The view from Ravens Roost If you're itching for a different kind of road trip this summer, motor down South to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic drive along the crest of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia and North Carolina started as a Depression-era project to put people back to work. Its 469 miles of pure motoring pleasure wind through spectacular mountain vistas, wildflowers, trails, and waterfalls. Designed by landscape architect Stanley William Abbott, this is a drive that's all about the journey -- not the destination. Discover Native American settlements and old farmsteads, as well as handicrafts inspired by over 200 years of Appalachian culture. Take some time to explore the Linville Caverns or hike across the mile-high bridge on Grandfather Mountain. Fuel up on the homemade apple pie at Famous Louise's Rock House restaurant, or pick up supplies at a country general store. Most importantly, when you're on the Blue Ridge Parkway, take your time and enjoy the drive. Suggested Sites... The Blue Ridge Parkway - Parkway map and things to see and do every mile of the way. Cherokee, North Carolina - the end of the trail on the south end. Check out Oconaluftee Indian Village. Virginia's Explore Park - living history demos, outdoor recreation, and historic Brugh Tavern. National Park Service: Blue Ridge Parkway - get the scoop on the most visited unit of America's National Park System.

Directory categories: Blue Ridge Parkway, Road Trips, Scenic Highways and Byways, Desitnation Guides, Travel

Archived under: Autos, Conservation, Driving, Environment, Hiking, History, Outdoors, Parks, Recreation and Travel, Roads, Roadside Attractions, Small Towns, Tourist Attractions, Travel, United States, Vacations

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"I can see my house from here!" (Photo by Ludovic Bertron) On July 4th, just in time to celebrate the Independence Day weekend, the Statue of Liberty will be re-opening her arms to tourists seeking to ascend the 354 narrow steps (154 from pedestal to crown) to view the New York Harbor area from the top of her head. After nearly eight years of security-related closure (due to the events of September 11th, 2001), Lady Liberty will once again welcome visitors to the upper elevations of her copper-clad physique. Ever since her dedication in 1886, the monument standing guard over the New York City area has symbolized democracy and friendship, and she remains a quintessential American icon. As a gift from France to commemorate the centennial of the American Revolution in 1876, she arrived a fashionable decade late, but it's the thought that counts, right? Her creators, sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and structural engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel), wanted to ensure her artistic and ever-lasting perfection, befitting what was to become a National Monument and a United Nations World Heritage Site. To return the favor to the French, Americans living in France dedicated a smaller replica of the statue in 1889. It resides in Paris on Île des Cygnes. While this holiday weekend may be one of the more exciting times to (re)visit the Statue of Liberty, the crown tour plan appears to be permanent. The tours will be ranger-led and allow only 10 people every 20 minutes. It is highly recommended that you visit the National Park Service web site to make your reservations for Liberty Island and Crown tour tickets, as this new-again opportunity to experience a global icon of freedom is expected to be quite popular. After all, not many can pass up the patriotic photo op. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend! Suggested Sites... YouTube: Exclusive Tour of Lady Liberty - join Rep. Anthony Weiner in a trip up the spiral steps to the crown observation deck. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. - fun facts about the Statue of Liberty. Free Printable Coloring Pages - color in your very own Statue of Liberty. Wikipedia: Emma Lazarus - biography of the woman whose sonnet is engraved in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. "The New Colossus" - the poem itself.

Directory categories: Statue of Liberty, National Park Service, National Monuments, Fourth of July, U.S. Declaration of Independence

Archived under: 19th Century, 4th of July, 9/11, American History, Architecture, France, Holidays, Immigration, Museums, New York, Parks, Recreation and Travel, Tourist Attractions, Travel, United States

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"Where are we going?!" (Photo by Curtis Perry) Recreational vehicles have come a long way since Americans started using them to tour the country in the 1920s. "Tin Can Tourists" were (and are still) blessed with curiosity and a sense of adventure, but didn't necessarily want to give up the amenities of home -- and thus was born the RV. After World War II, such companies as Airstream and Winnebago sprang up, dedicated to giving motor tourists comfort in a surprisingly compact form. Even Hollywood got into the act, as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz attempted to drive across the U.S. in their movie, "The Long, Long Trailer" (a feat emulated 32 years later by Albert Brooks and Julie Hagerty in "Lost in America"). And just what do these road warriors want to see? Well, they might start in Collinsville, IL, just to get a peek at the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, then it's east to Flanders, NY, where the "Big Duck" holds court. After that, it's northwest to Ironwood, MI, home of Hiawatha, "The World's Tallest and Largest Indian." Finally, it's all the way west to Livermore, CA, and the World's Oldest Working Lightbulb (burning continuously since 1901!) -- or any number of other unique destinations. The price of gas may be high, but so is their enthusiasm. Suggested Sites... RV Advice - recreational vehicle events, tips and tricks, FAQs, and more. Roadside America - you're out on the road; here's what to see. Roadside Architecture - keep your eyes peeled for one-of-a-kind buildings, restaurants, and giant... things. Gas Buddy - get your motor runnin' and head out on the highway -- but first know where to find the cheapest gas. Vintage Vacations - restoring and selling period trailers and campers.

Directory categories: Road Trips, Recreational Vehicles, Roadside Attractions, RV Parks

Archived under: 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, Adventure, Autos, Camping, Cultures, Driving, Fanatics, Parks, RVs, Roadside Attractions, Society and Culture, Tourist Attractions, Transportation, Travel, Vacations

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Central Park, NYC (Photo by Oquendo) Being a New Yorker (if not by birth, then at least by choice), I couldn't imagine my life without Central Park. One of the few truly green respites in a seemingly endless sprawl of concrete, steel, and glass, Central Park is where New Yorkers assemble to collectively slow down, relax, replenish, and breathe. If Times Square is the heart of NYC, then Central Park is certainly its lungs -- supplying much-needed oxygen to a bustling body constantly on the go. This weekend we celebrate the birth of the man considered to be "the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation's foremost parkmaker," Frederick Law Olmsted. Olmsted started his career as a journalist, which provided him the opportunity to travel throughout the U.S. and abroad, sparking his interest in public gardens and parks. He partnered with English-born architect Calvert Vaux to enter the Central Park design contest and they were awarded the job in 1858. They followed Central Park with Brooklyn's Prospect Park and continued to work together off and on for the rest of their careers, although Olmsted's larger than life personality and social standing often overshadowed Vaux's contributions. Olmsted's legacy includes (among many others) the Niagara Reservation (the country's oldest state park) in Niagara Falls; the Emerald Necklace in Boston; the Belle Isle Park in Detroit; Washington, Jackson, and Midway Plaisance Parks in Chicago; and Montebello Park in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. His fundamental design principle, born out of his observations of social class structure around the world and his vehement opposition to slavery, was that his parks and gardens should be accessible to all citizens regardless of social standing. This egalitarian ideal, taken somewhat for granted today, was revolutionary in Olmsted's time and helped to plant his reputation as America's preeminent landscape architect. Suggested Sites... National Association of Olmsted Parks - coalition of design and preservation professionals, historic property and park managers, scholars, municipal officials, citizen activists, and representatives of numerous Olmsted organizations around the United States. The Frederick Law Olmsted Society - dedicated to sustaining Olmsted's vision for Riverside for generations to come. Calvert Vaux Preservation Alliance - preservation advocacy group for the architectural and landscape design work of Calvert Vaux. CentralPark.com - features extensive information on NYC's Central Park and The Central Park Zoo. Central Park Conservancy - private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 that manages Central Park.

Directory categories: Frederick Law Olmsted, NYC's Central Park , Landscape Architecture, Land Conservation, Parks and Public Lands

Archived under: 19th Century, Architects, Architecture, Biographies, Birthdays, Design, Environment, History, Landscaping, Nature, New York, Outdoors, Parks, Tourist Attractions, Trees

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(Photo by Jared and Corin) A pat on the head, a ride in the car, a game of Frisbee -- it doesn't take much to make your dog happy. Yet, these days, why is it that man's best friend is such a marketing bonanza? From bow-wow bling and couture to doggie spas [PDF] and strollers, doting owners can buy things Rover never knew he needed. In fact, why not bring him on your next luxury vacation? Many hoteliers now offer packages to pamper you and your pooch. And while it's a common occurrence in Paris, some chi-chi restaurants in the U.S. now offer Fifi a place at the table, too. With all that, finding a suitable place to exercise your canine companion can be doggone discouraging. If you're lucky enough to be near a dog park, chances are it's pretty small and your faithful friend must be on a leash. Green belts for city dwellers may be a new sign of the times in urban planning. But one more sign we'd like to see would say "Dogs Allowed" in a place where our four-legged friends could trade in their jeweled tiaras to do what they love best: run around and play. Suggested Sites... Dog Fun Directory - find a leash-free dog park in your area. DogFriendly.com - dog travel guides, off-leash dog parks, outdoor dining, and dog-friendly events. Dog Park Etiquette - doggy dos and don'ts for a happy park experience for all. Establishing a Dog Park in Your Community - benefits and tips for starting a dog park from the American Kennel Club.

Directory categories: Dog Parks, Dog Sports and Activities, Traveling with Dogs, Training and Obedience, New Urbanism

Archived under: Animals, Dogs, Outdoors, Parks, Pets, Society and Culture

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