Page 32 – A Brit and A Southerner

Visit Mount Rushmore – What to Expect and Why It’s Worth It?

South Dakota

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Jul 11, 2016

Visit Mount Rushmore – What to Expect and Why It’s Worth It?

Why should you visit Mount Rushmore? Aside from the fact it is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, I think it’s fair to say there is a mixed stereotype portrayed about this national memorial in terms of a spectacular piece of artistry vs an overrated tourist trap. If neither of these is a good enough reason to visit Mount Rushmore, hopefully after reading this post you will understand why we appreciated our time in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

History

Let’s start with a quick history lesson for all of those out there that are wondering what Mount Rushmore is all about. I will be the first to admit that I had no idea why Mount Rushmore was named as such or why South Dakota was chosen as the location, so heading to this beautiful landmark I was raring to delve deeper into the history.

Led by the sculptor Gutzon Borglum along with his son Lincoln, work on the Mount Rushmore project began in 1927 and was finally completed in 1941. The idea of sculpting four former presidents in the rockface was ambitious, somewhat crazy but clearly an ingenious idea that today attracts millions of visitors every year.

So why the Black Hills of South Dakota for such an iconic landmark? A location closer to Washington DC, Philadelphia or Boston would have perhaps been a little more appropriate.

The history actually dates back to 1923 when South Dakota historian Doane Robinson envisioned creating a monument in the hills of the state to attract visitors from all corners of the globe to explore South Dakota. Clearly his thoughts were that there wasn’t much else in South Dakota to attract tourism, so this called for a drastic change.

After contacting Borglum, the decision was made to create something with a little more national significance rather than just a local landmark that may attract tourists (or maybe not). It’s worth noting that South Dakota is a pretty wide open state so trying to get to Mount Rushmore is not the easiest task, even in today’s high-tech society of airplanes and interstates.

Initially, thoughts of using former western heroes such as Lewis & Clark and Buffalo Bill were considered but soon they agreed that the best route was to sculpt four iconic presidents. Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt were the chosen individuals!

Which Four Presidents?

It’s conceivable that you are now wondering – why these four presidents? Symbolizing four key themes of American history – Birth, Growth, Development and Preservation, the four chosen presidents are representations of integral philosophies that helped shape the America we see today.

The purpose of the memorial is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States with colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. (Gutzon Borglum)

George Washington – The 1st President of the United States, represents Birth. The undoubted ‘father of our country’, there is no other figure in American history that could provide such an iconic representation of birth than Washington himself.

Thomas Jefferson – The 3rd President of the United States, represents Growth. The expansion of the States, through the Louisiana Purchase, is attributed to Jefferson.

Theodore Roosevelt – The 26th President of the United States, represents Development. The opening of the Panama Canal among other trade routes are important ways that Roosevelt linked the East to the West.

Abraham Lincoln – The 16th President of the United States, represents Preservation. Lincoln was a key figure in ensuring the States remained unified during the Civil War. He believed in ‘preserving the union’ and today we can reflect on how this was successfully achieved.

Useful Information

Location

Mount Rushmore is not the easiest attraction to visit but it’s definitely worthwhile. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the easiest way is to fly into Rapid City Regional Airport and take a short drive to Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Highway 44.

Rapid City is around 35 miles from Mount Rushmore and passes through a plethora of scenic country and the historic town of Keystone which we can highly recommend taking some time to explore before heading on to the main attraction.

If you are driving from a surrounding state as we did, if you follow I-90 you should exit at Rapid City and follow Highway 16 to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore.

Fees and Parking

Admission to Mount Rushmore is FREE! However, visitors have to pay for parking before experiencing the monument though for only $11 you receive unlimited entry to the memorial for the calendar year.

Unfortunately, if you are the owner of the National Parks annual pass, this will not provide any discounts or free parking.

Opening Times and Events

Between March and October, Mount Rushmore is open between 5:00AM and 11:00PM. Between October and March, you can visit between 5:00AM and 9:00PM.

There is an evening lighting ceremony held at 9:00PM nightly. Be sure to check out the Mount Rushmore National Memorial website for any changes to these times along with other events that take place throughout the day (a sculpture illumination is available at various times throughout the day).

What to Expect

Even before you pass through the parking toll booth, you can see the amazing sight of Mount Rushmore. It’s feasible that people would accept this view rather than pay $11 but to get an up close view of the monument is certainly worth the price. After parking our vehicle, we headed through the entrance and past several information kiosks, gift shop and restaurant.

The Avenue of Flags

The Avenue of Flags is the first iconic attraction as it creates an impressive walkway for visitors to pass through as they approach the Grand View Terrace to peer up and gasp at the sight of Mount Rushmore. The 56 flags located through the Avenue represent the 50 states, 1 district, 3 territories, and 2 commonwealths of the United States.

The admission year of all 50 states is depicted on the columns so be sure to find your favorite (or home) state and find out how much history is there! For us, Arkansas dates back to 1836.

Grand View Terrace

The most spectacular views of Mount Rushmore are from the Grand View Terrace. Panoramic views of both the monument and surrounding area are possible from here and certainly this an attractive place to just hang out, capture that perfect selfie and mingle with fellow tourists that traveled from all corners of the globe to celebrate this moment.

Below the Grand View Terrace is a large amphitheater where the evening lighting ceremony takes place along with other events that are regularly scheduled.

Presidential Trail

If you are an avid hiker or simply daring enough to get closer to Mount Rushmore, you can take the Presidential Trail that loops around the base of the monument.

The trail wanders through gorgeous scenery though be warned that 422 steps are waiting for you if you decide to hike the full trail. Given our time constraints, we opted to just walk a shortened version but we were still able to capture some really cool shots of Mount Rushmore.

Summary

On reflection of the original question of whether Mount Rushmore is just an overrated tourist trap, I think it’s fair to say that we both believe this to be far from the truth. The history of Mount Rushmore suggests that it was primarily done to attract more visitors to the region and definitely, the monument has done this as it attracts over 3 million visitors every year.

The intricate details and fine construction of Mount Rushmore is not only a credit to the Borglum sculptors but also to the country as a whole given its national significance and representation of the four key philosophies that have shaped the United States.

Heather was particularly excited to visit Mount Rushmore and it didn’t disappoint. We would go back in a heartbeat and we are already thinking about whether our annual parking pass will come in handy again in 2016!

Have you visited Mount Rushmore? If so, were you pleasantly surprised or do you still agree with the negative tourist trap stereotypes that we hear?

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit California

California

Chris Boothman

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Jul 7, 2016

26

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit California

Known as ‘The Golden State’ for many reasons including the home of the Golden Gate Bridge and mile after mile of pristine golden sand beaches, California is understandably one of the most popular states to be visited across the nation. If you have yet to visit California, where have you been? Ok I understand, you need a little more convincing. After reading the following post, I believe you will raring to book your next trip to San Francisco, Los Angeles or somewhere in the beautiful state of California.

san francisco skyline — Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com)

Rather than either Heather or myself trying to sell California on our own (though based on our own experiences I’m sure we could do a pretty good job), we are fortunate to have Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride‘ share her thoughts on why you should visit California in the near future.

Be sure to keep up with Jessica on her travels by following her across these social media networks:

Pinterest – Longest Bus Rides
Facebook – Longest Bus Rides
Instagram – Longest Bus Ride

Introduction

The state of California is known for Hollywood, wine, and Silicon Valley. Of the 50 united states, it is the largest in both population and gross domestic product (GDP). If compared to other countries, California alone has the 7th largest GDP, about equal to that of Italy.

The fastest driving route north to south takes nearly 12 hours, however, the slower Route 1 is much more scenic. Summers are warm to hot while winters are cool in southern California to snowy in the mountains. The state boasts mountains in the north and east, forests, valleys, desert, and a coastline along the entire west side.

Extreme Climate

Death Valley is the lowest, driest, and hottest place in the United States. Enjoy beautiful hiking, canyoning, backpacking, and biking, with mountains colored by volcanic ash and magnificent sunsets. Or, simply take a tranquil walk along the salt flats at Badwater Basin and enjoy the monochromatic vista and the feeling of being 242 feet (85.5 meters) below sea level.

death valley california — Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Free guided ranger tours, and paid Jeep tours will take you off the beaten path. Wildlife is most visible in the early morning and evening. Always keep extra water and a full tank of gas in your vehicle as roads are remote.

Surfing

Surfing is a popular sport up and down the entire California coast and the state has world-class waves. The water in southern California is much warmer than the water up north. In fact, surfers in northern California wear wetsuits year-round.

San Clemente, south of Los Angeles, boasts Trestles, which has a huge sand beach and warm weather. This is the place to take surf lessons! And, San Clemente is a great little surf town with a laidback culture, beachside hotels, and delicious food.

visit california — Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Any surfer must visit Nomad’s Canteen for the surfboard collection and traditional foods from your favorite surf spots around the world.

Yosemite National Park

Take your camera and binoculars. Massive rock walls. Spectacular landscapes. Watch the rock climbers on the 3,000-foot rock walls and at the historic Camp 4 bouldering site. Hiking and camping are fantastic—just don’t feed the black bears, which are only dangerous to your food.

This is California nature like you cannot imagine. Cabins and a luxury hotel are also found here but make your reservation well in advance of your visit. Although several hours from any major city, do not miss this place. Day trip bus tours from San Francisco are available, but the park is large so consider staying a few days.

The Cities

San Francisco (S.F.) and Los Angeles (L.A.) are California’s largest cities and don’t forget a coat and jeans for S.F., even if visiting in the summer.

san francisco bay bridge — Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco is a popular local saying for a reason! Meanwhile, L.A. is warm to hot year round.

The food cultures are so unbelievably great in both cities that you may want to stay forever. Food trucks are popular in both cities. L.A. is known for Korean food, so visit Korea Town.

Meanwhile, S.F. has a strong farm to table and organic food movement, originated in nearby Berkeley by Alice Waters. Visit the Ferry Building for an overview any day, but on Saturday’s, the Farmer’s Market is world renowned. If you want to get an S.F. local talking, just ask them where you should go to eat for the best… well, anything.

Off The Beaten Track

Oakland is located 20 minutes from San Francisco. Take the 3-mile walk around Lake Merritt, and visit the bonsai garden. People from all over the world use the landscaped lakeside trail for exercising, walking their dogs or strolling with their families. Make some stops along the way. Rent a kayak at the boathouse.

lake merritt california — Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Visit Fairyland (adults must be accompanied by a child), the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Disneyland. And, if you really want to get local, plan on Friday dinner at the Oakland Museum of California. After walking around the lake, walk across the street and visit the museum, buy dinner at the food trucks, eat in the sculpture garden, and dance to live music.

Local secret: The hot cocoa made with San Francisco’s own Tcho chocolate mixed with rum and topped with fresh whipping cream is amazing! ($8 with rum, $4 without rum)

Insider Tips for California

Jessica has also put together a few handy tips that will prove to be extremely beneficial for either a first-time or returning visitor to California.

Restaurants

Locals use the Yelp website or smartphone app.

Dress

San Francisco and Northern California generally has a casual culture of jeans and shirt, perhaps the remains from the beatnik and hippie cultures. Los Angeles has a more formal culture, where women wear more makeup and heels and men dress nicely.

Weather

Summer – the entire state is hot, except San Francisco, since it has a special micro-climate.

Winter – the entire state cools down. Southern California remains relatively warm while northern California gets cold. It snows in the mountains, including Yosemite.

Transportation

San Francisco has BART (a metro) and Muni (buses and trams). Both San Francisco and Los Angeles have Uber, Lyft, and taxis. Other towns and cities have buses but generally limited public transportation.

Amtrak trains tend to run 30 minutes to many hours behind schedule but offer beautiful scenery. Southwest Airlines serves most California airports and includes free check-in for 2 bags. Rental cars are widely available, and Costco membership provides a discount.

Public Transportation Schedules in the San Francisco Area: Use www.411.org or Google Maps.

Couchsurfing Advice

In Summer, hosts in San Francisco receive up to 40 requests a day, since accommodation is expensive. So, look for hosts in nearby cities that are on the BART line (similar to the metro). Here are some top tips for couchsurfing.

Popular Outdoor Activities

Surfing, skiing & snowboarding, baseball, basketball, American football, soccer (the real football) and hiking.

Visit California – Our Thoughts

What more is there to say? I hope you will agree with me that Jessica has given a pretty comprehensive list of reasons to visit California. Even if you are not convinced that you need to take a trip out west, we are ready to pack our bags and make a return trip to start exploring more of the Golden State.

So where have we been you may be wondering? Well, our first trip out west was to the beautiful Golden Gate City aka San Francisco.

We spent a long weekend there exploring all of the main tourist sights such as Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and of course those quirky streetcars which are the only wait to get around (aside from walking which is also a great way to explore but can get a little tiring with all those hills!).

We then headed south to the breathtaking Monterey Peninsula, home of the world-famous Pebble Beach golf course. I am a huge golfer as you have probably established by now if you have followed us for a while, so it was an honor to walk on the hallowed turf of Pebble Beach (maybe next time I can afford the $495 green fees to actually play!)

Driving along the 17-Mile Drive was a cool experience as we saw a variety of wildlife and beautiful landscapes before we headed inland en route to Yosemite National Park. I think Jessica summarizes this pretty well but we would love to head back there and explore more of the park!

Los Angeles is your typical city with a number of attractive reasons to visit including paying a visit to the infamous Hollywood sign and of course catching a Lakers game at the Staples Center if possible.

Summary

In terms of area, California is the third largest state and by population, it’s the largest. With these two statistics, there is clearly a lot of reasons beyond the five mentioned above that should inspire you to visit here. From rural natural beauty to a myriad of urbanized areas ready to entertain you, California has it all…and more!

We want to reiterate our appreciation to Jessica for sharing her knowledge and experiences of California with us and hopefully, you are as inspired as we are to visit California in the not too distant future.

What are your experiences in California? Do you prefer to visit for the rural beauty or one of the many cities in California? Or perhaps you just prefer to hit the gorgeous beaches along the Pacific coastline?

Where Are the Best 4th of July Destinations in USA?

Travel Tips

Chris Boothman

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Jul 4, 2016

3

Where Are the Best 4th of July Destinations in USA?

Happy July 4th!! What does the 4th of July mean to you? For the non-Americans reading this, well it’s just another day. But for the patriotic folks wearing red, white and blue, it’s all about celebrating, enjoying some fine local cuisine with your friends and ending the day with an extravaganza of fireworks. That pretty much summarizes the July 4th experience in America. However, where are the best 4th of July destinations around the nation?

Don’t worry, after reading this post you will have a variety of well-known locations along with a few unique spots that you may not have considered before to enjoy the festivities in the next few years.

History of July 4th

Let’s start with a brief history lesson! It may be pretty obvious to 99.9% of people reading this, but July 4th has been an integral date in American history since 1776.

In June 1776, representatives of the 13 original colonies who were at the time fighting the Revolutionary War, adopted a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson was adopted on July 4th hence, the reason why we annually celebrate Independence Day!

How to Celebrate?

Today, typical celebrations include lavish firework displays, local barbecues and of course, family gatherings. But we don’t typically follow the norm and given that 50% of us technically doesn’t celebrate July 4th, we tend to use this holiday as an opportunity to travel!

Thanks to a number of our fellow travel bloggers, we are delighted to share a collaboration of top destinations around the United States that are a great place to celebrate July 4th. Not only do you get to travel around and see different places, you have the opportunity to celebrate July 4th among like-minded individuals who just love having a good time.

Best 4th of July Destinations

We are delighted to introduce a variety of destinations around the States that our friends from around the world consider as awesome spots to celebrate July 4th. Let’s take a look at where you should be celebrating an upcoming Independence Day.

Whether you are an avid historian who would love to visit the streets of Philadelphia or Boston, or perhaps you are just a party animal who wants to celebrate in Las Vegas or New York City, we have a great array of locations that we think you will be raring to visit.

New York City

Is there any better place to start any celebration than New York City? We are delighted that Carole Terwilliger Meyers from Berkeley and Beyond has shared her experiences of celebrating the 4th of July in Central Park, an iconic location in the heart of New York City.

Hands down my favorite place to celebrate Independence Day is Sheep Meadow in NYC’s Central Park. I organized a July 4th picnic there that was originally going to just include my daughter and her husband, but by the time the day arrived it soon turned out to be much larger.

My son and his family were there from Los Angeles on business and to visit his wife’s side of the family. Our former exchange student was in town from Paris with his family, and my sister and her family were in town after visiting the East Coast. Add to that a large number of other friends and co-workers, and we had one big pot-luck picnic to celebrate July 4th!

Since my son had a fabulous suite at the nearby Mandarin Hotel courtesy of his job, he invited everyone to gather there in the evening to watch the fireworks over the Hudson River. WOW, is all you can say!

Thanks Carole for sharing what sounds like an awesome way to celebrate July 4th in Central Park before seeing the stunning fireworks over the Hudson River! It’s our favorite city in the States, so I think we are sold. If you need a few more ideas on how to spend time in this iconic park, check out our post on must see spots in Central Park.

Philadelphia

It’s where it all started in 1776, so it’s no surprise to hear that Philadelphia is on our top list of destinations that you should consider visiting to celebrate July 4th. Suzanne Fluhr from Boomeresque shares a few reasons to support why Philly is a no-brainer when considering options for July 4th.

In my hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, we can’t imagine anyone wanting to celebrate the Fourth of July anywhere else. After all, it was right here that our country’s Founding Fathers put their collective necks on the line by declaring independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.

Philadelphia boasts the most historic square mile in the United States. In fact, we are so proud Philly is the nation’s birthplace, we start celebrating July 4th on June 27th.

On July 4th itself, Philadelphia’s celebration will start at 10:00 a.m. on the steps of Independence Hall with the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony. Then, stick around for a parade through the historic district which will have 6,000 participants this year.

Starting at noon, we invite everyone to join a block party (actually more like a 5 blocks party) on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps—the Rocky Steps.

Pace yourself, because from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., there will be the Wawa Welcome America concert followed by a suitably exuberant fireworks display. And, it’s all FREE!

Thanks Suzanne for sharing why Philly is such an integral part of American history and why we should all be considering heading there for a future July 4th celebration.

Boston

It’s hard to imagine a place better than Boston, Massachusetts to celebrate July 4th. After all, where else would you want to spend Independence Day than the birthplace of the American Revolution?

Shannon O’Neill from World Travel With Shannon shares a few interesting events and activities that you can expect to experience if you head to Boston for the 4th of July festivities.

It’s a celebration that takes place over the first four days in the month of July every year starting with the Boston Harborfest Celebration which takes place from July 1st – 4th and culminating on July 4th with the famed Boston POPS performing at the Hatch Shell followed by a 23-minute fireworks display televised around the world.

The Boston Harborfest Celebration includes many free events as well as a few paid events including reenactments, sailing on tall ships, free tours of the Freedom Trail, and so much more.

On the morning of July 4th, be sure to catch the flag raising ceremony and parade at 9am and the reading of The Declaration of Independence at 10am. The reading takes place from the balcony of the Old State House just as it was read the very first time on July 18th, 1776.

If you find yourself with a bit of extra free time between all of the many events in Boston during your stay, there are a multitude of things to do such as stopping by Mike’s Pastry. You won’t regret it!

Thanks Shannon for sharing another awesome destination to celebrate Independence Day. Boston is one of our favorite cities and we could certainly envision relaxing on the Boston Common before enjoying a firework display across this beautiful city.

We strongly recommend reading our explore Boston in 24 hours post as this gives you an insight into some of the top attractions worth exploring while you are in the area.

Mackinac Island

Ok, so by now you are probably well accustomed to many of America’s leading cities offering awesome July 4th celebrations. But what about some of the lesser known locations around the nation? Beth Daubner from Lifes Endless Adventures shares a couple of reasons why the beautiful destination of Mackinac Island in Michigan is the perfect getaway spot to enjoy this iconic day.

One of the prettiest places to spend your 4th of July weekend is Mackinac Island, Michigan. Mackinac Island is a quaint little island with thousands of tourists each year that come just to watch the fireworks. The island doesn’t allow any motorized vehicle so you have to travel by bike or horse and carriage.

The atmosphere is spectacular. Before the fireworks start everyone sits on the grass by the water waiting where there is a picturesque view of the city and bridge lit up across the water. There are so many others there, sitting by the lapping water, it’s hard not to feel at ease. Once the fireworks start, it’s hard to look away because there are so many!

It is truly a magical experience. Away from all of the hustle and bustle of the city and traffic, it’s easy to just lay back, relax, and take in the view.

Thanks Beth for introducing us to Mackinac Island. I can certainly attest that this isn’t a destination I would immediately have thought about, but given it’s quaint appeal I am sure we will consider visiting in the near future.

Sanford

If you are looking for a destination in the heart of Florida, perhaps Sanford is the perfect spot for you. Located north-east of Orlando, Sanford is a smaller city in the heart of Seminole County.

Ann Belle from Kids Travel Books shares a few reasons why Sanford is one of her favorite locations for July 4th celebrations.

It’s been a few years, but one of my favorite spots in the Central Florida area for July 4th celebrations is in Sanford, FL. The crowds usually start gathering along the Riverwalk on Lake Monroe, which is adjacent to Fort Mellon Park. The kids love the splash pad, the adults love sitting on the grass and watching the water. The downtown area’s popular German restaurant, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe, sells grilled burgers.

Sanford boasts the second-largest fireworks show in greater Orlando, second only to downtown Orlando’s show. However, I like it more. The fireworks are lit over Lake Monroe providing a perfect backdrop to the gorgeous firework display. It’s amazing!

The other great thing about this celebration? Parking is easy!

Thanks Ann for highlighting why Sanford, Florida is such a popular spot to visit and enjoy the holiday celebrations.

Gatlinburg

It may be nestled on the edge of the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains National Park and an unusual location to celebrate Independence Day, but Gatlinburg, Tennessee is actually a very iconic location. Rob Gerhard from TravelLatte shares the story about the history of Gatlinburg and why you should consider visiting here sooner rather than later.

If we told you the very first Fourth of July Parade was in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you might think we skipped out on history class once too often. But that statement has been 100% true for more than forty years!

Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, the city of Gatlinburg is a gateway to the National Park, nearby to Dolly Parton’s hometown of Pigeon Forge, and home to a variety of attractions, including Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Aquarium of the Smokies.

Every Fourth of July, the city kicks off Independence Day with a midnight parade, claiming the title of the first in the country!

After the parade, and a good night’s rest, you have all day to explore the city and enjoy the attractions before wrapping up the holiday with traditional Fourth of July fireworks. The city expects about 100,000 people at the parade each year, but hotel rooms are available as late as June.

If you go, take some lawn chairs and supplies to stake out your spot early; folks start lining the parade route as early as sunrise! A sure sign that it’s a celebration not to be missed.

Thanks Rob for encouraging us to head on over to Gatlinburg to celebrate July 4th each year before anyone else! We can certainly agree that this part of Tennessee is gorgeous and with the Smoky Mountains waiting to be explored, there is a myriad of reasons to visit. You will also have a pretty big decision to make – whether to sample Moonshine or visit Ripley’s Museums! Which will you go for?

Lake Havasu

It’s the heart of Summer and you just want to head to the lake and experience 100+ degree weather! If that sounds appealing, perhaps Lake Havasu in Arizona will be the ideal location for you. Ben Warner from Huge Party Travel shares his experiences partying on the lake and why this location is just a whole bunch of fun over the 4th of July weekend.

Lake Havasu, where California and Arizona meet, and where you’ll find a 4th of July for adults-only to celebrate independence.

During the 4th of July, massive amounts of boaters and party folks will flock to Lake Havasu. The weather is hot, an average high temperature of 104F (40C). The year we went it was 116F (46C)!

Most of the madness will require a boat. We rented a boat, paid for a sober captain, and set out to Copper Canyon and the Sandbar. There we found thousands of people enjoying their freedom, drinking cocktails and dancing to loud music.

No boat? No worries. You can find the same fun at Bridgewater Channel, a sliver of sand lines the channel and allows land lovers their opportunity to let loose.

If you survive the long day head to Kokomo, an outdoor bar which features a pool, strong drinks, loud music and great people watching!

Lake Havasu isn’t for everyone, but if there was ever a time to celebrate freedom by releasing your inhibitions, this is the place. Plus, you will likely fly into Las Vegas to get there. Two crazy destinations in one!

Thanks Ben for sharing a very different experience but one that really does look like a lot of fun if hanging out on a boat with good food and drink is the experience you are looking for.

Central City

If you are ready for a real ‘small town’ experience, Shara Johnson from SKJ Travel has the perfect spot for you! Central City in Colorado has probably never been a place you considered visiting previously to celebrate July 4th, but after hearing what Shara has to say perhaps you will be convinced otherwise.

While many cities around the country stage grand parades, concerts, rodeos, and massive fireworks high overhead the city buildings or in stadiums, if you want to get back to the real roots of the country, to the spirit of the old days when the USA was founded, ditch the 21st century city throngs and go to a small town.

My favorite is the old mountain mining town of Central City, the original capital of Colorado, and its sister town, Black Hawk. Surrounded by abandoned mines and processing mills, they’re now small-stakes gambling towns.

Central City has retained much of its original character, still using many buildings from its glory days in the 1800s, and provides a nice historical backdrop to the day’s activities, with a “downtown” of about 2 blocks square.

I like Black Hawk’s fireworks display because you can watch them from a hilltop as they’re shot off from the valley … so no stiff neck having to crane it back to see fireworks overhead — they’re right in front of you, filling your entire field of vision. There’s a large flat area where people just park their cars and set up lawn chairs.

Thanks Shara for providing such a useful insight into Central City, Colorado. I am always intrigued by the unique character of ‘small towns’ across the United States and this looks like a perfect place to relax and enjoy a spectacular firework display on July 4th!

Summary

Whether you want to relax by the lake or prefer to watch an amazing firework display over the city of Boston, there are plenty of destinations each that you inspire you to get out and travel.

We are intrigued to check out some of these locations though I have to admit that we have such a soft spot for New York City that hanging out and watching fireworks over the Hudson River sounds pretty awesome to us!

Regardless of whether you are traveling or staying at home and celebrating with your friends and family, we want to wish you all a very Happy 4th of July and look forward to hearing about your experiences around the United States!

What is your idea of a perfect July 4th celebration and where are you celebrating this year?

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Chris Boothman

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Jun 30, 2016

21

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit Wisconsin

Officially known as ‘The Badger State’ but perhaps better recognized for being the home of the Green Bay Packers and awesome cheese selection, Wisconsin is next on our list of states we want to share with you. Having recently experienced the 2015 US PGA Championship on the banks of Lake Michigan at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, I am ready to explore more of this beautiful state and find out why it is known as ‘America’s Dairyland’.

Samantha Bilkey from Samantha En Route has offered to share her experiences in Wisconsin and hopefully this will inspire you to pay a visit to this state to explore everything she recommends. You can follow her while she travels around Wisconsin and beyond at the following social networks:

Twitter – @samanthaenroute
Facebook – Samantha En Route
Instagram – Samantha En Route

I recently read an article that suggested Wisconsin accounts for the top four drunkest cities across the nation. In fact, twelve of the top twenty are located in this very state. The folks here clearly love their alcohol!

Where can you find beautiful landscapes, gorge on delicious local and cultural cuisine, and drink your brains out?

Wisconsin’s got all that and more in its statewide hiking trails, festivals, craft beers, and cheese, don’cha know (those of you born and raised in Wisconsin will know this is a pretty common phrase to end a sentence)?

Weekend Festivals

Wisconsin throws amazing festivals all summer long, particularly in the Milwaukee area. Are you a foodie? Visit Cedarburg for its annual Strawberry Fest, ChocolateFest in Burlington, or hit up the Wisconsin State Fair for bratwurst galore and to see what new deep-fried concoction prevails this year, such as chocolate-covered bacon or fried butter on a stick (really).

Travel the world each weekend at Asia Fest, Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, Bastille Days, Greek Fest, India Fest, among others! Of course, you can’t miss Summerfest – Milwaukee’s eleven-day music festival bringing in artists from all over the world, with most of them being on free stages all throughout the grounds!

Have you heard about Green County Cheese Days? Every two years in Monroe, Wisconsin there is a true celebration of America’s Dairyland primary product – cheese!

America’s Favorite Waterparks

Wisconsin basically has an entire town devoted to its waterparks – Wisconsin Dells. Between Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Kalahari Resort Waterparks, or Noah’s Ark Waterpark (America’s largest), there are both outdoor and indoor options to keep everyone entertained for days on end.

Besides Wisconsin Dells, Sheboygan boasts its Blue Harbor Resort with an indoor waterpark and Green Bay has the awesome Tundra Lodge Resort & Waterpark – a perfect addition to a winning cheesehead weekend!

Cheese, Cheese….and More Cheese

It’s all about all the cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, and Muenster you can eat when you visit Wisconsin!

Speaking of cheese, when you’re in Wisconsin you won’t care about who cut it – all you’ll want to know is where you can get more of that delicious creamy piece of heaven you’re stuffing in your mouth.

Wisconsin was recently named home to the world’s best cheese by Huffington Post – no surprise coming from America’s Dairyland.

Naturally, you have to try Wisconsin’s extra-famous cheese curds, to be found at any fair, grocery store, or family-style restaurant. Try them hot and coated with bread crumbs (similar to mozzarella sticks) or cold and squeaky against the teeth with each bite.

Thanks to Bethaney Davies from Flashpacker Family for sharing the above image of Wisconsin’s finest cheese. Are you salivating at the thought of sampling some of this delicious looking cheese?

If that’s not enough, how about Bethaney’s shot of these amazing deep-fried Cheese Curds from the Wisconsin Cheese Mart?

Glacial Path Walks

Hiking and backpacking enthusiasts will fall in love with Wisconsin’s Ice Age trail, winding its way across the entire state. Although summer will have the warmest weather, it’s recommended to visit in autumn to witness the reds, yellows, and oranges dotting the trees above you.

Really feeling up to nice, long hike? Challenge yourself (and ask for a lot of time off of work) to walk the entire trail, earning the title of Thousand-Miler along with just a handful of others.

Breweries Galore

Wisconsin has so many breweries scattered all over the state, there’s no way you could visit them all.

Of course, everyone knows that Miller comes from Milwaukee, but special attention should be paid to the smaller (but just as amazing) breweries in other parts of the state, such as ‘Grumpy Troll Brew Pub’ in Mt. Horeb, ‘Titletown Brewing’ in Green Bay, or ‘3 Sheeps’ in Sheboygan.

Want to drink like a local? Make sure you order a New Glarus – only served and sold in Wisconsin.

Visit Wisconsin – Our Thoughts

Our first visit to Wisconsin was during a trip to Minneapolis when we decided to hop across the state line and St. Croix River to the small town of Hudson.

On a cold winter’s day, there wasn’t much going on in Hudson aside from the morning church goers and a few folks strolling along the banks of the river which was completely frozen over.

I mentioned earlier that I made a return trip to Wisconsin in 2015 to watch the US PGA Championship in Kohler, on the banks of Lake Michigan. This was a completely different experience as I was able to spend some time in Milwaukee exploring the downtown history and cool architecture.

If you love a combination of history and architecture, the city of Milwaukee is definitely one that you should be visiting. Although I only spent a couple of hours here, mainly driving around trying to capture a glimpse of as much as I could in a limited time, I enjoyed visiting the beach area by Lake Michigan and seeing some of the quirky backstreets of the downtown neighborhoods.

As you can see from the above photo (courtesy of Karla Fritz), Bradford Beach in Milwaukee is a popular spot for folks to relax and enjoy a few games of volleyball.

Don’t forget to take some time to check out the historic Old Soldiers Home in Milwaukee! For those of you with more time to spend in Milwaukee, why not check out the Upper East Side as presented by another of our friends in the travel blogging world.

Karla Fritz from Pink Carry On shares some of her favorite images from this neighborhood , a trendy neighborhood full of young professionals and University of Wisconsin students alike.

I also took a drive north to the home of the Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field. Visiting such an iconic NFL stadium was a cool experience and of course walking by the Vince Lombardi statue in front of Lambeau was certainly a memory I will cherish.

Summary

You may be thinking that we have seen many of the top sights in Wisconsin. But neither of us have experienced the ‘real’ reason for visiting Wisconsin. Samantha’s recommendations on breweries and reasons to visit ‘America’s Dairyland’ have us eager to visit Wisconsin again.

I could just imagine heading to Green Bay to watch the Packers in action (come on folks, being a cheesehead for the day sounds cool right?) and then enjoying a fine local brew to wind down the evening. Oh and by the way…did I mention that the home of Harley-Davidson is Milwaukee, Wisconsin? Do you need any more convincing that Wisconsin should be on your travel radar?

I would like to reiterate our appreciation to Samantha, Bethaney and Karla for sharing their favorite experiences and memories from Wisconsin.

What are your experiences in Wisconsin? What is your favorite beer and cheese that originates in Wisconsin?

An InLinkz Link-up

How to Enjoy the Badlands Scenic Drive in One Afternoon

South Dakota

Chris Boothman

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Jun 27, 2016

10

How to Enjoy the Badlands Scenic Drive in One Afternoon

It may be left in the shadow of Mount Rushmore given its location in the southwest corner of South Dakota but there is nothing ‘bad’ about ‘Badlands’ National Park. In fact, having visited here recently I would go as far to say this is one breathtaking national park that should be on your radar. It may not have the lucrative reputation of Yosemite or Yellowstone but after you take the Badlands Scenic Drive through 30 miles of natural landscape, you will soon realize why we are so enamored by this national park.

As is typical with much of our travel style, we only had a few hours to explore Badlands National Park. But despite our lack of time, we certainly made up for this by exploring as much of the scenic drive as possible and taking advantage of the breathtaking scenery in front of us.

We want to share our experiences driving along the Badlands Scenic Drive and perhaps inspire you to head out to the Black Hills of South Dakota and investigate this for yourselves.

Location

I-90 is located directly north of Badlands National Park making this one of the easier parks to visit around the nation in terms of distance from an interstate. However, given its location in the southwestern corner of South Dakota and the closest major urban area being Rapid City (population of around 70,000 makes this the second largest city behind Sioux Falls), it is not necessarily the first national park you think about visiting.

Having visited Sioux Falls, we headed across I-90 on the four and half hour drive to Rapid City and decided to stay overnight before heading to Mount Rushmore in the morning and spending the afternoon at Badlands National Park.

If you are interested in taking the Badlands Scenic Drive as we did, there are two entrances from I-90 depending on which direction you are coming from.

The infamous Wall Drug Store is situated perfectly near one entrance (closer to Rapid City) and this is the route we started before leaving further east and heading on towards Pierre and North Dakota.

Sioux Falls to Badlands National Park – 275 miles (approximately 4 hours)
Rapid City to Badlands National Park – 62 miles (approximately 1 hour)
Denver to Badlands National Park – 375 miles (approximately 6 hours)

Useful Information

Entrance Fees

$15 per private, non-commercial vehicle.

As with every other national park, we strongly encourage you to consider the National Park Annual Pass which for only $80 gives you unlimited access to all parks for a full year! It’s a steal and honestly a no-brainer if you plan on visiting multiple parks in the next 12 months.

Lodging and Camping

Cedar Pass Lodge is the best option for lodging within Badlands National Park. Alternatively, if you want to truly experience the breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and live among the wildlife that roams around this landscape, check out the two campgrounds available in the park: Cedar Pass and Sage Creek.

Badlands Scenic Drive

If we were to tell you that the 31 miles of natural beauty through the Badlands Loop State Scenic Drive was one of the nation’s most picturesque routes, would you believe us?

Well, you better believe it because after experiencing this route we can certainly attest that this is a stunning drive that you cannot afford to miss.

A labyrinth of wonderful landscape

Everywhere you look, there is something uniquely beautiful about the panoramic landscape in front of you.

Whether you are drooling over the geological phenomena or perhaps trying to figure out the various sedimentary compositions that make up the landscape (I’m sure there are some geography aficionados out there that love this sort of thing!), there is something in Badlands National Park that will definitely spark your interest.

We approached the scenic drive from I-90 at the Pinnacles Entrance and left at the Northeast Entrance so the following information is on the drive from west to east.

There are countless overlooks on the Badlands Scenic Drive and I will admit that we stopped at pretty much every one of them! Many of them do offer very similar landscapes and by the time you reach the end of the drive, you are probably expecting each overlook to be an identical representation of the previous one. That doesn’t mean they aren’t equally stunning.

We are going to mention just a couple of them based on our opinions but I’m sure you will have your own favorites and we can attest that there wasn’t one overlook that wasn’t worth the time we spent there.

Pinnacles Overlook

Our introduction to Badlands National Park started at the breathtaking Pinnacles Overlook. After parking our vehicle, we made the short walk down the steps to peer across the landscape and catch a glimpse of the ridges, pillars and other natural geological structures that make up Badlands.

The views from the plateau are a great way to start your experience in the park. As your journey through the park continues, be sure to reflect on the Pinnacles Overlook and perhaps compare and contrast the rock types.

We found these rocks to be much whiter in appearance and the composition was less noticeable in terms of the various layers that make up the geological structures.

Regardless of your interest, you can’t help but appreciate the natural beauty in front of you.

TIP – Be extremely careful as you approach the edges of the plateau as the sandy rocks can easily make you slip and there is nothing to stop you from falling over the edge. If you are careful, the scenery is spectacular!

Yellow Mounds Overlook

For the most colorful scenes, be sure to check out the wonderfully named Yellow Mounds Overlook. Although this is technically not the only color that you will see, it is a great location to identify a myriad of colors throughout the sedimentary composition of the rocks in Badlands National Park.

We cannot emphasize enough how awe-inspiring it is to stand in a spot with so many unique landscapes. Even if your appreciation of nature is lacking, a couple of hours staring at views like what the Yellow Mounds Overlook has to offer will surely be convincing enough to acknowledge how spectacular nature really is!

Panorama Point Overlook

When you see the sign for Panorama Point Overlook, it’s understandable that you will be expecting something pretty spectacular. Don’t worry, this location certainly doesn’t disappoint!

The views to the south looking across miles of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires provide an epic landscape that you will not only appreciate but will likely not want to leave.

During our time at this particular viewpoint, time truly got away from us. We were planning on spending just a couple of hours driving through the scenic loop road but we soon fell behind schedule because of the time we spent marveling over the natural beauty at Panorama Point.

Wildlife Spottings

Badlands is an enviable location for wildlife spotters. Whether you are seeking mammals, reptiles, birds or even butterflies, this national park is a hub of various species waiting to be discovered.

We were fortunate to stumble across a number of different species during our scenic drive, the first of which was an impromptu meeting with a herd of Badlands bighorn sheep that decided to interrupt our drive and wander into the road.

Of course, we were in their habitat so they wanted to check out who was exploring their homeland and their curiosity was a real sight to behold.

Their agile movements and ability to clamber up the side of steep-sided ravines and mountains was impressive and certainly captured the attention of many onlookers who chose to stop on the side of the road to capture a few memorable shots. As you can see from our images, we got a pretty up close and personal experience with them.

We continued on our drive and soon noticed a large number of prairie dogs wandering around the flatlands. After pulling over on the side of the road, I was able to get relatively close without causing them any disturbance and watch them scamper around.

These black-tailed prairie dogs are highly sociable creatures, so it’s no surprise to hear that visitors are able to get pretty close without them fearing human interaction.

Although we didn’t get to encounter any bison as we had done previously in Yellowstone National Park during our scenic drive through that landscape, we did spot several from quite a distance while we admired the breathtaking scenery from the various overlooks.

TIP – Always be on the lookout for wildlife because you never know where they may be. Just like all other national parks, remember that you are visitors to their home! Respect them and appreciate the beauty and wildlife surrounding you!

Summary

If Badlands wasn’t on your radar before reading this post, it sure is now! That’s exactly how we felt before heading to South Dakota but the moment we left I-90 and started experiencing the Badlands Scenic Drive, we were immediately engulfed in the magical natural beauty that surrounded us.

It’s possible that we are just huge national park buffs that are easily impressed so we will just let you decide on how spectacular Badlands National Park really is from our array of pictures that barely touch the surface at how amazing it is here.

South Dakota is not the first US state that we thought about visiting for gorgeous natural landscapes but after this adventure, we are definitely ready to head back to explore more.

If you need to see more breathtaking images, don’t worry we have plenty more over on our Travel Photos site: Badlands National Park

Have you visited Badlands National Park? Are you just as impressed as we are by the panoramic views and geological formations around this park?

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit New Hampshire

New Hampshire

Chris Boothman

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Jun 23, 2016

26

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit New Hampshire

Known as ‘The Granite State’, New Hampshire may not be the first state that you think about exploring when heading to the United States. However, given its location in close proximity to many other New England states, it’s conceivable that this would be a perfect addition to a road trip around the North-East corner of USA. So, why would you want to visit New Hampshire?

Paula and Gordon from Contented Traveller are avid travel bloggers from Australia that have explored much of USA and headed to New Hampshire with little to no expectations. Let’s take a look at what they consider the top reasons for visiting New Hampshire.

We had read some very funny jokes about the characteristics of the people from this state, and that is about all.

Mount Washington Valley

Mt. Washington Valley is named after the highest peak in New England, USA. It is home to some of the most beautiful villages, including our favorite, Jackson.

These villages or towns are located in the White Mountains, where there are some of the best ski slopes, with the largest slopes at Wildcat, Attitash, Cranmore and Bretton Woods and where Mt Washington dominates the vista.

Lakes, More Lakes, and Mountains

Australia does lakes well, but we totally concede that the lakes in New Hampshire are some of the most impressive lakes we have ever seen. Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake, and it was like a sheet of glass with the surrounding countryside reflected deep into the water.

We stayed at an inn on Squam Lake where the movie ‘On Golden Pond’ was made, and we tried to see the loons and find Walter, the fish. New Hampshire is just a really very beautiful state when it comes to natural landscapes!

Amazing Little Towns

We got to see and stay at some incredible little towns in New Hampshire, each with a unique character. North Conway is a perennial favorite and often on the most beautiful small town lists, as is nearby Jackson, which we loved. It was in Jackson that we took on the Wildcat Ski Runs. Meredith was a pretty and crazy town that roars loudly when the Harley Davidson convention hits the town annually.

Covered Bridges

I wanted to see the covered bridges because they are synonymous with New England. We were lucky as New Hampshire has 54 of them scattered around the state, and we were able to kiss under as many covered bridges as we could, as that is the tradition in this part of the world.

The People of New Hampshire

Seriously, any state with the motto “Live Free or Die”, had me intrigued from the word go. We met some of the most amazing and friendly people as we travelled around. The innkeepers at Manor on Golden Pond, Holderness, NH, and Chesterfield Inn in Chesterfield were just fantastic.

The husband and wife owners of the Red Parka Pub in Glen went “belly up to the bar” with us. This became my new favorite expression in the US.

We even went to Hart’s Location, the smallest town in New Hampshire and the First in the Nation to Vote. We met the innkeeper Edward Butler, the Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing the Carroll 1st District since 2006.

Everyone we met was nice, including the old man who told me I was too little to cope with the skiing at Wildcat and to get back in the car. He was probably right.

We loved New Hampshire. It was physically beautiful, the people were really nice, and …we kissed a lot.

Visit New Hampshire – Our Thoughts

We spent a few hours exploring the Granite State during our road trip from Boston to Quebec and can certainly relate to what has been previously mentioned.

The New Hampshire folks are some of the friendliest we have encountered while exploring the States. We spent some time in Portsmouth, which is one of the larger towns on the eastern side of the state, and perhaps offers a more urban experience to New Hampshire than anything that Paula and Gordon experienced in the real heart of the state.

The waterfront location of Portsmouth offers a variety of options for visitors including a myriad of local restaurants along with some great walks by the river to peruse the boats that dock here before heading out on their daily excursions.

Summary

Thanks to Paula and Gordon for sharing their thoughts on why New Hampshire should be a state you should consider visiting on your next trip to the States.

In addition to their website highlighted above, you can also follow Paula and Gordon on their travels via their social media networks:

Twitter – @gordyandpaula
Facebook – Contented Traveller
Instagram – Contented Traveller

Having only spent a few hours exploring this New England state, we are looking forward to a return trip sooner rather than later to explore more of the beautiful scenery.

Have you visited New Hampshire before? If so, what are your experiences? Where is a must-see attraction, restaurant or hidden gem that we can’t afford to miss when we next visit the Granite State?

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Things to Do in Sioux Falls That Will Make You Go Back

South Dakota

Chris Boothman

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Jun 20, 2016

4

5 Things to Do in Sioux Falls That Will Make You Go Back

What do you consider to be the top things to do in Sioux Falls? Ok so if you have visited this part of South Dakota, you may be able to chime off a couple of cool attractions but if you haven’t, it’s feasible that you may not even have heard of Sioux Falls. Located on the eastern side of South Dakota, a short drive from Minneapolis (a little under 4 hours which is pretty reasonable given the wide open roads in this state), Sioux Falls is a gorgeous city waiting to be discovered.

Frequently left in the shadow of more popular tourist attractions on the other side of South Dakota, namely Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park, Sioux Falls is a city that needs to be on your radar if you are planning to visit one or both of the Dakotas. Pierre may be the capital but Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s largest city.

Having visited 46 states prior to our recent epic road trip, number 47 was achieved when we crossed the state line from Nebraska and headed to our first stop – Sioux Falls.

Things to Do in Sioux Falls

Let’s take a look at some of the top reasons we consider Sioux Falls should be added to your list of ‘must-see’ destinations in South Dakota.

Falls Park
St. Joseph Cathedral
Old Courthouse Museum
Downtown Sioux Falls
Battleship USS South Dakota

You could easily spend a couple of days in Sioux Falls exploring but as is typical with most of our travels, we spent just a few hours here before heading across I-90 to Rapid City to experience.

However, there are clearly a lot of things to do in Sioux Falls so it’s really dependent on how much time you have in the region. Whether you are a historian, nature lover or food critic, Sioux Falls has a plethora of reasons to keep you occupied.

Falls Park

Our number one choice has to be Falls Park! Not only does this offer breathtaking photography opportunities but it is an incredibly relaxing location to welcome visitors to the city of Sioux Falls.

It’s no surprise to hear that ‘The Falls of the Big Sioux River’ have played an integral role in shaping the history of this part of South Dakota.

I really believe that the pictures paint their own picture but if I had to put our experience into words, just walking around the park and listening to the falls pounding on the rocks below was an experience that will long live in our memories.

The main waterfall was surging over the edge before heading downstream to the safe haven of the river that quietly continued meandering through the city of Sioux Falls.

As you walk around, there are countless opportunities to get up close and personal with the main waterfall. Take care on the rocks as they can be a little rugged and slippery, but there are ample chances to get that perfect selfie or perhaps just another iconic picture that creates an everlasting memory that you can cherish while reflecting on your experience in Sioux Falls.

The ruins of the Queen Bee Mill complex remain standing on the side of the river. This quirky structure was an active mill producing large quantities of bushels until it closed in the late 19th century.

Since then, it was renovated into a warehouse before a major fire left this as an inoperable building. Today, it stands as an everlasting memory of what was once a thriving industry in this part of Sioux Falls but also provides an attractive addition to pictures of the falls.

The visitor center offers an opportunity to purchase a souvenir or perhaps you just want to head to the summit of the 50ft tower that provides breathtaking views across Falls Park and the rest of Sioux Falls.

From here, you can see the full extent and beauty of the falls along with identifying the locations of some other attractions worth visiting.

St. Joseph Cathedral

The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Sioux Falls dates back to 1919 when construction was completed on this beautiful structure.

The history actually dates back about 30 years prior to this when Sioux Falls’ first Catholic Church, St. Michael’s, stood on the ground of today’s parish.

For almost 90 years, The Cathedral has served as a beacon of hope for both a community and a Diocese.

I love how this cathedral is perceived as being a ‘beacon of hope’ to the Sioux Falls community. Regardless of your faith, the location of this cathedral at the top of a hill overlooking the city makes this an important focal point for the city.

Several renovation projects have taken place over the years, the most recent in 2011 and today visitors can appreciate the stunning architectural design of this cathedral.

Old Courthouse Museum

The former Minnehaha County Courthouse has since been transformed into a historical museum that provides a detailed, colorful look at the region’s history. The original building was constructed in the late 19th century and was designed with such magnitude and grandeur that it would be the “largest courthouse between Chicago and Denver”, according to local architect Wallace L. Dow who was the brains behind this design.

The courthouse was used for county business until 1962 when it was determined that it was too small to perform the required duties. A newer courthouse was constructed and this building was added to the list of structures to be demolished in the next few years. Locals caught wind of this and petitioned for the building to remain and they finally won their case in the mid-1970s.

In 1974, the building went through the process of being converted to a museum and combined with the Pettigrew Home and Museum to become the Siouxland Heritage Museums. This is a really spectacular building, both on the outside and inside and with admission being free, I am sure you won’t be able to resist exploring here.

Downtown Sioux Falls

With a wide variety of diverse restaurants and specialty boutique shops, downtown Sioux Falls is the undoubted heartbeat of the city. After leaving Falls Park, take some time to get out and walk around the downtown area because you will likely stumble across something that sparks your interest.

If you need to partake in a little retail therapy while in Sioux Falls, the downtown neighborhood will be the perfect spot. If you prefer to relax with your favorite espresso while basking in the summer sun, you would be hard-pressed to find a better spot in Sioux Falls. When the sunset falls, downtown Sioux Falls turns into a vibrant and lively nightlife scene with a myriad of bars and local pubs to wind down your day.

When the sunset falls, downtown Sioux Falls turns into a vibrant and lively nightlife scene with a myriad of bars and local pubs to wind down your day. It’s the perfect spot to grab a glass of your favorite Cabernet or perhaps a local brew while enjoying the atmosphere around this historic neighborhood.

Battleship USS South Dakota

In commemoration of the USS South Dakota that was commissioned in 1942 for World War II duty, a battleship memorial was formed in the heart of Sioux Falls in 1969.

This grand memorial shall stand in quiet tribute to a man-of-war – a Navy fighting ship that did its best for her country (Vice-Admiral Roeder)

When Vice-Admiral Bernard Roeder, commander of the Navy’s First Fleet, spoke the above words about the USS South Dakota, he was referring to a vessel that stood the test of fighting in the Battle of Santa Cruz. Taking down over 30 Japanese aircraft during an attack, this iconic vessel continued its primary task of defending the Carrier Enterprise with due diligence and bravery.

Today, there are numerous memorials and monuments to remember this ship along with a number of state flags representing the sailors who served aboard the South Dakota. If you love history, this is definitely a memorial you can’t afford to miss. Admission is free so why not head over and check it out if you are visiting Sioux Falls in the near future!

Summary

If you have time to visit Sioux Falls, South Dakota we strongly encourage you to experience as many of the above attractions as possible. For us, Falls Park was undoubtedly the highlight but that’s perhaps because I am partial to waterfalls and this really is a spectacular spot to just hang out and enjoy the gorgeous weather.

With the historic downtown neighborhood just a short walk away and many of the other attractions just a block or two away, this is certainly a part of South Dakota worth visiting. If you are already impressed by this array of things to do in Sioux Falls, you are in for a real treat as you head across I-90 to explore the stunning sights of Rapid City, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park!

If South Dakota isn’t already on your radar, it will be soon!

What are your experiences in Sioux Falls? Do you prefer to visit natural landmarks like waterfalls when you visit a destination or do you prefer the cultural/historical perspective of a city?

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Chris Boothman

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Jun 16, 2016

24

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit Rhode Island

It may be the smallest of all 50 states across the United States, but Rhode Island certainly packs a punch when it comes to an abundance of reasons why you should want to visit this gorgeous state. If you are thinking about taking a trip to North-East USA, why not take some time to visit Rhode Island and experience everything the ‘Ocean State’ has to offer.

Rather than simply sharing our opinions on Rhode Island following a very brief visit to the capital city of Providence, we are delighted to offer a more detailed review courtesy of a Rhode Island native who has called this state home for the last 15 years. Jamie Italiane from The Daily Adventures of Me has graciously offered to share her opinions on why she considers Rhode Island to be one of her favorite places in the United States.

Whether you are intrigued by the rich history associated with Rhode Island or simply want to pass through this small state while exploring other nearby states like New York and Massachusetts, there is plenty here to keep you occupied as Jamie highlights.

History

Rhode Island was settled in the 1600s by Europeans escaping religious persecution. Since New England is one of the oldest settled areas in the US, history abounds. One of my favorite historical towns is Newport, RI with its mansions which served as summer homes in the early 1900s to families such as the Vanderbilts.

You can also learn about the state’s indigenous Indian tribes. As you can see, for the historians out there, Rhode Island has a wealth of history waiting to be uncovered.

Superlatives

Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of size, the eighth least populous and second most densely populated behind only New Jersey. When you throw in the geographical proximity to some of the nation’s most powerful states, it’s no surprise that Rhode Island is such a diverse and important state.

Did you also know that the official name of Rhode Island is actually the longest of all US states?

It may be the smallest in terms of size, but imagine having to write “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” every time you speak about this state. Fortunately, the shortened version of ‘Rhode Island’ is much easier.

Food

The coastal setting of Rhode Island, along with the diverse Italian and Portuguese immigrant populations, give our little state some great food options. Our seafood is fresh and certainly offers some of the finest across the country. Be sure to try ‘stuffies’, a stuffing filled clam, made with our local Quahogs or visit the beach for a seafood boil.

We also have some of the world’s best donuts, Allie’s and frozen lemonade, Del’s. Our Italian neighborhood, Federal Hill, is a lovely place to walk and have some amazing food.

A unique, diverse array of food offerings make Rhode Island a must-see place if you are aspiring to be a food connoisseur or simply just love to indulge in some of America’s finest dining options.

Waterfire

Waterfire is a music and art installation that takes place on scheduled nights on Providence’s canals. It is a unique multisensory experience that is one of my favorite things in the whole United States.

This award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans is a spectacular sight in Providence and certainly something that you have to experience. It centers around a series of almost 100 bonfires that illuminate above the surface of the downtown canals and provide a unique experience for visitors to Providence.

It is a free event that takes place between May and November, so why wouldn’t you want to go out of your way to experience such an amazing experience!

Location

Rhode Island is a great place to visit as a home base or a stopping point when exploring the East Coast. It is within a three-hour drive of New York City, Boston, Cape Cod, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

I love living here because there are so many day trips to enjoy. In spite of being such a small state, due to the bays and islands, Rhode Island has 400 miles of beautiful coastline to enjoy and its interiors are full of gorgeous wooded forests, great for hiking.

Visit Rhode Island – Our Thoughts

We enjoyed a leisurely Sunday morning exploring the capital of Providence before heading north to Massachusetts. Although we didn’t explore everything Providence had to offer, we saw enough to justify a return visit.

Just taking a casual walk alongside the river that winds through the heart of downtown Providence was a relaxing experience and one that I could certainly get used to every Sunday morning while sipping on my favorite Starbucks drink. The amazing architecture around Providence certainly helps justify why this was rated as one of the best ‘smaller cities’ in the nation.

The charming riverfront is a sight to behold as Venetian-style gondolas idly make their way downstream offering romantic rides to those interested in exploring more of Providence.

Driving from Hartford, Connecticut to Providence, we were able to explore some of Rhode Island’s off the beaten path locations but we would love to head back and experience more of this beautiful state. Of course, the location makes this a perfect spot to explore more of North-East USA.

Summary

Thanks to Jamie for sharing her thoughts and experiences on her home state of Rhode Island.

In addition to her website highlighted above, you can also follow Jamie on her travels via her social media networks:

Twitter – @Italiane_Jamie
Facebook – The Daily Adventures of Me
Instagram – Daily Adventures of Me

As I mentioned, Rhode Island may be the smallest of all 50 US states but that doesn’t mean it’s the least interesting. In fact, as you can see from the above reasons to visit Rhode Island, there is plenty here to keep you occupied rather than thinking about reasons to leave the state.

What are your experiences in Rhode Island? What other towns/cities would you recommend visiting outside of Providence?

An InLinkz Link-up

Exploring the Hidden History of Fort Smith Arkansas

Arkansas

Chris Boothman

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Jun 13, 2016

0

Exploring the Hidden History of Fort Smith Arkansas

The history of Fort Smith Arkansas may not be something that you are immediately familiar with. In fact, you probably have no idea where Fort Smith, Arkansas is located unless you grew up in the vicinity of this city or in ‘The Natural State’.

I will be the first to admit that I am no historian, in fact, I am the exact opposite as I generally have no real interest in learning about history but after spending some time in Fort Smith, I have to say that this is an intriguing part of Arkansas that even the least interested historians may find interesting.

Where is Fort Smith, Arkansas?

Located along the heart of the I-40 corridor about halfway between Little Rock and Oklahoma City, Fort Smith is an iconic location in Arkansas history and today plays an integral role in highlighting the frontier dating back to the early 19th century.

We will share more information on this later but after spending an awesome weekend exploring Oklahoma City, we decided to spend a couple of hours in Fort Smith to learn more about the history surrounding the state’s second largest city.

Fort Smith is situated in the perfect location for visitors to experience before heading on to some of the larger ‘southern’ cities such as Memphis, Oklahoma City, and even Dallas. We were pleasantly surprised at just how much there was to see and explore, especially in the historic downtown neighborhood.

Having recently explored some of Arkansas’ other towns and cities such as Texarkana and even our hometown of Jonesboro, it was nice to see how the community have preserved and promoted the history that occurred here.

National Historic Site

The Fort Smith National Historic Site, located in the heart of downtown Fort Smith includes the remains of two historic frontier forts along with the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

Exploring this site today is an awesome experience and a true history lesson as you take a stroll through the various landmarks that shaped Arkansas’ history in the early to mid 19th century.

Heroic battles involving Arkansan soldiers along with iconic battles on the frontier are key moments in the history of Fort Smith that are represented to this day on this very spot. We parked along the main street in downtown and spent quite a bit of time exploring the remains of the fort.

Various memorials and landmarks are scattered across this site to remember those lives that were lost on the battlefield, but it’s the vivid images, audio samples and other artifacts of such events that make visitors truly reflect on the turbulent years that Fort Smith went through on the frontier.

Living on the frontier was clearly very different to not only today’s living but also from other parts of America during the 19th century.

The Fort Smith National Historic Site provides an excellent insight into the living standards and exactly what military, local Indian tribes and other civilians were faced with.

The historic overlook across the Arkansas River provides a moment for visitors to reflect on the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations that once thrived in this part of Arkansas.

Gallows of Hanging Judge Parker

Isaac Parker, commonly known as “The Hanging Judge”, is remembered through the replica of the gallows that are present today. This was an iconic location because Parker sentenced at least 160 men and women to hang from this point.

I do not desire to hang you men. It is the law.

Do you believe Parker’s quote that he didn’t desire to hang the individuals but he was simply enforcing the law?

It’s no surprise to hear that soon after the last outlaw was hung in 1896, the town took great pleasure in tearing down the gallows to try and create a new, more positive impression of Fort Smith.

Hanging Judge Isaac C. Parker’s court and jail have been restored as reminders of 80 turbulent years

Did they succeed? I can’t comment on what the stereotype associates with Fort Smith, but I can certainly attest that we enjoyed our experience learning about the history on the western side of Arkansas.

Fort Smith Streetcars

Exploring the Fort Smith National Historic Site will also mean you have the opportunity to experience the historic downtown neighborhood of the city. The most noticeable attraction aside from this historic site is the main street trolley that still operates to this day and is an iconic reflection on a mode of transportation that dates back to 1883.

The original railcar began with three mule-drawn rail cars but ten years later the first electric streetcar service was franchised to the “Fort Smith & Van Buren Electric Street Railway Light & Power Company”.

This was a popular way for locals to commute though today it is a great way for visitors to enjoy a moment of history experiencing such a unique form of transportation.

Take some time to visit the Fort Smith Trolley Museum to learn more about the rich history behind the streetcar and perhaps after visiting this, you will be inspired to head out west and experience the awesome streetcars that transport thousands of visitors and locals around the streets of San Francisco.

Modern Day Fort Smith

While much of this article is focused on the history of Fort Smith, as we headed through the heart of the city we noticed a number of artistic wall murals representing the ‘modern day’ Fort Smith.

While the community clearly appreciates the importance of the history in Fort Smith, it’s nice to see the wall art providing a colorful alternative.

Charlotte Dutoit, a French art curator, believes downtown Fort Smith is a haven for aspiring artists to showcase their talents as you can see from her quote below.

Fort Smith is the perfect playground to attract big cats in the international art world (Dutoit)

In September 2015, Dutoit was a key figure in the launch of the Festival of Murals event in downtown Fort Smith.

The murals have continued to thrive and really provide a unique appearance to Fort Smith and offer something you wouldn’t normally associate with the Arkansas stereotype.

Summary

Experiencing the history of Fort Smith Arkansas through the National Historic Site was a real eye-opening experience and certainly one that we enjoyed. While Arkansas may not be the first state you think about visiting when exploring the States, it is historic sites like the one in Fort Smith that make The Natural State an intriguing place to visit.

Have you visited Fort Smith, Arkansas?

5 Epic Reasons You Should Visit All 50 States

Travel Tips

Chris Boothman

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Jun 9, 2016

34

5 Epic Reasons You Should Visit All 50 States

Traveling isn’t just about visiting a certain number of countries or checking off items on your imaginary bucket list. At least for us, it isn’t about either of these! However, when you have the opportunity to achieve a certain goal, you should embrace this. To visit all 50 states, for example, is not something that everyone has the opportunity to do. By the end of 2016 (or early 2017), we are hoping to have visited every US state and want to celebrate this achievement by reviewing each one that we have visited over the last 5 years.

A Collaborative Review

What better way to celebrate our achievement than by collaborating with some of our travel blogging friends from around the world who have also experienced each state (some of which have visited all 50 also!).

Over the next few weeks and months, we will be introducing a series of posts titled “5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit [INSERT STATE]”. Each post will focus on promoting each state across America and specifically highlight 5 reasons why visitors should experience them.

We will update this list periodically with links to every post so that you can quickly access your favorite state and share your thoughts on why you love visiting there.

Why Travel USA?

If you read our article a couple of months ago discussing the difficulties in visiting all 50 states, you will realize that it isn’t as simple as it sounds. Distance, cost, time among other factors are all reasons why many people never accomplish the dream of exploring all 50 states.

But by the time we had visited around half of them, we realized that it was an achievable goal to experience all 50 and we want to celebrate this by hopefully inspiring others to visit as many of these as possible.

States such as New York, California and Florida will always attract visitors due to their iconic attractions, but what about the lesser known states such as Arkansas, Nebraska, and Delaware.

Are you aware of landmarks and attractions in these states? Have you ever considered visiting some of these lesser known locations? Over the next few months you will be introduced to a variety of states you may be unfamiliar with but hopefully, you will be encouraged to add some of them to your upcoming travel plans.

Let’s start by sharing five generic reasons why we think you should explore all of the States. Be prepared to take your time traveling around because for those of you unfamiliar with the geography of North America, USA is an incredibly large country and each state is directly comparable with countries in Europe for example!

1. Natural Beauty

The United States of America is full of natural beauty. From the gorgeous landscapes throughout Yellowstone National Park to the Everglades in Florida, there is plenty to keep you interested as you explore everything the States has to offer.

2. Local Cuisine

Whether you want to sample some cajun delicacies in Louisiana or perhaps some local Texas barbecue, the majority of States have something unique that represents the community. We encourage you to taste local restaurants rather than the typical chain establishments that you can find across America.

3. City vs Small Town

If you love the hustle and bustle of city life or simply prefer to relax in small town America, there is something for everyone. The ultimate 24-hour city of the world or a typical historic town along Route 66, USA has everything you could want to experience.

4. History

Although America is a relatively new nation in comparison to other countries around the world, if you an avid historian there is plenty here to keep you interested. From the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the Civil Rights Movement in Little Rock, Arkansas there is a plethora of history waiting to be uncovered.

5. Melting Pot

The USA is a proud nation but at the same time is a melting pot of cultures. Diverse neighborhoods are prevalent throughout the country making this an attractive aspect for visitors who want to experience different cultures while exploring this beautiful nation.

Why Visit Each State?

We would like to thank everyone in advance for contributing to this series! We will update the following links as we publish each post.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-california/
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-georgia/
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-kentucky/
Louisiana – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-louisiana/
Maine – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-maine/
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-minnesota/
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-new-hampshire/
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-rhode-island/
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-washington/
West Virgina
Wisconsin – https://abritandasoutherner.com/visit-wisconsin/
Wyoming

Summary

How many US states have you experienced? Which is your favorite? Whether you have a fond appreciation for natural beauty or perhaps you want to enjoy a little retail therapy on 5th Avenue in New York City, the United States has it all!

We started our journey in Arkansas and our final state will be either Hawaii or Alaska (at the time of publishing this post we are not sure which will be our final one!) but all 50 offer something unique. We hope that you enjoy all our reviews and perhaps you can add some of your favorite experiences in each of the states around this historic nation.

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