Our first seconds in the French Quarter began at the Mississippi River, where 25% of the country’s fish species live. Within minutes, we were welcomed with a street band playing in front of Cafe De Monde (where the line for beignets always extends into the sidewalk). We had to duck inside shops and restaurants periodically …
Vermilionville is a living history museum in Lafayette aimed to “increase appreciation for the history, culture, and natural resources of the Native Americans, Acadians, Creoles, and peoples of African descent in the Attakapas region through the end of the 1800s.” The docents are the real deal. The quilter has been working here for nine years, …
Lake Charles is the halfway point between Houston (where we flew in) and Lafayette (where we are staying tonight). As beer drinkers, we are always curious about brewers’ rendition of beer when we are further from home. We were pleasantly surprised with Crying Eagle Brewery in Lake Charles. The beer, food, and facility was outstanding. …
With the pandemic present we put a pause on airplane travel, but we are ready to press play again. For our summer trip through the south we decided to fly to Houston, placing us within two hours of Louisiana (the first southern state on our itinerary). A1 had a very memorable first flight. We spent …
Our last full day in Sequoia National Park was spent in the Sierra foothills, under blue skies and sun. Just a short walk from Potwisha Campground rushes the shallow but mighty Middle Fork Kaweah River. The area was once home to a small group of Potwisha Native Americans, their way of life forever engraved into …
We are in Sequoia National Park not just to see giant sequoias, but specifically to see the general. The General Sherman Tree is the world’s biggest tree; this single organism is 275 feet tall, has a 36 feet diameter at the base, and weighs an estimated 6,167 tons. Luckily our trip to the sequoias involved …
Our first day in the Sequoias began with a stop into the Giant Forest Museum where we gained knowledge about giant sequoias and sought refuge from a spring snowstorm. The museum is located inside the park’s original market. Built in 1928, it was designed by a well known architect, Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who also designed …
Sequoia National Park is just a five hour drive from our home base in Oceanside. The park is home to the giant sequoia, the most massive trees on the planet. The Sequoia National Park sign at the Ash entrance was carved in 1935 out of a slab of fallen giant sequoia. It was meant to …
Alameda is a city within Alameda County, better known for its most populous city, Oakland. It is just a Park Street Bridge away from Oakland but it seems so much further. The bridge was built by workers of the Federal WPA program in 1935. Part of the celebration on opening day included a wedding of …
Lake Merritt is a tidal lagoon, connected to San Fransisco Bay, formed 10,000 years ago. It is also North America’s oldest wildlife refuge, established less than two decades after Oakland became a city. Our destination today was found alongside the lagoon where, within the Gardens at Lake Merritt (within Lakeside Park), a free, volunteer run …
History runs deep in the town of Yuma (known as Arizona City until 1873). For us, it is the half way point between Oceanside, CA and Cave Creek, AZ, and a favorite place to stretch our legs and get a meal. For Spanish soldiers and explorers, it was a stopping point after heading up the …
Just about an hour north of Phoenix, near the turnoff for Prescott, exists an “urban laboratory”, Arcosanti. Arcosanti was dreamed up by Paolo Soleri, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s many interns. Italian-born Soleri became quite well known for making bells, and the bell production continues to this day (long after his death), at multiple facilities. …
Just north of Phoenix, right along N Cave Creek Rd. at the Desert Hills Trailhead, there is a parking area for the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, and access to 9,600 acres of underdeveloped land. This portion of property is one of the newest additions to the Sonoran Preserve. The city of Phoenix has a master plan, …
Yuma Territorial Prison State Park opened its steel bar doors in 1876, before the prison was completed. It was the inmates responsibility to construct the cells, as well as make their own boots and iconic striped clothing. The museum, in the center of the state park, is full of relics and fascinating accounts of guards, …
Old Sacramento is a 28 acre National Historic Landmark and State Historic Park that features dozens of restored and recreated Gold Rush-era buildings. It is located right next to the Sacramento River, and includes a restored river paddle boat that is now a permanently moored hotel and restaurant. Old Sacramento is also the terminus of …
Four Points Bulletin 