AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL!

The capitol building is also a must-see of Washington D.C.  So much history has taken place in that place!  That could be said about the whole city, but the capitol building is quite impressive, not just the structure but what it represents. 

While in America’s capitol, do not forget to explore the museums!  The Smithsonian Institution of the National Air and Space Museum is full of fun and famous displays.  Space capsules, rockets, gliders, and planes fill the museum.  The actual Spirit of St. Louis hangs from the ceiling, and a replica of Amelia Earhart’s plane is displayed.  The Imax Theatre is also a great attraction to witness. 

The Museum of Natural History is also full of artifacts of America’s past.  Abraham Lincoln’s top hat can be seen; it was the hat he was wearing at the theatre the night he was shot.  The same chair Lincoln was sitting in at that moment is also on display.  The museum also holds Dorothy’s ruby slippers from the famous Wizard of Oz.  A larger display holds the dresses of all the First Ladies of the United States.  These dresses were the ones that were worn on inauguration day. 

From coast to coast, Americans need to go visit historical sites and national and state parks that show the beauty of nature.  It is extremely beneficial to take in the scenery of mountains, forests, oceans, fields, and rivers.  Stir one’s patriotism with trips to battle fields, museums, and memorials.  Go and enjoy this land we call home!  

Google Images:

http://www.higginsbond.com/gallery/webAmerica_The_Beautiful.jpg 

THE HOME OF THE FREE

The Lincoln Memorial is another great stop in our nation’s capital.  Take time to not only capture pictures of the great statue of Abraham Lincoln who brought the United States through one of the hardest times in our nation’s history but also read the texts engraved into the walls of the memorial.  Particularly in Washington D.C., make the effort to read the inscriptions and signs that are throughout the city. 

Other memorials include the Korean War memorial, the World War II memorial, and the Vietnam War memorial.  Show respect to those who have given their lives for America’s freedom.  May one’s appreciation of the liberty grow while visiting these war memorials. Stop complaining about little petty things one does not have, and be thankful for all that one does have.  Americans can be good at forgetting what is really important. 

The tallest monument in Washington D.C. is the Washington Monument.  The base of the structure is surrounded by fifty United States’ flags, one for each state.  Visitors can either climb hundreds of stairs to get to the top or ride the elevator up to look out over the capital city. 

The Jefferson Memorial honors one of America’s founding fathers and our third president, Thomas Jefferson.  His statue stands in the center of a domed building.  Make sure to read the words that are carved into the stone walls. 

A tour of the White House would be a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Washington D.C. is full rich experiences.  

Google Images:

http://www.visitingdc.com/images/thomas-jefferson-statue.jpg 

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6h9gav5EKFqreBP0L8RTGtFJT7GvEKqtO22-lFkpLcQgKKwOobw&t=1

THE LAND OF THE BRAVE

When discussing places to visit in the United States, it is impossible to leave out the importance of our capital, Washington D.C.  Time spent here is more important than any other vacation spot.  All the history that can be encountered in Washington D.C. will renew one’s patriotism and gratefulness for the sacrifices of past generations.  Trips to historical landmarks and battle sites are extremely beneficial for all Americans; observing these places and reading about America’s historical events and people can change one’s view of life.  Things that once were complained about suddenly become unimportant.  Events and comforts given by technology are enjoyed.  Overall, places like Washington D.C. can fill Americans with the sense of thankfulness.  Step back from one’s busy life and acknowledge the blessing of freedom in this country. 

One of the first places my family visited in Washington D.C. was Arlington Cemetery where we viewed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Eternal Flame at the Kennedy grave, the USS Maine memorial, and the Arlington House, a memorial for Robert E. Lee.  Yes, it is not the happiest place to visit, but all the memorials and all the tombstones remind us of all the great men who have served our country.  Many lessons can be learned from them. 

This is a small view of Arlington Cemetery.  On the hill is the Arlington House, home of General Robert E. Lee who led the Confederate forces during the Civil War.  

Google Images:

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/family-vacations-arlington-national-cemetery.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2dECJXtOK11u9nTDuwDF91tbilyTuaxjVlfMK4VUvQc0Yq4FPBCSqvRdvWQRYrLqCHaTQDWw3NYCsYVP3_pc69INelXrKL6FYXZt3DUNCp9Q1U45rraaIi6EXiOV_Cs3aeamF-QmwTg/s1600/ArlingtonNationalCemetery.JPG

GRAND MOUNTAINS & A ROARING RIVER

It was a short drive to Grand Teton National Park.  Its name fits it well; those mountains truly are grand!  Out in remote places of the West, the Milky Way can actually be seen too!  There is something about seeing all those stars that puts one’s life in perspective. 

There in Grand Teton National Park, the hiking was great because the views were spectacular.  It was not only the mountains; the land around the mountains (Jackson Hole) was lovely too.  My mom has wanted to go back to this park ever since that summer that we visited Wyoming.  More fine scenery was coming though!  For a day trip, we worked our way into Montana to go white water rafting.  If one ever has the opportunity to go rafting through rapids, do it!  It is so fun and invigorating! 

It so happened that my family members who sat in the front were being soaked by the rapids.  Since I, however, was sitting in the back of the raft, I was hardly wet.  Our guide then took us through the next rapids sideways.  It worked; I then was thoroughly soaked. 

A section of the river was called Swimmers’ Rapids because one could jump out of the boat to swim.  This was absolutely fun!  After my brothers saw that I was enjoying it, they jumped in, yelled, and climbed back into the raft.  They thought the water was cold; I teased them about this. 

After an interesting time at an outdoor restaurant, Helen’s, where we ate buffalo burgers and milkshakes, we drove back to our campsite.  Our three week vacation came to an end with a three days’ drive back home.  

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/wyoming/images/s/wyoming-grand-teton-national-park.jpg

MORE & MORE BUFFALO

After enjoying the national monument, we were off to Wyoming!  During road trips, one typically reads a book, listens to music, or sleeps; but driving through the West, one is quite content to just look out the window.  The landscape is so much more interesting than the Midwest.  The mountains, forests, and rivers are always changing; there is always more beauty to behold around the bend.  Through this countryside we headed for Yellowstone National Park.  We saw Old Faithful in all her glory as well as many other geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. 

It is here that we met up with my uncle and cousin.  All of us hiked through the sulfur-smelling gas of the hot springs.  In one place along the boardwalk, a plume of rotten egg-smelling gas was continuously blowing.  Just before passing through this gross cloud, one would take a deep breath and hold it until you reached the other side.  My cousin enjoyed showing us that he liked the smell; several times he walked into the smoke while plugging his nose.  Ugh!  The smell was terrible!

Driving through the park forests, one could see that recently a fire had burned down many trees, but new growth had appeared.  This was exhilarating to appreciate. 

Here we saw many buffalo; some were even walking through the campsite!  A few times we had to stop our car to wait for a herd of bison to move past.  For one herd that was the biggest we encountered, people were getting out of their vehicles to better pictures.  My dad was out videotaping when a buffalo sauntered up behind him, but it just looked at him and walked away.  It is all on tape too!  

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScHwamYxy6Oy_W8ISGqH54FChK1uIqzPFkcpRUnNnAK3JA2rA_XQ&t=1 

http://kyleschadt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/buffalo-on-the-move-yellowstone-wy.jpg

I FOUND ALASKA!

This time, our camping trip out west was planned for July instead of June to avoid certain weather issues that the reader may remember.  We drove through Wisconsin and Minnesota to South Dakota.  While we were eating lunch by the Mississippi River, we witnessed an amazing sight to us.  A bald eagle swooped down across the water.  This is special to us, especially my brother, because it was his birthday.  Little memories like these may not seem important to some people, but to those involved, the memories are important.  Hence another reason to go on a vacation, it is not just to tour America but to spend time with one’s family or friends.

In South Dakota, we visited several historical sites of Laura Ingalls Wilder because we love the Little House on the Prairie series, at least we girls do.  Next, we ploughed through beautiful countryside to the Black Hills, the Badlands, and Mount Rushmore and camped at Custer State Park.  These places were fantastic to visit!  I remember many things about them: seeing our first buffalo, exploring the landscape of the Badlands, hiking closer to Mount Rushmore and learning about its construction, and taking several scenic hikes. 

While on road trips, we usually write down all the different state license plates we find.  After climbing in the Badlands on a warm day, we slowly walked back to our van; but we came across a rare state license plate.  My mom exclaimed loudly, “ALASKA!  I found Alaska!”  We were amazed to see this, but what excited us more was that someone was in the car from Alaska, and the windows were down!  The man got out of the car laughing; and he told us about his trip so far and that other people do the same thing my mom did.  My family has never let my mom forget this! 

Google Images:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/145743225_8bbba48ca7.jpg 

http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/26/2687/JNWUD00Z.jpg

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

One of the largest places in the world to view natural rock arches and formations is in Utah at Arches National Park.   Scattered across the red desert landscape are thousands of sandstone structures.  Hikers can view many arches on trails such as: Balanced Rock Trail, Fiery Furnace, Eye of the Whale Arch, Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, and Tapestry Arch.  An ideal spot for campers to pitch their tents is at Devils Garden which is a good place to start one’s adventures. 

A famous arch is Landscape Arch.  Its length is two hundred ninety feet which makes it the largest arch in the world.  It has deteriorated in parts, but it is quite picturesque because of its large size but small center. 

Sticking straight up into the sky near Devils Garden is the Dark Angel.  This rock formation is one hundred fifty feet high, jutting upwards into the arid atmosphere. 

One of the most recognizable structures of Arches National Park is Delicate Arch.  It stands in the middle of a sandstone bowl and is in contrast to the rock planes surrounding it.  The hike up to Delicate Arch is particularly steep in some places. 

Another attraction is this park is Double O Arch.  This consists of two arches; a large arch sits on top of a smaller arch.  In the Devils Garden area of the park, Double O Arch is the largest arch second to Landscape Arch. 

One does not see such amazing landscapes as one does here in Utah.  Yes, mountains, forest, and beaches are beautiful; but they are more common than the structures at Arches National Park.  

http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/arches.htm

HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK!

From the last state to join the Union, Hawaii, comes another testimony of earth’s spectacular landscapes.  The Hawaiian Islands exist because of volcanic activity.  It is a pleasant vacation destination with beaches, forests, warm climate, and craters.  Biking and hiking give visitors the best views of the volcanic landscapes.  Another option to view the landscape is by driving on the Crater Rim Drive, for example.  This will take tourists around part of the caldera and through rainforests and deserts.  It is even available for some to hike down into the crater!  On this drive, one will view both Mauna Loa and Kilauea Caldera which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. 

In some areas of the Hawaiian Islands the volcanoes have deposited rough landscapes of lava.  In others, such as Kipukapuaulu, the activity of the volcano left rich soil and thriving forests.  This rainforest is filled with colorful plants, animal, birds, and insects. 

Recently cooled lava flows can be seen at Mauna Ulu; the last eruption took place in 1973.  Here one can view both pahoehoe and ‘a‘a lava flows.  Hikers can even ascend the Pu’u Huluhulu cone. 

 In Kilauea Crater, one can walk across a crater that once was a molten lava lake.  The latest eruption here was in 1959. 

During your visit to the Hawaiian Islands, do not just head for the beach; go and explore the rest Hawaii has to offer! 

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/bridges/bigisland/KipukaPuaulu/MGlory100.jpg

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http://www.traveltohawaiireviewed.com/image_attraction/bigisland/attractions/Kilauea_Crater/800/Kilauea_Crater_2.jpg

http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm 

HEAR THE THUNDER

My family's last stop on our east bound voyage was Niagara Falls! It was a great way to end the trip. Niagara Falls is magnificent! The water roars, and the mist rises. We viewed the falls from both the United States side and the Canadian side. Personally, I had a great desire to ride the Maid of the Mist; this ferry packed with tourists powered up its engines and marched right up to the base of the falls. It was enjoyable to watch these boats laden with people wearing blue ponchos. I could not imagine the sound and the mist that surrounded these vessels, but soon I found out myself. My family chose a much cheaper way to get close to the powerful falls. On the Canadian side, we traveled underground through tunnels right up next to the falling waters. We walked behind and beside Niagara! This satisfied my imagination, and we had gotten even closer to the falls than those on the Maid of the Mist. Niagara Falls is a fantastic sight to see!

It is important to visit the wonders of this nation that surround us. Previously, I was having a conversation with an exchange student from Asia who had visited Niagara Falls. This was exciting to her because in her country she had only seen pictures of Niagara in textbooks, and now she saw it with her own eyes. This has shown me to never take our country and culture for granted.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mojotravel.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/journey-behind-the-falls.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mojotravel.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/what-to-see-at-niagara-falls-canada/&usg=__x6C5Yz9iE_q0P1CW6NcARYMLxDs=&h=412&w=550&sz=32&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=tvd2MuR6DUwo8M:&tbnh=147&tbnw=185&ei=35p5TcLRNYiKrgHKxLzqBQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dniagara%2Bfalls%2Bbehind%2Bthe%2Bfalls%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1020%26bih%3D600%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=281&oei=35p5TcLRNYiKrgHKxLzqBQ&page=1&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=77&ty=85

WHALES AND NYC

Another part of our agenda for our journey in the East was to go on a whale boat cruise at Providence, Rhode Island.  This was such an exciting adventure even though it overcast again.  We only saw the backs of a few whales; they were not very playful that day.  The greatest part of that day was standing in the front, bobbing up and down with the waves, and being sprayed by salt water.  At the front of the cruise boat, the deck extended to a narrow point.  Both my brothers and I stood out on the ledge almost the entire time because the experience was more exhilarating than sitting on a chair inside or on the top deck.  We had such an enjoyable time getting sprayed by the sea.  After this sea voyage, my family walked through part of Providence and bought salt water taffy; this was a special experience. 

I cannot think of this vacation without remembering our experience of touring Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.  Some of my ancestors emigrated from Sweden and stayed at Ellis Island until they were permitted into New York City.  I viewed pictures of rooms full of immigrants.  I actually stood in those same rooms; it was not a replica.  I found Ellis Island to be captivating. 

Visiting the Statue of Liberty was fascinating as well.  We arrived too late in the day to climb up into the statue, but we did work our way up through the pedestal which was as far as we were allowed to go.  Viewing New York harbor and the skyline was a unique spectacle for me and my siblings who had not seen a large city before.  We viewed the Trade Towers only a few months before 9/11.  

http://www.visitingdc.com/images/ellis-island-picture-3.jpg

FIRST SIGHT OF THE OCEAN

The summer after our Rocky Mountain trip, we changed directions and headed out East.  Most of our journey was spent in Massachusetts.  My siblings and I had our first view of the ocean.  The day was gray, cold, and windy, but to us it was still spectacular.  Since the water was quite cold, we were only brave enough to jump ankle deep in the waves.  I remember running along the edge of the waves on the beach and smelling the salt air; the ocean left a great impression on me. 

At one point, my older brother decided to wade knee-deep into the water and turned to face us.  While he was showing off, a large wave approached him, and we intentionally did not warn him.  Right before the wave crashed into him, he turned around, but it was too late.  The next thing I saw of him was his foot sticking up into the air; we thought it was so funny!  He never tried that stunt again. 

At Marconi Beach, we toured a museum that gave the history of Marconi who laid the first transatlantic cable to Europe.  This was my favorite beach; we went there several times. 

In Massachusetts, my family also visited Plymouth Rock, a replica of the Mayflower, Plymouth Plantation, and an Indian village.  It truly was amazing to know that the Pilgrims settled the land right where we were visiting.  Seeing historic sites is exciting!  I encourage everyone to pay a visit to a historical site if one has the opportunity.  

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http://marineinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/e-mayflower-ship.jpg

To Oregon!

Oregon is the land of mountains and coastlines. About 363 miles of the Pacific caostline is open to the public; highway 101 takes travelers all along the the scenic view. Many state parks are located along this western side of Oregon, offering sight-seers many opportunities to view the rustic Oregon coast. Some of these state parks are Beverly Beach State Park, Bullards Beach State Park, Cape Arago State Park, and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint.

A popular tourist attraction in Oregon is Mount Hood not only for the view but also for recreation. Four skiing places are available for those who enjoy to keep active. Delicious fruits are grown near Mount Hood because of the rich volcanic soil. The Columbia River Gorge is also a beautiful sight where visitors have the opportunity to go windsurfing.

This state also has country scenery in Willamette Valley. Farms are spread across the landscape, and produce stands are set up full with fresh fruits and vegetables.

In southern Oregon is the United States' deepest lake, Crater Lake. Hikers enjoy trekking through the forests and observing the beautiful scenery. Smith Rock National Park, in central Oregon, is also enjoyed by hikers and especially rock climbers. The adventuresome can use several of the thousand climbing trails this park has to offer.

In Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, tourists may go white water rafting and kayaking. As one can obviously see, the state of Oregon shows even more beauties of this country. If one has the opportunity to visit this state, do not pass it up!

http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore-Oregon.aspx

http://12feet.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=7

http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/farmlands-of-the-willamette-valley-margaret-hood.jpg 

http://oregon.4h.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/OregonCoast.jpg

CALIFORNIA

Now let's talk about the state of California and, in particular, two of its national parks: Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite was one of the first parks in the United States and is known for its waterfalls. Sequoias, rivers, and meadows are also some of the beauties of Yosemite. The main attraction for hiking and taking pictures is the Half Dome. A seven mile trail leads hikers to the top of the dome that is 8,800 feet above sea level but 5,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley. From the summit of the Half Dome, one can view “Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, Half Dome, and panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra.” That view must be amazing! After watching this video http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm#CP_JUMP_365187 one can understand how hiking up the dome can be dangerous, but for the adventurous this it is a great challenge.

Sequoia National Park is home to one of the most spectacular forests in the United States. Sequoia trees are not quite as tall as the famous redwood trees but are larger in diameter. Sequoias are the largest trees in the world. They grow to 378 feet tall and 22 feet in diameter. Some of the trees in the park are thousands of years old. In some trees, a road has been constructed so that a car can drive through it.

When planning a trip to California, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks need to be included. Thousands of people visit these parks each year. The beautiful sights are worth seeing.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm

http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/78418/Letting-them-see-Sequoia-2

http://www.visitsequoia.com/redwoods-and-sequoias.aspx

http://www.visitsequoia.com/giant-sequoia-trees.aspx

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Never Go Camping to the Rocky Mountains in June! – part 2

Let me describe to you how cold it became every night. We slept wearing winter hats, several shirts, sweatshirts, a coats, gloves, jeans, sweat pants, and many pairs of socks including wool socks. We braved the wintry elements in June without even contemplating checking into a hotel.

One morning, I woke up before the rest of my family and waited impatiently for my mom to wake up because I had to use the restroom; I could not just leave the camper without telling anyone, since at the time I was only eight years old. After what seemed to be a long time, my family did start waking up; I received permission to go and sat up to put on my tennis shoes. There was no need to change out of my pajamas because I was already dressed in my layers of clothes. Wait, there was one problem; the door would not open. I tried again, but did not open. Then someone pointed to the top of the door. Here is what had happened the night before; snow had quietly fallen on the mountain all night. It was heavy enough to cause the awning of the camper to fall backwards into the door. By now, I was quite frustrated because I really did have to use the restroom; with my big, puffy coat and I did manage to squeeze through the door. Once out in the open air, I saw a spectacular winter wonderland. I made my way to the restroom while observing another beauty of the mountains. This experience has never left my memory. Most people do not intend to camp in the snow, but I am glad we did. To me this just another reason proving that camping is amazing!

http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/NWI2685.jpg 

Never Go Camping to the Rocky Mountains in June! – part 1

After the hiking adventures of Kentucky during my family's first camping trip, we made plans for the next summer's vacation out west. By this time, we had bought our own pop-up camper with no air-conditioning, bathroom, or other conveniences, but we loved it. Our plans were to stop at our grandparents home in Illinois, drive on to Scott's Bluff and Chimney Rock in Nebraska, and arrive at our main destination at Rocky Mountain National Park. If you ever decide to go camping in those mountains, let me give you one tip; do not go in June! The reason is that a rise in elevation means that the temperature drops, and my family knows this quite well now.  

Hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains was beautiful. I have distinct memories of that place not just from the view but also the experiences. My older sister and I slept on one of the beds that “pops” out of the side of the camper; nothing separated us from the outside world except a canvas stretched over a few metal poles. My sister played a trick every morning to wake me up. First of all, every night, on the canvas above us, a layer of condensation formed from breathing out warm air in contrast to the dropping temperatures outside. Using her devious mind, she would reach out over my head, smack the canvas above me, fling her sleeping bag over her head, and wait for my reaction as hundreds of icy water droplets fell onto my contentedly resting face. This happened every morning! Ah, this was one fond memory to think about, but at least it begins to relate how cold it became every night. On chilly nights, sleeping in walls in one thing, but sleeping with only fabric between you and the outside air is another. Interestingly, I would not trade this winter experience in June for a heated house in January.   

Other Sources about "Traveling the USA"

This week I have been looking into other blogs related to “Traveling the USA.” Most of the travel blogs I found were about personal experiences rather than researched tourist attractions as I have done. 

Here is one that I have found to be quite interesting: http://www.travbuddy.com/X_Drive/blogs. This man, Roger, has multiple blogs about his journeys in not just the United States but also the world. He mainly blogs about places in California where he lives. I have enjoyed browsing through his experiences. In 2008, he took a road trip all the way across the southern United States to Florida and then back to California by a different route. My own family trips have never taken us down to the south. We have gone as far as South Carolina but unfortunately not for sightseeing’s sake. We only drive down there to bring my sibling to college, so I am excited to read more about the south from Roger's perspective. You should read into it too!

This website (http://atravelerslibrary.com/tag/usa/) gives a fascinating view of the United States. Instead of telling the readers about personal experiences, this site gives movie and book reviews about particular places in America. The author, Vera Marie Badertscher, does write her personal opinion at the end of her posts, but mainly she shows her readers what the media is portraying of America's tourist attractions.

Now this, http://12feet.blogspot.com/, is about personal experiences of two guys and their two pets touring the country in an RV. For the past four years, they have written about their travels through the West. Their posts mostly consist of their photos taken of the breath-taking landscape of America.

I hope you will take the opportunity to at least glance through these websites. I have never visited the places described in these blogs, so I hope you will enjoy reading about it as I have. Enjoy!

The Pine Tree State

Another place in the United States that grabs my attention is the state of Maine. From looking at photos, the scenery seems just gorgeous. Maine has both ocean and mountain landscapes. Visitors can view lighthouses, historic sites, and wildlife in rustic nature. Maine offers cruises, hiking, canoeing, hot-air balloon rides, and museums to its tourists. A famous historic place to visit in this state in the home of the accomplished writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Also, more remaining forts exist in Maine than anywhere else in America. However, what appeals to me is observing the wildlife as well as the scenery. Here in Maine, one can see moose, seals, fox, whales, deer, black bears, and many kinds of birds such as: bald eagles, puffins, and blue heron. If you love bird-watching, Maine is the place to go. For those who enjoy remaining active, Maine offers ATV rides, hunting, hiking, boating, bicycling, fishing, golfing, camping, and more. Then, of course, there are winter activities such as: sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, ice skating, and dog sledding. These are great ways to enjoy nature with your family and friends.

Let us turn now to the national and state parks! The most famous park in Maine is Acadia National Park which has thirty thousand acres of inspiring landscapes. Other popular parks are Baxter State Park, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, one end of the Appalachian Trail, and White Mountains National Forest. Yes, Maine would be so beautiful to see! Just researching about these places makes me excited. Maine also proves that America is a beautiful country.

http://www.visitmaine.com/attractions/

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/maine/images/s/biking.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/maine/biking&usg=__dfLpO237n_wGopXOHlDoqvzZyPI=&h=332&w=415&sz=97&hl=en&start=10&zoom=1&tbnid=Clu3f2dAm_dAkM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=155&ei=pending&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmaine%2Bscenery%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ACAW_enUS389US397%26biw%3D1020%26bih%3D420%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C463&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=597&vpy=74&dur=1045&hovh=201&hovw=251&tx=82&ty=102&oei=dJJETfyMO4GClAei7eXvDw&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:10&biw=1020&bih=420

GET IT OFF!

“MOM!” I heard this screeching voice of my five year old brother as he ran for his life down the road toward our rented pop-up camper. He was out of breath when he reached her, and somehow from his frantic, crying words she understood what had happened to him.

This occurred in Kentucky during our first camping experience. In one way, the experience was shocking to us kids. Each inch on every wall of the restroom was covered with insects; as a child, this was quite disturbing. Some insects were large, and some had interesting stripes on their bodies and long legs and antennae. We often teased my little brother for yelling, “No – NO – get away; get away!” while he was using the restroom. A day or two later, both my brothers were walking back from the restroom when my younger brother felt something on his back. He anxiously asked my older brother if it was a “bug,” and it was! It was a “big” one! My little brother took off down the road screaming for Mom to "get it off!" I can still visualize him running as fast as his little legs could take him. His head was back. His arms were pumping. His mouth was wide open, but by the time he reached Mom the “bug” was gone. It probably was more scared than my brother was. This was the start of my family's many camping memories.

Here in Kentucky we visited Mammoth Cave, Fort Boonesborough, Natural Bridges State Resort Park, and the tiny cabin where Abraham Lincoln was born. These experiences were the first in many more to come.

One of the Most Amazing Sights in the World

One of the most famous sites in the entire country – and the world – is the Grand Canyon in northwest Arizona, but somehow our family never planned a visit there. It is one of the top seven natural wonders of the world alongside Mount Everest, Victoria Falls, the Great Barrier Reef, and others. According to the National Park Service, approximately five million people from around the world visit this breath-taking scene every year.

The area of the Grand Canyon was inhabited by Native Indians but was discovered by Spanish explorers in the sixteenth century. It is eighteen miles wide, two hundred seventy seven miles long, and one mile deep! The Colorado River runs through the canyon. Some believe this river formed the canyon by erosion over large amounts of time; however, this is not accurate according to what God says in the Bible.

The view from the rim of the canyon is an amazing sight, but the more daring sightseers hike down paths that lead to the very bottom. Some see the inside of the canyon while on horseback, while others enjoy rafting through the base of the canyon on the Colorado River. Pictures of this place are awe-inspiring, but to see this sight for your own would be amazing. The Grand Canyon would be quite a change of scenery from the flat land of Ohio and southern Michigan that I am familiar with. This planet Earth we call home is simply beautiful, and the Grand Canyon proves that point.

http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/misc/gc_7wond.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=zFARvsnCLhgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=grand+canyon+national+park&hl=en&ei=G-BBTdmfDIOglAfyjYHwDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/index.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=ZSmJ4Fed0r0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=grand+canyon+national+park&hl=en&ei=9OdBTeXvIIOKlwfQxZDlDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false

INTRODUCTION

In this blog, I shall be discussing both my own experiences when traveling the United States and other popular sights that I hope to see one day.  My years as an elementary age child brings back many memories I spent with my family of six as we drove back and forth across the beautiful United States.  I am hoping this will encourage you to have an adventure of your own, to reminisce about your own travels, or to possibly share thoughts with me about the similar places we have visited.  I will surely enjoy describing the majestic nature of America, and I hope you will enjoy it too. 


I am one of four children, and we have grown up in the Mid West with our parents.  Every summer from the age of seven to eleven, my family would prepare for our vacation which was never less than two and one half weeks long.  After I was eleven, we only inserted short excursions to historical sites while we visited relatives, except when we traveled to Michigan's Upper Peninsula when I was thirteen.  Whether we drove to the West or the East we stopped to visit our spread-out family along the way.  Our parents have taken us to Fort Boonesborough in Kentucky, Mammoth Cave, Pike's Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Chimney Rock, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Virginia Beach, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Mount Rushmore, De Smet  in South Dakota, Devil's Tower, Gettysburg, Washington D.C., Smoky Mountain National Park, Mount Vernon, the Statue of Liberty, Philadelphia, Ellis Island, Valley Forge, and my personal favorite, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the grand shores of Lake Superior.  May this blog stir your imagination and cause you to appreciate more fully the land we call home.