Barryville and Minisink Ford, NY: A Travel Guide

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The 70 plus mile Scenic Route 97 begins in Port Jervis, New York and takes intrepid motorists on a meandering road trip bursting with opportunities for year round adventure.

Route 97 makes its way through such towns, communities and hamlets as Barryville and Minisink Ford, which are roughly just 5 miles apart.

What follows are suggestions on what to see, where to dine and spend the night while in the Barryville and Minisink Ford area.

Barryville

Travelers making their way along Scenic Route 97 will start to see signs for Barryville shortly after they pass through Pond Eddy.

Known as a premier Eagle watching destination, Barryville is home to the Eagle Institute, which runs guided eagle watch tours during the winter months.

It is also home to several white water rafting bases, Kittatinny Paintball, a good size Farmer’s Market, several shops like Until Next Time Antiques and a few quaint eateries.

Dining

Before departing Barryville, travelers may want to consider stopping by the Chocolate Mousse Café and Bakery for a hot cup of coffee and a slice of Aunt Butchie’s Chaos Cake.

While there it might also be a good idea to order a few club sandwiches or wraps to go as there are no restaurants of note in Minisink Ford but plenty of ideal, Delaware River front, picnic areas to choose from.

Travelers approaching Minisink Ford will first notice the unmistakable outline of the Roebling Bridge.

Roebling Bridge

A true feat of engineering, the 535 foot long Roebling Bridge is the oldest wire suspension bridge in America still in existence today.

Consisting of dual, 8 ½ inch round, wrought iron suspension cables that were spun on-site, it connects Minisink Ford to Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and was created under the tutelage of John Roebling, who later went on to design the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

In addition to its historic construction, the bridge is located near the site of the Revolutionary Battle of Minisink, the D & H Canal Towpath, a tollhouse museum and the Zane Grey Museum on the Pennsylvania side.

Minisink Battlefield Park

Known as the site of the only Revolutionary battle waged in the Upper Delaware River Valley, Minisink Battlefield Park will be of immense interest to history buffs.

The Minisink Battlefield Park is located just a short distance off Route 97 on County Route 168 near the town of Highland.

It contains a visitor’s center replete with informative, interactive displays as well as three hiking trails of varying length and difficulty; the Battleground Trail, the Woodland Trail and the Old Quarry Trail.

Particularly noteworthy locations along the trails include Hospital Rock, Sentinel Rock, Indian Rock and the Minisink Battlefield Monument.

Some may question the idea of a trio of rocks being deemed noteworthy, but they truly are due to the history and legends surrounding them. All three were reputedly sites of uncommon valor and death in battle at the hands of the notorious Brandt’s Raiders.

In addition to the above, Minisink Battlefield Park also features clean, public restrooms and ample picnic areas for those travelers that would like to sit and enjoy a snack before getting back onto Route 97.

Travelers should also note that the Minisink Battlefield Park is seasonal and as such is only open from May through early October. Travelers should call the park staff to verify admission fees and hours of operation prior to trip departure.

Roebling Tollhouse

Located on the New York side of the Roebling Bridge is a toll house turned museum that is open daily from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.

The toll house museum’s exhibits include old photographs and relics from the days when both the area’s canals and railroads were thriving. Presently there is no admission fee and tours are self-guided.

Delaware and Hudson Canal Towpath

The 1 mile Delaware and Hudson Canal Towpath begins at the base of the Roebling Bridge and spreads outward along the Delaware River affording visitors an opportunity to experience what it was once like to work along the famed canal. There is no admission fee to access the towpath and it is open daily, year round.

Zane Grey Museum

As Zane Grey’s first published article was about a “Day on the Delaware” it is only fitting that a museum honoring his writing career be located near it.

A former resident of Lackawaxen, Zane was an avid fisherman who enjoyed living, fishing and writing on the Delaware River.

Visitors who decide to venture over the Roebling Bridge to tour Zane Grey’s home and museum may also want to consider a stop at the Lackawaxen Cemetery where he and his wife were interred.

The Zane Grey Museum is open on the weekends from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm September through Mid-October and daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Travelers should allow at least one hour of exploration to fully appreciate what exhibits the Zane Grey Museum has to offer.

Due to the small amount of people allowed on each 20 minute, guided museum tour at one time advance reservations are also strongly encouraged.

Lodging

Travelers enamored by the Roebling Bridge and the Delaware River’s commanding views may want to consider spending the night on the Pennsylvania side of the bridge at the Roebling Inn on the Delaware.

Located between the Roebling Bridge and the Zane Grey Museum, the 1870 clapboard home turned Inn use to be owned by the Delaware Hudson Canal Company, as were many of the buildings in the area.

It features expertly appointed guest rooms with such quaint amenities as fireplaces and antique claw-foot tubs that are perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of exploration. Overnight accommodations at the Roebling Inn on the Delaware are also easy on the wallet with double occupancy rates starting at $99 per night.

Advance reservations are required and may be obtained by calling the Inn’s staff directly.

Eagle Watch Institute
845-557-6162

Until Next Time Antiques
845-557-0597

Barryville Farmer’s Market
845-932-8348

Chocolate Mousse Café and Bakery
845-557-3622

Minisink Valley Historical Society
845-856-2375

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
570-685-4871

Zane Grey Museum
570-685-4871

Roebling Inn on the Delaware
570-685-7900

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Traveling to Mexico? Here is What You Should Know and Avoid

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You have decided to go to Mexico. Great! Where are you going to? Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, or the tourist hotspots such as: Can Cun, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco? Wherever you go there are a couple of things you should ALWAYS keep in mind when traveling to Mexico.

First, here are some suggestions of things you should do:

One Don’t do anything stupid. It goes without saying, but chances are you are not an expert on the laws of Mexico. If you commit a crime in Mexico, unlike the U.S., you are not innocent until proved guilty. They assume you are guilty, then you pay your way out.

Two When traveling to Mexico, avoid flashing your wealth. If you can, put most of your money on your card, many places will take your card. If you must have cash, trade it into pesos as soon as you can, carrying or showing dollars make you more prone to abduction, or robbery.

Three Always know where you are going. Make a plan of your travel route. See the place you want to travel by day, and so when you travel it at night you will have some idea of where you are going. Also, make sure it’s well lit.

Four If you go to a tropical hot spot such as Can Cun, Playa or Acapulco, be on the lookout for weird situations, specially in places like clubs or bars.

Five Know emergency contacts. Find out the numbers for the police, hospitals and the like. Speak with the receptionist at the hotel about these things, they may be able to print you a list of numbers.

Six Buy a prepaid cel phone. They are very cheap and a great way to communicate with friends around town if you decide to split up. Remember communication is key, and can save your life in case somehting bad should happen.

Seven: Go in groups, the old saying “safety in numbers” is very true. You are less likely to be robbed, hurt or have anything bad happen to you if you travel in groups.

Now, here is a list of things you should avoid:

One: I mentioned not doing anything stupid. Here is what can land you in jail: public drunkeness, destroying property, breaking laws such as jay walking, making a scence, getting in a fight, getting in a fight with the locals.

Two: Carring large ammounts of cash (dollars or pesos). If you are going to be buying touristy things, make sure that you pay for them in cash, because many times you can make a deal with the merchants, specially on the beach.

Three: Dark places, very crowded clubs. Yes, it’s hard to avoid these two, specially if the club you go to is very hot. Watch out for the drinks. If you are going to get a drink at a club make sure you see the bartender open it up. Also, most bars are open bars, which means you get unlimited drinks, for this reason, if the drink looks suspicious, take it back or ask for another one, it’s no big deal.

Four: This one is funny, avoid time share dealers. In beach destinations avoid sales people who will want you to buy a time share. It’s not worth it. It sounds great, but you don’t want to get in debt when traveling to Mexico, you want to have fun.

Five: Avoid tap water. It is not like the U.S. Most tap water is non-potable. If you get water at a restaurant make sure it is bottled water. Many tourists report getting suck due to the water they have drank in Mexico.

Six: Avoid flashing jewelry, cash, high tech devices, watches, gold, silver and such.

Remember, always use common sense, don’t break the law, don’t get incredibly drunk, and keep safe while traveling to Mexico, you will enjoy the place even more. Have fun!

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Enjoy the Best Of Russia At 2018 FIFA World Cup!

Enjoy the Best Of Russia At 2018 FIFA World Cup!

Traveling To New Cities Using a Limousine Service

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Are you excited to get ready for your next vacation, or maybe you get ready for a business trip and want everything to be set up ahead of time so you can make the most out of your experience? Whatever the purpose of the trip may be, traveling can be an exciting, relaxing time if you take care of certain aspects.

Transportation is one of the main things to consider when you prepare for your trip. Especially if you are planning to go to a city that you have never visited before, the risk of not having a service of transportation may be significantly increased and being left at the airport with nowhere to go is not a desirable situation. As soon as you arrive at your destination, you will have to take a taxi, rent a car, take a public transportation or call an acquaintance to pick you up.

All these options require extra work, preparation, money and sometimes none of them is possible. Not to mention that, as a foreigner, you can easily be taken advantage of and the situation can get out of hands in a matter of minutes. But luckily, there is a solution to your transportation dilemma and that is the limousine service. Nowadays, limousine services are more and more popular especially since the price quality ratio is rather affordable to most categories of people.

Why choose a limousine transportation service?

First reason should be that it is the safest transportation service you can choose! You do not take any risks regarding your comfort and your luggage. The chauffeurs working for such a service are responsible and have a professional behaviour as well as clean driving records and years of experience; all of these skills being provided in order to keep you safe and comfortable during your trip. The vehicles, limousine style ones, are usually equipped with a high level of options and you will be able to choose the one that fits your needs the most. But along with these advantages, there are others such as a safe payment system since you will pay a bill already established beforehand so you will have no financial surprises which are always a good thing.

Another advantage is the fact that a limousine service will, indeed, make your experience different from your daily routine life which will allow you to completely relax and enjoy the ride. There are many options when it comes to companies, here is a good example of professional limo service in Chicago, companies you are picking should have sites with similar characteristics. Like, clearly described services and pricing, easy online booking and last but not least decent reviews.

When you book your limousine service you might want to consider the type of car you will need, your budget and options that way the final deal is the best one for you. So, spoil yourself with one of the best transportation services and feel the comfort you deserve!

Now that you took care of the transportation aspect of your trip, let’s look at some helpful tips you might need to know when you travel to a city that you have never been to before.

Make sure you have enough cash with you.

Sure, credit cards are of great help nowadays but what if you end up in a new city, with no possibility to reach an ATM and with no cash in your pocket? Not an ideal case at all especially under the stress of being in a new place and now knowing how the system works. If you bring cash with you and never spend it, even better. You can always put it back into your bank account when you get back.

Do some research regarding the culture of the city you are planning to visit!

Yes, this is important, maybe more than you think. You might expect to get adapted in a miraculous way as soon as you reach your destination but without a previous research, many things might shock you and put you on the spot or even get you in trouble. Spend a few moments and click away online to see what are the “dos” and the “don’ts” of the city and then try to integrate for everybody’s sake.

Buy your water!

Drinking the local public water might not be a very good idea. You will probably think that is fine because everyone else is drinking it so why would it harm you? The answer is simple because your immunity system didn’t have a chance to develop any immunity to the new environment that you are exposing it to. Therefore, what seems perfectly fine and safe for the locals, might not be so safe for you. Go to a supermarket and buy an international brand of water to begin, with. At least until you get used to the new habitat.

Have the right phone numbers!

This is a crucial point. Make sure you have important contacts in your phone or agenda such as the police, the ambulance, the embassy that you belong to and possible other authorities that could help you in case you get yourself into an awkward or dangerous situation. This is highly important especially if you go to a city where you don’t speak the language and you don’t have many acquaintances to help you. Unexpected situations do happen and it is better to be ready than sorry.

Always have a map with you.

If you go to a city you have never been to before, maps are your friends, possibly your best friends. Make sure you keep it close to you and decide the route you are going to take accordingly. Is better than getting lost and spending extra money to get back on track.

Looks like you are all set! Now all you have to do is follow these tips and book your limousine service to guide you through the new world that you are about to discover. No matter the differences that you might encounter, make sure to relax and always enjoy the ride!

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Sofia Travel Guide

Tips for Traveling to Europe

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England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland

At the end of May my mother, sister, and I left to meet my father in England. My father had been working in Iraq and we thought it would be the trip of a life time for our family. Sadly it was a trip of a life time for us but not in the way we had all hoped. The roads were more confusing than we had ever thought possible, the hotel rooms were cold and small, and gas stations with no bathrooms only added to the tension in the car. I am sharing this information because it could have all have gone another way.

It all started when we got the car. We had found the perfect car to spend our two week vacation in. It had plenty of room and we thought we had done well. We were meeting my father at the hotel and in our excitement we made our first mistake. We forgot to ask for a GPS system. We quickly realized our mistake and decided to stop off at a gas station to look for a map. This did not go a smooth as we thought. First off there are things called round-a-bouts. I know we have some round-a-bouts in the good old USA but not like they have. They literally have no intersections, they only have round-abouts. Also their road signs are confusing. We had no idea where we were or where we were going. Couple this with the fact that the stick shift was on the wrong side and we were driving on the wrong side of the road we thought we were going to die. After receiving nine different confusing directions to a gas station we finally found on. We almost cried out of joy as we walked out with our map, that was before we realized the road map does not really help when it comes to the round-a-bouts. Some how we made it back to the car rental place two hours later and got the GPS system. We made the ten mile trip from the car rental place to the hotel in the grand total time of three hours.

One good thing about London was that they had no cops. Police are just there to take care of crimes not speeding tickets. They do have cameras on the road sides but these seem to matter little to the locals. When driving you must go fast. The fast lane is the lane closest to the inside of the road. When someone comes up behind you, get over! These people know how to drive and they do not take kindly to slow drivers. They will politely flash their lights when you are in their way. If you do not get over you will soon find yourself the recipient of rude hand movements, and violent verbal assaults. Also they have roads that are big enough for just one car at a time. If you are as unfortunate to find yourself on one of these roads you may have to back up a long way to let the other person by. This could also get you in an argument with a less than happy local. Stone walls on either side makes it seem as if you are going to break the mirrors off of the car. For the poor person that has to drive these roads, I ask on their behalf that no one does the typical backseat driver routine. If they do, well driver stop the car and hand over the keys. Let them drive for a few minutes and they will no longer be so vocal when it comes to your driving.

BOOK YOUR HOTELS BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STATES! We had all but two days booked and we thought we would be fine. No my friends, we were not. A rugby game was going on and for 50 miles we could not find a room. The hotels also will most likely only allow two people to a room. So families start looking months a head of time to find your rooms. For some reason Scotland will give you the most problems with this. The rooms are very hard to find in advance and trust me, you will spend endless hours on this problem. The rooms will come with two towels only, and no wash clothes. They say it is to conserve energy but I say they were being cheap. At every hotel we went to I was cold. I could not get the heat up enough and several hotels said the heaters were broken. Maybe it is just because I am from Florida that I was so cold but my entire family took long hot showers before going to bed so that they would be warm enough to fall asleep. The rooms were all clean and nice but they just seemed to fall short next to American hotels. If you want to relax and watch some T.V. before bed, look hard for a hotel that offers that. At all the hotels we went to they all offered only three or four local channels. Luckily most of them had American movies playing all day.

Smokers be sure to pack enough smokes to make it through. Cigarettes are expensive and they are not as strong. They also have great pictures on them that almost made my mother stop smoking. If you are a smoker you will need a cigarette after trying to park you car in the tiny parking spaces they provide. At a parking garage we went to they had empty spaces, not because they had no one to fill them, but because it was impossible to park your car. Even people who are accustom to this sort of thing have problems and will, instead, park on the side walk. And I mean all four tiers on the side walk.

Besides all of this, Europe is amazing. Walking around in Bath, seeing the cliffs in Ireland, seeing the castles, the whisky in Scotland, the beer in Ireland. All of it is amazing and something you can just not see in America. History is every where and the locals are more than happy to help, especially if you are looking for a good pub. Things could have gone better if we had only known. The extra money you spend on having someone else planing your trip could be well worth it. All in all Europe is different and you should prepare yourself by doing the research. A well planed trip to Europe could become the best trip of your life.

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