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A winter hike in the woods. A different kind of peaceful and beautiful when the leaves come down. Does that path lead to spring or a fairytale...or both?
Blue Ridge Mountains. View from Skyline Drive. The Blue Ridge Mountains are known for having a bluish color when seen from a distance. Trees put the "blue" in Blue Ridge, from the isoprene released into the atmosphere. This contributes to the characteristic haze on the mountains and their perceived color.
This is my summary of The History of Starlight Lake. The Minsi branch of the Delaware Nation were the area's first inhabitants.
During the 1800s, individuals were drawn to this area of the Pocono Mountains because it was isolated and had excellent fishing.
In the 1880s, the village was then named Starlight, because the name was romantic. The railroad was extended to Starlight and the station in 1889. The station also served as the post office and a social hub.
Opened in 1909, the Inn of Starlight Lake offered a stylish getaway on the lake, attracting visitors from New York City and Scranton, Pennsylvania for summer vacations.
Currently, the area looks the same as a century ago. Starlight’s population is about 250.
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Looking down at the clouds without an airplane. Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore. The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park.
Dornans is a family-owned and operated resort located in the heart of Jackson Hole on the bank of the Snake River inside the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, just 40 miles south of Yellowstone National Park.
Gliding by the water. The tracks reward us with reflections and postcards of wild nature at every turn.
View from Skyline Drive. Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore. The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park.
Watching the miles roll by without any rush. Rediscovering the pleasure of train travel aboard the Coast Starlight.
The best seat on the train. The observation car is like a moving theater showcasing the Pacific Northwest landscapes. ߌ⠷indow seat vibes.
U.S. Route 66 is closed just beyond the small hill, requiring a detour back to the I-40 exit.
Moriarty is a favorite stop for thousands of people as they travel Historic Route 66 through New Mexico, America’s Land of Enchantment. Because of its convenient central location Moriarty is truly the “Crossroads of Opportunity,” particularly the opportunity to experience a vast array of history and entertainment.
The City of Moriarty is a friendly little community situated on Historic Route 66. Its inhabitants enjoy the high desert climate of the beautiful Estancia Valley, located in the heart of New Mexico. Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains that turn a rich lapis at twilight, Moriarty’s sunsets are an artist’s dream. Roadrunners and rattlesnakes thrive side by side with tough, determined and caring people. Come for a visit…you might decide to stay! – moriartynm.org
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Smokymountainnationalpark.com: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the United States, and it’s not hard to understand why. With a wide variety of wildlife, hundreds of different species of trees, more than 850 miles of hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing, camping, horseback riding and more, it’s no surprise so many people want to explore the park each year with all of the fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains.
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What can you do when maps keep sending you to dead-end dirt roads and your phone signal is weak? My map apps and GPS each led me to a different dead end, and retracing my route wasn't possible. I finally followed the only paved road, paid a $1 toll for three one-lane bridges, and asked the attendant about nearby towns, but she couldn't help. How would you feel being truly lost in the middle of nowhere? This will be interesting!
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Visitindiana.com: The bridge carried the famous Wabash Cannonball train at one time. The structure initially served as a railroad bridge over the Wabash River. The railroad abandoned the bridge in 1965.
This one-lane wonder has to be approached with care. Turn on your lights and look to make sure another vehicle isn’t coming from the opposite direction. If you’re heading west from Indiana and don’t want to cross into Illinois, use the turnaround spot to cautiously cross back over the bridge.
This unique bridge is worth the drive. Turn up the music and enjoy “The Wabash Cannonball” and its bridge!
The song Wabash Cannon Ball was written by William Kindt and J. A. Roff and was first recorded and released by Hugh Cross in 1929. -AI Lyric refrain:
On the Wabash Cannonball
Listen to the jingle
The rumble and the roar
Riding through the woodlands
Through the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of engines
Hear that lonesome hobo squall
Riding through the jungles
On the Wabash Cannonball
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During the summer months, bands of horses may be seen grazing throughout the park. They are often seen along the park boundary from Interstate 94. Horses can also be seen at a distance from high points such as the Painted Canyon Overlook and Buck Hill. While hiking or driving, look for fresh manure to locate horses –stallions mark their territory with "stud piles." These are common along the scenic drive through the park. – nps.gov
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To those seeking a memorable outing, consider picnicking at Tom Sawyer Lake. Take off your shoes, sit by the bank, and allow yourself to be present in the moment. Mark Twain's wisdom serves as a lasting guide: "Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile."
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This is my summary of The History of Starlight Lake. The Minsi branch of the Delaware Nation were the area's first inhabitants.
During the 1800s, individuals were drawn to this area of the Pocono Mountains because it was isolated and had excellent fishing.
In the 1880s, the village was then named Starlight, because the name was romantic. The railroad was extended to Starlight and the station in 1889. The station also served as the post office and a social hub.
Opened in 1909, the Inn of Starlight Lake offered a stylish getaway on the lake, attracting visitors from New York City and Scranton, Pennsylvania for summer vacations.
Currently, the area looks the same as a century ago. Starlight’s population is about 250.
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The heart in the middle of Antelope Canyon. The tour guide told me to put the camera on a rock and point it straight up, and you will see the heart.
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Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation and sculpture in Amarillo, Texas, US. It was created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm. The installation consists of a row of ten Cadillacs (1949–1963) buried nose-first in the ground.
Installed in 1974, the Cadillacs were either older running, used or junk cars – together spanning the successive generations of the car line – and the defining evolution of their tailfins.[1] According to Visit Amarillo, the cars are inclined at the same angle as the pyramids of Giza. -- Wikipedia
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Nationalgeographic.com: By the time Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited park in the United States, was established it was almost too late to save it.
It was 1934; about 80 percent of the forest in the park had been decimated by logging. Much of the land belonged to 1,200 small property owners. It took the governments of Tennessee and North Carolina, donations from wealthy conservationists, the U.S. Park Service, and a whole lot of work to buy out the loggers and landowners, and to restore the Great Smoky Mountains to their glory.
As the mountains regrew their 100 native tree species and over 100 native shrub species, the haze that gives the Smokies their name filled the mountain valleys in the early morning. The shaconage, as the Cherokee people call it, or “place of blue smoke,” is caused by moisture and organic compounds emitted by the dense vegetation, especially on still summer days.
Nationalgeographic.com: The Smokies are known for their incredible biodiversity; it’s said that moving from the lowest to highest elevations within the park is the biological equivalent of traveling from Georgia to Maine. More than 1,500 species of flowering plants, 240 types of birds, and around 50 kinds of fish live there.
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I’d pulled off the road after the traffic jam and wandered a little way up the hill, where I met a friendly couple. I always ask people whether they’re tourists or locals, and these two turned out to be locals who knew Custer State Park inside and out. When I asked where the best sunset photo spot was, they pointed right to where we were standing.
I told them I was about to head out to look for the begging burros, but the man stopped me. “If you wait,” he said, “you might get the photo you’re hoping for.”
Honestly, I didn’t believe him. The clouds were thin, pale, and way off in the distance. I even snapped a photo just to prove nothing dramatic was going to happen. But while we waited, he started sharing everything he knew about the Black Hills, the park, and the bison — and he really was the real deal.
And then, almost before I realized it, he was right. The sky shifted, the light changed, and I got the shot I’d been hoping for.
According to my camera, only 21 minutes passed between the first photo and the last.
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The Appalachian Mountains dominate western North Carolina, featuring the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky ranges, home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi (Mt. Mitchell) and popular spots like Asheville, with the Appalachian Trail running through. In South Carolina, the Appalachians manifest as the Blue Ridge foothills and the Upcountry region, with forests extending into the northwest corner, offering rich biodiversity. Both states offer extensive hiking, scenic drives (like the Blue Ridge Parkway), and unique cultural experiences within this ancient mountain system. -- AI
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Capitolreefcountry.com: Capitol Reef National Park lies in Utah’s south-central desert, an oasis of colorful sandstone cliffs, impressive domes, and soaring monoliths. Once called “Wayne Wonderland,” the park got its name in part from the great white rock formations which resemble the U.S. Capitol building, and from the sheer cliffs that presented a barrier to early travelers. Early inhabitants referred to the area as the “land of the sleeping rainbow” because of its beautiful contrasts: multi-colored sandstone surrounded by verdant riverbanks and arid desert vegetation, all nestled beneath deep blue skies. The area was designated as a national monument in 1937 and reclassified as a national park in 1971. The park is open year-round. See the Capitol Reef National Park official map and trails for more information.
Nationalgeographic.com: The unifying geographic feature of Capitol Reef is the Waterpocket Fold. For a hundred miles its parallel ridges rise from the desert like the swell of giant waves rolling toward shore. Exposed edges of the uplift have eroded into a slickrock wilderness of massive domes, cliffs, and a maze of twisting canyons.
Capitol Reef is named for a particularly colorful section of the fold where rounded Navajo sandstone forms capitol-like domes and sheer cliffs form a barrier to travel, often referred to as a "reef." Although a highway now crosses the "reef," travel is still challenging for those wishing to see the park's more remote regions.
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The Highest Paved Road in North America – visitdenver.com
The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (formerly Mount Evans), just 60 miles west of Denver. A day trip to the top is a journey that snakes and climbs through nearly 9,000 feet of elevation gain, from the high plains of Denver through five climate zones to the 14,264-foot summit of Mount Blue Sky, one of 54 peaks in Colorado that soar to 14,000 feet and above — the famous “fourteeners.”
On the trip, you’ll see incredible mountain vistas, two beautiful high-altitude lakes, a rare forest of 2,000-year-old bristlecone pine trees, and wildflowers that can only be found above timberline, or in the tundra of Alaska. You might even see Rocky Mountain goats or sheep.
•Temperatures drop 3.5 °F for every 1,000 feet of elevation you gain. From Denver, you will gain 9,000 feet, so be prepared that it can be at least 30 degrees cooler on the summit of Mount Blue Sky, where snow can fall at any time, even in summer. Dress in layers and bring jackets. Hats and sunscreen are also necessary since there is much less protection from the sun at 14,000-foot elevations.
•The road can get crowded on summer weekends. If possible, travel midweek and leave early. Afternoon thunderstorms can be dangerous. As a general rule, you want to be off the summit and coming down by noon. Cars are insulated and safe in thunderstorms, but hikers and bikers are not. At the first sign of a storm, seek shelter in your car.
•The road has almost no guardrails and there are serious drop-offs at certain spots. While it is certainly safe with cautious driving and while obeying speed limits, people who have issues with heights and don’t like roads without guardrails should know ahead of time that this might not be the drive for you.
•At the top, it is a short hike to the actual summit, which sits above the parking lot. At 14,000 feet, you will certainly feel the altitude, so walk slowly and enjoy the views. Bring lots of water on the trip, but avoid carbonated beverages, which do not sit well in your stomach with the huge elevation gains.
•On the way down, stop at the Echo Lake gift shop and reward yourself with a sticker, magnet or T-shirt proclaiming that you have summited a Colorado 14er!
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“Driving Highway 90 is like a trip into the classic West. The people who live along the highway are both friendly and fiercely independent,” says Big Bend artist Chris Ruggia, whose work is inspired by the region’s plants and animals, such as jack rabbits, road runners, and javelina. “Travelers are going to find the scenery breathtaking. It’s an authentic experience along the Texas frontier." -- Nationalgeographic.com
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As the silver mining continued the mineshafts were dug deeper and deeper to get the precious ore. Once they hit the 520 foot level, the water table was reached which flooded the mines. Attempts to pump out the water marginally worked for a few years but soon became too costly to continue. As the mining slowed down, the people of Tombstone started leaving, but not before $37,000,000 worth of ore had been taken from the many mines in the area. It is estimated that by the early 1930's Tombstone's population dwindled to around 150 people.
Tombstone Web
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I am outlining two westbound road trips from Florida. This route crosses the middle of the United States along Route 66, with plans to follow Historic Route 66 where possible from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Barstow, California, while avoiding Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area.
A trip down Route 66 is an adventure unlike any other, and nowhere is that adventure more exciting than in Oklahoma. Get your kicks on more than 400 miles of Route 66 in Oklahoma. The nation's longest driveable stretch of Route 66 cuts through Oklahoma, making its way past charming towns, roadside diners and quirky attractions. Experience Oklahoma City, Tulsa and authentic hometowns along the Mother Road where you'll meet friendly people and find unique shopping and dining opportunities.
Several state-of-the-art museums pay tribute to America's Main Street including the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, the National Route 66 Museum Complex in Elk City and the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler.
Take a nostalgic ride on Route 66 and let the golden age of the road whisper to you through brightly colored neon signs, quaint motels, drive-in movie theaters and friendly small towns in Oklahoma. – travelok.com
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McDonald Creek is a spectacular, 25-mile-long turquoise waterway in Glacier National Park. Flowing from Upper McDonald Creek down into Lake McDonald, it features dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and prime wildlife viewing. You can explore it via multiple roadside overlooks or a popular 5.6-mile round-trip hiking trail.
Glacier National Park’s McDonald Creek spans 25 miles, divided into upper and lower sections. The Lower Creek features iconic, heavily visited waterfalls and a gentle, ADA-compliant rainforest trail. The Upper Creek is a longer, tranquil, and less-crowded wilderness hike offering abundant wildlife viewing and shaded cedar forests.
Watching the miles roll by without any rush. Rediscovering the pleasure of train travel aboard the Coast Starlight.
The Appalachian Mountains dominate western North Carolina, featuring the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky ranges, home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi (Mt. Mitchell) and popular spots like Asheville, with the Appalachian Trail running through. In South Carolina, the Appalachians manifest as the Blue Ridge foothills and the Upcountry region, with forests extending into the northwest corner, offering rich biodiversity. Both states offer extensive hiking, scenic drives (like the Blue Ridge Parkway), and unique cultural experiences within this ancient mountain system. -- AI
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