Sure Horizon

Archive for June, 2010

One of the great things about a beach town like South Padre, besides its being a beach town, which is of course great in any light, is the music. With so many visitors coming through, it can become like a trading center anywhere else in the world. People trade things in such places, things like products, ideas, and ideas that come in the form of music. This means that travelers are always bringing their tastes with them, and leaving traces of these behind.

But more, and perhaps most fortunate for those attracted by the hotels South Padre hosts, the music of the region becomes part of the offerings. It’s a very eclectic mix here in South Padre, and a mix that is true for a lot of South Texas, where Latin merges with local variations on rock and roll, and re-mixed again with touches that come from Spain in another century.

For those who wonder what it might sound like, the Jolly Ranchers are a pretty great place to begin. They’ve been playing together since 1998, and the band members are all very close friends. It definitely has the feel of musicians who have known each other for a very long time, where they can anticipate shifts in rhythm in order to move very smoothly from one plane to another.

Headed by Mark Guerrero, or Kapu King , they play a mix of everything that can be heard in the Laredo area, from metal to cumbia, and back again. Listening to them can be a kind of experiment in musical ethnography, because every form has been mixed and re-formed a dozen times, and here it is again, in another splendid variation. It’s a reminder, too, that rock has roots in African music, and Colombian cumbia changes completely when the Mexican influence starts to blend into it, and that everything is also on its way to becoming something else.

If you’ve ever read the ingredients on the side of a can of cola, you know one principle ingredient is high fructose corn syrup. Some time ago, in the last few decades sodas which were generally made from pure cane sugar transformed this ingredient into fructose, altering the taste of the soft drink, and causing people to hunt down those sodas of their childhood, the ones that are still made with pure cane sugar. Television advertising also used to emphasize the wholesome nature of pure cane sugar, with commercials featuring a smiling boy or girl biting into the side of a sugar cane. These commercials added the words, “Pure cane sugar… from Hawaii,” when perhaps they could have said, “Pure cane sugar… from Kauai.” If you visit this isle, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, you might have the chance to stop in at Grove Farm , an historic sugar plantation turned into a museum.

The site is a hundred acres of preserved plantation buildings, its furnishings and collections, all of which is surrounded by orchards and pasturelands. This sugar cane plantation began during the American Civil War when a young man named George Wilcox leased a struggling farm on the outskirts of the town of Lihue on the island of Kauai. He wasn’t in the state of Hawaii then, but the kingdom of Hawaii. The farm itself had been created by chopping out a large grove of kukui trees, thereby earning its name of Grove Farm. It began as an arid farm, but Wilcox was able to turn it into a thriving sugar plantation. In America, when the Civil War destroyed much of the agriculture of the Southern states, sugar was still needed, and people got that sugar from Hawaii, turning the Grove Farm and others into a successful venture.

The farm, located near the best hotels Kauai offers its guests, takes advance reservations — in fact, it requires them — for a pleasant, two hour guided tour of the buildings, gardens, and grounds of the farm. Kauai residents who are familiar with life on this island led small groups beginning at ten a.m. and one p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The cost of the tour is a ten dollar donation, and you might want to keep in mind that the tours are not available on national holidays and are sometimes cancelled on rainy days.

In the Central Florida area, there are tons of fun things to do; you could spend months and not run out of great, exciting attractions and theme parks, water parks, shopping venues, entertainment, great Florida four star hotels and dinner theaters to visit, the list literally doesn’t stop. The Theme Parks alone from Disney’s Animal Kingdom to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure; from Disney – MGM Studios to Universal Studios Florida; from Epot to Sea World Adventure Park and finally, Magic Kingdom Park.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll find it to be a perfect addition to your vacation. Attractions areas include Africa, Asia, Camp Minnie-Micky, Conservation Station, Dinoland USA and the Safari Village, not to mention the hundreds of animals. Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, consists of 5 themed islands with high tech thrill rides and attractions along side your favorite cartoon characters. You’ll start at the Port of Entry and explore into Marvel SuperHero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent and Seuss Landing. Disney- MGM Studios, you’ll get to experience the movies at a full production movie studio, learn about the movie making process at sites like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and the Backstage Studio Tour, Star Tours and other themed shows, plus you’ll get to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

While at the Universal Studios Florida , you’ll have a blast on the indoor thrill ride ‘The Mummy’, based on the movie, which combines technology, space-age robotics and live pyrotechnic special effects. You’ll literally hurtle through authenticated Egyptian sets, chambers, passageways and tombs filled with deadly curses, powerful forces of nature and vengeful creatures intent on wreaking havoc. The world renowned Epcot Center is where you’ll enjoy a showcase of technology and foreign cultures in Future World and World Showcase. In Future World, you’ll explore new new technologies as well as find adventure at sites like Test Track and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. You’ll stroll through World Showcase and sample culture, architecture and dine from throughout the world.

Go to Sea World Adventure Park and visit Shamu the Whale, see his friends the dolphins, walruses, penguins and many others. Plus, for more excitement, explore the mysterious city of Atlantis and be ready to get wet. Finally, Magic Kingdom – the centerpiece of Walt Disney World. Main Street USA, Liberty Square, Adventurland, Frontierland, Mickey’s Toontown Fair, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are where you will find rides like Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, It’s A Small World, Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of teh Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion and so much more, too numerous to mention.

Central Florida is the perfect summer vacation for the entire family. There’s plenty to do and so much to see, 2-weeks is not enough. You’ll have to come back next year and start off where you left off.

Most travelers arriving at McCarran International Airport in the summer months know they’re going to be spending a great deal of time inside the hotels Las Vegas provides; generally, the desert is too hot to be comfortable; however, there is an outdoor activity that you might find exhilarating a few miles away in Boulder City. Bootleg Canyon Flightlines will pick guests up from the Excalibur on the Vegas Strip for the opportunity to literally soar through mountain and desert landscapes over a thousand feet above the ground.

No helicopter or airplane is required for this experience; this is a zip-line tour, allowing people who desire a bit of adventure to “fly.” After a safety orientation, riders are taken to a canyon hill, where they hike for about half an hour up a hill, then hook into a para-gliding harness suspended from cable wires. On the tour, riders then travel from one point to another by soaring above the desert terrain.

Groups of twelve are taken to the top of Red Mountain and they descend on a series of four lines that run in length from 1150 to 2550 feet. Some people may travel at speeds up to fifty miles per hour, usually depending upon weight. If riders are apprehensive about flying through desert canyons, expert tour guides should make everyone feel comfortable about the safety issues. Not everyone can ride the flightline, though.

The following requirements are in place: No one under twelve years old may go; passengers have to weigh at least 75 pounds and may not weigh over 250 pounds; casual clothing is recommended, but with no loose items (for this reason, tennis shoes or hiking shoes are recommended strongly, while sandals, slippers, cowboy boots or high heels are strongly discouraged).

The entire experience takes approximately two and a half hours to complete, and all happens about twenty to twenty-five minutes away from the Vegas Strip. The flightline operation does shut down if it’s too windy to go, but otherwise, when skies are calm, the trip is available seven days a week. The cost of the trip is $149, and is available several times a day. Certainly, if you’re looking for an unusual way to see the desert and still make it back in time for a nightclub or show, Flightlines offers a quick adventure in which you can rise above it all.

So you have made it to Atlanta and you are up to seeing some live concerts or local live music and you just need some ideas of were to go. OK! If you are wondering about big name acts that may be traveling through then check out the Chastian Park Amphitheater after all, it is summer time and there is always a good concert series going on this time of year. This is the place to catch it.  

The fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta is also a great place to catch live music as well as Broadway shows and comedy acts. The building in Atlanta is really cool old vibe and the entertainment its top notch.  

For more local entertainment, with traveling acts coming to a smaller venue than a large concert arena, check out Apache Cafe . This place has a real artist feel with lots of great art on the walls and plenty of great musical acts. This club leans into the R&B, Jazz and Soul music with some hip hop jam sessions as well. There has been some spoken word brought out in open mic night. Yes this place is a great place to catch a bit to eat and sip on a favorite cocktail. Get there early so you can get a seat. Enjoy the eclectic mix of music, art and laughs.  

Another music club in Atlanta that has great sound, great acts and the best cheeseburgers is The Earl . This is a great rock club and featuring local bands and solid traveling acts like British musician Jamie Lidell. Check with the staff at the five star hotel, atlanta is filled with great places to stay, at see what their picks are. I am sure there are some great places that I haven’t found yet.

Garland, Texas, a city 15 miles Northeast of Downtown Dallas, was named after Augustus H. Garland, an U.S. Attorney General under President Grover Cleveland. What most people don’t know about is Garland is that this sleepy town has history, culture, a private university and a Grand Ol Opry; not bad for a population just over 200,000.

For culture and a bit of history, check out the Landmark Museum , located at 200 N. 4th, run by the Garland Landmark Society, which is the only historical organization in Garland. The society collects and preserves historical documents and artifacts that are an integral part of this wonderful small town. The society also participated facilitates in the placement of historical markers in Garland. The museum is housed in the Santa Fe Depot, which was originally built in 1901 and the museum holds artifacts from the period 1850 to the present. The Landmark is open on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10am to 2pm.

There’s a Pullman Railroad car adjacent to the Landmark Museum, which is a reminder that back in the day there was a more elegant way of travel. Next to that, at Heritage Park, there is the Lyles House and the Pace House that are typical prairie homes of the 1800s. The Pace house is a tastefully restored Victorian home built in 1895 and has an ambiance that stirs the imagination with its one story frame house consisting of two large rooms divided by a foyer. The Pace House is available for rental for such occasions as a wedding, a reception, teas or coffees, parties, seminars or even craft shows.

After visiting the Landmark and the Pace House and before heading back to one of the hotels Garland will gladly accommodate you with, check out the Plaza Theatre, located at 521 W. State Street, it was originally built in the 1918′s, but was refurbished to maintain its Art Deco roots. The theater seats 350 people and hosts special events, concerts and stage productions, while there, check to see if the Garland Texas Opry is in session, the Opry is the longest, continuous running opry in Texas and every week residents and visitors to Garland are entertained with live country and gospel music performances. Then hop on over and take a tour of the Amberton University , which is a Christian run private university and is considered one of the best private colleges in Texas.

There is more to Lafayette, Louisiana than just being a city located by the Vermilion River or being the states fourth largest city, Lafayette has a lot to offer any visitor looking for entertainment, outdoor adventure, culture and gambling. Lafayette has it all.

The Heymann Center , which is in the heart of Lafayette city is an aesthetically and acoustically enjoyable arts, dance, recital and performance theater. The auditorium prides itself with live performances by the Acadiana Symphony, performances straight from Broadway, and a variety of shows produced by the community. The amenities and facilities of the beautiful center are excellent with its brilliant par acoustics, comfortable, private seating arrangements and state-of-the-art sound equipment. The center seats over 2,200 people and is located at 1373 S. College Road. Next to the Heymann Center is the Frem E Boustany Convention Center.

Another cultural aspect of Lafayette is the Acadiana Arts facility, which funds and nurtures arts and cultural activities that will enrich the quality of life for all the residents of Lafayette. Their multifaceted programmings combined with an exquisite art gallery and spaces provide for an unforgettable experience to artists and art patrons.

For visitors with a taste for the outdoors, the Atchafalaya Experience fits the bill. Run by a father and son team with many years of experience within the swamp. Visitors will be treated with a trip where they’ll encounter beaver, otters, nutria, deer, mink, squirrels and other mammals, as well 38 species of birds, including some on the endangered list. Alligators can be seen, if in season. But, besides nature, visitors will also observe the sport of commercial fishermen. Atchafalaya provides state-of-the-art aluminum boats, powered by Mercury outboard engines, equipped with all safety features. These trips are designed to expose guests to the wild portion of the Atchafalaya.

After a day outdoors, head back to one of the hotels Lafayette offers to get cleaned up, because it’s time to head to the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, which has over 1,627 of the latest slot machines, a Cajun Buffet, a sports bar, fine dining and a Zydeco lounge. Visitors will also get to see live horse racing and place their bets with this time-honored tradition in Cajun South Louisiana.