Categories
Portugal Sintra Travel

The Wayfaring Gals do Portugal Part Three: Sintra!

At Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

We arrived in Sintra in the late afternoon, and checked into our hotel: Hotel Nova Sintra, which is run by a delightful man named Rui. Sintra is about a three and a half hour bus ride from Porto, and is about a half hour from Lisbon. After checking in, we walked to go find a place to eat. We found a nice restaurant Incomum, where we had pumpkin risotto, and vino verde (a specialty in Portugal). The waiter talked us into dessert, so we shared an orange mousse. We sat next to a nice couple from Belgium whom we spent a pleasant evening chatting with. 

At the Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

Most people visit Sintra from Lisbon; they just do a day trip. People told us “you just need a day,” but I disagree since there are so many beautiful sites there. Sintra is known for its palaces. It’s also a nice place to get away from big city life since it is a smaller town within the hills of Serra de Sintra. Historically, the wealthy wanted their palaces away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, and the cooler climate was a draw (it gets chilly at night). Sintra has castles, villas, beautiful scenery, and the ruins of a Moorish castle. Sintra is pretty much a UNESCO World Heritage Site (all the places we visited were). That should give you an idea about the kind of place you are visiting, and how much time you’ll need there. The Wayfaring Gals spent a few days there and throughly enjoyed our time.

At the Waterfall Lake at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we started out at Quinta da Regaleira, a 19th century villa, which is a fusion of Neo-gothic architecture, ornately carved pinnacles, gardens, hidden caves and secret passageways leading down wells. The place is right out of a fairy tale. The wealthy Brazilian mining owner was fascinated by the Knights Templar and Freemasons, and you can see it in the details of the place. You can take a bus to the palaces and buy a pass. It would be hard to walk due to being uphill, so in order to maximize on time we decided to take Uber. 

At Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

The best part of Quinta da Regaleira is the Initiation Well, with a stairway that descends down to a Templar Cross inscribed on the floor. The well was used for tarot initiation rites. There are caves that lead to the Poco Imperfeito (the Unfinished Well), and a waterfall. I recommend you go to the Initiation Well first thing in the morning due to the crowds. We were lucky that we got there early, and the lady working there let us stop and take pictures. We didn’t know, but you can’t go back in reverse, which we accidentally did (we were so excited to be there). We got some great pictures. As you go down the well, it descends to tunnels that take you to a lake and a beautiful waterfall.

At Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

The gardens at Quinta da Regaleira are beautiful, and you will enjoy exploring the place. You will need the map since the place is huge. The cafe had great coffee and treats, and has a beautiful view of the villa so I recommend a stop there for a snack or lunch. The villa itself was pretty, but you’ll spend most of the time out doors. You need at least a couple hours at Quinta da Regaleira. Pictures don’t do the place justice; it’s a beautiful escape that transports you in time.

Monserrate Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

Afterwards, we took an Uber to Monserrate Palace, which is a villa named after the chapel Our Lady of Monserrate that was constructed on the top of the hill. An English merchant purchased the property. Lord Byron visited the property in 1809, and  mentioned it in his poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.  Francis Cook purchased the property in 1863, and began work on it. Cook had also received the title of Viscount of Monserrate by the king. The palace became the summer residence of the Cook family. The design of Monserrate Palace was influenced by Romanticism with Neo-gothic and Moorish revival architecture elements. There is a large park around the property where you can enjoy the grounds. The palace itself is amazing. It has a hallway that leads to a central fountain, where you can see the main dome. You’ll definitely want a look inside. The grounds are pretty vast so you’ll need at least a couple hours here as well.

Inside Monserrate Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

We took an Uber back to town, and had lunch in the center of the city where we could sit outside and enjoy live music while people watching. We were feeling energetic so we ended up walking to Sintra Palace. The palace is one of the best preserved medieval royal residences in Portugal, being inhabited from the 15th to 19th centuries. The Coat of Arms Room is absolutely breath taking with its domed ceiling and azulejo (remember blue tile work) on the walls. It’s not as busy as the other palaces, but a recommended place to visit. There were much less people her, which was nice. After getting dinner in town, we went back to our hotel to enjoy some wine and relax. 

Inside the The Coat of Arms Room at Sintra Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we took a taxi to Pena Palace, which is in the Sintra mountains above the town (which is very high up and difficult to walk). Taxi is better than Uber since they can drop you off closer to the entrance. Pena Palace is the most famous palace in Sintra, and the one that you see the most pictures of. It looks like a place right out of a Disney movie with its bright painted colors of red, blue, and yellow on the exterior. It used to be a monastery, which was acquired from King Ferdinand who then transformed it into a palace that exemplifies 19th century Romanticism (the castle was completed in 1854). Pena Palace was purchased by the Portuguese state in 1889, but became a national monument, and transformed into a museum after the Republican Revolution of 1910. This place definitely matched the Wayfaring Gals personality the most!

Inside the The Coat of Arms Room at Sintra Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

When you get to Pena Palace, take the shuttle since it is an uphill walk to the actual castle, and you will get plenty of exercise once there. At the castle, I recommend you visit the interior first to knock that out; it’s a typical palace and nothing special. We went when it was so crowded that we couldn’t move. The castle exterior is the best part and definitely go into the chapel. The cafe there has lousy coffee; we were not impressed, but it’s good place to take a break and hydrate. Afterwards, we walked downhill in order to explore the beautiful grounds and scenery. We found a peaceful pond with swans and palm trees that we enjoyed before leaving to walk over to the Castle of the Moors, which is nearby. 

At Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

The Castle of the Moors is the ruins of a Moorish palace. It was built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries, and was taken over by Christian forces after the fall of Lisbon in 1147. The castle holds a strategic view along the coastline and surrounding lands. You will enjoy the views of Sintra walking along the walls. Be wary of the bugs in certain spots, we couldn’t go up some areas due to swarms that looked right out of a horror movie; the air was thick with insects! Thankfully, that was just one area so we were able to walk along most of the walls of the castle. There is also a museum there with historical and archeological information on the site, as well as artifacts including bones excavated at the site. 

At Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

After visiting the Castle of the Moors, we walked down to the city center, visiting some shops and picking up souvenirs (like painted ceramic tiles). We found a restaurant that had decent food, but the service was terrible. The waiter forgot some of our order then became upset with us when we told him to forget it. We had been waiting a while so we just wanted to go and not prolong our stay there. Our hotel had a nice roof top where we could have drinks and enjoy a beautiful view of the moon and Castle of the Moors in the background. We enjoyed all the places we visited in Sintra, and that we had time to explore and not cram it all in one day.

On the beautiful grounds of Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we took an Uber to Lisbon since it’s about half a hour away. We stayed at a hotel near the airport. We took a shuttle to the airport to take a COVID19 test. Thankfully, we had an appointment and got priority (the line without an appointment was crazy). The test was fifty euros total for us, but we needed it to get back home. Thankfully we got the results a few hours later and could enjoy our last day in Portugal without the stress of the test looming over us. 

At the Castle of the Moors in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

After the test was taken care of, we took an Uber to Cristo Rei or Christ the King, Portugal’s version of the Christ the Redeemer statue from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. I have visited the one in Brazil so it was fitting for me to visit the sister statue in Portugal. The statue was erected in gratitude because the country was spared the destruction of WWII. The statue was inaugurated in 1959. Since the statue was erected on a clifftop overlooking the Tagus River, there are beautiful views of Lisbon. Christ has his arms extended facing the city. Under the statue is a Chapel of our Lady of Peace where there are some beautiful paintings on display, reminiscent of El Greco’s style. There is a cafeteria outside where we had a pastry and beers.  

At the Castle of the Moors in Sintra, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

After walking around Lisbon some more, we took another look at Pink Street and went back to the seafood place we had eaten at Sol e Pesca for a late lunch. We also tried Time Out Market, a food hall in the city with different vendors so you can sample some Portuguese food.  We then decided to head back to our hotel, and then went to the hotel next door to purchase tickets for the swimming pool so we could unwind there. We had an early flight the next morning so we wanted a relaxing evening before heading back home. 

Under the loving arms of Jesus at Cristo Rei statue in Lisbon, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

We had such a great time in Portugal; we both wanted to stay longer since there is so much to see. You can take a tour, or do it on your own like we did (which is much cheaper). Portuguese people speak multiple languages so we didn’t have any trouble communicating. The people were friendly and we didn’t have any issues. I recommend staying two weeks or even more if you can. We met some people that rented a car, which gave them the freedom to go to more smaller towns. Whichever way you decide to do it, you’ll have an amazing time in Portugal!

At the Chapel of our Lady of Peace in Lisbon, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

In Lisbon, near Cristo Rei statue -Photo by Maria A.M.
Categories
Porto Portugal Travel

The Wayfaring Gals do Portugal Part Two: Porto!

On a Douro Valley River Cruise in Portugal
-Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we were off to Porto, which is about four hours north of Lisbon. Porto is known for its wine and beautiful bridges. We took a train there, and had relatively uneventful ride. When we arrived, we called an Uber to our our B&B, which was in a great location in the city; many of the popular sites within easy walking distance. What I like about Porto is that we were able to walk everywhere we went. The bus station was near where we stayed, so we only took one Uber ride the few days we spent in Porto. I do wish we had at least one more day there. I’d stay an extra day if I could go back. I recommend at least four days in Porto.

Outside Porto Cathedral in Porto, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

That evening we went to check out Porto Cathedral, which is right in the center of the city, and one of its oldest monuments (it was completed in 1737). The gothic cloisters, tile work and murals are amazing. Portugal is famous for its ceramic tile work, which is called Azulejo; even though the tiles are ornamental they function as a form of temperature control. Homes even have beautiful colored tiles on them. We came to the cathedral late so we had to go back the next day to climb the steps of the tower. I love all the walking I get to do when I’m traveling since I don’t have access to a car when I’m overseas. Neither of us likes to drive in another country so we walk as much as we can on vacation. 

In the Gothic cloisters of Porto Cathedral in Porto, Portugal
-Photo by Maria A.M.

We continued exploring Porto, and stopped at Sao Benton Train Station, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The station contains beautiful tile work painted by Jorge Colaco, which were completed in 1916. The murals depict rural scenes from people from various regions in Portugal. Definitely check out the train station when you’re in Porto. Next we happened upon Praca da Liberdade, which is Porto’s main square, and it connects old town with the modern part. We took a stroll there during the golden hour. That evening we went to the Riverwalk, or Ribeira, to have some delicious wine and enjoy the sunset while people watching.  

At Sao Benton Train Station in Porto
-Photo by Maria A.M.

Wine at the Ribeira in Porto -Photo by Maria .M.

The next day we visited Clergios Tower, a baroque church built in 1750 that has a long bell tower you can climb (do it, it’s good exercise). It’s a different style than Porto Cathedral so if you like seeing gorgeous old churches, I recommend you visit, otherwise I prefer Porto Cathedral. You start your visit inside of the church, which is beautiful; you can walk on the balcony and get some great views. There are also more great views if you walk up the bell tower, but be prepared for a lot of steps, and they get narrow as you near the top. Definitely wear comfortable shoes in Porto. 

At the top of Clergios Tower in Porto
-Photo by Maria A.M.

The Wayfaring Gals on the Dom Luis I Bridge in Porto
-Photo by Maria A.M.

Afterwards, my sister and I walked across the famous Dom Luis I Bridge; from the top part to the bottom part. It’s especially beautiful during the golden hour. We walked across the bridge to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar (which is actually in Vila Nova de Gaia the town next to Porto), a monastery that is no longer in use. We booked a Seven Bridges Cruise to see the different bridges in the area. They’re touristy but worth seeing. The tour is usually an hour cruise along the Douro River, and starts in the Ribeira’s quay. The cruise starts with the Luis I bridge then you see Dom Henrique, Maria Pia (designed by Gustave Eiffel), Sao Joao, Freixo, and then Arrabida bridges. Our ticket included a port tasting, which was all the way on the other side of the bridge so it was quite a hike for a sip of port at Porto Cruz. I recommend just doing a separate tasting since the one included was lame.

On the Seven Bridges Tour in Porto with a random stranger’s behind
-Photo by Maria A.M.

After walking a ways to try the Port, we did happen to come across a place, Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau that sells codfish cakes stuffed with cheese. The place has an organist playing and is modeled after Porto’s famous bookstore so it was a nice find for us.

Trying codfish cake stuffed with cheese at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau in Porto
-Photo by Maria A.M.

We bought tickets in advance to Livraria Lello, which is a famous book store in Porto with notoriously long lines. We didn’t know our ticket gave us priority to skip the line, so we waited (only half an hour since we came later in the day). The money for the ticket can be used towards a book. I used my credit to buy a special edition illustrated version of the Wizard of Oz book that was exclusive to Livraria Lello (it has the name of the book store on the cover). 

At Livraria Lello in Porto -Photo by Maria A.M.

The bookstore is said to have inspired JK Rowling’s description of Hogwarts in Harry Potter. Rowling lived in Porto for a couple of years. Livraria Lello is considered one of the most beautiful book stores in the world, and is the oldest one in Portugal (opened in 1881). Thankfully, when we went in October it was not that busy, and we could take our time. The main staircase with its red stairs is just amazing. Pictures or words cannot do this place justice; you have to experience it in person. I definitely recommend you purchase a ticket in advance in order to avoid the long lines, and go when it opens or in the evening closer to closing time. 

At Livraria Lello in Porto -Photo by Maria A.M.

Afterwards we walked by Igreja do Carmo to see a church with azulejo tiles on the exterior. We picked up food and some groceries at a local market to take back to our Air B&B. We had an early start the next day due to taking a day tour to the Douro Valley.

At the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

We were up early for a pickup for a Douro Valley Wine Tasting Tour, booked from Viator. This area is the third oldest wine region in the world. The hour and a half drive to the valley went by quickly due to the beautiful views. We also had a small group of people which was nice so we were able to take a van. We visited a small winery, Quinta do Jalloto with some breathtaking views. The wine we tried was nice, and they also make their own olive oil, which was delicious. The owner was nice and gracious, and kind even when a heavyset guest broke a chair. Afterwards, we took a nice river cruise on the Douro River, which was just amazing. On the the cruise you can see the wine estates, or quinoas cling along vertical slopes dropping down to the river. It makes for wondrous scenery.

At Quinta do Jalloto in the Douro Valley, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

After the cruise, we had a nice lunch that included more wine and tasty food. We shared plates of chicken, fish, rice, potatoes and salad. We had a nice view of the Douro River from the restaurant. After lunch, we visited a winery specializing in Port, Quinta de Santa Eufemia, where we tasted a wide variety of Port, from light to dark. Port is definitely a dessert wine, and does come in dry, semi-dry and white varieties. Only wines from Portugal are allowed to be labeled “Port.” If you are in Porto, you can either drive to the Douro Valley (roads are steep and narrow so no thank you for me), or take a day tour like we did, or stay even longer to enjoy the marvelous area. It was a magical day for us! Since the group got along so well we decided to go out to eat in Porto, ending another great day.

Wine tasting at Quinta do Jalloto in the Douro Valley, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we had an an amazing breakfast at the Hungry Biker (we went more than once there since we were obsessed, and walked down to the Ribeira for one last look at the riverwalk. We walked around some more, exploring before we had to leave. We took a bus to Sintra that afternoon. Our Air B&B had the most uncomfortable bed that was causing me back pain so I wouldn’t recommend the place we stayed at even though it was in a good central location. It is difficult to find a hotel in Porto since there are few, so many people have to stay at Air B&Bs. I wish we had at least another day in Porto since it was such an amazing place that we both loved. I understand why my friend that lives in Lisbon described it as magical.

Port Tasting at Quinta de Santa Eufemia in the Douro Valley, Portugal
-Photo by Maria A.M.

If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

The Riverwalk in Porto, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

Categories
Lisbon Portugal Travel

The Wayfaring Gals do Portugal Part One: Lisbon!

The Wayfaring Gals on Pink Street in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

I had planned to go to Portugal in 2020, but we all know how that went. The trip to Portugal was planned in a couple weeks due to my sister finding cheap airline tickets, and the country ending their COVID restrictions. Portugal required a negative test to get in, and we needed the same to return to the US. We were excited to be able to travel overseas again. We went in October, and the weather was perfect, in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. We still brought sweaters for chilly evenings. The Wayfaring Gals spent about ten days in this beautiful country, and still felt that we needed more time since there is so much to see there. 

We took the Gloria Funicular aka Graffiti Tram in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M

The flight there was awful since it was with United Airlines, so there were small overheard bins that people were fighting over. We were forced to check in our carry ons and charged ridiculously. When we landed in Lisbon we were tired, but due to the time difference we couldn’t go to sleep. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the largest city in the country (population of about 2.7 million). It is also a city of hills off the Tagus River. Lisbon is one of the safest capital cities in Europe, but be careful of pick pockets as in other major European cities. 

Pineapple smoothies at Miradouro de Sao Pedro Alcantara
-Photo by Maria A.M.

My sister and I stayed at the Hotel Lisboa, which is right off Avenida da Liberdade near downtown Lisbon, so after checking in we started exploring. There are outdoor cafes off Liberdade avenue so we were able to have a nice lunch and espresso to get going. Lisbon has beautiful squares and we went right to Praca Dom Pedro IV, which has some beautiful fountains. It used to be the place for executions, bullfighting and demonstrations, but I guess you can still demonstrate there. We took the Gloria Funicular from Restauradores Square, which takes you up an alley filled with street art up to Bairro Alto.  We saw our first overlook in Lisbon: Miradouro de Sao Pedro Alcantara. There was also a market with art, souvenirs and drinks. I needed some fresh fruit so I had a pineapple smoothie, which was delicious. I also bought some paintings with scenes from Lisbon from a local artist.

Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon, Portugal -Photo by Maria A.M.

We walked back down the stairs to continue through Praca Dom Pedro IV, and found the Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines store, which has a carnival theme going on. Who knew sardines were so big here and that you can get them in all kinds of different packaging. We even found zodiac sardines. We took the Santa Justa Lift, or the Elevator do Carmo, which is an elevator built in 1902 that takes you back up to Bairro Alto. It’s a short walk to the roofless Carmo Convent, or the Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The convent was built in 1389, but was destroyed in 1755 by the Lisbon earthquake. The main nave of the Carmo Church is beautiful, and you will enjoy looking at the different statues and artifacts from the church. The church is an archeological museum with pieces from Portuguese history. There are gothic tombs inside the museum as well. There is a beautiful Miradouro near the convent that you can enjoy more views of Lisbon. Carmo Convent was particularly beautiful near sunset. 

Enjoying Carmo Convent in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

The ruins of Carmo Convent in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

We found a restaurant to have fish (seafood is a specialty in Portugal), and paired it with local beer, which was a delicious dinner. The food tasted fresh and the portions were perfect. For dessert we tried the chocolate cups filled with Ginjinha, a Portuguese liqueur made by infusing sour cherries in Aguardente (Portuguese Brandy). The place we found gave you a refill, and then you’re able to eat the cup. The chocolate goes really well with the sour cherry liqueur; it was delish. Since it was the longest day for us, as well as having jet lag, we called it a day and went back to our hotel to get some rest.

Chocolate cups filled with Ginjinha in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we walked through Rua Augusta Arch onto Praca de Comercio which is a large square that is harbor facing. There is a statue of King Jose I, and you can see the Lisbon Arch of Triumph. It’s a spectacular squares. We saw many Tuk Tuks waiting there, but they are much more expensive compared to Southeast Asia, and sell tours, but we didn’t go with them. Instead, we made the mistake of purchasing hop on, hop off bus tickets, which I do not recommend. A lot of the audio outlets were broken and we had to move around to find two that worked so we could listen to the tour guide as we rode along the city. We also couldn’t find one on the way back.

At Rua Augusta Arch in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

We took the bus to Belem Tower (or officially the Tower of Saint Vincent), which was built in the 16th century, and was a fortification that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers. The tower was built on a small island on the Tagus River near the shore. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most visited sites in Lisbon. It’s a beautiful place and looks right out of fairytale. The tower can only be viewed from the outside.

At Belem Tower in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

Near the tower, is the Monument of Discoveries that you can go inside of as well, but we passed on that. The monument was built in 1960 and celebrates the Portuguese Age of Exploration. What’s nice is that both of these sites are close together can be viewed from the outside so you don’t need to spend much time at them since there is another amazing place near by that requires more time. 

At Jeronimas Monastery in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

Jeronimas Monastery is near Belem Tower, and is another must see site in Lisbon. I recommend seeing the both the church and monastery. The monastery is a great example of Portuguese Late Gothic style of architecture. It is a former monastery of the Order of St.Jerome and was completed in 1601. The Manueline ornamentation in the cloisters is just amazing. The style is richly ornate with sculptural themes that incorporated maritime elements. We visited the site on a Sunday so it was free to get in. The lines can be confusing. You have to go into the building to get a ticket first, and then you go to the line outside to get into the church. We spent some time Jeronimas Monastery looking around in awe. The place is peaceful and relaxing. 

At Jeronimas Monastery in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

Near the monastery is Pasteis de Belem where you can try pastel de nata, a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry, which I greatly enjoyed during my stay in the country. They are really good. The line to get inside Pasteis de Belem is really long, but you can get the pastel de nada to go (that line moves quickly). We were able to enjoy the pastries in the park across the street. 

At Eduardo VII Park in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

On our bus ride on the way to Belem, we passed a beautiful park: Eduardo VII Park, so we wanted to go back before dark. The park was named after Edward VII of England who visited Portugal in 1903. We waited over an hour for the hop on bus, which never came so we decided to take an Uber there. We walked from the bottom of the park up to the top, enjoying the view as the sun set. We found a cafe, Linha d’Agua, at the top near a pond where we had a meal and enjoyed some wine. The cafe’s prices were reasonable. This was a great way to end a fun day of seeing the sites of Portugal! 

Having wine at Linha d’Agua in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we decided to take an Uber up to the Castle of St. George, or Castelo de Sao Jorge. The castle sits on the tallest hill in Lisbon so the castle can be seen from almost everywhere, which is what made us want to visit. The site has important historical significance since settlement goes back to the eighth century BC as a Roman municipality. The fortifications were built by the Moors in the tenth century. The city was freed from Moorish rule in 1147 by Alfonso Henriques. Lisbon became the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal in 1255, and the site became the residence of Alfonso III. The castle was badly damaged during the earthquake of 1755 and fell into disrepair. The castle has great views of the city and I recommend going for that alone. We took a tour, which wasn’t too interesting so I suggest you skip the tour, and just enjoy looking around the medieval castle. You can also have a nice cup of coffee there while enjoying the amazing views from the tallest hill.

At the Castle of St. George in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

We decided to walk downhill from the Castle of St. George into the Alfama neighborhood, and found Miradouro de Santa Luzia, which is a popular observation deck that has a beautiful terrace that overlooks the Tagus River. Adding to the ambiance, there was music playing and beautiful flowers, as well as tiled walls. As we kept walking downhill, we stopped at the Museu de Lisboa to check out the flower wall. We also stopped for some gelato, which was amazing. While we were in the area we took the famous Tram 28, which is a historic tram that goes through the twisty and hilly streets of old Lisbon. This is an actual mode of public transit and not a tour. It’s great way to see the winding streets of the Alfama. We went on a couple times, but got off to continue walking to the city center. 

At Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

Continuing downhill we stopped at the famous Pink Street for lunch and tea. The row of bars used to be a haunt for sailors. The street was painted in pink in 2013. This is also a good night spot. We went during the day so we were able to easily get a table at Sol e Pesca. When in Lisbon, definitely eat seafood. I had a delicious octopus salad and had some sardine dishes. It was nice to people watch and relax after so much walking. This is a popular picture spot so it’s better to go earlier. I’m sure it’s crazy in the evening. After a brief rest at the hotel, we met a friend of mine living in Lisbon for dinner in Bairro Alto. We enjoyed tapas and drinks as the sun set, and then walked around Lisbon enjoying the evening.

At Pink Street in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

This was our last day in Lisbon until we returned at the end of our trip since had to fly out of there. You can purchase passes to take transit which is probably more economical; we took Uber in order to capitalize on our time. Remember to avoid the hop on hop off bus! We had an enjoyable few days in the capital city and were excited to go to Porto the next day since we heard so many good things!

The famous Tram 28 in Lisbon -Photo by Maria A.M.

If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

At the Miradouro de Sao Pedro Alcantara in Lisbon
-Photo by Maria A.M.

Categories
Texas Travel

You May All Go to Hell and the Wayfaring Gals Will Go to Texas: Part Two!

At the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we headed for San Antonio, which is about an hour and half south from Austin. Since it was another rainy day, we decided to go see Wonder Woman 1984 at the movie theater. We got Chinese food after the movie, and then celebrated NYE with sparkling wine. Our hotel was in downtown San Antonio so got to watch fireworks shows from the rooftop. It was pretty spectacular, and a great way to ring in the new year. 

At the San Antonio Riverwalk -Photo by Maria A.M.
At San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day after the most amazing latte at Revolutcion Coffee, we set off the Riverwalk. Words do not do the San Antonio Riverwalk justice. I saw someone post that they told their husband that they were so happy there that if they died there it would be fine. I understand the sentiment. The place is beautiful and magical. The Riverwalk is one of the most popular tourist attractions for a reason. It is one level down from the main street, and connects both sides with bridges (it is 2.5 miles long). The plans were developed in 1929 by architect Robert Hugman, and funds were raised by mayor Jack White in 1939 to beautify the Riverwalk. We walked around the River Walk pretty early so we could explore. We walked to the Love Lock Bridge, which has lockets like Lovers’ Bridge in Paris, France. The Bear County Courthouse is near, which is a beautiful old building. 

At the Love Lock Bridge in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

Afterwards we got a beer at the Buckhorn Saloon where Teddy Roosevelt recruited the Rough Riders. The place was owned by Albert Friedrich, and housed his unique collection, which is now a museum. The museum contains mounted wildlife from all over the world, and has a Texas Ranger Museum. There is a recreation of San Antonio at the turn of the century. The place serves good beer, and you can take in some of the oddities there. 

At the Buckhorn Saloon in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

We headed out of downtown to continue exploring the city. When in San Antonio, I recommend you visit the Japanese Gardens since they are a beautiful and peaceful place you can take a nice hike through. The Japanese Tea Garden was originally an abandoned stone quarry that was turned into a garden, and opened in 1942.  

At the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

You can take a trail to get a great view of the gardens if you should so desire (just continue hiking up the trail). The Gardens sell bubble or iced tea to help enhance your visit there, or if you simply get thirsty. The San Antonio Zoo is next door if you want to combine both places. 

At the San Antonio Riverwalk -Photo by Maria A.M.

That evening we headed back to the Riverwalk to experience it at night. We were there when the Christmas Lights were up so it looked magical. I posted a video you can see on the Wayfaring Gals Facebook page. You can grab a drink and stroll, or sit at one of the many bars or restaurants along the Riverwalk, and just take in the scenery. You have to enjoy the Riverwalk as much you can when in San Antonio. 

At the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we visited the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which preserves four Spanish frontier missions, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These missions were part of the Spanish colonization that stretched across the Southwest from the 17th -19th centuries. We visited the Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, which was founded in 1720. The arched exterior of the church is particularly beautiful. You can go inside the church as this is an active parish. The grounds are peaceful and I recommend you visit them when in San Antonio since they are unique to the area. 

At the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park -Photo by Maria A.M.
At San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

I also recommend you visit Market Square in San Antonio, which is the largest Mexican market in the US. There’s restaurants, shops filled with Mexican goods, food stands, and people selling unique and handmade wares. I couldn’t resist some of the fun clothing items there either. It’s such a colorful and vibrant place. We walked there from the Riverwalk. 

At Market Square in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.
At Market Square in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

In the evening during certain days and times, San Fernando Cathedral hosts a light show which depicts the history of San Antonio, giving you a visual journey from discovery, to settlement to current development. It’s about 20 minutes long, and you want to get there early enough to grab a good seat. I’ve never seen anything like it, and thinks it great that the church hosts this unique event. 

At San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

The last place I visited before leaving San Antonio was the most famous, the Alamo; made famous by the Battle of the Alamo which occurred from Feb. 23- March 6,1836. The famous battle was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. The Mexican general Santa Anna’s cruelty during the battle inspired many to join the Texan army. 

The Alamo in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

The Alamo is free to get in, but you have to pay for guided tour, which I recommend you take. At the entrance, there’s a memorial to the famous men that fought in the battle. There are maps and dioramas to show you how the site used to look since it is much smaller now. The guided tour included a ticket to the church, and the tour went through it. You can see where the women and children were during the battle. There is an exhibit that I recommend you see before leaving the site that contains artifacts, weapons, and uniforms from the battle. The grounds contain sculptures, artwork, and people dressed from the time period explaining various interesting tidbits, or showing maps of what the world and country looked like in 1836. The Alamo is a must see when in San Antonio and I can’t imagine a person that would not enjoy a visit there. You will have a better understanding of the fight for Texas’ freedom. 

At the Museum of the Alamo in San Antonio, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

After leaving San Antonio, we headed north, and stopped at Fredericksburg, a small and charming town known for the wineries in the area. We had lunch a Fredericksburg Brewing Company, and sampled some the beer, which was good. We had a good lunch there (we were simple and got pizza). The brewery contains flags from all over the world and is fun place. 

At Fredericksburg Brewing Company in Fredericksburg, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

Main Street in Fredericksburg has a lot of shops, bars, galleries and other small businesses you can stroll through. I even heard live music for the first time in a long time. There is a park, Marktplatz von Fredericksburg, near downtown that was decorated in German style Christmas decorations. The park also has gardens, picnic and play areas. The Vereins Kirche Museum (Pioneer Museum) is there. It is a historical landmark. Fredericksburg is a nice town to spend a day or weekend in to get away from city life. 

At Marktplatz von Fredericksburg Park in Fredericksburg, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

Afterwards, we headed up north to spend the night in Fort Worth, since we loved the Stockyards and wanted one last look before heading home. We took another trip there in the evening to have a spicy margarita at Lil Red’s Longhorn Saloon at the Stockyards. You can sit in saddles or regular bar stools. You can have Buffalo Butt Beer (see the pic). We had a fun time before heading back to our hotel.

Lil Red’s Longhorn Saloon at the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.
At Lil Red’s Longhorn Saloon at the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, TX -Photo by Maria A.M.

We were able to make it back home in a day. We had a great time in Texas so I hope the posts help you plan your getaway to some of the cities there. If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

Greetings from San Antonio! -Photo by Maria A.M.
Categories
Texas Travel

You May All Go to Hell and the Wayfaring Gals Will Go to Texas!

Greetings From Austin Mural -Photo by Maria A.M.

The Wayfaring Gals (compromised of my sister and I) decided to take a trip to Texas after the holiday season since the weather would be nice, and there would be more things to do. We live in a city and state where everything was shut down due to the pandemic so we needed a break from that. I decided to drive since it would save money on car rental, give us the freedom of the road, and no time deadlines for flights. 

At the Center of the Universe in Tulsa, Oklahoma -Photo by Maria A.M.

We made it to Tusla, Oklahoma where we spent the night. I love breakfast so we stopped at Savoy where the food was delicious and they make their own cinnamon rolls, which were amazing. It’s hard to find good coffee at breakfast joints, but this place was an exception. The coffee was nice and strong. After breakfast we stopped at the Center of the Universe, which is a mysterious spot that messes with acoustics. When you stand in the circle there is an echo, and it is much quieter on video. As soon as you leave the circle there is no more echo and the volume gets turned up. Pretty fun Atlas Obscura attraction to stop at when you are in Tusla. 

At the JFK Memorial in Dallas, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

Afterwards we were off to Dallas, Texas. Dallas is infamously known as the place where JFK was assassinated, so there is a memorial and museum there dedicated to the former president. The Sixth Floor Museum is the place where Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK, and it was turned into a museum on the Kennedy presidency and assassination. You can walk to the memorial from the museum. Across the street from the memorial, there is also a cabin that belonged to the founder of Dallas, John Neely Bryan (who founded the city in the early 1840s). After Dealey Plaza, I recommend a nice walk at Pioneer Park, which is not too far. There are sculptures that commemorate the cattle drives where Texas longhorn cattle were taken to northern railroads. 

At the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

After that we headed to the Deep Ellum area to check out the street art, art galleries, and fun shops. The area is known for its night life and music venues. Deep Ellum Brewing Company is there if you want to sample beer from Northern Texas. We had left overs from the amazing breakfast place we ate at in Tulsa, so we turned in early since we were tired due to spending a great part of the day driving. 

The Deep Ellum neighborhood in Dallas, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we visited the Forth Worth Stockyards National Historic District, which is the place I enjoyed the most from my Dallas experience. You can watch a live cattle drive at certain times of the day to give you a taste of what the area used to be like. This area is also preserved to look older to give you a Wild West feel. There’s a lot of shops, bars, and restaurants you can check out. I enjoyed talking to the owner of a tea shop where I picked up tea to get me through my trip. There was a wine bar serving mulled wine that helped warm me up since it was a little chilly (sweater weather) that day. The night life is fun there so I recommend you stay the night and enjoy a modern take on the Wild West.  

Forth Worth Stock Yards in Forth Worth, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

After Forth Worth, we were on our way to Austin, which is about a five hour drive. Just to warn you, Texas (and Dallas in particular) have some of the world’s worst drivers. My sister drove during our time in Texas, while I got us there and back home. People lane change without looking, they won’t let you merge, and are just reckless. People don’t care if they get into a car accident; it was crazy. I thought people in California and Florida were an aberration, but I’ll add Texas to the list. Once we crossed state lines to head home, a peace descended on the road. I just want to warn you if you are driving in Texas; it’s pretty awful. 

Forth Worth Stockyards National Historic District cattle herding show -Photo by Maria A.M.

When we arrived in Austin it was later in the afternoon. We stayed in downtown so we walked to the state capitol, which is beautiful. The grounds are lovely, and it’s quite a nice stroll. We took a picture of the Ten Commandments for our mother since she loved that. You definitely have to check out the Texas State Capitol when you are in Austin. Later, we picked up some barbecue, which we ate on the rooftop of our hotel. The view of the sunset and evening was beautiful. 

At the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day after we picked up coffee and breakfast at Mozart’s (I thought it was overrated), we headed to the famous “Greetings From Austin” mural for the obligatory photo there. We also found the “I Love You so Much” at Jo’s Hot Coffee Good Food on Congress Street, where we decided to stay and explore. Congress Street has murals, restaurants, bars, and great shops. There’s a costume shop Lucy in Disguise that’s just massive and amazing; pick up a costume if you need one. The Austin Hotel had a display of rainbow and various colored Christmas trees, which just made us happy. We stopped at a diner for some cocktails and great guacamole to refuel so we could keep exploring. 

At the Austin Motel in Austin. Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

We took a tour to check out Castle Hill Grafiti Wall (which was fenced off) so we took a look at all the street art and graffiti. I particularly love the Flash art (I’m a comic book nerd). When we got there we waited in our car since there appeared to be some kind of drug deal taking place. We politely stayed in our car until the dealer left. There’s a never a dull moment with the Wayfaring Gals!

At Castle Hill Graffiti Park in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

When in Austin, I highly recommend a stop at Mayfield Park, which includes a historic cottage, gardens, and nature preserve on a bluff overlooking Lake Austin. There are also free roaming peacocks strolling around. I made sure to respect their space and not get too close since they can be feisty. The ponds are a beautiful blue green color and there are gardens galore. The park is beautiful, and you’ll feel refreshed after a stroll there. 

One of the peacocks at Mayfield Park in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

We decided to have a beer and dinner at Lazarus Brewing Company where the beer is religiously themed. There is a stain glass mural of Jesus on the roof in the courtyard (or you can sit outside if you prefer). I got to sit right under Jesus, thankfully. Lazarus Brewing also serves delicious tacos, which we both enjoyed. The place also serves coffee and kombucha. It’s great place to just sample beer or stop in anytime of the day depending on what you’re in the mood for. 

At Lazarus Brewing Company in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

We ended a day of sightseeing at Mount Bonnell, which gives you a view of Austin and the Lake Austin portion of the Colorado River. You can take the stairs, or a short trail up to the top. It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. It’s a popular tourist destination so it is pretty crowded. It’s not too far from Mayfield Park so you can go right after either to watch the sunrise or sunset. 

The ceiling at Lazarus Brewing Company in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day was my birthday so my sister said the day was devoted to me, and all things I enjoyed. We had coffee that was much better at Top Hat Coffee (service was much better too). Then we were off to the Oasis on Lake Travis, which is located on a cliff 30 thousand feet about Lake Travis. The restaurant has multiple decks and levels overlooking the lake, and indoor seating as well. The view is just beautiful. I had a burger, which was ok, but my sister’s meal was better (she got chicken strips dipped in a tasty sauce). There are also shops there that you can stroll through. The Oasis has a great gift shop if you want to pick up souvenirs made by local artists. Luckily, it didn’t start raining until we were back on the road back to Austin. 

At the Oasis in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

We went back to downtown Austin to visit the Texas Toy Museum, a museum devoted to all my beloved childhood toys and action figures. I have to admit I am super nerdy, and started collecting action figures during the lock down (as many people did). The displays at the museum are amazing; there are installations devoted to the Simpsons, X-Men, Star Wars, Star Trek, He-man and She-ra to name a few. There is also an arcade at the museum with pinball games. I got to play Star Trek and Star Wars pinball. The museum sells drinks in cans, and you can drink as you peruse. There’s also action figures and graphic novels you can purchase. The place is a dream come true for any nerd or anyone feeling nostalgia for 80s and 90s toys like me…(those were the days). 

The X-Men Display at the Texas Toy Museum in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

I was excited to try Prohibition Creamery where the ice cream is made with booze (another dream come true for me). My sister tried Black Magic, and I got Whiskey Chocolate (two of my favorite combos). The ice cream is made there, and you can also request your own combos as well. This was such a great treat on my birthday. I read that the place closed, and I hope it reopens at a new location since it was delicious. 

At Prohibition Creamery in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

We ended the day at Techo Mezcalareria & Agave Bar since I love Mezcal. This place is hidden (it’s on top of a taco joint). It’s pretty small, but there is also outdoor seating on the deck. We got there early so we able to sit in the enclave next to the bar. The cocktails were delicious. They made Mexican hot chocolate with Mezcal since it was a cold rainy day. I had a cocktail that had Mezcal and absinthe. We were able to get tacos downstairs and had a great evening. We took the party back to the hotel to relax since it was a fun filled day with all things that I enjoy. All in all, I had a great birthday, which is why I’m happy with my decision to spend it in Texas versus back home where everything was shut down. Even the rain didn’t dampen the day. 

At echo Mezcalareria & Agave Bar in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

The Texas trip will be continued in the next post. If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

Wonder Woman Mural by Sandra Chevrier and Shepherd Fairey in Austin, Texas -Photo by Maria A.M.

Categories
Mackinaw Island Michigan Travel

The Wayfaring Gals Explore Mackinaw Island & Northern Michigan

At the Mission Resort on Mackinaw Island, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.
At the Mission Resort on Mackinaw Island, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we took a ferry in the morning to visit Mackinaw Island, which is a place I’ve always wanted to visit since I’m a Somewhere in Time fan. The ferry is less than a half hour to the island if I remember correctly. Once we arrived in Mackinaw, we booked a horse and carriage tour. Cars are not allowed on the island so horses are a mode of transport. The carriage tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with the island (which is pretty small), and you get to visit Mackinaw State Park. It also snowed and rained that day, so we were fortunate to be in the carriage when it was snowing. It also made for a pretty picture. The park has an old cemetery which looked beautiful with the changing foliage and snow. The tour stopped at Arch Rock, which is one of the most famous rock formations on the island, so we were able to get a closer look. Also, we were able to pet the horses from our tour, but the mare kept lunging at me when I tried to pet her partner so I backed off (I don’t think she liked the red hair). 

The horse carriage tour on Mackinaw Island, MI -Photo by Maria A.M

At Arch Rock on Mackinaw Island, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

We had the tour drop us off at the Grand Hotel, and paid the ten dollars to go inside (which I recommend you do if you are not staying the hotel). The hotel is lovely, and you feel as if you were transported back in time. I enjoyed walking around and exploring. There is normally a Lost in Time festival this time of year, but it was cancelled. Some people still came out and dressed in their 1912 period clothing. Jane Seymour has been known to drop by for the festival in the past. There is bar at the top called the Cuppola where you can have a drink and take in a nice view. 

The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island -Photo by Maria A.M.

We walked back to town and bought some fudge at Ryba’s Fudge Shop, along with other sweet treats like chocolate covered pretzels and coconut clusters. We headed to the Mission Resort where Somewhere in Time was also filmed. We had lunch inside the Mission at the Round Island Bar & Grill where the staff was nice, and the food was good. There’s a great view of the Adirondack chairs that face the lake that people like to pose in and post on social media. There’s a gazebo outside the resort that a scene in Somewhere in Time was filmed if you want to check that out as well.

The view from the Mission Resort on Mackinaw Island -Photo by Maria A.M.

After that excursion, we walked back to town, had a beer at the Great Turtle Brewery, and did some more walking around to take in the beautiful scenery on the island. A trip to Mackinaw does feel like you have gone back in time and is a great getaway. I wish we had stayed overnight, but we went back to the mainland to spend the night in Harbor Springs (which is also beautiful). If you do visit to Mackinaw Island, spend the night at one of the beautiful hotels there, which will make you feel like you have gone back in time.

At the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, MI -Photo by Maria A.M

Shopping for fudge at Ryba’s Fudge Shop on Mackinaw Island, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

The Highland Hideaway bed and breakfast we stayed the night at also had a complimentary wine tasting. We were able to sample the wine we liked multiple times, and our questions were answered. I enjoyed the wine from the bed and breakfast, so I took a bottle of rose home with me. Outside you can enjoy the hot tub, which felt great in the crisp, fall air. I actually sat partially outside to cool off. The sauna is shaped like a wine barrel and you can detox in there. This place was like a dream come true after a hectic, but enjoyable day of sight seeing. It felt refreshing to relax at a beautiful place with such friendly staff. Our room had a fireplace which was like a dream come true for me. 

At the Highland Hideaway in Harbor Springs, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

Wine tasting at the Highland Hideway in Harbor Springs, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we drove to the Traverse City area and went to pick up wine at Black Star Farms, which I highly recommend. There is a restaurant there and you can stay at the BnB (which we did not do). You can take a private tour of the estate, do a wine tasting, or eat fresh sourced food from the farm. The Leelanau Peninsula area is beautiful, and I recommend driving in that area and trying some of the wine. The area is beautiful and a great getaway, along with having some of the most amazing wine. 

At Black Star Farms Suttons Bay, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

We also made a stop in Leland to visit Fish Town where we had a delicious lunch at a to go sandwich stand. Leland is about twenty miles from Traverse City. In the area along the Leland River, you can walk along the historic fishing docks (hence the name (Fishtown); and you can visualize what life was like in the early 1900s. This area is one of the only working commercial fishing village in Michigan. The weathered fishing shanties are now gift shops, art galleries, and boutiques. Make some time for a stop in Leland, and you’ll also feel transported back in time. 

At Fishtown in Leland, MI -Photo by Maria A.M

This was such a great trip that I had to break it down in three posts so it would not be an unbearably long post, and you can also break it down to one or two trips depending on much time you have. This was my first time visiting the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Mackinaw Island, along with some enjoyable stops in northern Michigan like Harbor Springs and Leland. I visited Traverse City area before and recommend a stop at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park as well if you have time. There’s so many great towns in Michigan so you can keep exploring and making more memories. 

At New Holland Brewery in Holland, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow. 

The loot from Michigan and Wisconsin -Photo by Maria A.M.

At the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island -Photo by Maria A.M.
Categories
Michigan Travel Upper Peninsula Michigan

The Gals Visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

At the Porcupine Mountains in Ontonagon, Michigan -Photo by Maria A.M.
At the Porcupine Mountains in Ontonagon, Michigan -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we were off for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which I have always wanted to visit. Before we left Door County, we had breakfast sandwiches and coffee at the Bearded Heart Cafe, which had amazing food and drinks. I still dream about that bagel sandwich. My sister went to the Upper Peninsula last year without me, much to my disappointment. I was happy that she agreed to go again. I am still in awe of how beautiful and remote the Upper Peninsula is; it feels like an escape from life. 

At the “Library” in Houghton, Michigan -Photo by Maria A.M.

At Keweenaw Brewing Company in Houghton, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

We had a long drive, about five hours to get to our destination. Our destination was Houghton, and when we arrived, we went to a brewery and restaurant called the Library which is in (you guessed it) an old library. It still has that feel with old books and memorabilia all over the place. I enjoyed the cherry beer I had with pizza, which was good. We stoped at Keweenaw Brewing Company for another fruit flavored beer; I had a peach fruit ale. My sister and I walked around downtown Houghton (there are some small businesses with fun shops and things) before heading back to our hotel where we could go for a swim and then relax with a drink before crashing. 

Driving through the Keeweenaw Peninsula in Upper Peninsula Michigan -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we took a trip up the Keeweenaw Peninsula, which is the northernmost part of Michigan’s Upper peninsula, along side Lake Superior. It was probably one of the most scenic and beautiful drives I have taken of fall foliage. We stopped for a walk in Copper Harbor, which is a resort town that is a popular tourist destination. The area is known for its beautiful views of the lake. 

At Lake in the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Park -Photo by Maria A.M.

One of my favorite places from the whole trip was the Porcupine Mountains in Ontonagon. The name of the mountains comes from the Ojibwa people since the silhouette had the shape of of a porcupine. We stopped at the Lake of the Clouds (which is the name of the lake between the two ridges) in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Park, which gives you the best view of the mountains. I think the park looks best in the autumn with the different colors of the foliage. Be prepared to be in awe and enjoy the different overlooks as you head to the top. You can hike or take the ramps that go up. Pictures nor words do the Lake in the Clouds justice. It is such a beautiful place with amazing views. You will want to spend some time taking it in. Before you leave the park don’t forget to take your pic with the statue of the bear. Not sure why they didn’t make it a porcupine? 

At the ore dock in Marquette, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

After the park we went to town to get a hearty meat and potato filled pasty since that is the popular food to eat in the Upper Peninsula. I like pasties since they remind of empanadas, but they are more filling. One was enough to tide me over for dinner. Another relaxing evening swimming in the pool, then a drink before heading to bed.  

The moose jacks at Donckers in Marquette, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we left for Marquette and stopped at Donckers for breakfast. I wanted to have the moose jacks even though they are for kids (they are so cute and good too). The food was delicious there. After breakfast, we walked along the harbor to see the famous ore dock, which was used to load ore onto ships (and are mainly found on the upper Great Lakes). It’s a pretty impressive structure. We walked around the downtown area to check out some of the local businesses and had to try the coffee. Cafe Allenatore had the best coffee we had on the whole trip. The owner serves Italian style coffee, and makes his own whip cream, chocolate, and uses local honey. 

The trail up Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

Since we were in Marquette we decided to go for a hike at Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s a good trail since there are ramps and stairs. I did not mention that it rains a lot in the Upper Peninsula and it is cold in October so bring winter clothes (I.e. a coat, hat, gloves, etc.) and an umbrella. We saw tourists that looked at us enviously in their jackets. It was raining when we went hiking so we were dressed for it and brought umbrellas. It was pretty windy at the top too, but definitely worth the effort since the view was amazing. The foliage’s changing colors was pretty spectacular, even with it raining and all.  

The view from Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette, MI Photo by Maria A.M.

Presque Isle Park in Marquette, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

Another place I recommend you visit in Marquette is Presque Isle Park. The park is on a peninsula that extends into the lake, offering beautiful views of Lake Superior. You can bike or walk trails in order to check out the overlooks. I recommend driving around the park too since it looked like a fall wonderland (or walk if you have the time). I was surprised at how lovely this park was. It is definitely a hidden gem. 

On the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise in Munising, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

We had to drive a couple hours to get to Munising in order to go on the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise (which is the best way to see the famous Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore). The shoreline contains sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and forest. Thankfully we went on the right day since tours were cancelled the next day due to high waves and choppy water. The cruise is two hours, one hour out and then another hour to head back. Even though it was raining and cold, I had a great time. My sister advised we sit on the right (she took the cruise before) since that side has the best views. You can sit on the top of the boat or stand outside if you prefer, we did go outside but had to come in to warm up since it was wet and cold. The rocks have beautiful colors and you can see various shapes in the formations. Sunset is a great time to see the rocks since that is the cruise my sister took. When we went it was grey and raining so it didn’t matter. The Pictured Rocks are a must see when in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 

On the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise in Munising, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

After the tour we were so happy to warm up in our hotel’s jacuzzi since we spent most of the day outside in the rain. It felt great to relax with a glass of wine after a great day of exploring. 

At Falling Rock Cafe in Munising, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next morning, the Wayfaring Gals went to check out a local breakfast spot: Falling Rock, which is also a book store. We are fans of having a huge breakfast to tide us over for a while, and  recommend having a breakfast sandwich since they are pretty large. After breakfast, it was another drive to go to Kitch-iti-kipi which means “ Big Spring.” It is Michigan’s largest fresh water spring and part of a state park. The park is west of Manistique and the pass you purchase works for other parks for the day. There is a raft on a cable that you can pull across the pool to get some amazing views of the spring. The water is crystal clear and blue, which is calming and even mesmerizing. It is a recommended destination to visit when in the Upper Peninsula, as is our next stop. 

At Kitch-iti-kipi in Palms Book State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula -Photo by Maria A.M.

Tahquamenon Falls are two different waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River. They are both located in the eastern Upper Peninsula near Lake Superior. The water is brown or amber colored due to the tannins leached from cedar swamps, which the river drains. You can hike to both sets and get some different views of the falls. There are also hiking trains through the forrest there. The falls are stunning and we posted a video on our Facebook page that you can check it. They look unreal. 

At Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

As a reward for your hiking, you can visit the brewery there, and enjoy food and a tasty beverage. I enjoyed the peach beer while sitting by the fire place (I’m sure you guessed that it rained that day too). After the falls, we crossed the Mackinaw Bridge and entered the Michigan mainland again. We spent the night in Mackinaw City with the intent of visiting Mackinaw Island the next day since it was already late in the day when we arrived. We were sad to leave the Upper Peninsula of Michigan since it was beautiful, peaceful, and remote. There were not that many people there, which was a nice change of pace. Pictures and words do not do the place justice; you have to experience it. I myself want to go back to revisit places and explore new ones. 

At Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub in Paradise, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

At Kitch-iti-kipi in Palms Book State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula -Photo by Maria A.M.

At Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, MI -Photo by Maria A.M.

Categories
Door County Travel Wisconsin

A Weekend with the Wayfaring Gals in Door County

On Zig Zag Road in Door County -Photo by Maria A.M.
On Zig Zag Road in Door County -Photo by Maria A.M.

My sister was working in Door County, Wisconsin for the fall season, so I decided to meet her in order to spend a couple days there. I had been there this past summer and enjoyed the area. I only went for the day this past summer, so I knew I wanted to return in order to explore more, especially during the fall once the leaves changed color. I arrived on a Saturday afternoon (Door County is about a four to five hour drive from my place). Once arriving in Fish Creek where my sister was staying, we went to a gallery that had out door sculptures in order to walk around and look at some art. I could not believe how beautiful the foliage was. Door County in the autumn is just something you have to experience. I cannot even imagine how crowded it must have gotten on the weekends when the world was normal. It was nice to not deal with the crowds while enjoying the scenery.

At Cave Point County Park in Door County, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

After that we headed to Cave Point Park, near Jacksonport, for a hike during my favorite time of the day when the lighting is magical, that twilight hour before the sun sets. It was interesting to see how the landscape of the park had changed from the summer to the autumn. The park is on Lake Michigan and is famous for its limestone ledges and underwater caves. The waves were so huge that I did get splashed when walking along the lakefront. It was definitely more peaceful, wave wise, during the summer when many people even swim there, or sit on the ledges by the water (which you definitely couldn’t do that day). There are trails you can hike, or walk along the lake. I enjoyed walking along the trails into the forrest area to look at the changing color of the leaves. It felt great to go for a hike after being in the car so long. The park is a must see when in Door County! 

At Cave Point County Park in Door County, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

That evening we went to Glacier Ledge for delicious drinks and food. I recommend the lavender sake martini, cauliflower with cheese for an appetizer, steak for dinner, and a pumpkin tart for dessert. The staff was also so nice. My sister and I sat at the bar area with a nice view of the outdoor area that has a fire pit. There is a store next door where you can get cheese, fig spread, and various meat to make yourself a nice lunch, or have a picnic outside. I recommend Glacier Ledge since it was a nice and relaxing dinner. 

A lavender sake martini at Glacier Ledge in Door County, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day we went to Washington Island. On the way to the ferry, we visited Anderson House, which is a popular stop in Ephraim, Door County. The house is full of graffiti. There is a gift shop there but I did not go in since it was closed. There is also a gallery across the street. It’s a popular stop for photos and hopefully you can check out the gift shop too. I recommend getting chai or coffee at Kick Ash Cafe before you take the ferry to Washington Island. The cafe used to be a church, and has great atmosphere if you want to stay and hang out. Continuing on our way to the ferry, we drove along Zig Zag road, which looks beautiful in the autumn with the changing leaves and winding roads. The ferry is a pretty short ride (I think 30 minutes) and you can bring your car (which I recommend). 

At Anderson House Shop and Gallery in Ephraim, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

One we arrived on the island, the first stop was to see the beautiful stave church or the Stavkirke that is modeled after Borgund in Norway. The project began in the 1980s, inspired by islanders’ Scandinavian heritage. There is another stave church in Door County on the Lawrence University campus that you can visit, Boynton Chapel (it’s in my Instagram feed). Boynton Chapel is a recommended place to visit when in Door County as well. Stave churches are an architectural style modeled after twelfth century churches in Norway that used wood as a material (like the Viking ships). When I visited Norway years ago I fell in love with the style. Who doesn’t want to go to a church with dragon heads on it? When visiting Washington Island, I recommend seeing the Stavkirke. 

The Stavkirke on Washington Island, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

On the island you should visit School House Beach, and make sure you don’t take any of the rocks with you. I don’t recommend stacking them either, just leave the place as you found it. The water at School Beach is clear blue and the rocks are smooth limestone. The trees with the changing leaves make a beautiful tranquil place that I suggest you check out. 

At School House Beach on Washington Island, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

After that, we visited Nelsen’s Hall of Bitters where you can have a shot of bitters, which makes you a real islander. It’s a historic landmark (was established in 1899). It is the oldest continuous running tavern in the state of Wisconsin (it operated during Prohibition). The owner prescribed bitters for stomach ailments since he had applied for a pharmacists’s license. We took our shot and joined the club!

At Nelsen’s Hall Bitters Pub on Washington Island, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

After we returned to the mainland, we visited a beautiful park, Ellison Bay Bluff County Park that has some fantastic views of the lakefront along the limestone cliffs. It is the second largest park in Door County. There is a stairway that leads to the viewing site. Door County has some great parks you can go hiking and enjoy the beauty of nature. Sister Bay was on the way back to Fish Creek,  so we stopped and walked around, enjoying the Halloween decor. The famous restaurant with the goats, Al Johnson’s is there. There are goats that eat the grass on the roof of the restaurant. The place is great for breakfast and lunch since it closes early (3 pm). You can sit out doors later though. 

At Sister Bay in Door County, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

We ended an amazing day with some wine from Door Peninsula Winery which makes “Hallowine” for Halloween. The bottle contains the story behind the wine. You can visit the winery, and they sell wine and cocktails outside. There is also a distillery there if you want spirits. I like the Hallowine with apple warmed up since it reminds me of cider. We got matching Hallowine mugs to enjoy our drink in. We stayed in Fish Creek for the evening, and walked to the lakefront to watch the sunset with our wine. Fish Creek is a nice area that I recommend staying in. It’s charming with great shops and places you can eat at. The Halloween decor around the town was charming when I visited, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy a trip to Door County during any part of the year. It’s a great weekend getaway!

Hallowine at sunset in Fish Creek, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.

If you like our Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

At Ellison Bay, Door County, WI -Photo by Maria A.M.
Categories
Alexandria Baltimore Maryland Travel Virginia West Virginia

Heading to the Eastside: Part Two: Alexandria Here I Come!

At George Washington's Mount Vernon in Alexandria, VA -Photo by Maria A.M.
At George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Alexandria, VA -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day of my trip out east (read the first part for more info) we were off to Baltimore, which is about an hour away from Gettysburg. My friend and I first stopped at Fort McHenry Monument, made famous when it successfully defended itself from British naval invasion during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was inspired by the victory and wrote the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Fort McHenry Monument in Baltimore, Maryland -Photo by Maria A.M.

After that stop, it was off for a quick breakfast, and then I headed to the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum. My visit to Poe’s home was the reason I wanted to stop in Baltimore since I’ve been a fan of his work since I was a child and was first introduced to the Cask of Amontillado. I bought the tickets in advance, which gives you the place to yourself for 45 min. The place is quite small and you don’t need the full time. There is information in each room you can read over, and then the guide will answer any questions you have. Poe lived in the house with his aunt and cousin Virginia (whom he later married). Poe was poor and did not live in a wealthy area, so his home is in an economically down trodden neighborhood.  Poe’s room is at the top of the house and is very small due and has a sharp pitch. Poe is buried nearby at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground where you can pay your respects to him (which I definitely did). 

Edgar Allan Poe House in Baltimore, Maryland -Photo by Maria A.M.

At Edgar Allan Poe’s home in Baltimore, MD -Photo by Maria A.M.

Afterwards, we visited the Fell’s Point neighborhood in order to walk around the harbor and check out some of the fun stores like Sound Garden music store. After some window shopping, I had a vanilla cold brew with sake at a coffee shop close to the music store. The cold brew with sake was delicious (I know it sounds weird). When I walked along the harbor, I passed the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, which showcases African American contributions in maritime history. I learned that Douglass lived in Baltimore for a time. After some time walking around, it was time to hit the road and head to Alexandria, which is about an hour away from Baltimore. 

Edgar Allan Poe is buried at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore -Photo by Maria A.M.

After checking into the hotel, we headed to the downtown of Alexandria, which was ten minutes away. I wanted to walk down King Street where all the shops and restaurants were, which then ends at the harbor area. Queens Street has such beautiful homes; it reminds me of Jones Street in Savannah. While on Queens Street, I had to check out the famous narrowest house in the country, Spite House which is only seven feet wide. The homes are various colors, which adds to the appeal of them (for me). In the same area is Christ Church where George Washington went to church (the church is closed, but you can peak inside through the windows). You can still walk the grounds. While in downtown, I had to get cupcakes at Lavender Moon, which were delicious. Dinner was at an Italian restaurant where I was able to get some pizza. My friend and I continued to walk off some of that rich dinner along the harbor.

The Spite House (or narrowest house) in Alexandria, Virginia -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day I bought tickets to Mount Vernon to see George Washington’s home, which was my reason for the visit to the area. Due to COVID, much of the re-enactments and characters dressed in period costume was much smaller. I advise that you need at least a half day to a full day once things resume back to “normal.” A lot of times there are festivals and events in the tents outside the grounds too. You probably want to go during the week to avoid crowds. There are different guided tours you add to your admission ticket. I took a tour of the interior of the house, which I recommend you see.

At George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Alexandria, VA -Photo by Maria A.M.

George Washington’s father built Mount Vernon around 1734, and George would expand the place in the 1750s and 1770s. Once Washington moved there with his wife, he lived there for the rest of his life. The estate is now 500 acres while it was 8000 acres in Washington’s day. In 1858, the estate was saved from ruin by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, which is still running the place to this day.  

An inside peak of George Washington’s home in Alexandria, VA -Photo by Maria A.M.

Presently, guests are not allowed to go upstairs in the home, just the first floor, which was beautiful. I love the colors found in the rooms, either on the wall or on the furniture. It was great to see Washington’s office with his glasses, pen, and books. He had a chair that would fan the person sitting in it, which was quite modern for the time. I had read a biography on the president last year so it was a great experience to see his home and visualize him there. 

The famous dentures of George Washington, which are at Mount Vernon in Alexandria, VA -Photo by Maria A.M.

The grounds are quite extensive, and you’ll need the map to see the various parts. I did my best to see it all. Washington is also buried there so you can pay your respects at his tomb. You can walk down to the harbor and see where some of the farming was done, and as well as where the slaves lived. There is also a memorial to the slaves that lived and died at Mount Vernon. Washington’s will asked that his slaves be freed upon his death, but many could not be since they were tied to the Custis estate.

The Slave Memorial at Mount Vernon -Photo by Maria A.M.

 Along the grounds, there are people dressed in period pieces from various professions, like the blacksmith or a seamstress, and they are happy to answer your questions. Normally, there are farm animals displayed in areas like the stables. After walking the grounds, you are led to the visitor’s center where there is an exhibit on Washington, chartering his whole life. You can see his dentures on display, his sword used in war, and various artifacts from his and Martha’s life.

George Washington’s Office at Mount Vernon -Photo by Maria A.M.

You can’t miss the gift shop since there are some great souvenirs like Mount Vernon wine. You can purchase whiskey from Mount Vernon Distillery, which is made the old fashioned way like it was in the eighteenth century; no modern machines are used. You can visit the distillery as well to take a look. There are tastings on the weekends if you want to come back and sample the whisky. I ate at the Mount Vernon restaurant to end the experience there, and enjoyed the food I had: peanut soup and a lobster roll. There is quite a lot of see at George Washington’s home so I just had a relaxing evening that involved drinks. I had a great time at Mount Vernon and definitely recommend you visit when you are visiting Alexandria!

George Washington’s Tomb at Mount Vernon -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day it was time to head back since it was a long drive. I stopped at the World’s Largest Teapot in Chester, West Virginia, which I did not know existed. I decided to have lunch there since breakfast was a coffee and pastry. Then it was off on the road again. I enjoyed this road trip and don’t regret traveling. I saw some amazing historic sites that I had wanted to see for quite a while. Now that it is fall I will have to hit the road again!

The World’s Largest Teapot in Chester, West Virginia -Photo by Maria A.M.

If you like my Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

Lavender Moon Cupcakes in Alexandria, VA -Photo by Maria A.M.
Categories
Gettysburg Pennsylvania Travel

Heading to the Eastside: Gettysburg Here I Come!

At the Lincoln Statue in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.
At the Lincoln Statue in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

I decided to take a last minute road trip to Gettysburg, Baltimore, and Alexandria, Virginia. I originally took the vacation time with the intention of going to Portugal, but that was canceled due to current circumstances going on in the world. I didn’t want to do a staycation, but needed to take time off for my mental health (I work in Employee Relations and this year has been the worst with employee complaints). I asked a friend that hasn’t been working to tag along. I was able to get great prices on booking.com for Gettysburg and Alexandria (if you don’t stay in the downtown it is cheaper). I used Pinterest for ideas on what to see after googling top sites in each city that I planned to visit. I knew Baltimore would be a pit stop to see Edgar Allan Poe’s home and burial site. I also knew George Washington’s Mount Vernon was a must see in Alexandria. Since Americans can’t go overseas to many destinations, I decided that I will make the best of it by exploring the US.

At Dobbin House Tavern in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

I woke up extremely early in order to hit the road so I could knock out the drive to Gettysburg in one day. I lost an hour due to time change, and I do not like to drive when it is dark out. My friend packed some wraps so we didn’t stop at the rest stops too long. I made it to Gettysburg after 5pm and decided to go out for a nice dinner since I was tired and needed a good meal. I wanted to eat at Dobbin House Tavern, which was built in 1776, making it the oldest structure in Gettysburg. The place was also believed to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. The wait staff dresses in colonial period clothing and you can sit under canopied tables, which is very cozy. I recommend the French onion soup as it was amazing. I had some appetizers while my friend had crab cakes, which I was able to try and recommend as well. The food was delicious and our service was great. After dinner, we walked around downtown Gettysburg, and then headed back to the hotel to relax.

The french onion soup at Dobbin House Tavern in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day was a busy site seeing day. The Gettysburg National Battlefield Park was closed so we couldn’t book a tour. I started at the Gettysburg National Cemetery, which was created for the Union casualties of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1-3, 1863. There is a monument there in tribute to Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address at the consecration of the cemetery. This is an important site that honors the soldiers that died during the historic battle (even though soldiers that died in the Spanish-American War and WWI are buried there). Next door is Evergreen Cemetery where the civilians of the town are buried (i.e. Jennie Wade whom you will learn more about). Across the street is the Gettysburg Battlefield where you can see various monuments that different states erected to honor Union soldiers. There are artifacts displayed at the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center.  

At the Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg. -Photo by Maria A.M.
The Gettysburg National Cemetery -Photo by Maria A.M.

Nearby is the Jennie Wade House, which honors the only civilian that died during the battle. Wade’s home has been preserved (you can see the bullet hole that passed through the door and killed Jennie) to give people an idea of how people lived during the Civil War. We received a brochure that led us through the house where we could take our own self-guided tour (we had to reserve the time in advance). It’s a good way to see an old home of someone that wasn’t wealthy and how many lived during the Civil War era.

The Jennie Wade House in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

I took a short car ride to see Sachs Covered Bridge, which was used by both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. It has been reported to be haunted so it is a popular stop for the ghost chasers. The bridge was built in 1854, and cars are no longer allowed to cross it. I’m a fan of covered bridges and have visited the Bridges of Madison County, so I had to take a look at Sachs Bridge.

At Sachs Bridge in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

After seeing the bridge we took another ride through the Gettysburg National Military Park to see the Pennsylvania Monument (which is quite impressive) and some other memorials there. The park is massive and there are so many monuments. I recommend taking a tour since I had to improvise. There are also many reenactments done there if you are into that. We had dinner and drinks at Appalachian Brewing since I am a beer fan, and like to visit different breweries when I travel. It was Taco Tuesday so I had to take advantage of that. Our hotel had an open swimming pool so it was great to go for a swim before ending the evening.

At Gettysburg National Military Park -Photo by Maria A.M.

The next day was less hectic. I had a delicious blueberry lavender latte at Eighty Two Coffee to start the day off right, and then it was off to the Battlefield to explore another section (I wasn’t kidding when I said it was huge). After that venture, I decided to see former President Eisenhower’s Home. I took a stroll around the outside area since the inside was closed. The grounds are pretty and it was worth at least seeing the outside. The place was renovated in the 1950s and Eisenhower retired there in 1961. The property was gifted to the federal government in 1967, but Mamie requested to remain there during her lifetime. The home was taken over by the park service after Mamie Eisenhower’s death in 1979.

Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

 My next stop was on the wackier side with a visit to Mr. Ed’s Museum and Candy Emporium. I loved the outside since it was decorated for Halloween with grounds you can walk across and enjoy. There is an area for children, a gazebo, and elephant tea pot museum in a building that looks like a teapot. The inside is a candy store that sells products made there like fudge and truffles with other souvenirs and fun items. I bought my nieces both a unicorn that grows in water. The back has a museum dedicated to all the elephant nick knacks the owners have collected over the years. This place is so out there that I loved it!

At Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

At Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium in Gettysburg, PA -Photo by Maria A.M.

Make sure you take time to visit downtown Gettysburg for some shopping and good eating. You have to see the bizarre Lincoln statue at the center. I also enjoyed Fourscore Beer Co. My favorite was the passion fruit mango beer I tried, it was delicious! The food was good too. There are plenty of ice cream shops if you are a fan. Make sure you walk around, eat some good food, and support the small businesses in downtown Gettysburg.

Enjoying Downtown Gettysburg -Photo by Maria A.M.

I was originally going to write one post but it was becoming quite lengthy so I’m splitting the trip into two posts. If you like my Facebook page, there are videos from the trip posted that you can check out as well. I also update the Instagram WayfaringGal page (which has more photos from the trip) with new posts. Thank you for reading, and comments and feedback are always welcome since that is how we learn and grow.

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Memorial in Gettysburg National Cemetery -Photo by Maria A.M.