The huge redwood we were gazing at in the middle of Muir Woods soared high above our heads, filtering out the sun. The ground around it was covered with dappled images of light and shade that moved and shifted as the mighty tree swayed slightly in the breeze.
Established on January 9, 1908, as a national monument, Muir Woods is located only about 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, but this wilderness of …
Wyatt Earp still lives, and he is leading a group of visitors through historic Tombstone, Arizona. In the original Boot Hill cemetery, he points out a particular gravestone. The epitaph reads, “Here lies Lester Moore Four slugs from a 44 No Les No more.”
Oft-quoted and credited to gravestone makers throughout the West, this funny epitaph was originally written for the tombstone right in front of us. Another gravestone reads, “Joseph Ziegler Mitered 1882.” Many …
Dig deep enough, and you will find that every small town in America has a story to tell. Here’s one that is more outsized than most. In the shadow of the Great Depression, when most Americans struggled to put food on their tables, an unlikely financial phenomenon took root in the small Florida town of Quincy, a modest farming community in the state’s Panhandle region. As a result, this sleepy little hamlet would eventually become …
Casinos?
Ca’seen them.
Yes, the megalith casinos keep getting bigger and bigger and they will likely always be the top draw for Vegas visitors. But when you are suffering from casino fatigue and can’t take even one minute more of the atmosphere of smoke, sweat, and desperation, take a look inside any of three museums that cry out “Vegas” but have nothing – okay, let’s say little – to do with casinos.
The Mob Museum …
Leaning back in our comfortable, padded seats, sipping on cold bottles of water, and watching the scenery of the city slide by on either side of us, we decided we had happened upon possibly the most comfortable and unique way to see a city.
In a gondola.
No, we were not in Italy.
In fact, we were thousands of miles from Italy in a beautifully restored gondola on the Providence River in Providence, Rhode Island.…
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve encompasses over 70,000 acres along the New River. The park, the most recently established US National Park, offers a wide array of easily accessible recreational opportunities for visitors, including white water rafting, fishing and rock climbing.
The New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent, flowing northward through deep canyons that it has carved over millions of years. The waterway has sculpted a rugged terrain, …
Anyone who has seen any footage of the recent fires in Southern California has to have been terrified. It looked as though Los Angeles, long seen by the world as a heavenly place, had been turned into a flaming inferno. The spreading, engulfing flames carried by high winds were beyond any human efforts to resist. It defied belief and still does. The situation is literally beyond comprehension.
California has suffered one of the worst disasters …
After three weeks of exploring Austin, I’m still not used to the car-centric Texan lifestyle.
In my imagination, I’d pictured Austin as an artsy place of bars and restaurants, cinemas, museums and theatres, all within casual strolling distance. Instead, I met sprawling highways that divide the suburbs into isolated clusters of activity. If I set off for a walk here, I suspect the police would arrest me for suspicious behavior. Who knew that visiting the …
I cruised a lot with my parents from an early age. They always said it was the easiest way to travel in a wheelchair. I found out for myself when I began using a wheelchair. Aside from the obvious ability to go to different places and unpack once, a cruise ship can allow you to see things that would be difficult, if not impossible, to do on land.
This was at the front of my …
The journey to Key West is almost as memorable as the destination itself. Driving the Overseas Highway (US Route 1) from mainland Florida feels like gliding across the ocean, with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The 113-mile route from Miami crosses 42 bridges, including the magnificent Seven Mile Bridge, where turquoise waters stretch endlessly on. The drive typically takes about four hours, though many visitors choose to …
Florida always rises to the top when putting together a list of travel favorites due to its ecological variety and year-round perfect weather. Now, I tend to stay away from Orlando and Miami when trekking through the Sunshine State these days because I’ve discovered many more spots that offer some richer experiences and unexpected attractions. I still think everyone should see spots like Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville. I also want to encourage people to …
Nashville may get all the attention, but it’s not the only place you want to go to for the history of southern music and family fun. Memphis offers a look into the birthplace of the Blues, civil rights, and major attractions.
1. Graceland
You don’t have to be an expert on Memphis to know that Graceland is the top attraction in this city. The former home of Elvis Presley is open to the public. It’s …
Visitors in the Seattle area looking for a quick getaway might want to check out Whidbey Island, one of the most scenic and accessible destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Within an hour of leaving North Seattle, travelers can arrive on this island via a 20-minute ride from the Mukilteo ferry landing.
Upon debarking in Clinton, visitors should start their travels at the town of Langley. Pick up a cup of coffee and stroll around the …
Located directly on the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by mountains, at the end of Route 66, Santa Monica enjoys an average of more than 280 days of sunshine each year. With average temperatures in the mid to upper seventies year-round, this beachside city’s weather is one of its most attractive assets and being outside is a part of the city’s lifestyle. But there is so much more to discover in Santa Monica than great weather, …
