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California in New Mexico
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Gallup, New Mexico

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California in New Mexico
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Gallup, New Mexico

The Golden Age of Route 66

Krystina Castella

Located along Route 66, Gallup, New Mexico is a haven for travelers seeking a blend of Native American culture, outdoor adventure, and a nostalgic trip through America's mid-20th-century ...
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Featured

Photo:
Krystina Castella

State Welcome Signs

First Impressions

Krystina Castella
First impressions mean everything. That is how I feel about Gateway Signs more commonly known as State Welcome Signs. The approach to a sign, the design ...
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Sleeping Bear Dunes
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

A Ojibwe Legend

Krystina Castella
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, has huge sand dunes, clear lakes, dense forests and a clear star filled sky. Stretching for 35 miles along Lake Michigan, this national lakeshore also
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Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Randyland

The most colorful spot in Pittsburg

Krystina Castella
Randyland is the creation of eccentric folk artist, Randy Gilson. Gilson had an idea to transform his home in the Mexican War Streets neighborhood of Pittsburgh's ...
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Collection of Hoodoos Photo: Brian Boyl
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Bryce Canyon National Park

Get Lost Amongst Utah's Hoodoos

Krystina Castella
Bryce Canyon in Utah is otherworldly. Typically, it is overlooked because of the more famous nearby red rock of the Southwest neighbors Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks. However, it is impressive, less crowded and a place like no other. Situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase it has the largest collection ...
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Sun at Arches
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Arches National Park

Moab, Utah

Krystina Castella
Arches National Park, in eastern Utah near Moab, has more than 2,000 natural stone arches, set in desert landscapes. Delicate Arch, set against the backdrop of the La Sal Mountains has become a symbol ...
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Brian Boyl
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Millennium & Maggie Daley

A Day of Play, Chicago

Krystina Castella
Millennium Park and nearby Maggie Daley Park are two public spaces in Chicago where the whole day can be filled with play. At these parks locals ...
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Play

Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Lakeshore Bike Trail

Chicago, Illinois

Krystina Castella
Upon arrival in Chicago on a sunny summer afternoon, we experienced the city at its best. Driving up along Lakeshore Drive we saw residents pour out of their apartments to enjoy the beautiful ...
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Rafts
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Huntington Beach Play

Risky Muddy Fun

Krystina Castella
Huntington Beach Adventure Playground is for families seeking an outdoor play area that encourages creativity, physical activity, and adventurous play. In the heart of Huntington Central Park, this park offers ...
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Bridge in Park
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Central Park, NY

Experiencing NY Through Play

Krystina Castella
In the middle of Manhattan’s concrete grid, CentralPark opens like a playground for all. Olmsted and Vaux designed it...
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Splash Pad
Photo:
Krystina Castella

James Island County Park

James Island, South Carolina

Krystina Castella
For a recreational vacation head right outside of Charleston and visit James Island County Park. It offers camping, open meadows, fishing, crabbing and miles of paved trails for walking, biking ...
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Little Blue Door
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Children’s Garden, Huntington

Pasadena, California

Krystina Castella
If you find yourself in Pasadena on a warm day with children under seven treat yourself to the enchanted environment of the Children’s Garden at the Huntington.Enter through a tiny blue door into a whimsical landscape to ...
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Brian Boyl
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Millennium & Maggie Daley

A Day of Play, Chicago

Krystina Castella
Millennium Park and nearby Maggie Daley Park are two public spaces in Chicago where the whole day can be filled with play. At these parks locals ...
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More Play...

Nature

Everglades National Park
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Alligators All Around

Florida's State Reptile

Krystina Castella
On hikes throughout Florida’s numerous wetlands, rivers, swamps, and lakes it is not unusual for us to come across a wild alligator or two. While alligators were endangered 50 years ago the population is ...
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Fresh Eggs, Lopez Island
Photo:
Krystina Castella

San Juan Islands

Islands of the Puget Sound

Krystina Castella
The San Juan Islands, in the Pacific Northwest are known for serene landscapes, abundant wildlife, and charming communities. This archipelago comprises several islands, with
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Photo:
Krystina Castella

Saddlebag Lake

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Krystina Castella
Saddlebag Lake, located at an elevation of 10,087 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, is a hidden gem. Just a short drive from Yosemite National Park’s eastern entrance, this alpine lake is part of the
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Viewpoint Grand-Escalante Photo: Brian Boyl
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Grand Staircase-Escalante

Desert to coniferous forest

Krystina Castella
In southern Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is an expansive place with 1.87 million acres of America's public lands from desert to coniferous forest. It is filled with canyons, arches ...
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Palo Duro Canyon
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Canyon, Texas

Krystina Castella
The second largest canyon in the US is in the Texas panhandle, just south of Amarillo: Palo Duro Canyon. Home of some fascinating conflicts in the westward expansion, the canyon now feels like ...
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"Crown of the Continent"
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Glacier National Park

"Crown of the Continent"

Krystina Castella
Glacier National Park, located in Montana's Rocky Mountains, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that include rugged peaks, pristine forests, and spectacular glacier-carved...
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More Nature...

Art & Design

Masks from different cultures
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Museum International Folk Art

By the people. For the people

Krystina Castella
The Museum of International Folk Art is my favorite place to visit in Santa Fe. The anchor exhibit Multiple Visions: A Common Bond is an immense collection of toys, travel souvenirs, street art, miniatures, ceramics, textiles and just about anything that can be categorized as folk art. The 10,000 pieces on display were ...
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Kitty
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Murals of New Orleans

Krystina Castella
We arrived in New Orleans on a cold overcast day and stumbled upon an explosion of color. Art expressing the history, culture and people of the community. Publicly funded murals, sanctioned street art and graffiti are ...
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Nomade: Jaume Plensa
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Des Moines, Iowa

Krystina Castella
We arrived at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and were excited to see one of the most impressive collections of modern sculpture in the country. More than two dozen large sculptures made by internationally acclaimed artists ...
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Prairie Modernism and More
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Columbus, Indiana

Prairie modernism and more

Krystina Castella
Arriving on a Sunday a few hours before sunset Columbus, Indiana was as sleepy as any small town could be. The visitor’s center, small shops, restaurants and churches ...
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Mount Rushmore
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Mt. Rushmore & Crazy Horse

The Black Hills, South Dakota

Krystina Castella
The Black Hills of South Dakota is a region steeped in natural beauty and historical significance. Mount Rushmore National Monument and the Crazy Horse Memorial are two monumental sculptural attractions that sometimes jut out and sometimes ...
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Photo: Krystina Castell
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Art Institute of Chicago

An Impressive Collection

Krystina Castella
Visitors to the Art Institute Chicago, the USA’s 2nd largest art museum are greeted by their famous iconic lions. Inside guests engage in the one million square feet of ...
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More Art and Design...

Cities & Towns

Goodman's Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Healing Waters of Colorado

Krystina Castella
Pagosa Springs calls itself the “hot springs capital of Colorado” with 25 natural geothermal soaking pools. "Pagosah" is a Southern Ute word for "healing waters" and the town is home to the world's deepest hot spring. If driving through stop and soak in ...
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Mural by Chickasaw artist Brent Greenwood
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Sulphur, Oklahoma

Dive into the "Little Niagara"

Krystina Castella
Sulphur, Oklahoma is home to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and chock full of creeks, falls, springs, campgrounds, and buffalo. The Oklahomans who camp here say this is their favorite place in the state and not like anything ...
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Old Town Lancaster
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Old Meets New in Pennsylvania Dutch County

Krystina Castella
In Lancaster, the center of Pennsylvania Dutch County, you will absorb the coexistence of Amish heritage and modern society. Electric vehicles share the road with horse drawn carriages, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Shoppers carrying groceries ...
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Lincoln Memorial
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Washington, DC

Not an Ordinary Mall

Krystina Castella
By foot or by bike nothing in the US capital compares to the being at the National Mall. At one end of the mall are the Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials, in the middle is the towering ...
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Legends of Deadwood Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Deadwood, South Dakota

Old West brought to life

Krystina Castella
On a visit to Deadwood, it is easy to engage with the past and experience walking back to the gold rush days or the set for the modern Deadwood TV series. Only an hour from Mt Rushmore Deadwood gets its name ...
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Steam Locomotive, Durango, Colorado
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Durango, Colorado

Trains meet outdoor adventures

Krystina Castella
Durango, Colorado was one of those places we just passed through. On our way from Los Angeles to Santa Fe traveling parts of the Old Spanish trails that are now roads and freeways. A stopping point for gas on our way to the mining towns of Silverton or Ouray. Near our special campsite at the cliff dwellings of ...
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More Cities and Towns...

Roadside Attractions

Wall Drug
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Wall Drug

South Dakota's Free Ice Water

Krystina Castella
Wall Drug, located in Wall, South Dakota, is a roadside attraction that has captivated travelers for decades. Originally a small pharmacy, it has grown into a sprawling complex featuring, shops, restaurants ...
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Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, TX

Krystina Castella
Cadillac Ranch, outside of Amarillo, TX, is something between art and a roadside attraction. The installation created in the 70’s by land artists ...
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Dinosaur Tracks
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Moenave Dinosaur Tracks

Tuba City, Arizona

Krystina Castella
The Moenave Dinosaur Tracks near Tuba City, Arizona, are a fascinating paleontological site showcasing well-preserved dinosaur footprints from the Early Jurassic period. These tracks
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Winchester Mystery House
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Winchester Mystery House

America's most haunted places

Krystina Castella
The Winchester Mystery House, in San Jose, California, is as a testament to eccentricity. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester, this sprawling mansion is famous for its labyrinthine
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Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

A Rainbow of Color

Ft. Collins, Colorado

Krystina Castella
The Colorado State University Trial Gardens in Fort Collins, Colorado is a breathtakingly beautiful place to lose yourself in flowers of every color, texture, shape and form. The purpose of ...
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Photo:
Krystina Castella

Iowa 80

World’s Largest Truckstop

Krystina Castella
In Eastern Iowa when driving on the 80 interstate you can’t miss the descriptively named Iowa 80 Truckstop. From the outside ...
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More Roadside Attractions...

Articles

Photo:
Krystina Castella

The Staten Island Ferry

A NYC favorite

Krystina Castella
Some people love trains, other cars or planes. My adoration is for the Staten Island Ferry. Having grown up on Staten Island the ferry connected ...
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Surprise: The Blue Angels
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Surprise: The Blue Angels

Pensacola, Florida

Krystina Castella
This was one of those unplanned spontaneous experiences that makes road trips so sensational. We had just left our picturesque campsite at Blue Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, Florida. Our son was on-line in ...
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Photo:
Krystina Castella

Ice Cream Trucks

The taste of summer

Krystina Castella
Before I saw the truck I heard the jingle off in the distance. I knew the melody well-The Entertainer. Once in sight it was hard to miss. A brightly colored truck ...
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Junior Rangers and their badges.
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Junior Rangers

A playful way to explore the parks

Krystina Castella
There they were. Two inspired children on a mission, storming through the visitor’s center doors of Fort Necessity National Battlefield just outside of Pittsburg. They proudly showcased their achievements all over their clothing. As they made their way to the front desk, they enthusiastically asked the ranger on duty, “Do you have Junior Ranger booklets?” These kids were...
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Santa kayaking Ledges
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Campground Christmas

A Summertime Celebration

Krystina Castella
Celebrating Christmas is merry. The decorating, the music, the sweets. A full month of diversion from the everyday filled with the excitement of the season. But in July? While camping? To our surprise Christmas was uncovered at Ledges State Park in Iowa. From the park’s name we expected sandstone rock ledges, a flowing creek and lush trees nestled...
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CicLAvia in Hollywood
Photo:
Krystina Castella

CicLAvia

Welcome Back!

Krystina Castella
On an average day for the average person biking in LA is not easy. There is traffic to navigate and distance to cover. At CicLAvia (Inspired by Bogotá’s weekly ciclovía) restrictions fade and we experience a glimpse at what Los Angeles could be like if our city was car free. We see neighborhoods that are ...
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