Tag: Travel

The Art Of Becoming The Well Seasoned Traveler

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date December 14, 2020
2 Comments on The Art Of Becoming The Well Seasoned Traveler

Plan Out Your Trip

Have a general idea of what you want to see and do on your trip, and do not pack too many activities into one day, as you do not wish to be worn out and tired at the start of your journey. If a museum closes that you had planned to see, look at something else that might pique your interest. Museums do remodel and rearrange now and then, and must be completed to do that. Sometimes Forrest fires will prevent you from seeing something. Drive to a park and look at the beautiful scenery there. I love to look at and visit historical places. Do not get bent out of shape if you have to change your plans for the day, as that is just part of life.

Packing Your Suitcase

When you first start traveling, you pack everything but the kitchen sink. My first suitcase was vast and hard to maneuver in small areas. My bag got caught in a train door and almost became a suitcase of two cities before I ranked it clear from the train’s entrance. Trying to move it down the train isles was virtually impossible. I soon packed a sizeable carry-on suitcase for my main bag, and I did not miss a thing as I soon found out I could get by without all those extra items I used to pack in my giant suitcase.

Expect A lot Of Delays.

You will wait a long time at the airport before your plane departs. Getting through security may take up to two hours alone. Take a book to read, have a cup of Joe, and relax. Pay attention to potential gate changes and different times of departure. It will take a while for you to collect your luggage after you land. It takes time for your taxi to come and take you to your place of destination. Buses may run behind schedule occasionally, so be patient, wait, and be friendly and kind to people, as they cannot help with traffic delays. If the weather is terrible, you must stay overnight and hope the weather is better so you can fly out the next day. One time we had to drive home the next day from the airport because the weather would not improve shortly.

Take A Lot Of Pictures

I love to look at pictures of my trips in the USA and abroad. You can relive your special moments through your photographs. I take pictures of architecture, beautiful scenery, flowers, historic homes, animals, monuments, and the friends I travel with.

Buying Treasures And Gifts

I collect crosses that do not take up much room and are easy to carry with you on a trip. If you buy many items for gifts or family members, find your nearest post office and send them home, so you are not burdened trying to maneuver with them on your trip. Try to buy small items that do not take up much room. Do not over-pack your suitcase; some countries make you pick and choose what you want to keep or throw away until your bag reaches the required weight limit.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Keep an eye on your luggage and purse at all times. One woman in England left her bag under her chair at a buffet, it went missing along with her passport, and she could not get home for ten days even though she was on tour with us. No one wants their beautiful trip to end that way. God bless you, and have a safe and memorable trip,

Tags Travel

Time Well Spent

Traveling

When you travel, you learn a lot about the area you have traveled to. You taste new foods and learn about the mannerisms and traditions of the people in the area. You see breathtaking scenery, sights, sounds, and much more. I love history and the history of the places I visit. I enjoy looking at the architecture of the old buildings as they took a lot of pride in their work and details, such as the magnificent archways, woodwork, and details in the wood and ceilings. I love vaulted ceilings, dish rails, built-in bookcases, and more. Traveling broadens your horizons, and you learn that other people around the World want the same things that you do. We all want to be healthy, have a sense that we have a purpose on Earth, have a wonderful family, have peace, joy, hope, and love, be happy and feel secure in life.

Time With Family, Friends, And God

Spending time with friends uplifts your spirit as you do and see things together. Traveling with a friend makes the trip much more enjoyable. Friends bring out the sunshine on dark and dreary days. Spending time with family is fun as you have shared the same experiences in your life, and you can talk over old times together and laugh at funny things that happened years ago. Spending time with God should be your top priority in life. Read the bible and read a daily devotion every day. Spend time with your church family and check up on those with health and other concerns. People need someone to talk to and reach out to be that person. Pray to God without ceasing, as he will answer your prayers.

Read A Book

Reading a book is relaxing, and you will learn something new daily. I like to read non-fiction books about Presidents, books on war, science, holy books, biographies, and travel. If you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it. You can plan where you want to travel next year by reading travel books.

Keep Things Well Organized

Put things back where you found them, as it will save you valuable time. Keep your files organized and pay your bills as soon as you get them in the mail, and then you will never have to pay late fees. Keep your home and garage organized, and you can get things done quickly and efficiently.

Pay Attention To Your Health And Take Time To Relax

If you feel tired and run down during the day, take time for at least a 20-minute nap, and you will feel revived at the end. Tell your doctor about any health concerns which could save your life. Ensure you take all the necessary steps for your particular age group, so minor things do not become significant. Take time for yourself and relax and unwind from your hectic day. Doing the things I mentioned will genuinely be time well spent.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, Travel

In Search Of Beautiful Fall Foliage

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date September 11, 2020
4 Comments on In Search Of Beautiful Fall Foliage

In Search Of Beautiful Fall Foliage

I have always loved to go for a drive and look at the beautiful colors of fall foliage. As a child, my parents and I drove to McGregor, Iowa, along the Mississippi River. The leaves are spectacular in this area. We would cross the other side of the river, go to Praire du Chien, Wisconsin, and visit the Villa Louis, a National Historic Landmark on St. Feriole Island in Praire du Chien, Wisconsin. We would also drive to Galena, Illinois, and look at President Grant’s home, which was built in 1859-1860. We would go to an apple orchard in Nashua, Iowa, and stop and look at the Little Brown Church.

Looking At Leaves Along River Roads

I like driving to Keosauqua, Iowa, along the Des Moines River. Keosauqua is one of the villages in Van Buren county. I love to stay at the Historic Hotel Manning overnight when traveling in the fall and to look at the villages of Van Buren county. I like to look at Bonaparte and Bentonsport, Iowa, as these villages have changed very little over the steamboat days of old. Farmington, Iowa, is a city in Van Buren county. They have lots of interesting old stores to see and shop in. I love this beautiful historic area. River roads are a great place to drive along and enjoy the fantastic fall foliage.

Governor Larabee’s Mansion is Located In Clermont, Iowa

I love this drive and looking at his beautiful mansion and all its beautiful rooms and furniture, which sits up high on a hill looking down at the town. He would purchase five or more items at once and sell them at a small profit except for one, and then the one he wanted would be free. He had a pet ocelot, and when she died, he had a taxidermist prepare her body to look lifelike, and you can see her when you tour his magnificent mansion. The outdoor area is well-manicured and stunning.

Fall Foliage In Vermont, New Hampshire, And Maine

Now is the peak time for looking at the fall foliage in Vermont and enjoying their homemade Maple Syrup. I loved driving to Stowe, Vermont, and staying at the Trapp Family Lodge. The Sound of Music is based on the Trapp family. The leaves in this area I would rank no. 1 on my list. Driving through the White Mountains in New Hampshire will amaze you with the colors of the beautiful fall leaves. Traveling through the New England states is lovely. We saw the Cog Railway. The White Mountain Lodge has 5-star accommodations and excellent food. We were driving in Coastal Maine to see the fall foliage. We drove along the coast in Camden, Maine. We also stopped and toured several of the lighthouses in the area. At night we had a wonderful lobster dinner. We drove to Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine. We drove past President George H. W. Bush’s house in Kennebunkport, Maine. We went along the Hwy next to the Atlantic Ocean and enjoyed our spectacular scenery. We ate some fried fish and chips at a minor road stand that was very popular. We had an excellent duck dinner in Kennebunkport, Maine, in the evening.

Boulder and Estes Park, Colorado

When traveling in Colorado, go early before some roads close in higher elevations due to snow. I love driving in Boulder and Estes Park; I also love driving on Hwy 7, which takes you to Lyons, Colorado, where I always have to stop for homemade Bing Cherry Juice. Estes Park has magnificent fall foliage. Drive along the Big Thompson River for spectacular fall colors.

Enjoy The Colors of Fall

Find the peak time of year for the best fall colors in the state you will be traveling to. Looking at leaves and taking drives in the fall is fun and relaxing. You can shop in the town’s stores and maybe buy some new fall clothing. Enjoy coffee at a coffee shop and dine at a new restaurant. I also look for gifts that I can give to friends at Christmas. Enjoy the fruits of your labor this fall by driving in search of the perfect fall foliage.

Tags Travel

Taking The Road Less traveled

Taking The Road Less Traveled

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date September 4, 2020
No Comments on Taking The Road Less Traveled

By taking the road less traveled, you will find little hidden treasures on your journey through life. The side streets are not as busy, and there is much scenery to enjoy. Roads traveled by the masses lack majestic scenery as it has been destroyed to help move the traffic along quickly and efficiently. The Interstates are the quickest way to get from point A to point B, but you will miss out on a relaxing and scenic journey.

Small Towns

I like to drive through small towns and shop in their stores. I have found many small-town furniture stores, drugstores, hardware stores, appliance stores, bookstores, antique stores, clothing and shoe stores, and more. They are always very friendly and accommodating to your needs. I love to eat at small-town restaurants. I have been served many mouthwatering specialty dishes at small hometown restaurants. I have a favorite hardware store that specializes in old tools and more. I have made a lot of purchases at that beautiful old hardware store over the years.

Youthful Years

In my youth, I always had my parents stop at a small metal building by the side of the road: a pop-up candy store. I would order their Milk Duds or a Sugar Daddy Milk Caramelized Pop and eat it on our way home. I would buy popcorn from a little metal shed by the side of the road in another small town. In adulthood, I would order alfalfa shots and watermelon juice. I would also stop at a roadside store that sold delicious fresh Bing cherry juice.

Blaze Your Trail In life.

Don’t always follow the masses, and do not be afraid to blaze your trail in life. Following the herd can lead to danger. To find beauty and scenery, do not follow the herd. Think for yourself and do not do what the rest of the group does to fit in or be famous. Civil unrest can happen with herd mentality. Sometimes when one person sees someone destroying something, the group will follow suit, and it keeps escalating out of control into utter chaos.

The Road Less Traveled Leads To Heaven

God Will Lead You On The Road That He Wants You To Travel On

Do not be afraid to carve your trail in life. Jesus said The road less traveled is the road to heaven. God said you could not take shortcuts to get to the other side of the mountain. Follow God by faith and have peace with God through Jesus. God will lead you on the roads that he wants you to travel in your life. Keep your faith, hope, grace, peace, joy, and more by following God whenever and wherever he leads you throughout your entire life. Remember, always take the road less traveled, and you will be content and find joy in your life.

Scripture Matthew 7: 13-14

Enter ye in the strait gate: for wide is the entrance, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, Travel

A History Lover's Guide To Lincoln By Gretchen M. Garrison

A History Lover’s Guide To Lincoln By Gretchen M. Garrison

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 31, 2020
No Comments on A History Lover’s Guide To Lincoln By Gretchen M. Garrison

To facilitate my review, I was provided a copy of her book: A History Lover’s Guide To Lincoln by Gretchen M. Garrison. All thoughts are 100 % honest and my own.

Lincoln, Nebraska, is Gretchen’s hometown. She has done an outstanding job of telling the history of Lincoln. I am very impressed with her book as it means the vast history of Lincoln. I could not lay the book down once I started to read it. I love reading history books and knowing what buildings used to be years ago. I love the pictures she included in her book, as you can see the great pride people took in constructing their buildings years ago.

Lincoln, Nebraska, was initially known as Lancaster. The salt flats in Lancaster elevated the village to capital status. In 1867 the first lot sold for 25 cents in Lincoln, and the next day, the lots were selling for $40.00 to $150.00 a lot. Lincoln’s population increased over the years. The people started with 30 settlers to a city of 300,000.

The History of The Buildings In Lincoln

I love the fact that a lot of the buildings in Lincoln have been re-purposed. Different businesses have gone into the buildings over the years. The second floors of a lot of the buildings are now apartments. I wouldn’t say I like it when they tear down historic buildings. Some of the buildings in Lincoln have been a family business for many years and are still operating as they were years ago. Leon’s is still in business, selling items as they have for many years. The first thing I do when I go into an old store that I am impressed with is to ask them about the history of the building over the years. Pershing Auditorium opened in 1958. Johnny Carsen and Stecher-Horowitz were duo pianists. General Pershing’s hometown was Lincoln. Charles Lindbergh went to the Nebraska Standard Flying School. Because he went to Flying School in Lincoln, he could move on to more aviation experiences. Lincoln National Bank was robbed, and the robbers took off with a sizable amount of cash and bonds, even by today’s standards. Learn more about the robbery in the book. Gene Bedient started the Bedient Pipe Organ Company in 1969. The masterpiece Bedient organs are in many Lincoln churches. I loved reading about the history of the churches and schools in Lincoln. Churches and schools help build and hold a community together.

I highly recommend reading A History Lover’s Guide To Lincoln by Gretchen M. Garrison. You can purchase A History Lover’s Guide To Lincoln on Amazon .com. Click on my link above.

Tags Book Review, Lincoln, Nebraska, Travel

Shopping and Discovering New Things in the Small Towns in Iowa

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 17, 2020
1 Comment on Shopping and Discovering New Things in the Small Towns in Iowa

I like to drive around in the small towns in Iowa and shop at their stores. I have discovered a lot of great treasures in the small towns in Iowa over the years. I like to shop at hardware stores and buy tools, pyrex dishes, garden equipment, lawnmowers, dehumidifiers, appliances, etc. I like that their stores are not crowded, and you get service after the sale.

I have purchased a lot of furniture at family-owned furniture stores for my rental properties over the years and for my home. I have found beautiful recliners, bedroom sets, couches, and lamps. I have stopped at carpet stores also and purchased their end rolls of carpet and beautiful wood flooring.

Northwood, Iowa

The other day, I drove around on the rural roads in Northwood, Iowa, and discovered many Amish and Mennonite homes. I found a wonderful Greenhouse owned by a Mennonite family. They had wonderful mums, trees, garden supplies, and more. I purchased some Deer to stay away from the powder and will return for some of their mum plants later. I also discovered a Mennonite family selling tomatoes and farm-fresh brown eggs. I purchased two dozen of her wonderful-looking brown eggs. I drove further down the road and saw an Amish man headed to the field with his two young sons.

St.Ansgar, Iowa

I like to shop at Home Sweet Home in St. Ansgar, Iowa. I have purchased beautiful blankets, cards, dish clothes, baking dishes, Christmas cards, home decor, and more. They have a lovely, clean store and are very friendly and accommodating to your needs and wants. I like the local hardware store in town. I have eaten at The Blue Belle Inn over the years and stayed at their Inn. The rooms are nicely appointed, and their food is excellent. I like to look at the white albino deer displayed in a glass building in town.

Clear Lake, Iowa

I love shopping at Larson’s, Wilcox Furniture, Ralhpene’s, and The Red Geranium and eating at the beautiful Clear Lake, Iowa restaurants. All of the stores have amiable and accommodating employees. It is effortless to maneuver around downtown Clear lake, Iowa. I love to sit next to the Lake and watch the boats on the water. Walking while you spend your day at Clear Lake, Iowa is fun. There are many parks to see and drive through.

Kalona, Iowa

I am very familiar with Kalona, Iowa. I love eating at the Tuscan Moon Restaurant, which features Italian food in Kalona, as their food is always perfectly cooked. Kalona is an Amish and Mennonite community. I love to see the horse and buggies pull up to the stores. The Amish and Mennonites are excellent cooks and bakers. I was invited to a Mennonite home that served food to a group of eight or more, and I must say that that was the best meal I have ever eaten in my entire life.

Keosauqua, Iowa

Keosauqua is located on the big bend of the Des Moines River in southeastern Iowa. The towns in the area are called the villages of Van Buren County. The Hotel Manning is a very historical hotel. I have stayed at the Hotel Manning and was impressed with the historical architecture of the building. I loved the room, and their food was excellent. The oldest courthouse in Iowa is located here and was built in 1843. It is a must-see for everyone. The Lacey Keosauqua State Park is a beautiful park to drive through. I would recommend going to all of the villages of Van Buren County for their historical significance.

Various Small Towns In Iowa

I have found beautiful treasures in Pella, Vinton, New Hampton, Farmington, Bonaparte, Bentonsport, Hampton, Traer, and other small towns in Iowa. Always remember there are still some stores left in the small towns across Iowa where you will find a wonderful treasure of your own.

Tags Travel

Keep Up Your Pace In Life

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date July 24, 2020
No Comments on Keep Up Your Pace In Life

The pace of life refers to the speed at which changes and events happen. If you live in a big city, you probably live a fast-paced life. Small towns let you live the pace of life you prefer. I like to keep up with a group and am usually in front of the pack’s leader.

Covid 19 Has Changed Our Pace in Life

We have had to live with all the changes Covid 19 has added to our daily lives. Covid 19 is not a change in our daily routine that we saw coming. In March, our lives changed drastically with the pandemic. We all have to social distance ourselves and wear our masks to return to our old familiar pace in life.

Keep Up Your Pace While Traveling

I like to travel and keep pace with the rest of my tour group. I want to walk by the tour guide so I can hear everything she is telling me about the area we are looking at. I love to listen to the towns’ history, what crops they raise in the area, and why the people settled there. I especially loved my European travels, seeing where my relatives came from and walking down the same streets they walked down so many years ago.

Surround Yourself With People That Have The Same Pace As You.

I once had a Personal Pace Toro lawn mower and loved it because it went as fast as I walked. The mower and I had the same pace. I went on one tour, and the lady’s roommate would always be the last one on the bus, and she was always the first one on the bus in the morning. She kept apologizing to her roommate. One day she did not show up for 20 minutes., We had a full schedule of tours that day, and the bus driver took off without her. She had to catch a train to get back with our group again. Our tour guide had told our group that we would have to catch a train if we were very late. She kept on being late, but she could not take over the pace of our entire group.

Keeping Your Pace In Life Is Very Important

Please do not be late for appointments as it slows down everyone’s pace that comes after you on that day. Being on time is very important, so the pace of life moves along efficiently and smoothly. Business people do not have time to wait around for you. Always think of other people and not only yourself. We want to keep up our pace in life to the best of our ability. We all have several things that we have to get completed in one day. Do not be the one person that breaks another person’s pace in life.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, Travel

Short Road Trips

I like taking short road trips. I want to go to the small towns in my area that I have not been to for some time. It is interesting to see how they have changed so much. Most meat lockers in small towns are out of business, and family-owned grocery stores are few and far between. Old jewelry stores, small furniture stores, clothing, and private family shoe stores are no more. I miss the service of the family-owned stores from days gone by. I loved to visit with the owners of the stores and ask them what they might be getting in soon that I might be interested in buying shortly. The service of the department stores was top-notch, and the clerk would bring clothes to you to try on. I miss all the small-town malt shops that have gone out of business. I miss the old TV sales and repair stores. Unfortunately, when a TV stops working, you throw it away and buy a new one. It is too bad that we are a throwaway society.

I am thrilled when I revisit a small town store that is about the same as it was years ago. Some old hardware stores are still in business and are happy to help you with your needs. I loved to go to the antique five-and-dime stores. Sadly, they all went out of business when I was ten. There is still an A&W in Forest City, Iowa. Stan’s Drive-in is still going strong in Osage, Iowa. I still shop at a family-owned appliance and furniture store in my area, and they both offer excellent service. My hometown still has a family-owned fantastic shoe store. Kalona, Iowa, still has many stores I grew up with and loved visiting. Some small towns still have the same restaurants I ate at as a child; their food is as I always remember.

You can discover many new and exciting things and places on a short road trip. I like to find new parks to walk in and explore and unique restaurants to eat at. Short road trips get you out of the house and back home in just one day. You may discover a candy shop that sells the kind of candy you ate as a child or a toy you had years ago that will bring back fond memories to melt your heart. Take a short road trip and see what you discover today. You will be amazed by things that have stood still in time in the fast-paced world we live in today. With change comes progress, and when some things remain the same, we feel at peace and secure and young at heart again.

Tags Travel

Transporting Your Cat Safely For Travel And Vet Visits

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date June 8, 2020
1 Comment on Transporting Your Cat Safely For Travel And Vet Visits

I want a sturdy animal carrier when I transport my cats. I prefer a solid one with a lid on the top and a door on the ‘s side page. A cover and a door on the carrier make it much easier to put your cat on the page and take it safely.

I have noticed people trying to hang on to their cat wrapped up in a towel while waiting outside the Vets office. An upset and nervous cat not in a carrier can end in disaster quickly. My Vet told me that a party had come to his office with their cat in a towel, and a Semi drove by and happened to honk his horn. Their cat bolted out of their arms, ran onto the busy Hi-Way, and was run over by a car. What a tragic and horrific experience that could have been prevented by having their cat in a cat carrier.

A cage that comes to part easily is good at the Vets office. Some of my cats are nervous beyond nervous at the Vets office. Having a pen that comes to part quickly makes it safe for your Vet to handle your cat without getting bit or scratched up. My Vet moves the lid down about part way and administers their shots. Trying to pull a scared cat out of a cage can result in being bitten and scratched.

When taking your cat for a drive, having them in an animal carrier is best. A scared cat could get under your feet while trying to drive. A frightened cat could start leaping all over the inside of your car, causing you to lose control of your vehicle and resulting in your death and someone else.

If you are flying on a plane with your cat, use a carrier approved for airline travel. Check with the airline to see when your cat is fed, watered, and more. Your cat shots must be current if you take him on an airline. Expect your cat to be nervous and upset when you reach your destination. Some Vets will give you a mild sedative to relax your cat while he is on the plane. I once noticed a woman traveling with her cat all the time by train. She told me Sam had traveled on the train with her for years, and he enjoyed it. She had a leash on him, and he was sound to sleep in her loving arms.

By the best cage you can afford, it should last many years. Remember to always have your pet under your control at all times for his health and safety and the safety of others. I hope you and your cat have safe travels and Vet visits for many years.

Tags Cat Emergency, Travel

Berkeley Plantation And its History Located In Virginia

Berkeley Plantation And Its History Located in Virginia

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date December 30, 2019
No Comments on Berkeley Plantation And Its History Located in Virginia

The Berkeley Plantation is a very historic plantation located between Williamsburg and Richmond, Virginia. The plantation is one of the first plantations in America. The Berkeley Plantation sits on approximately 1000 acres. The Berkeley Plantation was first called Berkeley Hundred, named after the Berkeley Company of England.

In 1619 the Good Ship Margaret landed at Berkeley with 36 men. The men had the first official Thanksgiving in America by the instruction given in a charter by the Virginia Co.

In 1691 the Harrisons purchased Berkeley. In 1726 they built their mansion. Benjamin Harrison V signed the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison was our ninth US President.

Mrs. Harrison did not like her husband and friends smoking in their home. She told him to smoke with his friends and colleagues in the guest house. The family loved their pets, and they have a pet cemetery on the site. There was also a house used as a kitchen. They also had small cabins for their slaves.

Benjamin Harrison IV and his two youngest daughters were killed when lightning struck their home while trying to close their windows and shutters upstairs on July 12, 1745. His wife took to her sick bed after she lost her husband and two daughters. She never recovered and died 30 days later. William Henry Harrison was only 18 and cared for his four younger surviving siblings while attending college. He later became the ninth President of the United States of America. William Harrison’s Grandson, Benjamin Harrison, became the 23rd President of the USA.

During the Civil War, General George McClellan’s troops were in the buildings with tents in front of the plantation. The upstairs of the house was used as a hospital and a guest house, and with help from O. W. Norton, General Butterfield, a bugler, created Taps while camped at Harrison’s Landing on the plantation.

The Berkeley Mansion is made with bricks made from the site’s materials. Some of the bricks are a rich purple and shine like diamonds when you look at them. The brick’s colors vary by how long they are in the kiln. The house is built up high, and the bricks shine brightly to tell people that a wealthy family resides there. It was popular with all wealthy families to have a house that was built up high as it was a status symbol.

I loved my tour of the Berkeley Plantation. We had an excellent and knowledgeable guide that was dressed in appropriate attire for that time frame. Our guide knew all of the histories of the plantation and other items of interest. He told us years ago, yarn was dyed with tobacco juice as the smell of the tobacco dye killed off bed bugs for many years. Families have donated furniture and other household items that fit the timeline of the mansion.

I would highly recommend taking a tour of this beautiful old plantation with all of the rich and vast histories that it holds. Travel often and enrich your mind.

Tags History, Travel