Lewis and Cark Expedition camped here at the confluence of the Kansas and the Missouri Rivers.
Lewis & Clark Kansas USA
You can get a view of downtown Kansas City skyline from the Kaw Point Park, Kansas. See the rivers flow gently bye. You can see the Missouri side (downtown Kansas City) from the Kansas side of Kansas City. Ponder what this place would have looked like when Lewis and Clark camped here.
Lewis & Clark Kansas City USA
Take a short trip into Missouri side of Kansas City to see more of Lewis and Clark’s historical trails.
This monument is located by Case Park, Kansas City Missouri.
California’s Highway 1 is probably the 2nd most famous US highway after Route 66. If you have driven the Trail Ridge Road hugging the side of the Rocky Mountains (Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park), you would observed the steep valleys below. Here you will get to drive high above the cliffs with the the Pacific Ocean below. It is a drive with gorgeous views at every turn and along the way.
Panaromic view of the Pacific Coast from Highway 1 – California’s Pacific Coast Highway. Stunning beauty and raw power of the Pacific Ocean. You can see white caps as the waves hit the rocks below.
Beautiful Flowers Adorn the Pacific Coast Highway
Beautiful flowers grow on the side of the cliffs from the mist of the Pacific Coast Ocean spray. In some places, you can park the car on the side of the road and get off on a trail to the hidden sandy beaches below.
Pacific Coast Highway California USA
Amazing engineering work done to build bridges connecting one cliff to another. If you are headed south, you will have land on the left and the Pacific Coast Ocean view on the right.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must-see. It is one of the few national parks that you can visit for free, which is a great bonus for a family on a budget.
One feature that is interesting if you go at just the right time of year is an area where the lighting bugs, a.k.a. fireflies, light up in sync with one another. We were not there at the right time when we visited, but our waiter in Pigeon Forge told us about it, and we researched where to go next time. Our future trip will most likely be timed to see those special lighting bugs.
There are a lot of beautiful trees and wooded areas, as well as the distinctive smoky look of the mountains. Friendly park rangers give educational presentations about the history of the area and the wildlife. It is common to see elk and other wildlife.
When visiting the park, you can stay in Pigeon Forge, which has a variety of family-friendly entertainment and lodging options. Or there is Gatlinburg, which is a beautiful family-friendly tourist town.
Beautiful Estes Park is the closest town to the Rocky Mountain National Park’s East entrance. You can find affordable lodging and restaurants here. Even Elk roaming the golf course in the Fall!
Rocky Mountain National Park Bear Lake
Take a gentle hike around this lake and enjoy its beauty. You can see the Rocky Mountains reflecting on the water. Stand or sit (some rocks you can even lay down flat) on any of the huge rocks on the side Bear Lake’s and soak in the beauty of this place.
Rocky Mountain National Park – Trail Ridge Road
As you drive on the Trail Ridge Road (closed in the Winter), take some time to stop and take photos at the various stops. Due to the high altitude, drinking lots of water and taking gentle strides in your walk will help you catch your breath. You can get out of breath easy at this high altitude!
View from Alpine Visitor Center Rocky Mountain National Park
Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center for some food and a break in the trip. Enjoy the view of the valley and melting snow (depending on the time of the year and amount of Winter snow).
Beautiful tundra. You can find beautiful flowers up high in the mountains. Please keep to the trails and try not to damage this fragile ecosystem.
Rocky Mountain Glaciers are melting away. Let the kids run out some steam by hiking and sliding!
Milner Pass and Poudre Lake ColoradoGet up to the Poudre Lake and Milner Pass and take a photo next to the Continental Divide sign. You have been to the roof of the United States! Water flows either East to the Atlantic Ocean or West to the Pacific Ocean.
The view from Jackson Lake Lodge is spectacular. This is a must see spot on your trip to the Grand Teton! You can take a break and have a yummy meal at this beautiful Lodge. There are clean restrooms and places to shop and buy souvenirs. Of course you can also stay at the Lodge and soak it all in.
Jackson Lake Grand Teton USA
Grand Teton National Park with Snake River in the foreground
This is the mother of all National Parks! It is amazing how many wonders you can find in this Park! Everything from wild life, amazing waterfalls, spectacular scenery to other-worldly geothermal wonders! There is a lot to cover and see, as this park is huge! Best to pick your top things to see and enjoy them as time permits. Don’t forget to see the Old Faithful Geyser and the Lodge, Grand Prismatic Springs, Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Falls and Lower/Upper Yellowstone Falls. You won’t regret it!
View from Alpine Visitor Center Rocky Mountain National Park
