View allAll Photos Tagged usaroadtrip
Azwonders.com: Imagine if God held his hands a mile above the earth and slowly spread his fingers, allowing colorful sand to slip through and fall into spectacular mounds on the desert floor below. That begins to describe Arizona’s Painted Desert.
Wikipedia: Much of the Painted Desert within Petrified Forest National Park is protected as Petrified Forest Wilderness, where motorized travel is limited.[4] The park offers both easy and longer hikes into the colored hills. The Painted Desert continues north into the Navajo Nation, where off-road travel is allowed only by permit.
Facts about Arizona’s Painted Desert
•Discovered and named by an expedition team under Francisco Vazques de Coronado in 1540
•Rich mineral content in the soil gives the cone-shaped mounds of soil their beautiful colors
•Brilliant and varied colors ranging from red to white to lavender
•Stretches 160 miles from east end of Grand Canyon National Park southeast into Petrified Forest National Park and beyond
•Covers an area of approximately 93,500 acres
•Tracts of heavily eroded, uncultivable land with little vegetation
•Access by motor vehicle is very limited
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Ecency.com: I am very excited to share this overview of my trip to Capitol Reef National Park. I drove the width of the park on Highway 24 and got some great shots and then met the rest of the family after dark. The next day we explored the park together and did some hiking. I did a short sunset drive along Highway 24, which cuts across the park on the first night. It was a great time and I would like to return and experience more of what Capitol Reef has to offer.
Fatmanlittletrail.com: Capitol Reef National Park was one of the most surprising parts of my trip. It is the park that I hear most people say, “Oh, that is the one I skipped”. I found it beautiful and fascinating. The park is like an oasis in the middle of the desert with lush green flora surrounded by the red and grey rock cliffs and rock formations we are accustomed to in the Utah landscape. I only scratched the surface of the this surprisingly large park and I can’t wait to come back.
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Cabinsofthesmokymountains.com: The Quiet Walkways of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are short and relatively easy trails that lead directly from the road and plunge quickly into selected areas of natural beauty. They offer a peaceful and rewarding experience, and some of them are easy enough for any non-hiker to take a walk in the woods.
There are around 14 of these special trails in the park, and each one is unique. They’re scattered throughout the park, but several of them can be found along Highway 441 and Little River Road. The Quiet Walkways are a great way to see some of the distinctive beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park up close, whether or not you’re an experienced hiker.
Most of the Quiet Walkways are approximately 1/4-mile to 1/2 mile in length, and they are designed to be easy enough for anyone who can walk on a trail. You don’t need a backpack or hiking boots to explore these hidden gems (although sturdy footwear is always a good idea), but what you do need is to spot the signs.
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Nps.gov: The Old Faithful Inn was designed by Robert C. Reamer, who wanted the asymmetry of the building to reflect the chaos of nature. It was built during the winter of 1903–1904. The Old Faithful Inn is one of the few remaining log hotels in the United States. It is a masterpiece of rustic architecture in its stylized design and fine craftsmanship. Its influence on American architecture, particularly park architecture, was immeasurable.
The building is a rustic log and wood-frame structure with gigantic proportions: nearly 700 feet (213 m) in length and seven stories high. The lobby of the hotel features a 65-foot (20-m) ceiling, a massive rhyolite fireplace, and railings made of contorted lodgepole pine. Stand in the lobby and look up at the exposed structure, or walk up a gnarled log staircase to one of the balconies. Wings were added to the hotel in 1915 and 1927, and today there are 327 rooms available to guests in this National Historic Landmark.
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Visitpageaz.com: Located on the Colorado River and straddling the border between Utah and Arizona, Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir covering an impressive 186 miles in length and nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, which is longer than the entire west coast of the United States. With 96 major canyons, some of which are 15 to 20 miles long, Lake Powell is the perfect destination for anyone looking for adventure and natural beauty.
Discover the history and geology of the lake aboard fascinating boat tours, feel the adrenaline rush on your powerboat or personal watercraft, or enjoy an unforgettable sunset dinner cruise while taking in the amazing panoramic views. This end of the lake is also home to the impressive Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge.
Visitarizona.com: The city of Page is the gateway to two of Northern Arizona’s most photographed destinations. At Horseshoe Bend, visitors with cameras in hand are afforded views of the Colorado River as it winds through Glen Canyon. Find the trailhead off Highway 89. The roundtrip walk is just over 1 mile and takes visitors to a scenic overlook that you must see to believe. Located on the south shore of Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon attracts hikers to astonishing slot canyons. Squeeze through narrow sandstone walkways surrounded by red sandstone cliffs. Guided tours are required to access Antelope Canyon, which is located on private land within the Navajo Nation.
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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.
Desert Bighorns also have slightly longer ears and tails than Rocky Mountain Bighorns. Desert Bighorn ewes also typically have longer horns than other North American wild sheep females.
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This is the Grand Canyon before getting to the National Park. This is on Hwy 64 near to Cameron, Arizona. This is Navajo land. It’s about 20 minutes to getting into the Grand Canyon National Park Entrance, which is in US federal land.
Ooh, what’s this? There were American flags, Navajo souvenirs, there were cars in the parking lot. I had to stop.
There’s a path to walk to the Grand Canyon, with a sign warning about reptiles. This is a nice place to walk next to Grand Canyon without having to getting into the National Park.
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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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Theroadwanderer.net:
Santa Rosa is an old Spanish town on the Pecos River, it began as a large Spanish rancho. It got its name in 1890 from a chapel built by Don Cleso Baca to honor his mother. In the early days of Route 66, 1926 through 1937, the old alignment of Route 66 left Santa Rosa to continue on towards Santa Fe, the capitol of New Mexico then drop back down to Albuquerque and Los Lunas. In late 1937 Route 66 was straightened out to go directly to Albuquerque and by pass Santa Fe completely. The story behind that new, shorter alignment to Albuquerque is as interesting as any you'll find along the Mother Road. Ah those were the days.
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Visitrainier.com: Some of the prettiest and most easily accessible falls in Mt. Rainier National Park, Christine Falls offers a charming intimate setting for viewing the powerful falls. This signature view of the lower falls is framed by the historic, arching Christine Falls Bridge. The falls drop 69 feet in drops of 32 and 37 feet respectively and are notorious for being nearly impossible to photograph together. Since the lower drop of the waterfall is spanned by a bridge it most often photographed – and photographed often. The upper tier of the fall is not as easily viewed. Find this little gem on the road to Paradise. Limited parking at the falls is available.
Named by P.B. Van Trump after his daughter, Christine.
Wikipedia: Philemon Beecher Van Trump was an American pioneering mountaineer and writer who lived in the state of Washington. He is best known for the first documented ascent of Mount Rainier in 1870.
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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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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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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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Don't know what kind of a cat is, but I wouldn't pet it. It looks fierce.
Bear Country USA:Welcome to Bear Country USA! Very few people have had a full-grown black bear look in the window of their family car, or if they have, it was not by choice. Even fewer have seen a reindeer or a elk up close. However, many people are getting experiences like these at Bear Country U.S.A. in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Nestled over 200 acres amidst towering pines and along rolling meadows just eight miles south of Rapid City, Bear Country U.S.A. offers visitors intimate views of most North American mammals. Visitors take a leisurely three-mile drive through several enclosures and encounter black bear, elk, reindeer, deer, cougars, bobcats, rocky mountain goats, bighorn sheep, dall sheep, pronghorn and buffalo.
At this “the home of the largest collection of privately owned black bear in the world”, Bear Country U.S.A. guests are guaranteed to see more than they bargained for. From the comfort of their own car, visitors watch as these clowns of nature frolic in a pool, climb trees and amble across the road in front of their vehicle.
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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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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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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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Discovermoab.com: Located just 5 miles (8 km) north of Moab, you will discover the awe-inspiring Arches National Park, boasting the largest concentration of natural sandstone arches on Earth. With over 2,000 arches scattered across its vast 76,518-acre expanse, this park is a treasure trove of geological wonders. Towering sandstone fins, majestic balanced rocks, and soaring pinnacles and spires dominate the landscape, leaving visitors in awe as they explore the park’s numerous viewpoints and hiking trails.
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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.
The first group of motorcycles are from France, and met some of them in the Museum.
The second group of motorcycles are from Germany, which I met them the previous day in Tumcumcari, New Mexico.
Both groups are renting Harley Davidson motorcycles riding the entire of Route 66.
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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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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After chasing the horses away, everything was cool. When the horses walked faster or slower, I did the same thing. And when the horses stopped, then took the pictures.
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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.
Wanderlustamerica.com: Grand Canyon National Park is the 15th site in the United States to be named as a National Park. It is situated in northwestern Arizona and is often called one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Grand Canyon Park attracts up to 6.2 million visitors every year. Ancient Native Americans used to live in and around the park about 12,000 years ago. Today, people from all around the world come here to experience its helicopter rides, visitor centers, mule rides, and much more.
Unesco.org: Carved out by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon (nearly 1,500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world. Located in the state of Arizona, it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park. Its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past 2 billion years. There are also prehistoric traces of human adaptation to a particularly harsh environment.
It was very smoky in Grand Canyon National Park. The Rangers were doing ‘control burns’, and there were 2 wildfires nearby. I drove the South Rim (Desert View Drive) going west. The smoke would change with the wind. Which meant I was going toward the sun, the wind, and the smoke. Sometimes it was very glary, sometimes very dark. Trying to take a decent photo was challenging.
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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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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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