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
All Things Warhol
By Linda Tancs
A leading figure in the pop art movement, Andy Warhol was an American visual artist and cultural icon. At The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (the city of his birth), you’ll find the largest collection of Warhol art and archives in the world. Paintings, drawings, commercial illustrations, sculptures, prints, photographs, wallpapers, sketchbooks and books cover the entire range of his career, from his early student work to pop art paintings and collaborations. You’ll also find the entire output of his work in video, comprising more than 4,000 videotapes. Museum admission provides access to seven floors of art and archives.
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Blowing Off Steam in Hawaii
By Linda Tancs
Extending from sea level to 13,680 feet, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Traditionally, Kīlauea is viewed by many native Hawaiians as the home of the volcanic deity Pelehonuamea. It has covered almost 90% of its surface in lava flows within the last 1,000 years. Mauna Loa has erupted 34 times since 1843, averaging once every five years. Its name means “long mountain” in Hawaiian, a quintessential shield volcano in its shape— signified by broad, rounded slopes. Hiking is a natural must-do there as is a trip along Crater Rim Drive, where steaming bluffs and scenic overlooks await you.
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Mississippi Writers Trail
By Linda Tancs
Mississippi gets bragging rights for its share of literary giants. So it should come as no surprise that the state has created a Mississippi Writers Trail to honor those with a strong connection to the state and stellar credentials. The trail comprises cast aluminum markers shaped like an open book that highlight information about authors including their birthplace, home, gravesite, museum or literary locale. Luminaries along the route include Tennessee Williams in Clarksdale, Ida B. Wells in Holly Springs and William Faulkner in Oxford.
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Venetian Flair in Texas
By Linda Tancs
Just minutes away from the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, offers Venetian-inspired flair. That’s where you’ll find Mandalay Canal, a waterway connecting with Lake Carolyn that winds through restaurants, shops, office buildings and residences. What would a canal be without a gondola? Take a ride along the waterfront, passing waterfalls and bridges, for a dose of Old World charm.
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A Sculpture Park in the Midwest
By Linda Tancs
Located in the scenic St. Croix River Valley of Minnesota, Franconia Sculpture Park is a 50-acre outdoor museum operating more than 50 public arts programs each year. It features a rotating collection of over 100 contemporary sculptures and an active artist residency. Open daily, admission is free.
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Basilica Hudson
By Linda Tancs
Originally a forge and foundry for steel railway wheels in the 1800s, the industrial building known today as Basilica Hudson in Hudson, New York, is a multidisciplinary arts center. Its offerings include music festivals, marketplace events, regular film screenings and an artist-in-residency program. The venue welcomes over 20,000 visitors each year, who no doubt appreciate its location on the Hudson River amidst the Catskill Mountains.
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The Oyster Trail
By Linda Tancs
Boasting some of the finest oysters on Earth, the Maine Oyster Trail features 75 one-of-a-kind oyster businesses to experience. There’s an option for everyone, including farm tours, raw bars, shuck trucks and boat/kayak tours. Your interactive experience comes with a Maine Oyster Passport; eligible visits earn points toward nautical swag.
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The Corn Palace
By Linda Tancs
There’s an “a-maize-ing” venue on Main Street in Mitchell, South Dakota. That’s where you’ll find The Corn Palace. The venue is adorned with intricate murals crafted from natural grasses and numerous shades of corn. During the summer months you can take a free, guided tour where you’ll learn how the murals are made. A popular tourist attraction, the facility also hosts industrial exhibits, dances, stage shows, banquets and other special events.
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Prairie Style in Wichita
By Linda Tancs
The last of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie houses, Allen House was commissioned by newspaper publisher Henry J. Allen and his wife for their home in Wichita, Kansas. Wright designed the house while working on the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, explaining the home’s Japanese aesthetic. Featuring more than 30 pieces of Wright-designed furniture, the interior also boasts art glass windows, bookcase doors and masonry wall joints covered in gold leaf. Reservations are required for a visit, which is led by a docent.
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The Driftless Area
By Linda Tancs
The Driftless Area is a region in Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois (and, depending on who you believe, parts of Minnesota and Iowa) that was never glaciated (hence, “driftless”). It’s characterized by its steep, rugged landscape and by the largest concentration of cold water streams in the world. In Wisconsin, you can enjoy all forms of recreation in this unique setting. One highlight is Eagle Cave, the state’s largest onyx cave and privately owned property offering camping, cabins, canoe rentals, mini-golf and more. Another option is a winding ride into the heart of the Driftless, following State Highway 131 north from State Highway 60 near Wauzeka as it runs high along the ridgetops. Whatever you do, take at least a day to explore this regional gem.
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