Most Beautiful Sites in US

**Cindy Hamlin** · 04-26-2001, 01:37 PM

I was recently on a business trip to upstate NY (next exit Canada!). I got to see the 1000 Islands in the St. Lawrence Seaway. It was the most interesting and picturesque place!

It was amazing the vacation homes the rich and not so rich had built on these islands. Two of which had Castles! I have found a site about the area and will put the link to it at the end of the post.

In researching the area through the site, I found that the only thing that makes a land mass or rock in the water an island is that it have one tree. I thought that interesting! There are many places to stay in the area and you can tour one of the castles.

Please check the link attached for more about the 1000 Islands:
http://www.1000-islands.net

**Pete Hanlin** · 04-26-2001, 02:24 PM

Another beautiful spot in the US is the Smokey Mountains in eastern Tennessee. Chilhowie (sp?) State Park was just north of where I went to college. From the various observation points, you could see foothills that stretch out indefinitely- looks like a bumpy pool table surface. Not too far away, Lookout Mountain, in Chattanooga, allows you to view parts of 7 different states from its peak.

Pete

**CuriousCat** · 04-26-2001, 05:41 PM

I went to college in Tempe, AZ at Arizona State University. I remember the first time I saw the Grand Canyon. I was kinda lost coming back from a ski trip in Utah and wound up at the South Rim. It is breathtaking and I strongly recommend seeing it up close. I can also remember being able to see the Superstition Mts. from the front yard of my apartment in Scottsdale. Also a beautiful sight for someone who grew up in Portsmouth, VA.

**Pete Hanlin** · 04-26-2001, 06:09 PM

Arizona State? Are they the Wildcats- or is there an AU and a ASU?

Strangely enough, I was less awe inspired by the canyon than I was by the huge metorite crater (a meteor that strikes the earth is a meteorite- or do I have my terms confused?) that's somewhat nearby. Can you imagine an impact powerful enough to move that much dirt in one millisecond?!? That said, the Grand Canyon is quite a sight (perhaps if I had had the opportunity to wander to the bottom of it...).

Arizona was a beautiful state as a whole. I spent two weeks at a University located in Flagstaff (don't remember the name of the school) during a national track meet.

Driving through Lancaster County (PA) is really interesting as well... If you hit the right spots, you won't see any power lines- just the windmills the Amish use to pump water. I really enjoyed growing up in the Cumberland Valley. Rolling hills and mountains to the north and south. Living here in Florida, it doesn't seem like there's anything "holding up the sky!"

Pete "I miss my Appalachians" Hanlin

**chip anderson** · 04-26-2001, 08:50 PM

Hate to name a place up Nawth, but I always found the rivers, of Pennsylvania, the Junietta, and the Susquehanna very beautiful.

But we have more beautiful women of course.

Chip

**BobV** · 04-27-2001, 02:03 AM

Try Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire. The fall colors will take your breath away.

Also, Gillette Castle in Haddam, CT. Hopefully Jo has been there and can fill in more details. Last time I was there was over 20 years ago.

And, anywhere in Colorado.

**Night Train** · 04-27-2001, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by chip anderson:
Hate to name a place up Nawth, but I always found the rivers, of Pennsylvania, the Junietta, and the Susquehanna very beautiful.

Chip

This is where I live and while I find the area very nice, there are two BETTER areas in PA...About 2 hours North of here near a place called "Eagles Mere" There is a camp I go to occassionally that is probably my favrite place on earth. My second favorite is Pittsburgh at Christmas Time. As for the women? Well, I think the South has us there...At least from what I saw this Last weekend at Talledega...WOW!

**hcjilson** · 04-27-2001, 10:55 AM

Watching a full moon rise or the sunset over the water is another reason Cape Cod is a beautiful spot.......now the traffic situation is another question!

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Harry J

**Pete Hanlin** · 04-27-2001, 11:27 AM

There's a spot at the tip of the Cape (I think its Provincetown or something) where you see water on three sides and there are large sand dunes- really pretty.

When I was 17 (it was a very good year...), we went to the Cape for our vacation. We spent a whole day on the beach at the tip of the Cape. It was a beautiful beach, and we seemed to have it all to ourselves. As we were leaving, we saw why... a sign reading "Private Property- No Trespassing" had fell over near the gate to the beach- oops

!

Pete
PS- Some of the neighborhoods in Boston have these brown brick townhomes with ivy growing on them. Really beautiful neighborhoods.

**Cindy Hamlin** · 04-27-2001, 01:26 PM

Pete,
On the weekend of the 18th of May I will be in Lancaster, PA for a meeting which I have planned. I love the area! I love the mix of cultures as you noted. The buggys (horse drawn) peacefully coexisting with the cars.

If I get some good pictures I will forward them to you since you talked of missing it. I will be happy to do so.

Cindy "People spell my last name like yours, too" Hamlin :)

**optyx** · 04-27-2001, 10:53 PM

While we're picking beautiful places let's not forget the Monterey, CA area -- rugged and gorgeous.

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Dan

**PAkev** · 04-28-2001, 01:54 AM

My vote goes to the Deleware National Seashore. It has been a very memorable vacation area since a youngster and still frequented by our family. The sounds, sights, and smells are a lasting impression.

**CuriousCat** · 05-02-2001, 10:09 AM

Sorry this took so long...computer problems again.
Arizona State University-Sun Devils-Tempe
University of Arizona-Wildcats-Tucson
Northern Arizona University-?-Flagstaff
Everyone of them beautiful...but my heart remains at ASU...along with some other things we'd better not discuss.

**Bev Heishman** · 05-02-2001, 11:44 PM

I agree on Lancaster County, PA. As my daughter's hockey team was part of the Lancaster-Lebanon County League we traveled to many high schools in rolling farm territory. Travel 340 to Intercourse; 741 to Paradise and take a trip on the Strasburg Railroad. There are so many other exciting places almost anywhere off of Route 30.

To Cindy, I live 25 minutes away and our last 2 state meetings occured at the Eden Resort. Our annual meeting and convention is scheduled there once again Oct 12-14.

Enjoy! I would love to meet you while in Lancaster. Let me know!

**Cindy Hamlin** · 05-03-2001, 09:49 AM

Bev,
I would love to meet you as well! I do, too love the farm country. Growing up in a family of 7 we never got to go on fancy vacations to the POPULAR vacation spots so we took vacations to different places. I remember telling my friends of the places I visited and having them say "OOOOOOH, I have never been there!" I loved that!

We went to Hershey Park, Dutch Wonderland, Rehoboth Beach, Ocean and Atlantic City.

The first night we arrive we are going to Chocolate World (wake me when the sugar coma is through)! If you would like to e-mail me I would love to work out a time to meet. as well, you could provide valuable information on where to go and what to see!

We are staying at the Lancaster Host Resort and Convention Center on Lincoln Highway East. Contact me and we will work out the details!

Cindy :)

**Pete Hanlin** · 05-03-2001, 11:06 AM

Aurrrgh! You're making me homesick. Even though I've been to Chocolate World at least 40 times (I'm serious, we always ended up going there when we had out-of-state visitors), I never get tired of the "choo-choo" train section (or going through the "roaster").

If you are going to be in Central PA, you might as well visit Strausburg (home of the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum).

Central Pennsylvania, ahhhh- perhaps the most beautiful place in the world!

Have a funnel cake and a fausnut for me,
Pete

**Night Train** · 05-03-2001, 11:50 AM

What...Hey Pete...All these Longings for Central PA and no mention of your old pal Night Train?

**Cindy Hamlin** · 05-03-2001, 01:12 PM

I, Cindy Hamlin, do hereby solemnly swear to vicariously pass on my Pennsylvania experiences to Pete Hanlin. I promise to consume funnel cakes, soft pretzels, whoopie pies and lots of chicken and dumplings on your behalf. I promise to visit the choo- choo in Chocolate World and to visit Strasburg.

For all the ladies, I promise to put a "hurting" on the outlets as I shop until I drop (Ladies, no sales tax on clothing!) and consume my weight in chocolate (an awesome task)! Could we ask for more from a state???? I think not!

Cindy :)

**Bev Heishman** · 05-04-2001, 08:14 AM

Cindy,

I will e-mail you. I am presenting at EyeQuest in Chicago on 5/17-18 and am flying back to Harrisburg late Friday evening.

Maybe Saturday or Sunday? I will bring along my digital camera so that we may take pics and pass them on.

Pete, what are you really longing for from here?

Bev

[This message has been edited by Bev Heishman (edited 05-04-2001).]

**Cindy Hamlin** · 05-04-2001, 09:07 AM

Bev,
I am looking forward to it!
:) Cindy

**Pete Hanlin** · 05-04-2001, 12:25 PM

Okay, what I'm really longing for...?

Well, when I was a kid I used to visit my Grandparents for a week each Summer. They lived in Shippensburg (betweeen Harrisburg and Chambersburg).

Anyway, Grandpa and I would start the day really early by going to Burkholder's Restaurant on King Street (where he would introduce me as "grandson #1"). He'd have something called "scrapple" (don't even ask ;) ). I'd have pancakes and eggs "over easy" (or as we call em- "dippy eggs").

Then it was off to go trout fishing- then off to the Legion ballpark to make sure they were taking care of it. On the way home in the afternoon, we'd stop by one of the Amish farms. The kids (and there were always lots of em) would run and pick fresh sweet corn. We'd take it home, and Grandma Killian would make a whole bunch of corn on the cob. Dinner would simply be corn on the cob, cantelope, and GrapeNut ice cream for dessert (followed by a trip out to the ballpark to watch a Legion game).

That's about it! You can't get GrapeNut icecream down here. You also can't get the best potato chips in the world (Middleswarth BBQ, of course). Let's see, they don't have potato rolls, either... Come to think about it, these Southern folks are really deprived!

Nothing like driving through the country in PA either and looking at the rolling hills... As I recall, Bev lives in Myerstown (there's a Seminary there). Take in some scenery for me, Bev!

Pete
PS- Night Train needs to move to Tallahassee!

**Cindy Hamlin** · 05-04-2001, 05:45 PM

Pete,
YUK, Scrapple! My father lived and breathed for that stuff. To me it looked like upchuck in clear gelatin (like the canned hams get stored in)! I had a hard time keeping down my oatmeal, bacon and toast after viewing that!

I remember, too spending time with my Grammy and 2-great Aunts and going to town in Baltimore as a little girl.

They would put me in a dress and Mary Janes and take me to all their favorite stores. No chains for grammy, only independents. She had her groceries delivered until the day she died in 1982! They were some very excentric characters. Like the butcher's wife wearing the mink sweater and dripping in gold and jewels slopping raw meat! Or the bar owner who lived beside Grandma closing his bar and opening it to the family for Grandma's wake. (Should I mention here we were both Irish and Catholic??????? So you see death and liquor goes hand in hand!)

I used to love going to the bakery she retired from (Herman's) and getting extra donuts because I was Lottie's granddaughter! Made me the woman I am today.

Thanks for indulging me on my trip down memory lane! I think I may now go and cry!

Cindy :)

[This message has been edited by cah2020 (edited 05-04-2001).]

**Diane** · 05-04-2001, 06:01 PM

You know, as I read over some of the places the rest of you have been and feel are beautiful, I agree with you. Actually, a lot of the places I have been.

I haven't traveled around the world, but have been to a few places, and have decided that the variety of the vistas of this great country is incredible. Think of the flat and awesomely barren areas of the Southwestern desert areas, and actually you will see a great beauty there. The Grand Canyon is awesome, and there are people who have spent their entire lives just investigating the beauty there. The western mountain ranges are incredible. Wondrous, majestic, rugged and beautiful. The Pacific northwest has some of the most incredible views anywhere. High up on a mountain, looking down at the majesty of the Pacific ocean. I plan to go back out there this summer with my husband and go from Washington, to Idaho, to Montana (where I was actually born).

The heartland holds a place that we should all appreciate. For years, we have basically been fed by that area of the country. As we can drive through areas such as Iowa, and look at the very flat corn fields, I can see why the movie "Field of Dreams"was made there. The smells of the corn in the fields blowing in the breeze holds an attraction that can only be described as hypnotic.

The views around the Great Lakes can be described as tranquil and then in a moment terrifying. In Minnesota, one can drive from Minneapolis northward during early October and within the timeframe of 2 hours see the vegeatation go from almost late Summer with very little color change to the full color of Autumn, to trees that have lost all of their leaves. It is indeed awesome.

The shores of the Pacific Southwest hold a beauty that is totally different from the shores of Florida. The rocks and sand are vegetation are unique. Even the gulf coast of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, are totally different from the Atlantic coast of Florida, and going further up into Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Then go to the New England areas and you have something different entirely. The huge rocks with the waves crashing down on them make a person feel indeed humble. A little inland in New England the beauty cannot be measured. The soil is so rich that the Pilgrims didn't need the long summers in order to produce a crop. Autumn in New England is incredible.

The grasses of Kentucky have been spoken about, but when you look at the horses running on the brilliantly green grass, with the white fences, it can take your breath away.

Where is my favorite place, if I HAD to choose one??? I have to say it would be the soft rolling mountains of the Great Smokey mountains and down into the beautiful soft mountains of North Georgia, with the rushing streams and the abundant trees and vegetation. A person can relax, breathe and just do nothing there and be happy. I want to retire in the North Georgia mountains.

OK, that's my story and I'm sticking to it...until next week.
;)
Diane

**Pete Hanlin** · 05-04-2001, 06:13 PM

I have never been outside the borders of the USA... However, I've been lucky enough to visit 47 different states (California, Alaska, and Hawaii have evaded my travels).

Having not been anywhere else, I guess I can't say for sure- but I suspect America contains some of the most beautiful sights in the world. I think most other places (except maybe for the Amazon) are such that you could say- "Hey, that reminds me of xxxxxxxx State."

I would desperately like to visit Ireland some day, as well as Italy and Greece.

I agree with the Smokeys being one of the best- but, without being biased ;) , I'd also argue that Pennsylvania has some of the better sights as well. Colorado is probably the most majestic state, and Mass. is one of the most interesting historically. Florida? Well, its growing on me...

Have safe and happy travels, everyone!

Pete

**CuriousCat** · 05-07-2001, 12:34 PM

Outside the US, I can say that the rainforest, El Yunque, in Puerto Rico is positively mystical and the view of the Great Rift Valley from an overlook outside Nairobi is breathtaking....