17 Mile Drive- San Francisco

17 Mile Drive is a enchanting world full of dramatic coastal cliffs, snow-white beaches, mystical forests and iconic golf courses. Discover one of the most scenic drives in the world as you meet the inspiring Lone Cypress, ponder the giant trees at Crocker Grove, digest the untouched beauty at Fanshell Beach, behold the power of the Restless Sea at Point Joe, stroll the boardwalk above the beach at Spanish Bay, and much, much more. The 17-Mile Drive gates are open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Motorcycles are prohibited.

17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees.

The drive serves as the main road through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Inside this community, nonresidents have to pay a toll to use the road. Like the community, the majority of 17-Mile Drive is owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Corporation. The 17-Mile Drive is a 17-mile (27 km)-long scenic loop having four primary entrances - the main highway entrance at California State Route 1, and entrances in Carmel and Pacific Grove.

Alcatraz Island - San Francisco

Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco, 2km from Bay.The Island was initially developed for lighthouse,Military fortification, Military prison and later on Federal Prison till 1963. It takes around half an hour to reach the Island from Bay Area. Alcatraz was designed to hold prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other federal prisons. The federal prison was operational from 1934 to 1964. Due to increase in maintainence cost the prison was closed permanently. Later it was occupied by Native americans now its open for public. Many movies has been shot on the escape of alactraz namely "Escape from Alactraz" ,"Escape Alactraz.

       "Break the rules and you go to prison,break the prison rules and you go to Alcatraz"

Impression: Well organized, Many places to explore around the Island and the cellblock, All places are marked clearly. The audio tour on the island which has different languages, which is excellent stuff. There is enough time for each individual given inside the Island also can go back to what interestsyiu. Breeze may take away your loose dress, So dress accordingly :).Look for Cannons,Civil War buildings, cellblocks,SF DownTown View,Golden Gate Bridge. We dint book in advance as the tickets were sold out before 2-3 months, Somehow managed to get tickets from Hop On Hop Off tickets combined.Well Bargain does works in Bay Area for Hop on Hop Off, There are many travel agents who are helpful enough to guide and get tickets also.The lines are usually long but its well organised for smooth tour. Food and drinks also available in the tour vessels. One of the must visit places in SF. Audio tour has lot history please do not miss that!! One can get through cruises and other ships from PEIR 33, Fisherman Wharf. Many Tour packages around Fisherman Wharf , also cruise services for Island. Takes around 4-5 hrs for Island tour,Plan accordingly.

Prison Food Menu

 

Prison Kitchen

Inside the prison

Hoover Dam - Nevada

Hoover Dam initially known as Boulder Dam located in the border of Nevada and Arizona. The dam construction was completed in 1936, well before 2 years of initial plan. The dam was named after President Herbert Hoover. Its the largest reservoir. The Dam is 35 miles from Las Vegas, which would take max 1 hour from a vehicle. There are many private tours agency which operate on daily basis, also provide different packages based on number of days. hours our interest. The famous helicopter ride is very famous and if your ready to shell out some more dollars!!. Dam is open to public all days, 9AM to 5PM, plan your day accordingly. The museum, the huge turbines, blue waters, Dam gates etc to look for. The initial 10 mins video which tells the history, the making of dam in detail. They say 100 people lost lives while constructing the dam and initially the workers were paid $1 per hour. Hoover dam is one of the tourist attractions around Las Vegas. The Gigantic turbines which generates electricity for public and private utilities. The main purpose of the dam was Power, flood control, water storage, regulation, recreation. Its still functional and the construction cost was $47 million in 1931. It was targeted in the World War-2 by German's. History says no one was buried alive in the concrete. One of the biggest dam I have ever seen. All the daily activities are well maintained.

Turner Falls-Oklahoma

Turner Falls is one of Oklahoma's tallest waterfalls, dropping 77 feet into a natural swimming pool. Located on Honey Creek in the Arbuckle Mountains near Davis, Turner Falls Park draws thousands of visitors each year who enjoy swimming, hiking, and camping. There are numerous springs within the Arbuckle Mountains; one of them is Honey Creek, which creates the cascade. Turner Falls, named for Mazeppa Thomas Turner, sits six miles south of Davis, Oklahoma.Since 1868, the recreational area has been a popular family destination providing a rock castle, natural caves, novelty shops, picnic sites, cabins, camp sites, RV sites, bath houses, hiking trails, and sandy beaches to explore!

Nearby Places: Winstar Casino

Entry Fees: Yes 

Timings: 7AM-10PM

Time Required: Relax as much as you can

Parking: Available at the entrance

Fun Activities in Turner Falls Park

Waterfall fun: The 77ft waterfall is something that you can’t just look away from. Once you are near it, you cannot resist glancing at it or just diving in the pool.

Picnic Sites: Hungry? Looking for a good picnic spot? Well, look no more. Because you are going to find a bunch of them in Turner Park.

Cabins: one of the best things inside the Turner Park are our amazing cabins. They are very beautiful and equipped to be the perfect place to relax.

R.V. Hookups: Of course, don’t forget about these R.V. Hookups.

Novelty Shops: Feeling bored? Visit the novelty shops and kill time. You might find something you like.

Hiking Trails: Hiking is something that everyone’s blood pumped up. Well, fortunately, there’s natural hiking trails here that are always a fun experience.

Bath Houses: After a fun and active day, who wouldn’t like a nice relaxing end to the day at a Bath House?

Sandy Beaches: Whether you want to take a sun bath or build a sand castle. You know you can always count on the sandy beaches.

Natural Swimming Areas: Natural swimming areas a very fun activity site. You can enjoy swimming right under the waterfall. But be sure to have safety if you have children with you.

Caves: Only the name is interesting enough to get someone going. The three natural caves that are inside the Turner Park are a huge tourist magnet.

Courtesy: http://turnerfallspark.net/

StockYards Fort Worth

The Fort Worth Stockyards is a National historic district,located in Fort Worth, Texas.The Stockyards mainly consists of entertainment and shopping venues that capitalize on the "Cowtown" image of Fort Worth. The city of Fort Worth is often referred to as "Where the West Begins."The Fort Worth Stockyards are the last standing stockyards in the United States. Some volunteers still run the cattle drives through the stockyards, a practice developed in the late 19th century.

My Impression: Felt like I am in old western times,Great shopping expereince which includes custom made cowboy boots and boutiques. Plenty of steakhouses and night clubs around.Slightly overpriced but worth visiting. Lot many love concerts and events take place round the year.I would say 2 days worth visit to stockyards.Many Hop In and Hop off bus available for daily and hourly trip. Family friendly trip, one can also check out child friendly activities like Zoo,Cowtown cattle Pen Maze etc. Explore the Stockyards with a personal tour guide, who'll share the legends and lore of this remarkable place.Everybody is in boots and cowboy hats. Bunch of shops, restaurants, and bars in one place also downtown closeby.




Howdy Howdy ! ! !

What to do:

Rodeo Action: Its iconic part of Fortworth, A fun, exciting event that the whole family can enjoy. There is active participation for kids seven and under and another one for the older kids.The rodeo was AWESOME. The palominos were beautiful and fun to watch to start the show, then the different events were very entertaining and included bronc busting bareback & saddled, team roping, calf roping/tying, barrel racing, team racing, and of course, BULL RIDING! Online booking available, Reserve your tickets on weekends as event draws huge crowds on weekend.




Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame: The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame pays tribute to the cattle rustlers and cowgirls who have exceeded expectations in the games of rodeo, cutting and farming, and those people who have committed their lives to advancing and safeguarding Texas Western legacy.


Stockyard Musuem: Located in the historic Livestock Exchange building, built in 1902, we are in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. The Museum features artifacts from the Stockyards and the Swift and Armour Packing Plants. You will also find saddles and other cowboy collectibles from the cattle drive era to contemporary times.

Cattle Walk (Drive): Long Horn Cattle drive definitely sets stockyards apart. It runs twice daily in quiet manner. Tourists and audience were loud and seemed to think the safety precautions being delivered by the security folks were for everyone but them.The Cattle Drive travels through the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards on E. Exchange Avenue in front of the Fort Worth Livestock Exchange Building and then back to the holding pens behind the Livestock Exchange Building for viewing.

Eat In: Plenty of options available around the station like Beef Jerkey Station, Logan's Roadhouse, Love Shack, H3 Ranch, Basement Bar and many more steakhouses.

Shopping : Authentic Western leather Wears, handmade with modernly look available in many stores in stockyard. Well you will not be dissappointed.Locally made items are popular around the stores.




Stay Options: Numorous stay options available at stockyard with wide range suiting our pocket and taste. Hotel Texas, Country Inn, Marriott and Motel 6.




Parking:  Pretty cheap, $5 TO $10 whole day available near Stockyard station also many other spaces on the main roads.

Sources: Wikipedia, www.fortworthstockyards.org,www.fortworth.com