America Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Universal Orlando clown fixture scareactor

28th August 202628th August 2026 funtime65

Had the creative geniuses been there for my mock-up circus promo back then I’d be a Universal Orlando clown fixture scareactor now.

Nowhere does Halloween come around quicker than Universal Orlando.

With horror fans straining at the leash for today’s launch (in August!) of its 35th Halloween Horror Nights spooktacular.

When they will showcase sinister new experiences, ten haunted houses, chilling street experiences… and clowns.

Roll up for the Carnival

All of the fun unfolds within the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares.

A decrepit carnival overseen by Jack the Clown and his legendary rival, Dr. Oddfellow.

With old pals The Usher, The Storyteller and more.

While there’s no escape either on the streets where in Downtown Clowntown a troupe of maniacal clowns have taken over the New York area .

Horror fans will come face to face with the Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Art the Clown, and returning characters Chance and Eddie Schmidt.

CityWalk to CityStalk

The horror extends beyond the scare zones and into other areas of the park as the streets teem with even more lurking frights, including:

The hotels and entertainment hub CityWalk are, of course, all part of the party.

With the CityWalk’s Dead Coconut Club, which transforming into a Harvest Festival this fall.

And don’t you know our pals at themeland have only put on a scarily good offer here.

Deal me in

A 7-nighter in Universal Orlando Resort from £1,422.57pps.

With Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic Economy Classic flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando.

Room Only accommodation at Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites.

The package also includes 14-day Universal Orlando All Parks Tickets and Halloween Horror Nights Single Night Tickets.

Price is based on a departure on 10 September and includes all applicable taxes, local fees, resort fees and fuel surcharges..

Book by 30 September 2026 to take advantage of Virgin Atlantic Holidays’ September Sale,

including a reduced £75 per person deposit and additional savings on selected Universal Orlando Resort holidays using promo code UNIVERSAL.

America, Countries

The young also rises in Florida Keys

26th August 202626th August 2026 funtime65

In the fiesta that is the Hemingway lookalike competition the young also rises in Florida Keys.

Because as the much lamented Dolly Parton, who was overlooked even in her own competition, reminds us you need to stick out.

And so white beardie Hemingways have become just too difficult to separate.

Kudos then to Chris Dutton, who made history by becoming the first Young Hemingway to win Sloppy Joe’s 45th Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest.

The Tampa native channeling Ernest’s earlier moustachioed days.

With, of course, the hairy top lip into the full bush face being a natural progression.

For all of us budding writers.

Importance of being Ernest

Now for those who wish to put their Hemingway credentials to the test and be judged by other Ernests.

Then pencil in July 21-26 at Hemingway’s hang-out Sloppy Joe’s in Key West.

The 39-year-old lawyer emerged from a field of 134 registered contestants, in two preliminary rounds.

Before defeating 23 other finalists to claim the title on his seventh attempt.

The tache Ernest wore: In his younger days

By making a pitch to the judges, or Papas.

All of whom evaluate resemblance to Hemingway, stage presence and character.

And the ability to represent a society devoted to preserving the celebrated author’s legacy.

A chunky white jumper

Sloppy drinkers: The hard-drinking Ernest

Now a good Hemingway chunky white jumper is sure to help.

And Chris had the very thing, a gift from an old Papa.

‘Papa David Douglas gave me this sweater,’ said Chris. ‘I’ve had it for a few years and I never told anybody.’

Now like the Great Man himself the Papas are famous for their generosity.

And after his first appearance at the lookalike contest, a past Papa invited him to Cuba.

Because a Papa is not just for Christmas, as somebody just said.

Papa’s brand new bag

The bell tolls: Skylar Massella of Delray Beach, Fla., Mari Portal of Miami, and Allison Plumadore of Key West.Picture: Carol Tedesco/Florida Keys News Bureau.

Chris now moves from contestant to judge, helping select future winners.

And supporting the Hemingway Look-Alike Society’s scholarship program, which has awarded more than $350,000 to Florida Keys students.

He also becomes one of the tradition’s ambassadors, helping ensure Hemingway’s enduring influence.

Hemingway lived and wrote some of his most famous works in Key West through much of the 1930s.

And he was a regular at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where the contest was held.

The annual contest remains the signature event of the six-day Hemingway Days celebration honouring the 127th anniversary of his July 21 birth.

America, Countries, Sustainable Tourism

Harping on about underwater music in Florida

11th August 202611th August 2026 funtime65

And because we’re all in need of a smile these days that’s why we’re harping on about underwater music in Florida.

And the sonorous snorkelers who have just put on a coral concert for the ages.

Beneath the waves for the 42nd annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival.

Ocean-themed favorites streamed through underwater speakers at Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

As dancing mermaids strummed guitars, plucked harps and sounded trumpets.

And tropical fish swam through the melodies.

Between songs, divers heard reminders about protecting fragile coral reefs.

By respecting marine life, using mooring buoys, and practising responsible diving and snorkelling.

Manatees & other marine mates

We have seen first hand what is being done in the name of those who live under the sea.

And made some conservation chums along the way.

Such as JP, the manatees’ mate and penguins pal at SeaWorld in Orlando.

Of course, you don’t have to have fins for feet and be able to breathe underwater to help out our fishy friends.

Which is just as well for this landlubber who struggles in water.

Gulping most of it from the Red Sea to the Caribbean.

And for the most part missing out on swimming through the shoals.

Although with a deep breath I still managed to see Mr and Mrs Turtle on a couples holiday…

And to clarify, that was a humans break.

Turtle Girl Power

And talking of turtle power a big shout-out to Girl Power and her handlers.

This honey in a half-shell was rescued in the Keys around International Women’s Day last month.

And taken to The Turtle Hospital tangled in fishing line and covered in life-threatening tumours.

Four months later, she proved resilience can be stronger than any obstacles in her way.

“Girl Power was a long shot,” said manager Bette Zirkelbach.

With a satellite transmitter attached to her shell, Girl Power was released from Sombrero Beach in Marathon.

As the Turtle Hospital’s official competitor in the Tour de Turtles race, she will be tracked by Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Tour de Turtles

Off you go: Bette Zirkelbach and Jory Geib release Girl Power. (Natalie Danko/Florida Keys News Bureau)

As she journeys out to sea. Girl Power’s satellite tag will transmit her location whenever she surfaces

And that allows scientists to study her migration while giving us a front-row seat to cheer her on.

For roughly three months, she will compete against other rehabilitated sea turtles.

To see who swims the farthest in this year’s Tour de Turtles.

America, Countries

The beginning of the US’s rail story

8th August 20268th August 2026 funtime65

And today’s question is where can you track the beginning of the US’s rail story?

Well, if you said Baltimore then first class, although to be fare (we can go like this all day) everyone travelled the same back in 1827.

Now our Baltimore buddies are preparing for next year’s bicentennial of American railroading in 2027.

With the B&O Railroad Museum, birthplace of American railroading, rebranding itself as the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation.

To tell the story of how a 13-mile line between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mill in Maryland kickstarted the networks we have today.

Of course, in the beginning they were horse-drawn cars which were then replaced by steam locos.

And then there’s its place in history as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.

And for trainspotters

The announcement comes as the museum continues its transformative $38 million campus expansion.

The project includes new visitor experiences, expanded gathering spaces and an outdoor amphitheater.

And for trainspotters… 30 million archive documents, chronicling the history, development and impact of American railroading.

The expansion will culminate in the opening of Innovation Hall ahead of the nation’s commemoration of the 200th anniversary of American railroading next year.

But it’s not just about looking back, the Innovation Hall will showcase the future of railroading technologies.

Visitors will explore engineering, automation, sustainability, freight systems, passenger mobility.

And emerging innovations shaping the next generation of rail transportation.

The train reigns

All of which shines a light on this much-overlooked mode of American transport.

With the car the king and residents of the big cities warning any and every visitor of the dangers of rail travel.

While because of the size of the country Americans take planes like we take trains…

My train set: Miniature rail in Colorado

Amtrak on the east coast, Chicago monorails, the Boston T, miniature versions.

And those who want the authentic beatnik experience bus it or bike it.

We say, though, let the American train take the strain and wonder at the classical stations.

And, of course, start in Baltimore.

America, Countries

One hundred and fifty years of Colorado

1st August 20261st August 2026 funtime65

And they’re having a high old time today as they celebrate One hundred and fifty years of Colorado.

Although it’s known by all as the Centennial State on account of it being this day in 1776 that Ulysses Grant granted them statehood.

Now like all Coloradophiles we have been following progress of the Sesquicentenary all year.

And particularly since we gathered in my Glasgow birthplace to toast our Mid-West pals.

Now because every day is a school day here are some killer Colorado factoids which make the 38th State special.

Colorado Rocks

Now there have been many Coloradan singers of note and tributes to the state’s beauty.

From Henry John Deutschendorf Jr’s (or John Denver to you and me) Rocky Mountain High.

To Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic’s Stop And Stare at the iconic Red Rocks.

But even more ubiquitous than either is America the Beautiful, inspired by Katharine Lee Bates’ visit to Pikes Peak in 1893.

The same year as Colorado became the first state to grant women the right to vote through a popular referendum.

Here for the beer

Coloradans, of course, will be celebrating with a beer from any one of the 420 craft breweries.

And we’re lucky enough to have an insider in University of Boulder beer archaeologist Travis (no, we’re not making that up).

Now you probably know Colorado as a high old state… and not just for its liberal drugs laws.

But it also has the highest mean altitude of all the states with Denver known as The Mile High City.

And Coloradans are fond, of course, of saying that you only have to drink half as much to get twice as drunk.

Springs in the air

The Great Outdoors: Out and about in Colorado

The Centennial State is also famous for its hot springs.

With the world’s largest natural hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs.

With the two-block long pool across from the historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite stop of former president Teddy Roosevelt.

The inimitable Teddy is, of course, not alone in embracing the charms of the Coloured Red (on account of the topography) state.

Here’s Bill & Johnny

And every visitor to Colorado naturally pays homage to Buffalo Bill at his tombstone.

Where you will be expected to throw a coin on to his stone in tribute.

But Colorado too is home to The Stanley Hotel, in Estes Park.

Where a host of celebrities and heads of state that have stayed at the luxurious 1909 hostelry.

And here’s Johnny, from Stephen King’s novel The Shining, the hotel inspiring the author.

Fair is fowl

Now if you’re of a strong constitution then maybe you’re looking for something a bit more head turning.

So head to Fruita, where the town folk celebrate Mike the Headless Chicken Day.

To commemorate farmer L.A. Olsen who cut off Mike’s head on September 10, 1945 for his dinner.

Only for Mike to live for another four years without a head.

So have a high old time today as you have all year.

And here’s to the next 150 years.

America, Countries

The Universal appeal of Ozzy Osbourne

31st July 202631st July 2026 funtime65

It was always a match made in heaven (or should that be hell) and that’s the Universal appeal of Ozzy Osbourne.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our old pals at Universal Orlando and Hollywood Resort have put together a homage to The Prince of Darkness.

With the people who know him best… mum Sharon and brother Jack.

Guests can anticipate a wild ride as they climb aboard the Crazy Train.

For a terrifying living horror movie trip through his disturbing world of rock and roll.

You’ll be transported through Ozzy’s outrageous and eccentric solo career.

All to the background music of Ozzy’s solo albums…

The Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman, Bark at the Moon, No More Tears, Scream and Ordinary Man.

Brum notes

The haunted house will show you where it all began, in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham.

Starting with “Crazy Train”, Ozzy’s most famous song, guests will travel through time from his early childhood.

To the Osbourne Asylum, inspired by his iconic album Diary of a Madman.

And embrace his personas, Madman Ozzy and Werewolf Ozzy to the Prince of Darkness.

At Universal Orlando, Halloween Horror Nights guests will venture through ancient ruins and foreboding dungeons.

Before boarding the Crazy Train for a twisted ride.

At home with Sharon & Jack

And who better to review the experience than Sharon and Jack themselves?

‘Ozzy never stopped pushing boundaries, and he loved anything that gave fans a new way to experience his music and the worlds he created,”

‘Halloween Horror Nights has done an incredible job bringing that spirit to life.

‘Walking through these haunted houses, you’ll recognise so many moments inspired by his music and imagination.

‘It’s a wonderful tribute to Ozzy, and we hope fans have as much fun experiencing it as he would have had seeing it come together.’

At Universal Orlando, Halloween Horror Nights guests will venture through ancient ruins and foreboding dungeons.

Before boarding the “Crazy Train” for a twisted ride.

Just the ticket

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Orlando Resort, beginning Friday, August 28 through Sunday, November 1.

And at Universal Studios Hollywood from Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, November 1.

Tickets for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood are available at AttractionTickets.com.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

Stein down by the Ohio

21st July 202621st July 2026 funtime65

And for our US friends, and one particular half-German-half Scottish American, we say Prost to 50 of years of the Oktoberfest stein down by the Ohio.

The Cincinnatians (the Germans use a Z instead of a soft ‘c’) are marking the half century of Oktoberfests in timeous fashion.

With a massive two-story clock tower inspired by a traditional glockenspiel.

Which will include a biergarten on the ground floor and a performance stage on the second.

With a Cincinnati-themed backdrop and a 31ft bell tower with a working clock.

Its five 3D-printed mechanical bells will chime electronically every hour.

Which we imagine will set the weiners running for the three-day Oktoberfest Zinzinnati unique showpiece.

Everyone’s a wiener

Just mustard: Making his way to the starter’s line

The Running of the Wieners itself marks 19 years of sausage dogs dressed in hot dog costumes.

Now if you don’t have a dachshund in your life and remember they are the most popular pet dog in the USA.

You can just cheer on the runners.

And know that there are other events you can participate in.

Everybody as you would expect in a festival which draws 500,000 Cerevisaphiles and is the largest in the USA and second biggest, after Munich, in the world, joins in.

In the Gemütlichkeit Games.

The curtain-raiser which pits media personalities and civic leaders against each other in Bavarian-style competitions.

Brewing up a storm

If you’re the active kind then there are 14k and 7k brewery runs passing by famous beermakers.

With prizes and a party for all those who take part.

While if you’re the more stationary type then the Hoisting of the Steins will be more your thing.

The rules of which even the most lubricated of Beerfest visitors will understand.

So that’ll be fair drinkum then for an Aussie/Kiwi and one Jock Top Deck crew from 1985 and 1986 reunion then.

The trick is to keep your arm fully extended and horizontal.

Munchen date: Getting ready for the Beerfest

While dropping the arm or spilling any of the beer results in immediate disqualification

And we’re with you in thinking that the hardest thing is keeping your Sam Adams (the sponsors and our favourite Boston tipple) at arm’s length without drinking it.

Tweet music

Don’t chicken out: Join the Chicken Dance

Now you won’t need to imbibe to take part in the world’s biggest chicken dance but we reckon it helps.

Komm wieder (that’ll be come again in Teuton).

Well, some 72,000 took part in the dance to the Tweets’ Birdie Song.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati returns to Cincinnati’s riverfront from September 17-20.

You can fly from London to Cincinnati from £778.69 with British Airways on September 16, returning September 20.

Now get into training and…

EIN PROSIT, EIN PROSIT, DER GEMUTLICHKEIT

Countries, South America, Sport

Hutton and why Scots cheer Argentina against England

15th July 202615th July 2026 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it’s hats aff to Watson Hatton and why Scots cheer Argentina against England.

And you thought it was because of Diego Maradona and his Hand of God.

When it was Scottish teacher Hutton, the Father of Argentinian Football, all along.

For it was Gorbals boy Watson who popularised the game in Buenos Aires along with his fellow Caledonian emigres.

Watson, a keen sportsman (obvs) introduced kickball at the St Andrews Scotch School in the nation’s capital in 1882.

And the Glaswegian was behind the formation of the Argentine Association Football League in 1893.

And two years later the Buenos Aires English High School and a former pupil’s team in 1898 which became known as the Alumni Athletic.

Argentinian Alumni

Now historians of Argentinian football will know all about Alumni, the leading lights in that country’s game in the first two decades of the 20th century.

Watson was himself standing on the shoulders of another giant, an Alec Lamont, a head teacher from St Andrews, who two years prior to Watson’s league set up the Argentine Association Football League.

The earliest known league outside of Britain which St Andrews won after a play-off with Old Caledonians.

Our cup of Lipton tea

Now World Cup anoraks will be quick to tell you that the first final was between Argentina and Uruguay.

But it was an established rivalry by 1930, again because of Scots.

Glasgow tea magnate Thomas Lipton donated the Copa Lipton trophy in 1905 for competition between both nations which ran until 1992.

Watson’s son Arnold starred for Alumni and scored in Argentina’s 2-0 Copa Lipton win over Uruguay in 1906.

And that Scottish thread has been running through Argentinian teams ever since.

James Brown’s Boys

With a James Brown, one of the original Scottish settlers to Argentina in 1824 delivering manifold to the Argentinian cause.

Seven brothers and a cousin, all grandchildren of James Brown, would play for Argentinean clubs and six would also play for the Argentinian national team.

Jorge Gibson Brown captained Argentina from 1908 to 1913 and if you recognise that name in a previous Argentina team then ten out of ten.

Jose Luis Brown scored one of the goals as Argentina won the World Cup in 1986.

Vamos Argentina

While World Cup winner and key member of today’s Argentina team Alexis Mac Allister, is clearly one of Jock Tamson’s Bairns.

All of which you can regale your Argentinian friends with when you visit the country’s iconic grounds.

And the museums Museo River Plate, Boca Juniors’ interactive Museo de la Pasion Boquense and the intimate Diego Maradona Shrine at Argentinos Juniors Museo.

While, of course, you can pay pilgrimage to the Father of Argentinian Football himself, Watson Hutton.

At the British Cemetery (Cementerio Britanico) on Avenida Elcano in the Chacarita neighbourhood of the capital, accessible via the Federico Lacroze subway station.

America, Countries, Europe, Flying, Sport

A tale of Lief, Erling and Transatlantic Norse power

11th July 202611th July 2026 funtime65

The Americans have never seen anything like it before, only they have… it’s a tale of Leif, Erling and Transatlantic Norse power.

Because, in truth, Leif Eriksson and the Vikings were the first settlers of North America.

Nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus.

When the longboats made terra firma at L’Anse aux Meadowes in Newfoundland.

And made their way over the years, four million of them, to the Upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest.

Mostly to Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Washington State and California.

The Norse Home Country

Well, they’ve been joined, as we’ve all seen in the last month, by crewmen and women from the Old Country.

With the Norwegians giving the Scots a run for their money as the party people of this World Cup.

With their Viking-rooing, or Viking rowing crowd surge.

Even taking over escalators in Boston.

And those very same Scots taking to Norway as their adopted team.

Well, the nearest train station for Shetlanders is Bergen.

Row, row, row your boat

And while none got wet in its production apart from spilled lager.

Modern Norsemen did put their backs into it to row all the way across the Atlantic.

With 338 Norwegian supporters crossing the Atlantic on Norse Atlantic Airways’ longship to New York.

Of course, most of us don’t have that amount of time (and that’s our excuse) so we avail instead of their flights.

The stuff of legend

Norse have been putting on extra seats for Miami for their quarter-final match with England.

And we dare say that Norse flights will be in high demand for the final on Sunday, July 19 in New Jersey.

But here they are, should you be free for next Sunday, from £1,082 return Saturday to Monday.

America, Countries

Okie Bronco saddle up for National Cowboy Day in Oklahoma

10th July 202610th July 2026 funtime65

Okie Cowboy saddle up for National Cowboy Day in Oklahoma… where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.

Now there are many states that claim to be the home of the Cowboy and we’re making it our mission to trail as many as we can.

Although by new-fangled transport because Izzy here has nowhere to go and is getting there slow.

But ahead of the Cowboys’ Big Day, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, we’re flagging up Oklahoma.

Whose charms Irish cousin Eddie O who has relocated to Edinburgh has been regaling us with these past months.

So let’s whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack away out to Oklahoma to see what’s been going on.

Well, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum are inviting Wild West fans to join them for a celebration of our Stetson-hatted heroes and heroines.

A ride good time

Of course, the Okies are encouraging us all to go native and dress up in our Western duds.

While we can also look forward to a presentation from Cowboy Cook Kent Rollins.

There will be family-friendly activities and crafts while exploring Prosperity Junction and Liichokoshkomo’ (no, us neither).

And we dare say a nod to famous Oklahomans Will Rogers and Gene ‘The Singing Cowboy’ Autrey.

The biggest boot

Now the Museum is certainly putting its foot down in stamping its claim on being the Home of the Cowboy for this year.

To correspond with the centenary of Route 66.

With the erection of a towerig 35ft-foot (sorry) sculpture, the biggest in the world, that celebrates the Great Highway’s history.

The newest attraction at the museum, it is designed by Okie artists Cameron Eagle and his son Daniel.

Beyond its artistic significance, it reflects the family’s deep roots in Oklahoma, as Cameron’s grandfather helped build Route 66.

The fun kicks off, as it always does, on the fourth Sunday of the year, this year Sunday, July 25… so get your boots on.