Hey everyone!  This week we will be taking an adventure to the wonderful state of Utah!  Now at first Utah does not appear to have much to offer visitors but this, however, is not the case upon further inspection.  As you will soon come to find, Utah truly has something for everyone to do. 

The first stop on our tour of Utah will have to occur during the winter season because it is to the Park City Mountain Resort.  This resort is the second largest ski resort in America, offering visitors over 330 trails.  As a matter of fact, several of the runs are used to train by the United States ski team.  The resort was also host of the 2002 Winter Olympics snowboarding and several slalom events.  This makes the resort a must-visit for anyone who is an experienced skier.  For those of you who have not hit the slopes before, they also offer skiing and snowboarding lessons to visitors.   

Moving on from the idea of winter and snow sports, our next visit will have to be done in warmer weather as we get in touch with nature on a Monument Valley Safari.  These adventures last 1.5-7 hours in length as tourists travel across different sections of valley to enjoy the landscape.  Visitors also have the option to do a combination safari that provides views of the Lower Monument Valley/Mystery Valley or Tear Drop Arch/Mystery Valley.  The safari company also offers Sunset Photography Tours and Starlight Tours for anyone willing to spice up their sightseeing.   

Our next stop in the wonderful state of Utah will be to the Bluff Fort Historic Site.  Here visitors can learn about the fort itself and the treacherous Hole-in-the-Rock expedition.  The site contains cabins that were built with windows and doors facing inward to the fort’s square in order to provide protection from invading forces.  The site also features the Bluff Fort itself which was dismantled in 1883 but restored in the 1890s by the community.  This is definitely a must-visit for anyone interested in history. 

Last but not least, we will be making a stop at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium while in Utah.  This aquarium features wildlife such as birds, invertebrates, mammals, fish, and more from around the globe including the Antarctic, Utah, and South America.  Tourists can also have an eye-to-eye experience with the sharks in a 40-foot underwater shark tunnel.  And just in case this was not enough, the aquarium also has two touch pools were visitors can interact with the animals.   

Overall, Utah has plenty to offer visitors of all kinds from your athlete to your nature lover.  I, personally, would love to visit Utah and have particular interest in skiing there someday.   

As always, keep on traveling and experiencing the world because you never know what it has to offer until you get out there.   

Howdy y’all!  This week we will be traveling south to the big and beautiful state of Texas!  My primary motivation for talking about Texas this week is because I am really in the mood for some Texas Roadhouse steak, so this is close enough.  Not only is Texas the second largest state in the United States, but also offers plenty of thrilling activities and sites for its visitors.   

First, we will start off by visiting a place that anyone interested in diving would be thrilled to go to: Jacob’s Well.  Jacob’s Well is an underwater cave system that is nearly 140 feet deep and almost a mile long.  The cave itself can only be explored by experienced cave divers due to its complexity, but for anyone who does not fit these criteria there are also spots to cliff-jump into a 12-foot swimming hole.  Visitors are also more than welcome to just hang out by the water.   

The next stop on our visit to Texas will be to none other than Space Center Houston.  This Smithsonian Affiliate is dedicated to history of space exploration and the fostering of STEM related fields.  The museum itself has large collections of space rocks as well as the rocket Saturn V on display.  People can also explore the real NASA mission control to get a quick look at what happens behind the scenes.  

For anyone interested in history, the next stop at the Alamo is just the place for you.  This historic site marks the spot where in 1836, 200 men including Daniel Boone, Davie Crockett, and Jim Bowie fought a fierce battle.  They ended up losing the battle, but Texas eventually did win its independence.  Guests at the site are able to tour the fort, church, barracks, and more to get the full experience associated with such a historic landmark. 

Our last visit in Texas will be to a place known as the San Antonio River Walk.  This 2.5-mile walkway along the San Antonio River is said to be one of the most visited tourist attractions Texas has to offer.  It was originally meant to help with flood control but now offers tourists everything from food and shops to artisan shows and parades.  Visitors will no doubt have plenty to do along this river! 

Overall, I have just scratched the surface of all Texas has to offer.  As I am sure, there are always thousands of thrilling activities and places to see.  With this in mind, be sure to get out there and explore. 

Come back next week for more on another beautiful state! 

Hey everyone!  This week we will be wandering over west to the enthralling state of Arizona.  This state has plenty to offer its visitors from breath-taking natural landmarks to man-made wonders, Arizona truly has something for each and every person that enters the state. 

We will begin our journey in Arizona by going to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world: Grand Canyon National Park.  This canyon attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors each year with its steep sides leading down to the Colorado River.  In addition, the canyon dazzles tourists with its many-colored layers from geological erosion with each layer representing a different age in the life of the stone.  The park itself has been inhabited for thousands of years by native American groups and groups such as the Pueblo people who consider the canyon to be a religious site.   

While hanging around the Grand Canyon, tourists are also able to head on over to the Grand Canyon Railway.  This railway, which was built in 1901, features wooden tracks with trains that go slow enough so riders can soak in the breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape.  Rides last about 2 hours and 15 minutes and with each train having a personal steward for information and onboard entertainment throughout the trip.  As a bonus each train is also designed to have an “Old West” feel to them. 

If the Grand Canyon was not enough for you to want to travel to Arizona, then the Desert Botanical Garden might just be the push you need.  Located in Phoenix, this garden features over 21,000 plants, some of which are unique to the southwestern desert ecosystem.  The garden also doubles as a conservatory and is known as the Phoenix Point of Pride.  Visitors are able to view the meticulously cared for plants from five different walking trails throughout the garden.  This garden is especially intriguing to me because it is quite fascinating how they are able to create such a beautiful site in the harsh desert conditions.   

Following our visit to the Desert Botanical Garden, we will next venture back over towards the Grand Canyon so as to join in on the fun with the Colorado River Discovery.  This river rafting company provides tours along the Colorado River with tours lasting either a full or half day depending on how adventurous you are feeling.  People can either paddle themselves or use the Helios eco-friendly electric boat to traverse the beautiful landscape with the option of an experienced guide narrating as you move along the river.  On such tours, visitors are able to take in spectacular views of the clear water, sandstone cliffs, and local wildlife all while enjoying the thrill of rafting.  

In summary, Arizona has lots of wonderful opportunities for visitors to partake in and reap the benefits of the state’s fascinating landscape.  I, personally, look forward to traveling to Arizona someday especially since seeing the Grand Canyon is one of the top sites on my bucket list.  

Stick around for my next post as I uncover all the wonderful attractions Colorado has to offer!