The 1800’s Pioneer Village of Southern Illinois.

The Quaker Church. Growing up, I always wondered why the Saline Creek Pioneer Village and Museum in Southern Illinois wasn't more popular. I thought, "This is a legitimate pioneer village from the olden days - why wouldn't more people want to see it?!” As an adult, I learned that while the buildings on the grounds …

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Ooh Aah Point of the Grand Canyon.

Arguably one of the most famous points at the Grand Canyon, hiking down to Ooh Aah Point should be a box ready to be checked on any hiker's checklist. Gaining its name from the obvious “Ooh, aah" sound you make upon reaching it, the point has been made uber-trendy by Instagram and TikTok “influencers”, and …

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The Petroglyphs of Trail 95.

When people think about petroglyphs, their minds often instinctively gravitate towards iconic sites like Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico, Newspaper Rock in Utah (Newspaper Rock: One of the First Community Message Boards.), or the (conveniently) similarly named Newspaper Rock in The Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert.. Yet, the American Southwest is home …

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Shrine Drive-Thru Tree of the Redwoods.

While I rarely offer scathing reviews of my travel destinations, the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is an exception, with this blog serving as a screaming cautionary tale to all my readers. Please don’t waste your time and money. Despite its initial appeal and promise of adventure, this attraction falls flat, like a tree in the forest, …

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Tempe Town Lake: The Killer Lake of Arizona.

✨Fun fact - there are 128 lakes in Arizona and only 2 are natural.✨ Among Arizona's many man-made lakes, Tempe Town Lake stands out as a favorite, particularly for residents of The Valley. Situated just 10 miles east of downtown Phoenix, adjacent to downtown Tempe, it's a prime spot for day trips, outdoor activities, and …

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The O.K. Corral: Site of the Wild West’s Most Infamous Gunfight.

Despite lasting roughly only 30 seconds, the gunfight at the O.K. Corral propelled the establishment into Wild West infamy for all of eternity. Situated in the equally renowned Wild West town of Tombstone, Arizona, the O.K. Corral served as a livery and horse corral from 1879 to approximately 1888. It became the backdrop for one …

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Lake Crescent: Washington State’s 2nd-Deepest Lake.

Nestled in the northern foothills of the majestic Olympic Mountains in northwest Washington State lies the beautiful Lake Crescent. Part of the expansive Olympic National Park, this large lake reaches a maximum depth of 624 feet (190 m), ranking it as the second-deepest lake in Washington, surpassed only by Lake Chelan. Stretching 12 miles in …

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Constellation Park in Prescott, Arizona.

Among the numerous trails I've explored in Prescott, Arizona (Prescott, Arizona: “Everybody’s Hometown”.), Constellation Park stands out as one of the most beautiful and unique. Unlike the flat and wooden hiking paths you typically encounter, at Constellation Park, you are greeted with colossal granite rocks and boulders, some standing alone, while others form intricate stacks. …

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Beach Haven, New Jersey: A Thin Slice of East Coast Heaven.

As someone who typically isn't drawn to beach destinations, Beach Haven, New Jersey, pleasantly surprised me as one of the most charming beach resort towns I've encountered - so much so that I'd eagerly return. My discovery of Beach Haven came after thorough online research while planning our 2019 East Coast road trip, which traveled …

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The Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott.

An open-air museum and heritage site, Sharlot Hall Museum is a terrific outing for history lovers, especially that of the American Southwest. Sharlot Hall, a daughter of the frontier, founded the museum in 1928 to preserve the history and culture of Northcentral Arizona. Located in downtown Prescott, Arizona, at 415 West Gurley Street, the Sharlot …

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