Book Review - Lonely Planet Epic Drives of the World

If you ever wander around the travel section of your local library or the bookstore there is a small section on road trips and awe-inspiring drives. That's how I came upon this big book of drives around the world.

For those of us who enjoy road trips and admiring views from the window of a vehicle, this is a great guide. The book covers six continents with bucket list routes such as Crossing the Kalahari (in Botswana - which is also on my bucket list for safaris), The Pacific Coast Highway, India's road from Srinagar to Manali, the Black Forest High Road of Germany, and more. Beautiful photography. Well written and clear. The only negative is that it was published in 2017 so some of the data might need updates (always check ahead before starting your journey to be sure areas are still accessible).

Title: Lonely Planet Epic Drives of the World
Author: Lonely Planet
ISBN: 978-1786578648
Pages: 328

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Travel - Texas - McKinney - Heard Museum - Bugs Live

Now through June 29th the Heard Museum in McKinney, Texas is featuring giant bugs along their outdoor walking trail loop. Many of the bugs are animatronic and move. None are particularly scary. Unlike Dinosaurs Live, none of them squirt water. The trail is included in the price of museum admission. And the Butterfly Garden is also open during this event and is included in admission (along with a few native animals).



The gravel-covered walking trail was a bit slippery due to the leaves from the trees so if anyone in your party has mobility issues, be cautious. Wheelchairs and scooters might be able to get around as they do have ramps available. Restrooms outside were closed at the time of our visit but they have restrooms inside the museum on both first and second floors. The museum does have working elevators.

There are also a few photo-ops such as this giant caterpillar. Just past the bug trail is a nice western-style village of playhouses for young children to release some energy.



The Butterfly Garden is set aways back from the museum past the Texas Animals exhibits in a large greenhouse-type building with special doors. Due to the nature of the doors opening and closing manually, not sure if scooters or wheelchairs can maneuver inside the butterfly house easily (call to confirm). Young children need to be reminded not to keep the doors open (and let the butterflies out). There is a box full of cocoons from which butterflies emerge. Signs explain which types of butterflies are flying around and what type of flowers attract them.

Overall, young children will enjoy the bug animatronics and the Butterfly Garden.

Where: Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069

Hours: Summer Hours (Now through August 2): Monday – Friday: 7:30AM – 3:30PM, Saturday: 7:30AM – 9:00PM, Sunday: 1:00PM – 5:00PM

Fees: Adult $15.00, Child (3-12) and Seniors $11.00, Children under 3 are free

For more information, https://www.heardmuseum.org/

Book Review - The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook by Erin K Browne

This isn't a travel guide or a travel book, but a cookbook full of recipes for Dollywood-style foods, snacks, and drinks. There are over 100 easy to follow recipes. Plus there are fun anecdotes, a bit of history, and information of the Dollywood amusement park and the other entertainment venues (Splash Country, Dream More Resort and Spa, and the Stampede show). You will find a section for Cooking and Baking tips in addition to Helpful Tools. In the Appendix, you will find Dollywood maps and Standard US/Metric Measurement Conversions.

Here are some interesting facts: As of 2023 (when this book was published), Dollywood produces 212,250 loaves of cinnamon bread in an average season! And 614,000 pounds of popcorn! For those who love powdery crispy funnel cakes, they make 87,000!

Chapters include "Smoky Mountain Snacks", "Lunch in the Foothills", "Dinner with Dolly", "Southern Sides", "Lovin' from the Oven", "Country Candy and Ice Cream", and "Back Porch Sips"

Title: The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook
Author: Erin K. Browne
ISBN: 978-1-5072-1996-4
Pages: 239

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Book Review - Fodor's Travel - The Complete Guide to African Safaris

Flying to South Africa and heading to the other countries to enjoy animals in nature is on my bucket list (and many of the readers here). This guide is an EXCELLENT resource and a definite keeper. The first few sections contain an overview of the "Big 5" animals (Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhino) and where to find them. There's also a section on Planning Your Safari such as getting to Africa and how to get around, working with tour operators, planning timeline, vocabulary, and more. The rest of the book is broken out by country - Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, and Victoria Falls. In the back are really, really good maps.

What I also love about this book is each expert gives you pro/con for every location which is so useful. What really shocked me about planning a safari was how expensive it can be when you add up the flights, transportation, camp fees, park fees, food, and more. Also, many camps do not accept children under 16 and some do not accept young children. There were a handful that welcomed young children and had activities specially for them.

Title: The Complete Guide to African Safaris
Author: Fodor's Travel
ISBN: 978-1-64097-507-1
Pages: 528

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Book Review - 100 Places Every Woman Should Go by Stephanie Elizondo Griest

So when I found this book, I assumed it would have been full of suggestions for places that a woman can safely visit and useful suggestions on safe travel. Although there is a small section in the beginning about travelling safely and some (rather outdated) suggestions. This book is really a listing of sights that are associated with famous women or female characters. For example, one chapter is "Madonna Sightings Around the World". Another chapter focuses on the witches of Salem, Massachusettes.

This book was published in 2007 so many sights may no longer be available to visit or might have altered hours. Be sure to look up the location before you head out on your journey. Many places have been closed to visitors during Covid and some places are not safe for a woman to visit alone.

Try to find a copy in your local library if you can.

Title: 100 Places Every Woman Should Go
Author: Stephanie Elizondo Griest
ISBN: 978-193236147-6
Pages:331

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #The Colony - The Colony Summer Kickoff - May 31, 2025

The Colony, Texas - The Colony Summer Kickoff
May 31, 2025
City Hall Annex
The Colony is throwing a party to kickoff summer with family-friendly activities such as crafts, summer reading signups, treats and more. Visit city services such as the Police, Fire Fighters, Animal Services, and Library services.
Address: 6804 Main Street, The Colony, TX 75056
Hours: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE
For more information - https://www.visitthecolonytx.com

Book Review - 100 Things to do in Texas before you Die by E.R.Bills

Texas is a huge state (it takes hours to get from one area to another). This book would have been better if there had been a map to illustrate how far apart the sights are from each other. This book was published in 2018 so be sure to verify operating hours and whether the location is still open to visitors (as a lot of businesses were negatively affected by Covid).

This book is separated into useful chapters - Amusements and Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, History and Culture, Food and Drink, Road Trips and Photo Ops.

Try to find a copy in your local library if you can.

Title: 100 Things to do in Texas before you Die
Author: E. R. Bills
ISBN: 978-1-68106-183-2
Pages:178

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