2019 Most Memorable Sites
Brackenridge Park – 3700 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212 is a 343-acre public park in San Antonio, Texas, USA, on the city’s Broadway Corridor just north of downtown San Antonio. It was created in 1899 from land donated to the city by George Washington Brackenridge. Brackenridge Park also refers to the district of the city where the park is located.
Here you will find the Botanical Gardens, Japanese Tea Garden, Zoo, and Witte Museum. Each of these is a must-see. We spend the entire day at the Gardens and went back the next to visit the Witte. If you have children, head to the Botanical Gardens, they have an entire portion of the park dedicated to them. MAP
Saguaro National Park – In one word “Amazing”. Saguaro is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American West. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset. Make time during the cool of the morning or evening and go. MAP
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum – NW 6th and Harvey Ave, Oklahoma City – This truly was one of the most powerful places we have ever visited. From the Reflecting Pool, the Field of Empty Chair to the Museum itself you are emersed in that day. The entire presentation is tastefully done and extremely informative. Be prepared for an emotional journey through that day and the subsequent days after. MAP
Lake Martin, located in St. Martin Parish, What a treat this was to explore just a short distance from Cajun Palms Resort. This is a wildlife preserve and one of Louisiana’s swamplands. The swamplands are home to a few trails as well as many different kinds of animals such as herons, egrets, ibis, bullfrogs, cottonmouths, alligators, and coypu rats. Take your camera or phone, this is one of the most photographed spots in LA.
Ginny and I choose to hike a bit around the lake and finish the rest of the lake via the truck. We did see several swamp tours that I would expect to take you to places that we could only catch a glimpse of. MAP
Palo Duro Canyon State Park – 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, Texas 79015 Welcome to the Grand Canyon of Texas, the second largest canyon in North America. Palo Duro consists of 27,000 acres in Randall and Armstrong Counties. What is unique about this canyon is you are driving down into the canyon rather than viewing from the rim.
There are several RV campsites available, be aware that the ride down into the canyon is narrow and steep. The weekends are very busy in the park. I would highly recommend if you plan to RV camp in the canyon you set up or leave during Monday – Friday MAP
Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum – 4341 Canyon Dr, Amarillo, TX– If you are in Amarillo and have some time on your hands don’t miss this free exhibit at the rear of Jacks business. There are some incredible RV restorations in these collections along with many motorcycles.
As mentioned above this museum is a part of the Traveland RV dealership so you can scope out a few new rigs while your there. The atmosphere is casual so the sales staff will not be attacking you at the door. MAP
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – 217 Johnson Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 A great American artist with a great American story. This museum is a treat with a great collection of her work. Sit through the video presentation at the entrance to get a feel for the artist’s personality. This is one of many museums downtown and possibly the best.
We did visit the New Mexico History, and Art and found them both to be very interesting. If you plan to visit a number of museums in Santa Fe or New Mexico, in general, I would suggest looking into a Museum of New Mexico Foundation Pass. MAP
The Old Mill – 3800 Lakeshore Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72116 A historic re-creation of an 1880’s water-powered grist mill. It is in the opening scenes of the classic movie “Gone With The Wind.” It features sculptures by Senor Dionicio Rodriguez and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This is just a hidden gem in North Little Rock that you should take the time to visit. Bring your camera this will be a great place to snap a few shots particularly in the spring when the flowers are in bloom. MAP
Junction Bridge & Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden – Arkansas River Trail, Little Rock, AR 72201 Ginny, Zoey and I spent the morning touring this area of the River Trail in downtown Little Rock. This is a dog-friendly park tucked in between the river and downtown. There is plenty of award-winning sculptures to take in along with the Junction Bridge. Start your morning in Little Rock with a pleasant walk along the riverfront.
The Farmers Market is located at the entrance of the park and you will find something going on every weekend. Note this area is full of restaurant choices and of course the Clinton Museum. Parking can be found on the street or in a larger parking lot nearby. MAP
Cadillac Ranch – 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124 is a public art installation and sculpture in Amarillo, Texas, USA. It was created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm. The installation half-buried ten Cadillacs nose-first in the ground
Is it worth the stop, yes it is easily accessed off I-40 on the west side of Amarillo? The one thing I found a bit disappointing is the amount of litter caused by the spray cans left behind by would-be painters.
White Sands National Monument is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s known for its dramatic landscape of rare white gypsum sand dunes. Trails through the dunes include the raised Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features. Dunes Drive is a looped road from the White Sands Visitor Center to the dune field.
We arrived early morning on a rather rainy day. This had its advantages as the park was not crowded at all. We made your way to the end of the driving loop and had the view and park to ourselves. This is a dog-friendly park with plenty of areas to walkabout.
Be forewarned, check to see if they will be closing the highway due to missile testing. White Sands Missle Range is one of the most active ranges in the USA.
Bat Flight Program (late May-October), Free evening ranger talk about bats prior to their flight. No reservations are required for this program that occurs every evening from Memorial Day weekend through October. The program takes place at the Bat Flight Amphitheater, located at the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. The start time for the program changes as the summer progresses and sunset times change.
If you have not taken in this bucket list nightly event put it on your a todo calendar. This will more than likely mean you will be driving back to the Park in late spring or summer as the bats fly after dusk. We visited in early October just before the migration and the program started around 6 pm.
It did not disappoint, thousands of bats came swirling out of the cave mouth around 7:15 and continued for the next hour. We were sitting on the right-hand side of the cave entrance. The bats flew right over our heads and in front of us during their flight.