by: Grayson Leverenz
It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 years since I was an exchange student at WHU – the Otto Beishem School of Management in Vallendar, Germany. I miss it every day.
I miss the people.
I miss experiencing a new language and culture.
I planned to post before I left for a long weekend at Devil’s Fork State Park in SC with my family, but I’m too excited to write! Words of the Week will go up as scheduled on Sunday, and I owe you an extra good post next week.
Have a great weekend!
Grayson
image: My 2009 Family Beach Trip
by: Grayson Leverenz
Generations of southerners flock to Myrtle Beach, SC and the surrounding beaches annually to soak up the sun and enjoy the relaxed coastal vibe. My family frequents Surfside Beach, “the family beach” about 10 miles south of Myrtle, and spends a good deal of time in Garden City. Thanks to a fabulous golf scene, SC beaches evolved from regional hot spots to international destinations. If you are a golfer, click here to learn more about golf vacations. If you’re not a golfer, no worries, there is plenty to do off the course!
After building sandcastles and jumping waves, here are 5 of my favorite ways to experience SC beaches:
Parowan Gap Petroglyphs (image: DB’s Travels)
by: John Kloster
Perfectly positioned three hours away from both the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, the Cedar City area of southern Utah is the ideal base camp for exploring the area’s natural wonders. Nearby Zion National Park showcases geologic masterpieces like towering sandstone cliffs, hanging gardens, forested side canyons, and isolated mesas. A trip to Bryce Canyon National Park reveals large natural amphitheaters and bridges as well as windows and hoodoos, soft sedimentary rock topped by harder stone that protects them from the elements.
These famous sites appear on many travelers’ must see lists. If you want to wander off the beaten path, you can easily discover three hidden Utah gems from your Cedar City base camp.
The Mint Bar (image: Pete Zarria)
by: John Kloster
Visitors interested in experiencing the Old West won’t go wrong in Sheridan, Wyoming. Situated west of the Black Hills and Devil’s Tower on the way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Sheridan is still a cowboy town in every sense of the word. One of the most famous American cowboys, Buffalo Bill Cody lived in Sheridan, and has a great influence on the town to this day. Here are five ways to live like Buffalo Bill Cody in Sheridan, Wyoming.
The California Zephyr (image: Patrick Rasenberg)
by: John Pitt, author of USA by Rail
American trains have always had a strong hold on the popular imagination, inspiring countless songs, stories, scandals and legends. Their rugged charm sets them apart from more mundane means of transport and, as Homer Simpson said, ‘Nothing beats flying across the country on a train.’ Students receive discounted ticket prices and Amtrak rail passes are available for citizens of any country, including the USA and Canada. These are valid for 15, 30 or 45 days of coach class travel and allow you to visit 46 US states and more than 500 destinations.
Serendipity is one of the great things about train travel. I’ve heard fascinating stories sitting by chance next to Tennessee Williams’s former chauffeur and once watched a football game on TV with Bill Cosby in New York’s Pennsylvania Station. You can mingle with fellow passengers on board, watch a movie in the evening, have a drink at the bar or just enjoy the passing scene.
Trains are safe, pollute less and rarely suffer from weather delays or long security checks. You won’t be surcharged or given jet lag or made to take your shoes off. You stay in touch with an ever-changing landscape and between the cities and small towns you comprehend America’s sheer size, seeing what this country looked like before McDonalds and Coca Cola.
Amtrak trains have style and old-world charm. Novices are well cared for by helpful attendants, making it easy to visit most big cities as well Disney World, Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. You can go from coast to coast, explore the Rocky Mountains and ride alongside two oceans. Often you see places that can’t be visited any other way. These are some of the best journeys -
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