland, was the ancestral home of the O'Briens, Barons of Inchiquin, who are one of the few native Gaelic families of royal blood and direct descendants of Brian Boroimhe (Boru) High King of Ireland in the eleventh century. 3D tours of the castle is available on their website.

Ballyseede Castle

Ballyseede Castle is located on its own thirty acres of gardens and woodland in Tralee County Kerry. Ballyseede Castle was the chief garrison of the legendary Fitzgerald's, Earls of Desmond, many of whom refused to swear allegiance to the crown, which resulted in the infamous Geraldine Wars that continued intermittently for three centuries and concluded with the beheading of Gerald, 16th Earl, in the Demesne of Ballyseede and whose head was exhibited in a cage on London Bridge. A picture gallery of the castle is available on their website.

Fanningstown Castle

Fanningstown Castle is situated in the fertile valley of the river Maigue, in Co. Limerick near the picturesque village of Adare. It lies in the barony of Coshma (Coshmagh) which, meaning "Foot of the Plain" or "Bank of the Maigue," describes this location. The area of the barony coincides with the territory of the Celtic people, the Ui Cairbre Aobhdha. For more information on the castle and its history visit their website.

Fitzpatrick Castle

This 18th century castle is situated on the South Dublin coast overlooking Dublin Bay. The park was once part of the estate of Killiney Castle (now Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel), a prominent residence in the district. The original house, Miunt Mapas, was built in 1740 by Col. John Mapas. The property was owned in turn by a Mr. Maunsell, Henry Loftus, Viscount of Ely, Lord Clonmel and Robert Warren, who in 1840 enlarged the house and called it Killiney Castle. He also restored and added to the monuments on the hill. For a full photo gallery of the castle visit their website.

Glin Castle

This castle is situated in County Limerick which has a rich history. Large pieces of land were given to the great Norman Family, the Fitzgeralds, in Limerick by the Desmond Overlords in the early 14th Century. Out of the Fitzgerald family the so-called knights of Glin was created. For a complete photo gallery of the castle and more of its history visit their website.

Lumberjack Steam Train, Laona, Wisconsin

Situated in northeastern Wisconsin's Northwoods within miles of the state border with Michigan, this steam engine travels three miles one way from Laona, Wisconsin, to a historic lumber camp complex known as Camp Five. The ride takes from ten to fifteen minutes and is made four times a day from Monday to Saturday. The 1916 steam locomotive pulls behind it two passenger coach cars and three cupola style cabooses which can hold 18 passengers each. Once at the museum complex, the visitor should take at least two hours to explore before boarding the train to return to Laona. Besides the lumber camp museum, the family can enjoy a self-guided ecology walking tour along an old lumber road, the farm animals and barn, the blacksmith shop, and a 30-minute narrated motorized forest tour. For an additional amount of money, the visitor can take a 30-minute river wildlife and pontoon boat tour of the Rat River. In July and October 2008, the camp will hold a cowboy reenactment, and during the last two Saturdays of September and the first Saturday of October, the camp celebrates a fall festival. Camp Five was a logging camp back in the late 1890's. The Connor Lumber and Land Company started a farm on the museum site in 1914 to provide draft horses for the camps and home-grown food for the lumberjacks. This lumber camp farm was so unique that Camp Five was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can find out more by visiting the camp5museum.org website.

This video gives a tiny sample of the lumberjack steam train.

Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad, Spooner, Wisconsin

At one time Spooner, Wisconsin, had 22 passenger cars a day which went through town on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad tracks. Even though CNW closed its Spooner depot in 1992 (my father was the last clerk at the depot), within five years the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad purchased twenty miles of that abandoned track. The result is a scenic train ride passing through some wonderful Wisconsin countryside. The ride begins at the Spooner depot. Riders have their choice of either a 30 mile round trip lasting two and one half hours from Spooner to Springbrook or a 90 minute round trip from Spooner to Veazie Springs. The longer train ride crosses one trestle, the Bean Creek Bridge located between the communities of Springbrook and Earl. Other sights include glimpses of Green Lake and the Namekagon River. Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad operates two diesel locomotives and their rolling stock includes a first class 64 seat diner loungs, a 64 seat buffet lunch diner, a 56 seat diner with a full kitchen, and a car which serves as a snack bar and gift shop. By reserving in advance for additional money, an individual can ride in the cab with the engineer for half the trip. Regular train rides include the sightseeing excursions, Elegant Dinner, the Happy Hour (adults only), the Sunday Brunch, the Dinner Buffet, and the Pizza Trains. The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad also celebrates special events some years with the Sweetheart Express, the Mother's Day and Father's Day Brunch, the Fall Color, and Great Pumpkin Trains. During Spooner Rodeo weekend in early July, there are train robbery reenactments and in 2008, the M.T. Pockets Gang will even meet the train and escort passengers to their campsite for a special Barbeque. The special events change each year. The WGNR also has the only still-operational wedding chapel car in the United States available for wedding ceremonies either held in a stationary position or moving, with a meal or without. If you are planning to be around the Spooner area and want to take a scenic train ride, consult the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad website at spoonertrainride.com.

Milwaukee Road 261, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In 1993, a determined group of rail fans saw their dreams fulfilled: the steam locomotive Milwaukee Road 261 once again rode the rails. Besides the steam engine, the 261 group maintains three 76 seat coaches, a “Skytop Lounge” car, and a 46 seat café/diner/ lounge car. In August 2008, this historic steam locomotive will take passengers on a one way trip from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This trip is normally done in June but flooding in 2008 prevented the train from operating as planned. While in Wisconsin during the month of August, the 261 will do a small number of shorter round trip excursions from Milwaukee to Sturtevant, the Wisconsin Dells, and New Lisbon. The return trip to Minneapolis will be toward the middle of August. In September, the 261 will do two short Minnesota excursions and one circle trip from Minneapolis to LaCrescent, crossing the Mississippi River to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and traveling north to a crossing that will take it back across the river and to Minneapolis. The passenger on the 261 can choose from three ways to travel. Coach tickets are the cheapest and can not be reserved. You must purchase food and beverages. First class seats can not be reserved either but the price includes food and beverages. The premium seats must be reserved and are on either a historic tailcar or a Super Dome car. The price includes food and beverages. A $1000 donation that will go toward further restoration of the locomotive allows the visitor to ride for half a day in the locomotive cab. More information, including neat photos, ticket prices, and an excellent history of the Milwaukee Road 261 locomotive, can be found at 261.com.

This video shows the Milwaukee Road 261 on its way to LaCrescent and can be found, along with other footage, on You Tube.

Curious about what Triund looks like, I gathered all articles and pictures in the internet to find out what it is. I used Google, Yahoo, Flickr, Answers, among others and I arrived at the materials listed below.

I provide impressions on the picture or article and place the links associated with it.

1. Triund is a scenic place the peak of which is like a Bermuda grass garden with stones all over it. I'm wondering, however, why the photographer has to include the tents in the picture if the intent is to show it as a scenic place.
2. Lakes are famous tourist destinations in Dharamsala where Triond is found. The author of this article , however, says that the highlight is definitely the Triond. It is a three hour walk uphill where one will see the snowy peaks. Probably tired of climbing or found the place nice to stay a while, many travelers stay there for several days in a forest rest house near one side of the hill. The author said the more adventurous travelers pitch their camps in a cave or a tent. That's the reason why there are tents in the picture above. The description of Triond is found midway of the article.
3. I typed “Triund” in Flickr and saw three pictures taken along the way to Triund showed a herd of goats with three tourists at foreground, a shepherd with the goats and two people posing for the camera.

Well, it's quite difficult getting information about Triund, the place in the Himalayas. I wish those who have been there can contribute more information about the site where we get our contents published.

How about Triond sponsoring a free trip for two lucky writers for a free trip to Triund in the Himalayas to make a comprehensive description?

 

South Mountain Park

With 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park is named the largest municipal park in the country. What is great about this state park is there is horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. So, whether your hike is to be a great workout or a slower pace stroll, there is a trail for everyone. The main entrance is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Found in the Sonoran Desert at an elevation of 2000 feet, this park is shrouded in mystery and even has its own lost treasure legend. There are hiking trails, nature trails, 70 regular campsites, picnic amenities, and special programs throughout the year to keep you entertained if searching for gold isn't your thing. The superstition of the Mountains is based on Jacob Waltz "The Dutchman" who found a gold mine somewhere around Weaver's Needle. No one has found the mine because all tries have failed because of foul play, death, or missing and stolen maps. The park is open 365 days a year from sunrise to 10pm for you to go searching out the "lost mine".

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park

Their mission as stated on their website is "to instil in people an appreciation of plants through the fostering of educational, recreational, research and conservation opportunities associated with arid land plants." At this park their main goal is to teach visitors about the 3,200 different desert plants within the arboretum, and the more than 230 bird and 72 terrestrial species that can be found along the 1.5 mile main trail. They have guided tours that have special themes such as "Plants of the bible", Bird Walks, and Butterfly Walks just to name a few. During May, June, July and August the Arboretum is open daily from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., whereas from September-through-April admission is taken daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

So, which type of state park are you? Are you the adventurous type who likes to hike, or are you the treasure hunter who seeks out lost mines, or are you the more educational type who loves to learn about birds, animals, and plants? Either way there are some great state parks near Phoenix that can satisfy anyone's personality.

Everything Historical Happened On The Trace. Everything.

One curious thing you’ll note is that about every mile or so there is a historic site, e.g., at this site, a treaty was signed that created the West Florida boundary or where a scenic swampland is that contains the last known some such weed. This is cool for about 5 or 6 miles. After that, it’s annoying. So many historic events could not have happened along this one roadway. It’s simply not possible. I believe that what happened is that before anybody did anything of import, they first agreed to move their dealings to the Natchez Trace so that it would become a historic site. I can see some bully U.S. general (stealing more Native American land) telling an Indian chieftain, “Whoa whoa whoa there Sleepy Bear. We can’t sign this treaty right here in the middle of nowhere. No one will remember it. We need to all move over to that dirt path where all the other important stuff went down and sign there. We’ll be famous. Octogenarians from all over the country will stop here in their RVs and read about us.” (This U.S. general was a distant relative of Nostradamus and knew that there would one day be recreational vehicles.)

The Trace Takes Longer To Drive Than To Fly To The Moon

FYI, if you travel the entire Natchez Trace and stop at every historic site, it will take you 3 years, 7 months, and 14 days to make it. That’s assuming you don’t break the 50 mph speed limit, which, by the way, is a ridiculous speed limit because it only gives the old folks an excuse for going so slow.

Does this sound like your family trip? If so, here are a few solutions to turn your bored and fighting children into entertained and peaceful little blessings.

Proper Planning

During the initial planning, be sure to consider the length of time you will be on the road and allot for frequent stops. Anyone locked up in a closed space is bound to become grouchy, so route your trip (if possible) to pass scenic resting areas or public rest stops.

Activities

There are many activities to do while taking a long road trip. If room permits, allow each family member to bring one backpack of their favorite toys, books, or video games. This will ensure that they will have a sufficient way of occupying a majority of their time.

If space is a problem, consider traveling games such as, the “License Plate” game, where each person spells out their entire name. On the other hand, perhaps, counting a particular color of vehicle (this is especially entertaining for younger children) and rewarding the winning child with a treat at the end of the trip.

Food

Another way to make traveling fun is by scheduling a special place to stop for lunch along the way. Ideas to consider are favorite restaurants, picnics at a national park, touristy orchards or historical landmarks. This will add new excitement to what would usually be a dull trip.

Mobile Electronics

Today's electronic age offers many solutions for traveling. DVD players offer a peaceful and fun solution for all ages of passengers in the rear seats. Hand-held video games allow for individual entertainment. With the wireless modem dominating the world of communication, bring along the mobile laptop to stay connected to the online world.

Finally, you look at the speedometer and see that the last few miles remain of your road trip; you look in the rear-view mirror and joyously find smiles and laughter in the eyes of your loving children. With a sigh, you continue driving, knowing that the vacation began only 300 miles ago.