Travel – Page 36

Discovering A Pearl

January 5, 2015~ Travel

“Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”
Psalm‬ ‭122‬:‭7‬

Croatia?? A place we had certainly heard of-but honestly-if we had been given a map without names and told to point out Croatia a couple of years ago-no way! But what a beautiful place with such a rich history. Not only can we locate it on a map, but feel so privileged to have visited! Dubrovnik is called the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The walled city is a remarkably preserved late-medieval fortification. The walk along the top of the wall around the Old Town gives a new view after every turn. The walk is absolutely breathtaking and considered by many writers and extensive travelers as one of the most magnificent promenades in the world. We certainly loved our time in Dubrovnik and hope you enjoy this short tour.

The unbelievably blue Adriatic Sea!

The Pile Gate is the grand entrance into Dubrovnik’s Old Town

Starting the climb to reach the top of the ancient city wall!

Once on top of the wall, the view of Mediterranean tile rooftops is splendid!

The wall runs uninterrupted for 1.2 miles. The Adriatic provides the perfect backdrop for the stunning views of the old city as seen from atop the wall.

A small cove with kayakers! The colors of the sea are magnificent!

Fort Lovrijenac, or St. Lawrence Fortress, is a fortress and a theater located outside the western wall of the city. It is famous for its importance in resisting Venetian rule.

Another view of the cove and fortress

A Franciscan Monastery with its construction beginning in 1317 and lasting many years. After the devastating earthquake in 1667, the church was restored in the Baroque style. It is one of the largest and most grandiose Franciscan monasteries!

A view from the top of the wall of the monastery and the sea!

Butch’s camera strap gives him away as a tourist!

Many of the tiled roofs had to be replaced after the Balkan Wars of the 1990’s

From the walkway on the wall you can see down into the Old Town. With laundry on the line, we get a glimpse into their everyday living!

More tiled rooftops. Some tiles still in use are thought to be several hundred years old

A view of the main street called the Stradun

The Great Onofrio Fountain was built in 1438 and is one of Dubrovnik’s most famous landmarks. It is one of the first spectacular sights that greets you when you enter Stradun from the Pile Gate

The original Bell Tower was constructed in 1444 and is 31 meters high!

Dubrovnik home in the Old Town

Pam taking in the view!

Tourists from cruise ships add to the economic growth of Croatia

The Stradun, which runs through the Old Town, is a pedestrian street paved with limestone!

Place is the official name of the Stradun. It was constructed after the great earthquake of 1667!

A view from the harbor out to the sea

Pictures cannot capture Dubrovnik’s beauty!

“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevaling
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal”
-Martin Luther

bul·wark (bo͝olˌwərk/)

something that provides protection for or against something
a wall that is built for protection

Linking with: Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Three Mango Seeds, Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict ,Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, Alabama Women Bloggers

Let’s Go Back! (Part One)

December 29, 2014~ Travel

“Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God”
Psalm 90:2

For the last sixteen years, travel has been a significant and enjoyable part of our lives. But it hasn’t always been that way. To travel and see God’s world, at one time, was only a dream. We have been privileged to travel to many places and you can read more here: Travel. Whether it be stateside or overseas, we try to keep our suitcases ready! Today, we are highlighting a couple of the trips we took in 2014. Be sure to come back for more next week!

Triple Creek Ranch, A Montana Hideaway (Part One)

I planned this trip and reserved a year in advance because there are only accommodations for about 60 guests. The Triple Creek Ranch is hidden away in Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains near Darby. The Bitterroot River runs nearby through the valley that stretches north and south near the Idaho border. What a privilege for us, as a family, to spend a few days at Triple Creek! The place is breathtaking and the people (the staff that we prefer to call the “ranch family”) make sure you get the most from your visit.

After our visit, it was easy to see why Triple Creek Ranch was named the number one hotel in the world in the July 2014 publication of Travel and Leisure Magazine!

To enjoy all of the pictures, click here:
Triple Creek Ranch, A Montana Hideaway (Part One)
Triple Creek Ranch, A Montana Hideaway (Part Two)

The lodge blends seamlessly with its surroundings

Sapphire skies with puffy white clouds form a breathtaking backdrop for the Ponderosa Pines

Ready for trail ride on the ranch and the Bitterroot National Forest!

Four hour ATV ride on the 26,000 acre CB Ranch provided awesome scenery and a herd of free roaming bison

Seth captured this beautiful photo of the Bitterroot River on our wildlife and photo safari

The skies are really this blue in Big Sky Country!

Triple Creek Ranch, A Montana Hideaway (Part Two)

A view of the Bitterroot Valley from the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness

Entry to the lodge at Triple Creek Ranch

Baker Point overlooking the valley where the ranch is located

Hiked over a mile with a 1000 foot vertical climb on a rugged trail to Baker Lake

Butch riding “Deuce” and Seth on “Riley”–fulfilled a dream of being cowboys. The cattle drive was the highlight of their trip!

“Shoulda Been a Cowboy…”

Austin Thrills & Texas Hills

As a developer, Butch often travels and I occasionally tag along. I joined him for a business trip to Austin, TX the end of July and we added a couple of days for pleasure! After spending 3 days enjoying Austin, we ventured to San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. It was a memorable trip that was unexpected and I highly recommend, however not in July when the temperature soared to 103!!

To enjoy all of the pictures, click here:
Austin Thrills & Texas Hills

We discovered a gem of a hotel, the historic Driskill that opened in 1886

The Texas State Capitol is quite impressive! Built in the 1880’s, it is the sixth tallest State Capitol building and one of a few that is taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the complex sits on 50+ acres just south of the University of Texas “hook ‘em horns” campus.

Gruene (pronounced Green) is a small, but charming historic area on the north edge of New Braunfels. Much to see here and it seems to attract thousands of visitors each year. The general store alone is worth a stop!

We had heard stories about the Alamo that suggested there was not much to see– some even said they would skip it altogether. We are so glad we decided to go because to the contrary, we found it very interesting and rich in history. Certainly the compound doesn’t cover a square mile and take hours to see, but it was well worth our time. Maybe our low expectations caused us to be pleasantly surprised!

Both of us being history buffs, we really enjoyed touring the ranch known as the Texas White House during Lyndon Johnson’s presidency! This is the podium where many press conferences were held during his presidency. Butch for president, perhaps????

Most of us know Luckenbach only through the lyrics of a Waylon Jennings song. Since it’s not officially a town, being unincorporated, the best description comes from the terminology found in the Luckenbach Moon, a regular publication from Luckenbach, that coins it “a state of mind”. To describe it as interesting would be a gross understatement. It is almost guaranteed that if you stay very long, music will fill the air. In reality, you could make the rounds with a short 10 minute walk, hop in, or on your ride, and be on your way. But the place captures you and gives no choice but to stay a little longer. We love their slogan: “Everybody is somebody in Luckenbach”.

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Three Mango Seeds, Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict ,Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, Alabama Women Bloggers

When in Rome…

November 13, 2014~ Travel

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”
‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬

Butch and I first visited Rome, Italy in the autumn of 2004. Let me say, Rome, referred to as “The Eternal City”, did not disappoint. It’s history spans more than two and a half thousand years! Amazing is such an understatement in describing its sites: the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, etc. And the food….beyond description!!!

The Roman Colosseum is an iconic symbol and one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions

The Colosseum was completed in 80 AD and could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles

Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762, is one of the most famous fountains in the world! An estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day. That is 3,731 US dollars! Coins are supposed to be thrown using the right hand over the left shoulder. We had to follow tradition!

But…

…did you know that The South has it’s very own Rome? Katy and I had a girls’ day out on Tuesday and headed over to Rome, Georgia. And what a fun day–we enjoyed all things Rome! From a cutesy coffee shop, to Berry College (where we spent the majority of the day), to a great local restaurant and bakery, to ending the day shopping at TJ MAXX, of course!

When we were in Rome, we did as Romans do!

Stay tuned because you know, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Started our girls’ day out at the eclectic coffee shop, Swift & Finch, with scones and salted caramel lattes!

Loved their American flag proudly displayed on Veterans Day!

Swan Lake on the 26,000 acre campus of Berry College!

Frost Memorial Chapel was built by students in 1937 and features leaded glass windows and a slate roof

The trees surrounding the chapel were at their peak on this most perfect autumn day!

The Old Mill at Berry College was constructed in 1930. The wooden overshot waterwheel is 42 feet in diameter and considered one of the largest in the world!

The log cabin at the Martha Berry Museum. For more info on the fascinating founder of Berry College read here.

The Ford Dining Hall on the main campus. The Ford buildings, named for Henry Ford and built with money donated by Ford and his wife, are in an English Gothic style.

Katy and I ate a delightful lunch at The Harvest Moon Cafe, a local “Roman” favorite. We enjoyed the best house-made pimento dip and tortilla chips. But, this chandelier really caught my eye. Look closely and you will see that it is made of forks, spoons, and knives! So interesting!!