Nature and Scenery – Page 12 – Less Beaten Paths of America

27Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

T is Travel Abroad – #atozchallenge

#TBT, A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Cebu, Family Travel, Fuji City, Fukuoka, Giant Things, Himeji, Hiroshima, Indian Ruins, Japan, Japanese Castles, Japanese Shrines, Kyoto, Landscapes, Mexico, Nagasaki, Oita, Philippines, Selfies, Sendai, Tersier, Throwback Thursday, Travel in Japan, Tulum, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wanderlust, Water Buffalo

For most of my 250+ blog posts on my Less Beaten Paths Blog, I have discussed the back roads of America and Canada. But for today's post in the A-to-Z challenge, I want to note some of my other travels outside of the country. I would like to say I'm a world traveler, but I have yet to visit Europe or Australia or New Zealand or South America. But, I have been very fortunate to have lived in Japan for a number of years. From 1987 to 1991, my family also lives there with me. I have also spent a number of weeks working in the Philippines and spend some time working in China near Shanghai and Suzhou. Finally, I should note that I have also visited the mainland of…

23Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

P is for People – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Alberta, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Bobby Cochran, Bruce Wandmayer, Burger Joints, Canada, Cebu, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Edgar Cruz, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Twine Balls, Iowa, Japan, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michael Kelsey, Missouri, Mythical Creatures, Nebraska, Offbeat Places, Oklahoma, Ontario, Patti Hall, Pauly Zarb, People Shots, Philippines, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Street People, Television Shows, Texas, Tommy Emmanuel, Tulum, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

I am enriched by people. They inspire me, they teach me, they bring me joy. I have often been told that I have never met a stranger. And it's true. I am unabashed around people. Whether it's joking with a person in line at a grocery store or interacting with the person at a table next to me in a restaurant, I always feel comfortable. [caption id="attachment_17999" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Having a huge elephant ear with friend Robert Phinney in Dayton, WA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18000" align="alignright" width="265"] Got to meet Nelson Campbell, Director of the well know documentary Plant Pure Nation, in Louisville, KY[/caption] The same goes with my travels. I have been blessed to have met hundreds of unique individuals from all walks of life. The diversity of people enriches us.…

19Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

N is for National Parks & Monuments – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, California, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Ruins, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wyoming

The US National Park System has 417 official units throughout the country including 59 National Parks, 87 National Monuments, 19 National Preserves, 51 National Historic Parks, 78 National Historic Sites, 4 National Battlefield Parks, 9 National Military Parks, 9 National Battlefields, 30 National Memorials and a number of other National sites including National Rivers, National Seashores, National Lakeshores, National Parkways and National Trails. [caption id="attachment_9813" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Bison relax along Lava Creek in Yellowstone while pronghorned antelope look on from the background[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10764" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Sumoflam and Cannons at Vicksburg National Military Park[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16830" align="alignright" width="300"] Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley NP, Ohio[/caption] Officially, the National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration…

17Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

M is for Mountains – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Mountains, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Travel Blogging, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming

I love the mountains. I spent a good part of my life in the mountains - New Mexico, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Arizona. These are the BIG mountains. Having lived in Kentucky for the past 25 years, I hear of people that live in "the mountains of Kentucky" or heading to "the mountains of West Virginia." In my perspective these are more like hills. But, by the broader definition, there are mountains in states like Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Maybe even Tennessee. [caption id="attachment_4624" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Purple Mountain Majesties - Sawtooth range in Central Idaho[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17974" align="alignright" width="200"] Here I am at the Sandia Overlook near Albuquerque in 1964[/caption] When I take trips to the Western US, I always try to make an effort to get to the…

17Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

L is for Love Traveling With Grandchildren – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Bucket List Trips, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Geologic Formations, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Landscapes, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, National Monuments, National Parks, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wanderlust, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin

I am rich...very rich. Not in money, but rather rich in experiences and rich in grandchildren. As the Proverb says "Children are like arrows. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them." At age 60 I have been blessed to have 10 grandchildren (so far). These are my joy and I am so grateful. And, besides loving them to death, I have also passed on the fascination of wanderlust. Most of my grandchildren are already well traveled thanks to my daughters and sons that have continued the tradition of getting on the road and seeing the world. [caption id="attachment_17948" align="aligncenter" width="583"] With some family and geandkidz in Port Orchard, WA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_14653" align="alignleft" width="300"] Heading east with the grandkidz![/caption] I have had numerous opportunities to join my…

14Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

K is for Kentucky – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Backroads Discoveries, Blue Heron, Bridges, Eagles, Farmland, Horses, Kentucky, Landscapes, Museums, National Parks, Roadside Attractions, Sandhill Cranes, Selfies, Staycations, Street Art, Television Shows, Town Names, Train Bridges, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Waterfalls

One word: Staycation My family moved to Kentucky with in 1993. We moved from the western United States and had not lived in a humid, green environment since our time in Japan in the late 1980s. [caption id="attachment_17836" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Kentucky the Beautiful[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17860" align="alignright" width="178"] Kentucky Backroads[/caption] Like many others, when we heard the word Kentucky, we thought about the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kentucky bourbon. There was not much else to really understand or know about Kentucky. Honestly, looking back I can say that our move to Kentucky was one of the best things we ever did. Kentucky is a beautiful and diverse state. Living in Lexington, which is the Horse Capital of the World, we are surrounded by beautiful horse farms. In fact, I…

12Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

J is for Joy – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alberta, Alligators, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, California, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Indiana, Kentucky, Large Statues, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Mountains, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Television Shows, Texas, Town Names, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Wanderlust, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Traveling this great country brings me joy! You can see this thru the myriad selfies I take while on the road. I make it a point to take selfies for posterity sake. First of all, it proves I was there. Secondly, it provides a record for my family to see where I've been. Lastly...it shows my joy of being on the road! [caption id="attachment_4867" align="alignnone" width="480"] Jolly Sumoflam! In Jolly, TX[/caption] It makes me Jolly. [caption id="attachment_12842" align="alignnone" width="553"] We all know who is really Nice! Nice, CA[/caption] It makes me Nice. [caption id="attachment_17185" align="alignnone" width="501"] I found Novelty in Ohio[/caption] Travel is always a Novelty Wherever I go I try to Endeavor, [caption id="attachment_17233" align="alignnone" width="480"] Made it to Hope, AR,[/caption] To have Hope [caption id="attachment_17818" align="alignnone" width="544"] Finding…

11Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

I is for Ingenuity – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alberta, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, California, Canada, City Skylines, Colorado, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Family Travel, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, LDS Temples, Mountains, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Texas, Train Bridges, Unique Places, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

I am always intrigued about the ingenuity of humans. Their ability to build and create things that solves problems for them. There are many examples of ingenuity to can be seen on the back roads of America. Whether it be bridges or towers or buildings. There is always something unique and interesting to see. [caption id="attachment_2664" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Tuckhannock Viaduct - Nicholson, Pennsylvania[/caption] [caption id="attachment_781" align="alignright" width="300"] Nicholson's welcome sign features the Viaduct[/caption] One of my brightest memories of fascination comes from a town in eastern Pennsylvania called Nicholson. In this town, the train company needed a solution to get the train up high to pass by as the town was down in the valley. So, a giant viaduct was built. Called the Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct, this giant structure. towered…

08Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

G is for Grandeur – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big Cities, Bison, Buffalo, California, City Skylines, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Farmland, Florida, Geologic Formations, Idaho, Kentucky, Landscapes, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pelicans, Pennsylvania, Pronghorn Antelope, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Sandhill Cranes, Selfies, South Dakota, Swamps, Texas, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Volcanic Sites, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

The United States is a vast and diverse country. From sea to shining sea there are sweeping vistas and spectacular scenes of nature. The grandeur of this country is not seen on the interstate highways, but on the back roads and the gravel roads that have woven the fiber of this country. [caption id="attachment_17743" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Grandeur as seen on a back road in North Dakota - The Enchanted Highway[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15481" align="alignleft" width="300"] Mt. Moran in the Grand Tetons as seen from Colter Bay Lodge[/caption] I am always awestruck by the superb landscapes that one can witness on the back roads. Some of these landscapes, such as the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are known by everybody. But there are so many more spectacles to feast your eyes…

07Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

F is for Falls – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arizona, Back Roads, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Idaho, Kentucky, Landscapes, Lewis and Clark Sites, National Parks, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Unexpected Discoveries, Washington, Water Towers, Waterfalls, Wyoming

I love visiting all of the offbeat and quirky places when I'm out on the road. But, I must confess that I am also addicted to the beauty of nature in all its forms. One of the more splendid beautiful objects of nature is the waterfall. Every state in the country has waterfalls, those though some are more magnificent than others. [caption id="attachment_17709" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Sumoflam at Cumberland Falls in Kentucky[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17701" align="alignright" width="300"] Niagara Falls[/caption] Like millions of other tourists, I have most certainly been to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side and to American Falls on the American side. These are beyond spectacular! Though the roar of Niagara Falls will always be in the back of my mind, there are others that I've drawn me closer in…

Category: Nature and Scenery