When I found out I would be going to the nation’s capital on a business trip, I was excited. I lived in neighboring Fairfax County, Virginia, in the 1970s and ’80s, and one of my favorite springtime things to do was drive into Washington, D.C., to see the cherry blossoms when they were in full, glorious bloom. It was a pilgrimage that stopped when I relocated to Florida, and I was looking forward to celebrating it again.

Then Mother Nature began playing havoc with my planning. In mid-February I booked my trip for the first week in April. Every year the National Park Service estimates the date of peak bloom, which is defined as the day on which 70 percent of the blossoms are fully open. ... Read More

This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the Great State of Kansas (the 'Sesquicentennial').  There are many events going on during the year to celebrate and the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka is offering a cool exhibit called “150 Things I Love About Kansas.”  I didn’t totally agree with all the things to love, but I thought the museum did a pretty good job covering the state. ... Read More

I recently wrote about the Williamsburg area, the corner of Virginia where our country’s history began. I’ve been there several times before; in fact, it’s one of my favorite places to go for a completely relaxing several days. This trip I was on another mission, though—to experience dining in some of the area’s reconstructed restaurants and taverns, in essence to “dine like a patriot.”... Read More

From the Q&A mailbox...

Question: Cheryl asks, We may visit the Autry Museum in Los Angeles and perhaps the Dale Evans/Roy Rogers Memorial and wondered if you have any suggestions for seniors to travel around the area for a couple of days without getting run over.

Answer: (provided by L.A. based blogger Paul Lasley) If you do come to Los Angeles spend at least a morning in the Autry, it's well worth it. The Autry National Center, formed in 2003 by the ... Read More

A visit to Colonial Williamsburg is a terrific opportunity to slip into another century. Walking among tradesmen, aristocrats, slaves and merchants along dusty streets lined with immaculately reconstructed buildings was as close as I’ll get to experiencing life in pre-Revolutionary War America. Shut your eyes, take a deep breath and you’re in 1770s America - there were no “United States” then.... Read More

     In the spirit of Independence Day, AAA lodging inspectors were asked to name their favorite historic hotels. A list of 41 Diamond Rated properties was the result , with the Top 10 listed below:

Boston Omni Parker House Hotel, Boston, Mass., AAA Three Diamond Rated
Located on the Freedom Trail, this hotel claims to be the oldest of Boston’s elegant inns and the oldest... Read More

     Combining American history and travel can be a great experience for the history buff or anyone interested in learning more about this country’s past.  History-themed AAA Drive Trips make it easy by providing a map, suggested itinerary and details about stops along the way. Maybe one of these journeys will be your next road trip -- click on the name for the full printable information.

Civil War Sites:  Gettysburg, Antietam and Harpers’ Ferry. Traveling through Pennsylvania, West Virginia... Read More