*New Mexico Carlsbad Caverns is one of the world’s largest cavern systems with a substantial number of major rooms easily accessible to the general public. Located in a remote corner of New Mexico beneath the Guadalupe Mountains, it is out of the way, but still draws nearly half a million visitors annually. Carlsbad Caverns is located at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which … [Read more...]
BRYCE CANYON
*Utah Bryce Canyon is the less well known but equally specatular sibling of the Grand Canyon, just to the north in Utah. Formed by different forces, Bryce is technically not a canyon, but more of a stunning geological oddity that is canyon-shaped. In particular it is known for its breathtaking natural ‘amphitheaters’, great circular formations of stepped, carved rock. Bryce … [Read more...]
GRAND CANYON
*Arizona The Grand Canyon is the canyon of all canyons, and regulary ranked among the top natural wonders on the planet. Carved over millions of years by the relentless Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is enormous, with a length of 277 miles, width of 4 to 18 miles, and a depth of over half a mile. Home to one of the oldest and most popular national parks, it is one of the … [Read more...]
ANTELOPE CANYON
*Arizona Antelope Canyon is the world’s most famous slot canyon, and one of the most visited. This popular rift is known for its extremely narrow passageways and amazing stratified sandstone walls that close in like a cave with but thin ribbons of sunlight dripping in from above. Located on territory of the Navajo nation, access to the canyon is controlled by the local … [Read more...]
MOJAVE DESERT/DEATH VALLEY
*Nevada The Mojave Desert is the definitive desert of the American southwest, and known for its amazingly diverse and beautiful regions. Among these are Red Rock Canyon, the Devil’s Playground and the world famous Death Valley, the lowest and hottest location in the United States. Collectively there are few (if any) deserts in the world that draw as many visitors as the … [Read more...]
LAKE TAHOE
*California/Nevada Lake Tahoe is the largest lake outside of the Great Lakes in the United States, as well as one of the deepest. One of the most popular lake vacation destinations in the country, the shores of Tahoe are home to resorts, casinos and protected wilderness areas. Large numbers of visitors flock to Lake Tahoe year-round (even winter, when skiing in the … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO (SAN JACINTO BATTLEFIELD)
La Porte, TX (1836 AD) The Battle of San Jacinto was the decisive engagement of the Texas Revolution against Mexico. Fought in the wake of the defeats at Goliad and more famously at the Alamo, San Jacinto was the turning point, and effectively the culmination, of the Texas Revolution. Fought between a large and powerfully equipped Mexican Army, considered to be on par with … [Read more...]
MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Salt Lake City, Utah When it comes to Christmas caroling, no one does it like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This magnificent choral society, one of the world’s finest, is amazingly prolific, with live performances and broadcasts on a nearly year-round basis. As a part of the Church of Latter Day Saints, they specialize in religious and inspirational music. Not … [Read more...]
NORAD HEADQUARTERS
Colorado Springs, Colorado One of the world’s strangest Christmas Eve traditions, and in recent years one of the most popular, is the online Santa Claus Tracker. Sponsored and maintained by volunteers at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, the Santa Claus Tracker is Christmas Eve’s most popular website as millions of children around the world eagerly … [Read more...]
ALAMO MISSION
San Antonio, Texas The Mission San Antonio de Valero in San Antonio is by far the most famous Catholic mission in the Western Hemisphere, and the most beloved historic site in the state of Texas. Better known as the Alamo Mission of San Antonio, or simply The Alamo, this early Spanish church was the site of one of the most famous battles in American (or at the time, Texas) … [Read more...]
