As anyone who knows us (my wife Patty and I) knows, we love to travel. In addition to the occasional Canada, United Kingdom, and Ireland trips, we have traveled throughout the United States - visiting 48 of the 50; missing only Hawaii and Arkansas. Now when I say visit, I mean stopped in for at least a few hours or overnight. We are constantly amazed that "no matter where you go, there you are" to borrow a phrase. This has taken us to Teddy Roosevelt NP in North Dakota, lighthouses along the Oregon coast, Disneyland and Disney world, the coastal islands of North and South Carolina, my father's birthplace of Tucson and its neighboring vilage of Ajo, Arizona. But somehow, following interstates, bus, or Amtrak lines, we went right by Arkansas. Arkansas? How do you miss Arkansas? (Or, more likely, some would ask, why go there in the first place?)
That will be the goal of this 2008 travel - to discover the wonders of Arkansas (beyond it being the birthplace of Civil Rights and Bill Clinton). Our trek will take us south to Atlanta, then west to Montgomery and Huntsville, Alabama; Memphis and Graceland; and on to the Ozarks - actual home of the "hillbilly" - somewhat ironic after spending 27 years in Verona, NJ, whose "mascot" is a hillbilly.
Hawaii will have to wait.
Goodbye to 497
The family home, 1939 - 2005
Our car takes a rest
At the BnB in Gettysburg
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
hundreds of firefighters, killed in the line of duty, commemorated here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine
First American saint
St. Meinrad Abbey
the church that gave the world the "Abbey Press"
Gettysburg
McPherson's Ridge: the bloody battle began here
Harper's Ferry
the site of John Brown's capture after his ill-fated rebellion
The Gateway Arch
St. Louis and the Mississippi
Little House
home of Laura Ingalls Wilder in which she wrote the "Little House" books.
Shepherd of the Hills
just a few of the nearly 100 cast members in this outdoor drama of the 19th century Ozarks
Baldknobbers
Bob (the MC), Hargus, and Droopy Drawers trade humorous stories
Roy and friends
We joined Roy Jr and his son after the show
Toys
A few of the 1 million toys in Branson
Precious Moments
A mural depicting a Bible tale
Inspiration Tower
at the historic site of "Shepherd of the Hills"
Mutton Hollow
a view from Inspiration Tower
Hillbilly Humor
Ima Dumbell and our tour guide threaten to arrest us for disturbing the still.
The Ozarks
Looking out at the "Grand Canyon of Arkansas"
Hot Springs National Park
The Fordyce Bath House, now the visitor center and museum
Ivy Green
childhood home of Helen Keller
Old Man River
sunset on the Mississippi River
Graceland
Pink Cadillac
one of Elvis' cars; a present for his mom
Huntsville Space Center
The Saturn V rocket towers over the parking area of the center.
The Talisi in Talassee
the quaint hotel
Montgomery, Alabama
the interior of the rotunda in the Capitol
Atlanta Zoo
Mama Panda rests up after playing with her two year old, born at the zoo.
Georgia Aquarium
In the tunnel under the fish and stingrays
Atlanta's High Museum
Ancient Roman statue on loan from the Louvre in Paris
Georgia Botanical Gardens
A little boy (with butterfly on his head) peaks out from among the lilies
Oh Atlanta!
view from Hyatt Regency room
me
catching up on reading during a previous travel adventure
3 comments:
Hmmm, statewise...I'm missing Maine & North Dakota...
maybe I've been to all the others?
Years and years of Theatre for Young Audiences performances will take you places.
Howdy y'all...Congratulations on your blog...I,also, am in Georgia...Summerville is just a couple of hours above you (geographically speaking)...I'm looking forward to seeing you kids next week...(you might want to check your AP Style book for the capitalization of "South.")...Hugs! -p
I've been to Arkansas, though I've been to only about 1/3 of the states you've covered. We can have a lengthy discourse on the charms of that state the next time we meet :-).
The blog is great. I love will love reading about your adventures this summer.
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