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Travel 2026 What’s Next for My Fab Fifties Life

December 26, 2025

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Year ten begins. What? How time does fly! Our travel life continues with an incredible itinerary for 2026 – and it all begins next week. Here is our story Travel 2026 What’s Next for My Fab Fifties Life

Early years of the Grand Adventure in Australia

Year Ten

People often ask me what destinations are still on our wishlist. And as I always say, we are not trying to visit all the countries of the world. But there a few that still have, for many reasons, not yet been achieved. In 2026 we tackle several new to us destinations, while also revisiting some of our favorites.

But all that said, we also have a little different strategy for 2026, since I am going in to have knee replacement surgery in March. So here goes;

Cuba with Intrepid Travel

Confirmed – Nine Days – Intrepid Travel Fully Guided

Long on or wishlist, Cuba becomes a reality in January with our favorite tour company Intrepid. This will be our third time using Intrepid Travel, and though we usually are independent travelers, we have loved Intrepid. Intrepid offers a Cuba tour specifically for Americans. We will spend ten days in Cuba and I am very grateful for this opportunity.

Mexico New to Us Places

Confirmed – 26 days – Independent Travel – Hotels and Condos

After Cuba we head back to Mexico for a month. This time we will visit some new to us destinations; Cancun, Merida, Puebla and San Miguel de Allende. We will also visit some old favorites; Mexico City and Mazatlan.

Panama for Long Term Consideration

Confirmed – 14 days – Independent Travel – Airbnb

Next it’s back to Panama. We have only been to Panama on a cruise, and this time we will have a two week stay in Veracruz. We hope to get to know this destination as we consider it for a long-term future stay.

Knee Replacement Surgery

Late February we return to the USA where I am scheduled to have knee replacement surgery in early March. I have been putting off this surgery for several years and it is time. I have given myself more than five months to recover from this surgery before we embark on more travel.

Greenland Adventure

Confirmed – Ten Days – Independent Organized Tour – Hotels

I have been dreaming about this destination for so long! With a brand new airport, Greenland is positioned to welcome many more visitors, and I want to get there before it gets too crowded. With a short window for visitors, we have booked a ten day independent tour (no guide) with Greenland Tours.

Svalbard Surprise

Confirmed Four Days – Independent Travel with Day Tours – Hotel

Only recently did I add the island of Svalbard near the North Pole to my wish list. And after Greenland it’s time to head even farther North. We will make a brief stop in Copenhagen in transit and then head to Svalbard for just four days.

Fun in Finland

Not confirmed – working on it now

Back on SAS Airlines we will head to Helsinki, Finland for a few days and then a week in Lapland. This is another long awaited destination that we canceled five years ago due to Covid. We are still working out the details of this destination.

New Territory with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Not confirmed

There are only more four countries left that we had to drop when COVID hit. One of those is Ukraine and I’m not sure we will ever get there. But Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will follow Finland. We will bus between the capital cities of these three countries and expect to spend about three weeks total.

Hello Holland and the Netherlands

Not confirmed

Our time in Amsterdam has always been during long lay-overs (four times) so finally we will explore more than just Amsterdam and get to understand the history, culture and beauty of Holland and the Netherlands. We expect to spend about seven to ten days.

Back to Egypt

Not confirmed – Working on it, Now Guided Tour with Memphis Tours

Well it’s been twenty years in the making, but the Grand Egyptian Museum finally opened in November 2025. We had a great experience in Egypt when we visited several years ago using the tour company Memphis Tours. We have not booked this yet, but we are working with Memphis Tours again to visit this epic museum and see a little more of fascinating Egypt. Details still in the works.

Kick Back in the Azores

Not confirmed

From Egypt via Zurich its a pretty easy hop over to Azores, one of Portugal’s most famous islands. Long on our list to visit, we hope to stay for a month.

Wrapping up 2026

The world is big and we want to see it. But being flexible is important, so we try not to book too far ahead. However some destinations (like Greenland and Svalbard) have such limited capacity its important to book in advance. We are excited for Travel 2026 What’s Next for My Fab Fifties Life.

While we continue to build this itinerary over the next several months, we expect 2026 to be another epic travel year. Departing January 1st and I will have the first of the 2026 blog posts by mid January – so no posts for a couple of weeks while we are traveling in Cuba.

Are you ready for a travel life? Ask me questions, I would love to help. And keep following as we embark on year ten, starting in Cuba.

Note – Most photos in today’s post are from CANVA

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Did you see last week’s post European Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises?

Happy New Year!

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Europe Travel

European Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises

December 19, 2025

Laureen

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We just returned from two weeks in Europe, where we did our first-ever river cruise. The cruise we chose was with Viking River Cruises and was focused on Christmas Markets along the Rhine and Main Rivers. Given how we usually travel independently, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this cruise. But we had a very enjoyable time. There were a few things we didn’t love, but overall it was fun. So if you are considering visiting European Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises, here is my report.

Onboard the Modi

Before I tell you about each of the Christmas Markets, let me tell you about our experience onboard the Modi. Known as longships, the river fleet in Europe each holds 190 passengers. Since we were new to this kind of travel, we chose the least expensive room called a Riverview.

Here’s a breakdown of typical room types on Viking Longships:

Riverview Staterooms: On the Main Deck, these have fixed windows located higher up on the wall for views, often slightly larger than French Balcony rooms.
French Balcony Staterooms: Feature a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door, but without space for chairs outside, allowing the room to feel more open.
Veranda Staterooms: The most common type, offering a full outdoor balcony with seating for two.
Veranda Suites: Two-room accommodations with a separate living area and a full balcony off the living room, plus a French balcony in the bedroom.
Explorer Suites: The largest suites, located at the stern, featuring two rooms and a wraparound balcony.

What About the Cost?

Because a river cruise is significantly more expensive than an ocean cruise (and way more than our usual day to day travel costs) this less expensive room was just fine for us. We had plenty of room, storage and the bed was very comfortable.

Each day on the cruise we were provided at least one excursion at no cost. Additional excursions were available for a fee. Additionally special lectures, music and even high tea provided more entertainment.

Three meals a day were provided on the ship. During meals, wine or beer is included. Additional alcoholic beverages outside of meal time were available at a cost in the lounge. Guest who want to drink more alcohol have an option to purchase a beverage package. We did not do that.

The food on board was very good. Most meals exceptional. Additionally the staff both in the restaurant and elsewhere was superb.

I did not have dessert at every meal but this one was exceptional

Our ten day cruise from Basel Switzerland to Nuremberg Germany cost $9200 for two people. When comparing costs with ocean cruises keep in mind the wine and beer at meals on Viking River Cruises is included (ocean cruises you pay a lot for drinks) and the fact that daily at least one excursion is included with your cruise.

This cost however is significantly more than our normal daily travel costs. For comparison the total cost of this 14 day trip was about the same as our 26 day Stans Tour with Intrepid Travel or 35 days on our own in Bordeaux France. Our thirty day stay in Philippines was a third of what we spent on the cruise.

Europe is Magical in the Winter

We did not see snowfall, but we had some cold, crisp days and we found that added to the festive atmosphere of the Christmas Markets. I have become a big fan of off-season travel, but that said the Christmas Markets can get very busy. In fact, due to a lot of travel “influencers”, European Christmas Markets are now generally crowded. During our cruise we visited a total of ten Christmas markets. Some very big and busy, others small and very local. Below are my thoughts on each of the nine.

Things to Know

Before I go market by market let me explain a couple of things. Firstly, the mugs. Each European Christmas Market has mug for the popular Gluhwein. These mugs change annually and are a popular collectors item. Gluhwein is a hot mulled wine served throughout Europe during the holidays. Mugs of warm Gluhwein are available for purchase and you pay a deposit for the mug. If you want to keep the mug you don’t get your deposit back. Or, return the mug to any vendor throughout the market and your deposit is returned. I kept two mugs from Heidelberg and two mugs from Wurzburg. Other drinks like hot chocolate are also available in the mugs.

Local food items are available at the markets, with popular choices being bratwurst and other sausages, potato pancakes (called Kartoffelpuffer ), raclette, fish sandwiches, pork burgers, lots of sweets and more.

Visiting the markets via land perhaps by train would be just as fun, maybe more so. Ten markets was too many, as they begin to all blur together after awhile. I was expecting each to be unique, but they were very similar. I was expecting more handmade local items for sale, but we only found that in a couple of places. Most items were mass produced somewhere else. That was disappointing.

FRANKFURT GERMANY

We arrived in Frankfurt from our Seattle flight, and planned two nights in this city before heading to the cruise. So on our own we found our way around Frankfurt. Frankfurt’s Christmas Market is one of the oldest and largest markets in Germany dating back to 1391.

Where we stayed: Motel One Frankfurt-Romer – excellent

Where we ate: We had an excellent and authentic German dinner at Zum Standesamtchen one evening and enjoyed the foods of the market as well.

Don’t miss: The Main Christmas Market is spread out near the Cathedral. Be sure to visit Frankfurt’s treasured jewel, the Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew. If you have extra time in Frankfurt like we did I recommend the Stadel Art Museum and walking across the Iron Bridge

BASEL SWITZERLAND

We took the train from Frankfurt to the border town of Basel Switzerland, and the three hour ride was on time, clean and comfortable. We had a full day and night in Basel before boarding the ship.

Basel is a wonderful mix of old and new and the medieval Old Town’s pastel buildings date back to the 15th century.

Where we stayed: East West Hotel – excellent

Don’t miss: We really enjoyed the Basel market and sampled raclette, sausages, potato pancakes and lots of Gluhwein. There is a market in the cathedral square overlooking the city, and another at the bottom of the hill. The old town is beautiful with the Rathaus and square and also it’s worth it to visit Freie Strasse pedestrian street, walk across the holiday lit historic Mittlere bridge and visit the Spalentor gate.

Raclette is always served with potatoes and pickles

Before leaving Switzerland we enjoyed an optional shore excursion to indulge in the Swiss tradition of Fondue. I highly recommend this when in Switzerland. We learned a lot and we ate a lot.

BREISACH GERMANY

We sailed over night and woke up in Breisach Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest. It was an early departure day for the excursion we chose. We boarded a comfortable coach to drive away from the river and into the mountains.

Don’t miss: The drive was beautiful and we even saw some snow. But the best part was seeing the beautiful old villages where the German people have lived and toiled for generations. Our destination this day was the touristic village of Hofgut Sternen. Here we enjoyed a short hike to an ancient tiny church. Next we had time to watch glass blowing and learn about the art of Cuckoo Clock making, before learning how the famous Black Forest Cake is made. And if that wasn’t enough, we also had a wonderful lunch around an open outdoor fire pit.

I’m gonna make a Black Forest Cake when I get home

Despite the long bus ride, this was one of my favorite days.

STRASBOURG FRANCE

Sailing overnight we awoke in France. Bonjour! Strasbourg is home to the oldest Christkindelmarkt in Europe, dating back to 1570. Petite France, the jewel of Strasbourg, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its stunning half timbered houses and winding canal.

Unfortunately the day we visited the market was very crowded and the line to get inside the massive and gorgeous Notre Dame cathedral was so long. Despite the hype, this was one of my least favorite markets.

Don’t miss: The best part of our day was the canal cruise, where we learned from our guide fantastic history of this beautiful city. Weather was sunny and the canal boat with so many windows made the experience great. I really wanted several more hours in this city. But we had to head back because we had a second afternoon excursion to…

Retired French Bakers come together for the market

Gengenbach Germany

I signed up for this optional excursion on the same day as Strasbourg, specifically to have an opportunity for a night market. We took a coach about an hour from Strasbourg to the tiny town of Gengenbach.

Ahhhh. That’s better. Not too crowded and the prices were great. Beautiful medieval town that still lives and breathes and is not just for tourists. The market was a comfortable size to walk around and unlike Strasbourg many of the booths were locally made items.

Don’t miss: Gengenbach’s historic center is a protected area, part of Germany’s Timber-Frame Road. Gengenbach is a popular destination, famous for its well-preserved medieval old town and its unique tradition of turning the City Hall into the worlds largest Advent Calendar. The evening included live music and a Christmas performance by local children. This is much more what I expected from a European Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises.

KARLSRUHE GERMANY

This day we squeezed in two excursions again. Waking up we found ourselves in port in the town of Plittersdorf. We boarded the coaches for the drive to Karlsruhe. Nicknamed The Fan City due to the street layout, Karlsruhe is home to the Karslruhe Palace. Built in 1715 by Margrave (Prince) Karl Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach it embodies his vision of newly found city.

Don’t miss: Karlsruhe has several markets, all very small. This was my least favorite stop of our cruise, however I give the prize for best decorated market booths to the market at Friedrichsplatz. For a small market each vendor had beautifully decorated and festive presence, each unique.

Baden Baden Germany

This optional excursion to Baden Baden was excellent. And possibly my favorite market, or at least in the top three, of the ten we visited. The UNESCO World Heritage site, Baden Baden is a famous spa town nestled in the Black Forest. Known for its storied history, luxurious spas and healing waters, elegant architecture and cultural vibrancy, it reminded me of a smaller Vienna.

Don’t miss – we really enjoyed our guided tour learning history of the popular destination in the 19th century where European royalty came to “take the waters”. Visiting the beautiful spa building, opera house, casino and enjoying the dozens of créche scenes were outstanding. Great food and items for sale, all surrounding a beautiful square and Christmas tree. The local cathedral, though not ancient is also a beautiful sight.

Heidelberg Germany

Next morning we woke up in Frankfurt. Since we had already enjoyed two days there (see earlier comments) we chose to do the included all day tour to Heidelberg. Although it was a long day, it was one of our most enjoyable.

A very cold day on Heidelberg’s Old Bridge

Heidelberg, Germany, boasts a rich history as the former capital of the Palatinate, home to Germany’s oldest university (founded 1386), and a symbol of German Romanticism, featuring magnificent castle ruins that survived major wars. Its story spans Celtic/Roman settlements, medieval growth, devastation in the Thirty Years’ War, a Baroque rebuilding, 19th-century cultural bloom, and its post-WWII status as a scientific hub, largely spared from bombing, preserving its historic charm.

Heidelberg’s Pyrimid was one of the best

Don’t miss – The Heidelberg old town is long and narrow and the Christmas Markets here are spread out throughout several different squares. The Old Bridge is a highlight and it’s an absolutely must to go up to the historic castle ruins overlooking the town. We also enjoyed a visit to the famous Kathe Wohlfahrt store, known throughout the world for Christmas items. A highlight of this day was lunch at a famous restaurant called Kulturbrauerei, where we ate with students from the Heidelberg University. A special treat to talk to them and learn their stories. Food was great too.

MARKTHEIDENFELD AND LOHR AM MAIN GERMANY

No excursions planned until afternoon on this day, so we actually skipped breakfast and caught up on our sleep. By this time in our trip we were both feeling exhausted, and a bit bloated from all the food! During the morning the crew provided some fun for guests including a Gingerbread demonstration and future cruise suggestions.

In the afternoon we arrived at the port of Marktheidenfeld. Our included excursion today we would visit the very small town of Lohr am Main, said to be the home of the women who inspired the story of Snow White.

Don’t miss – Lohr am Main’s Christmas Market was a very small one, but also very local and authentic. After a brief walk around the town, where we also learned about the Snow White legend, we spent some time at the market and purchased a beautiful wooden bowl from a man who actually made the bowl. This made me happy since so much of the items for sale at the markets are mass produced.

All the locals out enjoying the tiny Lohr am Main Christmas Market

Back to the ship in Marktheidenfeld we walked around the very tiny market here as well. Another historic and authentic medieval town with half timbered buildings, this market is only held one weekend a year and we happened to be here on that weekend.

WURZBURG GERMANY

Waking up in Wurzburg, we stepped outside on the small deck to discover one of the most beautiful sites of our entire cruise. Sunrise in Wurzburg on the Main River blew me away. It’s gonna be a good day.

Würzburg, Germany, boasts a rich history from Celtic settlements to a powerful Prince-Bishopric, a vibrant Jewish center, and a major Holy Roman Empire hub, known for its stunning Würzburg Residence (a UNESCO site) and Marienberg Fortress, though it suffered massive destruction in WWII bombings, with significant rebuilding efforts restoring its Baroque and Rococo charm, making it a significant cultural and academic city today.

These heart shaped mugs were worth bringing home

Don’t miss – many guests did a full day trip to Rothenburg, a gem of a medieval German city. But Arne and I had visited Rothenburg before, so we decided to stay closer to the ship and do a walking tour of Wurzberg. I am so glad we did. The market was good, but very similar to every other market, but I loved the heart shaped mugs. Wurzburg is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bishops Residenz sometimes called the little Versailles. Our guide was amazing and we learned a lot about the history of the Residenz as well as the rebuilding of both the Residenz and the town after WWII. I enjoyed this day very much.

BAMBERG GERMANY

Many cities along Germany’s great rivers are known for their wine. Bamberg however is known for it’s signature beverage: rauchbier, a smoky beer made with malt that has been dried over wood fires. We chose to do an optional excursion on this day to taste and learn more about rauchbier.

Don’t miss – We were in Bamberg on a Sunday, so all the regular shops were closed. However our excursion included a brief history walking tour of this cute small town which is home to two rivers; the Main and Regnitz. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany not destroyed in WWII and retains a large selection of medieval structures in it’s Old Town. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Our beer tasting was remarkable. We tasted FIVE different beers from Hellerbrau founded in the 15th century, learned the nuances and history of the choices and were served a remarkable spread of pretzels, brown bread and delicious meats and cheeses. All in a historic brewery/restaurant building from the 14th century. I am so glad we did this.

This ancient church used to be part of the fortification walls

NUREMBERG GERMANY

It’s our final stop on this Christmas Cruise! The ship arrived early in the morning and we have a full final day. My husband and I plan to stay in a hotel and enjoy one more full day in Nuremberg after we disembark.

I thought this ancient city was beautiful

Nuremberg’s history spans from a vital medieval trade hub and Holy Roman Empire center, known for art and printing, to becoming the symbolic heart of the Nazi Party with massive rallies and discriminatory Nuremberg Laws in the 1930s. Nuremberg famously became the site of the post-war Nuremberg Trials, which established international justice for war crimes.

Where we stayed- Avenue Hotel – perfect location

Where we ate- Tucher-Brau am Opernhaus this is an absolute must when in Nuremberg. Make a reservation. For lunch we highly recommend Bratwursthausle where you can sample the small Nuremberg style sausages. Be sure to get the potato salad too.

At Least Two Days in this City

Don’t miss – Nuremberg Castle and moat area, one of the only moats remaining in Germany. The first castle on this site was built under the Salian kings respectively Holy Roman Emperors (1027–1125). Today the castle offers an interesting look into the history of this region with a stunning view of the city that has built up below.

There are several markets in Nuremberg and we tried to hit them all. The main one is in front of the City Hall building by the famous Schoner Brunnen fountain.

The historic site of the Nuremberg Trials, Courtoom 600, the post-WWII Nazi trials that changed the world forever. Don’t miss this when in Nuremberg.

River walk – stunning way to enjoy the medieval architecture

We loved the fun Kinder market with the two story carosel

Underground tour of the historic rock cut cellars (fascinating). Handwerkhof Artisans Street, the Kinder Christmas Market (less crowded and full of fun animation), Weisgerbergasse street with the historic and authentic half timbered houses.

This city is beautiful, pedestrian friendly and full of fabulous restaurants and sites. I recommend it highly at Christmas time or anytime of the year.

European Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises

Some final thoughts. Would I cruise with Viking again? Maybe. I’m just not sure group travel of this style is for us. That is not to say we didn’t have fun, but we prefer more independent travel.

Would we do the Christmas Markets again? Maybe. But only one or two. Markets are falling into the overtouristed categories, so if I were to go again I would carefully chose which ones and go as early in the season as possible.

My favorites of the markets we visited were; Nuremberg, Baden Baden, Heidelberg and Gengenbach.

Thank you for reading my long post European Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises. I am happy to answer any questions you have about our experience. We always appreciate your pins, shares and comments. Thank you and have a very Merry Christmas!

Want to read about the wardrobe I packed for this 16 day winter adventure? Read my post Winter Wardrobe for European Christmas Market Cruise here.

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North America Travel

Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90

Minnesota and South Dakota

November 14, 2025

Laureen

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Iconic American roads are famous for some fun and crazy roadside attractions. Everything from the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Kansas to Cadillac Ranch in Texas. See a full list here. Since we have driven across the USA multiple times, we have visited some of these quirky and unexpected sites. So on our recent return drive from Maine to Washington State, we visited four more. Here are our suggestions for Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90.

Interstate 90

On our 6 previous cross-country road trips we have wandered around multiple interstates, back roads and the iconic Route 66. But for the purpose of this round trip cross country drive we stuck pretty close to Interstate 90. I-90 is an amazing interstate system that starts in Seattle and ends in Boston Massachusetts. It’s well maintained, and despite parts of the interstate being in wide open and sparsely populated regions, it is safe.

History of Roadside Attractions

When I was a kid we drove from Seattle to the Redwood Forests and my clearest memory of that trip is a giant Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe! I don’t really remember the trees! US road travel has always been part of the culture, and US entrepreneurs have cashed in on this for generations. Here is what Wikipedia says about the history of roadside attractions;

When long-distance road travel became practical and popular in the 1920s, entrepreneurs began building restaurants, motels, coffee shops, cafes, and unusual businesses to attract travelers.^[4][5] Many of the buildings were attractions in themselves in the form of novelty architecture, depicting everyday objects of enormous size, typically relating to the items sold there.^[6] Some other types of roadside attractions include monuments and fictionalized-paranormal/illusionary amusements such as the Mystery Spot near Santa Cruz, California,^[7] or curiosities such as The Thing? along Interstate 10 in Arizona.^[8]

With the construction of the U.S. Interstate Highway System in the mid-1950s, many roadside attractions were bypassed and quickly went out of business.^[5] Some remained attractive enough to divert travelers from the interstate for a brief respite and thus remain in business. (Wikipedia)

Filters on photos — An iconic old gas station on Route 66, 2016.

Some Quirky and Some Not

In this post today I’m sharing four US Roadside Attractions we visited on our return trip. Two are a bit quirky, and two were fascinating. Here is our list;

Jolly Green Giant

If you grew up in the USA in the 1960’s, the Jolly Green Giant TV Commercial and jingle were part of daily life. The Jolly Green Giant brand of canned and frozen vegetables created the iconic symbol in 1928. The 55 foot fiberglass statue of The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth Minnesota, right on I-90, was created in 1978. It attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year, including me and my husband in September.

SPAM Museum

How this humble meat in a square can became an icon around the world is the story you will learn at the SPAM Museum in Austin Minnesota. I was pleasantly surprised by this fun, colorful, interesting, educational and FREE museum. Located in the heart of the historic community of Austin. SPAM (an acronym for Spiced Ham) is manufactured by the Hormel Company. George Hormel founded Hormel Foods which today owns multiple well-known products under many other brand names, such as Applegate, Columbus Craft Meats, Herdez, Jennie-O, Planters, SKIPPY, and WHOLLY.

The museum is colorful and fun and kids would love it. There are multiple interactive activities as well as recipes, history, science, a gift shop and free samples! Over 100,000 people visit each year. I really enjoyed our visit and recommend it highly.

Island nations love SPAM . Guam consumes more SPAM than any other place in the world

Monty Python helped bring SPAM into the psyche with humor

The Corn Palace

I arrived at The Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota having done zero research and expecting something tacky and kitschy. Absolutely not. We were astonished. It is so much more than a tacky tourist attraction…it is the center of the lovely small historic farming town of Mitchell.

The Corn Palace website describes the history as;

Eight years before the turn of the 20th century, in 1892 (when Mitchell, South Dakota was a small, 12-year-old city of 3,000 inhabitants) the World’s Only Corn Palace was established on the city’s Main Street. During it’s over 100 years of existence, it has become known worldwide and now attracts more than a half a million visitors annually.

The palace was conceived as a gathering place where city residents and their rural neighbors could enjoy a fall festival with extraordinary stage entertainment – a celebration to climax a crop-growing season and harvest. This tradition continues today with the annual Corn Palace Festival held in late August each year.

Some 500,000 tourists come from around the nation each year to see the uniquely designed corn murals. The city’s first Corn Palace was built as a way to prove to the world that South Dakota had a healthy agricultural climate. (Corn Palace Website)

I was astonished by the beauty of the interior performing and sporting venue, as well as the annually-changed exterior murals made of corn and corn byproducts. More than 500,000 people visit the Corn Palace each year. I highly recommend a visit to the Worlds Only Corn Palace when in South Dakota.

Exterior of the Corn Palace, Mitchell South Dakota

Gorgeous interior for sports and arts at the Corn Palace

Mural theme for 2026 is Wonders of the World

Wall Drug

One of the most famous USA roadside attractions is in the small town of Wall South Dakota, where more than 2 million people a year visit Wall Drug. And to think it all started with free ice water in 1931.

The depression was raging, offering something free…even water…was unheard of. But Wall Drug founder Theodore “Ted” Hustead, took a chance. He used free ice water and catchy roadside signs to lure visitors on their way to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. And today, millions of people follow in those same tracks. Today the sprawling complex is a bit tourist kitsch, with tsotskys and old West theme. But, especially for kids, there is a lot of fun to be had. We had a cup of the iconic 5-cent coffee (it was good), walked around on a chilly October day and smiled at the wide range of crazy sights from a giant Jack Rabbit to a T Rex. Something for everyone in Wall Drug, Wall South Dakota.

Touristy trinkets, clothing and art available for purchase in Wall Drug

Driving Across the USA

Our month long trip covered 16 states and 8400 miles. Sometimes exhausting but always entertaining. I will share one more Road Trip Blog Post coming up…but I hope you enjoyed today’s Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90. Be sure to see our other posts from our cross country trip; Yellowstone National Park USA, One Day in Chicago Illinois, Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss and Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

We are always grateful when you share our posts to your friends and family, pin our posts and comment on our posts. Thank you.

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North America Travel

Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss

October 24, 2025

Laureen

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Our recent road trip took us through Cleveland Ohio, a city I had never been to. We happened to arrive on the day the Cleveland Guardians were playing in the MLB Wildcard series. The city was excited about that. But we had decided to make a stop in Cleveland for another reason. We came to see two specific things. So if you are planning a visit, here are two Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss.

This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Cleveland

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

So the first thing many people ask is why is the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland? Well it’s pretty simple, it’s about history and money. Cleveland, Ohio has some serious rock roots, including DJ Alan Freed coining the term “rock and roll” and holding the first rock concert. Cleveland also offered a substantial financial commitment for the museum’s construction and demonstrated significant public support with petitions and fundraising, winning out over other major cities in a national competition for the site.

By the way, Cleveland recently changed the name of their MLB team from the Indians to the Guardians. My husband thinks they should have been called the Cleveland Rocks. You heard it here first.

Seattle has a big presence in rock history

Why Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

You know, even though I’m not a huge country music fan, I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and loved it. My point is, even if you may not be a fan of all styles of rock and roll (Rockabilly, Blues Rock, Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock, and Indie Rock) you will find so much of interest. The museum provides in-depth history, costumes and videos, musical instruments and interviews, photos and of course music.

As a person who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s my visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reminded me of many moments from my formative years. Things like the death of rock legends Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain. The famous rooftop performance by the Beatles. Michael Jackson’s monumental Moonwalk performance and so much more.

Although the museum does cover international performers like the Beatles and others, most of the story told at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about the USA. The museum looks at the shift that was taking place in the United States at the time and how the changing music of the era propelled the country in a new direction.

During our visit we enjoyed dozens of permanent exhibits as well as some revolving exhibits. One recently opened exhibit looks at 50 Years of Saturday Night Live and how the performers on that weekly show mirrored the changing culture of the USA.

How to Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The museums hours change depending on the season so check the website. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a cashless operation. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time (as we did) or at the door by scanning a QR Code. Once in the door you are free to enjoy the museum as long as you like.

Parking is really bad in the area of the museum, so plan ahead to park in one of the pay lots near by. Or like us, get a hotel within walking distance.

During our visit in late September 2025 the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was undergoing some expansion and construction to provide even more exhibits and a better experience.

A Christmas Story House

If you aren’t a fan of the classic 80’s movie A Christmas Story, then I don’t know if we can be friends. Okay just kidding. But A Christmas Story is such a family favorite in the Lund house. Why is it so popular? It balances the idealized nostalgia of Christmas with a witty and realistic portrayal of childhood and family life. The movie’s enduring appeal comes from its universal themes, a unique blend of humor and nostalgia, a memorable narration, and relatable characters that capture the authentic, sometimes chaotic, essence of the holiday season.

Take a Guided Tour

We purchased tickets online ahead of time to take a tour of the iconic house used in the movie. Our guide was excellent and provided so much fun information about how the house was chosen in Cleveland and how it became the museum it is today. During the months of November and December guided tours are not offered, because it is peak season. Self – guided tours of the house are available and tickets are available on line. See the website here.

Since the house became a tourist attraction, several other buildings in the neighborhood have been acquired to house a museum, a gift shop and the famous Bumpus House next door is now available for overnight visits.

Where to Stay and Eat

We only had one night in Cleveland and we stayed just a few blocks from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, at the Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown. It worked great. We also walked to have dinner at one of Cleveland’s highest rated restaurants, Cordelia. It was incredible and I highly recommend it. Located on historic 4th street, now a pedestrian only area near the baseball stadium. Don’t miss Cordelia.

Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss

I would have loved another day or two in this city, a place I had never been before. But we made the most of our short time in this historic Midwest town, and I am glad we did. If you have an upcoming visit to Cleveland, be sure to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Christmas Story House. Two very different experiences in Cleveland.

Thank you for reading my post Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss. See last week’s post One Day in Chicago Illinois. Be sure to come back soon for more fun from our USA Road Trip 2025.

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One Day In Chicago Illinois

October 17, 2025

Laureen

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One day in Chicago, Illinois…well, technically I had one full day plus a few hours the evening before. And honestly, it’s not enough to see this beautiful city. But it was all the time we had, so we hit the highlights. If you only have One Day In Chicago Illinois, here are my recommendations.

Cross Country Road Trip

If you saw last week’s post Yellowstone National Park, USA (or if you are following along on Instagram), you know we are tackling a month long cross country road trip from Washington State to Maine and back again. And Chicago is a beautiful city so we thought we would spend two night there on the way.

We arrived our downtown Embassy Suite hotel about 4pm in the afternoon. We had been driving all day, but we wanted to take advantage of the few hours we had. So after getting settled in our room and grabbing a cold drink at the complimentary evening happy hour we headed out.

Navy Pier and Centennial Ferris Wheel

Did you know the first Ferris Wheel in the world was in Chicago? Well it was, an invention of George Ferris for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. That Ferris Wheel of course is long gone, but today the Chicago Centennial Ferris Wheel rises 200 feet above Lake Michigan and gives great views of the lake and the city. We enjoyed a brief walk through the Navy Pier Building and then boarded the wheel with no line at sunset (you can buy tickets in advance here) and enjoyed the ride and the views. A perfect way to start our short visit to Chicago.

One Day In Chicago Illinois

Next morning we hit the ground running for a full day around the city. We did not see it all but we did as much as we could and had a lot of fun. By the end of the day I had walked eleven miles! Here is how we laid out our day;

GPS My City

Using our favorite app GPS My City we did a self guided walking tour of the downtown core. Especially when you are pressed for time this is a great way to see the sites.

Pizzeria Uno

Founded in Chicago in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, Pizzeria Uno is credited with inventing the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor’s first public outdoor work installed in the United States. The 110-ton elliptical sculpture is forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. Chicagoan’s refer to it as The Bean.

Crown Fountain

Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park is a major addition to the city’s world-renowned public art collection.

Harold Washington Public Library

Since completion, the library has appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest public library building in the world. In 2013 the architect and chairman of Hammond, Beeby and Babka, Thomas H. Beeby, won the prestigious Driehaus Architecture Prize for this and other projects.

Wrigley Square

This small green park is a beautiful public place for events or quiet moment and includes a Greek style columned platform.

Tribune Tower & Wrigley Tower

Two of Chicago’s most prominent and historic buildings stand kitty corner from each other right near the Chicago River. The Gothic Tribune Tower, former home of the Chicago Tribune (now condos) and the Wrigley Building – Chicago’s porcelain crown jewel of architecture.

Willis Tower

Formerly known as the Sears Tower, Chicago’s tallest building built in 1974 was the world’s tallest building until 1996. We did not go up to the sky deck but it’s a popular thing to do.

Millennium Park

We strolled down to Millennium Park to enjoy the waterfront, but found much of the park closed off for preparations for the upcoming Chicago Marathon. It was a beautiful day however so we took advantage of views of the lake from the park and waterfront walk.

Buckingham Fountain

As we continued our stroll we stopped to admire Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The fountain is distinguished not only for its exquisite decorative details and finely wrought bronze sculpture, but also for its innovative use of technology which creates a dynamic light and water display on a massive scale.

Museums

Chicago is home to several museums and two of my favorites are world class-

Art Institute

I love this museum and have visited in the past, but unfortunately they are closed on Tuesday – the day of the week we were in town. But I can highly recommend this world class art collection, both the permanent collection and the revolving special exhibits.

Field Museum

Another amazing and diverse museum is Chicago’s Field Museum. We had visited this museum before as well, but still found ourselves able to enjoy three hours wandering around this beautiful building. From dinosaurs to gem stones, Africa to China and so much more.

Architectural River Cruise

Well it had been an amazing day already, but the Architectural River Cruise was hands down the best thing we did all day. There are several companies offering this tour, but I recommend Wendella River Cruises, the original. I’ve done this before and would do it again. An hour and a half tour leaving from the historic DuSable Bridge, the tour includes a guide with exceptional narration about the history and people who made Chicago what it is today. Don’t miss this tour.

Giordanos Pizza

Okay now we were starving. What a day it had been. We knew we wanted Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza for dinner, and we headed to one of several highly rated Pizzerias – Giordano’s. The first Giordano’s opened in Chicago in 1974, making Mama Giordano’s famous double stuffed pie. Today it is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. We loved it and had enough left for lunch the next day too.

There are several places to enjoy Chicago style pizza – Giordano’s is my choice

You won’t go hungry with a Chicago style pie

One Day In Chicago Illinois

Hopefully you will have more than one day in Chicago. But if you only have one day, you can see and do so much in this beautiful city. It’s one of my favorite cities in the USA and worth a visit, one day or more!

Thanks for reading my post this week One Day in Chicago Illinois. I hope you saw last week’s post Yellowstone National Park, USA. Keep following for more of our USA Road Trip coming soon.

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North America Travel

Yellowstone National Park, USA

October 10, 2025

Laureen

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It’s been 32 years since I visited Yellowstone National Park, USA – America’s great achievement in land protection and conservation. Thirty-two years later I think it is even better than I remembered. Although it’s probably me that has changed. I am so much more aware of how fragile nature is, and how astonishing. Come along with me as I share my visit to Yellowstone National Park, USA.

Road Trip

We left our home in Washington State and drove more than nine hours to Butte Montana. It was important we put in a long day on our first day of this month long road trip – giving us more time in the national park. We arose early in Butte and headed to the North Entrance of Yellowstone. There are four entrances to the park. We entered the park around 9am, and on this late September day there was no wait. We stopped to take the obligatory picture at the sign, before heading on for a very full first day in America’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park, USA.

History

I searched some history about this amazing park and here is what I learned;

“Yellowstone National Park was established on March 1, 1872, by President Ulysses S. Grant, becoming the world’s first national park and preserving its unique geothermal features and wildlife for the people. The park’s creation was a result of the Washburn-Langford-Doane expedition of 1870, which explored the region and captured public imagination, leading to legislation to protect the area from settlement and resource extraction. For millennia before its establishment, Yellowstone was home to various Native American tribes, who used the area for hunting, gathering, and spiritual purposes, with evidence of their presence dating back at least 11,000 years.”

“Formed by a hotspot, a stationary plume of hot mantle rock that rises to the Earth’s surface, causing repeated explosive volcanic eruptions and caldera collapses as the North American tectonic plate moves over it. The process began about 2.2 million years ago, creating three enormous calderas through massive eruptions of thick lava and ash, with the most recent occurring 640,000 years ago, which is the basis for the present-day Yellowstone Caldera”

Don’t be fooled, this is not Old Faithful. There are more than 500 geysers in Yellowstone NP

How Many Days

We did a pretty thorough exploration of the park in two days. Don’t try to see the park in one day…traffic can be bad, especially in the summer, and distances between popular sites can be surprising. You will want to stop to see animals (and you will see lots of animals) and you will want to have enough time to really savor the beauty of the place. If you are interested in hiking, you might want a day or two more.

Your chances of seeing Bison in the park are nearly 100%

Mammoth and the North Entrance

We entered the park from the north and headed to Mammoth first. The first major entrance for Yellowstone was at the north boundary. Before 1903, trains would bring visitors to Cinnabar, Montana, which was a few miles northwest of Gardiner, Montana, and people would climb onto horse-drawn coaches there to enter the park.

Built in 1903, the original arch still stands

The steaming hydrothermal hot springs of Mammoth are in constant evolution. They looked very different from my last visit. The bubbling activity and lime create a varied color. The National Park has built safe boardwalks to provide up close access to watch a fascinating ancient process of our planet.

Mammoth Hot Springs is constantly evolving

Parking and restrooms are available in the area, as well as the historic Fort Yellowstone and a Visitor Center and services.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

This is one of my favorite sites within the park and it’s a must to see. Be sure to take the time to visit multiple different viewing areas that really capture the complex geologic history of this canyon and falls. The colors and layers and puff of hydrothermal activity are a wonder. Both the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River are spectacular.

Experience the canyon from a variety of overlooks, at different times of day, and at different seasons. A number of trails and walkways wind along the rims and down partway into the canyon.

Mud Volcano

It’s not the prettiest or most colorful site in the park but it really is fascinating, not something most people will ever experience without visiting Yellowstone National Park.

Early explorers to Yellowstone described this features as a “most repulsive and terrifying site.” It is a volcano-like cone, 30 by 30 feet high and wide (9 x 9 m) with mud that erupts and covers tall trees.

When Nathaniel P. Langford, the first superintendent of Yellowstone, visited in 1870, he saw “a seething, bubbling mass of mud.”

The Mud Volcano area has many mudpots and hillsides strewn with trees cooked by steam. The hydrothermal features here are some of the most acidic in the park.

Mud Volcano is near the greatest uplift and sinking of the Yellowstone Caldera floor. Many faults converge here and earthquakes are common. Definitely worth a stop.

Lake Yellowstone

We were lucky to find our lodgings to be right across the street from Lake Yellowstone. During our visit the lake was very calm. There are multiple places to view the lake around the park, the largest high elevation lake (above 7,000 feet / 2,134 m) in North America.

The lake is cold year around, and swimming is dangerous. It freezes in December, as thick as two feet, and thaws usually in May. A fascinating fact about Lake Yellowstone I learned while visiting the park’s website;

We bundled up to watch sunrise on the lake

“Yellowstone Lake has the largest population of wild cutthroat trout in North America. How a Pacific Ocean fish was trapped in a lake that drains to the Atlantic puzzled experts for years. Scientists now believe that Yellowstone Lake once drained to the Pacific Ocean via Outlet Canyon and the Snake River, and that fish swam across the Continental Divide at Two Ocean Pass. Lake trout, an illegally introduced, exotic species, is now found in Yellowstone Lake and threatens the existence of the native cutthroat trout.”

One of the many estuaries on the lake and a great place to spot birds and wildlife

“The lake currently drains north from its only outlet, the Yellowstone River, at Fishing Bridge. The elevation of the lake’s north end does not drop substantially until LeHardys Rapids, so many consider those rapids to be the actual northern boundary of the lake.”

Old Faithful and the Geyser Circuit

Everyone comes to Yellowstone to see Old Faithful…and definitely you should. It is this thermal feature that created the effort to make Yellowstone a national park. But even more fascinating than the predictable geyser is the surrounding area of dozens of more geysers (not as predictable), hydrothermal pools, flowing rivers and wildlife. Many people only stop to watch Old Faithful (check the visitor center for predicted times) and never walk the many trails, boardwalks and viewing paths to enjoy the rest of this fascinating part of Yellowstone National Park.

Beautiful and colorful pools on our walk near Old Faithful

Everywhere you look something strange and fascinating

Also Don’t Miss…

Old Faithful area is also home to a great Visitor Center, shops and restaurants, several lodging options including the historic and iconic Old Faithful Inn. Even if you are not staying at the Old Faithful Inn you must go inside and be amazed by the all wood historic structure. A wonder that it still stands and still houses visitors each season. Tours are available.

The National Park website gives the following fascinating history about the inn;

“The Old Faithful Inn was designed by Robert C. Reamer, who wanted the asymmetry of the building to reflect the chaos of nature. It was built during the winter of 1903–1904. The Old Faithful Inn is one of the few remaining log hotels in the United States. It is a masterpiece of rustic architecture in its stylized design and fine craftsmanship. Its influence on American architecture, particularly park architecture, was immeasurable.

The building is a rustic log and wood-frame structure with gigantic proportions: nearly 700 feet (213 m) in length and seven stories high. The lobby of the hotel features a 65-foot (20-m) ceiling, a massive rhyolite fireplace, and railings made of contorted lodgepole pine. Stand in the lobby and look up at the exposed structure, or walk up a gnarled log staircase to one of the balconies. Wings were added to the hotel in 1915 and 1927, and today there are 327 rooms available to guests in this National Historic Landmark.”

Astonishing 7 story ceiling all made of wood at the Old Faithful Inn

Dozing Bison with Old Faithful Inn in the background

Prismatic Springs

Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, is 200-330 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet deep. This is a very popular site and can be difficult to find parking. But whatever you do don’t miss it.

In my opinion the upper view is the best and fewer people make that trek. It’s about a two mile round trip hike with a gentle incline that takes you to a small viewing area. I took this photo from that platform. It really is astonishingly beautiful, and seeing it from above really shows the colors.

There is a lower parking area that provides visitors the ability to walk out on boardwalks to see the springs up close. We did not do this because the parking lot was packed. But if you can, try to do both.

You will find Prismatic Springs in the Midway Geyser Basin area of the park.

Of Course the Wildlife

The diverse wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, USA is one of the reasons so many people come from all over the world.

I did not take this photo but we saw a massive Elk just like this one. (Photo Canva)

One of two Grizzlies we witnessed. This female was foraging her breakfast out of a log

We saw more wildlife on this visit to the park than before. We were lucky to see grizzly on two occasions, hundreds of bison, dozens of elk, pronghorn deer, mule deer, and a large number of bird and water fowl.

NEVER approach wildlife. Visitors have been killed in the park for not understanding the danger. To stay safe, keep a minimum of 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards (23 m) from other large animals, including bison and elk.

These beauties were right on the road and I took this photo from the car.

It’s important to heed all warnings and listen to park staff

Things You Should Know

When to Visit

If you possibly can, don’t come in July or August. September, though popular, was a wonderful time to visit. Some places had crowds but most did not. And the fall colors were incredible. Yellowstone National Park, USA is open year round, but there are limited facilities and access in late fall and winter.

We enjoyed staying at the Lake Lodge complex

Lodging and Dining

Yellowstone has a variety of accommodations from historic old lodges like Old Faithful Inn, to cabins and hotels and campgrounds. Both times we have visited we have stayed in cabins. This visit I found our cabin much upgraded than the one we stayed in thirty years ago. Heat, fan, nice shower, coffee maker and comfortable bed. We enjoyed the Lake Lodge and I recommend it.

Our comfy cabin at Lake Lodge was just right

Make reservations as early as possible for both your lodging and dining. Dining facilities are limited and most require reservations. We witnessed a very unhappy woman at Grand Lodge Restaurant who had not made a reservation. She was insistent that they make room for her and her children. But they did not. We however enjoyed our meal there on our first night, and on night two we dined at the Yellowstone Lake Lodge Restaurant.

Enjoying dinner at the Yellowstone Lake Lodge

Be a Good Visitor

Yellowstone and all USA National Parks are making a big effort to recycle. Be aware and be courteous as a visitor. We noticed many more public restrooms (many compost toilets) than thirty years ago. A great development is water stations to refill your reusable water bottles throughout the park. No plastic!!

LEAVE YOUR PET AT HOME. Although pets are allowed in some parts of the park, you will not be able to bring your pet, even on a leash, to most of the popular sites. This is a rule for both the health of the park and it’s wild residents, and your pet. Just leave your pet at home; Yellowstone National Park, USA is not a place for domestic animals.

Yellowstone National Park is not a place for your domestic pet

Yellowstone National Park, USA

One of the most unique places in the world, Yellowstone National Park, USA attracts visitors from every corner of the earth. If you have never visited, you should. Not just a bucket list but a true wonder of the world.

Thank you for reading my post Yellowstone National Park, USA. As we left Yellowstone we continued our road trip on to Buffalo Wyoming, departing the park from the east entrance. I will be writing more about our road trip soon. Thanks for following along.

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North America Travel

Hidden Gems of the PNW – Ashford to Paradise

September 12, 2025

Laureen

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Location: Mount Rainier National Park Washington State USA

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I had no idea what a little paradise I lived in. As kids we never do. Only as an adult and after traveling all over the world did I truly grow to love Washington State and the Pacific Northwest. Today is the final post in my summer series. I hope you enjoy Hidden Gems of the PNW – Ashford to Paradise.

A great place to hike in Mount Rainier National Park — Myrtle Falls, Paradise Mount Rainier National Park

Ashford – Gateway to Mount Rainier National Park

We had avoided hiking in Mount Rainier for most of the summer, due to how busy it can be. But as fall came a knocking we started visiting The Mountain again. We hiked on the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier National Park two weeks in a row. Then, we decided to spend three days in Ashford with easy access to the Paradise side of Mount Rainier. I am so glad we did, a perfect hidden gem.

Overnight lodging in Ashford — Whitaker’s Bunkhouse is one overnight option, and also a great place to have ice cream

History of Ashford

Ashford, Washington, was founded by Walter and Cora Ashford, who homesteaded there in the 1880s and platted the town in 1904. Named after the couple, Ashford became a railroad terminus for the Tacoma Eastern Railway, facilitating logging, mining, and importantly, tourism to the newly established Mount Rainier National Park. The impressive Ashford Mansion, built in 1903, served as a rural hotel and is a testament to the family’s success and the town’s connection to the park’s gateway.

Not many businesses in Ashford — Ashford General Store is small

Today there is not a lot to see and do in Ashford, except it is the perfect place to stay if you want easy access to the park. Ashford has a couple restaurants, a gas station and convenience store as well as a teeny market that does not offer much. But we came to stay at the Ashford Lodge.

Ashford Lodge

When I saw the vintage trailers that are part of the Ashford Lodge on Airbnb, I knew this was the perfect place for us. The Ashford Lodge has cabins as well as four vintage trailers set out in a field. Each trailer is authentically restored and includes a separate building next door for toilet and shower. We stayed in the Layla trailer, a vintage Shasta from the 1950’s. Layla is the largest lot of the four, and includes the biggest cherry tree I have ever seen, with a comfy hammock to enjoy.

The same trailer we had when I was a little kid. Somehow we slept six people in it in the 1960’s

We came prepared with enough food for our two nights and three days, and found the cooking set up reliable and the bed comfortable. We would certainly consider staying here again.

Paradise Lakes Trail

Mount Rainier National Park’s busiest area is definitely Paradise, home to the historic Paradise Inn and the very nice Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center (opened in 2008).No matter when you visit in the summer it will be busy though, and parking can be a challenge despite hundreds of parking spots. IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER Dogs are NOT allowed in the park, nor should you leave your pet in your car. Be smart and leave your animal at home.

We arrived about 9:30am on a gorgeous hot day, the day after Labor Day. The weather was hands down the hottest weather I have ever encountered at Mount Rainier, well over 80 degrees Fahrenheit at 7000 feet. The mountain too seemed to have the least amount of snow on it I can remember in my lifetime.

The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, Paradise

Lakes Loop Trail

We found parking pretty easily and headed out to do a hike called the Lakes Loop Trail that we had never done before. Our first stop was Myrtle Falls. Getting to the park early meant we were able to take some beautiful photos of Myrtle Falls before the crowds descended. Often this destination, only 0.5 miles from the parking lot, is crawling with visitors.

At Myrtle Falls before the crowds arrived

After Myrtle Falls we continued on the Lakes Loop Trail. It was hot. We walked and climbed and enjoyed the spectacular views. We ran out of water though, even though we were carrying a lot. We returned to our car where a welcome seltzer awaited in the cooler. Such a great day.

We had the Lakes Loop Trail all to ourselves

Back to Ashford Lodge and our cute little Layla where we enjoyed dinner I had brought from home and relaxed with a glass of wine.

Paradise Skyline Loop

The weather was going to be hot again, so we got up early and entered the park at 6:50am. We were on the trail by 7:20am. The Skyline Loop Trail is the most popular trail for visitors to Mount Rainier. We had done this hike once before and loved it. On this day we encountered few visitors in the morning, but by afternoon it was busy again.

Beginning the climb on Skyline Loop as the sun comes up

Wildfires in the region cause the sun to have an eerie glow

The Skyline Loop trail is not for everyone. It takes anywhere from 4-5 hours depending on your ability and speed. It’s just over five miles total but includes some uneven rocky surfaces and loose shale crossing as well as an over all elevation gain of 1800 feet. But the views are what everyone comes for. On this day however, the Pacific Northwest was experiencing heavy smoke from several forest fires burning in the region. Forest fires in Washington State are not uncommon in late summer, although this problem has gotten much worse with climate change.

At the top of Skyline Loop. You can see the hazy smoke in the valley below.

Some of Skyline Loop is very rocky and loose

Wildlife in Mount Rainier National Park

In addition to the spectacular views, spotting wildlife and birds is a favorite part of visiting this spectacular park. While hiking the Skyline Loop Trail we were thrilled to see several mountain goats (caution these animals are dangerous and people have been killed), dozens of marmots, pika, chipmunks and a new to us bird, the white tailed ptarmigan.

Four mountain goats napping just off the trail

Ashford and Elbe

There are a few other things you can do in Ashford as well as in neighboring Elbe. We visited the Ashford Creek Gallery, filled with art, pottery and historic images and books. We also really enjoyed visiting the Ashford Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park – home to a fantastic outdoor collection of art made from scrap metal. Very entertaining. Alder Lake is very close, although at the end of a long hot summer there was very little water in this reservoir lake. The water level changes seasonally.

We also made a brief visit to Elbe. Elbe grew as a logging town until the Alder Lake dam project in the 1940s flooded the valley. Today, Elbe is a small community known for its historic Elbe Evangelical Lutheran Church built in 1906, the Elbe Market Country Store, and its location on the route to Mount Rainier National Park, attracting tourists with its historic railroad depot, home to the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad. We wanted to have breakfast in Elbe at the Mount Rainier Railroad Dining Company to eat in a railroad car. Alas they don’t open until 11am. If you want to visit be sure to check hours on their website.

Elbe General Store and the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad

Hidden Gems of the PNW – Ashford to Paradise

There are other hikes and activities in the region and I definitely think we will come back again, stay in cute little Layla and explore even more of Ashford to Paradise. I highly recommend you do too.

My love affair with Mount Rainier continues…

Thanks for reading my final hidden gems post for summer 2025, Hidden Gems of the PNW – Ashford to Paradise. Learn more about Ashford and Mount Rainier at the Tacoma Pierce County Visitor Site. And check out lovely Layla at the Ashford Lodge here.

Reflection Lakes, Mount Rainier National Park

Did you see our post Hidden Gems of the PNW – Port Angeles and Olympic National Park? See more 2025 gems here;

Hidden Gems of the Pacific Northwest – Steilacoom

Hidden Gems of the Pacific Northwest – The Mushroom House

Hidden Gems of the Pacific Northwest – Portland Oregon

Hidden Gems of the Pacific Northwest – Port Gamble

Hidden Gems of the Pacific Northwest – Tacoma

It’s been a great summer. More fun travel on the way! Thanks for your continued interest and support. We love it when you comment, pin and share our blog posts.

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