Badlands, South Dakota
More recently, I have been visiting the East Coast and America’s heartland. I had visited very few spots outside of the Appalachians over the years. I traveled the eastern part of the United States in 2022 and 2025. In 2024, I made a trip to visit relatives nearby the Mississippi River Valley. In 2026, I visited the area around the south end of Lake Michigan.
Badlands, South Dakota
I originally passed this way in 1978 and don’t remember much other than Wall Drug. I was much more impressed with the park on the visit. A truely unique and beautiful place
Indiana Dunes, Indiana
I visited here in 2026. It was very interesting with the various parts and location in the industrial area of south Lake Michigan.
Cap Cod, Massachusetts
Visited here in 2025. Some truly beautiful and historic scenery.
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
including the Missouri Botanical Gardens
I had visited the park years ago on a business trip and took the rickety car to the top for a peak. With that out of my system, I explored the grounds on a trip in 2024. As a bonus, I visited the utterly fantastic Missouri Botanical Gardens too. Beautiful!
Outer Banks, North Carolina
I visited here in the late 1990s and again in 2025. The first time I visited, you could not visit the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse because it was being moved. The second time, I could not see much of it behind the nearly solid scaffolding they had around it!
Watkins Glen State Park, New York
I visited here in 2022. I also watched some cars zoom around at Watkins Glen raceway.
Acadia National Park, Maine
I visited here in 2006 and again in 2022.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
I visited here in 2024. Although the caves were spectacular, I seriously overestimated my ability to do a 4-mile hike with 1,600 stairs. My back is still recovering 2 years later as I write this. Essentially, it but big dent my hiking career. Beautiful caves, however. The history was even more fascinating. No regrets.
