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Hampton Mansion NHS- Towson, MD
Once the largest private home in the United States, Hampton Mansion is still one of the grandest. Considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture remaining in America, over two hundred years after its construction, it still shines. That’s the beauty of classic architecture-it ages gracefully. Constructed in 1790, the mansion was built on land originally part of the 1695 Northampton land grant, which was sold to Colonial Charles Ridgely in 1745. In time, the estate grew to over 10,000 acres, and included orchards, quarries, gristmills, and an ironworks, which produced cannons and ammunition for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It also produced…
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Lake Louise & Lake Agnes- Banff NP, AB
Lake Louise, with its grand hotel, towering snow capped mountains peaks, and impossibly emerald water is perhaps the most popular destination in the Canadian Rockies. Or maybe it just feels that way, due to the crazy crowds. Arriving early is key here, if you are not staying at the Chateau. Just after dawn the parking lots are full, and by mid-morning, the area trails are packed. That said, it is worth any inconvenience to visit this spectacular glacial lake. The sad, but fortunate truth is that many Lake Louise visitors just snap a quick picture before heading off to their next destination; this means it isn’t as crowded as it…
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Icefields Parkway- Banff NP, AB
To really get an idea of the unique character of the Canadian Rockies, explore the Icefields Parkway. Traveling through Banff and Jasper National Parks, this historic parkway showcases all that is magical and special about the region. From stunning blue glacial lakes to a collection of retreating glaciers, it provides countless opportunities for once in a lifetime adventures. Predated by the 1885 Glacial Trail, the current parkway has its roots in a 1931 Great Depression relief project, which employed 600 men to hand constructed a single track road between Lake Louise and Jasper. Completed in 1941, the Icefields Parkway was modernized in 1961 to accommodate increased tourist traffic. Today, the…
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Bow Valley Parkway & Johnston Canyon- Banff NP, AB
Although there are faster ways to get from Banff to Lake Louise than the Bow Valley Parkway, its not always about the destination. This short scenic drive offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, views of the surrounding mountains, and access to the Johnston Canyon trailhead, one of the most popular hikes in the park. In fact, you may never even make it to Lake Louise. Although there are several stops along the parkway, the 8000 year old Johnston Canyon is perhaps the most popular. Here, a cantilevered trail winds through a lush limestone canyon, past several stunning waterfalls. An extension of the trail ascends to a serene alpine meadow studded with…
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Banff Springs Golf Club- Banff, AB
Banff Springs Golf Club is without a doubt one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Opened in 1911 as a nine hole track designed by Bill Thompson, an apprentice of Old Tom Morris at St. Andrews, it was expanded by Donald Ross in 1924 to eighteen holes. Just a few years later, with a virtually unlimited budget from Canadian Pacific Railway, Stanley Thompson redesigned the course, which boasted of being the most expensive ever built when it opened in 1928. Although the original clubhouse is now a German restaurant, and a few holes have been reordered, today’s course is still essentially Thompson’s design. A somewhat short, difficult track,…
