Historic Train from Denver to Cheyenne for Frontier Days

It was 142 years ago on the Nation’s Birthday that General Grenville M. Dodge and his crew platted what is now known as Cheyenne, then in the Dakota Territory, later in what is now the state of Wyoming.  Named for the Indian tribe that dominated the Great Plains, Cheyenne, like many of the towns built to support the growth of the Union Pacific railroad west, was intrinsically linked to the railroad.

Fittingly then in the summer of 1897, Cheyenne was coaxed by a Travelling Passenger Agent for the Union Pacific Railroad to have a festival that would become a destination for an excursion train. Little did the agent realize that it would be drawing folks there for over a hundred years to come.  Held annually, this year’s Cheyenne’s Frontier Days is the 113th celebration of the event, whose centerpiece is what is claimed to be the largest rodeo in the world. 

Tweeters have been tweeting in droves about the event.  Among them is the Tweep for the Union Pacific Railroad whose tweet concerned the legendary steam locomotive No. 844 that pulled a special fund-raising train into Cheyenne from Denver on Saturday, July 18 celebrating the historic link between Cheyenne and the Union Pacific. 

Check out the video of the train making it's way to Cheyenne this past weekend on YouTube.

Cheyenne's Frontier Days event continues through next weekend, July 26.  

7 Must-Dos Traveling in London

Having spent the equivalent of months in London a week or two at a time -- I note that my view of the must-dos or must-sees, while consistent with what most travel guides or writers have concluded, differs somewhat because of particular interests.  Here they are, all with the caveat of time permitting:

1) A Yoman Warder tour of the The Tower of London is a must, including seeing, of course, the Crown Jewels.

2) Not just touring the The Houses of Parliament, but sitting in the galleries during debates. The galleries are open to the public when the Houses are meeting , which is from Monday to Thursday and on "Sitting" (meeting)  Fridays, with differing times for each House. The galleries are not open during recess, when neither House is meeting.

3) Having High Tea at one of the finer hotels in London.  My favorites:  Browns or the Lanesborough

4) Watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.   However, if you miss this or are visiting London in the Summer between the end of July and the end of September, you can visit the state rooms of the Palace.  For more information.

5) Seeing Shakespeare preferably at the Globe or if not you cup of tea -- a West End show.  Going to the theatre in London is a special experience not to be missed.

6) Perusing  major museums -- most importantly the British Museum

7) Taking  one of the  Double-Decker Bus Tours and jumping  off to see highlights like Westminster Cathedral or to walk through Harrods.

Most importantly, walk, take the Tube, and enjoy the street life  around this great town while doing the must-do's.

London is perhaps my second favorite city in the world.  There are endless things to do and see there..limiting this list to seven is painful.

Cheyenne's Frontier Days Grand Parades

The first of four Frontier Days' Grand Parades rolled through the streets of downtown Cheyenne Saturday with marching bands, dignitaries on horseback or historic carriages. U.S. Senators from Wyoming, Miss Wyoming, rodeo champions, Cheyenne's mayor and others waved to the crowds that lined the parade route starting from the Capital building.

The next Parade is tomorrow, July 21, followed by parades on Thursday and Saturday expected to attract visitors from all over the world. If you're thinking about coming to Cheyenne for Frontier Days, don't miss the chance to see one of these spectacular events. Here's a sample of what you might see:

Frontier Days Tweeting

Before heading over to Cheyenne for Frontier Days this weekend, I did a search on Twitter and was amazed at the amount of tweeting occuring about the event. Experimenting with use of Friend Feed to embed twitter searches led me to try the following search. Here are the results:

Sidney, Nebraska a landmark of the American West

While driving from Denver on Route 76 in Northeastern Colorado, it is only the event of a roadrunner skirting across the highway and the intermittent patches of brilliant yellow wildflowers that break the monotony of vast nothingness. We’re heading to Sidney, Nebraska by way of Route 76 and then Nebraska Highway 19 ……destination Cabella’s.

The importance of Cabella’s to Sidney is evidenced by the first landmark you see approaching the town. Like the Eiffel Tower to Paris, the shining green water tower boldly imprinted with Cabela’s brand is to Sidney.

Established in 1867 as a railroad town, better known as a jumping off point to the Black Hills of South Dakota for gold seekers, Sidney had a rich history prior to Cabella’s. Originally a settlement of the Union Pacific Railroad designed to provide living quarters for railroad construction workers, the town got it's name from Sidney Dillion, who was at the time head of the Union Pacific.

While the railroad was being expanded across Western Nebraska in 1867, the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe intensified their attacks in attempts to thwart construction. To protect the railroad workers and the track being laid, a troop station was established and later a Fort, Fort Sidney. Today in what remains of the original fort, an authentic restoration of the living quarters of the post commander from 1867-1894, operates as a museum.

A walk through the Fort Sidney Museum is a journey back to a critical period in the history of the American West. Along with period furniture, household items and clothing from the the late 19th and early 20th century, eye-catching photos of cowboys, railroad workers and townspeople from the time pull you back to this mythical era. The railroad memorabilia is especially noteworthy, in particular, the advertisement for the Union Pacific Line from Omaha to Sidney that warns against "bad storms, bad lands, and bad ferries" encountered when not using the rail line.

Because the Sidney-Deadwood Trail was the shortest route to the gold fields, and Sidney was the main link with military outposts and Indian agencies and a trailhead for cattle drives going both East and West, the town attracted some not so welcome characters, like the noted horse thief, Doc Middleton. Sidney's main street became lined with saloons, gaming halls, houses of ill-repute, boarding houses, and the world’s first all night theatre. Today the historic downtown Sidney is much quieter and has a charm of its own with some restaurants and shops.

Then on the outskirts of Sidney is what draws most people to the area today --- Cabella's, the world famous outfitter....a topic for another post.

There's a tourist tweeter in Sidney, NE: SidneyNebraska. Then, of course, there's cabelasfishing, currently the only official Cabela's tweeter.

Custer State Park --- Part of Norbeck's Scenic Byway in South Dakota

I wasn't prepared to be enchanted nor was I prepared for buffalo crossing the road at their leisure as we headed up to Custer, South Dakota for a night's stay and visit to Mount Rushmore. But once we saw the majestic bison with their enormous heads and proud steady gait, I knew we'd arrived at a special place. So while in this area of South Dakota, in addition to our visit to Mount Rushmore, we ventured to Custer State Park. And just by way of our journey from Custer, SD to Mount Rushmore, we drove on other parts of Norbeck's scenic byway which takes you through lush forests and past eye-catching rock formations.

Peter Norbeck, Governor of and US Senator from South Dakota, who brought artist and sculptor Gutzon Borgium to South Dakota and acquired the federal funding needed to carve four presidential images into the side of a mountain in his state, also contributed to development of the system of scenic roads leading to Mount Rushmore and the development of national and state parks in South Dakota among them Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park. Singlehandedly, he created lots of reasons for tourists to visit this amazing wilderness area.

If you are coming here...do use the map of Mr. Norbeck's scenic byways and spend the time traversing these winding scenic roads all leading to what amounts to an American Oz. As you wander on these curvy roads, realize the intent was for you to enjoy the scenery. One of Norbeck's goals was to also lead travelers to the 71,000 acre, Custer State Park. And it was Mr. Norbeck's road and some roaming buffalo that led us there.

The Lakota called them "tatanka," early explorers named them "buffalo," the huge, raggedy creatures that once roamed the praries in the millions. And Custer State Park is probably one of the best places in the country to see an abundance of what are technically bison, the largest animals in North America. About a century ago, two men who realized that these magnificent beasts were disappearing did something about it. Just as American bison were nearing extinction due to over hunting, Pete Dupree kept five bison calves and raised them; later Scotty Philip purchased this small herd which ultimately were the forebearers of the 1,500 bisons that roam Custer State Park.

And roam they do, through meadows, and very slowly across roads in front of cars, sometimes arrogantly standing in place in front of a vehicle visually commanding " go ahead, make my day." Seeing them and their calfs in multitude are a wonder as is just gazing across the green, yellow, and purple meadows aligning the Wildlife Loop Road spotting a prarie dog, or a meadowlark, a herd of burrors, remnants of was once a tourist trek to the top of Harney Peak, or seeing pronghorn ( I thought they were antelope as most neophytes to the park do), or if you are lucky an elk. There are also whitetail deer (which we did see), mule deer, mountain goats, coyotes, bighorn sheep, numerous varieties of birds and mountain lion (yes I said lions) that make their home in the park.

Our stay here was too brief. We did manage to walk a bit up one of the numerous trails (on most trails you can horseback ride or hike, on some mountain bike or just walk), stop at the State Game Lodge, "Summer White House" for President Calvin Coolidge (one of four lodges in the park), and admire the attactive campsites throughout the park (260 which can be reserved beginning in early January for May to October visitors at http://www.campsd.com/). Swimming is allowed at the park's five lakes, boating is permitted with some restrictions, and fishing is allowed anywhere with a valid South Dakota fishing license. Check out all the details on the park at http://www.custerstatepark.info/.

Tweeters in the area:

www.twitter.com/KOA_MTRUSHMORE

Tweets about campsites near Mount Rushmore

www.twitter.com/travelsd

Official Tweeter for South Dakota tourism 

www.twitter.com/rushmrfireworks

PR about Mount Rushmore and fireworks

www.twitter.com/sdexplorer

Discusses South Dakota events, culture

References:

Tatanka, the 2009 Guide to Custer State Park.

Tweeting About Cortona and Arezzo in Tuscany, Italy

Without doubt Twitter has opened a whole new windows for travelers and trip dreamers.

In the process of planning a month long trip to Italy, I've been looking for very specific information about the areas we plan to visit. In addition, to using the traditional travel sites and social networks like Trip Advisor and Virtual Tourist, I've been experimenting with using Twitter as a type of search engine to locate blogs and other sources all too often buried by the usual search engines. In doing this, I discovered that it was relatively easy to identify hotels, travel writers and photojournalists, travel experts, travelers, travel bloggers and others sharing pictures, hotel and restaurant recommendations and more. Not only could I review their tweets, but the tweets directed me to more extensive blogs, websites and videos. Plus, I could peruse their followers and find more sources.

But most importantly, quite often, I was able to start up a mini-dialogue with someone in country. Through Twitter, for instance, I met "ARoadRetraveled", i.e. Simone di Santi, a producer of travel videos and host of a website, who happened to be in Cortona, when I was doing my research. Not only was I able to view her wonderful videos and read her tweets, I tweeted back and forth with her about Cortona and received a restaurant recommendation.

As Twitter and its usage evolve, I envision a further opening up of the vast hidden web and a massive extension of the interactivity between web users.

Here is a short list of resources for Cortona and Arezzo on Twitter:

ARoadRetraveled Photos, tweets on Cortona and more links to website, responses to tweets.
TuscanyTraveler Tweet on Tuscany based in Arezzo
ILoveTuscany Tweets on Cortona, Arezzo links to blog
VillaiBossi Lots of tweets on goings-on in Arezzo
ToscanaMia Tweets on Tuscan Food traveling in Tuscany, replies to requests for tips in tweets based in Chianti area and Florence, links to web-site, runs cooking school, provides tours

Tuscany_Advisor Lives in Tuscany and operates agritourism business. Tweets about Tuscan Hills and will answer questions from tweeters.  

Ireland's Tourism Tweeps

Ireland is place to roam...stay in small towns, wander down country roads, have a few pints and chat with locals in the pubs. Having visited many times, from Dublin to Donnegal to the Aran Islands, we've enjoyed staying with family (yes, we do still have cousins there), at B&Bs, little inns, castles, country clubs and fine hotels.

I was curious once I became an avid twitter user as to how much you could learn about places to stay in beautiful Eire through Twitter. Whether you are planning to go soon (in which case you should absolutely follow some tweeters) or you just want to virtually visit, here are a few tweeps that you might want to follow to interact with or to just read blogs attached to updates.


Follow the Tweets:


http://twitter.com/GregansCastle

http://twitter.com/IrishFireside

http://twitter.com/NuremoreHotel

http://twitter.com/discoverireland

http://twitter.com/CliffHouseHotel

http://twitter.com/daisycottageirl

Hotel Topics

The Travel Tweeter: The Algonguin -New York's Historic Grand Dame ...

Dec 19, 2009

On an afternoon in 1919 Edna Ferber, the novelist, arrived at the Algonguin Hotel in a new suit not unlike the one composer Noel Coward was wearing that day. "You look almost like a man," Noel said to her, "So do you," Ferber quickly ...

http://www.thetraveltweeter.com/

The Travel Tweeter: Seduced by An Enchanting Hotel Above the Hills ...

Sep 09, 2009

One can imagine the monks walking the loggia of the then monastery and wandering through the now public rooms of the hotel. Inside the hotel, antique chairs, altars, stone walls, frescos and other religious artifacts all come together ...

http://www.thetraveltweeter.com/

arrived milan, luggage did not.. the joys of flying

Aug 11, 2009

well as we we sat sharing a glass of chianti and a marvelous meal on a patio overlooking the italian countryside that evening (and this was at a contemporary airport hotel), it didn't seem to matter. we were in italy afterall. ...

http://www.thetraveltweeter.com/

lunch with a view -- visiting the cipriani

Aug 16, 2009

but arriving on an island in the hotel Cipriani's launch is more than special, it is to enter for a moment the world of the privledged. it is also to enter the place that harry created....and remarkably just as he envisioned, ...

http://www.thetraveltweeter.com/

brown palace hotel -- a presidential experience in denver

Jul 26, 2009

my first solo hotel stay as a working young adult was at an historic hotel --Brown's in london. this marvelous hotel set the bar for what i would expect from accommodations far higher than what could reasonably be required for a ...

http://www.thetraveltweeter.com/

The Travel Tweeter: Revisiting Virtually -- A New York State of Mind

Aug 04, 2009

It is Sunday in New York City and we've just moved into the Parker Meridien Hotel for our annual stay in "the city." We're tired and hungry....and I want breakfast. Of course, Norma's is there, the most fabulous breakfast place ever, ...

http://www.thetraveltweeter.com/

5 Places to Share with Visitors to Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, Virginia is just a river's breadth and slightly south of Washington, D.C., not surprisingly therefore, its culture, history, and lifestyle have been largely molded by the Capital that sits across from it on the Potomac.  This former colonial seaport, founded in 1749,  with its charming shops, narrow old alley-ways, pubs, galleries, restaurants, and historical buildings is a perfect destination for strolling and exploring .

I worked for several years on King Street in Old Town, and now am drawn to Alexandria  frequently to visit family who live there.  When I visit I become somewhat of a tourist myself or more so a tour guide for family, who like many others don't typically tour the city in which they live.  Myself, I am always trying to discover another hidden gem in this unique and picturesque town.

Here's what I would share with visitors:

A walk in Old Town Alexandria, first strolling down King Street cutting into side streets occasionally and then ambling along the waterfront, would head my list.  Another option would be to cover the same area using the free Trolley Tour  (http://visitalexandriava.com/about-alexandria/maps-transportation/free-king-street-trolley/). You can hop on and off  along Alexandria's main artery and check out interesting boutiques, galleries and historic sites on route.  The first  stop in any case should be at  Alexandria's  Visitors Center at Ramsay House located at 221 King Street to pick up a "Key to the City" which provides free admission to nine historic sites.    There are dozens of  places to see along the King Street and it's connected branches, some are private homes (generally on the side streets) with fascinating histories that you can note by the historic marker on the outside of the building.  A must spot to cover is Gadsby's Tavern Museum right off King on Royal.  Gadsby's Tavern is also a restaurant/hotel and a great place to enjoy lunch where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and  James Monroe are said to have dined.

The Torpedo Factory was actually a Torpedo Factory.  It was built in 1918 and for five years  was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes. Work stopped until the facility was reemployed as a munitions storage area during World War II and ultimately the maker of submarine torpedos -- one of which you can see on the main floor of the building.  Now home to more than 165 visual artists, the Tropedo Factory has glassed-in work areas where you can watch artists  produce artwork in a wide variety of media including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The artists invite visitors to observe them in the process of creating their art works. You  can ask questions, learn about each of their art forms, and purchase original work.

George Washington Masonic Memorial looms tall above Alexandria at the end of King Street on the top of a hill.  To get there, drive and park  or  take the free shuttle bus up King Street.  Visible from as far as Washington, the memorial has attracted more tourists since Dan Brown wrote about it in "The Lost Symbol," and piqued more curiosity about Freemasonry.   Inspired by the Egyptian Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Pantheon, the building from the outside itself is a three-tiered architectural wonder. Inside its palatial rooms are truly startling, something unexpected, with its grand entrance hall and statuary almost deifying our first President.  Whether wandering about on your own, or better yet, taking one of the tours, you will learn an amazing amount about George Washington, and Freemasonry.  More information on visiting the Memorial can be found at http://www.gwmemorial.org.

While I  have a number of favorite restaurants in Alexandria, the one I would take visitors would be Restaurant Eve.  The creation of  husband and wife team, Dublin-born Chef Cathal Armstrong,  and his restaurant veteran wife, Meshelle Armstrong, Eve is one of the top-acclaimed restaurants in the DC-metro area.    The tasting room might be a bit much for your wallet, except on special occasions, but Eve's Bistro is a delight in its own right and perfect for lunch, where you can try their hawaiian prawn sandwich, or an Irish BLT or a very fine bouillabaisse, for example.

Although technically with an address of its own, Mount Vernon is surrounded by Alexandria and about 8 miles south of Old Town.  You can reach it down the George Washington Parkway by car or, weather, season and time permitting, you can take a boat ride there.   Spirit Cruises offers seasonal boat transportation from Washington, D.C., and the Potomac Riverboat Company cruises to Mount Vernon from Old Town.   Once there, you can now start your tour at the relatively new additions to Mount Vernon -- the Ford Orientation Center and the Reynolds Museum and Education Center, providing galleries and theaters to illuminate visitors on the life and times of the First President.  While the centers are definitely worth the time there, the real centerpiece of your visit should be Washington's home site and gardens.  Mount Vernon is a place you could spend days visiting, but try to allow at least a day to fully experience this extraordinary place on the Potomac.

About the Travel Tweeter

The Travel Tweeter lives most of the time in Southwest Florida, but frequently travels and takes up residence in places all over the world. In addition to this blog, she writes and blogs about her local region. After having spent many years, editing and publishing the works of others, she has enjoyed getting back to her first love.

What astounds the tweeter is that Social Media has opened up a whole new pathway for virtual travel and communication.  In any one day the tweeter may exchange tweets with a journalist in Italy, a sushi chef in Tokyo, a hotelier in London, a restaurant owner in Tuscany, a traveler living in British Columbia e.g.

The Tweeter shares blog posts  on her travels and notes interesting travel tweets and blogs for those who love to keep learning about the world they live in through her own travel and the experiences of others.

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