Explore The United States of America

West Virginia, the ‘Mountain State’ 0ffers all you will want to experience on a mountain and river adventure holiday. Within the magnificent Appalachian Mountains, forests and wilderness areas lay six major rivers, forest trails, Sulphur Springs, State and Historical Parks. The mountains are full of Spa and Gaming Resorts and with horse and dog racing, golfing and skiing for the enthusiasts. Appalachian Bluegrass and Mountain Music and Dancing are unique to the State.

The National Forests on the eastern part of the state lies deep within the Allegheny Mountains, part of the long Appalachian range. Its also part of five federally designated wilderness areas. The flora is of rhododendron, black cherry, highland bogs, and blueberry thickets and the fauna consists of black bear, white tailed deer, bobcat, otter mink and many other species. The forest trails attract, hikers, horseback riders, rock climbers, bikers, river rafters and kayakers and in winter, cross country skiers and steam train enthusiasts.

The New River Gorge attracts white water adventures down fifty miles of rapids, and hikers for panoramic views over the canyon’s rims, an aerial tram and boat rides in the summer. An Amtrak connection from the town of Hilton gives access to this wilderness.

Harpers Ferry nestles between the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, with 19^th century clapboard storefronts still clinging to the hillside, along with John Browne’s Fort and several historical homes. The famous Appalachian Trail runs through the village and the Amtrak train connection is just an hour’s ride from Washington, DC.

West Virginia is known for its fine woodworking, quilting, basketry, crafts and traditional Appalachian music and dancing, but the verdant forests, rugged peaks, fast rivers within the wilderness are the ‘medicine’ to the over worked and over stressed, seeking solace, exercise and peaceful nature to ‘revive the soul’. Cheers! I’m on my way – see you there? Or next month, maybe!

Wisconson is part of the Great Lakes district with the world’s largest body of fresh water lakes. To the north is Lake Superior and on the east coast, Lake Michigan. The great out doors offers all the attractions of winter and summer sports, sightseeing, active adventures and visits to “America’s Dairy land’ and the beautiful pastures that produce some of the countries best cheeses – and beer. Famed as the Midwest’s premier vacation destination to the; Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and 98 State and county Parks with forest trails, rugged lakeside cliffs, broad rivers, dense forests and lush green valleys. Wisconsin also has many cultural sites, Arts & Innovative museums, entertainments like casinos and greyhound racing, spas, amusement parks, science and nature centers, fairs and festivals, sophisticated cities and of course is home to some of the worlds most famous beers!

Fascinating cities and towns make up a variety of cultural and entertainment venues in this predominantly ‘Agricultural State’.

Milwaukee is (Like neighbor, Chicago) is a manufacturing and famous brewing center. Even the local baseball team is named ‘Brewers’. The city’s spectacular Lake Michigan shoreline is most popular for festivals and musical extravaganzas. Museums with rare displays from paleontology and historical to Advertising and Design, Historical Mansion and eclectic Fine Art.

Door County peninsula is lined with more than a dozen County Parks and five great State Parks, with miles of hiking and biking trails and, Washington Island across the straits is accessible all year by ferry for peace and quiet, and splendid lake views.

Wisconsin Dells along the Wisconsin River, winds through the awe inspiring stretch of deep sandstone canyons – a prime summer vacation area, with water parks, boat tours and great photo opportunities.

Baraboo the (still) popular base of the famous ‘Ringling’s Circus Museum’ has live performances music, parades, calliope concerts and demonstrations of earlier days and much more.

Madison nestled between Lakes Monona and Mendota is one of the countries most attractive Capital Cities. Home to the State University, it’s considered one of the nation’s best places to live and work; with a variety of bookshops, galleries, vegetarian friendly restaurants and a network of biking and hiking trails with access to the sparkling lakes around the city.

Spring Green farming community, lies north of the Wisconsin River has the famous Architectural School founded by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Alex Jordan’s ‘House on the Rock’ museum exhibited a vast collection of Americana.

La Crosse has a well preserved down-town district around the verdant neighborhood of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Campus and is a fine base for exploring the Mississippi River towns and historical sites.

Apostle Islands,(miscounted and misnamed by French Missionaries) has 22 islands, 21 of which form part of the National Lakeshore with preserved forests, many sand beaches, and sea caves making it very popular to eco-tourists, cruises and kayakers.

Interesting Events – With over 300 Festivals and Fairs in July and August alone, and 672 listed for the year, it’s a dazzling choice of events to attend! Whatever ‘floats your boat’ you’ll find in Wisconsin. See you there!

Puerto Rico is one of the largest Caribbean islands in the Antilles, sharing with Cuba much of the history of conquest by invaders from South America and Europe, to induction of slaves from Africa, and to date under the protection of the USA, as a Territorial State. This modern day Caribbean Island is a popular tourist venue, offering natural beauty, historically confusing sites and overlaying a strong Spanish influence, a multicultural vibe all of its own.

The Island is of a number of different features from; rocky shorelines to sandy beaches, many coastal towns and innumerable villages, Spanish watch towers that are now lighthouses, El Morro Castle at St Juan is a 500 year old monolith that broods of centuries of guardianship over the city and contradicting the centuries – a most modern Observatory at Arecibo – presently the worlds largest radio telescope to probe the depths of outer space. The small island of Visques to the west has beautiful beaches and caves to explore and Cajado Muertos Island has Coriba Lake, Cartessa Lagoon – a bird paradise. Gallegan Island has many caves of which Canue limestone formations are some of the largest in the western hemisphere – with only 7 miles explored so far. Phosphorescent Bay gets excited when marine life is disturbed and ‘sparks fly’ alongside vessels. Numerous small islands offshore have coves, caves and beaches – no wonder it was a pirates and smugglers paradise!

Understandably because of its long history of occupation, there is a plethora of towns and places to visit.

To mention only a few of the favorites:
Arroyo – an old smugglers port.
El Yunque’s – National Rain Forest.
Boquerón – a fishing village with great night life.
Jayuya – fascinating town, surrounded by jungle covered peaks.
Las Cabezas De – San Juan’s Nature Reserve.
‘Old’ San Juan has half-a-millennium of history within its buildings. Lagos dos Bocas has a beautiful lake for boating.
Playa Flamenco, an amazing beach. Rinein – for big, big surfing.
Vasquez – with its secluded island beach, and
Desechio Island.

Wild life Reserves offer 15 choices, one such is:
Acquirre Forest Reserve – mangrove tidal flats, for fabulous bird watching – with a large Manatee population and, Kyaking, fishing, camping and barbecue facilities. Barranquitas; San Chrystobal Canyon, has three rivers, 750 foot deep ravines and highest waterfall on the Rio Usabon.

The Regions of North, Central, South and West, all offer a dazzling array of towns and sites to visit.

Briefly, the Northern area has amongst others:
Arecibo – Lighthouses, Historical Park museum,Recreational and Sports Areas, and Observatory. Aselioch de Beneficia – Exhibition Galleries of P.R. culture. Arteno Puertorriquens – Art Museum. Bacardi Rum Plant – the largest rum plant in the world. Barrachina – hosts the largest and oldest ‘mall’ – of fine goods, libraries, pubs & café’s on the Campus.

The Eastern Area : Near San Juan – the Arroyo Train takes visitors through the sugar plantations.  Avionnes Beach, Babylon Hotel Casino, Bahia Beach Golf Course, Berwin Country Club, and Coco Beach with its 36 hole International Golf course. Other attractions are; The Beaches, ‘Castle Usutu’, Carrizo Lake, Culebra Island with coral reefs and sandy, white beaches.

Central Area : The Coquina Indian Ceremonial Park – an 800 year old archaeological site of the Taino Indians, Lakes, Waterfall, Museum and Recreational Ranch, Plantations and caves.
Southern Area: The Acquirre Forest Reserve. Cathedral – with beautiful fountains, Ancient (Taino) Indian site and a Resort Village. Plazoda Calibri has an elegant mall worth visiting and Salinas a Fine Art Gallery displaying ‘Batista’.
Western Area : The Taro Negro National Forest.
Numerous Casinos operate: Mayaguiz (2), San Juan (7), Fajardo, Ponze (2), Dorado (2), Humacao, and Rio Grande.
Transport : The Capital of San Juan has a large bay serving 10 of the major Cruise Lines and an International Airport connecting from New York, on the Miami Route as well as Major Airlines from London, Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to mention only  a few. Bi-monthly Ferries visit the Virgin Islands, from Fujardo. There is good public transport and taxis within the Capital and ‘Publico System’ of mini-busses to surrounding areas – but you need to do your homework!

Puerto Rico is not only a ‘cross roads’ to other Caribbean destinations but a major destination itself. The fascinating Island state has a modern booming tourist economy because of its situation in the Caribbean, its half a millennium history and its vast array of man-made and natural attractions. Wouldn’t you like to see for yourself?

NEW MEXICO extols the vistas of Giant Landscapes of the vast deserts and the towering Rocky Mountains, natural Cave, Canyons and Butte formations and ancient (Pueblo) ruins of Indian and Hispanic cultures. Visit old mining, ranching and railroad towns to experience the ‘ghosts of past’ famous and infamous Wild West characters, ancient geological, archaeological and fossil sites or many of the State Parks, Magnificent scenic roads, trails, hot springs, ancient cliff dwellings and Indian cities, grand old Spanish homes and plazas and many historical monuments, museums and churches offer a great variety of experiences and lives up to its siloquoy – ‘Land of Enchantment’.

Modern day marvels to Space Exploration have a history here of astronomy, rocketry development and new space adventures in the pipeline – Spaceport America will be the first built to accommodate the new era of space travel. Leaders in nuclear science, radio telescopes to penetrate the depths of our universe, and of course the State is the  source of all the mysterious ‘Roswell Aliens’ conspiracy theories!

Santa Fe is the oldest State Capital in North America and sited on a high plateau, this beautiful city is surrounded by mountains, has fine architecture, museums to a variety of finest American artists, Indian and Spanish Art and Culture and venues for popular annual and special events.

Albuquerque is the largest city with an ‘Old Town’ and newer ‘Downtown’. The 200 year old town Plaza is charming place to relax on benches and look at the surrounding ‘adobe’ buildings and charming San Felipe de Neri Church. Nearby are the Turquoise Museum, Albuquerque Bio Park – with aquarium, Botanical gardens and Zoological Park, Museum of natural History and Science – interactive exhibits, planetarium and large screen film theater, Museum of Art and History – Spanish Colonial, Rattle Snake Museum – live exhibits in glass cages, The KiMo Theater – musical and theatrical performances and Zoological Park – Imaginative, realistic animal habitat for among others, lowland gorillas and white Bengal tigers and National Atomic Museum – history of atomic energy and nuclear weapons.

University of New Mexico Campus houses the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center museum, and the museums of UNM Art and Anthropology.

Roswell still basks in the glory of the revelations and sightings of a crashed UFO’s in 1947. A UFO museum and research center features articles, photographs and film interviews concerning this incident.

Carlsbad has one of the worlds largest and magnificent cave formations with the enormous (3.3ha) Big Room, a limestone formation and about 22 stories high ceiling, and the (250m)deepest cave open to the public and underground diner and curio shop, all shared with a million free-tailed bats!

The Chihuahua Desert has the worlds larges gypsum  dunes (800m2KM) area, the ‘White Sands’ national monument- A soluble sediment that is trapped due to no outlet to the sea. Designated Dune drives and escorted walks offer a unique ‘desert experience’ safe from the surrounding missile testing ranges.

The Gila National Forest houses the ancient Cliff Dwellings high above the river from where the Mogollon peoples hunted and farmed the area and made their distinctive black and white pottery.

Most Popular Events are:
There are hundreds of events during the year and dozens daily some where in the state but some of the unusual yet regular are:

• May 9th – Taos ‘Summer of Fire’ – Opening of Harwood Museum of Art,

• June/July – Toast of Taos Festival – Fundraiser for Holy Cross Hospital Foundation (Radiology Equipment),

• June 12/14th – Carrizozo Cowboy Days Festival – Ranch and Cowboy and Cowgirls Culture,

• June 11/14th – Sofa West- Santa Fe’- New Mexico Museum of Art Collection,

• June 19th – Annual ABQ Folk Festival – with Music and Dance,

• June 24/25th – South-West Wine Competition – Wines, Chefs, art Tour, Dinners and Auctions,

• June 26th – New Mexico Arts & Crafts Fair,

• July 1st – Annual Mariachi Spectacular of Music,

• July 3rd – Albuquerque Arts Crawl – with galleries and demos by artists.

• July 4th – Annual Independence Day Celebrations – with fireworks displays at Elephant Butte,

• July 24th – Santa Fe’ Fiesta Council’s – Annual Golf Tournament,

• August 1st – Annual Salsa Festival – with music, dance and competitions,

• August 17th – Annual Digital Film Festival – Antique Ethmographic Art Show displays worldwide art.

• August 18th – Annual Antique, Indian Art Show – with jewelry, textiles and baskets,

• September 1st –  New Mexico State fair – with a great variety of entertainment,

• October 3rd – Albuquerque International Balloon Festival – a magical display of over 700 balloons in the Mexican sky, with nightlight balloons and a Rodeo show,

• October 6th – Full Indian Art market – with fine pieces of indigenous art.

Truly a State – of magnificent vistas, haunting past, exotic Mexican and Indian Culture and mysterious occurrences. How can you contain your curiosity without a visit?

MASSACHUSETTS on the Eastern Seaboard has a mix of maritime, historic towns and sites and mountains and valleys to the west. Historically the first European settlement, Plymouth still displays a replica of the original pilgrim ship, the ‘Mayflower’. Many genealogically minded Americans can trace their ancestry to these earliest arrivals.

Tourists will be attracted to:

• Salem with its rich treasures brought from distant shores, and witch hunts
• Lowell with its past industrial textile history and fine collection of antique and contemporary quilts
• Concord with its re-enactments of the Revolutionary Wars and famous writers
• Plymouth for its waterfront, Pilgrims Path, Mayflower ships replica and popular beaches and seaside resorts, museums and historic homes
• Cape Cod is arguably the biggest attraction, drawing many millions of visitors yearly. Summery beaches, rural beauty and quaint Colonial villages and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, marshes, cliffs and woodlands, monuments and museums and famous past and present residents form part of Cape Cod’s attractions.
• The Berkshires in the west has cultural as well as outdoor activities, music festivals, State Forest and Art Museum.

Major events are hosted in Greater Boston area and many in Cape Cod:

• Art,
• Theatre,
• Music, Exhibits,
• History,
• Food &Beverages,
• Sports events,
• Comedy Shows,
• Photography,
• Industry,
• Maritime.

Celebratory and National days all fill the monthly and annual calendars, ensuring visitors great entertainment throughout most of the year

IDAHO is a winter and Summer Fairyland for the tourist and vacationer. With fewest resident people of any State, it has a vast unexplored wilderness, mainly due to its wilderness isolation by mountain ranges, dense forests, frozen lakes and deep river gorges offering many adventure sports. In the north are the holiday resorts of Coeur d’Alene. In the center are the magnificent Sawtooth and Seven Devils Mountains with the deepest (Hells Canyon) in America, and in the south, the famed ‘Potato’ farming area.

Capital city of Boise is a picture-postcard image, with its huge greenbelt parklands where locals and visitors stroll, cycle or picnic on the grass. The domed state capitol is also famed for its being supplied by naturally heated water. The decommissioned state penitentiary and grounds now house museums. The historic area has restored Victorian houses, with coffee shops, bars and restaurants. Many varied cultural museums lie in the green belt that straddles the Boise River.

The Sawtooth National Park area lures campers, hikers and photographers to its jagged peaks, rustic rural valley settings, Redfish Lake and the nearby glitzy Sun Valley Resort. Old trails – following the old railway lines, historic Oregon Trail and Three Islands Crossing to follow the pioneer’s routes.

Unusual feature parks include; The Bruneau Dunes, the largest in the USA, The Twin falls sometime called the “Niagara of the West”, Snake River Gorge – where famous stuntman ‘Evel Knievel’ seriously injured himself in 1974. In central Idaho is the ‘Craters of the Moon’ national monument, a rugged prehistoric volcanic area. The southern agricultural city of Idaho Falls also houses the National laboratory which developed the first nuclear reactors for military and commercial use and the obsolete are now open for viewing.

“Floating Golf Greens”, Luxurious Resorts – where famous film stars, past and present visited, Preserved endangered bird species (Osprey and Bald eagle), Salmon run, ‘Lost Silver Mines’, Thundering waterfalls and white water rivers lure adventure seekers and pristine lakes offer ice skating, fishing or boating. All this and more offer a unique experience in visiting such a varied and beautiful state.

DELAWARE is proud to be known as the “1st State”, having been the first to ratify the 1787 Constitution. This ‘tiny Pre Colonial’ 5000 km2, State has Pennsylvania to the north, Maryland to the West and New Jersey and the Atlantic coast to south east.  Inter State highways and railways connect the State Capital, Dover to surrounding states.  Three counties of Sussex (Georgetown) in the south, Kent (Dover) in the center and New Castle (Wilmington) to the north combine to offer tourists range fabulous experiences. Numerous rivers flow to the coast and the Mispillion, Delaware and Nanticoke are some of the major waterways.

The variety of attractions and activities offered are boundless:
Museums, Arts and Crafts, Maritime, State of DW, Woodworking, Afro-American, Indian, Methodism and Historical sites, to name but a few.

Outdoor sports and activities such as GOLF (48), Horse Racing (3), Nature Reserves, Forests, Rivers and State Parks offer a variety for every nature lover with walks(Milton) or river cruises or Amusement Parks, Steam Train (Wilmington), Farm Tours or visits to Dewey Beach or Fenwick Beach Island, Sailing, Kyaking, water sports and both sea and river fishing. Organized sports such as NASCAR, Stock Car, and Baseball all have their regular venues.

Indoor attractions include; Gaming (Harrington), Symphony Orchestra (Dover), Flea Market (Laurel), Spa’s and ‘Quiet Resorts’ (Bethany area), Theaters( from classical to contemporary), Ice Skating Rinks, or hundreds of Restaurants and festivals.

This ‘Tiny’ State is crammed with ‘hyper ‘activity or ‘supine’ relaxation not to be missed.

ARKANSAS history can best be described as a ‘cosmic version’ of the USA, in general – from The Wild West, Oil and Diamond boom towns, Civil War, Civil Rights struggles, Music Development to Ancient Indian displacements. All this history is encapsulated in this vibrant State.

The present day economy of Arkansas is based on the previous history. It has a treasure trove of natural minerals (petroleum, natural gas and bromide, a major product), natural pine forestry, agriculture, multi-faceted industrial enterprises and a flourishing tourist economy with about 20 million visitors per year to view the magnificent variety of natural beauty of 6 Wilderness, State Parks with highlands, waterfalls, lakes, mountainsides, meadows, caves, nature centers and historical sites.

Amongst the 101 places of interest are the following natural treasures:
The limestone caves of the Ozarks area, with over 2000 individual caves, a ‘spelonkers’ dream. The Arkansas River valley of wine farms, museum in Paris and Mt.Nebo.  Lake Leatherwood Park at Eureka Springs.  Cossatot River State Park with waterfalls, wild and scenic – a kayaker’s paradise. Buffalo National River with huge herds of Elk. Then there are the many scenic drives in the north and wild flower routes, walking tours (Van Buuren), hiking trails (Ozak Highlands). Syllamo has some of the best mountain bike trails.

Historical districts abound:
Thorncrown Chapel has 425 unique panels. Fayetteville has the Union and Confederate National Cemeteries and The University of Arkansas (Where President Clinton lectured). Pine Ridge has the Lum and Abner museum. Eureka Springs has some of the most beautiful Victorian architecture as well as Helena of the Pillow-Thompson house, a jewel of Queen Anne design and the Delta Cultural Center. Piggett houses the museum to the famous popular 20th century writer, Ernest Hemingway. Jonesboro has the Arkansas State Museum. Smackover has the Museum of Natural Resources. Helena is also known for its annual Festivals of the ‘Ark-Blues’ music heritage – in October. Murfreesboro for its ‘Free Diamond Mine’ – where you can scratch and keep your finds! Hot Springs is one of many Spa towns with the most natural springs where to ‘spoil you’, and buy Crystals. Sites of Native Americans – Quapaws, Nodenna, Parkins and Cherokee. At El Dorado is a weekly, ‘Wild West’ gunfight to re-enact the Tucker- Parnell feud, every Saturday!

As the State Capital, Little Rock is also a most beautiful city on an oxbow lake. It has the National Arts Center, Aerospace Center and all the variety of services, facilities and entertainment expected of a major city. From here you can arrange your itinery, whether to go fishing, bird-watching, hiking, take scenic drives, visit outdoor cinemas, festivals or exhibitions in and around the State. (The annual 20 million visitors can’t be wrong!).