Must See in America

Paul Meisenheimer

Paul Meisenheimer

Well-known member
For some time now I have been thinking up a list of things I want to see south of the border. I have had the good fortune to spend some time on the East coast but have not travelled much past that other than a quick trip to Texas a few years back. I am thinking of changing that in the next year or so.

What would you recommend I put on the list of must see items? Here are a few that come to mind:
  • New Orleans... I would love to visit before it join Atlantis. I am only half joking.
  • Grand Canyon
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • The Badlands... the images I have seen are very compelling
  • Mount Rushmore
  • Travel the west coast from San Francisco to Seattle
  • Fly fish Henry's Fork
I could go on all day but I am curious what other folks would recommend. I have a couple of weeks in July and might just take your suggestions.
 

if you are going in july spend the 4th at mt rushmore.... l have hear they put on a huge fireworks show over the monument that is incredible. a short distance from there is the badlands.... yellowstone and grand teton are a days drive away.
 
I was thinking of Rushmore on the 4th... If you at Rushmore, I would also recommend The battle of Little Bighorn National Monument, and Devil's Tower National Monument... both are very close. I personally like Glacier NP better than Yellowstone. I would also include Yosemite NP... and this Mississippi River at Lansing, IA the first week in November..... :)
 
Phil,

Your thoughts are duly noted including the Mississippi in November. I just happen to have the first week of November booked for holidays. :) I am currently sitting on seven weeks of vacation and every two weeks I add another 1.2 days to the total. It is hard to use it all. LOL
 
Unfortunately I won't be able to go to Mt. Rushmore on the 4th. I will be wrapping up a business renovation. I can head out a few days after that. I will do some research on Grand Teton.
 
For some time now I have been thinking up a list of things I want to see south of the border. I have had the good fortune to spend some time on the East coast but have not travelled much past that other than a quick trip to Texas a few years back. I am thinking of changing that in the next year or so.

What would you recommend I put on the list of must see items? Here are a few that come to mind:
  • New Orleans... I would love to visit before it join Atlantis. I am only half joking.
  • Grand Canyon
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • The Badlands... the images I have seen are very compelling
  • Mount Rushmore
  • Travel the west coast from San Francisco to Seattle
  • Fly fish Henry's Fork
I could go on all day but I am curious what other folks would recommend. I have a couple of weeks in July and might just take your suggestions.

If you are a fly fisherman, the Black Canyon on the Gunnison river in Colorado is a must.
Click to expand...
 
I love to fish with a fly rod but will need to show some self control as I will be travelling with my wife. A best-of-the-best selection might be in order.
 
Looks like you're mainly headed west, but here are a couple of my favorite things:

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is amazing! If you're up for it, the Chapel Basin Loop is a 10 mile hike with most of the miles 200ft above Lake Superior atop the multi-colored cliffs. One of the most amazing experiences of my life . . .

Also, the Gulf Coast of NW Florida from Pensacola to Destin is pretty spectacular. The sand looks like snow, feels almost like talcum powder, and the water is . . . well . . . they call it the Emerald Coast. There are plenty of built-up, concrete obscenities in places, but there are also some state parks and undeveloped areas that will take your breath away. PM me if you want to head that way and I can tell you where they are . . .

And, no waterfowl hunter should miss a trip to Virginia's Eastern Shore!
 
I figure it is time to head west.

I have circled Lake Superior a few times. I grew up sailing all over it as well. We used to visit Duluth when I was a kid as we lived just over the border from there. I have visited Florida a few times and would consider seeing some more of it but not this July.

My east coast wish list includes sailing Chesapeake Bay, visiting some of the museums and such in that area and one day heading up into Maine. A lot of the other east coast sights have been seen.

My wife and I love to travel. We have visited over 40 other countries on three other continents but have not seen a lot of our closest neighbor and friend. We would like to change that.
 
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For those talking about seeing Mt Rushmore on the 4th of July there won't be any fireworks this year. Too dry and too many dead trees nearby. You might want to be there late in the evening though because they light the faces, I think that is every night.

The northern Black Hills Spearfish Canyon is by far the prettiest part of SD but there is not as much for attractions there, a good thing in my book.


The badlands are cool, actually it is very hot there during the summer. Bring plenty of water, good shoes and watch for snakes if you are going to hike.

One tip if you are going don't be there the first week of august unless you like bikers. If you like motorcycles and want to see an interesting crowd then that week is neat if you can find a place to stay. The Sturgis Rally affects the entire area.

Tim
 
Growing up on the west coast I have driven the west coast from San Diego CA to Astoria OR, but not all at once. Each section is great and you could spend a lot of time and not just blow through. Well you can't really go too fast on Hwy 1 anyway but the scenery is fantastic. The last time I did it we stayed in Eureka, CA and it was pea soup foggy all the way to Newport Oregon. So the scenery was, well gray. I have not been to Mount Rushmore but my wife has and it was the same... Foggy. She sent me a postcard that was all gray with 4 sets of eyes on it. I have yet to go up the Washington coast but hope to do so soon. Maybe when the Steelhead are running.
 
I was able to fish the Columbia River Gorge near Portland for white sturgeon last year. Absolutly beautiful. And the fish are amazing. 8.5 footer, I will be returning again.
 
Hi Paul: You are very lucky that you get to travel that much, my list of places you should see are.1. Yellowstone NP 2. Glacier NP & Waterton Lakes
3. Grand Teton NP 4. Brice and Zion NP 5. Grand Canyon 6.Rocky Mountain NP 7. Pikes Peak. Just my $.02
 
I will second the Utah sights on the way to the Grand Ditch in AZ.

Bryce at sunrise is pretty cool. Zion is down right wonderful if you like geology. A jeep ride in Canyon Lands can be fun.

When at the Grand Canyon you should check out the trail to Horse Shoe Mesa - un maintained and no tourists. Chalenages your fear of heights in a couple of spots. The old copper mine cabins and lean-toos out on the Mesa are pretty cool to poke around in.
 
I also agree with Brice/Zion region. If you're looking for a balance of outdoorsy stuff and arts stuff, check out Southern Utah University in Cedar City, which is just north of the park. Every summer, they host a Shakespearean Festival and hold plays in an outdoor theater that is supposedly a replica of the Globe theater. From there, The Grand Canyon isn't too far. Death Valley is an experience, though not always a great one :)

The others mentioned are all excellent places to visit as well, but Brice/Zion is missed by many.

Have fun on your adventures!
 
I will third Zion and Bryce. I was there in Feb. and it was very lightly used. I have heard the summer is crowded unless you get off the road a bit. But it should be on anyones bucket list.

Moab was very cool too. Esp the Arches area.
 
Some places I have been:
Sunrise over a calm sea 60 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. Preferably right before you hook into a 30# plus amberjack or yellowfin tuna.
New Orleans, but not in summer. Can't beat the history and the food. Just don't go in July or August, the heat & humidity will kill ya.
St. Petersburg, FL, City Marina area. Very nice place to relax for a long weekend. Very walkable, great scenery, great food.

Places I have not made it to yet:
Coastal Maine
Yellowstone
Coastal Alaska
Left Northwest Coast; Oregon or Washington. Been to Portland but did not make it to the coast.
 
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