“The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.-G.K. Chesterton
Author: Debbie
ABC Quotes-B is for Miriam Beard
ABC Quotes-A is for Maya Angelou

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
-Maya Angelou
WRITING TIP: Use the words of others.
When trying to find a new way to add words to your photos, consider adding quotes.
ABC Quotes-Word Play
Do you ever read a quote and find yourself instantly transported by your own memories?
Quotes stir in us a deep emotion. Sometimes we just want to elicit a feeling. Perhaps you have a great picture but you don’t have a story to go with it. This is the perfect time to add quote.
Collecting quotes is a great way to make sure you always have words for your photos. Quotes can be a jumping off point to telling a story or they can stand alone.
I thought I would take this month to share my pictures with you as I pair them with some of my favorite quotes.
There are quotes for everything.
I collect quotes in the notes feature of my cell phone.
I file quotes by the last name of the author and/or under a category heading such as relationships, travel, inspiration etc.
Quotes can also encourage you to take a photo in a different way. Give it a try this month!
“G” is for Gaylord, Michigan-An ABC List to Discover This Town
This Alpine themed, “Up North” city is central to everything you could want from a Northern Michigan adventure. Situated on the 45th parallel, the Bavarian influence is everywhere in this tiny town. Of course there are plenty of forests and lakes surrounding the area, after all, this unspoiled haven is what most people flock to the north to discover.
The area had first been named Okkaddo, which was later changed to Otsego which means “clear water”. There are also top-notch galleries, music festivals and unique shops to discover. There is also a large convention center all strategically positioned in the heart of the state. Design your own adventure as you explore this beautiful location.
Here are a few ideas to help you create your own ABC Adventure:
A-Aspen Park, Alpine Chocolates, Antique Shows, Alpenfest (Festival), Alpine Traveler and Eatery (Eat, Dine), Active (ATV, golf, ski, snowmobile)
B-Beach, Bennethum’s Northern Inn (Eat, Dine), Brewery/Brew Pub, Big bottle (fun photo op)
C-Claude Shannon Park, Call of the Wild Museum
D-Doumas Park, Dine, Downtown, Demonstration Garden
E-Elk Park, Eat, elk herd
F-Farmers Markets, Festivals (see-Alpenfest), Freel Park
G-Gobblers of Gaylord (Eat, Dine), Golf
H-Hike
I-Irontone Spring, Ice skate
J-Joseph N. Hale Park
K
L-Lake
M-Mary’s Tavern (see also Brewery)
N
O-Otsego Lake State Park, Otsego Sports Complex
P-Pavilion on Court, Parks
Q-
R-
S-Ski, Snowmobile, Shop, Snowbelt Brewery
T-Tavern (see also Brewery), The Rusty Pelican (Shop)
U
V-Village
W
X
Y
Z
Check back often, I will keep building this list as we discover more fun things to add to it!
M is for Magical Michigan-An Alphabetical List of Michigan Cities
When we first began our ABC Adventures, we chose to explore the cities in our state. Whether it was tiny or a major metropolis, we discovered so much about where we live. Find your next adventure by starting with a city, town or village to see what you might discover.
Acme
Alpena
Battle Creek
Belmont
Big Rapids
Boyne City
Buckley
Beulah
Cadillac
Cedar
Charlevoix
Cheboygan
Detroit
Empire
Elk Rapids
Fife Lake
Frankfort
Glen Arbor
Grand Haven
Grand Rapids
Grayling
Hessell
Higgins Lake
Holland
Houghton Lake
Indian River
Interlochen
Iron Mountain
J
Kingsley
Lake Ann
Leland
Ludington
Macatawa
Mackinaw
Manistee
Maple City
Mount Pleasant
Muskegon
North Manitou Island
Northport
Omena
Petoskey
Presque Isle
Q
Rockford
Rogers City
Sault Saint Marie
Silver Lake
St. Johns
Suttons Bay
Tawas City
Thompsonville
Traverse City
U
V
Williamsburg
X
Y
Zeeland
ABC Guide-Ketchikan, Alaska
Use this guide to find great tours available in or near, Ketchikan, Alaska. Choose a letter of the alphabet to select your next adventure.
ABC Tips-How To Maximize Your Alaskan Flight Seeing Trip
Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Tour Operator:.
- Is the business a large multi-planed operation, or a one plane, one owner type company?
- How many years and/or hours of flying experience does the pilot have?
- Does the pilot regularly fly in this territory? (Many pilots are hired seasonally and come from the lower 48 states).
- What type of plane will you be flying in? Most flight seeing planes seat 4, 6 or 10 passengers
- Will all passengers have a window?
- What are the cancellation policies for: weather, expected turbulence, number of passengers, or generally?
- What type of tour is this? Some tours are specifically for whale or bear watching, others focus on scenery.
- How many water landings are included in the tour?
- Will you be allowed to step onto land, or will you only be exiting onto the pontoon or docks?
- Will there be communication with the pilots and other passengers or is this a narrated tour?
- Are tickets purchased through the cruise line, at the Visitor’s Center or directly from a website?
- Are there additional discounts for early booking, AAA members, military, children or senior citizens?
- What is the total air time?
ABC Alaska-Q is for Quote
“C” Is For “Champagne Celebrations”-Cruising
Twice in my life I have had the opportunity to stand at the top of a champagne fountain. The tall tower is stacked pyramid style, with 650 precisely balanced glasses. This Italian celebration is usually done at weddings. Alan and I have been fortunate to have had calm seas, for the Princess Cruise line tradition to take place in the middle of the atrium. Mostly this event is another formal night, photo opportunity for the cruise lines, but I enjoy the excitement of pouring the bubbly. Besides, this is a free drink event, so of course we will always attend! Continue reading









