WELCOME TO THE BEST OF 'CATSACROSSAMERICA'

"The value of America's true riches does not lie in its Croesus wealth or its giant global corporations. It isn't just about how much money people have in the bank or how many homes they own. In truth, its extraordinary prosperity lies in its natural opulence, the many geographical and wildlife wonders, its bounty of protected National Parks and the way that the Americans so treasure, embrace and enjoy them. American life at its best is, and always has been, an outdoor life."

Chapter 65 - Mt Rushmore, Custer Park, South Dakota, Garnet, Montana & Buffalo, Wyoming

Do you share that fascination of pulling back America's vast urban curtain to reveal its lesser known hidden treasures? Are you someone who thinks there must be so much more to America than New York, Los Angeles and Dallas? Have you been thinking about getting out there on the road to discover for yourself the rarer spellbinding wonders of this enchanted land ? Well, you are at the right place.

Having taken to the road for over two years (in an RV with our four cats), we would like to flag up the most extraordinary places to visit, many of which you may never have heard of.

The names alone are enough to tempt you - like Badlands, Slab City, Acadia National Park, Taos, Mackinac Island, Truth & Consequences, The Blue Ridge Mountains and Joshua Tree. But in our list of 72 unmissable destinations, we have also included the very best of the better known sites too. We have included those perennial favourites like Cape Canaveral, Lake Tahoe, Mount Rushmore, The Grand Canyon, The Arches, Niagara Falls, Graceland, Nashville and New Orleans, Then there's The Alamo, Los Alamos, Hot Springs, Tombstone, and, of course, Yellowstone. So many wondrous destinations. Names literally from A to Z, from Apalachicola to Zion National Park. We even cover Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec in Canada, if you are thinking of going north of the border.

But what about all those rarely mentioned hidden gems that are as equally unmissable? We have unearthed some of the most quirky places in America, places you probably have never heard of, to add color and curiosity to your exploration.

The hope is that you will find your own 'must-visits' from the comfort of your home or office so that you can use your time and money wisely when you set off on your voyage of discovery. Please dip in and check out all the places that might interest you. We have tried to make it as entertaining and as simple as possible, even adding the odd splash of history where it is relevant.

To give you some ideas, why not start by checking out the selections we have put on our personal 'Bucket List". Just scroll down. Then, after we have hopefully whetted your appetite, head back to the full index home page with the 72 destinations (follow the instruction below) and then you can pick the places that you would like to put on your own bucket list!

Happy travels! Thank you for joining us.

Des & Sandie Nichols

P.S. After reading any blog chapter, just click 'All Posts' on the top left-hand corner of any page to get back to the destination index and then click on the place you would next like to discover. It's as easy as that. (If you have trouble on your mobile, just click back to the previous page).

P.P.S. Please forgive us if the writing lapses between American and British spelling. We are both US citizens but were born in the UK. As Winston Churchill famously once said:

"Two great countries divided by a common language"!

"Maine in summer, surely, was created for the artist's brush, the photographer's lens and the writer's pen. For here, captured in its rocky coves, lies America's true masterpiece, nature's opus of outstanding serenity set against the all-powerful Atlantic Ocean. But at this time of year, there is no conflict, no brutal conflagration between the crashing waves and the jagged land. The sea looks more like an affable friend and, for now, all is calm. The colorful buoys of a thousand lobster pots bob gently on the benign water and call for the seascape painter to dip into his palette for the brightest hues that he so rarely uses. Shining reds, gleaming yellows and bright blues don't just define the ownership of each trap but also speckle the flat surface of the sweeping bays with a myriad of shiny jewels. It is hard to eulogize too much about this area's sheer unadulterated beauty."

Chapter 70 - The Maine Attraction

OUR BUCKET LIST

These are just snapshots of our favorites.

Click back to the index for the 72 full blogs.

(1) THE TOP TEN STUBBORN LITTLE CORNERS OF AMERICA

10th Place

EVEL KNIEVEL'S SNAKE RIVER JUMP SITE, Twin Falls, Idaho

As you drive through the southern part of Idaho, it is worth seeking out the place where dare-devil Evel Knievel had his historic inglorious failure. Banned from the Grand Canyon, he chose this spot to make history. But his ‘chute opened early and he fell ignominiously into the river below, the same way as the rest of the world fell for all his hype - Hook, Line & Rhinestone.

9th Place

GATLINBURG, Tennessee

Tennessee and strong liquor go hand-in-hand so it is inevitable that you will get your grip on a glass of Moonshine at some point. Often referred to as ‘The Gateway To The Smoky Mountains’, Gatlinburg is a quaint, bustling Tylolean-style resort ...and a great place go on a Bavarian bar crawl. Cheers!

8th Place

KENNEDY COMPOUND, Hyannisport, Cape Cod, Massachussetts

This is where Camelot was created, the home of the greatest of American dynasties. JFK based his successful 1960 Presidential campaign here. You won't get into the compound but you can get pretty damn close down a little lane. Ask for 50 Marchant Avenue. Check it out! Just don’t expect to be asked in for tea.

7th Place

'THE SHINING' HOTEL, Mt Hood, Oregon

High up above the Columbia River valley is the Timberline ski lodge that gained immortality when Stanley Kubrick cast it as the Overlook Hotel as Jack Nicholson menaced his way through Stephen King‘s The Shining. Built by local artisans in the Great Depression with the unstinting support of President Franklin D Roosevelt, it has impressive wooden interiors. It also boasts the longest ski season in the US.

6th Place

GRAND MARAIS, Minnesota

This former fur-trading settlement sits on Lake Superior and gets a mention because of its idyllic setting and its perfect sheltered harbor. It is the small (around 1000 inhabitants) hub of music, arts and crafts in the region and is only a few miles south of the Canadian border. The place to relax and ponder after months on the road.

5th Place

GARNET GHOST TOWN, Missoula, Montana

1000 people once called this hillside village their home. It was a thriving mining community in the 1890s but was abandoned after 20 years - the gold ran out and so did the inhabitants. Today it is reached on the same dirt road and as you can walk amongst their old houses, shops and the hotel you can still feel their spooky presence.

4th Place

THE BREWERY IN APALACHICOLA, Florida

This is one of our favorite towns, a small Bohemian, unpretentious hamlet on Florida's Panhandle. Don't miss hanging out with the locals at the town center Oyster City Brewery. And gorge yourself on the best and cheapest oysters in the US at the Hole In The Wall next door. Time stands still in Apalachicola. So good they named it once (after a couple of Oyster City beers it’s nigh impossible to say it the same way twice).

3rd Place

CRAZY HORSE CARVING, Custer, South Dakota

Not to be outdone by the Presidents' heads at Mt Rushmore just down the road, here the American Indians are still working on their effort after 70 years of chipping away. Come back in another 70 and the old chief might have a neck. But don’t bet an arm and a leg on it.

2nd Place

TITAN II MISSILE SITE, Green Valley, Arizona

This was the lead actor in the Cold War. A nuclear missile, many times more powerful than today's weapons, ready at the touch of a red button to be sent off across the North Pole to hit the USSR. The underground Control Room remains intact but is thankfully not plugged in.

... And the Winner is:

SLAB CITY, Salton Sea, California

An hour outside well-heeled Palm Springs lies the wacky and lawless desert world of Slab City, East Jesus and Salvation Rock.. "The law don't come here. We ARE the law" a local told us. No electricity. No water. No sewers. No trash pick-up. Just beaten up RVs, beaten up tents and beaten up old hippies. Don't miss the blog of this bizarre place. Go there at your own risk!

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2019/03/21/the-weirdest-place-on-earth

(2) TOP 5 BEST NATURAL WONDERS

5th Place:

THE MAINE COASTLINE

There are few places on this planet more beautiful than the rugged Atlantic coastline of Maine in summer. And a diet of fresh lobster takes it into a celestial sphere.

4th Place:

GIANT REDWOODS, California

Ridiculous giants of nature with an age and height that commands respect. To walk amongst them as they tower over you is humbling and rather belittling.

3rd Place:

GRAND CANYON, Arizona

This phenomenon has been carved by the Colorado River and is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and at some points over a mile deep. Awesome.

2nd Place:

NIAGARA FALLS, New York State

Six million cubic feet cascade over the Falls every minute. Its history of barrel-jumpers braving the 180ft drop adds even more color to this living story.

.... And the Winner is:

ANTELOPE CANYON, Arizona

A truly wondrous work of nature, a sensational work of art. This 400 yard underground slot canyon in Navajo territory defies adjectives. It is a surreal experience. And one that should not be missed. Make sure you book a day or so in advance though.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2019/05/10/round-the-bend-and-up-the-canyon

(3) TOP 5 NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS

5th Place:

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, Maine

Its Cadillac Mountain gives you a stunning Atlantic view over ever-popular Bar Harbor, the many rocky islands and the Maine Coastline and, if you get up early, it gives you the first sight of sunrise in the whole of America.

4th Place:

BRYCE NATIONAL PARK, Utah

This wondrous natural amphitheater just bewilders you with its statues and sculptures. You feel your eyes are deceiving you. For us, the jaw-dropping impact of the spectacle just edged it ahead of nearby Zion National Park.

3rd Place:

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, Tennessee & North Carolina

The lush forest stretches into and beyond the horizon. The only thing is you have to watch out for Black Bears. We had an encounter of the very close kind.

2nd Place:

CUSTER STATE PARK, South Dakota

This wonderful park is on the edge of Custer Town, a great stopping place to visit Mt Rushmore. We just loved the peace, space and marauding bison.

... And the Winner is:

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyoming, Idaho & Montana

The star of the show Old Faithful performs every 45 -125 minutes. Half the world’s geysers bubble, gurgle and spurt here. The Grizzly Brown Bears are less predictable but you may well meet up with one. This one below completely ignored us as he strolled nonchalantly in front of our car. Yellowstone is the first and finest National Park. A treasure. https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2019/05/30/yellowstone-bears-bison-bubbles

(4) TOP 5 MAN-MADE WONDERS

5th Place:

MOUNT RUSHMORE

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln give you a cold stare as you admire the enormity of sculptor Gustav's Borglum's masterpiece.

4th Place:

TAOS PUEBLO, New Mexico

This is the only living Native American community designated as a World Heritage Site. The adobe buildings have been lived in for over 1000 years and the whole village has an almost Bethlehem biblical feel. A place you will never forget.

3rd Place

NEW YORK SKYLINE

A New York taxi driver once asked us "Do know what it takes to become a New Yorker?

- You just have to love New York". Count us in. The most iconic skyline in the world.

2nd Place:

BILTMORE, North Carolina

Just outside the fabulous town of Asheville sits the hyper-impressive Chateauesque country home of the über-rich George Washington Vanderbilt II, the largest privately owned house in the US and still owned by the family. The American Downton Abbey.

... And the Winner is:

HEARST CASTLE

This place blew us away. It shows what you can do when money just doesn’t matter. Press baron William Randolph Hearst built the ultimate party house where he entertained all the luminaries of the time from Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo to Winston Churchill and Charles Lindbergh. His father bought the 40,000 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean for a quiet family holiday ranch and WR inherited it and built the mother of all statement mansions on the top of the hill. Boy, it really helps if you are so rich you own the view.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2019/03/30/hearst-castle

(5) TOP 5 WEIRDEST PLACES

5th Place:

DUCKS AT PEABODY HOTEL, Memphis, Tennessee

If you want to go quackers, get down to the Peabody Hotel reception at 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. on any day and see the ducks waddle to and from their indoor spa. They've been doing it for nearly 90 years. Not the same ducks of course.

4th Place:

LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico

The secret world which fired the white hot technology of nuclear weapon science. The Manhattan Project rushed to create the uranium and plutonium bombs that finally ended World War II.

3rd Place:

PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee

This is the home of Dollywood and many other crazy houses that attract millions of fun-loving families. Disney on steroids. It is all so incongruous sitting upside down in this Tennessee, hillside town. It's mad. There's even a Titanic.

2nd Place

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, New Mexico

This was a popular spa town called Hot Springs in the '30s but it faded into insignificance until it changed its name into that of a popular radio quiz show in 1950. It may have seemed a good idea at the time but perhaps no-one was listening. Truly weird. The place isn't finished and nor are the people.

... And Winner is (by an insane mile):

BOMBAY, Salton Sea, California

Where do you start? A lake, today the biggest lake in California, was created by mistake when a Colorado irrigation canal burst a hundred years ago. Nearby Palm Springs' illuminati built an upscale resort in the 40s and 50s. Fertilizer then polluted the water. Fish and plants died. The town died. Well - almost.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2019/03/21/the-weirdest-place-on-earth

(6) TOP 5 MOST ABSORBING TRAVELER'S INTEREST DESTINATIONS

5th Place:

NASHVILLE, Tennessee

The one and only Music City. The place lives on music and everyone plays or sings. The Grand Ole Opry never fails to pack 'em in, seven days a week, and the Gaylord Hotel next door is an unbelievable series of fountains, plants and restaurants in vast conservatories. A great pace, going the right way. (Below: with daughter Georgie)

4th Place:

NANTUCKET ISLAND, Massachusetts

You may not have to be a multi-millionaire to live here, but being a single millionaire won't get you far. This is a beautiful, relaxed, classy island, far superior to its neighbor Martha's Vineyard. A true gem.

3rd Place:

WASHINGTON DC

There is just so much to see in the Capital. The White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, the Capitol, the Ford Theater where President Lincoln was shot on April 15 1865. It's a real tourist mecca.

2nd Place:

SAN FRANCISCO, California

The Bay City is a feast. A feast of spectacular sights from Alcatraz to Pier 39. It has the best Chinese Dim Sum restaurants in the country. Don't miss the ride on the iconic cable-cars. And mingle with a world of colorful people. We have visited many times since the sixties and it just keeps on amazing.

... And the Winner is:

MACKINAC ISLAND, Michigan

This stunning island (pronounced MackinAW) in Lake Huron surprised and captivated us. No wonder it has been voted the top Summer Tourist Destination in the US By TripAdvisor. No cars, just horse drawn carriages and two fascinating main streets that capture the mind and imagination.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2019/07/15/voted-tripadvisors-1-summer-destination-in-america-can-you-guess-it

(7) TOP 5 CITIES

5th Place:

RENO, Nevada

The self-acclaimed "Biggest Little City In The World" gets onto the list because it is one of our favorites. A drive around the magnificent Mt Rose will take you up to the incredibly beautiful Lake Tahoe. And Virginia City and cowboy country are nearby. Oh, and the best people.

4th Place:

SAN DIEGO, California

We stumbled on the Coronado Hotel (below), recognizing it from one of our all-time favorite movies, Some Like It Hot. This is just a wonderful town with a great climate.

3rd Place:

CHARLESTON, North Carolina

History speaks to you from every wall. Hauntingly British but indisputably Southern, with some of the very best restaurants you will find anywhere. Our favorite is Husk in Queen Street with its farm-to-table fare, casual but exceptional service and one of the greatest chefs in America. Love this town.

2nd Place:

SAN ANTONIO, Texas

Remember the Alamo? Well, in case you forgot (or didn't know) it is in the heart of this, our favorite Texan city. The pedestrian River Walk, lined with shops, bars and al fresco restaurants is about as good a way to have a walk as you can imagine. Fabulous. PS Don’t miss an excursion out to all the missions nearby and also to the historic old German town of Gruene to see, amongst much else, the oldest music hall in Texas (built in 1878).

... And the Winner is:

SAN FRANCISCO, California

There is nowhere quite like it. Don't miss having a sundowner drink in the bar at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel, with spectacular 360-degree views over this fabulous city. Just wish it still had flowers in its hair. A perennial winner.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2019/04/13/untitled

(8) TOP 5 SMALL TOWNS YOU COULD CALL HOME

5th Place:

PASO ROBLES, California

Surrounded by excellent vineyards (who don't charge Napa Valley stupid prices - in fact some don't charge at all), this quiet town has a café society relaxed charm. It is definitely worth seeking out as it isn't an obvious Californian stop.

4th Place:

CAMDEN, Maine

With the caveat that you should go in the Summer, this is our favorite town in our favorite state. Head for the idyllic harbor and pause a while, preferably in one of the welcoming bars, to draw breath before exploring the streets.

3rd Place

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas

This is another great find. Founded in 1846 by mostly German residents, today it is an elegant town to visit and has a magnificent Main Street. Admiral Nimitz was born here and the National Museum of the Pacific War is well worth a visit.

2nd Place

CARMEL, California

OK. You may need to be as rich as Croesus to have a house here but we can all dream. Sitting on the edge of the Pacific. This gem of a town has the air of a Californian fairytale. It is an absolute charm.

1st Place

ST AUGUSTINE, Florida

Founded on September 8, 1565 by Spanish explorers, this is the very first settlement built by Europeans and has a colourful history. The oldest city in America has a unique Spanish feel which sets it apart from other US cities. The strong European influences give it a unique fusion of cultures.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2017/08/11/st-augustine-glorious

(9) TOP 5 PLACES OF LIVING HISTORY

5th Place

BUFFALO, Wyoming

This historic little town was once called 'the most lawless town in the West' , where bloody battles took place between rival cattlemen. Today it is a demure step back in time.

4th Place:

OLD SAN DIEGO, California

Before the Gold Rush, this settlement was the only place to head for on the Pacific Coast and it has been preserved brilliantly. Don't miss the Whaley House with its own little theater. It's one of the most haunted places in the US.

3rd Place:

TOMBSTONE, Arizona

An hour outside Tuscon you can re-enact the Wild West in this historic desert town which still echos with gunfire from the cowboys' Colt 22s.

2nd Place:

VIRGINIA CITY, Nevada

This one-time Boomtown was where fortunes, as well as lives, were lost in the gambling taverns like The Bucket of Blood Saloon. Built in the rush that followed the discovery of silver, this hillside museum town is an exceptional place to visit.

... And the Winner is:

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia

This was where the British established their capital of both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Colony itself in the 17th century, with Jamestown and Yorktown nearby to complete the triumvirate. Today it is a living museum.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2018/07/22/the-historic-colonial-triangle

(10) TOP 5 MOST MOVING MEMORIALS

5th Place:

CHOLAME, California

This is where James Dean died and his legend took over. His demise playing perfectly into his celluloid myth as Rebel Without A Cause, America's original 'Angry Young Man'.

4th Place:

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama

Kelly Ingram Park

This small Central Park commemorates the scene of some of the most obscene civil rights atrocities. In May, 1963 the police and firemen confronted student demonstrators, mostly black children and students, with dogs and firehoses. The kids‘ protests were not in vain. City leaders ended public segregation within months.

3rd Place:

LINCOLN MEMORIAL, Washington DC

The Man. Born in Kentucky in 1809, America's greatest President led the nation through the bloody Civil War and oversaw the end of slavery. Tragically his life was cut short on Good Friday, 1865 when well-known actor John Wilkes Booth crept up behind him in his box at the Ford Theater and fired into the back of his head.

2nd Place

IWO JIMA MEMORIAL AND ARLINGTON CEMETERY, Washington DC

Lest We Forget.

...And the Winner is:

MEMPHIS CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, Tennessee

The Lorraine Motel is the spot where visionary Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 (standing on the balcony above the car). MLK had a dream. American has a dream. They are still not always reconciled. Below is the view his assassin had from an apartment opposite; his rifle aimed through this very window. James Earl Ray was arrested in London's Heathrow Airport two months later.

https://www.catsacrossamerica.net/post/2018/06/17/the-wonder-of-you-graceland

(11) TOP 10 OTHER PLACES YOU JUST SHOULDN'T MISS

10th Place:

BASTROP, Texas

A step back to Old Texas, restored to its former gun-toting glory.

9th Place:

MONTECELLO, Virginia

Thomas Jefferson's home. Here his pen laid out the American Constitution and framed the new Republic and its political guidelines that are still revered today.

8th Place:

FALLINGWATER, Pennsylvania

Frank Lloyd Wright's masterwork. A ridiculous but breath-taking indulgence that is better to photograph than to live in.

7th Place

ISLEBORO ISLAND, Lincolnville Beach, Maine

John Travolta and other stars don't live here for no reason. The small ferry takes you across to a land that you feel tourists have yet to discover. Go there - but keep it to yourself!

6th Place:

SANTA FE, New Mexico

A very very special place in the High Desert. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, Santa Fe’s Pueblo-style adobe architecture with its soft desert hue creates a uniquely tranquil environment.

At its heart lies its traditional square surrounded by narrow crooked streets packed with artists and their art. A town totally at ease with itself.

5th Place:

THE WALL, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona & California

Neighbors. A sad and brutal inditement of man’s inability to co-exist. An unfortunate symbol of the times.

4th Place:

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah

A revelation. An enigma. A city virtually free of all the casualties and detritus that blight American metropolitan life. The omnipotent and mega-rich Church of Latter Day Saints (the church formerly known as Mormon) keeps everything clinically clean and running like clockwork. But all a tad too humorless for us.

3rd Place:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida

There are launches every week. Don't miss the chance if you get it. Out of this world.

2nd Place

GRACELAND, Memphis, Tennessee

This tour completely outstripped our expectations. Brilliantly staged and organized, it gives a fascinating insight into the private life of America's greatest rock star. You can't help falling in love with Graceland, the second most visited house in the US (after the White House). Then go straight to Sam Phillips' Sun Studios downtown and complete the Elvis story. It's the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll.

... And the Winner is:

KEY WEST, Florida

Your life will never be the same after you have driven the 220 miles from the mainland to this blissful little island, the Southernmost Point of continental America, just 90 miles as the dolphin swims from Havana Cuba.. The whole experience is surreal and must be done. The 42 incredible bridges (one is 7 miles long) carry you over the azure blue Caribbean sea from one island key to another. This is a real destination, the end of the road and it's beautiful, crazy, fun and unique. This was our home (below) for four unforgettable years. A travel experience like no other. Spectacular.

NOW HITCH UP YOUR WAGON AND READ ON FOR MORE IN-DEPTH ADVENTURES.

WHY NOT SCROLL THROUGH THE CHAPTERS AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DISCOVER...

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