*Oregon Crater Lake of Oregon is possibly the most beautiful crater lake in the world, as well as the deepest lake in the United States. Formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama in prehistoric times, it is a stand alone lake, fed only by precipitation. One of the most popular natural sites in Oregon, it is the namesake attraction of Crater Lake National Park. Of every major … [Read more...]
MISTY FJORD
*Alaska The Misty Fjords are among the most beautiful, best known and most visited bays along the Alaska coastline. Thanks to their position along the Inside Passage at the southernmost point in Alaska, these fjords are frequented by boating enthusiasts and cruise ships from both Canada and the Continental United States. Both the waterways and the surrounding wilderness are … [Read more...]
DEVIL’S TOWER
Wyoming (1,559 m) – Sacred Mountain of the Lakota and Other Local Tribes Devil’s Tower is one of the most unique and amazing rock formations on Earth. Formed by a highly unlikely combination of geological processes, the result is an immense monolith of mixed sedimentary rock that rises like a nearly vertical column from the surrounding plain. Also known as the Brown Buffalo … [Read more...]
MOUNT RUSHMORE & MOUNT THUNDERHEAD
South Dakota (1,745 m, N/A) – World’s Largest Rock Carvings Mount Rushmore and Mount Thunderhead are home to two of the world’s largest and most famous mountain sculptures: presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt (Teddy) on the former; and Lakota chief Crazy Horse on the latter. These absolutely jaw-dropping carvings are among the greatest works of art, and … [Read more...]
MOUNT ST. HELENS
Washington (2,550 m) - Most Active Volcano in the United States Mount St. Helens is, along with Mount Rainier, the most famous mountain in the Cascades. Also a stratavolcano, Mount St. Helens is historically less active than Rainier, but erupted more recently. On May 18, 1980, it exploded in what was one of the largest natural catastrophes in United States history. Much of … [Read more...]
MOUNT RAINIER
Washington (4,392 m) – Tallest Mountain in the Continental United States Mount Rainier in Washington State is the largest active volcano as well as the tallest mountain in the continental United States. It is one of the sixteen “Decade” volcanoes, the list of the world’s potentially most destructive volcanoes due to a number of geographic factors as well as to its proximity … [Read more...]
MOUNT MCKINLEY
Alaska (6,194 m) – Tallest Mountain in North America Mount McKinley is the tallest mountain in North America. Located in south-central Alaska, it is the highest peak in the United States, and is close to the northern-most end of the massive chain of mountain ranges that stretch along most of the west coast of the Americas. Also known by its local name Koyukon Athabaskan, … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN (LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD)
Little Bighorn, Montana (1876 AD) The Battle of Little Bighorn was arguably the most famous engagement in the centuries-long series of wars between the United States and its predecessors and the Native American tribes who populated the North American continent. Featuring two of the Indian Wars’ best known antagonists, Armstrong Custer and Crazy Horse, it was also the greatest … [Read more...]
TEMPLE DE HIRSCH SINAI
Seattle, Washington Temple De Hirsch is one of the oldest and most prestigious synagogues in the Pacific Northwest. Originally founded as a Reform Synagogue, Temple De Hirsch is renowned for its choir, one of the most famous Jewish choirs in the world. The quality of the synagogue’s music program is due wholly to the efforts of one Samuel Goldfarb, who was the music … [Read more...]
NUTCRACKER MUSEUM
Leavenworth, Washington The Nutcracker Museum, located in the unlikely but very picturesque town of Leavenworth, Washington is the largest such museum in the United States and possibly the world as well. This museum, which was built to “foster and encourage interest in… the evolution of the Nutcracker” is the brainchild of Arlene Wagner. Mrs. Wagner, a former local ballet … [Read more...]
