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Cherry Blossom Festival- Washington, D.C.
Without a doubt, Washington is at it’s most beautiful in the spring. Down at the tidal basin, it doesn’t get much better than those fleeting few weeks in March or April when the cherry blossoms bloom, and the entire area is transformed into a pale pink dream. Some years are better than others; harsh weather and high winds can destroy the delicate blossoms. But, when the weather cooperates, the experience is downright heavenly. The idea of cherry trees around the tidal basin predates the official planting by almost 25 years; during her first trip to Japan, National Geographic board member Eliza Scidmore encountered the trees, and was moved by their…
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park- Peninsula, OH
When you think of America’s National Parks, you probably imagine the big ones. The dramatic Western parks, with their canyons, arches and geysers; home to ancient redwood forests, towering monoliths, and rugged wilderness. You probably are not thinking of a sprawling stretch of land between Akron and Cleveland. Nevertheless, that is where you will find Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And while it may be more modest than some of its siblings, it is a verdant oasis, full of wildlife, waterfalls, and dramatic rock formations. Unlike many other National Parks, Cuyahoga is an open park, and no admission is charged. It consists of a collection of once rural communities, a historic…
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Yellowstone National Park- WY,MT,ID
Older is definitely better when it comes to National Parks. Actually, they’re all amazing; however, the oldest park, Yellowstone, is an absolute wonderland. A vast and varied collection of fascinating geologic features, it is like no other place on Earth. In fact, it resembles an inhospitable and inhabitable planet in places; one with steaming vents and boiling baths. However, it is also a place of great diversity; stark beauty tempered with lush wetlands, raging rivers, and dramatic waterfalls. Add the architecturally outstanding Old Faithful Inn, and it might just be the perfect park. Whatever amount of time you plan to spend at the park will not be enough. To really…
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Trail Ridge Road-Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Coast to Coast, America has an incredible number of scenic drives. From dusty desert byways to rugged coastline highways, they make getting to your destination secondary, and certainly a lot more fun. Some drives, such as those located in National Parks, are destinations unto themselves. For those who don’t have the time or energy to actually explore a park, these roads offer an excellent overview of the area. Consisting of sinuous curves and scenic overlooks, the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is without a doubt one of the most stunning park drives in the country. Many of these roads, such as Trail Ridge, have their origins in…
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Big Bend National Park- Big Bend, TX
For all of you National Park junkies that love the isolation and solitude of the desert, head to Big Bend. It is by far one of the least visited National Parks in the United States, so chances are you will practically have the place to yourself. Although some might consider it desolate, the park is far from a barren wasteland; it is home to stunning geology, the Rio Grande, diverse wildlife, and some of the darkest skies in the world. Big Bend is not the easiest place to get to, which probably accounts for the low visitation numbers. Only 300,000 people a year visit this park, which is probably the…
