The Intentional Traveler

The Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Trails

A Planned Trip Up The Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway is actually the most visited of all American National Parks. The Parkway extends 469 miles mostly along the crest of the Blue Ridge mountains through North Carolina and Virginia. It encompasses some of the oldest sites of both prehistoric and early European settlement in the country. Colonel JosephContinue reading “The Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Trails”

Thoughts On Travel and Technology

Technology changes rapidly and equipment and services that worked well or were inexpensive yesterday may not be available or work the same way today. We consider our electronic devices essential travel gear but are always looking to find things that fit multiple needs or save space and weight. Following is a discussion of the currentContinue reading “Thoughts On Travel and Technology”

A FastPass Thru U.S. Immigration

A bit of an introduction to our adventures with Customs and Immigration. Before a few years ago, when returning to the United States, there weren’t a lot of choices, so we would fill out our custom form, pick a line (always the slowest moving) and wait for our turn with an agent. Rarely did thingsContinue reading “A FastPass Thru U.S. Immigration”

St. Croix, America’s Other Virgin Island

St Croix, USVI The United States Virgin Islands is comprised of three principal islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. At 84 square miles, St. Croix is the largest island in the Virgin Island group and significantly more rural than its brother, St. Thomas. The island features a rain forest in its western interior,Continue reading “St. Croix, America’s Other Virgin Island”

The Map Room

Navigating on our cellphones is great but sometimes the best option is still a paper map. Over the years we have collected maps while visiting places around the world and have marked them up with attractions to see and routes to follow. On occasion we modify maps before our trip to simplify understanding a placeContinue reading “The Map Room”

Sydney Australia and the Opal Card

Getting Around Sydney If you are planning a trip Down Under with some time in Sydney, you need to build your plans around their great public transportation. Like most large cities, buses are plentiful but Sydney also boasts a metro rail system and an express system called “Light Rail” that connects most major parts ofContinue reading “Sydney Australia and the Opal Card”