The United States
While we thoroughly enjoy traveling to far off places, we also cherish all that the United States has to offer, and look forward to more opportunities to travel within our own country. In fact, Sandi's goal is to someday be able to visit all 50 states.
From sea to shining sea...we have explored delightful locations on both coasts and several places in between; we've included a few highlights on this page. No matter where we go, home is truly our favorite place to be, and we are always content to return. (Clicking on any photo will open up a larger image.) |
New York: September 2023
We spent a busy couple of days in New York City before heading on a European tour. We visited three National Park sites: Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS, Stonewall NM and St. Paul's Church NHS. We took a ride throughout the city with Tea Around Town, took in great views from Summit One Vanderbilt, and took in a Broadway show!
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina: July-August 2023
On an 11-day road trip we visited 13 National Park units and attended the National Park Travelers Club Convention in Hendersonville, North Carolina. In addition to the places pictured below, we also stopped to see the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Chattahoochee River NRA, Kennesaw Mountain NBP (which became our 200th NP unit), Ocmulgee Mounds NHP, Ninety Six NHS, Kings Mountain NMP and Cowpens NB. We also enjoyed plenty of yummy Southern food!
California and Oregon: June 2023
On a driving trip to Ashland, Oregon to meet up with Carol and Toni, high school friends of Sandi's, along with their spouses was bookended by stops at seven National Park sites in California and Oregon we hadn't yet visited. We attended thee plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and had an enjoyable stay at the lovely Lithia Springs Resort.
Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri: July 2022
Our two-week Midwest road trip began in Kansas City and culminated with the National Park Travelers Club Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. We visited 17 National Park sites and made quite a few other interesting stops along the way.
San Francisco, California: December 2021
An after Christmas 4-night getaway allowed us to experience many of San Francisco's famous sites, along with Taryn, Kyle, Theodore and Benjamin, including 5 National Park units, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Chinatown (where we watched fortune cookies being made and had dinner) and Ghirardelli Square (where we enjoyed hot cocoa and chocolate treats).
Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi: November 2021
On a Thanksgiving week road trip we visited several National Park sites and revisited two favorite cities: vibrant, colorful New Orleans, Louisiana and Laurel, Mississippi, with its small town charm. Other highlights were the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and stops at two of the remaining Merci Train boxcars, one in Jackson, Mississippi and one in Austin, Texas.
Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.: July-August 2021
The National Park Travelers Club Convention was held in Washington, D.C. this year so we decided to attend the events and combine them with other east coast sites, including a visit with Steve's brother Bruce and sister-in-law Kathi in Virginia.
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming: April 2021
We visited 20 National Park sites on a 12-day driving trip after flying to Denver. We'd long desired being able to see Mount Rushmore so that was certainly a highlight. We broadened our historical and cultural knowledge with stops at other places of interest, including two author-related locations, Willa Cather's hometown and Laura Ingalls Wilder's Homestead.
Arizona, New Mexico, Texas: November 2020
Continuing to enjoy spending time together on the road, this second 2020 trip included 19 National Park units, all but two were new to us. We experienced crisp fall weather and no crowds, making it easy to social distance and enjoy the outdoors.
Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona: July-August 2020
We decided to take to the road after three planned 2020 trips were canceled due to COVID-19. We do love a road trip and Taryn, Kyle and the boys joined us for the first three days, including a night spent sleeping in a (very comfortable) replica Conestoga covered wagon! Our focus was to visit 17 National Park units, 14 of them new to us, exploring outdoor spaces where we could carefully social distance. A few of the highlights of our trip are shown below.
Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas: August 2019
An opportunity to attend a conference in Houston prompted us to stretch a weekend into a 10-day road trip! We visited the Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, and five National Park sites in Arkansas.And we enjoyed meandering along a portion of the original Route 66, stopping to see a few iconic symbols of another era.
Click here to see more of our Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas trip.
Click here to see more of our Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas trip.
Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming: July 2019
On a family trip, we explored three National Parks and enjoyed activities that included horseback riding, a raft trip, and a chuckwagon dinner. We began by flying to Salt Lake City, then drove north, staying in two incredible cabins, one in Island Park, ID and one in Victor, ID. We experienced wildlife sightings, beautiful scenery, and wonderful shared family moments.
Click here to see more of our National Parks trip.
Click here to see more of our National Parks trip.
Florida: October 2018
October was an ideal time of year to experience some of both the man-made and God-created treasures that Florida offers. We marveled at the innovations displayed at Kennedy Space Center, strolled the cobblestone streets of St. Augustine, and explored the natural beauty of Biscayne National Park, Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve.
Click here to see more of our Florida trip.
Click here to see more of our Florida trip.
Alabama and Mississippi: June 2018
We enjoyed a delightful ten days driving through these two states. A few highlights were Ivy Green, Helen Keller's birthplace and home, Vicksburg National Military Park, and attending worship at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was pastor from 1954-1960. We experienced beautiful green landscapes, met friendly people everywhere we went, learned a great deal about the Civil Rights Movement and other historic events, and along the way had our share of BBQ, cheesy grits, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese and other delectable southern treats!
Click here to see more of our Alabama and Mississippi trip.
Click here to see more of our Alabama and Mississippi trip.
Nevada: November 2017
We spent five relaxing days in and around Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving holidays, exploring some of the glitzy highlights of the city, as well as two areas known for their natural beauty: Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon.
Click here to see more of our Nevada trip.
Click here to see more of our Nevada trip.
Texas: July 2017
One week is a short amount of time to spend in a state as vast as Texas, but we enjoyed seeing quite a few of the state's highlights and historical locations as we visited Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Waco.
Click here to see more of our Texas trip.
Click here to see more of our Texas trip.
New Mexico: December 2016 - January 2017
New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment", and we were definitely enchanted as we spent nine wintry days exploring places of natural beauty: two National Parks and three National Monuments, historic sites, and some great southwest food!
Click here to see more of our New Mexico trip.
Click here to see more of our New Mexico trip.
Key West and Miami, Florida: November 2015
Before setting sail from Miami on a Thanksgiving week Caribbean cruise, we allowed an extra day in Florida so we could experience the drive to Key West and stand on the southernmost point in the United States. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of some Key West specialties: conch fritters, conch chowder, and of course, key lime pie!
New Orleans, Louisiana: November 2013
We spent three delightful days in New Orleans, exploring the French Quarter and Garden District, taking a plantation and swamp tour, listening to jazz at Preservation Hall, and indulging in beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde!
Click here to see more of our New Orleans trip.
Click here to see more of our New Orleans trip.
Seattle, Washington: September 2011
We've traveled several times to the Northwest over the years; this trip combined sightseeing, family time with two of Steve's sisters, his niece and nephew and their families, a cruise to Vancouver, and a visit with the Colbornes...whose home will always be our favorite spot to visit in Washington! Some of these pictures are from prior trips to Seattle.
We've traveled several times to the Northwest over the years; this trip combined sightseeing, family time with two of Steve's sisters, his niece and nephew and their families, a cruise to Vancouver, and a visit with the Colbornes...whose home will always be our favorite spot to visit in Washington! Some of these pictures are from prior trips to Seattle.
The New England States: July 2011
The two weeks we spent traveling through six New England states charmed us with its covered bridges, quaint towns, and meandering country roads. We visited historic sites connected with our country's beginnings, and enjoyed a variety of experiences including walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts, tasting yummy samples on a Ben & Jerry's factory tour in Waterbury, Vermont, and touring the lavish mansions in Newport, Rhode Island.
Arizona and Utah: August 2010
We spent six days traveling in Arizona and Utah with Anthony, seeing three National Parks and two National Monuments: We visited Lowell Observatory, and the Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture at the Museum of Northern Arizona, both in Flagstaff.
Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee: January 2009
The highlight of our trip to Tennessee was Kirstin and John's wedding, but we also had the opportunity to see a few area attractions, including Graceland and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, and the Hermitage and the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. We also had some sensational fried chicken in Memphis and some great barbecue in Nashville!
San Francisco, California: July 2008
We treated Anthony to a few of San Francisco's highlights on a four-day trip. We visited Chinatown, the Cable Car Museum, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, took a cable car ride, and a drive down the famous crooked Lombard Street. Anthony's favorite activity was the Alcatraz Island tour. The Golden Gate Bridge, though shrouded in fog, was still a wonder to see.
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