Day 2: Memphis, TN to Brushy Lake, OK

Day two was a little more interesting than the previous day because we finally started seeing some new states and scenery. Memphis was super humid and full of mosquitoes- something I looked forward to leaving behind once we got out west! We crossed the Mississippi and headed west through Arkansas and on to Oklahoma.

The Mississippi River from Fort Pillow State Park.

Arkansas was not quite as exciting as I somehow thought it was, but I did get to see my first armadillo! It was dead, but it was still an armadillo!

We stayed the night at Brushy Creek State Park in Oklahoma. The campground was right on the lake and we pulled up just in time for sunset!

The night sky at Brushy Creek.

Day One – Fairview, NC to Memphis, TN

Today was a pretty boring day. We spent all but the first 20 minutes of the trip in Tennessee. I’ve been to Nashville a million times, so the scenery up to there was nothing new. And really, Everything past there was equally boring. We stayed the night at Fort Pillow State Park and drifted off to sleep with the peaceful pitter-patter of rain on the tent and the rumble of thunder. Okay, so really it was more like the downpour of rain and crash of thunder, but hey, what’s an Atkins camping trip without lots of rain?

Portland, Oregon

Portland Art Museum - Experience the power of art at the Portland Art Museum. Find out why the Museum is internationally renowned for exciting art experiences. Tour the world through magnificent permanent collection galleries, six stories of modern art, and more, all in the heart of the city’s cultural district on the beautiful Park Blocks.

Portland Saturday Market. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawrenceteo/

Fort Vancouver National Park – Nestled snugly today in the Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area and enveloped by its highway, rail, air, and maritime commercial networks, Fort Vancouver is a gem of a park whose story as an economic and cultural center – told, in part, through engaging programs and a world-class archaeology collection – fascinatingly portends that of the modern-day Pacific Northwest.

Portland Saturday Market – Join us for a distinctive Portland experience at the nation’s largest weekly open-air arts and crafts market. Stroll down row upon row of unique arts and crafts created by the people who sell them. Listen to live local music and enjoy a plethora of exotic foods in our international food pavilion.

Pittock Mansion – Nestled high in the West Hills of Portland, Pittock Mansion soars 1,000 feet above the city’s skyline. A century old symbol of Portland’s dramatic transformation from a small lumber town to a bustling city, it’s an architectural wonder. With picture perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges and mountaintops—and 23 storied rooms teeming with treasures—no other place in town offers a more breathtaking view and more revealing glimpse of Portland’s past.

Oregon Zoo – Visitors of all ages will enjoy this fine Oregon attraction, exhibiting about 1,880 species of animals,  270 species of birds, reptiles and mammals.

The Oregon Garden. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/38662596@N03/

The Oregon Garden – Discover The Oregon Garden, the Northwest’s premier display garden. Stroll or ride the tram through this 80-acre botanical wonder, which showcases thousands of plants in more than 20 colorful specialty gardens. Discover amazing water features, garden art, a unique display of conifers, the 400-year-old Signature Oak tree, wetlands, wildlife, a playful garden just for children and the Gordon House designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Historic Inns of Charleston, South Carolina

In the heart of Charleston we find the Indigo Inn, full of 19th century charm.  The inn was once a warehouse for a company that sold indigo, a plant first commercially grown in Charleston and used for blue dye.  This warehouse was built in 1850, and later renovated to be the current inn around 1979.  Today, each of the 40 guest rooms is furnished and decorated with reproductions of the decor of the 1800s.

Indigo Inn. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bein_korean

Although guests may feel as if they are in bygone days, they are treated with the luxuries of the present  day.  Each room is complete with a luxurious bath and vanity.  A generous breakfast is served every morning, complete with a complementary newspaper which guests often enjoy at the inn’s private courtyard.  Each afternoon,  hors d’ oeuvres and beverages are served to guests as well.

The Indigo Inn is conveniently located in close proximity to great Charleston attractions such as the open air market, historic churches and mansions, and fine dining.  The inn staff is available to help guests customize their tour of the city to include exactly what they want to see.  Guests can even catch a trolley or carriage ride to view Charleston in its historic spirit.

Boasting to possess Charleston’s southern charm and old time elegance, the Indigo Inn is the perfect spot to enjoy your visit to such a historical city.  Online, potential guests can take a  360 degree tour of the inn’s tranquil courtyard, queen rooms, double rooms, and deluxe double rooms.

Our next historic inn of Charleston is The Jasmine House Inn, an 1840s Greek Revival mansion.  The house is located in the Ansonborough area of historic Charleston where it is tucked away from the noise and confusion of the streets, but still within easy walking distance of all the great Charleston attractions and sites.

Guests have a choice of staying in one of the six oversized rooms in the main house, or in one of the four rooms at the carriage house directly behind the inn.  The main house rooms are styled with period antiques and reproduction furnishings, while the carriage house rooms are English-country themed.  The inn rooms are laden with a variety of amenities and luxuries including  Italian marble bathrooms, private piazzas, hardwood floors, gas fireplaces, and double Jacuzzis.  Carriage house rooms are pleasantly named to reflect the character of the paint and furnishings within, such as the Mandarin Room and Chrysanthemum Room.  Nearby is the peaceful courtyard where guests can relax and enjoy complementary wine.

Potential guests should check The Jasmine House Inn’s website to find guest packages, information about annual events, and a virtual tour of the piazza, a carriage house room, and a room in the inn’s main house.

St. Louis, Missouri

Explore St. Louis…

Busch Stadium. Photo by Julie Atkins

Busch Stadium – Home of the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball team.

Riverboats on the Mississippi – Take a ride down the Mississippi River on a historic replica riverboat.

Museum of Westward Expansion – Explore the west the American Indians and the 19th century pioneers like Lewis and Clark through exciting exhibits.

View of the historic courthouse and the arch from a neighboring park. Photo by Julie Atkins.

Old Courthouse – One of St. Louis’ most prominent architectural landmarks, and the location of the Dread Scott case along with many others.

The Gateway Arch – Visit the 630 foot stainless steel Gateway Arch that represents St. Louis’ role as the gateway to the West.

Northwestern Montana

Hot Springs – As unique as nature can make them, the hot springs dotting Western Montana’s streams offer an unforgettable experience any season of the year. Some are accompanied by luxurious resorts. Others… well, you may have to ask the locals how to get there.

St. Mary Lake, Glacier National Park. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenoachs/

Glacier National Park – Come and experience Glacier’s pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, transportation, and stories of Native Americans. Explore Glacier National Park and discover what awaits you.

Ghost Towns – During the late 1850s prospectors discovered the first significant Montana gold strike at Benatsee Creek, north of the Deer Lodge Valley. By the turn of the century thriving boomtowns were scattered throughout the state. When the gold disappeared, so did the people. What remains of the once wild and roaring mining camps are a number of historic Ghost Towns.

Lodgepole Gallery and Tipi Village – Experience Blackfeet culture: Visit our fine art gallery, which represents Blackfeet artists or stay overnight in our tipicamp. Schedule a cultural history tour, an art workshop, or order traditional dinner. Visitors from all over the world have been enjoying our unique cultural setting.

Going to the Sun Road at Glacier National Park. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonjazz/

Scenic Byways – In Montana you’ll find 147,000 square miles of terrain and about 69,000 miles of public highways and roads! You’re invited to explore some or all on your visit to Big Sky country. Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail, the Trail of the Great Bear or try one of the regional scenic loop drives. Find out why Lewis and Clark described Montana as, “scenes of visionary enchantment,” and among the prairies, mountain ranges, and ghost towns expect to see a variety of two and four legged creatures.

St. Augustine, Florida

Colonial Spanish Quarter – A living history museum depicting the life of Spanish Soldiers and their families in 1740 St. Augustine. Visitors will see the blacksmith, carpenter, leather work and other crafts of the 18th century. Houses where the soldiers and their families lived, gardened and prepared food are also depicted.

Magnolia Avenue. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/vyc0r/

Magnolia Avenue – This street has been labeled, “one of the most beautiful streets in America” by National Geographic Magazine.  The live oaks on the eastern side of the street, blown by the prevailing winds, create a graceful arch over the street. 

Marineland – Marineland, the world’s first oceanarium, invites you to join them in creating your own lasting memories at the Dolphin Conservation Center, the 1.3 million gallon series of dolphin habitats. Choose from a variety of interactive programs which range from those where land loving guests can enjoy dolphins up-close, through those which offer the opportunity to glide into the dolphins’ aquatic world from a sloping beach to swim with Marineland’s gentle residents. Experience these amazing animals for yourself. General admission guests are able to view the dolphins through 6 by 10 foot acrylic windows as they swim, play, and interact with guests in programs, alongside the pristine Atlantic coastline.

Fountain of Youth – On April 3, 1513, Ponce de Leon discovered the continent of North America and the spring which he hoped was his Fountain of Youth. The archaeological park contains foundations and artifacts of the first St. Augustine mission and colony. Enjoy the Landmark Spring, Cross of Discovery, the first North American excavated Christian Indian burials, Explorers Globe and Navigator’s Planetarium.

First Friday Art Walk – Something artsy’s afoot in America’s Oldest City. The first Friday of each month, St. Augustine becomes a colorful festival of art and revelry. Whether you’re a serious collector or a casual browser, gallery owners welcome you to stroll the city’s brick-lined streets. Enjoy live entertainment while popping in to peruse everything from fine art photography to funky gifts.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – The Castillo de San Marcos, built 1672-1695, has long protected the city of St. Augustine. The Castillo has been used under Spanish, American and British forces and was made a National Monument in 1924. The Castillo de San Marcos grounds are open to the public and historical tours of the interior of this National Park are available.

St. Augustine Lighthouse – Climb the lighthouse, explore St. Augustine’s maritime museum, and learn about the importance of this beacon in the history of the United States’ oldest port city.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas Museum of Art – With a permanent collection that ranges from impressionist paintings to contemporary sculpture, and representing the world’s many artistic heritages, the 100-year-old Dallas Museum of Art is a world-class art museum located in downtown Dallas. The building itself offers unhindered views of the downtown skyline from outdoor gardens, waterfalls and grassy areas.

Conspiracy Museum – A Dallas museum built for skeptics and conspiracy theorists everywhere, Dallas¹ Conspiracy Museum (a left-leaning Dallas attraction) tackles the questions behind the propaganda, implicating far-reaching plots driving the JFK, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinations with documentation and persuasively subversive arguments, photography and film footage.

Deep Ellum – A bohemian enclave in Dallas, Deep Ellum is a funky and eclectic mix of shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in what was once an impoverished warehouse district in Dallas. One of Dallas’ top attractions, Deep Ellum is alive with graffiti art coloring the walls and a big slice of humanity carousing the streets of Deep Ellum shopping, drinking and eating.

The Sixth Floor Museum – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy; interprets and supports the Dealey Plaza National Historical Landmark District and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza; and presents contemporary culture within the context of presidential history.

Fountain Place – Fountain Place is a dramatically sculpted 1.2 million-square-foot office tower of green reflective glass rising 60 stories from a tree-lined water garden at Ross Avenue and Field Street in downtown Dallas. A symbol of superior architecture, Fountain Place rises out of an oasis of fountains, pools, trees and flowers on the northern edge of the Dallas central business district.

Dallas Heritage Village – Dallas Heritage Village, the premier living history museum in the Southwest, depicts life in Dallas from 1840 -1910. With a stunning view of the Dallas skyline, rental buildings on 13 acres include a 4,000-square-foot pavilion, country church, saloon, rustic school house and elegant 10- room historic home.

Buffalo, New York

Anchor Bar - Visit the undisputed home of the original Buffalo Chicken Wing.

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site – The site offers guided tours of the Ansley Wilcox home, the historic house in which Roosevelt was inaugurated as our 26th president in 1901.

Darwin D. Martin House – Considered Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest “Prairie House,” this five-structure complex was designed and built from 1903 to 1905. The 362 art glass windows, a Wright trademark, along with his horizontal lines and sharp angles, are pleasing to Wright novices and devotees alike.

Niagra Falls State Park – For generations, the majestic beauty and humbling power of Niagara Falls State Park has fostered a sense of awe and wonder. Through the years, countless people have enjoyed the sparkling scenery of the falls, making the Niagara Falls vacation spot a favorite for the whole family.
Michigan Street Baptist Church - The building was erected in 1845 and became a legendary Underground Railroad station, providing sanctuary for hundreds of freedom seekers before they crossed the border to freedom in Canada. It was a central meeting place for abolitionists and anti-lynching activists. Over the years, Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington each graced its sanctuary.

Albright-Knox Art Gallery- An outstanding center of modern and contemporary art, the Albright-Knox collection belongs among the world’s top international surveys of 20th century painting and sculpture.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Tantalus Rainforest – Travel north of Honolulu through the 2,013 foot Tantalus Rainforest and the Mountain. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Honolulu skyline below and the lush rainforest abundance surrounding you on this hillside of wildlife, flowers and trees of guava, banana, eucalyptus and ginger.

‘Iolani Palace State Monument – A Hawaiian national treasure and the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, `Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs–King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili`uokalani.  The palace is now open to visitors and offers guided tours.

Hanauma Bay. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/29469448@N03/

Hanauma Bay – The snorkeling is spectacular: live coral, many brilliant tropical fish and sea turtles to be experienced up close.  This venue is perfect for amateur and experienced snorkelers alike – the bay is protected on three sides by the surrounding cliffs so the water is calm and clear.

International Market Place – The International Market Place has been an island tradition for years upon years.  Within 130 carts, shops, and artisan stands, this open-air setting in the heart of Waikiki remains a must-see-and-do for that special gift or souveniour.  Take time to talk with the local crasftspeople, and snap a photo by a cascading waterfall under a century-old banyan.  The International Food Court offers a variety of local and international cuisine, plus free Hawaiian enternainment five nights a week.

Waikiki Beach. Photo by Julie Atkins.

Waikiki Beach – Hawaiian for “Sprouting Water”, this is one of the most famous beaches in the world. The two mile stretch of white sand coast is fronted by hotels and tourist facilities. The area is excellent for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, catamaran and outrigger canoe rides.

Pearl Harbor – The USS Arizona Memorial, a National Park Service site, spans more than 10.5 acres and is located on the Pearl Harbor Navy Base on Oahu. The USS Arizona Memorial was constructed to honor American servicemen and civilians who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, on December 7, 1941.  The memorial consists of a visitor center, which houses several self-guided exhibits and attractions, including a museum, bookstore, a waterfront exhibit allowing visitors to visualize the events of December 7, a remembrance exhibit, and two theaters where visitors can see a 23-minute documentary on the attack of Pearl Harbor.  The USS Arizona, which is the final resting place for the majority of the ship’s 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack, and the memorial are located in the waters of the harbor and can be accessed by visitors via park boats.

The submerged USS Arizona from its memorial. A Pearl Harbor battleship and Honolulu are in the distance. Photo by Julie Atkins.

Nu’uanu Pali State Park – This place will blow you away, literally! Located at Nuuanu Pali State Park, the lookout overlooks the 985-foot cliffs of the Koolau Mountain Range and is extremely windy.  The trade winds blow through the valley between the high mountains on either side, forming a strong wind tunnel of sorts. On extra windy days, you can even lean into the wind and let the gusts hold you up.

Dole Pineapple Plantation – Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience” in 1989.  Today, Dole Plantation is one of Oahu’s most popular visitor attractions and welcomes more than 1 million visitors every year.

Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Julie Atkins.

Diamond Head – The unique profile of Diamond Head (Le’ahi) sits prominently near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. Hawaii’s most recognized landmark is known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater.

Turtle Bay – Turtle Bay marks the entrance to the legendary North Shore, one of the most scenic strips of Oahu’s coastline. The bay is named after the large number of green sea turtles that  inhabit the area.  The turtles often come up to the beach to sun themselves while volunteers work around the clock to keep them protected.  Most people come to Turtle Bay for diving, surfing and snorkeling.