Inn on Lake Granbury--Texas country inn with an elegant setting

Mixed berry bread pudding

I’m sitting at the breakfast table at Inn on Lake Granbury trying not to over-indulge. Problem is there’s an abundance of food, and it’s all worthy of five stars.  Cathy Casey, owner and chef, has prepared a fabulous spread of her fabulous mixed berry bread pudding, Southwestern hominy, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a generous fresh fruit salad. And tomorrow Casey plans to serve her specialty, upside down banana walnut French toast, with sweet and savory eggs and peach cobbler. I simply can’t turn anything down.



Since arriving a day ago, we’ve come to expect such indulgences at the Inn, one of Granbury, Texas’ finest accommodations. Spectacular grounds overlooking 300 feet of lakefront are the perfect backdrop for 15 rooms, suites, and guest houses. Brides have discovered the setting, too; so Casey, as full-service wedding planner and caterer, hosted 63 weddings on the property in 2012.

The main house at Inn on Lake Granbury

That’s an indication of how successful the Inn has become—with a lot of hard work from the owners. Living in California when 9/11 occurred, Casey and her husband Jim Leitch were ready for a career change that involved less travel and more family. They looked at properties for two years before purchasing the house and moving to Granbury in June 2003 to start their bed and breakfast.

The Brazos Room at Inn on Lake Granbury

The couple completely gutted the house and rebuilt it inside and out. They replaced the pool and added more decking. The main house was decorated in an old-world style that’s elegant without being fussy. Newer loft accommodations are more contemporary and decorated with art work from a local, nationally-known artist. The glass-walled Lake House enjoys unobstructed views of the lake. Under their guidance, this renovation process earned the property acclaim as a Distinguished Inn of North America by the Select Registry.

All rooms have flat-screen TVs with cable, DVD players, and iPod/ iPhone docking stations. Wi-fi is available through the Inn. Some rooms have fireplaces and others have balconies or porches. The bathroom in the Brazos rooms where we're staying has a steam shower, which we try out one night. Across the hall is John St. Helen room, the name John Wilkes Boothe, assassinator of President Lincoln, took when he spent time in Granbury.

View of Lake Granbury from the Inn's backyard

Groups using the conference facility have the opportunity for fresh air experiences when strolling paths along the Inn’s gardens and lakefront. One evening, hubby and I sit in the lake-facing tree swing, watching motor boats and kayakers go by. Sam, the resident cat, hops up and makes himself comfortable in Larry’s lap.

Late afternoon drinks and appetizers are provided each day in the main building for overnight guests, and a continental breakfast of pastries and juice is laid out each morning—teasers for the full breakfast served around 9:00 a.m.


Loft rooms are more
contemporary

The Inn at Lake Granbury, which was not affected by the recent tornado, is located just a short walk from the Granbury Square and historic district. We stayed at the Inn while attending the annual Wine Walk festival in April. Numerous special events are held throughout the year. Check the web site www.granburytx.com for specific information and dates to plan ning your visit.

Or just come whenver you feel the need for a getaway. Located 40 minutes from Fort Worth and less than three hours from Austin, Granbury is a fun and friendly town. It's rich in frontier folklore and Texas history and has a good variety of shopping and dining options. Park your car at the Inn and walk to most notable sites.

Many buildings in Granbury's
square have historical
significance and plaques.

Take time to relax by the pool or lake when you stay at the Inn on Lake Grabury. But bring a hearty appetite--in this B and B, the bed is perfectly comfortable, but the breakfast simply excels.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

Summer festivals at Winter Park--Colorado's favorite playground

Colorful flowers bloom in
pring and summer
Photo: winterparkladgingcompany.com

It’s no secret that folks leave Texas (and other states) during the hot summer months, and many of them head for Colorado. Attractions include beautiful scenery, cool temperatures, nature activities—and tons of festivals.

From music to marathons, the Winter Park-Fraser Valley region, 65 miles west of Denver, has scheduled fun festivals to suit a variety of interests, but there’s much more to keep you occupied when the festival isn’t in session. For starters, make good use of 600 miles of mountain bike trails. There’s a reason the region is called “Mountain Bike Capital U.S.A. Drive through or take a hike in the breathtaking Colorado Rockies. Or tackle fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, golfing, and a host of other activities.

Hiking can be a family activity.
Photo: Bing.com

To help plan your vacation, here are 2013 dates and a recap of seven signature summer events. Any of these would provide an excellent reason for a trip to Winter Park.

June 27-30: Blues from the Top, presented by the Grand County Blues Society (Hideaway Park, Winter Park)

This funk fest was voted “Best Blues Festival” by Colorado Blues Society Members. Featured acts include Mud Morganfield, Sena Ehrhardt, Kara Grainger, Austin Young and Southern Hospitality, just to name a few.

July 6: Run for Independence
This annual five-mile fun run/walk event traces the Fraser River Trail from Winter Park Resort to Fraser. The event is for all ages and abilities and benefits the Scott Hughes Foundation and Children’s Hospital. Participants celebrate at the finish line with a number of fun-filled activities and awards.

July 6-August 10: High Country Stampede Rodeo
Now in its 30^th year, this rodeo features more than 2,000 cowboys and cowgirls, competing in traditional rodeo events like calf roping, bareback riding and barrel racing.

July 13: Winter Park SolShine
This free festival features national, regional and local live music. Merchandise and food vendors will be on hand, and there is a beer garden to add to the festive environment.

July 20-21: Winter Park Jazz Festival

Jazz Festival attracts visitors.
Photo: Ore Communications

Colorado’s biggest summer music festival is celebrating its 31^st season. The lineup this year includes some of the jazz world’s biggest stars. Book tickets – and lodging – early; this show sells out every year.

Aug. 3: Winter Park Music Festival
Continuing Winter Park’s strong tradition of free music festivals, the Winter Park Music Festival also offers VIP tickets for those who prefer a little pampering. Past line-ups have included acts like Night Ranger, Pat Travers, Lewis and Floorwax and Groove Hawgs.

View beautiful scenery around Winter Park/Fraser.
Photo: virtualcities.com

Aug. 10: Winter Park Beer Festival
This beer sampling event features 25 craft breweries and live music. Merchandise and food vendors will also be around during the festival.

For more information check out Winter Park’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/playwinterpark, or check the website for Winter Park-Fraser Chamber (www.PlayWinterPark.com)

Information courtesy of Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Diane Ehlert, Winter Park-Fraser Chamber, dehlert@playwinterpark.com

 

Step into history at Gristmill Restaurant in Gruene, Texas

I’m sitting in the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar in the Gruene Historic District enjoying skewered bacon-wrapped shrimp layered on a green salad. Larry and I have been visiting sites around New Braunfels (Gruene is officially part of New Braunfels) that families might enjoy on vacation this summer, and this was the perfect place to reflect on our findings over lunch.

Remnant of burned wall on Gristmill Restaurant

It’s hard to beat the Gristmill for delicious food, great views, and a friendly, casual ambience. Built from the remaining structure of a water-powered cotton gin that burned to the ground in 1922, the Gristmill has grown and expanded into a multi-level facility that can seat 950 people. Some days, especially on weekends, the tables are full. Indoor and outdoor bars provide relaxing places to wait, if necessary.

 In 1977 Pat Molak, who had also purchased and restored the aging Gruene Hall, began cooking and serving hamburgers and steaks from one corner of the former cotton gin. It was so successful that he added sprawling lower decks facing the Guadalupe River. Eventually the Turkey and Boar rooms, aptly named for the stuffed animals used as décor, were added and outfitted with stone fireplaces. The River Grove, an open air, brick patio overlooking the river, was added in 1998.

The Boar Room is great for special events.

Located just 30 minutes from San Antonio by car and 45 minutes from Austin, the Gristmill was placed on the National Register ofHistoric Places in 1975. With its scenic location on a bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River, the restaurant is a destination for thousands of visitors (locals love it, too) each year. The menu still features Texas fare including chicken fried steak (Larry’s choice), fresh fish, and enormous sandwiches.

Be sure to get an order of the thick, chunky onion rings (small size is plenty!) If you save room for dessert, the Jack Daniel’s Pecan Pie is a customer favorite. Hang around after dining to shop antique or specialty stores that line the streets of this historic German settlement, or listen to live music in Gruene Hall next door. Families and couples enjoy strolling around the town that time forgot. For me, the Gristmill has certainly contributed to Gruene’s reputation as a major tourist attraction in Texas.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

Eeyore's birthday party--helping keep Austin weird for 50 years

If you’re anywhere near Austin, Texas on Saturday, April 27, 2013 come to Pease Park in central Austin and celebrate Eeyore’s 50th AnnualBirthday Party. It’s a free and noncommercial event and open to everyone, according to organizer Scott Sexton, president of the Forest Foundation that puts on the party.

This legendary spring jubilee honoring Eeyore, Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh’s sad but sweet donkey friend, is one of the events that prompted Austin City Council to formally adopt “Keep Austin Weird” as the city slogan.

Begun in 1963 by several University of Texas students (no surprise!), this unique celebration flourished during the 1960s and 1970s, when the drinking age in Texas was temporarily lowered to 18.  The funky affair—outlandish costumes encouraged--has survived as one of Austin’s first signs of spring by retaining its original hippie flavor.

Today it has evolved into a fun family event that provides a venue for non-profit groups to raise funds by selling drinks and food, including vegetarian items. There is no paid staff; everyone working there is a volunteer. The party starts at 11 a.m. and continues till dark.

Old-fashioned maypole dancing is still a prime attraction with costume contests, live entertainment, face painting, and, of course, birthday cake to make it a fun occasion for both adults and children.  The special children’s area is open from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. Live music starts at noon and continues till 6 p.m.

Costumed partiers show off jump rope skills.

Oh, and bring the dog; there is plenty of romping room in Pease Park. If you like entertainment that is a little weird, you’re an Austinite at heart, and you’ll love this bohemian celebration. “It’s fulfilling to know we’re doing something that helps retain the spirit of Austin, Sexton says. The park is a smoke-free environment.

Rather than trying to drive to Pease Park, located at 1100 Kingsbury St., get there by riding a bicycle, walking, or taking a bus. Shuttles are provided all day from free parking areas, so check the website for location and schedule information. www.eeyores.org

 

Photos courtesy of Bing.com

Bells and music commemorate Notre Dame Cathedral's 850 years

Nine new bells top the list of major projects as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris celebrates its 850^th anniversary through December 11, 2013. Many commemorative activities are planned throughout the year including World Organ Day on May 6, which promises to be the most outstanding international music event this spring.

Many people visit Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris every day.

Consecrated in 1163, Notre Dame is the center of Catholicism in France and a recognized symbol of the faith for Catholics throughout the world. The Cathedral is visited by more than 14 million tourists per year, and admission is still free.

About the bells: Eight bells will replace those installed in 1856 after the original bells were destroyed during the French Revolution. One bell, called Emanuel, survived that war, and the new bells, which no longer live up to the Cathedral’s reputation, will emulate the sound of this 17^th century bell. A ninth bell in the south tower will be a back-up for Emanuel in order to preserve this beautiful bell for future generations.

About the organ: Sacred music has been integral to the cathedral since its construction, and the organ has been there since the beginning. Built on the gallery in 1401 the Great Organ has become, after many restorations and reconstructions, one of the most famous organs in the world. During this year of celebration, the Great Organ will be renovated and its 12,000 pipes, some from medieval times, cleaned.

The magnificent cathedral will get upgrades during 2013.

About the music: The organ’s glorious sound will be a focus of World Organ Day on Monday, May 6, 2013 when 850 organ concerts will be presented in places of worship and concert halls on five continents. Due to time differences in locations as diverse as Mexico, Nigeria, Australia, China, Russia, and the U.S., the worldwide concerts will stretch over more than 24 hours. Each concert will include at least one piece of organ music representing the heritage of Notre Dame in Paris. See at list of concert locations here.

Additional projects: Thanks to almost $8.5 million in donations other notable improvements include upgrades to the interior lighting system for the main Cathedral and the Treasury of the Cathedral, creation of a Jubilee Trail on the square in front of Notre Dame, publication of an in-depth book on the history of the Cathedral, and composition of new musical works. People from around the world are encouraged to make pilgrimages to the Cathedral in Paris and record these visits with the Archbishop of Paris.

Photos by Larry Burmeier

Read more travel stories from Beverly at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel.

 

 

No admission fees during National Park Week

Glacier National Park

What better time to show your love and appreciation for America’s national parks than during National Park Week, April 20-28, 2013. Admission is free Monday through Friday of that week to all of our nation’s 401 national parks.

Yellowstone National Park

The National Park Service and the National ParkFoundation, official charity of American’s national parks, invite you to discover history, explore nature, and just have fun. Since there’s a national park in every state—and every American is less than 100 miles from a national park-- there’s no reason not to visit for a day or more during this special week.

Take your pick from a variety of seashores, battlefields, historic homes, archeological sites, or spectacular natural areas. Each of these destinations in some way helps celebrate our national heritage, and most have recreational facilities for visitors to use.

You can plan your visit by choosing a park near where you live or checking out special programs offered during the week at various parks. It’s a great time to get to know a national park you’ve never visited before or to explore new areas of a familiar park.



Great Smokey Mountain National Park

If you have children, a great time to schedule a park visit is Saturday, April 20, which is National Junior Ranger Day. Young visitors are encouraged to explore, learn, and protect park resources, and they can be sworn in as Junior Rangers. Many parks will welcome anyone willing to help with projects on April 27, Volunteer Day.

Grand Teton National Park

To whet your appetite for a park excursion, here are some statistics on what you can find in our national parks: 84 million acres of spectacular scenery, historic landmarks and cultural treasures; 17,000 miles of trails; 43,000 miles of shoreline; 27,000 historic and prehistoric structures; 100 million museum items; and 12,000 campsites. National parks belong to the public, so we should support and protect these resources—and you’ll get so much pleasure from exploring these amazing places.

Utah’s Fab Five

Arches National Park

 Here’s more inspiration: One of my favorite destinations is Southern Utah, an absolute wonderland of stunning mountain scenery, archeological formations, and cool rivers. Five of the country’s most outstanding parks are located in a relatively compact region, and you could visit all of them during April’s Fee Free Week. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck by taking a road trip or guided tour that encompasses several of these beautiful parks: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

 

The old-world glamour of Bellagio, Italy

Every time I look out of our hotel room at Bellagio, Italy I’m amazed at the beauty of the area. From our balcony we see a large expanse of blue lake, guarded by mountains across the water, and several small villages nestled along the shoreline.

View of lakes from Punta Spartivento

We walk uphill to Punta Spartivento, “point where wind divides,” as it marks the conjunction of three lakes—Lecco branch is southeast, Como branch is southwest, and Colico branch is straight ahead. This distinctive spot stands in my memory as a highlight of Bellagio because it affords exceptional views of Lake Como splitting and flowing in three directions.

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

To see how the super-rich spend their vacations, we walk to the entrance of Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, originally a private villa when it was built in 1852. Today the hotel is owned by the Rockefeller Foundation of New York.

Beach at the Grand Villa

In the upper part of town is the church square where we first parked, the Piazza San Giacomo. St. James Basilica is located there. Built at the end of the 11^th century, it was decreed a National Monument in 1904. A granite fountain in the middle of the square was created in 1897 to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign. The statue of Madonna on top was added in 1947. Streets are very narrow and lined with shops where tourist are filling up their bags.

St. James Basilica attracts tourists

Hungarian musician and composer Franz Liszt arrived in Bellagio in the summer of 1837 with his lover Madame d’Agoult. No one recognized him, and he appreciated the solitude—until a friend decided to sell one of Liszt’s compositions. After people realized he was here, his service improved noticeably. Liszt loved Lake Como and thought it a superb place for people in love.

Mark Twain came with friends in 1867. A page of his book Innocents Abroad describes the hotel we’re staying in. He tells of days wandering, admiring the Alps, and of evenings playing billards, dining, and smoking on the porch overlooking the lake.

Right beside Hotel Metropole, where we're staying, is the “borgo,” Bellagio’s historic center and one of the first areas in the town to be inhabited and developed. The Tourist Office in Piazza Mazzini is located here, so you can easily book excursions including boat rides on the lake. Many shops, cafes, and galleries also cater to visitors.

Gelateria in front of Hotel Metropole
in the "borgo," or historic center of Bellagio

It doesn’t take long to feel the romantic ambience and unique character of the town. The tempo of life is slower here. Tourists—even Americans—seem to stroll rather than power-walk. We don’t see anyone jogging on the streets.

Bellagio is a great place to relax and recharge, especially with a favorite person. After just one night there, the spirit of the town captures our imaginations. It’s one of those rare places I could return to in a heartbeat.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

Roatan's reef is a snorkeler's dream

Beautiful beach at Mahogany Bay, Roatan 

In recent years cruise ships in the Western Caribbean have begun docking at Roatan, an island about 30 miles off the northern coast of mainland Honduras. It may not have the exotic cache of Belize or Cozumel, but it’s every bit as fine a place to spend a day. Turquoise waters, emerald green hills, and sparkling white beaches provide plenty of natural attractions for today’s tourists.

During our mid-winter cruise from Galveston on the Crown Princess, we looked forward to sampling this new-to-us port. We chose to snorkel there and weren’t disappointed. Roatan is surrounded by a barrier reef that lies approximately 300 feet from the shoreline. More than 130 accessible dive sites make the island a diver’s or snorkeler’s paradise. An underwater museum of sunken treasures, shipwrecks, and Mayan artifacts offers additional spots to scout for fish.

Magic Flying Beach Chairs go to Mahogony Bay

Near the dock, the Magic Flying Beach Chair will take visitors on a cable car ride 1,200 feet above the canopy of trees to Mahogany Beach, a 10-acre private island featuring 825-foot long white-sand beach. We were scheduled on a Jolly Roger catamaran that was docked at Mahogany Bay, but since it was only a short distance from the ship, we chose to walk.

In many places the reef crest is very shallow, just a foot underwater, but our excursion went to deeper water which allowed for extended exploration around a variety of coral species. A school of small blue fish swam by as well as many individual fish. This was my first opportunity to try out a new waterproof camera case, and I was relieved that it worked very well. After snorkeling in the warm water (temperature varies from 78 to 84 degrees), lunch was served: roasted chicken, pasta, cabbage salad, rice—and rum punch, of course.

A world of underwater surprises

The largest of the Bay Islands, Roatan is 37 miles long and less than five miles wide at its broadest point. English is the main language, which is another selling point for visiting Roatan.

A colorful history full of pirates, Indians, English settlers, descendants of African slaves, and Spanish conquerors makes for a very diverse population. Treasure hunters still come looking for bounty stashed on the island by more than 5,000 pirates during the 16^th and 17^th centuries.  

Larry has this snorkeling thing down pat.

In 1797 the British defeated the Black Carib tribe for control of St Vincent Island and deported many of the native Indians to Roatan. That was the beginning of the island’s rich Garifuna heritage that descendents in tribal villages still maintain through native language, customs, and ancestral dances.

Modern seaside villages dot the shoreline. Tropical oak and evergreen palms grow in abundance, and you'll have many photography opportunities when scouting various indigenous flora and fauna along jungle trails in the 30 acres at Carambola Botanical Gardens. Mangrove forests protect the coastal areas and support diverse marine life.

Local vendors sell colorful handicrafts, and I couldn’t resist buying a beautiful ice bucket and trivet, both constructed of a dozen different kinds of wood found on the island. Useful items like these are the best remembrances of a fun trip.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel articles at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

 

Romantic mood a natural at Lake Como in Italy

Turquoise glacial lakes, snow-covered mountains, and green hillside pastures kept our eyes fixated on the landscape during the drive from Wadensvil, Switzerland to Bellagio on Lake Como, Italy. One stunning scene after another captured our fancy during the six-hour drive. Well, we took that long because there were so many pull-outs at which to stop and take pictures.

Clear, blue skies in late May were picture-perfect as we drove through the countryside and small, traditional villages. White cumulus clouds staked their places in the sky, rarely moving and hanging like suspended caps above the mountain peaks.

At a tiny bakery in one small town we stopped to inquire about 10-mile-long Gothard Tunnel. As the world's longest tunnel, it's a portion of the journey that’s best avoided, if possible. Luckily, Gothard Pass over the mountains was open, so we drove around the mountain at the tree line on a narrow, winding road. Patches of snow and ice, remnants from winter, melted into waterfalls and streams flowing from the mountain sides.

Around noon, we stopped at a roadside pull-out. Surprised to find a makeshift café there, we bought bratwurst and brown bread to eat for lunch. It was really yummy, or maybe it tasted especially good because of our view from an outdoor picnic table--a magnificent panorama of the valley, mountains, and winding roads below.

What a glorious sunny day we had for this drive—and we found ourselves enthralled by the gorgeous scenery--not to mention the skier coming off the mountain at the high point of Gothard Pass. Our drive continued through old Italian villages with streets barely wide enough for one vehicle let alone two (especially when the other was a tourist bus). Hubby narrowly avoided scraping paint off parked cars. At Mereggio we drove onto a ferry to cross Lake Como--and arrived at the village of Bellagio, "the pearl of Lake Como," our destination for the overnight visit.

Once in picturesque Bellagio, finding our hotel, was not an easy task because of narrow, one-way streets filled with pedestrians. Eventually, we parked on a skinny street in a shopping area near a church, Piazza San Giacomo, location of St. James Basilica. (We learned all this when walking around town later). Shops lined the square: gelateria, café and sports bar (where a monastery used to be, we also find out later), pizza shop, hotel, high-end clothing stores, and art galleries.

No, we didn’t see George Clooney. But we did find HotelMetropole, the oldest hotel in town, which overlooks the lake. Recently renovated (it’s non-smoking and even has a bathtub, but the elevator is a squeeze for three people), the charming pink building faces Prazza Mazzini, the market area by the water. This area, called “borgo,” is the town’s historic center and one of the first areas in Bellagio to be inhabited. It’s the area tourists visit most, with shops and galleries along the waterfront and for several blocks uphill.

Towards evening we walked up the hill and window-shopped, admiring silk scarves and ties, leather handbags, shoes, exquisite clothing, wine, and souvenirs. Shopping is serious business in Bellagio, as evidenced by the book in our hotel room dedicated to shopping venues and best-buys.

Our main purchase was a bottle of wine, and we enjoyed a sunset toast from our balcony overlooking the shimmering lake. If you're longing for a peaceful, romantic setting, Lake Como doesn't disappoint.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel stories by Beverly at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

 

Tulips star in Keukenhoff Gardens annual spring show

Keukenhoff Gardens in Holland has more varieties of tulips
 than you've ever imagined.

Incredible masses of pink, purple, red, orange, white, and multi-colored tulips swayed in the spring breeze as we walked paths around Holland’s Keukenhof Gardens. Flowers with petals large and small, smooth and ruffled provided an imspiring variety blooms—more than I could ever have imagined.

If you haven’t seen Keukenhof Gardens, you haven’t seen what The Netherlands is famous for. Gorgeous tulips in a canvas of colors, yellow and white daffodils, purple hyacinths and other spring bulbs stand out among massive pink azaleas. Multiple ponds, some with fountain spouts dancing skyward, are scattered throughout the grounds.

Currently owned and operated by a foundation, Keukenhof’s first open air flower exhibition was held in 1949. This expanded to an annual event that draws visitors from all over the world. The theme for 2013 is “United Kingdom—Land of Great Gardens,” which honors the abundant inspiration garnered from gardens in the UK. There’s a special exhibition on English gardens and a spectacular flower mosaic of Big Ben and Tower Bridge.

Flower parades

On Saturday April 20, 2013 hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the roadside for glimpses of the annual Flower Parade traveling along its 40-km route from Noordwijk to Haarlem. The procession will include 20 large floats and more than 30 decorated luxury cars, interspersed with plenty of music. Another parade (free of charge) with illuminated floats takes place in the evening on Friday, April 19 in Noordwijkerhout.

Spring spectacular

Located in Lisse, Keukenhof is the largest bulb garden in the world. You can bike from Amsterdam or The Hague, take a bus, or drive. Tours are also a popular option. Along the way, you’ll pass numerous fields filled with tulips—a lovely preview of the bright floral displays awaiting visitors to Keukenhof Gardens.

The renowned annual tulip festival runs from late March through early May with the best time to see everything in full bloom in late April. Of course, this is also prime tourist time, so expect the park to be extremely busy the last two weekends of April.

Even though we visited the first week of May, near the end of tulip season, it seemed like none of the seven million hand-planted bulbs was missing.  You can get a guide book or take a tour of the park aided by a rented headset with information on each of the gardens, but we decided to wing it and wander leisurely through the sumptuous scenes. This worked well because we stopped so often to photograph large landscaped beds and striking individual flowers.

Plan at least three hours to five hours to make your way around as much of the 10.5 miles of footpaths as possible. You can bring a picnic lunch (Larry and I ate cheese, bread, and fruit that we brought along) or purchase food from restaurants and snack vendors.

In addition to over 100 varieties of tulips, the park features 2,500 trees of 87 varieties and the largest sculpture garden in The Netherlands. Featured sights are the mosaic gardens, Japanese garden and inspiration garden as well as daffodil and hyacinth bulbs in planters. Take time to stop and watch swans swimming in the lake and costumed dancers performing traditional jigs.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

Tips to avoid back pain when traveling

Today’s guest post is by Dr. Jay Lipoff, CFT, (www.backatyourbest.com) a private practice chiropractor and certified fitness trainer.

Traveling can be bad for your back and neck health -- but it doesn't have to be. Back pain is not trivial. It is the most common type of pain Americans experience, according to the National Institute of Health Statistics survey. It is also the leading cause of disability in Americans under 45 years old. Unfortunately, some of the best opportunities to hurt your back and neck actually happen on vacation -- while you're in the car, on the plane, or sleeping on a bad hotel bed.

Here are tips to keep your spine healthy when traveling by car.

Sit right.

Adjusting your car seat helps you avoid stiffness, strains, and soreness after a long drive. Put your seat back in the upright position (not at 90 degrees but more like 105 degrees), not leaning back so you look out the backseat window. Move the whole seat forward and tilt it so your feet are flat on the floor and knees are elevated slightly higher than your hips.

Look in the mirror.

A great way to make sure you are sitting upright and not slouching is to adjust the rearview mirror in the morning. When we wake up, we are at our tallest because our spine is fully hydrated. We also aren't pooped from work and hunched forward. Then don't touch the mirror again. Adjust your posture to meet the mirror -- not the other way around.

Protect your neck.

The American Chiropractic Association estimated that more than 75 percent of drivers have their headrest at an inappropriate height. Reduce your chances of whiplash by raising the headrest so the middle of it meets the back of your head.

Grab the wheel.

Most of us are taught to drive with our hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock position. That's correct, as long as you drop your elbows so your arms and shoulders can relax. Alternatively, lower your steering wheel, grab the wheel at the 8 and 4 o'clock position, and use the armrest, if you have one, or rest your arms on your legs.

Stretch your neck.

At stoplights or rest stops, do neck exercises. Do side-to-side head turns, and gently tip your ear to the shoulder of the same side, then repeat on the other side.

Start out slowly.

When our backs are idle for 20 minutes or so, fluids creep back into the disc. As fluids enlarge the disc, it becomes more vulnerable. So when you arrive at your destination after a long drive, don't jump out of the car and go to pick up the grandkids. Take a few minutes to just do some gentle stretches, maybe at the gas station before you arrive, and reduce the fluid buildup in your disc area and warm up your muscles.

 

Photo courtesy of www.visualphotos.com

 

 

Austin is a top shopping spot

Who would have thought? Austin, known for its plethora of live music, ranks 42nd among international fashion cities for shopping experiences, according to Global Language Monitor, a media analytics company that tracks cultural trends. Recognition of Austin’s South Congress Avenue and Second Street shopping districts as among the world’s best is another reason for visitors to love our city.
Here are some favorite shopping destinations for locals as well as visitors.



Find vintage and contemporary items
in SoCo shops.

SoCo

While Austin offers plenty of upper class shopping venues, some featuring local jewelry and clothing designers with national reputations, one of the most fun hangouts for the hip crowd is South Congress, affectionately called SoCo by those who frequent the strip between the 1100 and 1700 blocks. 

Street view of South Congress shops

This colorful stretch of Congress Avenue is lined with funky storefronts featuring unique and slightly kooky items, plus vintage shops where today’s young adults recreate fashion styles of previous generations.  Need a portrait of Geronimo, cowboy boots (try Allen’s Boots), or a “Keep Austin Weird” T-shirt?  Head south.  It’s a great nostalgia trip for any age—and you might find a special piece of jewelry, shawl, or handbag just like grandma owned.



Funky side of the Drag,
near UT campus

The Drag

Walk along The Drag, otherwise known as Guadalupe Street, to glimpse wacky characters for which Austin is known (The city motto is “Keep Austin Weird”).  The closest shopping strip to The University of Texas, it offers both hip and chic styles, including second-hand shops that are popular with students and other bargain-seekers.

Serious shopping

Austin has fine malls, many built in the
outdoor village concept

Go upscale at TheArboretum, a huge complex of shops and businesses in an outdoor park-like atmosphere.  Other renown shopping malls that have embraced the outdoor concept—possible because of Austin’s moderate climate and 300 days of sunshine a year--include The Domain in the northern district and Hill Country Galleria to the west in neighboring Bee Cave.  Nirvana for serious shoppers is the huge conglomerate of outlet malls in San Marcos, about 35 miles east and approximately halfway between Austin and San Antonio.

Specialty shopping

Foodies have plenty of options, too.

Health-conscious Austin boasts huge retailers of organic foods and all things natural—including bottled rainwater for drinking.  Need a specialty recipe ingredient?  WholeFoods Market or Central Market will surely have it.  Head to Run-Tex for athletic shoes and biker spandex.  Austin offers plenty of shops with knowledgeable staff and great selections of any outdoor activity or sports equipment. 

Independently owned BookPeople and Waterloo Records have loyal followings and attract national names for signings and programs. Wild about Music is a Sixth Street art and gift gallery dedicated entirely to music.  

 

Photos contributed by Beverly  Burmeier, www.videocityguide.com/Austin, www.southwestflair.com, www.allposters.com, and www.jwproperties.net