Category: North America

PhotoPOSTcard: You’re Pulling My Ear

This post was recognized by the North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) in the 2019 awards competition with a Silver award in the Sports, Recreation and Adventure – Online category

Leroy Shangin attempts to win in the finals of the Ear Pull event at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) in Fairbanks, Alaska. As with all the games at WEIO, this event is rooted in traditional games that tested and prepared the indigenous people for survival in the cold and harsh climate of the region. The Ear Pull tests a contestant’s ability to withstand pain, especially in the extremities due to possible frostbite. The event is played with two opponents looping a length of sinew around their ears and pulling as hard as they can until one of them gives up.  A match is best two out of three.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

“Under the Midnight Sun” – Original Quilt Design

Many of the quilt designs that I make are inspired by my travel destinations. In this case, the quilt came first, but I really was not sure what to do with it. Then, when I had plans to go to Fairbanks, Alaska, for the midnight sun season, I knew this was the perfect quilt to take along. Continue reading ““Under the Midnight Sun” – Original Quilt Design”

Fun Under the Midnight Sun – Experience 25 Summer Fairbanks Activities to Inspire Your Next Alaska Itinerary

Explore all the many Fairbanks activities on your next midnight sun adventure in Alaska.

You could say that Fairbanks, Alaska, is a location of extremes. Winters may be cold and dark, but it is exactly those conditions that lead to perfect northern lights viewing. Summers are just the opposite – they are not cold or dark – in fact, I think they are nearly perfect. With average temperatures in the low 70s and low humidity, it is my ideal climate. Good thing that there are two months of constant daylight because it gave me plenty of time to experience the long list of Fairbanks activities under the midnight sun.

Continue reading “Fun Under the Midnight Sun – Experience 25 Summer Fairbanks Activities to Inspire Your Next Alaska Itinerary”

PhotoPOSTcard: Pretty in Pink

During my stay in central Alaska this summer, I saw fireweed blooming everywhere. It is a colorful pink perennial which easily grows in sunny spots along the roads and the shores of lakes and rivers. It is one of the first species to come up after a fire, which is how it got its name. Supposedly it is also a harbinger of winter. I was told that the flower blooms from the bottom up and when the blooms at the top are done, winter will arrive in six weeks. I clearly caught it in mid bloom and mid summer.

Please note that my visit to Fairbanks was hosted by Explore Fairbanks. All content is my own.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

PhotoPOSTcard: Midnight in Fairbanks, Alaska

This is what midnight looks like in the land of the midnight sun in Fairbanks, Alaska in mid July. I went to the Chena Lakes Recreation Area to get an unobstructed view of the setting sun over water. The sun did dip below the horizon, but just barely, so that it was this bright all night long.

Please note that my visit to Fairbanks was hosted by Explore Fairbanks. All content is my own.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

There’s a Little Bit of Paradise in the Garden of the Gods Illinois

The Garden of the Gods Illinois and Shawnee National Forest provides outdoor recreation, interesting history and beautiful scenery, all of which is within an easy 6 hour drive from 30 cities and towns in the Midwest. After road tripping through the Midwest, I am sharing my list of things to do in Garden of the Gods, Illinois.

Despite having lived in Chicago for many years, it is only as a recent visitor back to the state that I discovered the wooded beauty of the Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods Illinois. Who knew there was so much scenic wilderness in a state known for growing corn?

Continue reading “There’s a Little Bit of Paradise in the Garden of the Gods Illinois”

“Step Into My Garden” – A Perfectly Imperfect Watercolor Quilt Design

This was one of the first quilts I started, and many years later, once the kids were off to college and I had more time, it was also one of the first quilts I finally finished. It also taught me that there can still be beauty in imperfection, even if the mistake is huge.

Continue reading ““Step Into My Garden” – A Perfectly Imperfect Watercolor Quilt Design”

Spring in the Brandywine Valley – My Travel World International Magazine Article

How to experience spring in the Brandywine Valley gardens.

I absolutely love spring in the Brandywine Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware. At this time of year I don’t need to travel because I am surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Starting in March and continuing nonstop through May, the gardens that were formerly part of DuPont family estates glow in a riot of vibrant colors as a succession of blooms brighten the landscape and my spirits with them.

You can read my article about spring in the historic Brandywine Valley in the most recent issue of Travel World International magazine.

You can see more spring garden photos in my post Tip Toe through the Tulips-A Colorful Collection of Spring Garden Photos at Longwood Gardens.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

Quilting with Flowers – Discovering the Colorful Quilt Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana

Discover the Quilt Gardens in the heart of Amish country in Elkhart county Indiana as you follow the Heritage Trail to see gardens designed like quilt blocks.

I’ve seen quilts displayed on beds and hanging on museum walls. I’ve also seen quilt designs painted on barns and on the sides of buildings. But one of the most unusual quilt displays I’ve seen has to be the Quilt Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana. More than one million blooms make up seventeen large quilt designs that are on display each year from May 30 to Sept. 15.

Continue reading “Quilting with Flowers – Discovering the Colorful Quilt Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana”