Acadia National Park is one of the few places in the Northeastern United States where city dwellers can catch their breath and enjoy the unspoiled beauty of nature. Home to jagged mountains, dense forests, and a breathtaking coastline—Acadia National Park is often referred to as one of the National Park System’s most resplendent crown jewels….
Manatees are often referred to as the gentle giants of the sea. They spend their lives slowly drifting from river, to bay, to canal—grazing on aquatic plants along the way. In most areas, it is illegal to intentionally swim with a manatee. Crystal River, Florida is the rare exception. Visitors can float alongside mellow manatees…
Since the first Star Wars film was released in 1977, devoted fans have jumped at every opportunity to make the fantastical Star Wars universe as real as possible. The 21st century is the very best time to be a Star Wars fan because Disney World recently added a fully immersive Star Wars hotel which allows…
If you have ever wondered how famous outlaws like Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and Jesse James managed to pull off elaborate train robberies without instantly getting carted off to jail—a trip to Hole-in-the-Wall in Kaycee, Wyoming will help you understand how these legendary Old West bandits evaded the law. The towering red rocks of…
You may think that you’re unfamiliar with saguaro cactus but there is a good chance that if someone showed you a picture of a stately green saguaro with sturdy upturned arms—you would recognize it immediately. Even though saguaro cactus only grow in a relatively compact region of the Sonoran Desert, the giant prickly cactus which…
The origin story of the Cheltenham Badlands—which is one of Ontario’s most striking landscapes—is a cautionary tale. The rust-colored hills of the Cheltenham Badlands were once lush, fertile farm land which supported numerous trees, plants, and crops. In the early 20th century, improper soil rotation resulted in massive erosion—which exposed a cache of Queenston shale…
California‘s Mojave Desert is full of unexpected magic. Plenty of visitors have found themselves pleasantly startled by a musical rumbling as they gaze in wonder at the desolate yet beautiful sandy landscape. The rumbling is emanating from the Kelso Dunes—which are one of several sand dunes worldwide that create a unique “singing” vibration when the…
In the late 1800s, a Scottish civil engineer decided to string up a rustic suspension bridge in the Canadian wilderness. By the 20th century, the 460-foot long bridge had attracted so many fans that it evolved into one of Canada’s most celebrated tourist destinations. Today, the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, British Columbia is…