Tiny Town Offers a Great Stop

It was an amazing Monday, September 12, 2011 in Reedsport, Oregon, when 2,200 Cycle Oregon bicyclists plus volunteers, catering toilets, showers, sinks, bike repair people, food, tables, chairs, medical teams, massage therapists, beer and wine garden, live entertainment, vendors, a market place and much more come through town for the evening. Doubling Reedsport’s population in a matter of hours.

A true community event with a large variety of organizations, churches, clubs, businesses, and individuals working together to make it all happen!

Cycle Oregon, with the theme, “Going Coastal” started in Sutherlin, Oregon. Stopping, visiting and camping in Cottage Grove, Reedsport, Bandon, Powers, Riddle, and back into Sutherlin. Riding approximately 499 miles in one week.

The cyclists come from all around the world. China, UK, Scotland, Holland, Germany, and many different states. Ranging from ages 10 to 80 years young.

Their journey is a stunning ride that encompasses fertile valleys, deep forests, rugged coastline and rolling wine country. Ninety percent of the 2011 route travels on roads Cycle Oregon has never pedaled.

Reedsport was their second stop after a 92 mile ride from Cottage Grove where they were welcomed by enthusiastic residents, balloons, cowbells, tambourines, shouts, cheers and music. The Braves cheerleaders, 4-H’ers, youth groups, old car enthusiasts, musicians, and many others were among the welcoming community.

Hundreds of tents in orderly rows filled Ruppe Field (our football field), Barrone Park, and almost every grassy place around the Highland campus. Including portable shower trucks, beer garden with entertainment and catering tents that fed the hungry bicyclists in gourmet style.

The riders, volunteers, and their families enjoyed being able to relax and recoup from their first day on the road as well as numerous opportunities to experience natural wonders. Dean Creek Elk Reserve, Umpqua River Lighthouse, Umpqua Discovery Center, Community Market, and tours of Reedsport - Winchester Bay area.

It was definitely some summertime fun had by many!!!

Going coastal? Reedsport…a great place to getaway. Escape today…anytime, any season. Link your life with nature, events and fun things to do! Outdoor fun awaits you…Whether your goal is riding, fishing, golfing, hiking, wildlife or other outdoor fun, Reedsport is the place. A quiet place with plenty to do. Let us serve you!

Learn more about Reedsport and Cycle Oregon

Paradise ~ Place to Go, Price You'll Love

Paradise Canyon sits on the banks of the Oldman River in Lethbridge Alberta. The resort is situated in the middle of the on-site championship golf course.

The Paradise Canyon course has been rated as one of the top courses in western Canada and described by Golf Digest as "one of the best places to play."

You'll be provided with a complete range of golf and resort amenities, while the city of Lethbridge offers visitors a full range of shopping and urban amenities.

We couldn't find any availability online to compare to, so we called the resort directly. We asked about the pricing for the exact week being offered through membership. (a week in June)

They informed us the week in question was completely booked up for all units due to the popularity of this time of year.

We then asked what it would cost to book IF they had availability. They informed us that they do not book outside of the RCI point system, and we would not be able to book for any amount of money.

Membership obviously has benefits beyond just the savings...

You can book a 2 bedroom right now for a June stay for only $398 for the entire week.

This type of VIP access and pricing are available exclusively to our members.

Find your happy place just a hop, skip, and click away
http://www.sonsearcherstravel.com/

Where Passion Has No Boundaries

Life is a collection of experiences. What is your must~do life list? Escape completely. Discover the hidden treasures of worldwide destinations. Discover yourself. Find your happy place.

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did do. Throw off the busyness badge. Get away from the safe harbor. Catch the winds in your sail. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.

Adventure seekers rappel into forested canyons, hike to remote waterfalls, and watch hot lava pouring into the ocean. Nature enthusiasts hike a rare, dry land forest and roam the paths of a tropical garden. Those seeking a cultural experience restore an ancient site, visit a surfing museum, and travel to an ancient royal compound. Food lovers enjoy culinary tours to private homes and locals-only eateries, visit farms, orchards, and plantations.

The Hawaiian Islands promise so much more than just fun in the sun or catching a big wave. Beyond the beach, over the mountains, and in deep valleys, travelers find a world of authentic Hawaiian natural, cultural, and historical marvels. Find a rainbow of romantic adventures. Experience the perfect get away.

Discover a lost civilization in Belize ~ The temple and surrounding scenery are magnificent, with lush palm trees and orchids growing beautifully in the wild. Belizeans are very friendly people and the country is amazing. Make time for the adventure in your life.

They say you haven’t skied until you’ve skied Canada. The powder and the glory. Savor every moment gliding the glistening peaks. Leisure-seekers and adrenaline junkies alike come back for the pristine rugged runs and world-class wonderlands. It’s all within reach when you plug into the Canadian peaks. Just wait until you discover all the ski sensations and magical adventures Canada offers off the slopes.

Yes, there’s more to Nevada than fabulous Las Vegas. Indulge celebrity-chef dining. Embrace mother nature. Take a morning drive on a Jack Nicklaus fairway. Experience shopping. Or just take it all in, it’s your show.

Travel for less. Enjoy membership savings and family getaways worldwide. Save on vacations hotel resorts, and cruises. You and your family are entitled to special savings, services and amenities.

Make your busy life easier. Let your membership take care of things for you ~ anywhere, anytime!

Have more fun. Get the most out of your escapades with savings on affordable popular vacation destinations. There are highlights to every journey. Fun doesn’t have blackout dates neither do we.

Find your happy place just a hop, skip and click away.

http://www.sonsearcherstravel.com/

Pacific Ocean Paradise

Escape to Rancho Banderas Vacation Villas, a gorgeous beachfront property located on the north shore of the Bay of Banderas in Puerto Vallarta.

Rancho Banderas offers both Oceanfront and Garden Views from their villas. All villas provide the comfort and luxuries of home including a full kitchen.

Renowned for its soft white sand and crystal clear waters, it's recognized as the premier beach within the Bay of Banderas.

Right now through membership, you can book a 2 Bedroom Suite for 6 people for only $550 for the entire week.

We were unable to find any availability online to compare to, so we called the resort directly for pricing. The nightly rate is over $260.00

Without a membership, you'd be paying over $1,820.00 for the week.

That's over a $1,270.00 savings on this one week alone.

Thinking about a change of scenery with little more than the change in your pocket?

These types of savings are available exclusively to our members.

“Debbie and Larry Dreyer believe that anyone can have a luxurious life - simply and inexpensively. Living a way that is outwardly simple and inwardly rich! Simplicity... Visit SonSearchersTravel to learn how you can live your dreams.” Watch the movie, then click the lower right hand corner to browse the registry for yourself. You will be asked to log in. Login: resort ~ Password: lookfor (all lower case). Over 5000 resorts around the world to choose from.

Finding Your Affordable Adventure

There’s a new way to see the many attractions of this much admired world of ours.

What’s your excellent adventure? Do you dream of tranquil lakes, breathtaking vistas, or savoring some of the world’s finest wines? What do you seek in a family vacation? Affordability? Activities for everyone? Some place close to home, yet a world apart? Seeking comfort and joy, less hustle and bustle?

There are many places full of memory making adventures. Find your Happy Side. Plan a dream vacation that will light up your face. Explore more! Become inspired with every turn in the road. Embrace the splendor of God’s natural wonders. Unleash your inner explorer. Take a journey on the wild side.

Whether you spin a globe, throw dart at a map, flip a coin or pick a favorite food and visit the place it comes from…let your mind wander. Release your inner explorer. Set your sights on exotic points, from the palm-fringed beaches of Mexico and the Caribbean to the rocky headlands of New England, from the French flair of Eastern Canada to the aloha spirit of Hawaii. The beauty and culture of the world awaits you.

Imagine the wondrous tropical world of the Caribbean, ready for play. Always wanted to visit the sunny Dutch islands of Aruba but never seemed to have the time? Snorkel the crystalline waters, inner tube a rain forest river.

Awaken in vibrant Bermuda; fill each new day with simple, island pleasures. A dreamy tropical isle with a very British flair. Tea rooms, pubs and cricket matches, pink beaches, coral reefs and golf courses on par with the world’s best.

Celebrate the spirited exuberance of Mexico, a fiesta of color and culture. Mexico has it all, plus a sunny disposition that turns every day into a fiesta.

Behold Hawaii, an irresistible blend of Aloha charm and primeval splendor. Carefree days, luxuriating at the spa, learning about the island life, coupled with nice long days exploring paradise in new and extraordinary ways. Have you ever walked on a steaming lava field or strummed a ukulele?

Explore the Panama Canal, miraculous from Atlantic to Pacific, from locks to lush jungles. Three colossal sets of locks, a massive manmade lake, and a channel that bridges the Divide. There’s no way you can fathom the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal other that visit it.

Discover the historic shores of Canada and New England, clothed in color and beauty. Everywhere you look, fascinating history rises up to meet you in forts, freedom trails and storybook farms.

We’ve found choices that appeal to a wide range of abilities and interests - from mild to wild, city to countryside. From intimate lounges that invite quiet conversation to expansive rooms designed to dazzle. You will find beauty at every turn.

See it all. Take your time. There’s a world of awe-inspiring wonder. Where next? Come, it’s time.

Find you happy place just a hop, skip, and click aways.

http://www.sonsearcherstravel.com/

Tranquility Defined~Melt Your Stress Away

Nestled deep inside the tranquil San Vicente Valley, the Riviera Oaks Resort and Racquet Club transports you to a healthy and revitalizing rural environment.

This vacation is the perfect getaway and has something for the entire family...and being in California...you don't even have to travel 'across the pond' to get there!

Sixteen tennis courts, paddle tennis, a nearby country club for golf, hiking trails, horseback riding, and a full service spa, are just a few of the activities available for your daily enjoyment. Private and group tennis lessons are available.

If relaxation is your sport of choice, the Riviera Oaks Resort has two large swimming pools, two Jacuzzi's and a fabulous Day Spa for the ultimate in pampered relaxation! The Day Spa offers a wide variety of treatments, including Swedish massage, body wraps, and stone therapy massage. Let all your stress melt away at the Riviera Oaks Resort & Racquet Club!

This perfect vacation week is a 'steal' at only $350 for the entire week. Grab this spacious two-bedroom unit while you still can and save over $600.00.

These types of savings are available exclusively to our members.

Find your happy place just a hop, skip, and click aways.
http://www.sonsearcherstravel.com/

Honkey Tonkin' In Gruene

Dec. 27th - We ventured out to a little town called Gruene (pronounced green). A fun rustic little town with a lot of western background history.

Some History on Gruene...

Arriving in Texas in the mid 1840s, German farmers became the first settlers of what is now known as Gruene, Texas. Ernst Gruene, a German immigrant, and his bride Antoinette, had reached the newly established city of New Braunfels in 1845, but acreage was scarce. Thus, Ernst and his two sons purchased land just down river, and Ernst built the first home in Gruene in early fachwerk style. His second son, Henry D. Gruene, built his home (now Gruene Mansion Inn) and planted his surrounding land with cotton.

Henry D. built houses in various styles -- a Victorian cottage (now Lone Star), a large brick home, and a frame house (now Gruene Haus) for the foreman of his farm. The first mercantile store (now Gruene General Store) was built in 1878 and a cotton gin (now Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar) powered by the Guadalupe River was added soon after. Further construction during this profitable time included a dance hall and saloon (Gruene Hall), which became the center of the community's social life.

The Gruene Mansion Inn - A premier Bed and Breakfast, with 30 rooms. Formerly H.D. Gruene’s home, carriage house, corn crib, and barns. Rustic Victorian elegance and a delightful breakfast.
Not only is the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but it is also designated a Texas Historic Landmark.

The Gurene Hall - The Texas club that helped launch the careers of George Strait and many others, celebrates 35 years of cool music and good fun. Includes images and quotes from some of the most famous artists to grace the Hall's stage.
Once a month Gruene Hall puts on a show like no other. This popular two-stepping, toe-tapping hangout is the place to be the second Sunday of each month for its Gospel Brunch.

The Grapevine - A charming, inviting wine bar right on the main street. It has one of the largest selections of Texas wines and offers free tastings every day. Texas is the 5th largest producing wine region in the entire country. The Grapevine specializes in Texas wines. There are 160 wineries in Texas right now.

Gruene River Antiques - Over 6,500 square feet of antiques, collectibles, gifts and decorator items. Housed in H.D. Gruene's Texas Landmark mercantile building (c. 1903) with original bank vault. Opened in May 2006 with the help of employees and vendors. The store currently consists of thirty vendors. Each vendor was chosen for their quality products and excellence in presentation. You will find a wide array of antiques from different parts of the world and different styles.