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Krystina Castella
Mammoth Lakes
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Krystina Castella
Mammoth Lakes
Transforms with the seasons
Krystina Castella
Mammoth Lakes, in California's Eastern Sierras, is a rustic resort town surrounded by stunning landscapes, that transform dramatically with the seasons. In the summer
Featured
Photo:
Brian Boyl
Zion National Park
Southwestern Utah
Krystina Castella
Zion National Park is an expansive natural playground located in southwestern Utah, characterized by high plateaus, deep sandstone canyons, and rock formations. The park covers ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Valentine, Nebraska
Love and Nature
Krystina Castella
The quaint town of Valentine, NE. is quiet for much of the year and in summer becomes a destination for nationally acclaimed canoeing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, tubing, kayaking, hunting, fishing, and ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
San Antonio, Texas
Riverwalk, The Alamo and Country Music
Krystina Castella
San Antonio, Texas, offers a diverse range of experiences including the iconic Riverwalk, the historic Alamo, and its lively country music scene. The San Antonio Riverwalk, or Paseo del Río, is a network of walkways along ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Savoring history and folk art
Krystina Castella
Sometimes when dropping into a new town discovering the surprises is just as exciting as the intended destination. This was the case during our visit to Philly. Rich in American history ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Smoky Mountains National Park
Most visited National Park in the US
Krystina Castella
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spanning North Carolina and Tennessee is the most visited National Park in the United States. The name comes from the Cherokee people who called the landscape “place of the blue smoke” referring ...
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 ...
Nature
Photo:
Brian Boyl
Cedar Breaks
Bristlecones and sheep dogs await
Krystina Castella
Just outside of Brain Head, Utah standing at 10,000 feet is the dramatic natural amphitheater of Cedar Breaks National Monument. The attraction here is the ...
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 ...
Photo:
Brian Boyl
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
Delving into stories at three parks
Krystina Castella
If your perfect family vacation spot includes beautiful long stretches of beach, mini golf courses and kite and candy shops OBX is filled ...
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 ...
Photo:
Brian Boyl
Grand Canyon National Park
Descend into the Geological History
Krystina Castella
Grand Canyon National Park cannot be explained in words or photos. At 6000 feet deep, 18 miles wide, and stretching over 277 miles of the Colorado River it is so immense that the only way to experience it is to be in its presence. The park provides...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Freshkills Park
Staten Island, New York
Krystina Castella
Freshkills Park, located on Staten Island, New York, represents one of the most transformative environmental projects in the world. Once the site of the world’s largest landfill, Freshkills is ...
Play
Photo:
Brian Boyl
Gooseberry Mesa
Slickrock mountain biking
Krystina Castella
Over 20 years ago we walked into the only bike shop in Springdale, Utah, an undeveloped town, right outside of Zion National Park. We asked if there was any good biking around. The owner told us that recently some guys went up to the top of the mesa a few miles away and painted dots on the slickrock and made bike paths. It sounded ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Adventure Playgrounds
A history and a visit
Krystina Castella
Adventure playgrounds offer unrestricted play in either natural or junk environments, and kids explore and invent with found materials. Today they are growing in popularity in the United States due to modern parent’s awareness of ...
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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 ...
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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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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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 ...
Art & Design
Photo:
Brian Boyl
Fallingwater
The best time to visit
Krystina Castella
When considering the places I wanted to visit on this trip across the country I immediately thought of Fallingwater. I wanted to experience being there ...
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 ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Shotgun Houses
The colorful vibe of a community
Krystina Castella
Shotgun Houses, the iconic, colorful homes scattered throughout the American South stand out in New Orleans because of the overt personalization. Through color ...
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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Krystina Castella
Barn Quilts
Folk Art of America’s Heartland
Krystina Castella
If you are looking for an excuse for a road trip head out to discover the grassroots movement of barn quilts. A form of American folk art barn quilts are painted wood or metal squares that ...
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 ...
Cities & Towns
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Krystina Castella
Greenburg, Indiana
Be inspired at the Beguiling Tree
Krystina Castella
Among rolling cornfields, halfway between Cincinnati and Indianapolis is the Victorian brick laden picturesque town of Greensburg. As the seat of Decatur County it is famous for the tree that grows to the roof its courthouse tower, several stories ...
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Krystina Castella
Springview, Nebraska
The Good Life
Krystina Castella
While on a road trip have you ever passed through a small town and get the feeling to stop? In Springville, it was the subtle clues, a zebra painted house and the nearby retro gas station that lured us ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Lone Pine, CA
Gateway to the Highest and Lowest
Krystina Castella
Lone Pine, California on US Route 395 is a little over 3 hours north of Los Angeles and where the big wall of the Sierras starts to take shape. The tiny old ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Delving into Omaha History
Omaha, Nebraska
Krystina Castella
Originally homeland of the Midwestern Native American tribe the U-mo'n-Ho'n, (the Omaha People) today Omaha Nebraska is a bustling riverfront ...
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Krystina Castella
Fredrick, Maryland
Biking the historic loop
Krystina Castella
It is not the size of neighboring DC or Baltimore but Fredrick, Maryland has an intimate charm that attracts ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Newport, Oregon
Maritime Heritage, and Coastal Scenery
Krystina Castella
Newport, Oregon, on the central coast, is known for its maritime heritage, and coastal scenery. The Yaquina Bay Bridge completed in 1936 is one of the most recognized bridges in the state and is on the National Register of
Roadside Attractions
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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 ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
World’s Largest Thermometer
Baker, California
Krystina Castella
If you have every wondered where and when the hottest temperature every recorded on earth is the answer is 134 degrees F in Death Valley, California on July, 10 1913. That temperature inspired Willis Herron to build World’s Tallest Thermometer to draw freeway travelers ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Appalachian Mountains
Krystina Castella
Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is a journey through the natural and cultural heritage of the Appalachian Mountains. The road stretches 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with many ...
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 ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Colonial Williamsburg, VA
Engage with people and places from the past
Krystina Castella
As largest living history museum in the world, Colonial Williamsburg is the closest we can get to time travel. If you love Hamilton the musical, here is your chance to return to the Revolutionary War ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Gering, Nebraska
Krystina Castella
As the great plains give way to the foothills of the Rockies along the North Platte River, the first outcroppings of the foothills are a set of bluffs in Western Nebraska called Scotts Bluff. Named after a fur trader ...
Articles
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Fried Pies
Sweet and Savory
Krystina Castella
Fried hand pies, a classic of the American South can be found in places stretching from the Carolinas to Texas. Depending on the filling they can be... See our fried pie recipe ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
All About Hay
Golden Pixels in the Landscape
Krystina Castella
In the American prairie states hay is hard to miss. Golden pixels in the landscape in many shapes and sizes. I decided to find out as you never know when I will need to whip out these facts at a dinner party or if a student develops a project around horses or cows ...
