Places
Articles about places, sights, and general travel details.
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Hawaii
Hawaii is one of my favorite places. I have been to Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. Picking a favorite island is nearly impossible since each island is so different and each has such a different vibe. When visiting the islands be sure to NOT act like a typical tourist. Do NOT race from one place to another and try to see everything. Take your time, savor the flavor and feel of the islands, talk with locals (really take time to enjoy their company), and take time to do nothing but enjoy the tranquility. Above all, be respectful of the land and of the people. Here are some of my…
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Sedona, AZ
Sedona is an amazing place with red rocks, impressive geological monuments, and other amazing sights. Activities include hiking, off-roading, biking, and normal tourist activities including shopping, art galleries, museums, and dining. Sedona is a wealthy area where many of affluent and entertainment figures frequent. I normally do not enjoy the overpriced tourist locations but Sedona had a lot more to offer. Sedona has much to offer and you could spend many weeks seeing all the sights. Here are just a few of the things to see and do in Sedona. Tlaquepaque Tlaquepaque (T-la-keh-pah-keh) is a art and shopping community in the heart of Sedona. Tlaquepaque looks like an old Spanish…
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Hawaii: Oahu
Oahu has many famous sites including Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, etc. When I visit Hawaiian Islands I like to enjoy the natural places and the people. The big, bustling city of Honolulu is not my idea of Hawaii but many tourists flock there. Oahu has much to offer besides the big city. I particularly enjoyed the sites and history at Pearl Harbor. This is a “must see” place. I also enjoyed the climb to the top of Diamond Head and the spectacular views. Another favorite was the trail to the Makapu’u Lighthouse. Here are some of my favorite places on Oahu. Diamond Head, Oahu: (full article) The…
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Grand Teton, WY
Grand Teton National Park is adjacent to the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. If you in the area then this is a “must see” park. The Grand Teton mountains, lakes, and rivers are simply spectacular. Cameras cannot do justice to places like Grand Teton. The park has a loop road that starts at Jackson Lake. You may want to follow this driving tour of the park. Most of this information was taken from the Drive Tour handout available from the Visitor Center. Colter Bay Visitor Center: Ask the rangers for suggestions when hiking, sightseeing, or camping. The rangers know their stuff and are a wealth of valuable information. Willow…
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Grand Canyon
Many years ago I did some solo road trips that started in Garden Grove, CA and went through Las Vegas, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, Bryce Canyon, Zion, etc. I did similar road trips two consecutive years (circa 1985 and 1986) and spent three nights on the floor of the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon is a place that you see in photos and movies but you cannot truly experience it until you see it in person. I started these road trips after Thanksgiving and these places were cold, quiet, and devoid of crowds. I had seen the canyon many times in photos and movies but being there was completely different.…
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Taft Point & Sentinel Dome, CA
These are two of the coolest places and you can see both in a single half-day hike. This loop hike is a must see. You could complete this hike in a couple of hours but you will want to spend a fair bit of time at each location soaking in the views and taking photos. Be sure you have a camera for this hike and be sure to carry bear spray for protection. At the parking area you are faced with a tough choice. The trail to the right goes to Sentinel Dome and the trail to the left goes to Taft Point. Each trail is 1.1 miles one-way and…
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Ecola Park & Cannon Beach, OR
Two spectacular places on the Oregon Coast are Ecola Park and Cannon Beach situated about 25 miles from the northern border of Oregon. The road to Ecola Park is at the northern end of the city of Cannon Beach. When taking the coast drive these are definitely two places to stop and take photos. Part of the Goonies was also filmed here. If you are on a goonie trek, then you will have to stop here. From Hwy-101 take the road to Ecola Park. This pleasant road winds through an old growth forest with lots of very large trees. Take the road at a reasonable speed as it is quite…
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Tillamook, OR
The Oregon coast city of Tillamook is about 65 miles from the Washington border when driving on Hwy-101. We normally make a stop at Tillamook when driving back from Depot Bay. If you stay in Long Beach, WA or Astoria, OR then Tillamook is roughly a 1+ hour drive. Tillamook is known for dairy products, especially cheese. My favorite places in Tillamook are the cheese factory, the Air Museum, and the lighthouse. For a cheese-lover the Tillamook Creamery (factory) is almost like hallowed ground. They have self-guided tours and a large, well-documented viewing around above the factory floor. At each phase of the cheese-making process signs and videos explain what…
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Ilwaco Lighthouses & Etc., WA
The small town of Ilwaco, home to Cape Disappointment State Park, lies just south of Long Beach, WA. This area is also known as the Graveyard of the Pacific because about 2,000 ships sank in this area since 1792. The Coast Guard base trains mariners for dealing with rough seas. Other attractions around Ilwaco include the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, North Head Lighthouse, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, Waikiki Beach, and Dead Man’s Cove. Cape Disappointment is an extremely dangerous place for ships but exceedingly beautiful place for scenery. This high cliffs and turbulent waters make for fine viewing and photos. The two lighthouses sit atop cliffs that offer stellar views…
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Long Beach, WA
One of my favorite places is the town of Long Beach located close to the southern border of the Washington state. It is a small tourist destination that features LOTS of beaches, quaint shops and restaurants, and a variety of nearby places to visit. It is easy to spend an entire week in Long Beach because you can take a variety of day trips or just hang around the beach and relax. The Beach The beach is about 28 miles long and much of it is drivable depending on conditions and time of year. The sand is extremely fine and the coastal waters are very shallow. There are times when…