Road Trip :: Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Have you ever visited somewhere and wondered how many other people had stood in this same spot before you? What were their lives like? What did they think when they saw this amazing place?

When we visited Taos, New Mexico, one of the sites we wanted to see was the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.




As the fifth highest bridge in the United States, this cantilever truss bridge stands 650 feet above the Rio Grande. Built in 1965, the structure was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1997.




We actually visited the gorge twice during our visit to Taos. First right after dinner. We had hoped to be able to reach the bridge by sunset, but we reached it just a bit after. So we decided we'd visit again the next morning before heading to the Pueblos.

When you drive to the bridge from Taos, go over the bridge and turn  into the visitor's center.




This is your view from the walkway to the bridge from the visitor's center.




This is the view from the right side of the bridge at the observation area.




And this is the view from the left side of the bridge.

You can feel the breeze coming from the gorge and hear the rushing of the river down below you. It's an amazing place.

As I stood there in amazement at the beautiful slice of America, I was also in awe of the craftsmen who built such an impressive bridge. The stories they must have lived.

Cadillac Ranch

Making our way home on our RV trip, we made an overnight stop in Amarillo, Texas.



Home of Cadillac Ranch.





Cadillac Ranch is located in a open field off of Interstate 40 off of Frontage Road. Created by helium millionaire, Stanley Marsh 3 (he thinks III sounded too pompous), in 1974, the ranch is a tribute to the great American automobile and the historic Route 66 which passes through this area.

The display includes 10 Cadillacs positioned at the same angle as the The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the remaining Seven Wonders of the World.

Open seven days a week, this graffiti laden art display is open to the public free of charge. Visitors are welcomed to enter the gate alongside the road and leave a bit of their "signature" on the display.




Sadly, visitors also leave a little bit more than just their signatures. We were disappointed at the number of paint cans and other trash left on the ground.

However, it seems to fit the display perfectly. So much so that in 1997 when the display was moved two miles to its current location due to urban sprawl, not only were the vehicles relocated, reportedly so were the paint cans and other trash.





We weren't quiet sure what to think about the debris and Little Buddy kept asking why anyone would want to litter like they'd done here.





And as we drove away, I was a bit in awe of Mr. Marsh 3. He certainly went out on a limb 25 years ago to create this work of art. And I felt a little bit more sentimental over antique Cadillacs and inspired by the man who had them placed with their noses in the ground.

If you ever find yourself along I-40 west of Amarillo, it's worth the 15 minutes to stop and see.

Road Trip :: Fort Hays, Kansas

Driving through Kansas, we were absolutely blown away by the breathtaking views. Wide vistas as far as the eye could see.

We had planned a short excursion off of the interstate to visit Fort Hays.



Fort Hays was established in the 1800's (1867-1889) for the purpose of housing soldiers to guard the railroad as it passed through the area, serve as a supply depot for the other forts in the area, and defend settlements.


There are four building remaining on the historic site. 




Two of the officers' homes have been returned to the site. They have been decorated with period furnishing showing how the officers would have lived at the time.





The third building remaining on the site is the guardhouse which included cells where prisoners were retained.




Little Buddy didn't want me to get close to the cells though. I'm not sure if he thought I'd get locked inside or what.





As ornery as he was, he did get even more upset when he saw that people had carved their names into the limestone. He's pretty much a stickler for that kind of stuff. {Which makes this Mama happy!}





We visited the blockhouse, again made from the gorgeous limestone.





But I loved the inside ceiling structure as much as the limestone. Beautiful.

Yep, I'm a building nerd. I guess that comes from living with my architecturally-degreed, not working as an architect husband, huh?




And then we visited the buffalo statue on the front lawn.

As we walked the grounds, it was mind boggling to realize legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, and the famous buffalo soldiers walked in this same area we were now walking. They lived in these homes, visited this guard house, looked at the same blockhouse. They lived here.

And then, the gentleman providing us with the history of the fort told us,  "This is also a site in the film Dances with Wolves."

Now, y'all know I immediately started thinking about Kevin Costner don't you?

I did. I admit it.




We walked across the highway to see the beautiful buffalo.





The big fella wasn't that interested in us.





But this cutie must have thought we were pretty interesting.


And he's the one Little Buddy wanted to bring home. We convinced him he needed a smaller souvenir.
 

 

3 Tips for Planning Places to Visit When You Travel

My family loves to travel together. We enjoy cross-country and short range RV trips, flights to new and interesting places, and cruising.

Being the planner that I am, I like to make the most out of every trip that we take. I always think, "we may never come back to this area again. What is one of the most important things we experience." These are my top three tips for finding such destinations.

1. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

We purchased this book by Patricia Schultz many years ago for planning an extended family RV trip to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. We primarily use the USA Canada version of the book, but an updated version of the world list was released in 2010.

In this book, you select the area of the country (world) you'll be visiting, for example Colorado. Page after page of top places to visit are provided in the book, including information on where it is located with telephone numbers and websites listed for museums, outfitters, golf clubs, and hotels as example.


2. 101 Places You Gotta See Before You're 12.

We also utilize this book by Joanne O'Sullivan geared to helping children in discovering the world. In this book, you are provided with an excellent list of places you will love visiting such as a lighthouse, a working farm, and a farmer's market to name a few. The book lists the top locations for each of these places, along with a resource guide in the back of the book with more information including website addresses.

Little Buddy loves this book because it also provides stickers he can place on places he's visited. He has a personal goal to see as many of these places as possible. When we're planning a trip, this is his book to use to give ideas on places he'd like to visit.

This book is also great for times when you aren't able to make large trips. It helps you to realize to look for areas close by for day trips and short field trips - like a repair shop, a park, or even a really cool place you discover all on your own.

3. Ask friends. 

It is nice to be able to tell friends a place we are planning to visit to get their advice on favorite spots along the way. We've discovered wonderful campgrounds, restaurants, museums, and other excursions this way. For example on our trip to the Yellowstone, we discovered the drive on Beartooth Pass because my brother-in-law asked friends who had visited previously. While we were too  nervous to take in by RV, we did enjoy it by Jeep. It was one of the most breathtaking views I've had in my life.

I also love to ask for advice on Twitter. For example on our trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, I asked the question, "where should we visit on our RV trip?"

I received great advice and lots of wonderful tips. The Great Sand Dunes, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, and Taos, New Mexico. I also confirmed we should visit Crater of Diamonds on our drive through Arkansas.


We live in such a beautiful and diverse country full of landmarks and exciting areas to explore. My family loves discovering them, one by one.

Where are your favorite places to visit?

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family
and TidyMom's I'm Lovin' It.

What My Guys Are Up To

While I am attending session after session and learning so many things about blogging at the Savvy Blogging Summit, my guys are exploring Breckenridge in grand style.

In the middle of one of my sessions today, my husband sends me this picture.

It was awfully hard to concentrate after that.

I could just imagine being there with my camera snapping away at all of the beautiful landscape and sneaking shots of Little Buddy all day long.

And then, the best news came in the next text :: "I've extended our stay in Breckenridge so you can go see this with us."

Good gravy how I love that man!

As Far As The Eye Can See

I spy with my little eye...

Road Trip :: Missouri

Days two and three of our RV trip were spent in the beautiful state of Missouri.





We enjoyed a quick pass through St. Louis. 

I was pretty tickled with the shot that I got of the Arch as we passed through. I was quiet literally hanging out the window of our RV to get this one. I'm not sure it was the smartest thing I've ever done in my life.

I'm certainly not proposing to go to any dangerous lengths to get good shots. The only real danger for my method was in dropping my camera out the window.





So I stopped snapping out the window after I got this photograph.

If we passed you on the highway, thanks for not honking at me as I was taking pictures out the window.  
And thanks to the really nice truck driver that stayed back a bit toward the rear of our RV until I finished taking pictures. He was quiet nice to help this Southern girl out a bit.

My claustrophobic self just couldn't stand the thought of going back up into the Arch this trip. We've made the visit to the top riding in the little egg-like pod on previous trips. It really is breathtaking from the top (and on the way up and down if you are squeamish in close quarters like I am).  

It is something you just have to do when you visit St. Louis, just not every time you visit.





We stayed just outside of St. Louis in one of the cleanest RV parks I've ever visited.





The gardens were immaculate and filled with beautiful flowers and decorations.





It was one of those RV parks where you can just wander around and enjoy nature and wish you could just pack it up to take it along on the road with you.





On the 4th, we enjoyed the day and evening in Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri. 

Roasting hotdogs, grilling hamburgers, enjoying sparklers as we waited on the big event of the fireworks by the capitol. And they were gorgeous.

Thanks so much to Darcy for the awesome instructions on photographing fireworks.  Of 100 photographs, this was my favorite.

Follow along with other posts of our RV trip:

Road Trip and Camp Trail Mix
Road Trip :: Nashville
Happy Fourth of July

I'm sharing photographs over at Darcy's Sweet Shot Tuesday. Come see all of the beautiful photographs others are sharing, too.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!!!

As we are traveling cross-country on our RV trip, we are loving all the slices of Americana.

Have a great holiday!

Road Trip :: Nashville

Image via Wikipedia

We've turned my trip to the Savvy Blogging Summit into a great excuse for a family road trip in our RV. Honestly, it's not hard for us to justify an RV trip. It's one of our favorite things to do as a family.

Our first stop was in Nashville, Tennessee. Oh how we love Nashville. Just last summer we enjoyed a ten day stay in this beautiful city and love to come back pretty frequently for long weekend trips. There is so much to do and see in Nashville. Our favorites are:

The Grand Ole Opry
Our family loves going to the Opry. Being able to see and hear legends like Loretta Lynn, Roy Clark, Little Jimmy Dickens, The Charlie Daniels Band, Porter Wagner mingled with our generations favorites of Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, and Kellie Pickler. A night at the Opry is truly one of my favorite experiences - every single time!

The Opry is currently being held in the historic Ryman Auditorium. We've enjoyed going to the Opry at the Ryman previously, but look forward to it returning to the Grand Ole Opry House once it is restored from the flooding. To follow the restoration efforts, I love the blog On The Way Home by Opry staffers, members and friends.



Nashville Farmer's Market
Open year-round, this farmer's market is one of the best I've ever visited. The huge selection of fruits, vegetables, herbs, fresh eggs, flowers, and even doo-dads is excellent. Even better, the vendors are extremely helpful and friendly. Just what I've come to expect from everyone in Nashville.

The Hermitage
The home of President Andrew Jackson is now a beautifully maintained museum rich with the history and a glimpse into the life of one of our early presidents. We enjoyed the guided tours and Little Buddy especially loved learning more about his pet parrot, Poll.

Other favorite spots:

Campgrounds - Our favorite campgrounds Nashville KOA and Jellystone Park. Both of these campgrounds are big rig and family friendly. Previously, we've always used Jellystone but due to the holiday weekend we weren't able to make a reservations since we only need for one night. We were pleasantly surprised at the improvements made at the KOA. Easy in, easy out, neat and clean. That's what we look for in a campground. Little Buddy loved the pool and playground facilities. They are in the middle of repairs in a good portion of the campground and office building.

Restaurants - This trip, our niece introduced us to the restaurant Cabana in the Vanderbilt area right off of Music Row.  We loved being seated in one of the cabanas in the back portion of the restaurant. It is truly a restaurant you have got to experience when visiting Nashville.

We met one of the owners Craig Clift who lives up to the definition of a warm, friendly restaurateur. He and his partners have definitely built a beautiful spot we'll be visiting again soon. Oh and the food, well the Lobster Mac & Cheese was out of this world and I can't even begin to tell you how good the Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding tasted. Oh Mama, it was YUM!


There is plenty more to discover in this wonderful city and I know we'll be back again soon.

Where are your favorite spots in Nashville?