In our post last week we asked readers to tell us about your favorite U. S. travel destination or give us the name of a destination on your bucket list. You responded and we’re eternally grateful. The suggestions you provided are awesome and some even awe-inspiring. I lost myself in research on each of them and compiling the photographs made me genuinely giddy with excitement at the prospect of visiting each of them. I hope it happens.
Listed below are a few of your suggestions. Most of the text came either from an official website such as a Visitor’s Bureau, The National Park Service, or from reference material like Wikipedia. All of the photographs came via Google Images. Therefore I say upfront that corrections are welcome and anyone claiming copyright infringements will prompt us to print proper credits or retractions. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this online tour as much as Helen (adorable wife) and I did.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
I wanted to start close to home. This suggestion came from a high school classmate and good friend who makes his home in one of America’s great cities. David recommended a visit to the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel as a base of operations. From there, visitors can enjoy a meal at the nearby Terminal Brewhouse before visiting the Tennessee Aquarium featuring fresh-water species from all over the world. Next, take a walk along the 13 mile Tennessee Riverwalk, and finish the day with an Oyster Po’-Boy at the Boathouse Rotisserie. Sounded good to us!
Horseshoe Bend, AZ
Ingrid, an online friend and blogger (Live, Laugh, RV) that we hope to meet on our trip to the southwest, suggested visiting the Horseshoe Bend overlook which is 1,000 feet above the Colorado River near the town of Page, AZ. While in the area, Ingrid also tells us that a guided tour through a slot canyon is a must. Thanks Ingrid, we can’t wait.
New Bern, NC
A trip to the coastal region of North Carolina ranks near the top of the list for Nancy, creator of the very interesting blog, Defining Third Age. Nancy is an avid sailor so her choice is understandable. New Bern is 87 miles northeast of Wilmington and sits at the confluence of two tidal waterways. Within walking distance of the waterfront are 164 homes and buildings listed on the National Register. Helen loves it that there are over 2,000 Crape Myrtles in the city. New Bern is also famous as the home of Pepsi-Cola.
Newport, RI
Jeanne, a friend from Knoxville, says that Newport, RI is one of her favorites for its rocky coastline as well as the magnificent homes built by some of America’s wealthiest families. Helen and I stopped there once for a meal of fried clams and took a quick glimpse around. We both agree with Jeanne that this beautiful city deserves a long, second look.
Sawtooth Mountains, ID
Shelia, a westerner, tells us that the beautiful western lakes are always worth a visit and lists the Sawtooth Mountains of Central Idaho as a treat for the traveler. I am in her debt because I am not familiar with this portion of the Rocky Mountains and it took only one peek at a photograph of these rugged peaks for me to add the Sawtooths to my bucket list. These mountains range in height to over 10,000 feet and, within the Sawtooth Wilderness, a visitor can find over 400 lakes 350 trails for day hikes. Let’s go!
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND
The only National Park named directly after a single person is recommended highly by Mary, an experienced traveler who writes about her visits to state and national parks on her blog, Reflections Around the Campfire. National Parks are a national treasure and Helen and I love to visit them. Mary described her time at Theodore Roosevelt NP as “superb.” This park, located in the Badlands of North Dakota is known for wildlife viewing with bison, cougars, feral horses, badgers, bighorn sheep, and 186 species of birds found there. The park also boasts of over 100 miles of foot and horse trails for backcountry hiking and camping. I’m all in!
Thousand Islands, Canada
Although we still have only scratched the surface when it comes to traveling the U.S., Canada is still a draw for me, so I included the Thousand Islands in this little travelogue. According to Wikipedia, Thousand Islands, also suggested by Nancy, constitute an archipelago consisting of 1,864 islands that straddle the Canadian-U.S. Border in the St. Lawrence River. The Canadian Islands are in the province of Ontario and the U.S. islands are in the state of New York. To count as one of the Thousand Islands, land in the river channel must consist of at least one square foot, be above water year-round, and must support at least two trees. The pictures I found online show some extremely picturesque scenery and are truly worthy of an in-person view.
Thanks to all for these fantastic suggestions. There is a lot to see on the road less traveled and I am certain that readers and travelers alike will find your contributions both interesting and helpful. For me, this exercise was a large amount of fun and made me very eager to start…Easin’ Along.
Great list, Joe! You’ve shown some places I’d like to add to my list as well. Looking forward to seeing all the adventures you and Helen have this year!
Hi, Jeanne,
I had a lot of fun putting this list together. Glad you enjoyed it as well. Say hi to Bill.
Great list! The Sawtooths in Idaho are indeed stunning. We spent some time up there during the summer of ’16. Grand Teton National Park is also a stunner.
Thanks, Ingrid,
I’ve been to the Tetons many times, but (and I hate to admit it) I don’t think I ever heard of the Sawtooths. The pictures I found are incredible. Hope you’re doing well.
Have been to TR national park in ND great place. Saw more Buffalo there than other parks. It is also known as the grass lands.
It differs from the SDBad lands in that it has more color and of course grass and greenery.
Hey, Trim,
I think I’ve heard of it, but obviously never been there. We hope to make that trip next year. Hope you’re gearing up for a big RV season! Say hi to Sarah.
Hey Joe,
If you get over to Boise Id. after the Sawtooths, you might want to try out the Stagecoach Inn restaurant. The prawns and Halibut are great entrees and steaks are good too. Originally it was a “gentleman’s club” . Its considered a landmark by the locals. I’ve eaten there several times and was never disappointed.
Hi, Mike,
Awesome recommendation. I’m all about good food and I’ll keep the Stagecoach on the list. Hope you’re doing well. Thanks for stopping by.
Stay on the American side of the Thousand Islands, in the town of Alexandria Bay. Thousand Island Dressing was born here. Boldt Castle is a must visit. (Boldt owned the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel) and built a 120 room castle for his wife as a surprise. Sadly, she passed away before its completion, hence another story. Also, the Singer Castle (Singer Sewing Machines) built their home on another island. Plus, the town is on the St Lawrence river which is always flat ( locks on either end of the river) so you will see ocean liners and freighters cruising past. A good American visit.
Hi, Jack,
I can’t thank you enough! That is some great information. We’re talking late summer for a trip there around a trip to the Chautauqua Institution. We love that part of the country.
Hmmm. Looks like you and Helen are going to be VERY busy, Joe. Looks like Lucy has her work cut out for her!
I’ll second the vote for the Thousand islands. We’ve camped at Wellesley Island State Park in New York and I’d go back again in a heartbeat.
Hi, Mary,
That is the second vote today for the Thousand Islands. Now we have the name of a campground thanks to you. I had a lot of fun with this post and hope we make it to all of the suggested stops. Lucy said she was ready!
Joe, I’d like to add a comment about Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There are three units to the Park – the North Unit, the South Unit and the Elkhorn Ranch unit. I believe most visitors tour the South Unit because it’s not far off the interstate and closer to lodging. (We stayed in the Cottonwood Campground inside the South Unit and we loved it.) I’d like to point out that, although the North Unit was about an hour’s drive up from the South Unit, it was well worth the time and effort. So, for anyone planning to visit TRNP, I’d suggest factoring in enough time to see at least those two units. We didn’t visit the Elkhorn Ranch Unit as it’s in a remote location with no cell service and a gravel road that may require a four wheel drive vehicle for the last few miles. It’s always best to check with the Park Rangers before heading out that way. Rumor has it that it’s just beautiful, though. Happy trails!
Mary,
I love having experienced travelers contribute to Easin’ Along. This is great information and we plan on visiting TRNP next year thanks to you. I hope you will let me hit you up for more information as we begin planning for the trip. Stay in touch.
Ask away, any time. Always happy to talk travel!
Hi Joe,
You certainly got a lot of great suggestions…so glad you found some of mine interesting. If you don’t mind, I’ll mention this post on my blog and link back here, too.
Nancy,
You had some great suggestions. We hope to visit New Bern someday. We will likely visit Thousand Islands this summer and combine the visit with a week at the Chautauqua Institute. Would not have done it without your comments. I would be honored for you to mention Easin’ Along on your blog. Thanks!
Super! You will love the Thousand Islands!
We launched the boat at Wellesley Island and they have a nice campground there, too.