-
Nelsonville, OH
I absolutely adore small towns with public squares. Compact, walkable towns, full of fabulous old architecture. I prefer to find them thriving, but honestly the last fifty years have not been kind to Main Street America. Sometimes the best you can hope for is a glimpse of their more prosperous past, a few historical plaques, and a dusty antique store. Towns in Appalachia have been particularly hard hit, suffering from both the loss of industry and population. While some towns have all but rolled up the sidewalks, things are looking up for Nelsonville, Ohio, an impossibly quaint town just outside the tourist mecca of Hocking Hills. Founded in 1814, Nelsonville…
-
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…
-
Cape Cod Canal- Buzzards Bay, MA
At least once a year I stroll down the bike path at the Cape Cod Canal. Admittedly it is much more pleasant in the summer, but the views are stunning year round. Sailboats glide by, cormorants dive, and the sun predictably and dramatically sets behind the iconic Railroad Bridge. In my opinion, no trip to the Cape is complete without a Canal visit. While the idea of constructing a canal through the isthmus of Cape Cod dates back to the Pilgrims, actual construction was delayed a few centuries until 1909. While everyone saw the benefit of a nautical shortcut, especially those shipping goods between New York and Boston, joining two…
-
Kelso Depot- Kelso, CA
Kelso Depot, like a mirage, just appears before your eyes in the middle of the Mojave National Preserve. A welcomed stop for those exploring dusty desert roads between Palm Springs and Las Vegas, it is a wonderful example of Spanish Mission Style architecture. It is impossible to drive by and not stop, if only for the restroom. But seriously, it is impossible not to be charmed by the depot.
-
Pikes Peak Cog Railway- Manitou Springs, CO
If funiculars are rare beasts, cog railways are practically unicorns. Only two still exist in the United States today, so if you find yourself in either Manitou Springs or Mount Washington, it’s you’re lucky day. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. It’s going to be a good one.
