Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for U.S. travel
Rural Ironworks in New York
By Linda Tancs
Operated from 1848 until 1903, Copake Iron Works was established at the base of the Taconic Ridge in Copake Falls, New York. Listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places, it has long been recognized as one of the most complete rural ironworks in the regional Litchfield Iron District. Now part of Taconic State Park, the historic district includes a rare stone blast furnace, the blowing engine house, a machine shop with equipment still in place, the ironworkers’ duplex, the Carpenter-Gothic style office building and the elegant residence of Isaac Chesbrough, one of the first ironmasters for the site.
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Elfreth’s Alley
By Linda Tancs
Dating to 1703, Elfreth’s Alley (named for blacksmith and property owner Jeremiah Elfreth) is a National Historic Landmark in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the United States, most of its 32 houses built between 1720 and 1836 are privately owned. Two adjacent homes (#124 and #126) function as a museum and gift shop open seasonally between April and November. Visitors can explore the historic alleyway on their own or join a 45-minute guided tour.
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Poetry in Motion
By Linda Tancs
Poetry enjoys a special place in the history of Madison, Wisconsin. For one thing, the city reportedly was one of the first in the nation to appoint a poet laureate. Events and open mics abound, as does poetry on buses. Even the sidewalks sport poetic bursts. Prime locales include Monroe Street, Atwood Avenue and in the Marquette neighborhood.
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North Carolina’s National Seashore
By Linda Tancs
Managed by the National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is the United States’ first national seashore, which preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island. Boasting more than 70 miles of shoreline, it’s particularly known as a place for exceptional shelling (like Scotch bonnets and helmet conchs) thanks to shallow ocean floors. It supports a rich diversity of plants and animals, including threatened or endangered species like the piping plover, seabeach amaranth and sea turtles. Four campgrounds are located across the Seashore, providing an immersive experience of the barrier islands; two of them are open year round.
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Feast of the Ramson
By Linda Tancs
West Virginia is one of the best states to harvest ramps (wild leeks), a prized, pungent Appalachian springtime delicacy appearing from late April to early June. It should come as no surprise, then, that the beloved leek has its own festival. Held in April in Richwood, Feast of the Ramson is touted as the world’s largest ramps festival. A ramps-centric meal is complemented with potatoes, brown beans, cornbread, ham and bacon. Arts and crafts vendors are on site as well. This year’s festival takes place on April 18 at the community center.
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Maine’s Largest Lake
By Linda Tancs
Maine’s largest lake is Moosehead Lake. Spanning 74,890 acres, it’s one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country and the second-largest lake in New England after Lake Champlain. Just three hours north of Portland in the Highlands region, it’s great for fishing with plenty of landlocked salmon, brook trout and lake trout. If a leisurely cruise is more your speed, then rent a boat or take a narrated cruise on the steamboat Katahdin. As you might imagine, the area is known for moose. In fact, moose outnumber people three to one. Take a moose safari and spot the elusive creature with a guide. The best time of day to see moose is early in the morning or at dusk, from mid-spring through late June.
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Boudin Festival
By Linda Tancs
Boudin is a popular Cajun sausage featuring rice, spices and pork (or some other meat, filling or even fish). You can try multiple varieties at the Boudin Festival in Scott, Louisiana, where they’re proud to celebrate this staple of Cajun culture. Held in April, the festivities include food vendors, arts and crafts, Cajun music, a pageant and a boudin-eating contest. This year’s event runs from April 10 to April 12 in front of City Hall.
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Treasure Hunting in Connecticut
By Linda Tancs
Open every Sunday from April to December, Elephant’s Trunk is the largest weekly flea market in New England. Located in New Milford, Connecticut, the venue is chock-full of treasures for every kind of buyer. In addition to antiques and collectibles, you’ll find plants and food products, too. The mix of food and merchandise varies every week, with vendors from all over the East Coast making their way to the pre-dawn lineup at the field; many of the vendors have been attending since the very start of this market in the 1970s. Buyers can enter via early admission (before 7 a.m.) or general admission (from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) by paying on-site. Enter at Candlewood Lake Road South.
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Headwater of the Mississippi
By Linda Tancs
The mighty Mississippi River ends in the Gulf of Mexico (or, if you prefer, the Gulf of America). As for where it begins, you might be surprised to learn that the answer is Lake Itasca in Minnesota, a small glacial lake. It’s located in Itasca State Park, where taking your picture next to the iconic headwaters post is a must! The park is open daily.
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Hells Canyon
By Linda Tancs
Part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America. Located on the border of Idaho and Oregon, it’s been carved by the Snake River, plunging 8,000 feet deep. Not surprisingly, river-based activities like fishing and rafting abound. It’s also known for its dramatic landscapes, like basalt cliffs and stunning vistas. Look for a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, mountain goats, elk, deer and bighorn sheep in this area traditionally known as Nez Perce territory.
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