North America – Page 3 – A World Explored

Going East to the coast

A long road trip through to the east coast, taken slowly – over the course of a few days – made it possible to stop to see one or two attractions in a leisurely manner along the way. For those who like to take their time, or if they have the opportunity, going slowly to another place can be a nice way to go.

Columbus, Ohio

Going north east, towards New York, the first stop was in Columbus, Ohio, where there was time to walk through the Columbus Park of Roses, a rose garden with other small gardens within it. There was time to take in sights of the city landscape, which are pleasant from the Scioto River Boulevard. The Franklin Park Conservatory is another place I wanted to see, for its luxurious grounds and gardens, and the architecture of the Conservatory itself, which could take a few trips to fully experience.

City landscapes reflected in the river nearby the Scioto River Boulevard walkways

Yellow Roses in the Columbus Park of Roses

Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

There is the Rock and Roll Museum, which is very cool, and not to be missed! Experience playing in a rock band in the live karaoke style room in the Garage, while learning how to play simple chords on the piano, bass, drums, and guitar in the nearby room. There is a lounge room with ukeleles and acoustic guitars free to play, and three floors of portraits, tour pieces – the Wall from the tour of Pink Floyd, for example, and costumes from Taylor Swift and many other artists – on the walls. There are theatres playing rock related movies and so on, and a cafe there, as well, although I did not see what was playing, as most of my time was spent in the Garage listening to the musicians.

Also in Cleveland is the wonderful Museum of Art, which has a world class collection of nearly every artistic genre, from Classical European paintings and sculptures and coats of armor and tapestries, to ancient Greco-Roman art, Egyptian, and Chinese, and African pieces. Then there are the modern contemporary sides, with galleries showcasing modern 20th century paintings and paintings from the last few decades and years. It is free, and so is parking nearby. The grounds are beautifully maintained, as well.

There are many things to do in Cleveland that seem very fun, such as walking on the beach boulevards, and going to the many free museums. This post has some good ideas: https://vacationidea.com/ohio/best-free-things-to-do-in-cleveland.html. It is a vibrant city.

Niagara Falls, NY

Rochester, NY

When one conjures up images of Rochester, the beautiful Highlands park with a castle, and the George Eastman estate may not be the first picture that comes to mind. Both places are free, although the galleries inside the George Eastman estate – the Kodak entrepreneur – cost $18 to tour. However, it is beautiful there, in both places, with their gardens and stately architecture.

Rochester itself is a city with a style unto itself, somewhat rough, and unpretentious. For those who like the grit and atmosphere of it, there is charm there.

One of the old, tree-lined walking paths in Highland Park, established in 1883.

Lake Champlain – the Plattsburg & Champlain area, in upstate New York

Stretching along the coast roughly ten minutes from the Canadian border, crossing into Montreal for those who can or want to continue north from this town, lies Plattsburg and Champlain, along the large, seaside-style coast of Lake Champlain. A fresh water lake, its coastal ruggedness of rocky ledges and trees, and pines, in places, remind one of the northwest, in the Big Sur, or further north, perhaps by some stretches of the tristate areas of Highway 1. It is ruggedly beautiful, with cold water. It is cold to swim here, even in the summer months, and refreshing, although the sunny days are sparse in between clouded, overcast scenic vistas, although this may be part of its charm.

The coastline of Point-au-Roche bay, in its state park.

Boulder, Colorado

Boulder – a small town nestled near the mountains, with outdoor outfitter shops with all the well-known brands, Patagonia, REI, Backcountry, Northface – in every shop, such as JAX, Black Diamond, and on and on…a balance between urban landscapes and the sheer, rugged beauty of snow covered pines, rushing river gorges running alongside ridges, and faces of gray stone rock for miles and miles on end.

In short, Boulder really does have it all, as many locals will likely tell you who are naturally, proud to live in Boulder.

What was fun about Boulder –

On the highway 14 east, a scenic vista of Lulu Mountain.

Go to Nederland, a small scenic town that is pretty in the evening across the waters. Looking at the lake under the stars, which come out after dark and shine, is a beautiful experience.

Any of the hikes in Boulder are worth doing, and many are short and near scenic places, such as the Flatirons trails in Chataqua Park, the Wonderland Lake loop, the Boulder Canyon trail.

Drive a scenic drive — the Lariat Loop in Golden that takes one past Lookout Mountain, with a nice short hike to the top, or the road to Estes, or the Peak to Peak highway – it is all beautiful.

Climb the Flatirons — or hike to the top, for stunning views.

The hot springs in Idaho Springs are worth seeing, especially the caves.

Dinosaur Ridge, with fossils, is a fun hike around the side of a mountain, and of course Red Rocks with its white blooming flowers along the red rock hiking trails is peaceful.

Bear Lake and Indian Hills are two of the cool, small, artistic and quaint mountain towns worth visiting — there are more places to explore, and Pearl Street is a boulevard not to be missed, either, when there.

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Outside of Boulder:

The countryside is particularly beautiful, one or two hours into the country, where yellow rushes and fields turn to pine forests and snow-capped mountains.

Don’t miss Estes Park!

An Arizona Road-trip to Denver, Colorado

For those looking for isolated highways with a rustic feel, and endless landscapes, solitude, and the occasional wildfire, here is an Arizona — Utah — Wyoming — Colorado trip I loved, which takes roughly two weeks to enjoy thoroughly. This was a scenic route.

After spending some time in Arizona, in the Dragoon Mountains, it was time to take a trip back to the continental divide in the Rockies. For ten days, on a route picked out by a seasoned nomad and fellow climber, Gregory H., the scenic road wound through tiny mountain towns and desert, pine forest and scrub canyons, through rain, sleet (groppel), and pleasant weather, until we reached Boulder, Colorado, a place to rest for a week.

If you would like to see some of the scenic places along the route as well on your own, there are so many landscapes that are not well-known, that this route is worth taking some time on completing, as these are tiny highways away from the major routes of I-70 and I-80.

From the Dragoon Mountains, highway 10 to Tuscon, then 77 to Globe. Turn onto I-88 North, which passes by Roosevelt Lake, for roadside views of the lake as the highway winds up into the pine forests of the Tonto National Forest. Take the 260 highway towards Camp Verde, and spend the night in the Tonto National Forest, if you are camping, which we were — there is a lot of peace and quiet in the isolated forest campsites.

We stopped in Prescott (169 West), and took the highway to Jerome — a little mountain ghost town worth seeing for the drive alone, and then headed up to Sedona, on 89A. There is dispersed camping all around, and hikes in the beautiful red rocks — not to be missed.

From there, the Grand Canyon was next (180 to 64 northwards), where the snow in the pine forests along the Kaibab South Rim was particularly beautiful in the evening. In the morning, there were spectacular views of the South Rim, before heading to Cameron, a Native American Indian trading post and small town. After arriving in Page, Arizona (taking the 89 northwards), the Hanging Gardens and the beautiful, and often photographed, Horseshoe Rim ($10 entry) awaited. There was a nice off-road campsite somewhere off of 7065, in a mountain range of coppers and reds, somewhat near Old Paria.

Buckskin Gultch, a beautiful place, and slot canyon with a wave formation, was next. We stayed there one night, until moving northwards to Panguitch, where we stopped briefly, until staying on the lakeshore of Piute State Park.

The I-70 North highway took us to the 15 North, which was slightly smaller and more picturesque, heading along snow-capped mountain peaks, until Salt Lake City. The first night, there was a beautiful, secluded place in the Skull Valley Reservation, off 196, and the second night, which was better, a place right along the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake, in the Great Salt Lake State Park.

An early morning view of the Great Salt Lake shoreline, Utah.

Reaching the Flaming Gorge Recreational Area — one of the most beautiful places in the world, and a hidden gem, as it is not as well known as the popular National Parks — the I-80 East met with the 414 South, until Dinosaur National Monument, where we stayed in a beautiful field of purple meadow flowers, looking towards a rocky box canyon.

Overlooking the lake of Flaming Gorge Reservoir on highway 44, closer to the 191.

The road leading towards the box canyon near Turtlerock, Dinosaur National Monument.

Dinosaur National Monument, near the Exhibition Hall, on the west.

After that, the 40 East to Craig winds through meadows, snow-capped peaks, and if you take the 14 East, eventually, Strawberry Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, where there is a hot springs worth visiting, that is only $20 per person, cash. View the gallery of the hot springs here – it is one of the highest recommended hot springs in Colorado, one of 29 hot springs in the state.

Driving east on highway 14 through the Rocky Mountains, with snow-capped mountains in sight.

The Mishiwaka Inn, along the 14, in Le Poudre, was one of the coolest little stops — a tiny little mountain of a scattered few buildings, it houses a diner and music concerts sponsored by the local Boulder radio station, the Colorado Sound.

The Mishiwaka Inn, on highway 14, in Colorado.

On the way to Boulder, there was one last beautiful view, off highway 287, roughly 24 miles from Fort Collins, at the Lone Pine Trailhead, where a six mile hike leads to a historic homestead of John Eliot. There can be very gusty, strong winds, and snow even in early May, so be careful in Colorado’s mountain ranges. Safe traveling.

Washington, DC

Washington D.C. is known for its prominence in the world’s political affairs, however, it is also a very cool place to visit.

Any walk along the promenades in Washington D.C. is worth it, because of the architecture and street cafes, and the ease with which you can get around the city and see the Capitol buildings, tour an art museum, and look at the Mall from the lawn.

There are bikes which are available to ride, which you can take around the city, biking from one place to another, which was a nice way to see the landmarks in the city.

A reflecting pool - the Washington Monument in the distance. — A reflecting pool – the Washington Monument in the distance.

The Shenandoah National Park has beautiful forests and hiking trails in Virginia, only about an hour and a half away.

The Luray Caverns are also not to be missed. They are in Shenandoah, as well.

As always, all opinions are my own.

Louisville, KY, Corydon, IN, and Nashville, IN

On a day trip to Louisville, if you are heading south and have the time, stop in Corydon to visit the former Indiana state capital. There is a quaint coffee shop there in the town square and the highway may take you through Amish country, if you so choose, which is a sight in itself to see the different ways of life.

The Red Tree gift shop is a wonderful place to go to find eclectic artwork and design that combines art and furniture in Louisville on Market Street and is worth a visit.

Nashville, Indiana is also a pleasant place to visit in the winter, with its small, quaint village atmosphere and the small eateries and gift shops that provide a different world of sorts within it. The Faerie Apothecary and the Hen House Cafe were among two of the most quaint.

That ends travel for the year of 2021. Happy 2022, and Happy New Year – safe travels.

November in Red River Gorge, KY

Another short weekend trip into the misty woods of Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. This time, the trees were starting to look bare, without the foliage they had before, and in the morning, it was much colder, although it was still warm with sunshine in the afternoon. In the cold air, the sunrises and sunsets appeared even more striking. Back in Indiana, the leaves had started dropping, too, and looked mostly completely bare.

October in Red River Gorge

A very short trip to the Red River Gorge occurred in the month of October, however, it was still beautiful as always. Two spectacular rock climbs were Caver’s Route, and the Bruise Brothers walls.
The North Gorge Road, RRG, KY

Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and the Keys

Among the most beautiful beaches in the world, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and parts of the Keys offer stunning white sand beaches and waters that offer a sense of paradise. The beaches of Ft. Lauderdale On-The-Sea’s were very pleasant and relaxing. During the brief stay there, I also walked through Miami’s most famous Espanola Way and Lincoln shopping center, which is lined with all the most expensive brands, and spent a short but beautiful day in Islamorada, which one can see, is truly one of the most beautiful places to go on seaside vacation, although there are many in the world, of course.

While I was there, I visited the Islander Girl resort in Islamorada, an island strip between the keys. The snorkeling tour took about two hours, and offered plenty of coral reefs and colorful fish to look at underwater.

If you like art, do not hesitate to visit any of Miami’s art galleries, particularly the exhibitions at Superblue Miami, which have rooms of art combined with technology, making the experience change as you walk through them.

As always, all opinions are my own, and as usual, time for a couple photographs of Islamorada, and one of an exhibition.

Below, the Islander Girl resort, with beautiful, serene vistas in Islamorada, in the Keys.

An exhibition at Superblue Miami featuring colorful umbrellas that seem to breathe, opening and closing, and changing colors from light to dark.

North American Castles

Recently, I discovered there are quite a few stone castles in the United States that look authentic, very like those one would find in Europe. Given the pandemic of coronavirus, the idea of traveling overseas for leisure or tourism has changed drastically, and I wanted to see if one could have a similar experience within the United States itself.

It turns out, one could! There are many castles, in fact, across the United States, some of which are museums, wineries, or bed and breakfasts, or even residences or Airbnbs, however, they are there, and beautiful a sight to behold and look at during a visit.

Below are two of the recent castles I have found, including a third, which is a seminary, in Indiana. There is also a castle in Ohio that is close to southern Indiana!

Metamora Castle, Indiana

I do not recommend going to this castle! It is hard to access, the path rutted out, and the gate typically closed. However, while I was there it was open, so I took a photograph and left. The atmosphere was a little haunted, and I have read elsewhere accounts of supernatural activities rumored on that site.

The Metamora Castle in Metamora, Indiana

The Bed and Breakfast, Clayshire Castle, in Indiana

Some say this castle, an estate designed by Lord Doug and Lady Mary Jo Smock, is not designed to detail, due to the windows on the ground floor, for example, however, I enjoyed visiting this place and found the grounds fun (there is a giant chess set, like in Alice in Wonderland, perhaps), and have heard there are gatherings here where you can dress in hand sewn medieval garb by the owners, themselves, and there is an annual festival in September where Shakespeare plays are held and jousting, feasts, and archery is displayed on the lawns. A good place to get married or hold a party of friends, perhaps, so I have heard.

A replica of "Godspeed," a painting by Edmund Leighton, about a knight who goes to war and has to leave behind his beloved. — A replica of “Godspeed,” a painting by Edmund Leighton, about a knight who goes to war and has to leave behind his beloved.

The Chateau Larouche, or the Loveland Castle, in Cincinnati, Ohio

The castle was built by hand, stone by stone, lugged up ton by ton from the Ohio river, by Harry (later Sir Harry) Delos Andrews, who built it over the course of his life in the 20th century, with the help of the Boy Scouts the Knights of the Golden Trail, his troop. Together they built it and guard it and to this day, it is willed to the knights. It costs $5 to visit and is a museum with grounds that are also beautiful and accessed.

The Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary

This is a really peaceful place. It is a seminary now, however, until as recently as 2008 nuns lived and prayed in the castle-like structure, designed like a real 15th century medieval castle, and one can still feel the weight, and blessing, of their prayers on the grounds. A sacred space, and healing to those who seek wisdom no matter what your religion.

The Historical District of Louisville, Kentucky

The architecture in the historical neighborhood in Kentucky, which sits right next to its Central Park, is a destination that is worth a visit to see alone, even if you do not go anywhere else in the city.

Below, some of the houses that you will find if you walk, too, into the twilight of the 18th century….and find some beautiful Victorian-era homes.

The canal also lends some views of the city skyline, and if you go to the Falls of The Ohio State Park, you can see the river, with the city behind it, and enjoy the peace there.

An old home in the historical district in Louisville, KY.

A view along one of the alleys in the historical district, in Louisville, KY.

A boulevard through a little alleyway in the historical district in Louisville, KY.

A view of the bridge from Jeffersonville, IN.

An old home with two redwood, or sycamore, possibly, trees on either side!