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
America’s Longest Aerial Tram
By Linda Tancs
The 2.7-mile ascent on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to the 10,378-foot peak of the Sandia Mountains is a can’t-miss attraction in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s America’s longest aerial tram, offering a 15-minute ride with panoramic views reaching over 11,000 square miles. The peak offers over 100 trails for hiking and a variety of ski trails in winter. Savor the views, along with a meal, at the peak’s restaurant. Purchase your tickets online.
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Murals and More in Pontiac
By Linda Tancs
Pontiac, Illinois, is best known for its connection to Route 66. Part of that history is depicted amongst the 25 outdoor murals downtown, which includes the largest and first mural, a Route 66 shield. You’ll find more Route 66 history at the Pontiac Museum Complex where visitors can also learn about U.S. Armed Forces history in Livingston County, and more. The Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum and the Museum of the Gilding Arts are located just one block away from the complex. From spring through fall the city operates a hop-on, hop-off tour bus (the Jolly Trolley).
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White Pine Village
By Linda Tancs
Set upon 13 acres in Ludington overlooking Lake Michigan, White Pine Village represents pioneering Michigan life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The village boasts more than 30 historic buildings, including the original 1849 Mason County Courthouse (on the State Register of Historic Places). You’ll also find gems like a turn-of-the-century steam locomotive, a blacksmith shop and lumber camp buildings. In fact, many of the buildings contain thousands of authentic artifacts and archives depicting the rich lumbering and agricultural history of the area. The site is open annually from May to October.
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People’s Playground
By Linda Tancs
Coney Island is a neighborhood and popular entertainment destination located at the southern tip of Brooklyn, New York City, along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s famous for its historic amusement parks, the beach and the boardwalk. Although a popular summer spot, it’s also worth a visit in the off-season. Take a walk along the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk, stretching for nearly 3 miles. Along the way, gaze up at the iconic Parachute Jump, a defunct amusement ride comprising a 250-foot-tall, 170-short-ton open-frame, steel parachute tower. The Coney Island Museum (open on weekends) sells merchandise evocative of the People’s Playground, a historical nickname for Coney Island owing to its popularity among the masses since the late 19th century.
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Burger Day on Route 66
By Linda Tancs
The fried onion burger was invented in the Route 66 town of El Reno, half an hour west of Oklahoma City. And they celebrate that fact in a big way each May at Burger Day in Historic Downtown. That’s when scores of volunteers cook the “World’s Largest Fried Onion Burger.” Measuring over 8 feet in diameter and weighing more than 850 pounds, this record-setting burger is cooked fresh on a massive griddle and served to attendees. Come hungry, and enjoy the festivities including classic cars, live entertainment and local vendors. This year’s event takes place on May 2.
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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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