On the Texas Barbecue Trail by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Among polite society, a few subjects are invariably touchy, threatening to flare into heated debate. Politics. Religion.

And don’t forget to add one more topic to that list if you’re in Texas: barbecue.

Whether you spell it barbecue, barbeque, bar-b-que, or just bbq, one thing’s for sure: barbecue is more than just a meal, it’s a mantra.

At last count, Texas boasted over 1,300 barbecue joints, ranging from side-of-the-road greasehouses with slamming screen doors to sit-down restaurants with beautiful vistas, air conditioning and even (gasp) wine lists. The business of barbecue rings up over a half-billion dollars annually, a cobweb of commerce that connects an otherwise diverse, sprawling state with a common mission: Go forth and seek out good barbecue.

Although you can find good barbecue throughout the South, the Texas variety is different from that in other barbecue capitals. Texas barbecue means beef brisket, basted meats, and tomato-based sauce, or sometimes no sauce at all. The selection varies from pit to pit but in most tradition reigns.

In each region, divided by hundreds of miles, the local barbecue is influenced by other culinary cultures, from Southern to Tex-Mex to Southwest. Cabrito or barbecued goat is often served in the western portion of the state while pork or lamb is a more common offering in East Texas. Cooking styles vary as well. Out on the West Texas plains, barbecue is usually cooked over a slow fire of mesquite wood while in Southern and Central Texas pecan and oak are more common. Farther east, barbecue pits are stoked with hickory. Throughout the state, meals are served with sides of cole slaw, pinto beans, and spongy white bread, often on plates of butcher paper. Dessert, if found at all, is usually a scoop of banana pudding with a dose of vanilla wafers.

Unlike Kansas City and Memphis, Texas has no clearly defined capital of ‘que. But Texas does have what’s sometimes nicknamed the “barbecue belt,” a smoky swath that runs through the central part of the state and includes:

Llano: On the westernmost edge of the barbecue belt lies the community of Llano. What makes Llano unique among the central Texas barbecue towns is its cooking style. Most pit masters in this town rely on indirect barbecuing. In a firebox, wood burns down to coals, then it’s transferred to the main section of the pit beneath the meat to impart a delicate smoky taste subtler than ordinary smoking. Don’t miss Cooper’s Old Time Pit Barbecue. From its huge rectangular pits located by the front door to the dining room lined with loaves of white bread and jars of jalapeño peppers, this is the real deal.

Taylor: Taylor calls itself “The Barbecue Capital of the World,” home of two legendary barbecue joints separated only by a parking lot and small road at their locations on Second Street. Louis Mueller’s is housed in one of the most authentic barbecue joints in Texas, with an old-fashioned screen door, smoke-covered walls, and giant fans that provide the only cool breeze on a hot summer day. Next door, Rudy Mikeska’s serves its equally fine offerings in a more citified atmosphere. During his lifetime, Rudy Mikeska was the dean of Texas pitmasters. If there was a political function to be held, Rudy Mikeska and his barbecue specialties were there.

Elgin: In Texas, the town of Elgin is synonymous with sausage. The small community, located about 25 miles east of Austin, produces the sausage sold by many barbecue joints through the state. The best known of Elgin’s smokin’ stops is the Southside Market, probably one of the most recognized names in Texas barbecue lore. In business since 1882, the market is known for its Elgin hot sausage, sometimes known as Elgin Hot Guts.

Lockhart: Twenty-three miles south of Austin lies another “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” Lockhart. The test of a real Texan is to know the correct pronunciation of the town’s Kreuz Market. No, don’t say “Cruise.” It’s “Krites,” rhyming with “lights.” Also in town, don’t miss Smitty’s, housed in the building where the original Kreuz Market was located, and Black’s BBQ, which claims to be the oldest barbecue house in Texas continuously owned by the same family. Since 1932 the Black family has been firing up these brick pits every day for lunch and dinner.

Luling: Located east of Austin, Luling is the land of oil wells. No longer a boomtown, today the barbecue restaurants are the ones producing black gold. The best known spot in town is the City Market, a no-frills smoky meat market, with ambiance replaced by plenty of local atmosphere.

Posted by RJ in Articles on April 9th, 2006 | No Comments

Caribbean Casinos by Danielle Mitchell

While visiting the Caribbean travelers will find a number of glitzy casinos and hotels and resorts with on-site gambling. The combination of sugar-sand beaches and tropical island ambiance with all the glamor and excitement of Las Vegas makes for an ideal vacation destination for many travelers. But unlike American and European casinos, the gambling atmosphere in the Caribbean is more relaxed, and most of the island casinos are not open 24 hours a day.

The Caribbean region has a lot of hot gaming spots and casinos. Along with state-of-the-art slot machines, table games, and other types of gaming fun, Caribbean casinos also offer other nightlife options including dance clubs, discos, and bars. So not only can you wage bets during your sunny island vacation, but you will also find many other ways to let your hair down at Caribbean gambling palaces.

Caribbean Islands Featuring Casinos

Gambling in The Bahamas

Gamers are often drawn to The Bahamas which is popular for great casinos and gambling action. Although gambling is illegal for residents of The Bahamas, tourists can try their luck at any of the region’s spectacular casinos. The four largest casinos in The Bahamas are the Atlantis Casino on Paradise Island, the Crystal Palace Casino on New Providence Island, and The Crowne Plaza Golf Resort & Royal Oasis Casino and Our Lucaya, both on Grand Bahama Island.

The world-famous Atlantis Casino is the largest casino located in the Caribbean. The Atlantis’ expansive 30,000-square-foot area, which includes 78 table games and approximately 1,000 slot machines, has helped earned the Atlantis Casino its reputation as an immaculate gambling palace. The Atlantis also features several restaurants, outdoor terraces, and gaming lessons for the novice gambler.

The Crystal Palace Casino is another sizzling casino found in The Bahamas. Located on the premises of the Wyndham Nassau Resort on Cable Beach, the Crystal Palace Casino has about 700 slot machines and 38 tables for games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat. The Crowne Plaza Golf Resort & Royal Oasis Casino is a luxurious and exciting casino located within a plush hotel that has great choices of various games, slots, and other gambling opportunities. Finally, the newest casino in the Bahamas is Our Lucaya Resort, which offers several gambling options.

Casinos in Puerto Rico

The gorgeous island of Puerto Rico is home to about a dozen old-world-style casinos. By Puerto Rican law, all casinos have to be located on the property of hotels or resorts. Many of these glamorous gambling establishments are located in the historic city of San Juan, and most require that their patrons dress formally. Casinos in Puerto Rico are some of the most exciting in the Caribbean region because of their extravagant historical décor, hot gaming, as well as their award-winning restaurants, live entertainment, array of bars and lounges, and much more.

Some popular casinos on the island include the Hyatt Regency Cerromar, Hilton Ponce and Casino, Westin Rio Mar Resort Casino, Ritz Carlton San Juan, which is the first Ritz Carlton casino, and many, many more. During your stay in Puerto Rico, you can enjoy fine dining, exciting nightlife, and spectacular gambling fun all under one roof.

Other islands in the Caribbean that feature dazzling casinos and exciting gambling are the Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, and Antigua. There are so many choices when it comes to gambling in the Caribbean that you’re sure to find the right island with the perfect casino to fit your style and your ideal vacation.

Before heading to the slot machines, there are a few things casino patrons should remember. First, each island has its own laws and rules when it comes to gambling, so be sure to find out the details about the island you visit. Second, the hours that some casinos are open may vary depending on the season, so find out ahead of time before making your plans. And finally, no one under the age of 18 is allowed in Caribbean casinos, so schedule other activities for the youngsters before you hit the casinos.

Caribbean Stud Poker

Compared to many other popular casino card games, Caribbean stud poker has a pretty short history. This poker variation started in Aruba in the 1980s, reportedly by some cruise ship directors who were out to make a buck. Caribbean stud poker is a combination of blackjack and poker – the rules of play are similar between the two games. The biggest difference between Caribbean stud poker and traditional poker is that instead of playing against other players, you go against the dealer. All players are allowed to see one of the dealer’s cards, which is dealt face up. Since it began in Aruba, the popularity of Caribbean stud poker has grown tremendously in the region and is even played in Las Vegas.

Posted by RJ in Articles on April 8th, 2006 | No Comments

Saving Money on a Cruise by Keith V. Hoyng

For many people, a cruise ship can be the ultimate budget travel destination. A cruise provides a great, one price, vacation, and one of the main attractions to booking a cruise is that just about everything is included in the price. As a matter of fact, in some cases the daily cost of a cruise can be less than the daily cost of a decent hotel room. When you consider that the price of the cruise includes not only the room, but all the food and entertainment as well, it is easy to see why cruises are so popular with budget minded travelers.

Of course, there are some things that are typically not included in a cruise package, and it is important to find out what is included and what will need to be paid for as an extra. For instance, most cruises do not include alcohol, and require passengers to pay their bar tab upon departure. In addition, most shore excursions and local sightseeing is not included, so it is important to get a detailed list of such excursions, including the price.

In addition, since advertised cruise prices are based on double occupancy, cruises are often less of a deal for solo travelers, since the single supplements can add quite a bit to the price of the cruise. It is always a good idea to inquire about special single rates if you are traveling alone.

The location of the cabin is another important consideration when booking a cruise. The interior cabins on the lower parts of the ship are generally the least costly, while the higher, larger cabins with ocean views are the most expensive. If you have never taken a cruise before, it is a good idea to get advice from those who have experienced cruising. These people can provide valuable insight on the best balance of cost and comfort for your first cruise experience.

As with other kinds of travel, getting the best deal on a cruise will take some time, some planning, some perseverance and plenty of shopping around. It is a good idea to shop as early as possible, particularly for popular destinations like the Caribbean or Mexico in the high season.

Of course, it is possible to save money by traveling in the off season, and this can often be a great strategy. For instance, even though it is the middle of the winter and most people are not thinking about vacations where you are, it may be warm and inviting in many tropical cruise destinations. It is important, however to check out the local weather, and to avoid the rainy season in the destinations you are considering. Steering clear of hurricanes, tropical downpours and other weather problems can help you get the most out of your cruise.

It is not always necessary to shop early, of course. Cruise lines have been know to offer some spectacular discounts at the last minute in order to move unsold cabins or avoid leaving with a less than full passenger load. There are many last minute travel newsletters that provide details on these types of cruise deals, and these last minute travel deals are a big hit with retirees and others with the time to see the world.

Posted by RJ in Articles on April 8th, 2006 | No Comments

New England Hikes #1- Cape Cod’s Highland Lighthouse Area by Christopher Seufert

Whether you’re driving from on or off Cape Cod a great sunset hike can be had at one of the most beautiful vistas in New England. Truro’s Highland Light and the Jenny Lind tower are located about 75 miles down Cape Cod and frame an easy, but naturally and historically interesting, hike. Actually this is more jaunt then hike. Traveling north on Route 6, the Highland Lighthouse area is 3.3 miles north of Truro Center. Take the “Cape Cod Light/Highland Road” exit. Turn right onto Highland Road and follow to the Highland Lighthouse area, where there is plenty of free parking for your car. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars on this one.

In front of you is the Highland Lighthouse, which was the first lighthouse built on Cape Cod in 1797, though the present 66-foot brick tower dates from 1857. Today the lighthouse is automated, as are all the lighthouses on the Cape now. A 1,000 watt bulb now does the job that, in earlier years, was accomplished with fifteen whale oil lamps or a huge Fresnel lens. Plan to take the Truro Historical Society tour (Children must be 51″ tall). The hours are May 1st through October, 7 days a week, 10:00 am until 5:45 pm, and the Lighthouse Gift Shop is open 10 a.m. until sunset.

Once at the top of the tower you’ll be treated with a magnificent vantage point of the 100-foot cliff. The Highland cliffs were once considered the ideal location for a lighthouse. Clay deposits in the cliffs, referred to as “Clay Pounds,” were seen as a buffer against storm waves. Yet, it is clear today that the clay is unstable and slides off in tremendous chunks when undermined by waves. Though this clay was in the past used by the local people it is now a federal law to dig it out, although it can be taken freely if it is loose.

In July 1996, the lighthouse you’re standing on was jacked up and moved back from the eroding cliff to save it from falling into the ocean. Catch the 10-minute video before exiting and then take a short walk from the lighthouse to the observation deck, where you can get a closer look at the bluff, clay pounds, and wild Atlantic. The view as the sun sets, with nothing but ocean between you and Portugal, really is a one-of-a-kind experience, and that’s saying something for a place that wants little for ocean views. When you’ve had your fill head back up the walkway toward the building on your right.

Keep in mind, as you walk back, that there are a few pieces of the landscape that are now missing from the Truro Highlands today. At one time, numerous wind-driven grist mills dotted the area. The deck house of the barge, Coleraine, which wrecked below the cliffs here in 1915, was salvaged and used as a bar until the 1950s. The Highland Life Saving Station (1872) was located by the beach, at the end of Coast Guard Road . The lifesavers from that station patrolled the beach on foot and rescued shipwreck victims in dramatic fashion with their surfboat and breeches buoy.

To find out more about all these things, the Truro Historical Society Museum, which stands just next to the lighthouse, contains seventeenth century firearms, shipwreck mementos, early fishing and whaling gear, household tools, farming implements, furniture, Sandwich glass, a pirate’s chest and lots more. If you wanted to make a whole day of it the town-run Highland Links golf course, the oldest on Cape Cod, abutts this area, but if you’re not golfing take note of the signage requesting that you not tresspass down the fairways. Now on to the hike.

On your left, across the golf course, you’ll see our final destination- the medievel-looking Jenny Lind tower. Originally part of the Fitchburg Railway depot in Boston, it was moved here in 1927 by Henry Aldrich. It seems that Aldrich was a fan of the famous Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind, who performed in the hall above the station and is rumored to have sung from the tower to those unable to attend the concert.

Leave your car in the parking lot and walk down the road the way you came. Take your next left and walk down toward the beach until the road ends at the former government air force station. Now follow the path to your left until you see the castle-like shape of the Jenny Lind tower and head in through the overgrown woods and dunes. (Remember, steer clear of the old military installation- there are trespassing signs that are quite serious and there is still communications equipment at work there.)

As you approach the tower you’ll soon see that it really is just a tower, with no castle attached below, as you might have imagined from a distance. For those who are braver (or if it’s raining) you can poke your head and step into the hole in the base. It’s not very pleasant in there, with broken glass and old beer bottles, but looking up gives a very good view of the internal architecture. If you listen carefully you’ll hear the ocean pounding away below you. You can exit the area taking the opposite trail on your way out or come back in the way you came. Despite the government signs I see no indication that these trails are off- limits if you’re respectful. Photos from this article can be seen at www.MyChatham.com.

Posted by RJ in Articles on April 8th, 2006 | No Comments

Round’em Up! Take the Family on a Modern-Day Cattle Drive Vacation by Peter Shannon

Looking for a rewarding and memorable family vacation idea? A cattle drive may be just the thing. We’re talking about real ranchers on real working cattle ranches. Ranch vacations are a good way for them to help support the ranch. But it’s not all business with them. They want to share their way of life and educate people about a quickly disappearing aspect of our American history and culture.

Don’t worry if you’ve never sat in a saddle before. Sure, some riding experience is helpful but the activities are geared for whatever skill level you have. All the ranches provide horse riding instruction for anyone who needs or wants it. .

In general, the more experience you have, the more you can expect to get into the thick of things on the cattle drive. Less experienced riders put in the back or at the sides. But that doesn’t mean you will be bored. There’s still plenty of action and hard work for everyone.

Yes, I said hard work. This is not a lay-about-on-the-beach vacation. But that’s the idea. You work hard and you play hard. This is a chance to tackle unique challenges in a fun and adventurous way. A cattle drive vacation can be a rewarding experience, particularly for children. It’s a tremendous opportunity to build their self-confidence and self-esteem.

You can typically expect to spend between 4 and 10 hours a day in the saddle. This will most likely mean a little discomfort but the rewards are worth it. Just be sure to bring a long pain relievers for muscle aches and antibiotic cream in case of a saddle sore or two.

Some ranches have cabins or lodges where you sleep at night. Others put you in a tent on the trail. Some will even have you sleeping out under the stars.

Besides cattle drives you can also participate in real cowboy stuff. You can help sort and brand the cattle. Learn roping. Check out the fence lines. And it’s not all work and no play. Relaxing around the campfire, playing cards, pitching horseshoes or some good old-fashioned saloon dancing.

Every ranch has a different program so check them out for what suits you and your family. Whatever ranch you choose, I think the whole family will be challenged and have a heck a lot of fun too.

Posted by RJ in Articles on April 7th, 2006 | No Comments