A Record of a Lifetime of Wanderlust
Apostle Island National Lakeshore, Bayfield, Wisconsin.Named by mathematically challenged French Fur Traders, the Apostle Islands include 22 islands instead of the 12 alleged to be by its name. These islands are all located in Lake Superior and are all part of the state of Wisconsin. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore includes 21 of the 22…
Willemstad, Curaçao One of my favorite city skylines and walkable downtowns is Willemstad, Curaçao. Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao and the historic capital of the Netherlands Antilles, so the city has had close to 400 years of commerce and history. Thanks to the Queen Emma Bridge, passengers who arrive via cruise ship can take…
Willemstad, Curaçao One of the Caribbean’s most distinctive skylines is found in the capital of Curaçao. Colorful buildings line St. Anna Bay, providing a welcoming site to travelers. To access the colorful downtown from the cruise terminal, passengers can walk (or bounce) across the Koningin Emmabrug (Queen Emma Bridge), a pontoon bridge that connects the…
Kralendijk, Bonaire I’ve been in many vehicles in my life, but the Blokarts in Bonaire might be among the most unique. The vehicles had a simple design, a go-cart body, but instead of an engine, they were powered by a large sail. Surprisingly, the Blokarts could get quite speedy if sailed correctly. There were only…
Rincón, Bonaire I have taught crop science classes over the years, and I always taught the students that it was possible to make alcohol from any plant through a natural process of fermentation. The Cadushy Distillery of Bonaire has proven that point, using the Kadushi Cactus of Bonaire to make a liquor product. The lime…
Kralendijk, Bonaire and Rincón, Bonaire Bonaire is the second largest of the ABC islands. Still, at an area of only 111 square miles, a large portion of the island can be visited quickly. Also, Bonaire has a small population (around 25,000), so the island feels much less crowded than many Caribbean destinations. Because of the…
Kralendijk, Bonaire On our deck in Bonaire, we exited our vast cruise ship for a new experience: a glass bottom boat. Our captain, Kim, met us at the dock and took us to the coral reef. Kim was originally from the Netherlands, and she spent time telling us about her life-changing vacation to Bonaire about…
Noord, Aruba and Santa Cruz, Aruba Aruba has become a major tourist destination due to its proximity to the United States and its endless summer climate. Tourists on the island can expect sunny weather, warm temperatures, and fantastic water. At a quick glance at Aruba, it is easy to see that all the tourist development…
Oranjestad, Aruba Aruba is a desert island, and very little grows in its hot, dry environment. However, one introduced plant, Aloe vera, thrives in the desert climate. At one time, the Aloe vera plant covered two-thirds of the island and was Aruba’s number one export. Aloe vera was raised primarily for its resins, which were…
Panama Canal, Panama – Looking out my cabin window in Lake Gatún, I saw the automobile carrier Orchid Ace for the first time. It was unfathomable to think that our long day in the Panama Canal would be linked to “Adrienne’s Ship.” Our day in Panama began early morning when we entered the Atlantic Locks….