Places
Articles about places, sights, and general travel details.
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Sahalie & Koosah Falls (Eastern Oregon)
Location Eastern Oregon in the Bend/Sisters area Length 3 miles Elevation (start) 2800′ Seasons Spring to Fall Usage Heavy Conditions Difficulty Moderate Parking Parking lot at trailhead, no passes required Permits Northwest Trail Pass or National Park Pass required (verify this) This trail is part of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail. The McKenzie River creates the Sahalie and Koosah Falls. Sahalie Falls is just past the trailhead. You have good photo spots at the beginning of the trail and also good vantage points about 15 minutes past the trailhead. Koosah Falls is about a 30-minute hike from the trailhead. There are some nice views of the river valley and…
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Hawaii: Kauai
The Island of Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands which means that it has some very impressive beaches. Kauai has a vibe different from the other islands. On the Big Island I want to get out, hike, explore new places, drive for hours, etc. On Oahu I want to see the history including Pearl Harbor, the lighthouses, Diamondhead, etc. On Kauai I want to just relax, hit the beaches, and snorkel. Kauai is the garden island. As we drove around I saw many interesting looking trees that I called “Dr Seuss Trees.” I was later told that Dr Seuss lived on Kauai (I have been trying to…
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Hawaii: Big Island
The Big Island has something for everyone. There are sandy beaches, trails, spectacular views, mountains, rugged coastline, volcanoes, wildlife, cities, dining, and wonderful people. The Big Island has all climate zones from desert to snow. If you could vacation on only one island I would suggest the Big Island because of its diversity. Here are a few of my memorable experiences on the Big Island: Big Island Ranger: (full article) On our first trip to the Big Island we stopped at the Visitor’s Center at the Pu’ukohola Heiau. We adopted a ranger for a couple of days and had some very fun adventures. Captain Cook, Big Island: Captain Cook is…
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Coit Tower & Greenwich Steps
While walking around San Francisco we decided to trek up Coit Tower. Walked up Lombard Street to the Tower was a bit of a challenge because the elevation gain is deceiving and a bit more than I expected. Some of the climb was on very inclined sidewalks and some was on stairs. The Tower itself is impressive. The design is art deco and overall is very minimalist but with many subtle details. From one side you get views of the entire city, from another you get views of the bay and Alcatraz, and from another angle you can see the waterfront and bridges. While walking around the Tower parking lot…
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Point Vicente Lighthouse
Location Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Position Year Built 1926 Height 67′ Lens 3rd order rotating Fresnel Light Distance 24 miles Light Pattern Construction The Point Vicente Lighthouse in Rancho Palos Verdes is situated on gorgeous ocean cliffs in southern California. The lighthouse shares a parking lot with the Point Vicente Interpretive Center . The Center has a visitor’s center, amphitheater, trails, and is the premier whale watching location in the area. The trails are great for viewing the cliffs, rugged coastline, birds, and whales. The Interpretive Center has exhibits about local land and history as well as a gift shop. The staff at the center are friendly…
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Giant Redwoods RV Camp
Sometimes, especially on road trips, things do not go as expected. Sometime when things do not go as expected they turn out much better than you could have anticipated. Many years ago we were taking a road trip from Washington State to California via the coastal route. In northern California we wanted to see the giant redwood trees. It was getting later in the day and we needed to find a campground and stop for the night. We pulled off Hwy-101 in the Redwoods and stopped at a campsite. The site was completely full so we got back in the car and checked the next campsite. The next campsite was…
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Yosemite Tunnel View
The Tunnel View is often your first view of Yosemite Valley. Before getting to the view point you drive through the Wawona Tunnel on Hwy-41. The tunnel was completed in 1933 and goes through solid granite for 4,233 feet (1,290m) or almost one mile. This is the longest highway tunnel in California. You finally start to see light at the end of the tunnel (literally). As the light grows you begin to see a bit of scenery. The colors and shapes grow as you near the end of the tunnel. Before exiting the tunnel you get an amazing view of the Yosemite Valley. You emerge from the tunnel to a…
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Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor on the Island of Oahu is a must-see destination. You have read about Pearl Harbor in history books and seen the movies and documentaries. For me touring Pearl Harbor was like visiting The Wall or Gettysburg. It is not just a tourist stop, it is hallowed ground. I most wanted to see the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri. On the way to the Arizona Memorial ferry we passed the Circle of Remembrance. I could not find any good articles on the Circle. I believe that each plaque lists the names of those killed on each ship. The simplicity of the memorial and the incredible view of the…
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Waimea Canyon, Kauai
The Waimea Canyon on the garden island of Kauai is often called the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. The deep canyons and brightly colored rock formations are best seen from the air. If you take a helicopter tour of the canyon you will see many waterfalls, towering cliffs, deep canyons, and spectacular shoreline. The canyons are so severe that I had some trouble in the helicopter due to number of up/down drafts.
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Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is a must-see place. This is a vast area of volcanic activity and devastation. Be sure to explore the lava tubes and walk the trails. Volcanoes National Park is located about 30 miles southwest of Hilo. It is home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, namely, Kilauea volcano. These are exceptionally long lava tubes. After this main tube there was another tube but I did not venture in because I did not have a flashlight. I most certainly would have ventured in if I had appropriate illumination with me. On our second trip to the Big Island we took an…