• Home
  • About Carol
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Products
  • Contact

Carol Patterson

INSPIRING EVERYDAY EXPLORERS Through wildlife tales and trails

Carol Patterson

  • Canada
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
    • Manitoba
    • Maritimes
    • Ontario
    • Quebec
    • Saskatchewan
    • Yukon
  • U.S.
    • California
    • Nebraska
    • Texas
    • Other States
  • International
    • Antarctica
    • Bhutan
    • Borneo
    • Costa Rica
    • Ireland
    • Mexico
    • Norway
    • Peru
  • Interesting People
    • Reflections
  • Events

Eight things you don’t know about Sheridan, Wyoming

July 12, 2016 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

sheridan-wyoming1. A lot of wealthy people live here. The private airport is bigger than the public airport (handy for those private jets) and gorgeous horseflesh peeps across the fences at sprawling country estates. Forrest Mars Jr. (grandson of the founder of the Mars candy empire) calls the area home. Another Sheridan citizen, Leandro Rissuto, started Cuisinart.
2. The soil around Sheridan contains proteins that grow great grass and build strong horses. Over 20,000 horses were shipped to the British Calvary in South Africa’s Boer War and ever since horse lovers have been raising beautiful horses. Which leads me to #3.

visit-sheridan-wyoming3. This is a great place for polo. Polo players come from all over the world to participate in the free polo matches every summer weekend. Ascots and fancy hats are optional; having a good time is not.

4. Buffalo Bill Cody held auditions for his Wild West show on the front porch of the Sheridan Inn. You can audition for a full stomach with the mouth-watering Wyoming steaks served at the hotel’s Open Range restaurant.

5. The Brinton museum has a rammed earth wall built with the same construction methods as the Great Wall of China and expected to last longer. The wall protects a fabulous art collection including paintings by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell.

6. It has a vibrant theatre community. Producers work with Sheridan College to develop and test shows before taking them to major U.S. cities.

sheridan-wyoming7. Queen Elizabeth likes the place. She came for a private holiday in 1984 to see her relatives and admire the horses.

8. There is a herd of bison and elk in town next to Kendrick Park. The Elk Pasture is supported by a 1% local sales tax.

To plan your trip go to: www.sheridanwyoming.com

TWEETABLES

Eight things you don’t know about Sheridan, Wyoming. Click to Tweet.

My friend, @Reinventure , shares 8 things you don’t know how Sheridan, Wyoming. Click to Tweet.

My friend, @Reinventure , learned these 8 interesting facts about Sheridan, Wyoming on her recent adventure: Click to Tweet.

Filed Under: Other States Tagged With: adventure travel, brinton museum, leandro rissuto, sheridan, sheridan wyoming, travel tips, visit sheridan wyoming, wyoming

An Urban Fairy Phenomena?

August 11, 2015 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

Fairy Door Ann Arbor“That’s a fairy door,” said Stephen Kerr – well known Ann Arbor resident and artist – pointing to the ground near the entrance of a local music venue. I knew Ann Arbor was home to thousands of artists but I hadn’t realized some of them were small enough to fit in your pocket.
Kerr explained that doors built for creatures shorter than fifteen centimeters are found on almost a dozen downtown buildings, “They are perfect replicas of the larger doors they are on.” I peered at the tiny oak door with a miniature stainless-steel doorknob and stained glass window,’ The Ark ‘ scrawled in black ink. Jeff Daniels plays the Ark when he’s in town and I could envision music-loving fairies slipping through the diminutive entrance.

“The fairy doors started appearing about ten years ago. Some stores have maps to help people find the fairy doors,” Stephen said. Self-described fairyologist, Jonathan B. Wight, was the first to discover a fairy door in his house in 1993. It’s rumored he’s behind similar doors that started appearing at downtown businesses in 2005.

Previously unaware that an urban fairy phenomenon had sprung up in the American Midwest, I set out to find a fairy. Peaceable Kingdom – an art and gift store – has fairy maps, a fairy door and tiny windows peering into a fairy-size replica of the store. I peered through the teeny windows nestled under the store’s street-front display, no easy feat on arthritic knees. A Jack Russell terrier ambled over to sniff my hand, happy to have someone at canine eye level, but the fairies were out.

With fairy-door map in hand, I set out on the trail of the littlest residents of Ann Arbor – sometimes called A2. It appeared fairies hung out in some unlikely places. Google’s AdWord headquarters has a fairy door, as does the University of Michigan’s MOTT Children’s hospital. The university is one of the world’s foremost research schools but it’s not above a bit of whimsy with its own fairy door.

Visit Ann ArborAt the Kelsey Museum of Archeology there are no fairy doors but the Egyptian coffin of Djehutymose has its own Facebook page. Somehow separated from its mummy, social media is helping Djehutymose. “Other mummies have liked its Facebook page and there is some discussion on the page about finding the missing mummy,” laughed Terry Wilfong, Professor of Egyptology. I wondered if the fairies could help.

At the University’s Nichols Arboretum, over three hundred of species of peonies waved in the early morning breeze, the fragrance reminding me of Saskatchewan summers. Tucked in the woods overlooking the carpet of peonies, a sign read ‘Fairy Woods and Troll Hollow’. “It’s for kids,” explained Intern Joel Klann, “they like to make miniature fairy houses out of sticks.”

My next destination was Matthaei Botanical gardens. I skidded to a stop at a large display inside the front door. A sign extolling people to ‘Build your own fairy garden’ was surrounded by tiny chairs, birdhouses, and even miniature wine bottles for the fairy with a preference for Chardonnay. “Have there been any sightings?” I asked Allison Correll, Visitor Services & Events Supervisor. She just laughed but I wondered about this Michigan preoccupation with fairies. If they were real, why settle here?

It could be the food. With over 200 restaurants, 65% with fairy-friendly outdoor seating, Fodor’s Travel called A2 one of “America’s Best College Towns for Foodies.” Maybe it’s because Ann Arbor decriminalized marijuana in the 1970s, or perhaps that just accounts for the number of people who think they’ve seen a fairy!

Thinking a bigger lens might help spot fairies, I headed to the Detroit Observatory, the second oldest building on the University of Michigan campus. Nearby Great Lakes create dreadful astronomy conditions, but in the mid 19th century it was necessary to have a planetarium if one wanted a research school so one was built. Even a fairy might find that logic confusing.

As my tour group watched Program Coordinator Karen Wight point the telescope towards the sky, explaining how early astronomers sighted stars, the doors to the room slammed shut – apparently on their own. “It’s the fairies,” cried one of our group. I spun around; it might have been a trick of the light, but for a second, I thought I saw a gossamer wing slip under the door.

TWEETABLES

An Urban Fairy Phenomena? Click to Tweet.

Fairy maps and fairy doors are a common feature in Ann Arbor. Discover how it got its start: Click to Tweet.

Discover how a trip to Ann Arbor could have you seeing fairies: Click to Tweet.

Filed Under: Other States Tagged With: adventure, adventure travel, ann arbor, fairy, fairy myth, fairy phenomena, google adword, kelsey museum of archeology, university of michigan, visit ann arbor

Reinvent Your Diet with Tart Cherries

September 16, 2014 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

Tart Cherry PieI thought I was risking my health when I signed onto a three-day press tour to eat all things cherry. I tried cherry margaritas, pork loin with cherries, cherry ice cream, cherry wine, chocolate-dipped cherries, cherry bars, even cherry-clam linguini. While I wouldn’t recommend a steady diet of sugar-laden treats, the tart cherry itself has amazing health benefits.
Researchers have discovered that tart cherries – the kind seen in pie fillings – may be a super food. Michigan State University scientists were among the first to identify three powerful anti-inflammatory anthocyanins in tart cherries. These compounds may protect artery walls from plaque and help relieve pain.

The tart cherry is also a significant source of melatonin, an anti-oxidant that can reduce brain deterioration associated with aging, and improve sleep. It might be coincidence or placebo effect, but I slept better in Wisconsin knowing I was improving my health by eating cherry pie. The sacrifices made by a travel writer!

TWEETABLES

Reinvent Your Diet with Tart Cherries via @Reinventure. Click to Tweet.

My friend @Reinventure ate all things cherry for 3 days straight. Read more about her adventure: Click to Tweet.

Want to improve your sleep? Add this super food to your diet and enjoy! Click to Tweet.

Filed Under: Other States Tagged With: cherry, reinvent your diet, reinventure, tart cherry, think like an explorer, wisconsin

The Power of a Cherry

September 9, 2014 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

Door County, Wisconsin Door County, Wisconsin sits on a 110-kilometer long peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan. In the19th century, the peninsula’s trees were overharvested – clear-cut in some places, leaving a soil so thin few crops could survive.
Joseph Zettel, emigrated from Switzerland in 1856, and thought the soil would support fruit growing. He raised his first apples in 1862, eventually gaining recognition from the World Columbian Exposition for growing twenty varieties of apples. By 1896, the first cherry orchard had been planted on the peninsula.

It turned out the peninsula’s limestone soil and the climatic influences of Lake Michigan were ideal for tart cherries – the kind found in pie fillings. By 1959 the region was producing 4.5 million kilograms of tart cherries and had earned the name ‘ Cherryland USA’.

Tourism development has caused declines in agricultural production in recent decades, but there are still plenty of cherries. They attract tourists eager for cherry-laced cuisine and entrepreneurs like Carrie Lautenbach-Viste at Orchard Country Winery & Market are busy adding new products like cherry wine, grilling sauce and salsa, to satisfy consumer demand for cherries. It is proving successful. Her employee, Bill Gonnsen, explains the financial benefits, “Cherry growing is a very sustainable business. With only 100 acres we are able to employ 19 people part-time for six months and nine people full-time. That is more than a relatively small piece of land can support with other crops.”

Sustainable forestry would have been better a better historical choice, but I’m inspired that a simple cherry has reinvented the region.

TWEETABLES

The Power of a Cherry via @Reinventure. Click to Tweet.

Discover how one man turned this 110-kilometer long peninsula into a major cherry producer. Click to Tweet.

Have you visited this 110-kilometer peninsula known as Cherryland USA? Click to Tweet.

Filed Under: Other States Tagged With: cherries, cherry, cherryland, cherryland usa, door county, lake michigan, wisconsin

Reinventing the Bed and Breakfast Experience

October 8, 2013 by CarolPatterson Leave a Comment

Reinventing the Bed and Breakfast ExperienceCasa De San Pedro B&B near Hereford, Arizona was built with bird watchers in mind. I have visited several lodges in east Africa built with wildlife watchers in mind, but it is rare to find North American lodging built to maximize wildlife watching. The Casa De San Pedro B&B is located within strolling distance of the San Pedro River. Over 350 species of birds are found in this habitat and over 80 species of mammals  – one of the largest concentrations in the western hemisphere.
The ten rooms are built around an inner courtyard with fountains and bird feeders. Common rooms have large windows overlooking bird feeders and foliage planted to attract birds. Scopes, binoculars and nature books are within easy reach. Food is available at all hours to fill the bellies of early risers and a beautiful pool is perfect for reclining mid afternoon.

Each week in summer – except for when the females are on the nest – the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory holds hummingbird bandings sessions on the grounds. Guests can watch and hold birds as they are banded and data gathered.

Catering to nature lovers has been good for business. The B&B runs near full occupancy from spring to fall. If you would like to see more on how the Bed and Breakfast experience has been reinvented, watch my video at http://youtu.be/fO6E3uI2GoM

TWEETABLES

Discover how Casa De San Pedro B&B is reinventing the bed & breakfast experience. Click to Tweet.

This reinventure will help you relax and enjoy nature simultaneously! Learn more about this bed and breakfast. Click to Tweet.

Do you want to enjoy nature while having a relaxing holiday? This bed & breakfast offers the perfect mix of both. Click to Tweet.

Filed Under: Other States Tagged With: casa de san pedro b&b, nature, nature lovers, reinventing the bed and breakfast experience, san pedro river

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Follow Me

Books

Sustainable Tourism
Business Ecotourism

Tags

adventure adventure travel alberta banff bears best practices birding birds Birdwatching bird watching bison british columbia calgary canada costa rica cultural tourism culture ecotourism ethics events grasslands national park Haida Gwaii hiking Manitoba national parks nature nature deficit disorder nature scapes nature tourism Nebraska new year resolutions oregon parks canada puerto vallarta quebec reinventure Saskatchewan sustainability sustainable tourism think like an explorer travel whales whale watching wildlife wildlife viewing

Copyright © 2021 Carol Patterson · All Rights Reserved

T: 403-512-0574 Email: carol@kalahari-online.com
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in