View allAll Photos Tagged usaroadtrip
The colourful old pier buildings on Monterey Pier. Gave this image a twist with a oil paint effect filter.
Bighorn.org: Desert Bighorn Sheep are generally smaller and lighter colored than their cousins, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.
Large rams usually weigh under 220 pounds. They stand 38-42 inches tall at the shoulder.
Desert Bighorns are found in the southwestern United States, including Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. A significant population is also found in northern Mexico.
The horns of Desert Bighorns are typically longer and not as massive as those of Rocky Mountain Bighorns. These horns are usually curled close to the face but may flare widely outward, showing wide variation in horn structure between individuals.
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Nps.gov: Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park’s ecosystems. A lifetime of discovery awaits.
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Warnings for The Needles, Iron Mountain, and Black Hills weather.
1.The curator in the Hot Springs Museum said that I shouldn’t drive that Needles Road even in daylight and good weather. It could be her opinion, her friends, or trying to help me.
2.RVAmericay’all: Along the route, you'll encounter 2 one-way tunnels: Iron Creek Tunnel measures 8'9" wide and 10'10" tall and Needles Eye Tunnel measures 8' wide and 9'9" tall. Continuing past Sylvan Lake brings you to Hood Tunnel measuring 8'9" wide and 9'8" tall. Leave your large trucks behind and your RV is a definite no go for exploring Needles Highway! (It depends on the rig and the driver.)
3.Several people told me that gps and map apps could be incorrect, because of all the iron in Iron Mountain.
4.Several people told me that will expect to lose phone signals.
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Yellowstonepark.com: Firehole Canyon Drive is a 2-mile, one-way road off the Grand Loop south of Madison. On Firehole Canyon Drive, you will pass the Firehole River, Firehole Falls and a natural swimming hole. (The swimming hole was closed.)
Firehole Falls is a 40-foot waterfall amidst 800-foot thick lava flows forming the canyon walls. There is a small parking area available near the falls and several small pull-offs along the road.
Sorry – it’s not hot. The name “Firehole River” may lead you to believe that this is heated by hot springs, but the swimming area is a cool temperature similar to an unheated swimming pool. Those used to swimming in rivers and lakes will not see any difference in this water temperature.
Nps.gov: Kautz is located three miles east of the southwest entrance to the park on SR 706/Nisqually Road and three miles west of Longmire. The road crosses the former Kautz Creek immediately to the west of the parking lot. The creek jumped to a new channel in the floods of 2006 and now crosses the road to the east of the parking lot. Restroom facilities (vault toilets), picnic tables, and a short interpretive trail leading to an overlook of the mountain are available at Kautz. The trail is also an access point for the 97-mile round-the-mountain Wonderland Trail, Indian Henrys, and Devils Dream backcountry camp. A wilderness camping permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.
The interpretive trail tells of the influence of dynamic glacier-covered Mount Rainier on the landscape at Kautz. Follow the trail to learn about how mudflows and floods have scarred the area, and how vegetation heals the scar after each major event. Staying on trails allows forests to recover naturally. This forest will continue to recover until the next disturbance occurs. The boardwalk is approximately 0.10-mile-long, 5.5 feet wide, and starts by crossing the road at the crosswalk. It has a flat surface with two sloped sections.
When visiting this area be aware that debris flows, and glacial outburst floods can occur at any time and without warning, eroding stream banks and scouring everything in their path, including rocks and trees. If an earthquake occurs or you hear a prolonged rumbling, move quickly uphill, at least 100 feet above the riverbed.
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I was pleased with the light at that time in the morning!
It was worth getting up early and hauling my hungover body up the side of Mill Mountain, Roanoke just before sunrise!
Nps.gov: Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on Earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.
The 33-mile historic Rim Drive circumnavigates the lake and is open during summer and early fall (depending on weather and road conditions). Along the drive are 30 overlooks that were designed between 1931 and 1938 to highlight a specific view of the lake, a significant geologic formation in the caldera, or an environmental feature such as a subalpine meadow. Some of these stops have exhibits with information about the view. Other viewpoints leave room for visitor curiosity and discovery.
Where you choose to stop for a view of the lake or to capture the surrounding landscape of the park is a personal preference. Most of these pullouts do not have signs that offer a name or location. The park map indicates major stops that help with orientation. On average, visitors take two hours to complete the drive with eight or more stops.
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Red Canyon in Utah, part of the Dixie National Forest, is a stunning area along Scenic Byway 12, known for its vibrant red rock formations and extensive trail system, offering hiking, biking, and sightseeing opportunities, and is located near Bryce Canyon National Park.
Usda.gov: The Red Canyon Visitor Center is located just off Highway 12 enroute to Bryce Canyon National Park amid the spectacular red sandstone spires and formations. This area has been called the "most photographed place in Utah". It is easy to see why, with the brilliant red soil contrasted with the green pines.
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VisitRapidCity: The Needles Highway. Coast the twists and turns through a stunning terrain of mountain tunnels and granite spires. Built to showcase the area's beauty without disrupting the land or the wildlife, this drive is meant to be taken slowly so you can appreciate all its beauty. Plan for this drive to take around 45 to 60 minutes. The highway is closed to vehicles during the winter months - but remains open for fat tire biking, snowshoeing and hiking.
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Merced River flowing at the bottom of the Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park, California. Summer 2013
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Hasselblad 500C/M + 80mm Planar
Kodak TMax Professional 100
Developed in Kodak D-76 1+1
A moraine is any accumulation of unconsolidated debris (regolith and rock), sometimes referred to as glacial till, that occurs in both currently and formerly glaciated regions, and that has been previously carried along by a glacier or ice sheet.
Wikipedia: Moraine Lake is a snow and glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres (6,181 ft). The lake has a surface area of 50 hectares (120 acres).
The lake, being fed almost completely by snow-melt and glacial-melt, does not reach its crest until middle to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of azure blue. The unique colour is due to the refraction of the blue end of the spectrum of sunlight off the rock sediment deposited in the lake on a continual basis in summer by the surrounding glaciers. The lake is completely created by nature and has not been dammed, drained, or otherwise altered by humans in any way, other than the visitor services which are strictly controlled by the National Park.
The road to Moraine Lake is only open during the summer months (June-Sep). Since 2023, Parks Canada has closed it to personal vehicles year-round with only Park shuttles, public transit and commercial operators allowed to access the road. Visitors can also bicycle or walk the road, which is 10 km / 6 miles long one-way.
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Somewhere between Mesa Verde and Colorado Springs we called this rock Crocodile Rock for obvious reasons....hope your mind is a warped as ours or was it just the miles of road we had travelled......:)
On Main Street in Gibsland sits the Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum, housed in what was once Ma Canfield’s Café, where Bonnie and Clyde stopped for sandwiches just minutes before their deaths. One of Clyde’s shotguns pulled from the death car is among artifacts.
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, better known as Bonnie and Clyde, were the most well-known gangsters of the early 1930s, overshadowing John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Machine Gun Kelly and Baby Face Nelson during the public enemy era of American history. Radio and newspapers of the day meticulously covered the couple’s trail of bank and store robberies, auto thefts, abductions and kidnappings and more than a dozen killings (of which seven were law enforcement officers) in numerous U.S. states.
Excessive and frequently sensationalized media accounts of the couple’s antics split opinion among the Great Depression-stricken American public—with some seeing Bonnie and Clyde as romantic Robin Hoods of the day and the others seeing the couple as bloodthirsty killers. The spree ended when an accomplice’s tip set up a law enforcement ambush on a lonely road outside of Gibsland in Bienville Parish. Bonnie and Clyde, each shot dozens of times while sitting in their car, died at the scene.
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Nps.gov: Explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Built in 1925, with the open breezeway enclosed in 1966, the West Thumb Information Station is an excellent example of historic architecture associated with ranger stations in Yellowstone. During the winter, this facility serves as the West Thumb Warming Hut. Visitors can warm up, read interpretive exhibits on history and a variety of winter topics, and get their questions answered by an Interpretive staff person.
This area provides numerous opportunities for adventure. Take in the spectacular views of West Thumb and the Absaroka Mountains from the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Explore the hot springs, mud pots, and geysers of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Hike one of the local trails, like the Scenic Lake Overlook or begin an overnight backpacking excursion at one of the many wilderness trailheads. Also, private and commercial paddling excursions launch from the Grant Village Marina.
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A classic view of The Bellagio's fountains dancing in the night as we strolled down the strip for the last time before we come home.
Nps.gov: Kautz is located three miles east of the southwest entrance to the park on SR 706/Nisqually Road and three miles west of Longmire. The road crosses the former Kautz Creek immediately to the west of the parking lot. The creek jumped to a new channel in the floods of 2006 and now crosses the road to the east of the parking lot. Restroom facilities (vault toilets), picnic tables, and a short interpretive trail leading to an overlook of the mountain are available at Kautz. The trail is also an access point for the 97-mile round-the-mountain Wonderland Trail, Indian Henrys, and Devils Dream backcountry camp. A wilderness camping permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.
The interpretive trail tells of the influence of dynamic glacier-covered Mount Rainier on the landscape at Kautz. Follow the trail to learn about how mudflows and floods have scarred the area, and how vegetation heals the scar after each major event. Staying on trails allows forests to recover naturally. This forest will continue to recover until the next disturbance occurs. The boardwalk is approximately 0.10-mile-long, 5.5 feet wide, and starts by crossing the road at the crosswalk. It has a flat surface with two sloped sections.
When visiting this area be aware that debris flows, and glacial outburst floods can occur at any time and without warning, eroding stream banks and scouring everything in their path, including rocks and trees. If an earthquake occurs or you hear a prolonged rumbling, move quickly uphill, at least 100 feet above the riverbed.
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The Nash Statesman is a full-sized automobile that was built by Nash Motors for the 1950 through 1956 model years in two generations. The Statesman series was positioned below the top-line Nash Ambassador and above the Nash Rambler.
Gary’s Gay Parita Gas Station
Route66travel.com: Nestled just off Route 66 in the ghost town of Paris Springs, Missouri, Gary’s Gay Parita Sinclair Station stands as one of the most beloved and photogenic landmarks along the historic highway. This meticulously recreated 1930s-era gas station serves as a nostalgic tribute to the golden age of American road travel and the spirit of Route 66.
Gary’s Gay Parita is more than a roadside attraction—it is a symbol of the preservation movement that keeps Route 66’s legacy alive. Located along an original alignment of the Mother Road west of Halltown, Missouri, this station sits on one of the most scenic and rural stretches of Route 66, known for its gently curving roads, lush greenery, and small-town charm.
The station captures the independent spirit that made Route 66 famous: a place where mom-and-pop businesses once lined the road, providing not just services, but stories and smiles. Gary’s dedication to reviving and maintaining the station turned it into one of the most visited and beloved spots in Missouri on Route 66.
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The Unknown River? During a long drive, I stopped by a bridge with a double arrow sign—an ideal spot to relax. I took photos, but there was nothing indicating where I was. The duck park and river pictures were meant to help identify the town, though I never wrote down its name.
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The Airstream Cafe on Pismo Beach Pier is open on another beautiful Spring morning on the Central California Coast. March 15th 2024.
Wikipedia: The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum documents the life of the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln, and the course of the American Civil War. Combining traditional scholarship with 21st-century showmanship techniques, the museum ranks as one of the most visited presidential libraries. Its library, in addition to housing an extensive collection on Lincoln, also houses the collection of the Illinois State Historical Library, founded by the state in 1889. The library and museum is located in the state capital of Springfield, Illinois, and is overseen as an agency of the state’s government; unlike the fifteen other presidential libraries and museums, it is not currently affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration.
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The Magic Kingdom Orlando with magical Susan 2009. We were driving from Key West Florida to Virginia Beach in Virginia and decided to have a two night stopover in Orlando. I only took a few photos
You can't but help paying homage to Ansel Adams with a mono shot of some of the areas in this wonderful park.
Glacier Point, some would say, is the most spectacular viewpoint anywhere. Most people agree that its views of the high country and breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome and three waterfalls, are the most spectacular in the park. Washburn Point, just south of Glacier Point, has similar views, though the views of Vernal and Nevada Falls are a bit better. The road to Glacier Point is usually open late May or early June to sometime in November, though some people prefer to ski there in the winter.
Magical Lake McDonald. The morning fog was breaking up, and the storm was coming at the same time. Every few seconds everything changed.
The sun would poke through the clouds, and closed again, and poked into another place, and the wind changed, when the wind changed the aromas changed from trees to flowers.
It did not make any sense to me how the reflections had no light. I think, the sun when it popped through the clouds, the light reflected two or three times between the clouds and the water.
This was like sensory-overload-therapy.
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brycecanyoncountry.com: One of the best-known natural arches in Bryce Canyon National Park is ironically called Natural Bridge. This massive formation spans 85 feet and is sculpted from sedimentary red rock, rich in iron oxide, of the Claron Formation. Natural Bridge is a testament to a combination of natural forces—frost wedging, chemical weathering, and gravity—that prove how vulnerable even the most massive rock formations can be. You can view the arch from the Natural Bridge viewpoint, about three-quarters of the way along the park’s scenic drive. Other arches and bridges in Bryce Canyon National Park include Twin Bridges on the Navajo Loop Trail, Bryce Point Arch near the Wall of Windows, and Farview Natural Bridge. For the really adventurous, a hike down the Fairyland Loop Trail leads to Tower Bridge (named for its resemblance to the London Bridge).
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Wikipedia: The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma, covers the history of Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to Santa, Monica, California. It is the largest museum dedicated to the history and culture of Route 66, the most famous highway in the World. The museum also offers changing special exhibits, focusing on the Route 66 experience in the Now and Future Gallery. And don't forget to step into the gift shop for some Route 66 Memorabilia.
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I barged through the Palace’s swinging doors, (which was cool), was reading the room, and I had 2 big deja vu experiences.
First Déjà vu. I had been the Palace before. I was 21 and had gone to Prescott to having a breakfast meeting in the next morning.
A co-worker and I went to the Palace and both of us felt like outsiders in the Palace. We sat on the same place where are the empty stools because it was close to the door in case we had to leave. Maybe we debated how many adult drinks before we need to get to the morning’s meeting.
On the other side of the bar, there were some rowdy cowboys (same spot, white hat at photo). A couple of the guys started a fight, then it turned out to be a brawl. It was a good time for us to leave before the brawl gets to us and get before the police show up. We didn’t want to end up in jail and missing the meeting.
Second Déjà vu. As far as I remember, I was in 4th grade, and the English teacher was teaching Scottsdale’s history. The project was: each student interviewed somebody with Scottsdale knowledge.
I got stuck with interviewing old local cowboys.
I went to Mag’s Ham Bun (which is gone) in downtown Scottsdale. Scottsdale used to be a town. Mag’s was not dissimilar from the Palace; it was the place for the locals to meet. (In 1964, Scottsdale, Arizona, had a land area of 5 square miles. By 1984 it grew to its present size of 185 square miles.)
I went to Mag's and went up the bar with three cowboys, and said, I have a project for school for Scottsdale history, and would like to interview you. They told me get lost. I asked one, when did you live here? Oh, I live here and there. The cowboys told me to have a beer. I can’t. The cowboy on the end had done something, but it was in Colorado. The cowboys were having Good Fun, teasing me mercifully … in a nice way … sort of.
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So I was saying, I barged The Palace’s swinging doors, walked in, and was reading the room.
Instantly, I noticed the empty stools by the door, cowboys on the right, same situation as before.
Instantly, saw the couple on the bar, left of the cowboys, same situation at Mag’s.
The couple and the cowboys were having a great conversation. Cowboys are a dying breed of storytellers, and love sharing the wild west stories. Each storyteller has their own recipe of seasoning the story; some of them season it pretty thick. Now, if you hear the tourists say things like this; “Wow! Really?!? What happened next???” That’s where the cowboy storytellers can put as much as fire and seasoning as the tourist can handle it.
At the Palace, the cowboys were whooping it up!
And there was another couple at the table the man with the red shirt with Great Lakes. The man’s expression is priceless, and I had a similar expression as my school assignment.
The barkeeps, of course, get to hear all the stories, they get their own seasoning in their stories.
There are lots of wild west stories. Some of them are true.
I strode through the Palace, acting like a gunslinger, with a camera. Two shots. This one, and one of the back room.
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Climbing Moro Rock with three Buddhist Monks.
Distance: .4 miles (2/3 km) one way to the summit
Elevation: 6,400 - 6,700 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 20-30 minutes (not including stops for rest or picture taking)
Easy access to marvelous mountain views with the feeling of climbing a mountain peak without the danger--the Moro Rock Staircase offers park visitors a memorable introduction to the Southern Sierra. Moro Rock is a prominent granite dome located in the center of Sequoia National Park between Giant Forest and Crescent Meadow. A 400-step stairway, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, enables park visitors to hike to the top. The stairway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The splendid view from the top of the rock encompasses much of the park's western side, including the Great Western Divide.
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the 1922 Old Canotex service station, which is home to the rusty tow truck that inspired Disney's "Cars".
It is also called Cars On The Route.
Route66roadrelics.com: Now, if you’re a fan of the Cars movies, you gotta make a pit stop at “Cars on the Route”! This place is a real-life Radiator Springs, folks. It used to be a Kan-O-Tex service station, and guess what? It was one of the inspirations for Tow Mater himself! You can still see the original tow truck that inspired that lovable character, along with a whole bunch of other vintage cars. It’s a must-see for any Route 66 enthusiast, and it’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and soak up some movie magic.
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Theroute66planner.com: You can’t miss him — a towering cowboy in bright yellow, standing tall just off I-40 near Amarillo. They call him the 2nd Amendment Cowboy, and he’s more than just a fun roadside photo op. He’s a symbol. Of Texas pride, of bold Americana, and yes — of that old saying: “Everything’s bigger in Texas.”
Originally, this oversized figure was built as part of the Cadillac RV Park complex, placed right across from the world-famous Cadillac Ranch. His name — referencing the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment — reflects a local identity that is deeply rooted in values like freedom, tradition, and self-reliance. Whether you agree or not, one thing’s clear: this is Texas, and Texans are not shy about who they are.
And you know what? That’s exactly what we loved about it.
When we traveled through Texas, we met people who were proud, loud, welcoming, and kind. They love their land, their flag, and their stories. They’re the kind of folks who'll wave from their porch or offer you directions with a smile. The kind who make you feel like you’ve just entered someone’s backyard, even if you're thousands of miles from home.
The 2nd Amendment Cowboy fits right into that picture. He’s big, bold, a little outrageous, and standing out in the wide open — just like Texas itself. You might not find historical plaques or long explanations here, but that’s the point. It’s not meant to be explained. It’s meant to be felt.
And as we stood there, dwarfed by this yellow giant with his cowboy hat and commanding presence, we couldn’t help but smile. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s pure Route 66.
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Yellowstonepark.com: Firehole Canyon Drive is a 2-mile, one-way road off the Grand Loop south of Madison. On Firehole Canyon Drive, you will pass the Firehole River, Firehole Falls and a natural swimming hole. (The swimming hole was closed.)
Firehole Falls is a 40-foot waterfall amidst 800-foot thick lava flows forming the canyon walls. There is a small parking area available near the falls and several small pull-offs along the road.
Sorry – it’s not hot. The name “Firehole River” may lead you to believe that this is heated by hot springs, but the swimming area is a cool temperature similar to an unheated swimming pool. Those used to swimming in rivers and lakes will not see any difference in this water temperature.ure.
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