{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Open Roads Tour & Travel Solutions LLC","home_page_url":"https://ortts.com","description":"Open Roads Tour & Travel Solutions LLC","author":{"name":"Open Roads Tour & Travel Solutions LLC"},"items":[{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/a-west-coast-swing","html_content":"

Sacramento is only two hours from San Francisco, so it's not unusual to find me there several times during the year. On a recent visit, I did a few things I hadn't done before: I made chocolate, paid a long overdue visit...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/a-west-coast-swing","title":"A West Coast Swing","summary":"Sacramento is only two hours from San Francisco, so it's not unusual to find me there several times during the year. On a recent visit, I did a few things I hadn't done before: I made chocolate, paid a long overdue visit...","date_modified":"2026-06-01T21:35:47Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/the-tallest-living-things-on-earth-discover-the-coastal-redwoods","html_content":"

Traveling north from San Francisco is, in many ways, like following in the footsteps of California's natural and human history. You leave an area that served as homes for several Native Tribes and the debarkation point o...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/the-tallest-living-things-on-earth-discover-the-coastal-redwoods","title":"The Tallest Living Things on Earth: Discover the Coastal Redwoods","summary":"Traveling north from San Francisco is, in many ways, like following in the footsteps of California's natural and human history. You leave an area that served as homes for several Native Tribes and the debarkation point o...","date_modified":"2025-12-01T14:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/the-other-side-of-arizona-tucson-tombstone-tubac-and-bisbee","html_content":"

It's a given that if you've been to Arizona, you've been to Phoenix. And probably Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park. Maybe you've been to Prescott, Flagstaff, and Williams, too. What do these destinations have in com...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/the-other-side-of-arizona-tucson-tombstone-tubac-and-bisbee","title":"The OTHER Side of Arizona: Tucson, Tombstone, Tubac, and Bisbee","summary":"It's a given that if you've been to Arizona, you've been to Phoenix. And probably Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park. Maybe you've been to Prescott, Flagstaff, and Williams, too. What do these destinations have in com...","date_modified":"2025-11-18T01:59:32Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/portland-dazzles-in-springtime","html_content":"

While Pasadena hosts the annual Rose Parade on New Year's Day, another city has been quietly hosting its own full-blown, nearly month-long festival devoted to the same lovely flower.

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/portland-dazzles-in-springtime","title":"Portland Dazzles in Springtime!","summary":"While Pasadena hosts the annual Rose Parade on New Year's Day, another city has been quietly hosting its own full-blown, nearly month-long festival devoted to the same lovely flower.","date_modified":"2025-08-29T13:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/holland-in-washington-state-finding-tulips-in-skagit-valley","html_content":"

Are there many places to see fields of blooming tulips each spring? Of course there are! Holland, in the Netherlands. And certainly in the United States, in places like Holland, Michigan, and Pella, Iowa. But for a truly...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/holland-in-washington-state-finding-tulips-in-skagit-valley","title":"Holland in Washington State? Finding Tulips in Skagit Valley...","summary":"Are there many places to see fields of blooming tulips each spring? Of course there are! Holland, in the Netherlands. And certainly in the United States, in places like Holland, Michigan, and Pella, Iowa. But for a truly...","date_modified":"2025-08-03T03:47:28Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark-in-arizona","html_content":"

Settling into a seat in a baseball stadium. Hot dog and drink in hand, the announcer warming up the crowd, and the home team taking the field. A first pitch, a seventh inning stretch with \"Take Me Out to the Ballgame,\" a...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark-in-arizona","title":"Hit it Out of the Ballpark in Arizona!","summary":"Settling into a seat in a baseball stadium. Hot dog and drink in hand, the announcer warming up the crowd, and the home team taking the field. A first pitch, a seventh inning stretch with \"Take Me Out to the Ballgame,\" a...","date_modified":"2025-06-02T12:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/palm-springs-for-the-winter","html_content":"

Flying into Palm Springs International Airport, the mood is immediately set. Served by several airlines, including newcomer Southwest, you exit your plane and immediately find yourself surrounded by desert palms, a warm ...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/palm-springs-for-the-winter","title":"Palm Springs for the Win(ter)","summary":"Flying into Palm Springs International Airport, the mood is immediately set. Served by several airlines, including newcomer Southwest, you exit your plane and immediately find yourself surrounded by desert palms, a warm ...","date_modified":"2025-05-13T04:22:10Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/tiptoe-through-the-tulips","html_content":"

At Open Roads we love to plan tours around special events and regional gatherings. It's the perfect opportunity for visitors to participate with local residents and businesses to celebrate and experience the uniqueness o...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/tiptoe-through-the-tulips","title":"Tiptoe Through the Tulips!","summary":"At Open Roads we love to plan tours around special events and regional gatherings. It's the perfect opportunity for visitors to participate with local residents and businesses to celebrate and experience the uniqueness o...","date_modified":"2024-12-28T01:04:36Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/do-you-know-the-best-way-to-monterey","html_content":"

Monterey. For most people, the name conjures up images of a very big aquarium. Or maybe Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive or Carmel's famous mission, both located close by. Others think of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row or Cali...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/do-you-know-the-best-way-to-monterey","title":"Do You Know the Best Way to Monterey?","summary":"Monterey. For most people, the name conjures up images of a very big aquarium. Or maybe Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive or Carmel's famous mission, both located close by. Others think of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row or Cali...","date_modified":"2024-11-27T23:00:11Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/spring-sojourn-to-lake-tahoe","html_content":"

There's nothing like a quick escape to the mountains. And if those mountains surround the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe, so much the better!

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/spring-sojourn-to-lake-tahoe","title":"Spring Sojourn to Lake Tahoe","summary":"There's nothing like a quick escape to the mountains. And if those mountains surround the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe, so much the better!","date_modified":"2021-04-21T22:20:11Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-ways-to-travel-in-the-new-normal","html_content":"

1. Planes: The number of domestic air trips continues to be dire. Passenger loads are around 80-90% lower than last year. Because there is no federal policy governing airlines with concern to COVID-19, each carrier has d...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-ways-to-travel-in-the-new-normal","title":"5 Ways to Travel in the New Normal","summary":"1. Planes: The number of domestic air trips continues to be dire. Passenger loads are around 80-90% lower than last year. Because there is no federal policy governing airlines with concern to COVID-19, each carrier has d...","date_modified":"2020-07-30T01:10:45Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-predictions-for-the-future-of-group-travel","html_content":"

1. Smaller Groups: Thinking about being closely surrounded by total strangers in a closed environment will give many people pause for the immediate future. Even social distancing on a 56-pax motorcoach with say, 20-25 pa...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-predictions-for-the-future-of-group-travel","title":"5 Predictions for the Future of Group Travel","summary":"1. Smaller Groups: Thinking about being closely surrounded by total strangers in a closed environment will give many people pause for the immediate future. Even social distancing on a 56-pax motorcoach with say, 20-25 pa...","date_modified":"2020-05-28T22:39:47Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-wonderful-waterfalls-of-the-west","html_content":"

1. Burney Falls – McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Burney, CA. Located just over an hour east of Redding in Northern California and within the Cascade Range, Burney Falls is not the highest or largest waterfall...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-wonderful-waterfalls-of-the-west","title":"5 Wonderful Waterfalls of the West","summary":"1. Burney Falls – McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Burney, CA. Located just over an hour east of Redding in Northern California and within the Cascade Range, Burney Falls is not the highest or largest waterfall...","date_modified":"2020-03-23T22:04:04Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-awesome-parades-in-the-west","html_content":"

1. Portland Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade – No city does a better job of turning itself into a showcase of celebration dedicated to one flower. In addition to concerts, fun runs, races on the water, a huge waterfr...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-awesome-parades-in-the-west","title":"5 Awesome Parades in the West","summary":"1. Portland Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade – No city does a better job of turning itself into a showcase of celebration dedicated to one flower. In addition to concerts, fun runs, races on the water, a huge waterfr...","date_modified":"2019-02-15T15:33:21Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-tips-for-air-travel","html_content":"

1. Join a Trusted Traveler Program: You had the best intentions but traffic, weather or the drive-through line at Starbucks conspired against you! Now you have 100 people in front of you to go through a body scanner at t...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-tips-for-air-travel","title":"5 Tips for Air Travel","summary":"1. Join a Trusted Traveler Program: You had the best intentions but traffic, weather or the drive-through line at Starbucks conspired against you! Now you have 100 people in front of you to go through a body scanner at t...","date_modified":"2019-02-01T17:48:55Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-places-to-reach-great-heights-in-the-west","html_content":"

1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – Talk about a “change in the weather!” Starting at an elevation of around 500 feet, you’ll climb over 8,000 feet to Mt. San Jacinto State Park on one of the world’s largest rotating cars! ...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-places-to-reach-great-heights-in-the-west","title":"5 Places to Reach Great Heights in the West","summary":"1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – Talk about a “change in the weather!” Starting at an elevation of around 500 feet, you’ll climb over 8,000 feet to Mt. San Jacinto State Park on one of the world’s largest rotating cars! ...","date_modified":"2019-01-18T18:27:55Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/five-national-parks-in-oregon","html_content":"

1. Crater Lake National Park – Just over an hour from Klamath Falls and two hours from Medford, Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the co...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/five-national-parks-in-oregon","title":"5 National Parks in Oregon","summary":"1. Crater Lake National Park – Just over an hour from Klamath Falls and two hours from Medford, Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the co...","date_modified":"2019-01-10T20:22:41Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-islands-to-explore-in-the-west","html_content":"

1. Catalina Island – “26 miles across the sea…Santa Catalina is waiting for me…” Regular ferry service from Long Beach provides easy access to California’s own Mediterranean island. The city of Avalon provides abundant s...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-islands-to-explore-in-the-west","title":"5 Islands to Explore in the West","summary":"1. Catalina Island – “26 miles across the sea…Santa Catalina is waiting for me…” Regular ferry service from Long Beach provides easy access to California’s own Mediterranean island. The city of Avalon provides abundant s...","date_modified":"2018-10-26T03:00:07Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-places-to-find-civil-war-history-in-the-west","html_content":"

1. Fort Point in San Francisco: Nestled underneath the southern span of the Golden Gate Bridge you will find a unique vestige of Civil War era forts on the Pacific Coast. Construction on the three story masonry Fort Poin...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/5-places-to-find-civil-war-history-in-the-west","title":"5 Places to Find U.S. Civil War History in the West","summary":"1. Fort Point in San Francisco: Nestled underneath the southern span of the Golden Gate Bridge you will find a unique vestige of Civil War era forts on the Pacific Coast. Construction on the three story masonry Fort Poin...","date_modified":"2018-09-29T00:50:38Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/rail-ideas-for-your-western-itineraries","html_content":"

1. Colorado: Home to several of the most unique scenic trains in the world, it’s easy to string together several of these railroads into a rail-themed itinerary. The Durango-Silverton Railroad is considered by many to be...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/rail-ideas-for-your-western-itineraries","title":"5 Ideas for Your Western Rail Itineraries","summary":"1. Colorado: Home to several of the most unique scenic trains in the world, it’s easy to string together several of these railroads into a rail-themed itinerary. The Durango-Silverton Railroad is considered by many to be...","date_modified":"2018-09-15T01:23:46Z"},{"id":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/five-ideas-for-niche-tours","html_content":"

1. Cannabis Tourism: No, you don’t have to shepherd your customers around looking for the perfect buds and brownies, but you can introduce people to this new addition to the agricultural industry without getting the mun...

","url":"https://ortts.com/the-western-rambler-blog/f/five-ideas-for-niche-tours","title":"5 Ideas for Niche Tours","summary":"1. Cannabis Tourism: No, you don’t have to shepherd your customers around looking for the perfect buds and brownies, but you can introduce people to this new addition to the agricultural industry without getting the mun...","date_modified":"2018-09-13T23:24:48Z"}]}