Tagged With "adventure"
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 22, 2014: Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
What's the best ride?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 22, 2014: Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
Originally Posted by Travel Luver: What's the best ride? Hi Travel Luver! I can honestly say that I enjoyed all the rides at the Universal Studios Theme Parks, but if I had to pick a favorite or favorites, I would have to say that I particularly enjoyed the 3-D rides such as "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" (where Gru turns you into a Minion and you embark on a wild ride through Gru's lab), "The Simpsons Ride" (where you embark on a wild ride through Krustyland and Springfield), and "The...
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Re: Signs of Pinedale, Wyoming
Cant decide. Is that really an Old Cowboy Town ? Or a bit of Disney magic to bring in the tourists. Looks interesting enough to make me want to explore.
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Re: Signs of Pinedale, Wyoming
It is not only an old cowboy town, Garry, it is a modern cowboy town. If you suggested to the locals that they're a Disney act, you'd be as likely to be hog tied as run out of town. The people here are real ranchers, farmers, cowboys and outdoorsman. Some seasonal help might come to help the restaurants during peak seasons, but they usually don't settle down here.
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Re: Solo Travel: Four unexpected essentials
Great tips! And 'international badass' has to be the coolest description for a solo traveler I've seen!
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
It is a sad - difficult story. I want to meet Reiner too. Your work and research and photos of the land where he was "found" bring his story alive - right here, right now!
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
Very powerful. I keep thinking of that local man's mothers story and it's similar to stories I've heard from some ,in the the WW2 generation living in Eastern Europe ,about the Russian Army of WW2.
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
I'm really enjoying this moving series, History Digger. It is a captivating narrative. Admire your dogged determination to find the truth. Thanks for making us all a part of your journey.
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
I wanted to add the photography by Pawel Wyszomirski is just wonderful and timeless. Really captures your journey.
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
Amazing story indeed. I've heard many recollections from veterans of WW2 and all of them beyond belief. When I was a schoolboy (in England) my Math Teacher was in the real "Great Escape" in 1944 and told us boys stories to make your hair stand up ! But when he told us of the Germans making an "example" of repeat escapees his eyes were full of the horrors of war. Then we'd get back to the Math lesson. "Tomorrow we'll found out how we hid the guard dogs!"
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
GarryRF, Thanks for your response. I'd like to hear those stories, despite the horror in them. What a way to teach kids math. Yikes.
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
Whitney. I was just emailing TravelRob. Maybe you could contact a TV station here in England. The Centenary of WW1 is big news across Europe this year 1914 - 1918 and we have many programmes looking back at all the wars since. Have you seen the "Great Escape" Movie. ( Steve McQueen - James Garner and all ) ? Some facts are true - some "based" on the true story. It's very late here in England. Contact you tomorrow.
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
Just having lunch - what subject you interested in ? Prison Camps, What was untrue in the Great Escape or what was true ? Vanishing guard dogs ?
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
ALL of those. Wish I could sit down for lunch with you and hear the rest. I'm quite interested in using my Reiner research material for various genres—adult lit, young adult lit, and film.
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
As you've seen in the Great Escape, taking prisoners into the forest and killing them wasn't just a Russian idea. It was used against the Allied POWs by the SS. But there were many allied airmen shot down over Germany who returned home after the war with life saving surgery by the "enemy" Metal plates fitted to the skull where the bone had been shot away I remember. Shall I send an email to your website Whitney ?
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
GarryRF. Yes please send that email. Or DM me on Twitter @whitneystewart2. My uncle was shot down by Germans, but was saved and mended by Partisans. See Finding Reiner #2.
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
Just to add a note: on our way to Mont-Saint-Michel this morning, we noticed signs pointing to a Deutschesoldatenfriedhof, or German Soldiers' Cemetery. Curiosity took us to it and we were surprised by its story. It was constructed in 1961 for reburial of soldiers who had been buried in small locations all over Normandy, the Channel Islands and other nearby areas. It is a solemn place, and quiet, and the spirit expressed in the signs and in the design was one of reconciliation and hope for...
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Re: Finding Reiner #6: Frozen Grave
Paul, Thanks for that note about the German cemetery in France. I may make a trip to several of these war cemeteries on my next trip overseas. I just heard from the German War Graves Commission this morning with more photos of Reiner's grave.
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Re: The St. Augustine Lighthouse
GutterPup -Great job sharing about the lighthouse. Anastasia Island, or known as "the Island" there has some pretty cool sights, beaches and restaurants. It's friendly and relaxed atmosphere is commented upon frequently and I found it's really true.Many people come back year after year and stay for months at a time. The historic sights of downtown bring people in, but the Island brings them back.
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Re: The St. Augustine Lighthouse
Thank you Travel Rob! St. Augustine is a place I visit once every couple of years, and I always include a visit to Anastasia.
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Re: The St. Augustine Lighthouse
GutterPup, You posted some great pics of the place. The St. Augustine Light is one of the 10 most beautiful lighthouses in the USA. I read that in a travel magazine, so this is not just my opinion. It's gorgeous! In another lifetime, ex-wife type other lifetime, we were going there for a winter interlude in February from 2002 until 2006 and we stayed on Anastasia Island, not far from the light. We joined the member society, bought bricks in our kids's names, and visited there frequently.
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Re: The St. Augustine Lighthouse
I appreciate your kindness I did notice all the bricks at the entrance with folks names on them, pretty cool. I haven't been to many lighthouses I must confess, something I hope to change, but this one was really fun and had tons of history behind it - I'm a fan!
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Re: The St. Augustine Lighthouse
Here's a view of the exterior of the lighthouse, from Wikimedia/Jubileejourney
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Re: The St. Augustine Lighthouse
I have never been, but my wife just spent 6 days in St. Augustine and it has been added to our list of MUST GO places. Thanks for the info on the lighthouse, it will be one of our stops.
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
what a great way to start a Sunday! can't wait to read more. I'm with you in spirit Merci pour ce beau partage historique et familial.
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
Merci encore une fois, Vivie. Je suis sur le point de partir. Thanks for reading. I'm about to depart. Hope you'll follow along.
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
I found myself racing to the computer this morning to read Part 2 of your incredible and moving series. It's made me reflect on what war does to a family .
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
Another brilliant post, HistoryDigger! Thanks. I think you've described the situation many young German men were in, and it's a lesson for all of us to fight tyranny at every step and with all we have. It is also a reminder to me how a government that is "a friend of the people" can crush those same people if their power isn't checked. After the Nazis had seized power, there was no tolerance for dissent. You were either with them -- or you were in big big trouble (possibly even fatal...
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
Here we go! I am so eager to learn more about that old house which is pictured so beautifully in the mountain idyll of Poland. My fantasy is of undiscovered family treasures in the attic which the Polish police, who now occupy that building, would gladly be rid of. Whit, don't forget to search the attic when you get there. Ha! I am sure glad you are Finding Reiner.
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
Dr. Fumblefinger—yours is a fascinating response. How lucky your father was to have escaped and survived. I'm glad he told you his story, which I would like to hear. Where was he from? Reiner's family members were also born in now Poland. Episode 3 will detail more of the Nazi oppression in Cologne that trapped Reiner and his family.
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
So compelling! Keep the posts coming. I'm hooked! Absolutely.
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Re: Finding Reiner #3: Inside Old Shadows
Reiner was such a dutiful letter writer that we have this info allowing us to retrace these steps. Amazing resources - Reiner's letters and Whit's dogged research. Loving this story more each day.
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Re: Finding Reiner #3: Inside Old Shadows
This makes a fascinating read, well done! My father-in-law Hans Esser was from Cologne (had sung as part of the choir in Cologne cathedral) and served on submarines (unwillingly) during the 2nd W.W. war. Their sub was attacked several times and finally they were forced to surrender. He was taken prisoner and interned in England. The prisoners then helped on the local farms which was where he met his future wife Vera. They married just after the end of the war and had the difficult privilege...
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Re: Finding Reiner #3: Inside Old Shadows
Mac-TG Guru--Fascinating story, yours. Your parents' romance reminds me of such fictional stories in the British series Foyle's War . Have you seen that? The show highlights romance between German POWs and English farm girls. I would love to know more of your father's history. I also wish I could interview your father or find other elderly residents who remember life here during the war. So much better when it comes from a resident than from a historian who was not here then. How long were...
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Re: Finding Reiner #3: Inside Old Shadows
Thank you for the continuing story, and especially to the link for the Stolpersteine. It is so important (I keep saying this!) for us to remember the people more than the "leaders," and not allow them to become mere numbers.
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Re: Finding Reiner #3: Inside Old Shadows
Whitney your story about Reiner and retracing his steps gets people thinking about their own life and family too, so beyond being fascinating history, it's very relevant to us all.25 years ago this summer I went through an incredible ordeal in Europe. Your journey for Reiner has me thinking back to that time and has me thinking of retracing some steps too.Keep it up and thank you!
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Re: Finding Reiner #3: Inside Old Shadows
Travel Rob, I hope we will hear more about your ordeal. You've got me hooked with that teaser line.
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Solo Travel: Four unexpected essentials
I like to think of myself as an international badass seasoned solo traveller. It is my preferred way to see the world. For me, there is nothing more cathartic than knowing I can survive without anyone — knowing that my own company is enough....
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Disney's new idea: river cruising for families
The Disney empire, which seems to be almost as much a travel and resort company as it is a studio and park operator, has another new plan: change river cruising from an older-adult activity to a family plan. Adventures by Disney, which provides...
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September 14, 2017: Cars Land, Disney California Adventure Park
Inspired by the Disney·Pixar franchise "Cars", Disney brings Radiator Springs to life in "Cars Land" at Disney California Adventure Park.
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Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animals, Culture and Adventure
Jonathan L got away from his hotel and out to an adventure park in Costa Rica
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5 Ways to Make Your Island Trip Adventurous
Barbara Raynott suggests some adventures you should consider when visiting the Caribbean islands.
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Signs of Pinedale, Wyoming
Pinedale is a small town in Wyoming, the southern gateway to Jackson Hole (about a hour's drive away). It's situated at the base of the beautiful Wind River Mountains. Pinedale has a population of about 2,000 residents and is an...
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AmaWaterways and Disney partner on family river cruising
Adventures by Disney and AmaWaterways are combining their travel expertise to create family-focused vacations with first-ever river cruising itineraries. Five sailings along the Danube River in the summer of 2016, as well as two holiday- themed...
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Ghost Adventures in Gettysburg and Maryland
It's Halloween and what could be more timely that stories of ghosts and visiting the places they haunt, like Stephanie Kalina-Metzger did in Gettysburg and Maryland.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 22, 2014: Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, is a fun and exciting family destination; However, although Universal Studios does offer activities for children of all ages, it is my opinion that the majority of this vacation destination caters to...
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The St. Augustine Lighthouse
Made of Alabama brick and Philadelphia iron, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has stood stoically on the shoreline of Anastasia Island as a beacon to maritime pilots since 1874. By JP Chartier The tower rises to a height of 165 ft....