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Carhenge

 

CAR HENGE, NB:

Route 87, Alliance, NE 69301

+1 308-762-3876

Carhenge, seems to be in the middle of no where in Alliance, Nebraska. It was built during the 1980’s utilizing vintage cars, which are all painted gray to look “stone like”.  Each car is placed in a manner that it replicates Stonehenge, consisting of the circle of cars, 3 standing trilithons within the circle, the heel stone, slaughter stone, and 2 station stones. It also includes a “Car Art Preserve” with sculptures made from a variety of cars and car parts. There is a small store and museum of sorts on the property to purchase some amazing photos, magnets and other memorabilia.

Things to know:

  1. No fee for entry, though donations are appreciated
  2. Easy access for most strollers and wheelchairs, though not paved in most parts.
  3. Although parking lot is fairly small, it does have spots designated for RV’s
  4. Pack a picnic lunch and drinks as there is limited access to stores or places to eat in the area.
  5. Visiting could take as little as 10 minutes or all day if you want to sit and picnic on the property
  6. Port a Potty was available when we visited.
  7. Property is Open year round. Store is open during  Summer and Early Fall.

 

Website for more information and amazing video from the 2017 Solar Eclipse
http://carhenge.com/

 

 

 

 

Blog

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls did not disappoint us…

 

Our relaunch out on to the road (details in another post), brought us to one of the most powerful and beautiful water falls poised between two countries.  Frank and I have both visited Niagara Falls as teens, but we had no recollection of the sheer power and majesty that fell before our eyes as adults. Continue reading Niagara Falls →

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Bakerwoods Farm

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Bakerwoods is a wonderful smaller sized working family farm with a plethora of animals on site.  You might see free range fowl, goats, sheep, cows, horses, rabbits, turtles, llamas, and four dogs. Located in North Eastern Connecticut’s “Quiet corner”, it is a peaceful location nestled in the trees complete with a small lake and marsh area.

Down by the lake is a great place for a tea party on the gazebo (please call ahead to schedule).Children enjoy the I-Spy Gnome trail, which winds through the woods around the lake. For adults there is the Ancient Path Trail for quiet walks or bring the children (our children enjoy them both), but the Gnome trail is much more fun! There is a food wagon on site with family friendly pricing, and very good food.  You can enjoy locally produced Hosmer Mountain soda with your meal. Fishing is allowed, catch and release only.  They often host fishing contests and small concerts on premises.

You can enjoy  feeding  the animals, so bring some quarters to make your children even happier. We have visited Baker’s Woods numerous times, it is a great place to unwind and enjoy your family! A great place to visit in any season, so if you are in the area be sure to drop in and say hello to Nancy and Al, the owners and workers of Baker’s Woods Farm.

Things to know

  1. No entry fee required donations accepted
  2. No RV’s on main driveway (contact for small RV use and only use rear entrance)
  3. Dirt roads some rough patches
  4. Free range fowl
  5. Working Farm

Baker’s Woods

Address:  513 Bebbington Rd, Ashford, CT 06278

Phone:  (860) 336-9542

 

Link:  http://visitbakerwoodsfarm.com/

Season/Hours: Open April 15th through October 15th

Wed-Sat 10:00-6:00 Sun 12:00-6:00

 

Blog

G.A.I.N.-Global Aid International Network

 

Being blessed to personally know a missionary family who have devoted their lives to serve at G.A.i.N., we were offered a private tour of the facilities.   The impression this organization left on our hearts was HUGE, inspiring us to return to rural Pennsylvania to serve at one of their week-long packing events.   The simplicity of what they do in the day to day operations of the ministry is what stuck my heart strings the most.   The building is simple, rather large and seems to run like a well oiled machine.  Continue reading G.A.I.N.-Global Aid International Network →

Blog

Ringing Rocks

RINGING ROCKS:

Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972

215-757-0571 (phone only goes to voice mail)

Ringing Rocks In Upper Black Eddy, PA  is  a magical place and totally worth the trip.  It is free entry and parking!This is a county park that has an interesting huge boulder field you can climb on, and many of the boulders have a unique property that they produce a ringing tone when struck with a hammer or another rock. This is a unique experience and is best for  kids from ages 5 and up.  The majority of the rocks ring when struck, but not every rock rings.  It is  an experience you can’t get just anywhere.  About 10 minutes from the boulder field there is a small waterfall.
Getting to the park is on small and curvy country roads.  We did bring our 29 foot Motor Home with our tow car.  However, we wouldn’t recommend trying to get a rig much bigger then this into this parking lot.  The parking lot is a wooded lot with several “spots” to back into.  Each spot has a picnic table and a few have bq grills.   On a crowded day, parking is available along the roads prior to the entrance of the lot.  There is a port a potty located in the parking lot, however it is not cleaned often.   There isn’t much upkeep in the parking area or facilities.

It is a short, easy 5 minute walk to the field of boulders from the lot.  We brought a small hammer and it worked like magic when hitting the rocks. It’s like playing a xylophone with a hammer.  Our only regret is not bringing a hammer for each person.   Definitely spend the money on some cheap hammers before setting out on this adventure.   This is the kind of park that brings the kid out in all of us.

There is no admission charge to enter the park.

Things to know:

  1. Shoes with good tread, such as sneakers or hiking boots (no flip flops, heels, or crocs)
  2. Bring a bottle of water
  3. Bring a hammer for each member in your group (for tapping the rocks)
  4. Strollers or wheelchairs could get to the edge of the field with mild difficulty. However, the ability to traverse rocks with hands and feet once in the field is necessary.
    5. Be careful using items such as your phone or valuables as they can easily be lost in the boulder field.
  5. Use restroom prior to arrival
  6. Parking can be tight

 

 

Traveling University

Peaceful, Powerful, Phenomenal Padre Island

When full time RV’ing  was just growing in my heart, my family was very resistant to the idea.  The thought of giving up our meager 1300 square foot home to even smaller 180 square feet, seemed to be too much to ask.  I, however,  browsed hundreds of blogs and fb groups on a daily basis, which continued to stoke the fire in my heart.

One day I came across a post about Padre Island National Seashore.  I hadn’t even heard of this island on the coast of Texas before.  As I was longingly looking at the pictures, my husband looked over my shoulder.  I said “Hey, if we go full time in an RV, we can camp right on the beach at places like this!” Continue reading Peaceful, Powerful, Phenomenal Padre Island →

Blog

Solomon’s Castle

As you leave the hustle and bustle of the Gulf shore busyness, you find yourself driving into an empty landscape.  There a few ranches and fields full of cattle and horses, but not much else.  The destination is so isolated, you start to question your decision to find it.  There is no cell service the closer you get to the area.  Thankfully the GPS seems to continue to work to help you find this amazing destination.  You will pass through iron gates to a small parking lot.  There is room for some small RV’s in the parking lot during off season, however we don’t recommend it.

Inside the gate, stands a giant silver castle with ornate stained glass windows on every wall.  The entire structure was built on the artistic whim of a man with a vision and all recycled materials or trash. To the side of the castle is a natural made partial moat, in which the artist chose to build a ship. The restaurant in the Boat in the Moat and on the lovely terrace under the trees offered a variety of  food options. Inside the castle, visitors can take a guided tour of the great halls and the artist’s personal home space.  Each incredible piece of art was constructed out of trash and recyclable material.    It is an amazing piece of architecture and artistic genius.   When we visited the Castle, Howard was still alive and we had the opportunity to speak to him briefly.   He started demonstrating prodigy type art pieces at age 4.  His first carving is on display in his home.

 

We highly recommend spending the day, taking the inside tour, walking along the hiking trails and enjoying lunch on the Boat on the Moat on the terrace.  If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy the castle grounds at your leisure the best time to go is between October to December  OR  April to June.    During snowbird season, it gets really busy and is less enjoyable.

Solomon’s Castle
4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865

http://solomonscastle.com

Hours of Operation:

Tues – Friday 10 am to 3 pm

Sat – Sunday  11 am to 4 pm

Closed Mondays and Months of August/September

Adults $12.50, Children under 12 $5.00

 

 

Traveling University

The Friendship Oak

FRIENDSHIP OAK TREE, THE

The University of Southern Mississippi – Gulf Coast Campus

730 East Beach Blvd

Long Beach, MS 39560

Phone: (228) 865-4500

 

https://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/friendship-oak

“I am called the Friendship Oak. Those who enter my shadow will remain friends through all their lifetime.”

Standing on the along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico is a symbol of strength and resilience.  It is called the FRIENDSHIP OAK and is more then 500 years old.  The massive tree is said to date back to at least 1487.   The tree finds its home on the campus of Southern Mississippi University in Long Beach.   The tree has survived several hurricanes in recent years, including Hurricane Katrina.   Her website says the following:

If asked about her length of stay on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, she might reply, “I was a sapling when Christopher Columbus sailed the Caribbean and I had begun to bear acorns when Ponce de Leon reached Florida in his quest for the Fountain of Youth. In 1587, the year Virginia Dare, the first Anglo-American child born at Roanoke Island, appeared, I had turned a hundred years old…”

 

While caravanning with our good friends to Florida, we stopped to view this magnificent sight.  The sign of friendship placed in front of the tree made us stop to reflect over our friendship.  Our stop seemed to be on an school holiday, so our access to parking right in front of the tree was very easy that day.  However, on busier days, one could pull off into any of the beach parking lots or spots around the route and make a short walk to the campus.

 

Things to Know:

  1. Free
  2. Fairly easy parking for cars and RV’s depending on the day
  3. Directly across from the beautiful Mississippi Beach front
  4. Climbing in not allowed on the tree
  5. Bring a friend to cement your life long friendship in the shadow of the tree.

 

Join us on our journey of family, faith and freedom as we travel the USA