america
Travel from sea to shining sea; by car or by plane, there's plenty to see in the good ole US of A.
Literary Heartbeats
Step through an unassuming storefront in Saratoga Springs, New York. Let the city’s familiar bustle fade behind you. Sink into the creak of hardwood floors as your gaze is drawn toward a labyrinth unfolding, room after room, swollen with stories. This is the Lyrical Ballad Bookstore—a place where literary ghosts linger, and generations of readers, writers, and dreamers have lost themselves amid 200,000 volumes of wonder.
By Kristen Barenthaler10 months ago in Wander
Across the Bridge of Flowers
Welcome, fellow wanderers, to Postcards Between Pages, where stories spill out from well-thumbed novels into the world, and where travel isn’t just a journey of miles, but a pilgrimage of meaning. I’m your host, inviting you today to one of the most poetic destinations on the American map—a place where steel and stone have, quite literally, been transformed by blossoms and imagination: the Bridge of Flowers, in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.
By Kristen Barenthaler10 months ago in Wander
Away from the Crowds in Oklahoma
Imagine traveling in Catoosa and seeing the Blue Whale. This blue creature was built by Hugh Davis in 1972 as a 34th wedding anniversary gift for his wife. Since then, people driving down Route 66 have admired it. Another purpose for building the whale was so that it could serve as a swim dock for neighborhood children to dive and slide into a pond.
By Rasma Raisters10 months ago in Wander
Coastal Series: Part I (Washington State)
Washington does not introduce its coastline. It lets you find it... There’s no sudden reveal, no postcard moment engineered for the windshield. The coast arrives gradually, in pieces... Through rain-darkened trees, through logging towns that never rebranded themselves, through long stretches of road where the radio fades, and the sky lowers itself closer to the ground.
By The Iron Lighthouse10 months ago in Wander
Small Town Beauty in Washington
Coupeville is part of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve and is the second-oldest town in Washington. It was settled in the 1850s. The town has a lovely waterfront with its historic red wharf. Many of the buildings date from the 19th century. The seafood restaurants serve locally sourced mussels.
By Rasma Raisters10 months ago in Wander
Away From the Crowds in Ohio
In Logan, you’ll find the caves of Hocking Hills State Park. When the Wisconsin glacier started melting thousands of years ago, the waters flowed over the land that is now part of the park. They rushed through cracks in the ground, creating deep winding gorges and recessed caves. The caves are large enough to walk into, such as the Rock House cave.
By Rasma Raisters10 months ago in Wander
Away from the Crowds in North Dakota
North Dakota is known as “The Peace Garden State” and is among the top five most sparsely populated states in the US. Fort Ransom is home to the Fort Ransom National State Park. The park has picturesque valleys that have been formed by the Sheyenne River. The forest at one time was home to some of the earliest homesteads in the state. One dwelling has been preserved so visitors can step back into history. For outdoor adventures there are hiking trails and a camping area for overnight stays.
By Rasma Raisters10 months ago in Wander
Small Town Beauty in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is known as “The Badger State.” The state has a diverse landscape with rolling hills, rocky bluffs, and forests. There are many rivers and streams and about 15,000 lakes. Wisconsin joined the Union in 1848 and features historical buildings, preserved town squares, and monuments reflecting the state’s history. The state also has a strong maritime heritage, especially along two Great Lakes—Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
By Rasma Raisters10 months ago in Wander
Away from the Crowds in North Carolina
Built by local artist Robert Mihaly, Castle Mont Rouge is located in Rougemont. The castle was built out of marble and cinder blocks, combining European and Middle Eastern architecture. The interior was left uncompleted when the artist’s wife died. Today the castle sits abandoned but is an interesting site to see and has recently become popular with graffiti artists.
By Rasma Raisters10 months ago in Wander
