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Why You Can't Miss Out on this West Virginia Gem - Hawks Nest State Park

January 18th, 2024

Why You Can

No matter the season, Hawks Nest State Park is renowned for its breathtaking view of the New River Gorge. While this park is not part of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Hawks Nest is adjacent to the National Park. At just 10 miles north of the New River Gorge Bridge near Ansted, West Virginia, its location on the New River and the nearby Gauley River National Recreation Area puts it at the heart of one of the country's most challenging whitewater rafting areas.

Hidden Gems - 10 Must-See Covered Bridges in Somerset County, Pennsylvania

December 16th, 2023

 Hidden Gems - 10 Must-See Covered Bridges in Somerset County, Pennsylvania

Uncover the charm of Somerset County with our guide to 10 must-see covered bridges just oozing with history and beauty!

Bridge Day - A Walk on West Virginia's Wild Side

November 12th, 2023

Bridge Day - A Walk on West Virginia

Bridge Day at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in Fayetteville, West Virginia, is a festival that encapsulates West Virginia's slogan 'Wild and Wonderful.' This spectacular event occurs annually on the third Saturday in October amidst the scenic Autumn backdrop of the New River Gorge and its iconic Bridge. Not only is it West Virginia's largest one-day festival, but it's the largest extreme sports event in the world. It pays tribute to the world's third-longest single-arch bridge—a marvel of engineering that spans 3,030 feet across the New River Gorge and the longest bridge of its type in the Western Hemisphere. At an imposing 876-foot above the New River, this towering bridge is closed to traffic for the day, and hundreds of food and craft merchants transform the roadway into a bustling marketplace. This extraordinary spectacle draws a staggering crowd of 100,000+ onlookers and takes pride in being the world's oldest and biggest organized BASE jumping extravaganza.

From Boomtown to Ghost Town - The Rise and Fall of Thurmond, West Virginia

October 10th, 2023

 From Boomtown to Ghost Town - The Rise and Fall of Thurmond, West Virginia

Deep in the heart of Fayette County in southern West Virginia lies an eerie reminder of a bygone era – Thurmond, West Virginia. Today, a ghost town with a population of 5 (in 2020), it was one of the greatest and most infamous railroad towns along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad at the turn of the century.

Thurmond stands frozen in time, nestled on the banks of the majestic New River. Its dilapidated buildings and crumbling infrastructure offer visitors a haunting glimpse into its prosperous past from when steam trains traveled the rails and coal was king. At its zenith, Thurmond boasted a bustling population and was home to many businesses that catered to locals and passing travelers.

Today, however, only memories wander through the abandoned streets as a reminder of the transient nature of prosperity. Amidst the natural wonders of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Thurmond's ghostly presence serves as a poignant testament to the unstoppable march of progress and time's ability to reclaim even the most vibrant communities.

Exploring Elfreth's Alley - A Hidden Gem in Philadelphia's Old City

June 21st, 2023

Discover the old-world charm of Elfreth's Alley, a cobblestone street in the historic Old City district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Let its quaint homes and rich history draw you in.

Washington DC's National Cherry Blossom Festival - A Trip for Your Bucket List

April 5th, 2023

Washington DC

A brief glimpse at the history of America’s greatest springtime celebration! The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, is a trip for your bucket list. Your guide to understanding peak bloom for timing the perfect trip.

A Guide to Parke County Indiana - The Covered Bridge Capital of America

April 5th, 2023

 A Guide to Parke County Indiana - The Covered Bridge Capital of America

A travel and history guide to Parke County, Indiana's 31 covered bridges. They are #1 for having more historic covered bridges than any other county in America.

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - A Route 66 Gem Between Illinois and Missouri

September 30th, 2022

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge - A Route 66 Gem Between Illinois and Missouri

Constructed almost 100 years ago, at the beginning of America's love affair with the automobile, and reinvented as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a MUST VISIT attraction for every Historic Route 66 pilgrimage.

It is a two-mile round trip easy hike or bike across this historic old bridge that soars high above the Mississippi River between Madison, Illinois, and St Louis, Missouri, at one of the river's most scenic locations near its confluence with the Missouri River. Even if you can't go the complete distance, you can drive down the road to the left just before entering the parking lot, where you can admire the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge from the base of the Mississippi River.

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Red Oak II - A Missouri Route 66 Gem

June 11th, 2022

Red Oak II - A Missouri Route 66 Gem

During my Missouri Route 66 planning, I made a note to visit Red Oak II since I wanted to see the cottage-style Phillips 66 service station that had been relocated there and restored from the ghost town of Red Oak, Missouri. That was the extent of my research on this location, and while I knew there were a few other restored buildings on-site, nothing I read prepared me for the magnitude of this Route 66 treasure.

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The Best of New Mexico Route 66

April 6th, 2022

The Best of New Mexico Route 66

Get your kicks on New Mexico's Route 66 National Scenic Byway!

New Mexico has one of the most varied landscapes in the United States, and Route 66 crosses all of its land regions. Enter New Mexico in the Great Plains at the ghost town of Glenrio, where the landscape is flat and grassy. As you reach Tucumcari, the land begins transitioning to the high desert with broad valleys, deep canyons, sharp cliffs, and flat-topped mesas. It is both harsh and majestic. Nearing the middle of the state, you’ll wind through the mountain pass of Tijeras Canyon as you work your way to Albuquerque in the valley below. Nine Mile Hill brings you up from the valley toward El Malpais, the stark lava landscape near Grants. Approaching the Continental Divide, the lava gives way to breathtaking red-hued cliffs. Those beautiful red cliffs keep getting better and better as you pass through Gallup shortly before exiting the state.

Along New Mexico's section of the Mother Road, you will experience the charm of adobe villages in a land heavily steeped in Spanish and Native American culture alongside an eccentric collection of roadside architecture ranging from motels, 50s diners and gas stations, and colorful neon. Discover why New Mexico is known as the “Land of Enchantment.”

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