Explore The United States of America

GUAM is the largest island of the Mariana Archipelago. The closest country is Taipei, Taiwan off the coast of China and next is Manila in the Philippines. Guam has a remarkable history of ancient Polynesian and Malayan occupation, Spanish settlement, European Pirates visitations, and battleground between Japanese and American forces in WW11.

Today, it has a population exceeding 150,000 and has a thriving economy based on the shipping industry as a terminal for cargo and tourism. The natural beauty of the twin islands, surrounding Pacific and Philippine seas, offer tourists from America and Asia a glimpse into a historical melting pot of nations, yet a distinctive individual Chamorro cultural identity is maintained.

Sightseeing can be divided into the three distinct areas of Southern Guam, Central and Northern Guam and Southern area.

Southern Guam:

• Mount Lamlam – The tallest mountain in the world, from its base in the undersea Mariana Trench.
• Talifak Bridge – built by the Spanish in 1785,
• Sella Bay – for its tranquility, and another Spanish bridge
• Merizo Park, where water sports and annual water festival is held,
• Cette Bay for its beautiful views.
• Memorial Park – has a Vietnam Memorial and great views,
• Coco’s Island for its fine resort, lagoon, diving adventure and quiet ambiance,
• The Marizo Bell Tower,
• he Inarajan Village with its quaint Spanish design.
• The Talafofo Falls on the Ungum River, and Talofofo Beach – where surfers slip the waves to land on the brown sands.
• Not forgetting a visit to ‘Yokis Cave’ – where Sergeant Yoki holed up after the war, and was only discovered alive and well in 1972!

The Central Area :

• Pago Bay – the largest and most beautiful bay with – University of Guam, specialists in Marine Biology and more recently in many of the other academic fields of study,
• Views from Libugan Overlook and Apra Harbor.
• The Asan Historical Park and Pacific National Park are war museums.
• There are a further six historical parks of WW11 military sites on land, and under water (wrecks) to explore.
• The two waterfalls; Sigua Falls – is reached by a jungle hike and Tarzan Falls, by a stiff climb for the more adventurous.

Northern Guam:

• South Pacific Memorial Park; – with the 15 meter high tower of, ‘Hands praying for Peace’, very emotive,
• Mount Santa Rosa – is an extinct volcano with spectacular views, and three private (military) beaches.

Special events are; Liberation Day (July 21st) – celebrated with a festival of floats, parades, marching, music & entertainments and of course exotic and island foods. The Spanish/Catholic Fest, (December 8th) – pays homage to their patroness, Saint Marian Kamelin and weekly, on Wednesday Nights – The Chamorro Village Markets open for shopping and entertainment.

Outdoor sports cover a great spectrum including; Golf, Skydiving, Jet ski, Parasailing, Kite surfing, coral reef diving – visit Spanish and WW11 wrecks 0r Visit, beautiful waterfalls, sea caves, scenic views or ingest the beautiful variety of flowers – hibiscus, plumier, red ginger, ixeras, lantanas and of course bougainvilleas’. Taste the delicious tropical fruits of; papayas, bananas, breadfruits, mangoes, guavas, mountain apples and tangerines for a mouth watering experience.

Tourist facilities are of the highest standard with; Many huge Local and International Hotels, Resorts and Spa’s offering sophisticated accommodation and services to boutique B&B’s, each with its own variety of Cuisines, Elegant Night Clubs, Activities and Services, The huge, Pacific Islands Club with – over 72 sports and entertainment activities, spa’s, dining venues and the Pavilion –a huge Reception facility.

This Tourist Mecca has from the most sophisticated attractions to the quiet meditative experiences, on an island paradise of Spanish and Chamorro charm and warmth, fulfilling the sobriquets of -‘America in Asia’ and ‘Gateway to Asia’.

VERMONT as part of the New England area of timeless landscapes, craggy coastlines, historical villages and sophisticated cities, is the historical homeland of the birth of the United States. To the Tourist, Vermont’s attractions are Historic Villages and natural splendors of the Green Mountain Forest in the south while in the northwest, Lake Champion, famous Ski Resorts of Stowe and in fall, the spectacular leaf colors are a vision to behold.

The Green Mountain Range runs almost the full length of Vermont and has some of the best skiing centers in the US. The Sugarbush and Mt. Snow areas have peaks almost four thousand feet high.  Twenty Alpine Resorts, hundreds of miles of trails from beginner to the challenging offer exhilarating, skiing, snow boarding, snowmobiling to snow shoe hiking, racing or marathons.

Summer sport offers a variety of; finest Golfing from Professionally designed (27 hole) to leisurely (9) hole courses and training schools. Water sports on the huge Lake Champion and around its 70 islands, from sailing, motor, kyaking, scuba diving and swimming. With over eight hundred smaller lakes and ponds and many mountain streams, rafting and fishing for walleye, bass and trout opportunities abound. Hunting is offered – for white tailed deer, moose, black bear, wild turkey, grouse, woodcock, water fowl and hare.

The ‘Back Country’ is renowned for its fantastic scenic drives, hiking and biking trails – from the gentle to the adventurous and challenging, charming towns, woodlands, pastures and farms.

Another major attraction is the Shelburne museum and farm which has 37 historical structures including a reconstructed Circus building, Railroad station, restored lighthouse, steamship, art, tools and memorabilia- All this on a large working dairy farm.

Some major towns are:

• Manchester, a scenic town ringed by mountains has skiing destinations of Stratton and Bromley nearby, prime shopping and a historical Georgian Manor.

• Killington offers both outdoor adventure and social life. With the  second largest mountain and  the largest ski resort in the country it offers a great variety of snow sports and all year round activities.

• Woodstock is a very historic and picturesque village, with charming renovated brick and clapboard houses dating back hundreds of years. Special attractions are the Farm Museum and the Institute of Natural Science, a restorative bird sanctuary and the nearby Gorge, spanned by a steel bridge.

• Burlington, on the shores of Lake Champion is a favorite tourist destination. It houses the State University and four colleges, shops, marketplace, historic landmarks, parks, churches, museums, entertainment venues, fine restaurants and easy to explore on foot.

• Stowe is also ringed by mountains and arguably the most popular skiing capital in the New England area and is lined with tourist services. Summer visitors can rock climb, fish, canoe, cycle and visit the famous Von Trapp family Lodge Estate, now a popular Hotel.

A visit not to be missed is to, the mouth watering B & J, Ice Cream Factory for sampling of yoghurt and new flavors, ‘to die for’!

Vermont is not left behind in events throughout the year. Categories are as follows:

• Agriculture offers – Fair and Field Days, Farmers Markets, Horse and Livestock events.

• Science and Nature offers – Birding, Fishing, Gardening, Nature, Birdlife watching, Aquatic, Botanical Gardens and Game Preserves.

• Performing Arts offers, Literary Reading, Plays, Theatre of all variety, Music of all variety and Dance.

• The Visual Arts offers festivals of, Glass, Film, Crafts, Digital Art, Painting, Photography, Pottery, Sculpture, and Drawing, Exhibitions, Open Studio and more.

• Community events celebrate – Auctions, Bazaars, Foods, State and National Fests, Carnivals and Parades, fireworks, Flea Markets, Workshops, Conferences, and Demonstrations.

• Special Events include, Antiques, Benefits, Educational, Food, Sports, Ethnical, Family Fun, Kids Activities, Religious, Retail, Products, Skiing, Racing, Aircraft, Boating, Spectator Events and Winery and Brewery.

• Then there are the Historical, Local & National, Reenactments and Revolutionary War celebrations.

There is something very special about Vermont that will induce you to visit again and again and again. Come and find it for yourself.

UTAH is a naturalist’s delight, from the Colorado Plateau in the south, to the snow capped peaks of the Wasatch Mountains of the north and Salt Lake City in the West offer stunning diversity of terrain. A series of beautiful National Parks and forests offer stunning scenic beauty, outdoor sports and activities. Monuments of towering mountains, natural formations of caves, arches, amphitheaters, canyons, up-thrust and eroded citadels, rivers and lakes are tourist’s delights with winter and summer and outdoor sports for the thrill seeker.

The Great Salt Lake covers an area of more than a thousand square miles, depending on the weather. Within it is an island State Park with, herds of bighorn sheep, mule deer, bison and the pronghorn deer, from which it gets its name. Nearby are the Timpanogos limestone caves, stretching some thousand eight hundred feet deep into the mountain, with spectacular limestone formations. To the east and close to the Colorado border sits the Arches National Park with more than eighty of these natural wonders, are truly breathtaking sights in a sandstone natural wonderland. Further south are the ‘Canyon-lands’, a labyrinth of rocky canyons that form the heart of this wilderness. At its center the Colorado and Green Rivers carve up this stunning wilderness. Moving east to the Lake Powell and Glen Canyon sits within dramatic canyon and desert country, from where this mighty dam provides water, power and recreation to the regions growing population. Water sports, house-boating, hiking; biking and 4wd for canyon exploration make it one of the most popular destinations in the country. Heading north again, brings one to the Capitol Reef National Park, with its one hundred mile long colorful wall of rock, with its white domed rocks that gave it its name and nearby Fremont Canyon is famous for its prehistoric Petroglyphs created by the ancestral Puebloans. Turning back south to pass the ‘Grand Staircase’, named for its cliff face that rises in tiered steps across the Colorado Plateau. Still heading south brings you to the Bryce Canyon within the Paunsaugunt Plateau, filled with vast fields of pink, orange and red spires (hoodoos), amphitheaters’, natural bridges and canyons, best appreciated on foot. Close to the border of Nevada, en route to Las Vegas, lies the Zion Canyon and National Park. Carved out by the Virgin River and widened, sculpted and reshaped by wind, rain and ice, its walls rise two thousand feet and its valleys of luxuriant growth support abundant wildlife, wildflowers, cottonwoods, oak and willow trees, a veritable paradise in the desert.

Salt Lake City spreads for many miles along the base of the snow capped Wasatch Range. This spectacular setting is ‘spiritual base’ to the Mormon Church since the mid 1800’s. Here is their Tabernacle, Mormon Temple, and Family History Library dating back three and a half centuries, and a number of impressive monuments in this State Capitol.

Park City is world famous resort, for its annual Sundance Film Festival, quaint turn-of-the century buildings and excellent skiing facilities that showcased the 2000 Winter Olympics.

Green River has a small community around a ford of the river and is today a launching spot for adventure sports such as white water rafting, and to follow in the footsteps of notable canyon explorers.

Cedar City is another popular winter resort for skiers, visitors to nearby national monument, parks, Shakespeare Festival and Iron Mining Museum.

With some of the best National Parks, Ski Resorts, Golf Courses, Whitewater Rafting, and vibrant Cities, the State offers unforgettable experiences that will bring you and me back again and again.

TEXAS has arguably the largest land area of the lower 48 States and according to reports the Texans also the largest ego! The ‘Lone Star’ and ‘Longhorn’ State has long since deserved it reputation as a true reflection of the Old West frontier, having wrested the land from the previous Mexican Empire by 1848. Since the early 1900’s when oil was discovered, Texas has remained the center of the US petroleum industry. However livestock and agriculture is still big business. The vast open spaces and mythical Cowboy Culture are still a major tourist attraction. In stark contrast are many cultural cities and towns with sophisticated facilities and entertainment, and most of all the Space Center at Houston, the mission control center for all manned exploration of space.

National Parks, Preserves and Wildlife refuges, Islands, The Rio Grande Canyon, Historic Towns and Forts, rugged Desert Mountains offer a vast array of outdoor activities from golf, fishing, hiking, river rafting to cycling, scenic routes to coastal angling, sailing. Organized Sports of baseball at all levels, American Football on National, University and College level and Basketball at all amateur and professional levels, as well. Nightclubs and performance venues cover this music loving state.

Dallas , has been synonymous with oil, ranching, cotton fields and latterly a huge diversified business center. An energetic and enjoyable city, with many museums, restaurants and cultural venues. Sadly the city tourism also thrives on ‘Black Tourism’ a euphemism to the sustained interest on the murder of President John Kennedy in 1963. Happier things to do and see are the fabulous view from the 50 storey reunion Tower, The West End Historic District, Museum of Art filled with Americana, Natural Museum, Peaceful Parks and vibrant Musical neighborhoods.

Fort Worth combines the epitome of ‘Cowboy Culture, High Culture and Modern Entertainment Venues’. Historic Cattle Yards rub shoulders with some of the US’s finest Performing Arts Space, Museums and Organizations and transformed ‘Old Red Light’ districts into delightful ’Water Gardens’.

Austin , the Capital, stakes its claim to being the most popular Music Scene in the country, High Tech Industry and ‘Best State University’! and Biggest State Capital in the country!

Fredericksburg , in the Hill Country is one of the loveliest small towns in the state, with very strong Germanic heritage with its ‘Biergarten’ and Bavarian style buildings, Church on the old marketplace (Markplatz). It also has WW11 Museum of the Pacific War – house in the steamboat shaped Nimitz Hotel with Japanese ‘Peace Garden’ at the back and the Lyndon Johnson National Historical Park.

Kerrville , is one of the largest towns in the Hill Country. It is famous for its eighteen day long folk music festival held annually on a ranch near the town. Starting the Thursday before Memorial Day, it attracts singers and fans from all over the world.

New Braunfels , has a charming German culture enshrined in its distinctive architecture, cuisine, language and festivals for example the Beer & sausage and the Polka Dance Festival.

San Antonio , is really the most historic city in the State and popular for its natural beauty.

Houston is an enormous port and city with a population passing 2 million souls and synonymous with all Space Exploration and Mission Control, and the Petrochemical Industry. It has much more for the tourist to appreciate, with some of the Worlds finest Art Museums – paintings by the European masters, 20th Century American masters, Ancient and Mediaeval art of the Mediterranean, Africa, and Pacific Northwest, Byzantine Frescos, Greek, Roman and American sculptures, Artifacts, Furniture collections, Decorative Arts, Ceramics and textiles. Unbelievable collections ‘to perve over’! Montrose district has a varietal cultural collection of galleries, shops, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants and a popular ‘strolling area’. 34km SE is the ‘Tallest Monument in the World’, with museum and theater at its base.

Galveston has many tourist attractions depicting her exotic past of Pirates and Victorian splendor, but mostly its past and present day attraction remains as one of the most popular Resort Cities on the Gulf of Mexico. The Island city has miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches and incredible modern entertainment facilities of water park pools, ten stories Rainforest pyramid and massive aquariums.
Corpus Christi is the deepest commercial port in the State and therefore a strong maritime, military and waterfront presence with the State Aquarium of rare sea animals. The Island State Park has many miles of sandy beaches and modern condominium resorts.

Laredo on the north bank of the Rio Grande River is known as ‘the gateway to Mexico’. The Mexican and Border cultural influence is very apparent in well preserved buildings and museum which traces the cities history with ‘six different national flags’. The undoubted tourist attraction starts with the 200 mile Rio Grande Valley to the Gulf, with a strong agricultural, rural and commercial mix and nature sanctuary park.

Fort Davis deserves a visit to cool off in summer in the highlands, visit the National Historic Fort site or see the stars from the Observatory’s, world’s largest (430inch) spectroscope.

El Paso was known for its safest crossing of the Rio Grande River to Mexico, still has its original and oldest Catholic Missions in the state, an international community and a small national park with a 2,9km perimeter walking trail.

Lubbock a mix of Cattle Ranching country, Technical University and Cotton growing is also famed for its great ‘production’ of musical prodigies, like Buddy Holly and many others enshrined in the museum.

Canyon ’s name is self explanatory. The nearby State Park is also known as the ‘Grand canyon of Texas’. It also houses the largest Historical Museum of geology, paleontology and petroleum in the State, West Texas A&M University and nearby preserved, Pioneer Town.

Amarillo, although a town of great commercial diversity, has some unique attractions. Situated on the legendary and major Route 66 that crosses the country from Chicago to Los Angeles it has the Cattleman’s tradition encompassed in the Livestock Auction, strange sights at ‘The Cadillac Ranch’.

Abilene once a notorious Wild West town is now more settled as “Buckle of the Bible Belt”, with a number of Christian Colleges, The Historical Village with Indian artifacts and Frontier weapons collection.

The major Annual Events are:

• the Kerrville Folk Festival at the end of May
• the Texas State Fair in October
• Confederate Heroes day
• Emancipation Day
• Lyndon Johnson’s Birthday on August 27th.

Others include; Family camp-0ut, Playing with Time, Rodeo and Old Settlers reunion, Annual Taste of Dallas, Balloon race, water Carnival, Harvest weekends, Yesteryear festival, Roundup Rodeo, Water Carnival, Chili Pepper & Salsa Festival, Beachcombers Fine Arts show, Overland & Stagecoach Festival, Grape Stomp, Liberty Opry, Fly-in & Lions Club Breakfast, Pioneer Days fest., Open weekend – Davis Mount Preserve, Texas Ranch Roundup, Center City Block party, Bat Fest, Greek Fest, LBJ’s Birthday and Margarita & Salsa Festival.

Texans pride themselves on being, doing and thinking big, the Big ‘Lone Star State’ with Cowboy Culture, their own big ‘Grand Canyon’, vast Landscape, Ranches and NASA – ‘Reaching for Space’, all with good justification. A visit will fill you with wonder at the reality of diversity and enormity of it all.

NEW YORK STATE covers a very large area, from the coastal Long Island to the Canadian border and west to the Great lakes. The northern mountains of the Adirondacks range are the source of the Hudson River which flows all the way to New York harbor. Long Island has many miles of beaches, farmland and suburbs while the north has towns, cities and more farmland. Sharing the border with Canada is the famous Niagara Falls that lures over ten million visitors per year.

State Capital Albany at the most northerly point of the Hudson River has one of the most delightful architectural gems in the Capitol Building, a combination of Italian and French Renaissance and Roman stairways, arches, ornate chambers decorated with pink and yellow marble, red granite, stained glass, onyx and mahogany. As a government, cultural and railway center Albany still holds its own as a tourist and business destination.

Saratoga Springs is still famous for its healing waters, best of horse racing and historical parks.

Cooperstown is the legendary birthplace of baseball and plays homage with a museum to the baseball legends in it s hall of fame.

Syracuse grew as a result of the Erie Canal development in the early 18oo’s. Today it houses a museum and the Landmark Theater to remember that early development. A magnificent museum of arts has a remarkable varied collection from ancient Asian to modern American.

Rochester is a charming city of museums, parklands, 18th to 20th century architecture, one dedicated to the founder of Eastman Kodak, now an International Museum of Photography.

Buffalo prospered as a terminus on the Erie Canal. Places of interest are also the County Historical Society in the old Pavilion, and the Art Gallery overlooking the beautiful Delaware park and a museum to ‘America’s favorite dessert’.

Niagara Falls is a natural wonder to behold. Situated on the border with Canada, this majestic horseshoe shaped falls draws over ten million visitors per year.

For those who love the outdoors there are the magnificent Adirondack Mountains, 176 State Parks, rivers, streams, canals, lakes and beaches. Camping, hunting, sea and fresh water fishing, hiking and climbing, skiing, boating, wildlife refuges and zoos, and of course Golf, from par 3 to professional standard, from private to Municipal to Resorts courses, all for the active participant.

For those seeking more leisurely activities, sightseeing, amusement parks, casinos, vineyards, breweries, farms and festivals, culinary and gourmet centers and restaurants of all specialties and delights abound. Spectator Sports like, Football, baseball, basket ball, hockey, horse racing and any form of ‘wheeled’ racing you can imagine.

New York City and New York State have a symbiotic relationship of urban and rural combination that offers you a remarkable range of choice of the best of both worlds.

NEVADA’s natural attractions are overshadowed by the huge gambling and associated tourism industry. Since the early gold rush when huge amounts of gold and silver were discovered about 1860. People of all persuasions flocked to the South West in search of natures riches. What was left behind were ‘Wild West’ legacies that are today glamorized versions of the truth, encapsulated in the Gambling and Entertainment of arguably the world’s greatest adult entertainment cities, Las Vegas.

The ‘Las Vegas Strip’ is undoubtedly a modern wonderland of Themed Hotels each with its own unique identity, attractions and of course a casino. Fantasy and recreations of other areas of the world abound, from ancient  Egypt, Roman, Asian, to  New York, Paris, French Riviera, Venetian, Volcanic , Birds,  Film, Mediaeval,  Tropical, Desert to name but a few. Theme Parks and some of the worlds best Golf Courses and Shopping Malls, Museums and Wedding Chapels add to the variety. The magical nightlights bring the ‘Neon Strip’ of some 6km to a blaze of fantastical atmosphere of contrasts. The older ‘downtown’ parts of the city nightlife have also been regenerated as Freemont Street has been revitalized to retain the ‘old style Vegas’ and converted to a huge 5km covered walkway and pedestrian mall with fantastic light and sound shows. Museums to Natural History, Archaeology, Famous Musicians and Entertainers offer fascinating insights into the past.

Outside of Las Vegas are many natural, man-made and cultural attractions that make this state such a varied tourist attraction that draws over 37 million visitors annually. The Hoover Dam built in 1935 gives life to the states of Nevada, Arizona and California with both water and electricity. An engineering marvel itself it provides a huge reservoir on the Colorado River and is a tourist attraction of its own. This creation of Lake Mead (the largest in the US) encouraged forests, fauna and fauna, new marinas, beaches, water sports, swimming and fishing. Nearby(90km), Valley of Fire State Park with its strange Red Stone Formations also has prehistoric rock carvings (Petroglyphs)and hiking trails and closer Red Rock canyon. The Great Basin National Park on the border of Utah is reached by ‘The loneliest road in America’, with the towering peak of Mt. Wheeler and the Limestone Caves, forests, lakes and fabulous Scenic Drives draw visitors, campers and hikers who enjoy the immense solitude.

Capital, Carson City (of Kit Carson fame), still has some of its original casinos, fine historical museums to railroad, mining, minting and natural history.

Virginia City was known for its proximity to the Comstock Lode, one of the worlds richest gold and silver deposits at the time. Today it’s filled with historic Museums, sights, fine views, themed Wild West saloons, souvenir shops and landmark buildings.

Reno, once the premier gambling destination and ‘quickie divorce’ city, still has its casino adherents, winter and outdoor attractions at many Alpine Resorts, white water parks, fine Automobile Museum, and close by, the beautiful Lake Tahoe- one of the most popular winter and summer destinations.

Special Events are naturally filled with the best of Music, Artists, Acts, Expo’s, Film Fests, Motor Cars, Historical Reenactments, Cultural Celebrations and Displays, Jamborees, Rodeos, Concerts, National Days Celebrations, Local Food & Music Fests, BBQ’s, Arts & Culture, Golf Tournaments, Horse Shows, Car Races, Balloon, Camel and Bike races in or around the cities and towns.

This ‘Desert State’ is truly remarkable as providing the ‘Greatest Entertainment Venue’ in the USA.

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.

MISSOURI has the distinction of residing on the Great Plains and southern connection with the mighty Ozark Mountains – with many rivers and streams providing a camper and canoeist’s paradise. The State is also big on Events, City, Town and Country entertainments. Originally part of the old ‘Wild West’ it still has ‘shadows of history’ with remains of the Great Plains, Heritage Farms and birthplace of the Pony Express. Popular ecotourism features are the Lakes of the Ozarks with many water sports and Caves of Stanton.

Sophisticated entertainment is offered in St. Louis, Capital, Jefferson and Kansas City (with a growing population of over 2 million), with wine and beer production, museums, cultural, sports and so much more.
Kansas City – ‘City of Fountains’ has awesome Botanical Gardens with water and gardens, nature trails, food plants. It also offers sophisticated night life, professional sport (8 golf courses!), Music, historical attractions, amusement parks, theatres and much, much more.

St. Louis has in addition two unusual zoos. As a commercial biotech center it also supports captive breeding, to preserve and propagate some rare and endangered wildlife species of animals like wolves, foxes, dogs, jackals and coyotes. 8 State Parks encourage eco tourism. The city hums with modern industries, entertainment, sports, cultural and shopping facilities.

Events entertainments flow throughout the year with;

• Beer and Wine and Blues and Barbecue fests(June),
• ‘Tracks West’- arts, music and family entertainment (August),
• Wine and Food Fest (July), Missouri Day Fest (October),
• Santa-Cali- Trails (September),
• Heritage Crafts (October),
• Rally round the Flag (June & November),
• Multicultural Fall Fest (October),
• National Harvest – music, foods, crafts and Birds of Prey,
• 1855 Festival in (October),
• Home Wine Fest (September),
• Wildlife walks, hayrides and exploring nature (Kids)(June),
• 2009 Tri-State-Swim (June),
• 1855 Christmas Celebration(December),
• Ghosts of the Past (October),
• Quilters Exhibition,
• Rock and Fossil Hobbyists (June),
• Orchid Show in St. Louis(Jan),
• Horse Breeders(June & September),
• Independence Day, Out door Concerts(June, July and August),
• Children’s Day(June),
• Golf Tournaments(July),
• State Bicycle Championship and State Park Activities and Fishing Competitions(June),
• ‘Border Disorder’ reenactments(July)  and
• Missouri State Fair in (August).

The undoubted charm of this small state will leave unforgettable, happy memories.

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’!

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.