OUR PONY EXPRESS NEVADA ITINERARY

On The Road Again!

FERNLEY: This is where we began our adventure. Because of it's close proximity to Reno, Fernely thrives today. It's also the gateway to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Territory and Pyramid Lake.

What to do:

• Drive west to Pyramid Lake. Pyramid lake is absolutely beautiful and serene. The blue green color of the lake is unbelievably vibrant with beige mountains as a backdrop and Tufa Rock formations dotting around the lake. Tufa rocks are porous limestone formed when calcium carbonate is deposited by springs or lakes.
• Before heading to Pyramid lake stop by the Pyramid Lake and Paiute Indian Tribal Museum. Here you can learn the history of the Paiute Indian Tribe.

DAYTON: Gold in Nevada was first discovered here and is one of Nevada's oldest settlements of European Americans.

What to do:

• Take the Historic Downtown Dayton walking tour. Visit Dayton's Historic Society Museum and stop by the 1881 Depot, the only Carson and Colorado station depot in Nevada.

FALLON: Called the "Oasis of Nevada" is surrounded by farms and ranches.

What to do:

• Eat at Slanted Porch, a farm to table restaurant that has the freshest food that is deliciously prepared and seasoned with fresh herbs and spices.
• Visit Lattin Farms and taste "Heart Of Gold Cantaloupe. The sweetest of cantaloupes, we are told.
• Stop by the Churchill County Museum, which houses exhibits of The Pony Express, the earl days of Churchhill County and Northern Paiute culture.
• Leaving Fallon Grimes Point is along Highway 50 and a great stop to discover Petroglyphs, pre-historic rock art.
• Traveling along Highway 50 pay a visit to Middle Gate Station for some kitsch and a good burger
• Next stop Cold Springs Pony Express Station. This is a historic marker and photo stop.

AUSTIN: A boom and bust town that is now on the National Historic Register. Discovery of silver was the reason for boom and made Austin the second largest city in Nevada at that time. 

What to do:

• Take a historic walking tour and visit the Courthouse and The Gridley Store Museum.
• Drive up to the Cemetery. Towns have great history in cemetery's and this one has the best view in town.
• Stokes Castle was built by a mine developer as his summer home in the late 1800's.
• The Little Blue Bird Mine shop for silver and turquoise jewelry

EUREKA: Highway 50 runs through the middle of this well preserved historic town.

What to do:

• You can take a quick walking tour of the historic buildings and it's a good place to stop for a bite to eat.
• Visit the Museum, the Opera House and the Court House

ELY: Originally established as a stagecoach station and post office, Ely has grown into a vibrant city with a lot to offer. In our opinion it's the best city to finish The Pony Express Trail in.

What to do:

• Nevada Northern Railway for a train ride through town.
• Renaissance Market (Saturdays and seasonal) Old homes were built for the immigrant railway workers
• Nevada Northern Railway Museum
• Dine at the Cell Block Steak House for some fine dining without big city prices.
• Great Basin National Park

Accommodations: There's plenty of comfortable and affordable places to stay from motels to B&B's

We stayed one night in Fernley, Fallon and Austin and we stayed two night in Ely.

We flew into Reno and out of Las Vegas.  Fernley is just 30 minutes from Reno and Ely is about 4 hours from Las Vegas.

Most of your road trip will be along Highway 50, "The Loneliest Road". You'll stop along the at Pony Express outposts and stations, discover the history in the towns and witness some of the best scenic beauty.

The Traveling Eye gives The Pony Express Nevada and The Loneliest road two winks!

Tune into to our radio show this week on The Pony Express Nevada. www.wvon.com at 11am Central time September 19 and Sirius XM channel 141 at 11am Central time September 20

THE PONY EXPRESS NEVADA

Sometimes you have to pay a visit to the road. A long stretch of pavement, be it highway or byway, that beckons for visitors from near and far. Wheels to the pavement mapping a course, retracing history, embracing the solitude, taking in the surroundings and meeting the locals at unassuming sometimes planned and other times unplanned stops along the way.



You see a "Road Trip" is not about arriving as you set out to do, rather it's about discovering, getting lost and all the in-between's.




We received the call and answered with our modern day steed (a Chevy Tahoe). With wheels to the pavement we set out to discover, "The Pony Express Nevada", along Highway 50 aka, The Loneliest Road in America. Highway 50 runs through Nevada and along side The Pony Express Nevada Trail. 

Two city girls left Chicago, flew into Reno, NV, picked up our steed, drove to our first town for a quick overnight and viola .... became two city gals taking on the west. We didn't really know what to expect. We read the history and visited the website but still had no idea what we were about to embark upon. As we rolled in and out of the historic towns that make up The Pony Express Nevada Trail, we had a Eureka moment, long before we rolled into the town of Eureka. We were experiencing a piece of a 17 million acre museum; The history of The Pony Express, The Paiute Indians and the towns we visited; The geography and archaeology; The early discovery of the west by its European settlers and let's not forget natural beauty. It all unfolded before our eyes and for that we will never view "The Road" merely as a way between two places again.

Our five day road trip following the Pony Express Trail took us from Dayton to Fernley, Fallon, Austin, Eureka and finally Ely. Actually because Fernley is closest to Reno we began there, headed west to Dayton and then back east again.

Gitty Up!
Photos by Howard Little

Ja'Vonne Harley
Tune into The Traveling Eye, Friday on WVON @ 11am Central time and Saturday on XM Channel 141 @ 11am Central Time for our show on The Pony Express.

PLANNING YOUR OWN CULINARY TOUR

Of course, you can join or sign on to a scheduled or organized food tour and they are great.  However if you want to design your own or if you have specific interests here are some tips on designing and planning your own culinary tour.

HAVE A PLAN

• First have a plan on your specific goals or interests. Consider best of like best burgers, best pizza, best hot dogs, best ice cream, etc. You get the picture.
• Go online ahead time and google local food bloggers to get their picks.
• Map out your locations so you can maximize your time.
• Another way to maximize your time is to select neighborhoods
• If you want to get around by train or bus get the routes and schedules.

CONSIDER YOUR STOMACH

• On one trip I did to New Orleans I ate everything that was put in front of me and at restaurants I ordered full meals.  Believe me when I tell you, I was miserable.
• At restaurants order appetizers
• When possible order snack or tasting portions. You can tell the restaurant what you're doing and they may have or prepare a small plate for you.
• Plan your days so when necessary you can have a splurge meal and the rest are small portions.
• It's a good idea and it's fun to do a bit of walking.

HAVE FUN AND BRING BACK MEMORIES

• This is a fun way to explore a destination so make it fun.
• Ask the locals for their favorites
• Take photos of your meals, the restaurants, the staff and people you meat
• Ask the restaurant if they have a menu you can take home.
• Remember to write down the names of the dishes
• Ask how things are prepared and the origin of it.
• When available purchase those favorites and take them home with you so you can enjoy them again
• See if they have a cook book, if you're into cooking as well.

Remember to just have fun eating your way through the destination

Ja'Vonne

Our Culinary City Picks

Bonnie and I are foodies and we love to eat our way through a destination!  We find that food is a huge part of a culture and it's a great way to discover a country, city and it's people.  We also find that it's one topic people love to talk about especially when you ask about childhood favorites and tradition.  When you start a conversation with who has the best ..... there is a robust competition to share experiences and make a proclamation.

When looking at the US and answering the question "What are the best culinary cities in the US"? We picked Chicago, New Orleans and San Fransisco because of their diversity in cuisine and their creations or style offers many options.

Chicago:

• Home of the Deep Dish Pizza or the Pizza Pie.  Of course you can find pizza anywhere in the US but this is a Chicago Style Pizza.  It's thick, cooked in a cast iron skillet and then filled with toppings.  Gino's East is one of the iconic places and they make sure each bite has the same ingredients.  Take their sausage pizza, they take ground sausage and roll it out in the shape and size of the pie. Of course, you can't mention Deep Dish Pizza and not mention Pizzeria Uno.  At Pizzeria Uno, you order the pizza when you arrive and when your pizza is ready your table is ready.
• Hot Dogs and the Vienna Sausage.  There are many favorites of the city and often the subject of a great debate.  Here in Chicago, it's all about the toppings.  Shredded lettuce, sliced or diced tomato, raw onions, in some cases a slice of pickle, hot peppers and a bright green relish.  If you want to make enemies put ketchup on your hot dog.  This just isn't done in Chicago!
• Italian Beef Sandwich.  Little Italy is a must visit while you're in Chicago and getting an Italian Beef Sandwich is a must.  Thinly sliced beef, sauteed, the sandwich is topped with sauteed onions and then the entire sandwich including the bread is dipped in a beef aus jus.
• The Chop House.  Great steaks are a staple in Chicago and so is the Chop House.  Gene and Giorgetti's is the oldest steak house in Chicago.  A premium cut of beef cooked to perfection.
• Don't forget the visit the neighborhoods in Chicago, by doing so you can take a trip around the world!

New Orleans:

• New Orleans has too many delights to list in one blog. And this is why it tops the list for a culinary tour.
• Anything Cajun! These spices are heavenly and the concoctions from New Orleans Cajun country are phenomenal.  Blackened Catfish or Red fish, Crayfish Boil, Etoufee, Jambalaya, etc.
• Beignets and Cafe Dumond are synonymous! Make it your fist stop to get that Hello to New Orleans.  Fried dough covered in powered sugar and a cup of chicory coffee.
• Po'Boys - A sandwich filled with fried seafood. They're traditionally made with catfish, shrimp or oysters. Add lettuce, tomatoes and remoulade and voila a Po' Boy!

San Fransisco:

• Why we picked it:
• The Fisherman's Wharf has to be on your culinary tour.  Spend an afternoon walking through exploring and tasting the seafood from he pacific coast.  Crab legs, shrimp, fish, etc. You can have it many ways, at a sit down restaurant, to go, in a sandwich or just out of the steamer.
• Sourdough bread.  Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside and oh so good when it's fresh out of the over!
• Chowder, of course made with seafood. Anything from fish to shellfish and to make a real San Francisco treat have it in a sourdough bread bowl!
• China Town is one of the best and biggest in the US from the traditional to the fusion San Francisco's China Town is a culinary tour of its own.

When trying to come up with destinations for a culinary tour outside of the US we wanted to stay away from the obvious.  Once again we have many favorite destinations so this does not mean any other destination is slighted.

Tokyo:

• I watched an episode of Andre Zimmer's Bizarre Foods on his culinary journey through Japan.  While I have some experience with Japanese cuisine neither of us have been to Japan.  I plan on going in January and wanted to get a head start.
• Tokyo has the most restaurants that any other country with Michelin stars
• Tokyo's Fish Market Tsukiji is on the list of Top things to do in Tokyo! There are 1600 vendors, 60,000 workers and 2000 tons of seafood.  The auction for tuna is a must see.
• If you want to most bizarre or extreme visit one of Japan's Extreme Bars.  Not only can the food be bizarre like everything made with Mayonnaise but also a strange theme like a toilet decor and design.

Bangkok, Thailand

• I absolutely love Thai food. The spices and sauces are the best because of their layers of flavors and the heat. I love the heat!
• These are some of my picks for must tries:
• Tom Yom Soup - a brothy soup made with pork or chicken and spice with tiny little potent peppers
• Thai Papaya Salad - made with the freshest of ingredients, green papaya, tomatoes, chili's, shrimp, peanuts
• Chicken or Beef Sa-Tay with peanut sauce - Skewered and grilled meat with a peanut sauce that made with peanut butter, soy and other spices.
• Curry - I favor the shrimp or chicken and it's sometimes with the green curry.  Be careful some curry sauces are very spicy.
• Crispy catfish is one of my favorites.  This fish is fried so crispy ad is not greasy and the spicy green mango sauce will have you going back for more.

Ja'Vonne

Genealogical Travel - Creating Your Own Heritage Trail

Tips for Taking Genealogical Research Trips by Tony Burroughs

Before leaving

• Research card catalogs of libraries and historical societies you will visit
• Copy titles and card catalog numbers you want to research & print out
• Use Map Quest to route inner city travel
• Save Map Quest maps and routing to smart phone or computer
• Print out Map Quest maps and routing

On location

• Get personal tour of library before researching
• Keep research log on where you research, what books or films you looked at, names you searched for what you found
• Make personal contacts with reference librarians and exchange business cards
• Eat at local restaurants, not national chains

Back Home

• Download photos from camera or phone to computer
• Name or label photos
• Update genealogy charts with new found information

Recording Tools

• Note Pad
• Pen and Pencil (some facilities do not allow pens)
• Video Recorder
• Audio Recorder
• Scanner (flat bed)
• Camera

Tony Burroughs, FUGA Author, Black Roots: A Beginners Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree

www.tonyburroughs.com

Summer Secrets - How to Save on Summer Travel

Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons and that means peak season prices and crowds.  There are however some ways to save on your summer travels.

To save on summer airfares you'll need to know when to fly, when to buy and what they charge:

When to Fly: 

• Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the least expensive days of the week to fly.  Thursday through Sunday are typically the most expensive.
• Knowing the seasons will also help. For those destinations that celebrate four seasons the typical summer is June - August with some variations by destination.  Try traveling just outside of those dates.

When to Buy:

• I find that Tuesdays especially in the evening is the best day of the week to purchase and get the best airfares.
• The days of the last minute specials are pretty much gone, however that doesn't mean you have to book a year in advance either.  14 to 30 days prior to departure for domestic flights and 60 - 90 days prior to departure for international flights can usually give you fair pricing.

Other recommendations:

• Check the online agencies like Travelocity,  Expedia and Kayak for comparison shopping.  You can also sign up for alerts on sales for certain city pairs.
• If you can be flexible with your dates and times then you can widen your search and find the a particular airline is offering a discount.
• Clear your browser history so that you get a fresh search each time.
• Compare the extra fees:
• Southwest Airlines do not charge for the 1st and 2nd bag checked under 50lbs
• JetBlue does not charge for the 1st checked bag under 50lbs
• Frontier and Spirit Airlines charge for Carry-on's
• Some airlines baggage fees escalate at the airport so book/pay  in advance
• If you're a family try to consolidate your luggage to reduce the number of bags you're paying for

To Save on Car Rental you'll need to know when to buy and where to buy:

Car rental rates are even more confusing than airfares and the so called budget companies don't always have the best rates so check them all.  The same online agencies can be used for comparison shopping like Travelocity and Expedia.

When to Buy and Where to Buy:

• This depends on the destination.  Cities that are typically for business travelers will have lower rates on the weekend.  Cities that are typically for leisure travelers will have lower rates on the week days.
• It's also a good idea to book in advance and pay in advance.  Advance purchase or pre-paid rates are often lower and are non-refundable.
• Unless you really need a large car choose a compact care, especially if you choose a late pick up time you could get an upgraded vehicle due to available
• Airports are generally higher than suburban locations and sometimes have additional fees.  Here you're paying for convenience and you may find more options available.
• Neighborhood locations also may offer last minute special to get cars off the lot.

Other recommendations:

• A lot of travel experts will advise to save on insurance, however I don't.  Your own car insurance will cover you in most cases, however not if you're renting out of the country.  Also, if you let someone else drive they are not covered and this is a strict policy with the rental car company.
• Also, the term "Liability" can mean different things to different companies.
• Lastly, many will say your credit card company carries insurance.  Well, not all of them do and to what degree.  In my experience American Express is the only one with comprehensive coverage.
• All in all , I don't think cutting out insurance is worth the savings. That's the one time something will happen.

To save on hotel accommodations you'll need to know when to stay and where to stay:

When to stay:

• Downtown hotels that cater the the business traveler will offer special rates on the weekend when their hotel has fewer occupants.  They may also offer special packages including meals or local attractions
• Hotels and resorts in tourist destination will offer special rates during the week, which is when they have fewer occupants.

Where to Stay:

• Timeshare sales can be great.  Look in your local paper or on line for timeshare owners who are selling their time.
• Vacation rentals can be a great savings for families and because they have kitchens you will save on meals
• Budget hotels typically include free wi-fi and other amenities that the more upscale hotels don't offer.
• Some hotels offer a minimum night stay package bringing down the per night rates.
• Hotels.com is a great guide and offers discounted rates.

How to save in general:

• Groupon or Living Social offer discounts in many cities around the US.  You can buy a Groupon or Living Social coupon to local attractions for the city you are visiting.
• CityPass offers discounts to local attractions and some of them have skip the line privileges.
• Bundle where you can with the Airline, Hotel, Car Rental or purchase a package from a Travel Agency.

Happy Trails!

Ja'Vonne Harley

VOLUNTOURISM

Making a Difference - The World of Giving

By Lisa M. Dietlin

President/CEO, Lisa M. Dietlin and Associates, Inc., Chicago, IL

Philanthropic Advisor, Author and Television Personality

Making A Difference: The World of Giving – Take a One-of-a-Kind Vacation AND Do Good! 

With summer in full swing you may be someone who hasn’t yet decided on your summer vacation plans (or vacation plans for later in the year).  There’s a tremendous opportunity to have a very special vacation, meet amazing people, see places you’ve never seen before and make a difference by taking part in Voluntouring or in a Do-Good Vacation.

What is Voluntouring?  In some ways, voluntouring grew out of the commitment to making a difference that started with the Peace Corps, which began in 1960 when John F. Kennedy (at the time Senator Kennedy and not yet President) challenged students to serve their country and the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.  The Peace Corps, a federal agency, grew out of his challenge.  While it’s been a dream of many to participate in the Peace Corps, it requires a commitment of more than 2 years.

Voluntouring is a chance to experience, and participate in, programs around the world that make a difference for a much shorter time – anywhere from 1 week to about 3 months.

If you’re voluntouring, since you’re donating your time and effort by working with a nonprofit organization, a significant portion of your vacation costs may even be tax deductible.  Yes, you may save money by taking a one-of-a-kind vacation in a far-away location!

Here are some other things you should know about voluntouring:

• You will be working side by side with a community and its residents; a unique and very special way to give back which might even change your life
• Voluntouring vacations are available around the world – in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia – almost everywhere, with opportunities to volunteer in countries like Cambodia, Cuba, Ghana, Peru, Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Russia, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and many more
• The projects cover many important areas, such as children, the environment, healthcare, education, senior care, construction and others
• Voluntour participants often talk about building tremendous new friendships that last for many years
• While some trips are for adults only, there are many that are appropriate for families

You might also want to consider a Do-Good Vacation, which includes travel to more common holiday destinations in places like Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Spain, with nights in historic castles as well as visits to lesser-known areas. These vacations are different from voluntouring in that you will be working with a nonprofit to raise money for a particular cause and not be working in a local community.

Here are a few well-respected organizations you may want to look into if you’d like to voluntour:

Cross-Cultural Solutions was founded in 1995 and works year-round in 12 countries with more than 25,000 people who have participated in their programs.

Globe Aware  offers volunteer vacations, service vacations, working holidays and service trips with projects such as building schools in the Andes and repairing trails in Nepal.

USA Today has called Global Volunteers the "granddaddy of the volunteer vacation movement".  They are focused on programs for children, work in over 100 communities worldwide and have partnerships with such organizations as the United Nations and UNICEF.

United Planet (www.unitedplanet.org) is focused on creating a world “in which all people understand, respect, and support one another.” Their volunteers work in over 40 countries and have provided over 600,000 hours of international community service through voluntouring. 

Started by students as a way to do something meaningful during a “gap year” between school and “the real world,” Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org) is 20 years old and, while still mostly focused on students and the recently graduated, there are people of all ages who volunteer in conservation, journalism, and human rights projects, among their many focus areas.

For a Do-Good Vacation, you might consider a program from the World Bank called Stay Another Day which directs tourists to pre-evaluated activities that benefit local communities. For instance, vacationers can tour an orphanage in Cambodia and, if they wish, purchase goods such as the silk products the locals have made. The visit is free, but you’ll be expected to make a donation.

Here are five recommendations and tips so you can Make A Difference (M.A.D.) through a Voluntouring vacation:

1. Find an organization that matches your passion and has a proven track record
2. While most organizations are above board, there are fraudulent organizations that you need to look out for.  You can visit the websites above as well as www.gooverseas.com or www.govoluntouring.com to learn more, or read a book such as “Volunteering Vacations” for additional information
3. Select a trip that suits your abilities and interests and be prepared to work!
4. Speak with people who have been on the excursion before or worked with the company you choose
5. Learn about local customs – even a bit of the language – before you go, but be prepared for a trip that may be tremendously different from what you might expect … be open to new experiences

Bonus Tips:  A voluntouring vacation is very different from holidays you may be used to, often with none of the comforts of home.  Recognize that voluntouring is a chance to be part of a way of life you wouldn’t otherwise know!

Bonus/Bonus Tip:  With many of us doing “stay-cations” due to the economy, consider the benefits of incorporating a volunteer experience into your plans.  Many of us say, “If only I had time, I would volunteer at X to do Y.”  Well now is your chance!  

People who voluntour often say that while they went to Make a Difference (M.A.D.), they found that the work they accomplished didn’t begin to match the value to themselves and their lives.  Don’t you want to have an amazing holiday and be M.A.D. today?

Lisa M Dietlin

www.lmdietlin.com