Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.
The park is best seen on the water! A limited number of free, ranger-guided canoe tours are available each year. Park rangers provide a limited number of free guided canoe tours along Cedar Creek throughout the year.
Paddlers experience this unique old-growth bottomland forest while paddling through large bald cypress and water tupelo trees draped with Spanish Moss. You will be surrounded with the sounds of songbirds, owls, and woodpeckers as you paddle through Congaree's Wilderness. White-tailed deer, otters, and raccoons may also be spotted along the banks of Cedar Creek.
The park provides canoes, life jackets and paddles for up to 16 participants per tour. Be sure to bring snacks, water, insect repellent, a change of clothes, and wear shoes that attach to your feet (no flip-flops). Children must be at least 5 years old to attend. All participants must be able to paddle and swim.
Stroll around the 2.4 mile Boardwalk and become familiar with some of the amazing adaptations that allow plants and animals to survive here.
Big Tree Hike
Join a ranger on this six mile off trail hike to some of the largest trees at Congaree. Look forward to scoring a few to see if they're champions.
Congaree National Park hosts the Old-Growth Bottomland Forest Research and Education Center. Research Learning Centers function as scientific laboratories and research libraries that enhance learning opportunities within our National Parks.
Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
This month the little tree is all dress up for Love to wish everyone Happy Valentine's Day. Hearts and Cupids abound.
Did You know Valentine's Day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers.
The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orléans to his wife, which commences:
Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée...
At the time, the duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415.
The earliest surviving valentines in English appear to be those in the Paston Letters, written in 1477 by Margery Brewes to her future husband John Paston "my right well-beloved Valentine".
Make sure you stop by the the blog frequently as we will feature the tree every month. Better yet, stop by Rawhide Travel and Tours' office at 6008 West Bell Road and visit our tree in person and make sure you say hi to Ron, Diana and Bonnie. You will be more than welcome.
Now an update on Ron's last weekend's Run:
"Hi again everyone......well, for those of you who came out and supported me last Sunday
February 03 here in Arizona for my 10k (6.2 miles) run, can't thank you enough. I ran
the entire course in 66:24 which averages out to my normal "10 minute mile" pace. And,
not to brag (oh why not), but I was awarded my SECOND MEDAL! Eeeeha. Anyway,
here are some shots taken at the event (photos by Mary Barkley) I thought you might
enjoy. Until next time, remember......never jaywalk in Venice! Har har. Ciao.....
Runner Ron"
Congratulations Ron!!
Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
It isn't surprising that Orlando is the #1 US destination for "family spring break". If you're planning your spring break in Orlando, you may find it difficult to decide which of the many attractions you want to visit.
Of course, there is Walt Disney World, a "world" the size of Boston, with four theme parks, two water parks, Downtown Disney entertainment zone, and twenty-two themed resorts. And then there is Universal Orlando which has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one of its two theme parks, plus three nearby resorts and the CityWalk entertainment zone. But there's also SeaWorld and Discovery Cove and Aquatica Water Park, and a chance to see performances by Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group.
In addition to all the usual top things to do in Orlando, the spring break weeks bring some extras.
At Disney World, the Epcot theme park has its annual Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, with many amusing topiary figures of Disney characters, programs for grown-up and kid gardeners, and free outdoor Flower Power concerts. The Festival has a long run, from mid-March through May.
Over at Universal Orlando, the Universal Studios theme park has multiple Mardi Gras nights, with big parade, street performers, Cajun cuisine, free concerts, and New Orleans bands in the French Quarter. Expect party-ers, but plenty of families in attendance too.
Both these events are free with regular ticket purchase, and both offer a great chance to live performances, sometimes by well-known bands. Typically the Flower Power concerts at Epcot highlight top acts of the Sixties and Seventies, such as Paul Revere and the Raiders, Herman's Hermits, Jose Feliciano... Meanwhile, Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando has name acts too, from Aretha Franklin and Chicago to 3 Doors Down.
Looking for a place that will make spring break special this year? Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
Many resorts and travel destinations can give you the feeling of isolation. However for some adventurers, the adrenaline rush/deep relaxation/sense of freedom or whatever it is they are looking for only sets in when they really worked to get to their vacation destination. There are some very remote destinations in the world that provides for great adventures.
While this remote island is just 2 miles off of South Carolina, it only fair to show that the U.S has its own spots unaffected by modern life. Known for its 110 foot tall and 5 foot thick lighthouse, the island has served as a trusty sentinel since 1817. It is only accessible by private boat or ferry and once on the island the main forms of transportation or golf carts and bicycles. Located at the mouth of Cape Fear River that leads right into the Atlantic Ocean, the island was once a hot spot of exploration by Native Americans, European settlers and Spanish sailors.
The village is revered for its picturesque nature and is a popular location for retirement. It was the primary filming location for the successful film Weekend at Bernie's in 1989, as well as being a major location in The Butcher's Wife in 1991. "Old Baldy", its out-of-service lighthouse, is the oldest still standing in the state of North Carolina, built in 1817.
Bald Head Island is tiny but has played a part in two American wars. During the American Revolution, it was home to Fort George, a British fort. During the Civil War, the same redoubts served as Fort Holmes, a Confederate base of importance to shipping and smuggling.
If you’re craving a departure from the guarded adventures offered by popular tourist destinations, take your wilder side to one of these remote destinations and leave some of the few human footprints there.
Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
People often want to bring their laptop computers with them onto the plane instead of checking it with the rest of their luggage. Many travelers fear their computers will be damaged or lost in transit. The Transportation Security Administration has various regulations concerning items allowed and not allowed on planes. One of the items TSA permits for carrying on is the laptop computer, and have instituted rules for carrying laptops and going through airport security without incident.
Use “Checkpoint-Friendly” Laptop Bags
“Checkpoint-friendly” laptop bags include butterfly style, tri-fold style, or sleeve style laptop-carrying bags. These bags has separate laptop only sections, lie flat on scanners, do not have snaps, zippers, or buckles, do not have pockets on the inside or outside of laptop section, and do not have additional devices in bag. TSA does not endorse any particular laptop bag manufacturer, but travelers can ask for these particular bag styles when planning a flight. People using checkpoint-friendly bags do not have to remove their laptops from the bag when going through checkpoints because the security personnel have an unobstructed view of the bag's contents.
Going through Security
People carrying laptops in bags that are not checkpoint friendly must remove the laptop from the bag, according to airport rules. Place the laptop in one of the scanning bins to pass through the x-ray machine. Being cooperative helps alleviate difficulty. Airport security may instruct travelers to turn on their computers or ask questions about the computer. If travelers fail to answer questions or follow security guidelines, airport security has the right to confiscate the laptop computers. Travelers should put their names and addresses on their computers in case multiple laptops are passing through security, or travelers have to go through additional inspections.
In-Flight Instruction
Most airlines do not allow laptops or electronic devices to be on while the plane is taking off. Flight attendants or pilots will inform passengers when cruising altitude is reached, when people are free to turn on their electronic devices. Passengers usually have to pay a small fee to use the airplane's wireless connection.
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is your escape to recreation and re-creation. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows, plan a hike, a meander along Skyline Drive, or a picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky.
Shenandoah National Park is 105 miles long stretching from Front Royal, Virginia to the Waynesboro-Charlottesville area. Skyline Drive is the scenic roadway that takes you through the park.
The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park and is the only public road through the park. You can enter Shenandoah at four places: Front Royal near Rt. 66 and 340, Thornton Gap at Rt. 211, Swift Run Gap at Rt. 33, and Rockfish Gap at Rt. 64 and Rt. 250 (also the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park on a clear day.
Deer, black bear, wild turkey, and a host of other woodland animals call Shenandoah home and regularly cross Skyline Drive in their daily travels. Watch carefully for these animals who may dart across your path without warning. At 35 mph, you’ll stand the best chance of a fun and exciting wildlife encounter rather than an unpleasant wildlife experience! If you want a closer look, be sure to pull completely off the Drive and stay in your vehicle. Remember it is unlawful to feed the wildlife.
In addition to a few stops along the way at your favorite overlooks, plan a stop at the visitor centers, bookstores, and exhibits. There are also lodges, restaurants, and gift shops. Big Meadows is a great place to spend some time and you will see hiking trailheads all along the Drive.
Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
Kick off the day of the Big Game by getting your run in early. Join the 2nd Annual Super Day 10K at Rio Vista Community Park or just come out and support Ron, owner of Rawhide Travel and Tours. Here is what Ron has to say:
Hey everyone, the old fool is at it again and running in "The City of Peoria Super Day 10k Run and Kids Mile Run" this Sunday February 03 and I sure would appreciate your support if ya want to come out and cheer me on? I'm now running a "ten minute mile" through all of my training so based on that, I should finish the 6.2 mile (10k) non-stop run in just a hair over an hour. You will be there to cheer me on as I cross the finish line, right? Seriously, would be great to have you there. It's at Rio Vista Community Park (88th Avenue and T-Bird). The run starts at 8:00am, I have to be there at 7:00am to register and I'd suggest you get there at 7:30am so we can talk and stuff before the big shove off. Also, there is a "kids run" that's one mile long so if you have kids that want to do this, there's still time to sign them up and it's only $10 and they will receive a t-shirt and some type of medal for participating. Fun. For more info, go to www.peoriaaz,gov/running and when it opens, just click on the February 03 race and all the info will pop up......even a map of the routing. This will be my fifth race over the past year, my longest being 10 miles non-stop. Hope to see you there.....
Good Luck Ron!!!
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
