Visiting Steamtown National Historic Site

We were amazed to see how detailed this train museum is. It includes a working roundhouse, refurbished cars and engines, and knowledgeable rangers. Across the way is a trolley museum. We didn't come on a train ride day unfortunately but the machine shop guided tour and self guided yard tour took up a lot of our time. So much to see if you are a fan of railroad history. There was no entrance fee which is a plus.

 

The Steamtown National Historic Site,  is located in downtown Scranton, PA. Here you can learn the history of the steam engine, see the giant locomotives that helped expand our nation, hear the sensational true stories of those that rode, worked for, and built these beautiful machines. 

 

 

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17 comments Historic Landmarks, Pennsylvania, Scranton, Travel Ideas, United States

Visiting The Real Up House

I am sure you have seen the Disney's movie Up that came out in 2009 that tells the story of Carl and the new adventure he is able to embark on with balloons to take his home, in hopes of making it to Paradise Falls. The movie had so much heart and is a favorite of mine. This real UP House is an exact replica of Carl and Ellie’s house; except it won't float away.

 

This house was built in 2011 and the local developer actually acquired the exclusive rights and authorization from Walt Disney Corporation to build it. This house has the exact same colors, style and charm that Carl and Ellie's home had too. The developer, Blair Bangerter, who built this home actually had no plans to sell the home but ended up selling it to the Hamblin family.

Adventure is out there!

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14 comments AdBenture, Herriman, Historic Landmarks, Jeep Adventure, Summer Getaway, United States, Utah

Visiting Downtown San Diego California

 
 

Downtown San Diego, California

We stayed on one of the hotel in downtown San Diego for a day stop over. Downtown is a lovely vibrate place. If you like architecture there are some really cool buildings. Lots to see and do, it had a good variety of restaurants & bars as well as shops.

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19 comments California, Historic Landmarks, San diego, United States

Visited the Calico Ghost Town

Not a lot of people know about Calico Ghost Town, but this place has a lot to offer.  If you like the old western town experience then this restored mining town will give you a few hours of enjoyment. Admission is $8 per adult which you pay at a booth as you park your vehicle. Calico is a collection of restored buildings and replicas, some which serve as museums to show life in the mining town that used to reside here in the late 1800s. Many of the shacks now serve as stores or eateries. Wood crafts, pottery, rocks & minerals, a variety of gifts and novelties, candles, a store devoted to dogs, and one of those vintage photography studios can be found within Calico.

The Calico Mountains of California are a mountain range located in the Mojave Desert.

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17 comments California, California State Park, Historic Landmarks, Jeep Adventure, Outdoor Activities and Adventures, United States, Yermo

Visit the Salvation Mountain

Last week we headed out on an Adventurous road trip. We checked out this eclectic community of Slab City, California - We loved all the colors and we all enjoyed the artistic feel to this area. It’s amazing what you can find in the desert. Salvation Mountain has always been very intriguing to me. It’s out in the middle of nowhere but people come from all over the world to see it.

Salvation mountain is a painted hillside in the SoCal desert. It’s creator, Leonard Knight, who passed away in 2014, decided to spread a message of love after accepting Jesus. It was created many years ago, Leonard  was passionate about getting the message of salvation to everyone.

This handmade masterpiece by Leonard Knight is just taking my breath away!

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40 comments California, Calipatria, Historic Landmarks, Museum and Exhibits, SoCal, United States

A Day Tour in Los Angeles on a trip to California

Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the United States, and its because it is such a big city, its attractions are often quite far apart. This means that using a car can be the best option for some visitors to get around the hundreds of square miles that make up Los Angeles.  However some visitors choose not to drive. The Metro, which includes the bus system is an alternative option. This public bus system runs more than 1,500 buses on 150 bus lines throughout the city.

We stopped by in LACMA on a Saturday afternoon. There was a fairly amount of people snapping photos. I did hear the best time to take pictures here are in the evening, where you can see the lamp posts are lit, but I did find it difficult to find good lighting for selfies. Very tough to also get a solo pic without others being in it, but it is what it is. We did not stay that long but if you have ample time and not familiar with the parking, you can parked in an underground garage close by for maybe an hour f or $16.

Can't say you've gone to LA if you haven't visited the Urban lights!

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20 comments California, Historic Landmarks, Los Angeles, United States

Visit Santa Barbara Art Chromatic Gate Installation

Have you ever wanted to just walk under the rainbow?  How about actually touching it?!  Why not when visiting Santa Barbara's beaches. Designed by famed Herbert Bayer, an artist and architect who lived and created around the globe.  This structure is especially fun to look at as you stand at the beach and watch the clouds pass over the mountains to the east of Chromatic Gate.

This massive piece of work with Unicorn colors is very intriguing with the way the arches are in 90 degree angles.  One of my favorite spots for any photo ops since it's literally across the street from the beach, you get an awesome sunset view as well. Enjoy what this piece of art has to offer on a breathtaking beautiful weather of California. There's lots to do here.

The gate looks great from either side for pictures. Some people can really spend a lot of time taking pictures there. It's really quite photogenic on a clear blue sky day.

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21 comments Beaches and Islands, California, Family Attractions, Historic Landmarks, Santa Barbara, United States

Places we Visit in Western New York for Holidays

We stopped at the New York State Welcome Center at the Grand Island  on the way from Scranton, PA  to Buffalo. To get to this WNY Welcome Center, you have to use the Whitehaven Road exit on the 190. What awaits you is a HUGE " I Love NY" sign and a building that is part museum and part snack bar. Inside there is a lot of NY history on the walls plus a huge sitting area and many table to eat at. There is a Taste of NY snack shop with all kinds of "goodies" from Western NY for sale.  Food is a little pricey but not unexpected. There is a huge amount of parking both for cars and  trucks plus a number of electric charging stations.

We have been gone for nearly seven years but I guess we still ❤ NY!

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28 comments Buffalo, Cities and Towns, Historic Landmarks, New York, Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls State Park, United States, Winter Getaways, Winter Memories

Visit the Wormsloe State Historic Site

Wormsloe Historic site is a popular attraction near Savannah, Georgia. Located only a few minutes drive outside of the city, if you are planning to go a couple of hours are good enough. Once you arrive take a scenic drive down the road of Spanish moss trees.  Both sides of the road are lined with trees which creates a beautiful canopy of trees beg the nature lover to venture further.

This stunning tree-lined drive contains 400 live oaks which were planted in the late 1800s. This is where parts of the movie Forrest Gump were filmed -- "run, Forrest, run!"

Wormsloe should be at the top of your list during a visit to Savannah.

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36 comments Georgia, Historic Landmarks, Jeep Adventure, Savannah, United States

Visit the San Buenaventura City Hall in California

The beauty of Ventura, California is breathtaking when the history and its historical landmarks are combined with the cuteness of being a "laid-back" beach town. This is a premier building in downtown Ventura sits atop of California Street with its grandeur stature.  It overlooks the beautiful Pacific Ocean and one of the main strips of Downtown Ventura. The city offices are located inside, a statue of Father Junipero Serra stands at the front and botanical garden trails is directly behind the building.

If you're a traveler who normally doesn't visit City Hall, don't miss this one. The San Buenaventura City Hall building is definitely a piece of Ventura's overall appeal.

Myself standing at this Historic City Hall in Ventura, California that was built in 1912.

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47 comments California, Historic Landmarks, United States, Ventura