Traveler Blues

May 23, 2019June 3, 2019 By Traveler Blues

The Douro River Valley

Snaking 200 miles through northern Portugal, the Rio Douro or “river of gold” flows from northern Spain through Portugal to its mouth in Porto and then, the Atlantic Ocean. It is the 3rd longest river on the Iberian peninsula. The Portuguese wine growing area, the Alto Douro, an area of over 21,000 acres of terraced…

May 22, 2019May 30, 2019 By Douglas Mazina

Guimaraes: The Cradle of Portugal

One of the first excursions we had the option to take from our ship was a 30 minute bus ride to the town of Guimaraes, and then a walking tour. Lisa opted to do a little more shopping in Porto and Douglas went on the excursion. Guimaraes often referred to as the “birthplace of the…

May 21, 2019May 30, 2019 By Douglas Mazina

To Porto and Beyond

We arrived in Porto, a Unesco World Heritage Site, late in the afternoon. It reminded us of how often when we’re driving our campervan, we arrive at dusk. Soon after arriving, there were welcome drinks in our hands. This is a dangerous river cruise with an open bar and good wines- like superman is to…

May 20, 2019May 29, 2019 By Traveler Blues

Obidos & Nazare

Time had come to bid farewell to the proud city of Lisboa and start our bus ride to Porto where we would get on with our riverboat cruise. Along the way, we stopped at two small towns. The first town was Obidos. Obidos is a cute medieval village with cobblestone streets, a church on every…

May 19, 2019May 25, 2019 By Traveler Blues

Lisboa

If you could sum up the history of Lisbon, it might be displayed in this iconic fortress, the Torre de Belém on the Tagre River, built in the 16th century combining Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque styles. Unfortunately this fortress was never successful in keeping out invaders since Portugal was usually invaded by land! At one…

May 17, 2019May 25, 2019 By Traveler Blues

The Algarve Coast

We continued our driving tour of the Algarve Coast by exploring the rock formations in Lagos. Lagos is super touristy and busy so we are so happy we decided to stay at the small fishing village of Salema. There are hundreds of boat tours that leave from this area to explore the rock formations and…

May 15, 2019May 25, 2019 By Traveler Blues

Hidden Beaches & the End of the World

There are hidden beaches and coves all along the southern coast of Portugal…too many to visit during this short 4 day trip. The next beach we visited was not hidden but you had to wade across a river and then hike up a sand dune to get Praia do Bordeira (Praia means beach). What’s up…

May 14, 2019May 25, 2019 By Traveler Blues

Discovering Lusitania

Two centuries before Christ, there was a province called “Lusitania” which included all of Portugal, south of the Douro river, and all of Spain. We’ve never visited Portugal and have always wanted to take a river boat cruise in Europe so we decided on a cruise up the Douro river from Porto, Portugal to Spain. …

February 5, 2019February 20, 2019 By Traveler Blues

Camping on the Beach

Let the sun be the energy that welcomes each day…Camping on the beach for a month in February? Why not? On the way back from our last January’s Key West and coastal Florida run/extended camping trip, we stopped off in Destin, Florida for a night or two. We liked it so much, we booked a…

September 4, 2018September 17, 2018 By Douglas Mazina

Maine Redux (pt. 2)

We left the Blackwoods campground of Acadia National Park to catch a 10am tour boat with a Park Ranger out of the Northeast Harbor. The cruise was the Islesford Historic and Scenic Cruise which lasts about three hours and includes a 45 minute stop on Little Cranberry Island to visit the small Post Office that…

September 2, 2018September 13, 2018 By Douglas Mazina

Maine Redux (pt. 1)

We parked the TravelerBlues van at the Portland airport and flew to NOLA for Lisa’s parents’ 60th wedding anniversary celebration at Ralph’s on the Park. We love NOLA and this trip the travel God’s blessed us with an upgraded suite at a 5 star hotel. On the way back to Maine, our first leg stopped…

August 27, 2018September 8, 2018 By Traveler Blues

Falling in Love with Maine

Relaxing on my hands and knees Relaxing on my face Reclining in the bear trap of its tender, warm embrace Glazed with coniferous green Glazed with excitement and dread Exhausted from oversleep Awake but still in bed Shaving razor’s rusty but the sting brings you exactly back to Maine Is the world that went south…

August 26, 2018September 4, 2018 By Douglas Mazina

Vermont and New Hampshire

Leaving New York State via a ferry across Lake Champlain was a first water crossing for our little camper van. On the Vermont side, you land on the idyllic island of Grand Isle. The beauty of rolling hills, farming, livestock punctuated by a couple of small towns must call everyone. Lisa had the same feelings…

August 24, 2018September 4, 2018 By Traveler Blues

We’re Still in New York?

We’re Still in New York? When you think about New York you automatically think of skyscrapers and Broadway lights and a city that never sleeps. But if you drive just a few hours north of NYC, you might think you are out west in Wyoming or Montana. Welcome to New York State and more importantly,…

August 21, 2018August 27, 2018 By Traveler Blues

New York, New York

“New York, New York, what a wonderful town…” “New York, I love you, but you’re bringing me down” “I love New York” “New York, its killing me” “Empire State of mind” “Bite the big apple, don’t gag no maggots” Anyone who has ever written more than three songs, has written a New York song. They…