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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Read On!
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Views, cliffs and waterfalls

Krystina Castella

The Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, is bordered by Lake Superior to the north, Lake Michigan to the south, and Lake Huron to the east. The UP spans over 16,000 square miles and has natural attractions, rich
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Featured

Little Lakes Valley
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Rock Creek

Eastern Sierras, California

Krystina Castella
Just off the 395 In the heart of California's Eastern Sierras, Rock Creek offers a tranquil escape into nature. Located near Mammoth Lakes, it is just as beautiful but without the crowds. The journey begins
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Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

American Flags

Expression of our National Identity

Krystina Castella
One thing American’s have in common is the symbol of the American flag. As our national symbol of identity to each person or group it offers diverse and complex ...
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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

Ft. Collins, Colorado

Old West meets the New Frontier

Krystina Castella
Twenty years ago, Ft. Collins, Colorado was one of those college towns that was an undiscovered gem. Back then it was best known as the town where Disneyland Main Street designer, Harper Goff grew up and used for inspiration. Today the word is out, and it has become a mecca of experimental food (mac and cheese pizza!), nature, art ...
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Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Assateague National Seashore

It is all about the Horses!

Krystina Castella
If you’ve ever wanted to spend the day sitting on the beach watching herds of wild horses play in the waves Assateague National Seashore is ...
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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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Play

Wave Pool
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

On the Platte River, Nebraska

Krystina Castella
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, on the Platte River near Ashland, Nebraska, offers an outdoor experience with a wide array activities and natural beauty. The aquatic center features
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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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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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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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Biking along ledges and bowls
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 ...
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Nature

Horseback Riding on Beach
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Florence, Oregon

Krystina Castella
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, near Florence, Oregon, has one the largest expanses of coastal sand dunes in North America stretching over 40 miles along the coast. Hiking trails wind through the dunes and surrounding
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Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Joshua Tree National Park

Coachella Valley, California

Krystina Castella
Drive only 60 miles north of Palm Springs or 130 miles east of Los Angeles and you will find the dramatic deserts landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. Its unique placement in the Coachella Valley showcases ...
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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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Entry to Ricketts Glen
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Ricketts Glen State Park

Necklace of Waterfalls

Krystina Castella
Rated the #1 State Park in Pennsylvania, Ricketts Glen features a necklace of 25 picturesque waterfalls along a four-and-a-half-mile trail through the ...
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Freshkills Park
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  ...
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Forest, Cumberland Island
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Cumberland Island

A Georgia Barrier Island

Krystina Castella
Cumberland Island, the largest and southernmost of Georgia's barrier islands is accessible only by ferry from the town of St. Marys, ensuring that the landscape remains natural. It was once home to
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Art & Design

Photo: Brian Boyl
Photo:
Brian Boyl

Seven Magic Mountains

Contrast of Nature and Culture

Krystina Castella
When driving on Interstate 15, just south of Las Vegas, Nevada be sure to stop at Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s land art piece Seven Magic Mountains. At about 35 feet tall the massive sculpture consists of thirty-three boulders ...
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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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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 Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Murals of Cincinnati

If walls could speak

Krystina Castella
Cincinnati is a city in transformation that cares about the community through investing in art! It is home to a vibrant collection of ...
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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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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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Cities & Towns

Tree in Courthouse Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
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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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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Photo: Krystina Castella
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Easton, Pennsylvania

Waterways and Bridges

Krystina Castella
Right across the Northampton Street bridge from New Jersey at the intersection of the Lehigh and Delaware rivers is the picturesque ...
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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 ...
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Cowgirl at the Alamo
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 ...
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Rainbow Row, Charleston
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Charleston, South Carolina

Get lost in Southern Charm

Krystina Castella
Our first impression of Charleston, South Carolina was that this is a city that understands its quaint beauty. Although the Charleston ...
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More Cities and Towns...

Roadside Attractions

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

Carhenge: Alliance, Nebraska

Stumble upon a roadside treasure

Krystina Castella
When driving through Nebraska on Highway 87 the hours can pass by slowly as corn and hay dominate the landscape. However, just outside of ...
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The Chairy Orchard welcome gate
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Chairy Orchard

A Landscape of Chairs

Krystina Castella
It was one of those rainy-day drives where we were constantly questioning if we should pull over to the side of the road because the rain was coming down so hard. In times like these we typically do a search on attractions near me which happened to be Denton, Texas- just outside of Dallas. That is how we found the Chairy Orchard surfacing right to the #1 spot. We had no idea what it was, but it was something to do for a bit until the rain let up. We were puzzled by...
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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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Photo: Krystina Castella
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 ...
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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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More Roadside Attractions...

Articles

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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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 ...
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Scrumptious bacon/egg fried pie
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 ...
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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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America 250
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Stars & Stripes

A Familiar Image

Krystina Castella
As America reaches its 250th anniversary, the American flag feels as familiar and meaningful as ever. It appears everywhere: at street festivals, on porches, in parades, on trucks, in shop windows, along roadsides, and in neighborhoods across the country.
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Everglades National Park
Photo:
Krystina Castella

Florida Love

Favorites of the Sunshine State

Krystina Castella
Florida and California (where we live) have many commonalities. We both have oranges, palm trees, beautiful and sunny warm weather in winter. However, there are many differences that draw us back to visit Florida ...
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