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In this episode: Best of Northwest Suburbs, Chicago
The FAQ is: What are some good travel questions to ask other travelers?
Today’s Destination : Best of northwest suburbs of Chicago
Today’s Mistake:  Getting stuck under the Coronado Bay Bridge
Travel Advice:  Record your travel stories
Destination:  Northwest suburbs, Chicago
For outdoor art, athenaeum-international-sculpture park, in Schaumburg.
https://www.chicagonorthwest.com/listing/chicago-athenaeum-international-sculpture-park/1383/
If you want to go exploring in the woods I would recommend Busse Woods, in Rolling Meadows, for Fishing and boating and their nature center. https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/busse-woods/
https://www.chicagonorthwest.com/
https://www.chicagonorthwest.com/event/arlington-alfresco/22517/
Today’s Mistake: Getting stuck under the Coronado Bay Bridge
Today’s Travel Advice: record your travel stories in notes and audio…. your descendants will treasure them
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Today’s Destination is: Best of San Luis Obispo
 
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In this episode: FAQ is: I get lost all the time, so how can I travel without getting frustrated and upset? I want to have fun and not fear making a mistake.



Today’s Destination is: Bremerton, WA
Today’s Mistake- Mixing up my cities in Washington State
 
Travel Advice:  Stuck in your planning?



FAQ: I always get lost, so how can I travel without getting frustrated and upset? I want to have fun and not fear making a mistake.



Answer: Like you, I get lost all the time. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction. How bad? If I leave a hotel room, I usually walk the wrong way out the door, which tells me I am not noticing the direction when I should.
 
What is a sense of direction? According to the dictionary, a Sense of direction is knowing one's location and performing wayfinding. It is related to cognitive maps, spatial awareness, and spatial cognition.
 
Given that, I’ve still traveled around the world solo and can help you deal with this issue. My personal experience is as a teacher. I admit my faults and weaknesses but don’t let them get the best of me. I make the same number of errors but don’t get distracted or upset.
 
I will try to be more self-aware of direction, and in the meantime, you can do the same with me.
 
Today’s destination: Bremerton, WA
 
I spent Easter vacation near this area, and it was beautiful. It was chilly compared to San Diego, but it was sunny, and it felt crisp to be hiking and enjoying the outdoors air. 
 
You will likely come from the Seattle airport, about a 90-minute drive, or you can take a ferry. Ferries are popular ways to get around the area, and I took a Fast Commuter Ferry from Port Orchard to Bremerton. Let’s back up a minute here.
 
From SeaTac, you can also take the Kitsak bus to Bremerton. It makes several local stops along the way, but it’s frequent, and you don’t need a reservation from the airport. Just pay the driver and jump on the bus. If you rent a car, consider the traffic you will face in Seattle and be patient.
 
Either way, look at the maps and the ferry routes as you navigate the area. You will discover a lot of water, islands, and sound here.
 
Bremerton sits on the Kitsap Peninsula, overlooking the Puget Sound. It’s a city with strong links to Seattle, well-known for its charming neighborhood restaurants and coffee shops, beautiful parks, and fascinating naval museums. You'll find plenty to do to pass the time in Bremerton, WA, with visitors of all ages able to enjoy the city’s scenic nature trails and family-friendly eateries. The top 6 things to see are?
 
1. USS Turner Joy Museum Ship
2. Puget Sound Navy Museum
3. Manette Bridge
4. Illahee State Park
5. Kitsap Forest Theater
6. Purple Scent Lavender Farm
 
I had a great dinner while walking around the downtown areas, observing the influence of Quincy Jones and the music scene. I could also see the snow-capped mountains in the distance, which was a beautiful and peaceful vision. In the spring, look for lilacs, daffodils, tulips, and other blooming beauties.
 If you are looking for some off-the-beaten-track places, check out Ollala. There is a winery and cidery here. You can see the history of a sanitarium, where a murder happened by starvation. You can go clamming here with a day license. I met Gregg Olsen, the author of several books and a clam expert. Another touristy town is Manchester, but you will miss it if you sneeze. Manchester State Park has some great hikes with military mines, which you can observe. There are barbeques, shelters, and hiking trails here.



https://vacationidea.com/washington/best-things-to-do-in-bremerton-wa.html




Today’s Mistake- Mixing up my cities in Washington State
I was mixing up my B-cities in the Seattle area. I was confused about Bremerton and Bellingham. I’ve now been to both cities, and they are very different. Sometimes, you need to be there in person to get

Today’s Destination: Chickamauga National Park: Part 2 of Chattanooga episode.
Today’s Misstep- Driving over hills, a tire came at us
Travel Advice: What exercises should I do when I travel?
 
FAQ: What do you wish you knew before booking your flight?
 
Response: A few more questions you can ask someone before you plan your trip are: 
Did you experience any frustrations related to the destination or the actual traveling?
If so, what should people be aware of to avoid those frustrations, hopefully?
What websites or services were the most helpful for planning/booking your trip?
What advice would you give someone going there for the first time?
What was the most enjoyable or relaxing part of your trip?
 
Today’s destination: Chickamauga National Park Part 2 of the Chattanooga series
It’s officially called Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park near Lookout Mountain. Use your National Park Pass for free entry.
http://cityofchickamauga.org/
When I first visited Point Park, I explored this area on the border of Georgia and Tennessee for about an hour. It’s across from the visitor center and was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. 
You can see artillery from the Confederate fighting.
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign. The battle was the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It involved the second-highest number of casualties in the war, following the Battle of Gettysburg. It was the first major battle of the war in Georgia.
The battle was fought between the Army of the Cumberland under Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans and the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Braxton Bragg, and was named for Chickamauga Creek, which meanders near the battle area in northwest Georgia (and ultimately flows into the Tennessee River about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) northeast of downtown Chattanooga)
There is also a monument to peace, The New York Peace Monument, symbolizing reunification and reconciliation. 
 
http://cityofchickamauga.org/about-history-chickamaugabattlefield.asp



Look for marble and pink granite materials. Visit the museum at Ochs Memorial Observatory for views of the Chattanooga area from the terrace. You can continue hiking the trails to other scenic views from Lookout Mountain. I first visited this area on a bus trip with my high school friends in the 1970s, and this was my first visit to return. 
I drove the two hours from Atlanta through some small towns and highways and finally to some neighborhoods and scenic drives. When you get to the neighborhood, you will drive on windy roads that take your breath away. 
This is a Step 1 or Step 2 destination and easy to explore independently. There is also a cute Visitor Center with restrooms and a small museum. The awe-inspiring view from Lookout Mountain Battlefield over Point Park shows a bird' s-eye view of the Tennessee River and how it bends, a bit like a foot at the ankle. You see the city of Chattanooga from above when you go around the bend. You can even see the three bridges that cross the river to the town.
The battlefield here was memorable, and you can follow the signs for the Chickamauga Battlefield Tour. Or you can just enjoy walking the grounds around the peace monument and listening to the birds chirping. It’s an excellent way to enjoy your day in Georgia or Tennessee.
 
http://cityofchickamauga.org/about-history-trainmuseum.asp
Today’s Misstep- Driving on the road over hills, a tire came rolling at us and hit our car.
You’re generally safe from tires in a car, but this tire stopped us. We hit the tire and could not drive any further. We got a tow truck to bring the car home, about 200 miles away. It was an expensive tow, and I hope you don’t have that experience. 

Today’s Travel Advice- What exercises s

 
In this episode, the FAQ is: How can I take a walking tour when I arrive in a city?
.
Today’s Destination is: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Today’s Misstep- Getting stopped by TSA security
Travel Advice: Plan for the unexpected
 
FAQ:  How can I get the walking tour when I get to a city?
 
Response: A guided walking tour of a city is a treat for a solo traveler, especially for a woman who is interested in its history.
 
The more popular ones are through platforms like Viator, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and FreeWalkingtoursbylocals.com, but there are many ways to score a tour from someone who truly cares about the experience for you. 
Be sure to read the reviews and book in advance during a busy season. Some are free, and suggest a tip at the end if you liked it. Your hotel could also gook you a tour. The Visitor Center or Tourism office can also give you guidance on this. You may also find a walking tour app for a self-guided tour, with maps and points of interest. You can GPS my city or check Detour. I found some walking tours on YouTube that were pretty fun to watch also.
 
https://freewalkingtoursbylocals.com/



Today’s destination: Chattanooga, Tennessee



My first visit here was in 1974, on a bus of young women heading to Florida. It was called Junior Trip. We were 80 women, two bus loads. I remember very little about Chattanooga from that visit.
I returned to see it in 2024, which made a more significant impression. This time, I was visiting the future Dr. Travelbest, who lives there now. We are currently working on a Planner for travel guidance, so look for that in the future.
It’s a central travel hub, especially for the railroads. A bridge crosses the railroad tracks, which are dozens of tracks wide. It may be one of the largest railroad hubs that I have experienced. You can see the city and the Moccasin Bend from the infamous Lookout Mountain.
Listen to the episode on Chickamauga to learn about President Abraham Lincoln's campaign to gain control of the South in the 1860s. It was a place of both Confederate and Union victories.
https://www.visitchattanooga.com/things-to-do/
https://www.visitchattanooga.com/plan/transportation/
 
The Zoo was a highlight, with a giraffe named George gladly accepting lunch from my hands to his 18-inch tongue. It seems that George loves romaine lettuce. Who would have guessed that? That experience was a treat. Kids like it, too. An assortment of other animals makes for a few hours of seeing wildlife at the Chattanooga Zoo.
Walk across the Pedestrian Bridge and the riverfront along the Tennessee River to get a flavor of the city. I walked the bridge at night, and it was a sparkling river with no watercraft because the weather was rainy and threatened winds. The Northshore District
has trendy boutiques, galleries, and food choices; you can walk everywhere. You can also learn much about the Civil War from an organized guided walking tour of the area.
I did get to see the historic train station, the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Parts of the terminal building were recently sold, so check the show notes for the latest.
https://www.local3news.com/local-news/preserve-chattanooga-sells-part-of-chattanooga-choo-choo-complex/article_a8d7781e-dbe5-11ee-abba-0b98f22b8f70.html
I also enjoyed Ruby Falls and will create a special episode about that destination soon.
On my next visit, I plan to Explore the Tennessee Aquarium and dive into the fascinating world of marine life at one of the top-rated aquariums in the country. From river otters to penguins, the Tennessee Aquarium showcases various aquatic animals.
I did a few hikes on this trip, but most of the days, it rained, so I will return and hike more. Chattanooga is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go hiking on nearby trails like Stringers Ridge or Raccoon Mountain or try rock climbing at the Tennessee Wall, if you have that talent, or just go and watch the climbers.
Next time I come, I may al

In this episode, FAQ is: What are etias visas, and when are they required?
Today’s Destination is: Estes Park, Colorado
Today’s Mistake- I am not a foodie, but I love learning about new foods. I need to be braver.
Travel Advice:  check your loyalty points and miles frequently for errors
FAQ: What are etias documents and when are they required?
Let’s make it simple: it’s not a visa. It’s a visa waiver. Starting in 2025, the ETIAS  will be required for Americans traveling to Europe. US citizens can travel to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa. From 2025 on, visa-exempt non-EU nationals, including Americans, will be able to register with ETIAS before departure. This is not a visa but a visa waiver for travelers. It does require registration, not a visa.
https://etias.com/etias-launch-pushed-to-2025
The ETIAS visa waiver for Americans is a multiple-entry travel authorization valid for three years. During this period, U.S. travelers can enter any Schengen zone European countries that apply to the travel authorization as many times as necessary.
The total stay allowed in a Schengen country with each entry with ETIAS is 90 days within every 180 days. ETIAS permits travel to Schengen countries for short stays for tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit purposes. To stay for more extended periods or other purposes, American citizens must apply for a visa from an embassy or consulate.
https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-requirements/americans
Today’s destination is Estes Park, Colorado
Drive to Estes Park from wherever you are in Colorado as it’s the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance. I’ve been coming here since the 1970’s, and it’s consistently delightful.
Try the Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the US, and the most famous scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park—a day trip not to miss through high alpine tundra panoramas! Even driving up to Estes Park from Colorado's Front Range is scenic.
https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/estes-park
If you want to get to Estes Park from Denver or vice versa, you can take the Bustang from Denver's Union Station. From there, it stops at Westminster at U.S. 36 and Sheridan Boulevard before ending at the Estes Park Visitor Center. Check the show notes for fares and schedules, especially seasonally.
https://ridebustang.com/fares/
I’ve been there in the spring and the fall for the best leafy color and excellent weather.
If you like hiking, you will want to try it out here. Three words to describe are Beautiful, Colorful, and Rustic.
From boating on Lake Estes to soaring up the aerial tram, touring historical sites, to savoring sips at local breweries and distilleries, this small mountain town doesn't disappoint. While summer is the prime season, there are special events, concerts, and festivals.
Camping is accessible from your car, or you can hike more remotely. I’ve been camping and hiking here in spring, summer, and fall. It’s a Hiking paradise, so let me know if you do. Don’t forget to look for the State flower: (name it) Columbine, it’s purple.
 
https://www.visitestespark.com/
Today’s Mistake-  I am not a foodie but love learning about new foods. I need to be braver.
 
Trying to eat like a local. I have not tried too many new foods. This year, I plan to be more adventurous with my eating, within reason. I don’t want a lousy meal to ruin a good day. I will eat some foods, but not turtle blood. What someone else likes may not be for me.
 
Today’s Travel Advice-check your points and miles frequently for errors
Do you have many saved points or miles? Look them over and book your next trip now while you can. You can also donate them to a friend or a charity. You can also use them. Book a standard room on points, get a suite upgrade, and pay a bit extra.
 
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