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
Chalk Pyramids in Kansas
By Linda Tancs
The first landmark in Kansas chosen by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Natural Landmark, Monument Rocks are a series of large chalk formations in Gove County, Kansas. Voted one of the eight wonders of Kansas, these natural formations were created during the Late Cretaceous Period of geologic history and are rich in fossils. About 20 miles south of Oakley, they rise up to 50 feet above ground and descend 300 feet below. Note that this natural wonder is located on private property made accessible to the public.
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A Volcanic Neck in the Desert
By Linda Tancs
Agathla Peak is a peak south of Monument Valley, Arizona, which rises over 1,500 feet above the surrounding mesa. Visible from U.S. Route 163 in Navajo Nation, it’s a remnant of an ancient volcanic structure emplaced during the Oligocene about 25 million years ago. Also known as El Capitan, it’s considered sacred by the Navajo, who named it Agathlan (meaning “piles of wool”) after an ancient legend. Climbing hasn’t been allowed for decades, but you can take some spectacular photos.
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Utah’s Most Scenic Drive
By Linda Tancs
Pure driving bliss. That’s what they call Scenic Byway 12 in Utah, a federally-designated All-American Road spanning 122 miles. Only one-third of America’s scenic byways get this distinction, granted to those roads that are tourist destinations unto themselves due to their unique features. Highway 12 has plenty of those, like the breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon National Park, the hair-raising ascent and descent of the Hogsback and the overall views at the road’s summit nearing 9,000 feet. The road is open year-round but wintry weather might make for a white-knuckle ride.
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Cape Cod’s Oldest Town
By Linda Tancs
Founded in 1637, Sandwich, Massachusetts, is Cape Cod’s oldest town. The historical assets of this coastal haven include the Town Hall Square, 1847 First Church, the 1654 mill (that still grinds corn) and the boardwalk. The town might be better known, though, for the vital role it played in American glass production in the 1800s. You can learn all about that at the Sandwich Glass Museum, which features a wide range of rare glass, including Victorian-era glass manufactured by the now defunct local Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory.
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Salmon Runs in Washington
By Linda Tancs
The Sol Duc River in Washington’s Olympic National Park is one of the few places where salmon run in every season. That makes fishing a popular activity there. Chinook, coho, pink, chum and sockeye are all represented. In the late summer and early fall, visitors come to the viewing platform at Salmon Cascades to watch the determined coho salmon leap over the falls on their way to spawn upstream in the river. The Sol Duc is accessed by turning off Highway 101 onto the Sol Duc Road; the viewing platform (available year round to view the falls) is about 5 miles down the road.
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Native American Scenic Byway
By Linda Tancs
Following a natural path cut by the Missouri River, the Native American Scenic Byway runs north and south through central South Dakota. The route takes travelers through the lands of the Yankton, Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux tribes. Unlike many road trips, much of the rugged country on view remains undeveloped to this day, featuring landscapes along the way like mixed-grass prairie and rolling hills that end in limestone cliffs. Overlooking the Missouri River near Mobridge you’ll find a beloved local landmark, the monument marking the final resting place of Sitting Bull. It’s located in an isolated park that remains free to visitors.
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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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