Recently we had a friend of ours ask us for tips on what there was to see as she traveled from San Diego, CA to Nova Scotia in her car. After sending her the suggested route and attractions, I thought I would let all of you in on this too so if anyone else needed ideas, they would have them. So picking one possible route to take, I have put together some special places worth visiting.
Traveling east out of San Diego on I-8, you will travel right by the Imperial Sand Dunes B.L.M. Recreation Area in CA, an area that encompasses over 40 miles. This is the largest mass of sand dunes in California. It is divided into three sections, Mammoth Wash, the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness where you can hike or horseback ride and the largest and most heavily used area begins at Highway 78 and continues south just past Interstate 8 and doesn’t appear to have a name. Here is where the most activity occurs as OHV riders have miles of dunes to ride over.
As you continue along I-8 into Arizona you will pass through the Sonoran Desert National Monument. This monument has 487,000 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape and a large saguaro cactus forest. The monument contains three distinct mountain ranges, the Maricopa, Sand Tank and Table Top Mountains, as well as the Booth and White Hills, all separated by wide valleys. There is hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, auto-touring, camping and hunting in this unique mountainous desert. A section of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail crosses the national monument.
Next, take state Rte. 85 north to I-10 east over to I-17 north where you will run right along Aqua Fria National Monument by Black Canyon City, AZ about 40 miles north of central Phoenix. The Agua Fria Canyon, cut by the Agua Fria River, rises 2,150 feet above sea level. This expansive mosaic of semi-desert area, cut by ribbons of valuable riparian forest, offers one of the most significant systems of prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. Depending on the season, you can enjoy hiking, hunting, scenic drives, viewing cultural sites, camping, wildlife viewing and birdwatching. Pueblo la Plata showcases a major settlement of stone masonry pueblos.
I-17 to I-40 east travels straight through Petrified Forest National Park. The park contains one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, the multi-hued badlands of the Chinle Formation, and portions of the Painted Desert, historic structures, archeological sites, and displays of ancient fossils. It also contains many fine examples of petroglyph images pecked into stone. Park activities include the park film, museums, sightseeing, auto-touring, photography, walking, hiking and wilderness backpacking.
Continuing on I-40 you will be able to see Petroglyph National Monument in NM. The Monument sits on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert. One of its most striking attributes is the seventeen-mile long volcanic escarpment. In addition to having an estimated 25,000 petroglyph images on the basalt boulders, the escarpment is home to many plants and animals that may not usually be found this far north in the Chihuahuan Desert. This is a sacred landscape to all Native people. Pueblo Indians of the Rio Grande Valley regard this place as one of the last remaining undesecrated sacred sites in the area. There are a number of hiking trails that allow you to see the natural features and petroglyphs.
If you continue on I-40, it takes you through Amarillo TX. Here you will find a variety of activities to delight the whole family. I have just mentioned a few. The Palo Duro Canyon State Park has the nation’s second largest canyon and the views are truly spectacular. You can backpack, hike, horseback ride, mountain bike and just take in the beautiful scenery. Another stop you will want to make is the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Texas’ largest history museum. Open year round except for the major winter holidays, they offer something for everyone. There is a Samuel Colt exhibit, Masterpieces of American Art, History of Broadcasting, and as they say “from dinosaurs to modern art, from saddles to automobiles” they have it all. Built along old Rte. 66 the Big Texan Steak Ranch offers a free 72 oz. steak to anyone who can eat it in an hour. Out of the 40,000 who have tried, 7,000 have succeeded. Next on the list is the Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum which features fine art and exhibits of the crafts and cultures of the Pueblo and Plains Indian people. During the summer the Kwahadis present a pageant of Native dance styles on Friday and Saturday nights. You can also enjoy a bar-b-que dinner. Amarillo Botanical Gardens, complete with their tropical conservatory, offers a refreshing change of pace as you amble around the gorgeous landscape. Closed on Mondays and holidays, they are open Tuesday through Friday during the winter and open for weekends in early March. The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum has brand new really cool facilities this year. With their state-of-the-art technology and the Quarter Horse Outfitters the horse lover will certainly not want to miss this one. They are open Monday thru Saturday during the winter and everyday Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Traveling east again on I-40, you will come to Oklahoma City, OK. This city’s rich history will have you wondering why you never visited before. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, with its splendid exhibitions, tells America's story as it unfolds across the West. You will find firearms, Native American objects, historical cowboy gear, shopping and dining. The Red Earth Festival and Museum is downtown where the festival takes place every June. It is the largest Native American event of its type with parade, pow-wow, art market and more. The museum has over 1,400 items with the only collection of totem poles in the area. For family fun activities check out Chesapeake Boathouse located on the Oklahoma River were you can rent kayaks and bikes. The river is a nine mile stretch of scenic river and is encircled by more than 13 miles of trails for running, walking, skating or biking. Or check out the Express Ranches Clydesdale Center where 14 champion Clydesdale horses of a rare black and white color live in a renovated 1936 barn. A large loft houses historical exhibits and a gift shop. For you sports buffs there is the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum. Closed weekends November-March, it’s open 7 days a week the rest of the year and displays the history of softball and its greatest players. The Historic Stockyards City has the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world. You can watch cowboys working the livestock and Cowtown offers a variety of shops from old time general stores and tack shops to western duds, jewelry and a 24-hour beef restaurant. There are several lakes that surround the city where sailing is a popular sport with several regattas taking place April thru October. Have I wet your whistle enough? There is so much to see and do in this city.
From Oklahoma City you can jump on the Turner Turnpike or I-44 east. If you get off the interstate on exit 302 and get on US 59 going south, you will come to Grove, OK which is right on the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. Nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks this town also has a lot to offer. Paddlewheel riverboat excursions aboard the Cherokee Queen I and II are a popular attraction that offers moonlight runs. Har-Ber Village is one of the largest antique museums in the U.S. It was built as a gift for the public from Harvey and Bernice Jones. The museum is a reconstructed turn-of-the-century village with over 100 buildings, collections and exhibits. Gardening enthusiasts will want to tour the spectacular Lendonwood Gardens, a three-acre botanical garden, which also displays a variety of chamaecyparis, daylilies, and an enclosed Zen garden with 80 exquisite bonsai. The Playmakers live performances are always entertaining and fun for the whole family. Starbird’s National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame Museum is for all the hot rodders out there that want to see over 50 world-famous exotic vehicles by Darryl Starbird and other renowned car designers. The Picture in Scripture Amphitheater is known for their award winning original biblical dramas and is considered the number one summer attraction in the area. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees is considered the best bass fishing lake in Oklahoma. Fish found in the lake include large mouth bass, spotted bass, black crappie, white crappie, white bass and channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, small mouth bass, flathead catfish, blue catfish, sunfish, and the largest population of paddlefish in the world. A wide variety of water sports on the lake includes power boating, cruising, sailing, personal watercraft, parasailing and water skiing. There are a couple of festivals that are worth mentioning that occur here. The Annual Pelican Festival in September celebrates the annual fall migration of the white pelicans that visit beautiful Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees! The 11th Annual Boat & Travel Show is March 14-16, 2008 featuring an in-water boat show on Grand Lake displaying boats of all sizes, including beautiful yachts as well as other travel information and suppliers. The American Heritage Music Festival takes place this June 5-7, 2008. This festival features national contests that attract clogging and fiddling competitors from across the United States.
Getting back on I-44 east, this runs right through the Peoria Indian Reservation. Continuing on to Sullivan, MO you can stop at Meramec State Park. The park opened in 1927 and includes the Meramec River and its surrounding bluffs, caves and forests. The 6,896-acre park offers year-round access to camping, picnicking and trails as well as cave tours of Fisher Cave. There is also swimming, rafting, fishing and canoeing. A park store offers raft and canoe rentals.
Continue on I-44 east to St. Louis and see the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial-or The Arch. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. During a nationwide competition in 1947-48, architect Eero Saarinen's inspired design for a 630 foot stainless steel arch was chosen as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers. This breathtaking national park reflects the spirit of the country's pioneers, and stands in tribute to Thomas Jefferson - the man whose dream inspired the spread of freedom and democracy from "sea to shining sea." No trip to St. Louis is complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch - the stunning stainless steel structure that rises from the banks of the Mississippi and is our nation's tallest monument. And of course, you’ve got to try the barbeque while you are there.
From St. Louis you can take I-70 east towards Indianapolis, IN. Take exit 37 and take state Rte. 243 south to Leiber State Recreation Area. This park offers boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, water sports and boat tours. The park is home to Cataract Falls, the largest falls in Indiana.
Traveling on to Indianapolis, you will see a great city for shopping, eating, sports, and entertainment. There are several hiking and biking paths. The Central Canal Towpath stretches for 5.23 miles and accommodates walking, hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. The Canal Walk is a portion of the Historic Central Canal and stretches through White River State Park north to 11th St. Canal Walk features a mix of old and new architecture, attractions and monuments which offer a waterside promenade for strolls, jogging, inline skating, biking and boating. Eagle Creek Park & Marina has a 1,400-acre lake, nature preserve, Earth Discovery Center, trails and park. You can rent canoes, kayaks, a Hobie Cat, sailboats, pontoon boats, wind-surfing, and pedal boats. Eagle Creek Park has groomed trails and ski rental available at the Marina for cross-country skiing. There are also boating trails. Fall Creek Canoe Trail is 10 miles in length and you can canoe or kayak this trail with your own boat. The White River Canoe Trail is 16 miles in length that you can also boat with your own canoe or kayak. The Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial pays tribute to 3,459 Medal of Honor recipients, an award given by Congress for military valor. The memorial represents 15 different conflicts, ranging from the Civil War through Somalia. Indiana's Historic National Road is our country's first federally-funded interstate highway connecting the eastern seaboard (Maryland) to the western interior (Missouri). It was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson 200 years ago with 156 miles through Indiana and was finished in 1834. Traveling along the Indiana National Road, you can see wonderful historic architecture, attractions and landmarks.
Get back on I-70 east to Columbus, OH. When you get there, you can take state Rte. 23 north to Delaware State Park a little past Delaware, OH. Dense woodlands, expansive meadows and a shimmering reservoir blend to create Delaware State Park. Once home to the Delaware Indians, this recreational area offers camping, swimming, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing for outdoor enthusiasts. Winter activities include sledding, ice fishing and cross-country skiing. You can rent boats here.
From there you can continue on state Rte. 23 to Hwy. 4, continuing north until you get to Hwy. 2 and then go west until you come to Port Clinton where you can get to Marblehead or Catawba Island on Lake Erie. This is a quaint area that does not seem to be heavily populated with tourists. East Harbor State Park sits between these two places and offers ample opportunity for outdoor fun. There’s fishing, hunting, boating, camping, swimming, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing, ice boating and cross-country skiing. Marblehead has an historic lighthouse and the oldest surviving home in Ottawa County, Ohio, the "Keeper's House", Wolcott House. Tours to the lighthouse and Wolcott House are available. Near Wolcott House you can see the War of 1812 Historic Marker, Monument and Grave Site, marking the first battle of the War of 1812. Johnson's Island Civil War POW Prison and Cemetery for Confederate Officers is another historic place. Kelleys Island is located in the western basin of Lake Erie about four miles north of Marblehead. At more than four square miles it is the largest fresh water American island in Lake Erie. A twenty minute ferry ride takes you over to the island. Tour the island by bicycle, golf cart, or stroll historic neighborhoods and view restored architectural styles, scenic treasures and natural wonders. The Glacial Grooves State Memorial is the largest and most spectacular example of glacial grooves left in the entire world. You can see a 400 by 35 foot gash of prehistoric glacial grooves left in the native limestone bedrock by the advancement of the Wisconsin glacier. There are many other great things to see and do on this island. Catawba Island was founded in 1861 and has miles of beautiful shorelines, great fishing, nature reserves and state parks. Great walleye fishing is to be found in the "Walleye Capital of the World".
Get back on Hwy 2 east to I-90 to Cleveland, OH. In Cleveland, you can take I-77 south to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Cuyahoga is one of the smaller national parks, but don’t let that fool you. There is plenty to keep you busy. They have 125 miles of park trails including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a graded biking and hiking trail. This is great as it passes through a beaver marsh and some huge blue heron rookeries. Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad through historic towns. Stroll the streets of Peninsula as they have their yearly celebration where locals wear period clothing and tell you about the canal days. Hale Farm & Village, while within the boundary of the national park, it is operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society. It is an outdoor living history museum that is just a few miles and 150 years away. The village features 21 historic buildings to tour and many talented craftspeople. There are many natural features, including waterfalls. You can also enjoy fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and ice fishing.
Traveling east again on I-90 takes you to I-79 north. Take I-79 North to exit 183B. Go West on to 12th street. At the 4th light, turn right onto Peninsula Drive (Route 832 North). Continue North on Peninsula Drive toward Presque Isle State Park. This is near Erie, Pennsylvania, right on Lake Erie. Presque Isle is a day-use park that provides year-round recreational opportunities. You will find boating options, fishing, biking, beaches, birdwatching, hiking, kayaking, picnics, rollerblading, and swimming to name a few. There are boat rentals of canoes, rowboats, kayaks, motorboats and pontoon boats as well as bicycles and surreys. You can, of course, bring your own boat.
Get back on I-90 east and you will have your choice of two different routes and scenery. You can opt to stay on I-90 east to exit 58 and take the exit road to Hwy. 5. Turn right on Hwy. 5 and when you come to Erie Road turn left and it will become Old Lake Shore Road. This will take you straight into Evangola State Park. This 733 acre park right on Lake Erie offers a good variety of attractions for families. There’s a children’s playground, tennis courts, basketball, fishing, hiking, swimming, camping, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. From here you can continue on I-90 east and stop off to see Niagara Falls by swinging around Buffalo and taking I-190 north.
The second option is to take I-90, after visiting Presque Isle State Park and then, take I-86 east to Allegany State Park. Located in western New York State, its 65,000 acres is known for its primitive forested valleys, un-glaciated landscape, fall leaves and wildlife. The largest state park in the system, it has sand beaches, picnic areas, museums, hiking trails, biking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. It’s a beautiful park located in a portion of the Appalachian Mountains that offers plenty of outdoor adventure for a weekend or a week. Another unique bragging right the park has is that the famous North Country Trail, a multi-state trail, passes through it. From the park take I-86 east to I-390 north until you can get back on I-90 east near West Henrietta, NY.
If you continue on I-90 east, there are a ton of lakes, rivers and state parks along this Interstate. Before you get to Schenectady, NY you can go north on Hwy 30 (exit 27) and this goes right through Adirondack Park, a huge park with rivers and lakes. This is by Amsterdam, NY. With 6 million acres, it surpasses Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined. A mixture of state and privately owned land, there is much to offer in this unique place. This region in Northern New York contains 3,000 ponds and lakes, 2,000 miles of hiking trails, four star resorts, almost 100 campgrounds and the Adirondack Mountains. You can hike, backpack, fish, canoe, kayak, swim or visit one of the many historical places that make up Adirondack Park.
On I-90 through Massachusetts you will also see a number of state parks that have lakes. In fact, Whitehall State Park near Woodville, MA looks like the entire park is a lake! There are plenty of places for someone with a boat. Continue on to Boston where there is lots of history and lots to do. They have some great eateries to try, kayaking on the Mystic River, or you can catch a Red Sox game. Climb to the top of Boston University's Coit Observatory and do some star gazing-it’s free on Wednesday nights at 8:30 p.m., weather permitting. Have some laughs at ImprovBoston in its new Central Square location. The cost is only $5 to $15 most nights. There’s also a chance to bike along the 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway with great picnic spots along the way. There are a lot of public gardens which are beautiful in bloom. If Jazz is your thing, stop at Wally's Cafe on Massachusetts Avenue. It’s one of the oldest family-owned jazz clubs and features live music everyday. With all the different music institutions around it, the talent there is considered some of the best in the country. Cambridge's MIT Museum has robots, holograms, and other high-tech gizmos. Adults pay $7.50 and anyone under 18 only pays $3. Jamaica Pond is a small park with a mile-long walking path and opportunities to relax fishing or boating. Sandwiched between Jamaica Plain and Brookline, you can rent sailboats or rowboats to while away a lazy afternoon. All these good ideas came from Boston.com under their travel section.
From Boston you can take I-93 north to I-95 east/north. State Rte. 1 is a more direct route north, but I’m not sure if you can get on I-95 from it. In New Hampshire you can get off of I-95 to state Rte. 4/ Rte. 16 west to stop and see Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the town of Newington. Take exit 1 off Rte 16 or Spaulding Turnpike and turn onto Pease Blvd. heading into Pease International Tradeport. Go through one stoplight to a stop sign and turn right on Arboretum Drive. Follow refuge signs for 3 miles to refuge parking lot, office and trails. A variety of rich wildlife habitats from uplands to open waters can be found throughout the refuge. It is a refuge for bald eagles, peregrine falcons, the common loon, pied-billed grebe, osprey, common tern, northern harrier, upland sandpiper, black ducks and the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Two easy hiking trails allow you to easily see the wildlife.
At this point as you travel again north on I-95, you will never be far from the coast. You could get off at several places to see the Atlantic coastline. When you reach Portland, ME, Maine’s largest city, you will find many things to excite you. There are numerous cruises that take you on a tour of the area or some of the harbor sights. Visit Henry W. Longfellow’s childhood home, built in 1786. It is open May-October. Sail on a windjammer or take a trolley ride. Explore Peaks Island, one of over 211 islands in Casco Bay. A small island, it can be easily traversed by walking or biking.
From Portland, jump on U.S. Rte. 302 and travel northwest to Sebago Lake State Park, just 30 miles away. As Maine’s deepest and second largest lake, this granite basin offers much in outdoor adventure for just about everyone. The lake is great for boating and canoeing, kayaking, power boats, sailing and fishing can be done on the Songo River and the historic Songo Lock connecting Sebago and Long lakes. Songo Lock is the last existing lock of 28 built for the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, a 50-mile corridor to the sea. Hiking, bicycling, camping, swimming, water-skiing, ranger activities and cross-country skiing are just a few of the numerous activities to be enjoyed at this 1,400 acre park.
Take U.S. Rte.302 southeast until you get to U.S. Rte. 202 north. This connects up with I-95 again not very far north by Gray, ME. When you get to Bangor, ME grab I-395 to state Rte.1A to see Acadia National Park. Whether you take pleasure in premier bird watching, hiking the assortment of trails that range over a century old, freshwater fishing, exploring islands rich with native history, biking tree-lined carriage roads, exploring the Wild Gardens of Acadia, or climbing the sea cliffs not commonly found in the United States, you’re sure to have an outdoor adventure trip not soon to be forgotten in this national park. The rugged shoreline and unique history make this a great stop-over choice.
Now I-95 north/east runs into Canada Hwy. 2 going east. Stop off in Fredericton and launch your boat in the beautiful Saint John River to get some prime boating and watch the Bald Eagles. If you continue on Hwy. 2 to Rte. 10 south, you will get to Studholm. Just past there you grab Rte. 1 east to Hwy, 114. Take 114 east until you get to Fundy National Park of Canada. Encompassing some of the last remaining wilderness in southern New Brunswick, the park consists of the Caledonia Highlands and the Bay of Fundy. The tidal fluctuation of the Bay of Fundy is the highest in the world. It is a beautiful area unlike any other with salt marshes, seaside cliffs, and tidal flats. There is hiking, camping, bird watching, mountain biking, swimming, backpacking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, winter camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Continue on 114 through the park and take it back north to Riverview where you will cross the river and take Hwy. 15 until it joins Hwy. 2 again traveling east into Nova Scotia. Hwy. 2 becomes 104 in Nova Scotia. Take 104 east to 102 south/east to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This place seems to have it all-nightlife, museums, historic sites, lighthouses, rugged shoreline, hiking trails, charming seaside towns, and sun-drenched beaches.
If this wasn’t enough travel for you, you can take Hwy. 103 out of Halifax south to Rte. 8 and visit Kejimkujik National Park of Canada, about 160 km. There are lush woodlands with a variety of wildlife, historic canoe routes, beautiful hiking trails, camping, biking, fishing, swimming, bird watching, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Visit Mill Falls and the unique geological structures caused by glaciers. This would be one park worth the extra effort to visit.
Well there you have it, a possible itinerary from San Diego to Nova Scotia. It behooves me to make a disclaimer here about the routes. I am not a professional travel guide so please check all highways listed to be sure they are accurate. I also realize that you would have to have a lot of time on your hands to be able to stop at all of these different places. But at least you now know some great places to stop at no matter if you are traveling just in your state or clear across country and I hope this has tempted you to get out and see the country!
Corie Marks, staff writer