Explore The United States of America

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?

TENNESSEE State can be called the ‘Music State’ for it’s the great contribution to American roots music, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Blues, Rock n’ Roll and Soul. Tennessee consists of three distinct regions:

• The Mississippi lowlands with Memphis the focal city,
• The central Blue Ridge plateau with the capital, Nashville,
• The Appalachian mountains in the east with Knoxville as its base.

The Great Smokey Mountains have some of the highest peaks in the east and draws over ten million visitors per year. Half of the National Park is in neighboring North Carolina. Famed for its incredible flowering plant diversity and hardwood forests, spruce fir, Rhododendron and mountain laurel. The forest produces honeysuckle vines for basketry, hardwoods for carving and musical instruments, wild berries and fruits, medicinal plants and harbors much wild game.  Adventure tourists delight in the hiking, biking, horse riding, fishing and white water rafting. Hiking trails lead past scenic waterfalls, panoramic views, log cabin sites, rushing rivers and towering peaks.

Chattanooga city riding on the banks of the Tennessee River nestles between several high plateau, ridges and mountains retains its famed ‘Ross’s Landing’, now an area of entertainments, natural museum, aquarium and Imax theatre. Nearby are reenactments of battles by miniature soldiers on large boards. The mountain incline railway climbs the lookout mountain to the crest for a panoramic view. Battlefield sites on the slopes of the steep plateau, Ruby Falls and Caves and Rock City gardens inspire awe and inspiration.

Nashville – Tennessee is renown for its music, state capital, and university and as a financial center. Downtown is the famous auditorium – setting for live shows, convention and entertainment centers, reconstructed river fort, and ‘The District’ of – restaurants, cafés and nightclubs. Other sites of interest are; The State Museum – covering history, decorative arts, and biographical exhibits to past heroes’. East of downtown is ‘Music valley’s’ radio show, where all the famous musicians perform from time to time, Oprey Museum, Oprey Mall and fabulous Oprey Hotel.

A few miles away the Belle Mead Plantation and mansion takes one back into the splendor of the 1800’s antebellum estates, with guides in period costume and live summer concerts in the spacious grounds. The Hermitage estate, home of Andrew Jackson is open to visitors who admire the distinguished military leader, politician and seventh President of the USA. Southwest lie the forested Indian trails of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Memphis is synonymous with music of blues and rock ‘n roll, and the ‘evergreen’ Elvis Presley – celebrated in annual festivals of music. Music studios, monuments, unique museums, parks, statues, and evocative sites to civil rights leader – Martin Luther King, and of course the famous estate, Graceland – with the great entertainers fine home, artifacts, personal effects and grave. Do not miss Rev. Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church for an electric service!

Western Tennessee has over fourteen State Parks, Historical and Natural sites and Places of Interest to visit.

Middle Tennessee has over thirty two State Parks, historical and natural sites, places of interest and even an Elephant Park.

Eastern Tennessee has over thirty five great attractions where to choose outdoor activities, educational or restful relaxation.

OKLAHOMA state is a vast interstate crossroads of, prairie land where mesas merge with forested mountains and flatland wheat fields. With the largest Native American population and still active oilfields, it nevertheless offers an exciting tourist destination. Birthplace of such actors as John Wayne, who made the State famous for its ‘Western Culture’ it, provides a fascinating exploration into the past and the present. As a region of extremes with hot summers and cold winters and part of ‘Tornado Alley’, yet it has some of the most vivid prairie scenery with colorful wildflowers in May and September while autumn colors in October make scenic drives in the Ozark Mountains a visual delight.

From the pine forests of southeastern Oklahoma to the spectacular mesas of the Panhandle, and from the northeastern lakes and forests to the rugged mountains of the southwest, you are surrounded by Oklahoma’s natural wonders. Oklahoma’s proliferation of State Parks (50), offers a great variety of experience to Campers, Lodgers and even Golfers. Most are situated on lakes and offer water sports, hiking, biking, fishing and some even caving and dune bashing. The cities and towns offer historical, cultural and modern entertainment from the exotic to the most sophisticated venues.

Bartlesville is still a major ‘Oil Town’ but oil barons have left behind enduring attractions like picturesque ranches, with art, wildlife preserve and American Heritage center and a vast Prairie preserve stocked with bison and blazing wildflowers.

Tulsa , once a railroad town is still a major oil center, it has many nearby attractions for outdoor enthusiasts and tourists, with art museum and beautiful parks and University grounds.
Tahlequah is the capital of the Cherokee nation, lies at the foot of the Ozark Mountains. Its heritage center with historical village and museum chronicle the tribes troubled past.

Oklahoma City the State Capital ‘was built in a day’ during the original oil and land rush. Today it is a sophisticated city of museums to those eras to ‘Buffalo Bill, John Wayne and Indian Folk lore’ and Western Art and memorial to tragic 1995 bombing of Federal Building.

Events – Children’s, Theater, Festival, Golf, Historical Reenactments, Musical, Holiday, Nature and Recreational dominate the calendar, daily, weekly, monthly and annually. June has most fishing competitions; July has recreational, kids and nature celebrations. August has nature, dog days, music and more kid’s festivals. September has many recreational, kids, nature, music and historical festivals. October has national days, kids’ entertainment, and nature and party entertainments. November has western music, Historical reenactments, and festival, nature and holiday lights. December has many Christmas celebrations and recreational programs. January starts the New Year with Blue Grass festival of music and ‘Deer Antler Shed’ – nature program. February – with more nature, music and recreational celebrations. March with – many nature, spring and children’s events. April with – many children’s’ Easter, volunteer, nature and recreational events. May brings the cycle round with a large number of events such as car shows, fishing, memorial, nature and recreational days.

See the Official State Song of Oklahoma for inspiration, it’s a gas!

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?

NORTH CAROLINA is remarkable for its Colonial History, contentious inland tobacco industry, North Eastern Seaboard of pristine beaches around many river estuaries and islands and majestic Smoky Mountains to the west. Millions of tourists drive the most scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to the national parks with mountains to rival The Rockies. From ‘Wetland Swamps’ to tranquil streams, waterfalls, verdant golf courses to formal Victorian Gardens offer a eclectic array of visual experiences. Yet as the ‘birthplace of powered flight’, it also has the ‘High Technology Research Triangle’ between three cities and the two major Universities near the State Capital of Raleigh. The intellectual center also houses modern museums to, Natural Science, Planetarium, History and Fine Art to serve a hugely populated area.

Winston-Salem can take you back in the past at its delightfully restored Colonial Village, an old Moravian settlement, complete with traditional crafts, period costumes and a museum to match.

Blue Ridge Parkway, on route to the Smokey Mountains, is one of the most visited in the USA. Stunning peaks, waterfalls, mighty mountains, spring and fall leaf colors and Cherokee Indian casino all combine to draw millions of annual visitors.

Ashville still maintains its 20th century attractions as a resort destination because of its legendary ‘healthiest town in the US’, with all the related foods, bookstores, cafés, clubs and music shops and finest Renaissance style mansion and gardens.

The Outer Banks or ‘barrier islands’ offer the best of sea and sand to residents and tourists alike. Unique maritime forests, tidal marshes and sturdy oaks protect the inland from the onslaught of storms and winds. Roanoke Island is best remembered as the first English settlement – ‘The Lost Colony that also mysteriously disappeared. The Historic site and Elizabethan Gardens and nearby Theme Park relate to this unsolved mystery.

Beaufort’s charm is built on the Maritime Museum and piratical history of capture of ‘Blackbeard’, still celebrated with family- educated festivities, costumes, flag flying, treasure hunts and other events.

The State is also famous for its ‘Scottish Highland Games’, the largest in the world, including Scotland, keeping traditions of colonial ‘Scottish Community’ alive and well.

For adventure, fun or relaxation North Carolina has it all. Come see for yourself.

NEBRASKA is still known for its vast prairies. Once the crossroads for many a trail to the goldfields and settlements California and Oregon, it now draws tourists to experience the feel of the vast plains, the Panhandle in the northwest with it s rocky outcrops and jagged canyons, historic trails and majestic scenery.
Famous historical figures of the west like Crazy Horse, the great Sioux chief, Chief Red Cloud and William ’Buffalo  Bill’ Cody have left their legacies imprinted on the culture of the state. The famed Oregon Trail also passed through the southern state area. Several state parks and national recreation areas offer tourists, trails for hikers and bikers, forts, historical sites, lakes for fishing, camping, boating and hunting.
State Capital Lincoln is the custodian if the state University, museums of fossils and Native American Artifacts, landmark legislature buildings, WW2 camps and huge Memorial Sports Stadium.

Omaha the largest city with over ¾ million, one a rough Missouri town evolved into a major railroad terminus and commercial and cultural center with art treasures of America and Europe and museums.

Nebraska’s Events boast of “so much to see and do” is borne out by its amazing variety and number of events throughout the year, literally hundreds, too numerous to specify but they cover the following:

• National &International Days,
• town, city and county events
• Theaters,
• Festivals,
• Shows,
• Celebrations,
• Exhibitions,
• Classical, Performing arts(Ballet, Orchestral &Plays),
• Arts & Crafts,
• Farmers and  Flea Markets,
• Carnivals,
• circus,
• Performances,
• Tournaments(Rodeo , Bull Riding, Wrestling),
• Concerts,
• Expo’s,
• Music and Dancing,
• Christmas,
• Churches,
• Sports (PGA Golf, Motor, Motorcycle, Cycle, Soccer, Baseball and more),
• Festivals of Spring & Autumn(fall),
• Fruit & Wine, Flowers (Orchids & Roses),
• Vegetables (Pumpkins & Mushrooms),
• Meat,
• Farmers Days and
• Charity events,
• Children’s,
• Family,
• Writers,
• Antique,
• Quilting,
• Cultural Food & Dance (Swedish, Czech, Irish & Welsh),
• Ranch Expo’s,
• Country Food Days (Turkey and Wurst),
• Memorial Days celebrations,
• Gold Rush and other Storytelling,
• Historical and legendary  Reenactments,
• Mine Tours,
• BBQ,
• Air & Military Shows,
• Flying Club Competitions,
• Marathons and Fun Runs,
• Railroad days and
• National Schooling competitions and
• Sports,
• Astronomical Shows and
• Beauty Pageants…..and more Storytelling.

MONTANA is Magnificent in winter and Summer Scenery. The wilds of the two State Parks of Yellowstone and Glacier offer unrivalled experiences with nature. Legends of the massacre of the Nez Perce Indians and ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ are engraved in the history of this ‘Big Sky State’. Flathead Lake, the largest west of the Mississippi River, nestles at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Dozens of glaciers, limestone cliffs, waterfalls and abundant wildlife and stunning fauna fill this huge national park. Gold, silver and copper mining first opened this lost wilderness in previous century. Productive agriculture established permanence and today tourism plays an undoubted major part in this unspoilt ‘natural heritage’.
Helena, the State Capital was first established as a gold, silver and copper mining town. Today it’s the ideal starting point to explore the State.

Butte, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, has some of the countries richest mineral reserves, museum to mining, historical buildings and preserved early mining camp.

Bozeman, in the agricultural Gallatin Valley also houses the State University, museums of archaeology and geology, history and art and a planetarium. Popular area for fishing and white water rafting.

Billings is the railroad center and largest city with a population of nearly 100,000.The ‘Rimrocks’, a natural 122 meter high wall runs the length of the city along the Yellowstone River. Also known for its fine art gallery of Wild West paintings, sculptures and magnificent mountain drive to the Yellowstone National Park. Also nearby is the site of the ‘Little Bighorn Battlefield’ in the Crow Indian Reservation.

Glacier and Yellowstone Parks – Ride, ski or just enjoy seeing the Winter Wonderland, Hot Springs, Iceberg Lakes, Buffalo Herds, Bears, and rugged mountain peaks.

Events – There are more than 56 events and entertainments throughout the year – Theaters for Classical Opera, Ballet, Acts (Shakespeare-in-the – Park), Symphony Orchestras and a variety of Musicals. Museums to History and Artifacts, Cowboy Fest, Historical reenactments,  Rhubarb Fest, Beauty Pageant, Choral Week, Chorus-for-Kids, Folk Fest, Polka Fest, Square Dancing Jamboree, Baroc Music Fest, Fest of Nations, County Fairs, Farmers Markets, Rodeos, Annual Fest of Trees(Christmas), Winter Fest, Native American Arts Shows,   Storytelling Shows, Food Festivals and Arts and Crafts.

Big Sky, Big Nature and Big Hearts would sum up this Magnificent Montana experience!

MINNESOTA is known as the ‘Land of 10 000 lakes’, an understatement. This beautiful area on Lake Superior (no pun intended) has the beginnings of the great Mississippi River and 7 major waterfalls. The Capital, St. Paul is ‘twinned’ with its sister city Minneapolis across the waters of the great river. Pre-history rock art, ‘petro-glyphs’, burial mounds and artifacts place inhabitants as early as 5 millennium before Indians and later European trappers, Americans, Germans and Scandinavian’s settled the area.

Modern adventurers will find excitement in the Wildlife Reserves, on the large and many smaller lakes, rivers and streams. Camping, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking and backpacking, golf, water and snow sports and ‘lure of the wild’.

Travel Tourists will find delight in, spectacular lake, river and forest scenery, bird watching, countless scenic lakes and farmland drives, sports events, museums, entertainment and the legendary ‘Fall Colors’ as Autumn sets the trees ‘alight’.

Annual and monthly Events enliven residents and tourists alike – Outdoor Concerts, County and Town Fairs with Arts and Crafts, Music, Historical Reenactments, State Fair, Mashed Potato Wrestling, Bowling, Heritage, Themed Getaways, Sports, Exhibitions and Performances, Ethnic (Dakota) Festival, almost always accompanied by music and food.

Arrive with a sense of expectation and leave with a feeling of ‘Peace of Heaven’!

GEORGIA is not only The Cross Roads of the USA but also a major destination for tourists and business alike. With the world renowned capital of Atlanta and its International Airport of Hartsfield-Jackson as staging post it is host to many international events. Ground transport is excellent with, Interstate connections with routes, 75, 85, 95, and 20, Amtrak stations and Greyhound bus services.

Bordered by Florida in the south, Atlantic Ocean to the east, Alabama to the west and Mississippi  and Tennessee to the north, Georgia has two distinctive topographical regions. The northern region Georgia Mountains are part of the great Appellations Range and Chattahoochee River. The North-west high country is part of the mystical, ‘Enchanted land of the Cherokee Indians’ trails fame. The Classical South has gentle hills and a large coastal plain.

Georgia’s 9 counties offer a variety of attractions to the Tourist:
1.    Georgia Coast has 100 miles of coastline to the Atlantic Ocean between the Savanna and St. Mary’s Rivers. The Okefenoke National Wildlife Refugee,  Monuments and Museums, Art Associations, Golf Resorts, Landmarks, Music Venues, River Boating, Nature viewing on Eagle and Little St. Simons Islands, Resorts and Inns and the famous Summer Waves Water Park.
2.    Plantation Trace in  rural South-west has Historical Past, with small towns, plantations, woodlands and rivers.
3.    Magnolia Midlands has a laid back lifestyle with State Parks, Wildlife Center, Jefferson-Davis Memorial, Golf, more plantations, farm and vineyard tours, Arts Centers, the Broxton Rocks for hikers and ‘The Sweet Onion’ Festival.
4.    Classic South has gentle rolling hills and coastal plain with many fine Lakes and Golf courses.
5.    Central Georgia to the South-west has, Presidential Pathways, Historical Sites and Tours.
6.    Historical Heartland has Lake Oconee – Golf Resort – ‘Best modern golf resort’ status, Inns, Convention Centers, Music hall of Fame, University of Georgia, Cultural Centers, Award Winning Brewery, Quilters Guild, Museums and elegant Historical Inns.
7.    Atlanta Metro is World Class with Arts, Museums, Shopping, Amusement Parks and Outdoor activities.
8.    Georgia Mountains to the North-east has some of the finest Outdoor Retreats on the Appellations Mountains and Chattahoochee River. Exotic Wild Life Protection Centers, Lake boating, Waterfalls, Hiking Trails, Fine Dining, Lodges, Spa’s and cabins, Interactive Museums and beautiful Parks.
9.    High Country to the North-west is, ‘The Enchanted Land’ of the Cherokee Indians fame. There are historical trails to drive, pedal, walk or ride (Horseback) and museums to visit. Mountains offer excellent trout fishing, biking, hiking and swimming. Amusement Parks and Ranches eagerly entertain tourists.

The Islands draw visitors to see and stay at Jekyll, Tybee, Cumberland, St.  Simons,  and the Lighthouses.

Famous Festivals – St. Patrick’s Day (March)- in Savanna and Dublin (You could have fooled me!), Cherry Blossom Day (April) – Springtime beauty and entertainment, Yellow Daisy Day  (March) -  Number One for Arts and Crafts in the USA! For Antique Furniture, Paintings, Rugs, jewelry, Tableware and Collectibles.
Rattlesnake Roundup (March) has interactive snake education, with more arts and crafts.

July hosts the’ rumbustious’-  ‘Redneck Games’ – a hilarious ‘muddy’ local sporting event.
Don’t miss any of them!

COLORADO is synonymous with the Rocky Mountains.  Fifty four of which are over fourteen thousand feet. This magnificent mountain range dominates a variety of other natural landscapes and features, area of the highest Sand Dunes, Forests, Mountain Lakes, Grasslands, Fields of wild flowers and Red Rock formations, to some of USA’s most remarkable Caverns.

With four National Parks and forty one State Parks, the great outdoors beckons all who admire nature and magnificent scenery. Added to this is the mystique of ancient Indian (Packloans) tribes ruins, situated in great rocky crevices – unusual permanent civilization, compared to the mostly plains Indians of a roaming and hunting culture. The more modern mystique of the 1800’s Gold Rush is left behind in the ruins of numerous mine shafts, the museums and tours of old mining towns. Historical and Archaeological (Dinosaur) sites to visit. One of the best Caves (Cave of the Winds) in the USA and many more with awesome, timeless formations.

Modern Colorado has many other attractions as well. Wine and Brewery tours abound. National Sports Events include; Superbowl -  Baseball, Hockey, Sailing, Fishing, Rodeo, Skiing, Gliding and Hot Air Ballooning. Then there are the Train Rides around the country, Steamboat rides on the Lakes, Mountain Climbing, River boating and paddling. Many Adventure sports. Nationally famous natural Hot Springs and Spa’s- Glenwood Springs and Pagosa Springs and many more fabulous manmade springs. Casinos at Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. There are many Amusement Parks, Aquariums, Zoos, Factory tours and Dude Ranches to visit.  Rodeos, Concerts, Music and Art s, Beer, Wine and Food, Festivals on an almost daily basis.

The excitement of the urban city of Denver is offset by the quaint towns with their relaxed country or resort atmospheres. Certainly Colorado is a ‘jewel’ of variety to visit.