For ten years Delinda and I traveled the lower 48 states in our motorhome. Following our extended trip out west this past summer we realized that we had been in all 48 states and decided to now go and see the world. We sold the motorhome recently…a sad day…but are now looking forward to the future. Recently I got to thinking about those ten years and all of the wonderful and remarkable places we visited. Which ones impressed me the most? Which will always stick in my memory? There are so many, but here are a few:
1. Mt. Rushmore is right at the top of the list. During our travels we often said…”I don’t know what we expected, but this isn’t it.” Never could I have imagined the beauty and magnificence of Mt. Rushmore. It was so much more than I had expected. It seems so sacred, in a secular way. It so captures the American spirit and the dignity of those who made our way of life today possible. This is a must for every American…and don’t miss the lighting ceremony in the evening.
2. The Little Bighorn Battle Field. We came across this almost by accident. We were traveling from Yellowstone National Park (coming up later) on our way to Mt. Rushmore and noticed that the Interstate went right by the Little Bighorn National Park. We had to stop…and, as a matter of fact found an RV park right next to the battlefield. We spent the weekend and it was a time I will never forget. Again…what I had imagined as I read the account of Custer’s Last Stand was not what I saw…or learned. To walk where so many fought and died and learn what really happened has tweaked my interest to the point I just bought the new Nathaniel Philbrick book, “The Last Stand,” and am hanging on every word. As you travel through Montana don’t miss this treasure.
3. The Oregon Coast. Close to the look of the coast of Maine, but different enough to hold a beauty and mystery all of its own that makes you want to see more, sit awhile and just stare, and never leave.
4. Yellowstone National Park. This place is such a contrast…beautiful wooded mountains, rushing rivers and streams, large serene lakes…and smoldering, boiling “hot pots” that shoot skyward steam and water, such as Old Faithful. No wonder everyone falls in love with this place and wants to come back.
5. The Halls of Fame. Being a sports fan we visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Each one had the real personality of their sport and each does a magnificent job of presenting their sport in an entertaining, informative and historically accurate way. I loved each one and could have spent even more time wandering among the memories.
6. The Tabasco Factory. Odd, you say…not really if you love Tabasco sauce as much as I do. Located on Avery Island, Louisiana and surrounded by a beautiful botanical garden, it was a delight to see the history of this famous hot sauce, see it being bottled, and learn how long they let if “ferment” to make sure it has all of the flavor that keeps us coming back. Oh yes, their little country store is a trip in itself.
7. The Great Smokey Mountains. We tried to get up to Lake Toxaway at least once each fall to just take in the colorful beauty of the changing of the leaves. These quiet mountains with the narrow, winding roads and gorgeous overlooks are a spectacle created by God for all to see and enjoy.
8. The Alamo. Again…not what I expected. We only see in the history books pictures of the Mission. The actual battle occurred on the enclosed walls that surrounded the compound. So much history that comes alive as you walk through the courtyards and conjure up visions of Davey Crockett, Sam Houston and the gallant American hero’s who gave their lives that “Freedom could Ring.”
Oh, I could go on and on…we saw so much….The Grand Canyon, the Louisville Slugger plant, the most beautiful and unique little state capital in the nation, Montpelier, Vt. But just be assured that if you ever get the chance to get out on the road and meet the wonderful people of this nation and see the beauty and overwhelming majesty of the land you will see with your own eyes why we call it…America the Beautiful.
1. Mt. Rushmore is right at the top of the list. During our travels we often said…”I don’t know what we expected, but this isn’t it.” Never could I have imagined the beauty and magnificence of Mt. Rushmore. It was so much more than I had expected. It seems so sacred, in a secular way. It so captures the American spirit and the dignity of those who made our way of life today possible. This is a must for every American…and don’t miss the lighting ceremony in the evening.
2. The Little Bighorn Battle Field. We came across this almost by accident. We were traveling from Yellowstone National Park (coming up later) on our way to Mt. Rushmore and noticed that the Interstate went right by the Little Bighorn National Park. We had to stop…and, as a matter of fact found an RV park right next to the battlefield. We spent the weekend and it was a time I will never forget. Again…what I had imagined as I read the account of Custer’s Last Stand was not what I saw…or learned. To walk where so many fought and died and learn what really happened has tweaked my interest to the point I just bought the new Nathaniel Philbrick book, “The Last Stand,” and am hanging on every word. As you travel through Montana don’t miss this treasure.
3. The Oregon Coast. Close to the look of the coast of Maine, but different enough to hold a beauty and mystery all of its own that makes you want to see more, sit awhile and just stare, and never leave.
4. Yellowstone National Park. This place is such a contrast…beautiful wooded mountains, rushing rivers and streams, large serene lakes…and smoldering, boiling “hot pots” that shoot skyward steam and water, such as Old Faithful. No wonder everyone falls in love with this place and wants to come back.
5. The Halls of Fame. Being a sports fan we visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Each one had the real personality of their sport and each does a magnificent job of presenting their sport in an entertaining, informative and historically accurate way. I loved each one and could have spent even more time wandering among the memories.
6. The Tabasco Factory. Odd, you say…not really if you love Tabasco sauce as much as I do. Located on Avery Island, Louisiana and surrounded by a beautiful botanical garden, it was a delight to see the history of this famous hot sauce, see it being bottled, and learn how long they let if “ferment” to make sure it has all of the flavor that keeps us coming back. Oh yes, their little country store is a trip in itself.
7. The Great Smokey Mountains. We tried to get up to Lake Toxaway at least once each fall to just take in the colorful beauty of the changing of the leaves. These quiet mountains with the narrow, winding roads and gorgeous overlooks are a spectacle created by God for all to see and enjoy.
8. The Alamo. Again…not what I expected. We only see in the history books pictures of the Mission. The actual battle occurred on the enclosed walls that surrounded the compound. So much history that comes alive as you walk through the courtyards and conjure up visions of Davey Crockett, Sam Houston and the gallant American hero’s who gave their lives that “Freedom could Ring.”
Oh, I could go on and on…we saw so much….The Grand Canyon, the Louisville Slugger plant, the most beautiful and unique little state capital in the nation, Montpelier, Vt. But just be assured that if you ever get the chance to get out on the road and meet the wonderful people of this nation and see the beauty and overwhelming majesty of the land you will see with your own eyes why we call it…America the Beautiful.
