Travel Journal
Exploring the World...our way
We don't just travel, we explore
- Vien & Hermann
MONUMENT VALLEY, ARIZONA, U.S.A
U. S. A.
America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's all right to keep asking if we're on His side.
RONALD REAGAN, State of the Union Address, Jan. 25, 1984
States
Out of 50 States in the United States, you will never run out of beautiful places to explore. It's just a matter of choice and preferences.
Arizona
Arizona is located in the southwestern region of the United States. Here, you will find three national parks - Grand Canyon, Saguaro and Petrified Forest, as well as national monuments such as Monument Valley and Four Corners. Glen Canyon Dam is also found here.
California
The state of California is the third largest state in the United States. Here, you will find nine national parks: Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood National and State, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.
Colorado
The state of Colorado is made up of mountains, foothills, high plains and desert lands. The state is not only known as a winter destination, but also a mecca for mountain climbing, hiking, biking, fishing and camping. Here, you will find four national parks - Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Great San Dunes National Park and Preserve. There are also five national monuments and a number of state parks.
Hawaii
Hawai'i, which is composed entirely of islands, is the only state in the United States located in the Pacific Ocean. It is not geographycally located to North America. The state has eight main islands and many smaller islands and islets. Here, you will find two national Parks; Hawai'i Volcanoes on the Big Island and Haleakala in Maui.
Idaho
Idaho, known as the "Gem State", is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It borders six U.S. states and one Canadian province. The state is known for its potatoes, and farmlands dominate the landscape, but there are rivers and mountains that offer a variety of outdoor activities. A small part of Yellowstone National Park is in Idaho.
Maine
Maine is located in the New England Region, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south. The state is well known for its lighthouses; at least 70 were built along the seacoast. It is the only state that borders on only one other state - New Hampshire. Acadia is the only national park in Maine.
Massachusetts
Massachussetts is located in the northeastern region of New England. It lies by the Atlantic Ocean and borders five other states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Here, you will find the oldest university in the United States, the Harvard University.
Montana
Montana is located in the Northwestern United States. Here, you will find Glacier National Park. Three of five entrances to Yellowstone National Park can be accessed here. Glacier National Park can also be found here, as can a small part of Yellowstone. The state provides year-round outdoor activities: hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, to name a few.
Nevada
Nevada, known as the "Silver State", is located in the Western United States. The state ranks second in the country by the number of mountains within its borders. It is also the driest state, covering large areas of desert and semi-arid lands. Great Basin National Park is in Nevada.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is located in the northeastern United States, the 5th smallest and 9th least populous state. The state is one of the prime destinations for viewing the fall colors. It has quaint colonial style villages scattered all over the state. This state has no national parks.
New Mexico
The state of New Mexico is located in the southwestern United States. It is called the "Land of Enchantment". The state is an important center of Native American Culture. Here, you will find the oldest house in the United States as well as native American villages. New Mexico has two national parks - Carlbad Caverns and White Sands, plus many national monuments.
New York
New York State is located in the northeastern United States. It is known for New York City and Niagara Falls, as well as the iconic Statue of Liberty. The vast majority of the state is covered by forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, meadows and farms.
South Dakota
South Dakota is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. Here, you will find Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National and Wind Cave National Parks and other memorial and state parks.
Utah
The state of Utah is located in the western part of the United States. It is well-known for its year-round outdoor activities and attractions. Here, you will find five national parks - Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon & Zion. It also has several national monuments such as Natural Bridges National Monument.
Vermont
Vermont is located in the northeastern United States, region of New England. The sixth-largest body of fresh water in the United States, Lake Champlain, separates Vermont from New York in the northwest part of the state. Majority of the state's terrain is forested. Here, you can hike the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and explore Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.
Virginia
Virginia is located in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The homes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee are in Virginina, which represents the birthplace of America. Here, you can visit the Colonial Williamsburg, a restored historic colony of the state. Sixty five percent of the state is covered by forests. Shenandoah National Park is in Virginia.
Wyoming
Wyoming is located in the mountain region of western United States. Almost half the land is owned by the government. Here, you will find two national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone. There are two national recreation areas and two national monuments, as well as national forests, fish hatcheries, wildlife refuges and historic sites.
Other Historic Sites to Visit
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Monticello, Virginia
Wooden Covered Bridges
Redstone, Colorado
Ashcroft Ghost town, Colorado
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Colorado
- Historic Cities & Towns -
East Coast
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Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and has the distinction of claiming that the nation started here. The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired here. It has some of the oldest and finest institutions of higher education in the country. For anyone interested in history, art and music, there is no place second to Boston.
Bennington, Vermont
The largest town in southern Vermont, Bennington is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with autumn colors dominating the landscape. All of this can be seen from the top of the Bennington Battle Monument, the tallest man-made structure in the state. A number of fine historic covered bridges can be found here.
Concord, Massachusetts
When it comes to the American Revolution, nothing played a more important role in the early phases of the war than Concord (along with its "twin" Lexington). You can almost still smell the gunpowder when walking across Concord Bridge!
Rockport, Massachusetts
The beautiful seaside town of Rockport is full of typical Old New England charm. It is a haven for lobster fishermen and artists. This is a suburban residential town that is very popular with tourists from southeastern New England, but visitors from afar will not be disappointed spending the better part of at least a day here.
Salem, Massachusetts
Anyone who has heard of the Salem Witch Trials will want to visit this historic seaport of northeastern Massachusetts. Much of the city's cultural identity reflects its role as the location of the infamous trials of 1692, which contibutes much to the economic stimulus of the town. But there is plenty more to seek out in this diverse city.
Portland, Maine
When you think of lighthouses, you think of Maine. And none is more iconic that the Portland Head Lighthouse, just outside of this wonderful harbor city. Portland is a very livable and historic city that affords easy access to great recreation and ever greater cuisine.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
This quaint New England town is located in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. A year-round resort, it has its share of cultural events and venues, including the famed Norman Rockwell Museum.
Middletown, Virginia
Middletown is located in the Shenandoah Valley of northern Virginia. A significant landmark in town is the Wayside Inn, the oldest continuously-operated inn in the country, providing accommodations, dining and entertainment to visitors since 1797. It is just a short distance from Shenandoah National Park.
Williamsburg, Virginia
When we talk about this town, we are really talking about Colonial Williamsburg, founded in 1632, today the economic tourism engine of the modern city. This was the colonial capital of the original colony as well as the state of Virginia. It is home to the College of William and Mary, the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the country.
Historic West
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Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is located in Pitkin County, Colorado. It is both a city and a ski resort, completely surrounded by mountains. It has one of the most beautiful settings of any mountain town. There is no shortage of celebrities in this town - they fly into the Aspen Airport in their private jets.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is home to the University of Colorado. It is located at the edge fo the foothills and offers great hiking opportunities. The Mesa Laboratory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research is a modern builing designed by the great architect I.M. Pei.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is a major ski resort as well as a charming Victorian town dating from the old mining days. It is strategically situated at the foot of the stunning Tenmile Range in Summit County.
Buena Vista, Colorado
In the heart of the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado is the town of Buena Vista, conveniently perched at the foot of the Collegiate Peaks of the Sawatch Range.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The second largest metropolitan area of Colorado, Colorado Springs is home to the United States Air Force Academy and sits practically at the foot of Pikes Peak.
Creede, Colorado
The historic town of Creede is tucked into a scenic corner of the San Juan Mountains (the largest mountain range in Colorado), in Mineral County -in the Rio Grande Valley.
Denver, Colorado
Denver is the capital of Colorado as well as the state's largest city. Parts of the city afford stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a resort town in northern Colorado which serves as the main gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want to see wild elk roaming the streets, this is the town to visit in the fall.
Frisco, Colorado
Frisco is a delightful tourist town located on the shore of Dillon Reservoir in Summit County, Colorado. It is surrounded by spectacular mountains.
Georgetown
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Glenwood Springs is best known for its natural hot springs, including the largest naturally heated swimming pool in the world. It is also famous because the historic gunslinger/dentist, Doc Holliday, is buried here. The town lies at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers.
Grand Lake, Colorado
This small mountain getaway is located on the shore of Grand Lake, the largest natural body of water in Colorado. It serves as the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lake City, Colorado
The historic mining town of Lake City is located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. It is a mecca for hiking and jeeping, and has an historic association with the infamous "cannibal", Alferd Packer.
Leadville, Colorado
Leadville is a former silver mining town that lies near the headwaters of the Arkansas River, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Situated at 10,152 feet (3,094 m), it is the highest incorporated city in the United States. Leadville is a statutory city, the county seat, and the only municipality in Lake County, Colorado.
Ouray, Colorado
Ouray and its surroundings are often called the "Switzerland of America" because of the stunning setting in the northern San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It is a charming spa town with a wonderful climate and history.
Silverton, Colorado
Naturally, this secluded town in the San Juan Mountains got its name due to the silver mining that took place there. Now it is a popular tourist destination, although it can be completely cut off from the outside world after a major snowstorm.
Telluride, Colorado
Formerly a silver mining camp, Telluride has become a fashionable ski resort catering to locals as well as celebrities. With its splendid setting in a box canyon surrounded by massive mountains, this town hosts some major music festivals.
Vail, Colorado
Vail is one of the largest ski resorts in the world - and it has prices to match. But there is also lots of beautiful mountain terrain affording unlimited hiking opportunities - and they are free.
Deadwood, South Dakota
This town in South Dakota was named for the many dead trees that were found here by early settlers. During the Black Hills Gold Rush, this town attracted such old west legends as Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock. Its population today is one fourth of what it was in the late 19th century.
Moab, Utah
Moab might be a small town, but it has a big back yard. Both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are just a short drive outside of town. This place is all about recreation in the desert of the southwest.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The town of Jackson offers old west charm as it lures visitors to the magnificent Grand Teton National Park just outside of town. It is also home to the famous Jackson Hole Ski Area. Yellowstone National Park is less than two hours away.
Historic Southwest
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Las Vegas, Nevada
No, this is not New York City, but if you want to see fantastic imitations of famous places around the world, this gambling mecca is just right for you. It has grown from a dusty desert village to a world-class city offering just about anything a visitor could want. Anything - hence its other name - Sin City.
Sedona, Arizona
When the natives of Phoenix want to excape the summer heat, they head north to Sedona. This is a nicely manicured town with amazing red-rock formations, fine accommodations and food to die for.
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona - and it is smack in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. It is home to Saguaro National Park, which exhibits the world's largest collection of its namesake cactus. A great place to visit - in the winter, though many come in the heat of summer.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States, as well the capital of Arizona. It is the only state capital in the country with a population of over one million. You have to love the heat to live here, although winters are quite pleasant - hence the reason the "snowbirds" migrate here in winter. This is a magnet for retirees.
Taos, New Mexico
This small town in the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico has a fine ski resort as well as a rich Native American heritage. The famous Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major must-see tourist attraction.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
It is hard to find a more charming city in the United States than Santa Fe. Its elevation at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (it is the highest capital city in the country) give it an enviable climate in which to enjoy what it has to offer - ethnic architecture, great food, art galleries and world class music festivals.
Other Attractions in the U.S.A.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Lake Tahoe- California/Nevada
Red Rocks Park, Colorado
Hanging Lake, Glenwood Canyon, Colorado
Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park, Utah
Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona
Saguaro Lake, Arizona
Fun Parks & Museums for Kids of All Ages
Tiny Town, Colorado
Miramar Museum, San Diego
West Coast
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Napa Valley, California
The Napa Valley in central California, just north of the Bay Area, is all about wine. As you drive the length of the valley from Napa to Calistoga, you will pass about 500 wineries, most of them with tasting rooms. You won't see them all of course since many do not front directly on the highway. That's a lot of wine.
San Diego, California
The city of San Diego is located on the southern coast of California. It is the eight-largest city in the United States with many places to visit and explore, activities and fun things to do for everyone. Here you will find the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Seaport Village, museums and countless other diversions.
National Parks
There are 59 National Parks in the United States. You might never get to explore all of them, but what you will able to see are some of the most incredible and fascinating natural wonders on earth.
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Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park was originally designated as a National Monument in 1906 to preserve the petrified woods. In 1962 it became a national park. Petrified woods are logs made up of almost solid quartz. Millions of years ago, lush green forests covered the landscape here, with 200-foot tall conifers.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park is located in Coconino County in northwestern Arizona. It is the 15th park to be named a national park, officially designated on February 16, 1919. It was also designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Saguaro National Park is located on the edge of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, one of the hottest states in the United States. It was first declared a National Monument on March 1, 1933 by Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States. The monument was elevated to National Park in 1994 by Congress.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado near the town of Montrose. It was first established as a National Monument on March 2, 1033 and elevated to National Park on October 29, 1999. It owes its name to the fact that parts of the canyon are so narrow and steep that they receive only 33 minutes of direct sunlight a day.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located in the immense San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado, at the foot of the mighty Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Originally a National Monument, it was upgraded to National Park status on September 24, 2004. Its dunes, up to 750 tall, are the tallest in North America.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt in order to protect the best-preserved ancestral Puebloan archeaological sites in the United States.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Moun tain National Park was created on January 26, 1915, by an act of congress signed by President Woodrow Wilson. Located in north-central Colorado, it is the third most visited National Park in the United States. The Continental Divide runs through the center of the park, which has 60 peaks reaching above 12,000 feet elevation.
Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park is located just to the northeast of Moab, Utah. The park has more than 2,000 known natural sandstone arches and countless other geological formations. Some are known to have collapsed over the years, one of which, Wall Arch, we have seen both before and after the collapse in 2008.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park occupies the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. It was named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Scottish immigrant and Mormon pioneer who homesteaded in the area in 1874, sent by the church to settle the land.
Bryce Canyon was first designated a National Monument in 1923 by President Warren G. Harding. Then it was elevated to National Park status in 1928 by Congress.
Bryce Canyon was first designated a National Monument in 1923 by President Warren G. Harding. Then it was elevated to National Park status in 1928 by Congress.
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park was established in 1971 to preserve about 380 square miles of desert landscape in south central Utah. It was originally designated a National Monument on August 2, 1937 by President Franklin Roosevelt. The park is a colorful landscape of canyons, ridges, buttes and monoliths.
Canyonland National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park was established on September 12, 1964 through legislation signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. The park, in southeast Utah, holds some of the most remote territory in the lower 48 states and supports a variety of recreational activities including, hiking, mountain biking and rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers that run through the park.
Zion National Park, Utah
Before Zion National Park was established, it was named as Mukuntuweap (mu-koon-tu-weap) National Monument in 1909. It was renamed when it was granted national park status by the U.S. Congress in November 19, 1919, signed by President Woodrow Wilson.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park, named for the highest peak in the Teton Range, was originally established in 1929 to protect the range as well as several lakes at the foot of the mountains. Located in northwestern Wyoming just south of Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton is noted for the iconic profile of its mountains when viewed from the east.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park was designated a national park by the U.S. Congress under President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. It was the first national park ever established not only in the United States but in the world. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
Kings Canyon National Park, California
Kings Canyon National Park is often paired with the adjacent Sequoia National Park, both of which are jointly administered as one entity by the National Park Service. It was originally created in 1890 as General grant National Park. After significant expansion, it was renamed on March 4, 1940, after Kings Canyon, a glacier-carved valley over one mile deep.
Sequoia National Park, California
Sequoia National Park is the 2nd national park designated in the United States. It was declared on September 25, 1890 by Benjamin Harrison to protect one of the world's largest and oldest trees from logging, the Sequoia Trees. The park is also home to the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, Mount Whitney. It is administered jointly with Kings Canyon National Park by the National Park Service.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yoseite National Park is located in the western Sierra Nevada of central California, created by an act of Congress on October 1, 1890. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Its unique granite domes and cliffs make this park a rock climbers paradise.
Minute Man National Historical Park, Massachusetts
Minuteman National Historical Park commemorates the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War. It was designated to protect historical sites in and around the towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord in Massachusetts.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park encompasses parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. After much haggling and controversy, the park was finally established on December 25, 1935 and then officially opened by President Franklin Roosevelt on July 3, 1936. The long and narrow park mostly follows the ridge line of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
National Monuments
There are 117 National Monuments in the United States. Each one is different and awe inspiring. Once you explore a few you will never get enough of them.
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Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
Canyon de Chelly is located in east-central Arizona. It is so far off the beaten path that you really have to go out of your way to see it. You will drive through miles of empty desert, but when you get there, you will appreciate why this place is so special. It is entirely on Navajo Nation Land, and admission is free, although to go into the canyon requires a guide, which is not free. The views from the rim are stunning. Click the link below for more information and photos.
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Natural Bridges National Monument in southeast Utah is not nearly as visited as are the magnificent National Parks in the state. But it is worth going out of your way to see it, especially if you are a hiker. The rather long loop hike across the mesa-top and under all three of the bridges is a bit strenuous but worth the effort. Click the link below for more information and photos.
Four Corners Monument, Arizona
Though it has no connection with the National Park Service, this monument recognizes the only place in the United States where four states meet at a common point - hence its name. Here you can be present in each of the four states at the same time. The entrance into the site is from New Mexico. It is administered by the Navajo Nation as a Tribal Park. Click the link below for more information and photos.
Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is located in far western Colorado near the city of Grand Junction. Deep canyons with vertical walls and interesting rock formations characterize this wonderful park that affords visitors numerous viewpoints as well as hiking trails. Click the link below for more information and photos.
Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego
Cabrillo National Monument is located on the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, California. It commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542, the first time a European expedition set foot on what later became the west coast of the United States.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is of course best known for the great carvings of the faces of four American Presidents - Washington , Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Admission is free, but you will pay to park your car.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is located in south central Idaho. It was established on May 2, 1924 to protect an otherworldly landscape of volcanic origins. It is administered jointly by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Located in northeastern Wyoming, Devils Tower National Monument was designated as the nation's first National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on December 24, 1906. This igneous rock butte is 867 feet high and is climbed by as many as 4,000 visitors per year, using traditional rock-climbing techniques. There are hiking trails that go all the way around its base.
Monument Valley, Arizona
Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park in northeast Arizona, although its primary access is from Highway 163 in Utah. It is not associated with the National Park Service, but is often visited in connection with one or more National Parks. Its iconic landscape is well known from old movies of the American West.
State Parks & Others
There are 10,234 State Parks in the United States, plus countless city and county parks. There is no way we can visit them all, but to visit a few is enough to inspire you to keep exploring.