Mount McKinley, Alaska

Mount McKinley (photo: Cecil Sanders)

Alaska is considered by most to be the final frontier in America, and has stunning views of landscapes that can take one’s breath away. The wildlife can be a delightful sight because you may see caribou, moose, and even a grizzly bear or two roaming around the these magnificent environments. Many visitors come to Alaska to enjoy recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking or just sightseeing. Alaska dazzles and inspires guests with all it has to offer, but one in particular, Denali National Park, has many excited.

Denali National Park is best know for Mount McKinley or Denali (Koyukon Athabaskan for "The High One"), which is the highest mountain in North America. “Denali, with 20,156 feet (6,144 meters) of prominence, is the third most prominent mountain in the world, with only Mount Everest and Aconcagua having more prominence” (1). It still gains 1 millimeter of height every year. The mountain grows by the convergence of the North American and Pacific Plates. The sight of this mountain and all its wonders will be something that you will not soon forget.

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References:

(1) about.com

National Parks

Experiencing a National Park and all its wonders is something that many people want to do in their lifetime. Seeing the untamed wilderness, as it was in centuries past, really brings joy to the visitors who travel to these magnificent parks. They want to see the natural beauty of America that has not only been protected for them and their children to enjoy but future generations as well.

Yellowstone National Park

Conservation is considered the main focus within these parks. “There is a common idea: the conservation of wild nature for posterity and as a symbol of national pride” (1). Having these parks protects not only natural areas but native wildlife as well. The first National Park created was in the United States of America, and its name is Yellowstone National Park (1872). “Hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have been documented, including several that are either endangered or threatened” (3). It is important to have these parks to conserve the natural order of the different ecosystems, which provides a healthy environment for the wildlife.

Having these park areas also provides the opportunity for visitors to engage in recreation. There are many recreational opportunities for visitors including sightseeing, camping, boating, fishing, and hiking. These are just some of the things that make Yellowstone and other National Parks great places to travel to and explore.

Answer in the comments.

Which of the National Parks would you enjoy visiting and why?

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References

(1) Europarc Federation (eds.) 2009, Living Parks, 100 Years of National Parks in Europe, Oekom Verlag, Munchen

(2) "History of the National Parks". Association of National Park Authorities. Retrieved 17 June 2013.

(3) "Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Retrieved 2013-06-17.

Mark Twain House

There is a three-story mansion in Hartford, Connecticut that was home to a man by the name of Samuel Clemens, but you may know him by another name. Mark Twain, the author famous for works such as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. The man who created such fantastic tales that fed our imaginations and breathed life into characters we all could relate to. Twain in fact created some famous works from the comforts of his home in Connecticut.

Mark Twain resided in this home for 17 years (1874-1891). The house contains bedrooms, nursery, playroom/classroom and more. The top floor included a billiards room and a writing desk. This is where Twain worked late into the nights writing and crafting his literary art. With the home’s beautiful Victorian Gothic architecture and rare Tiffany pieces, it has a charm and wonder about it. Today, the Mark Twain house is a popular museum that many visitors come to check out as they are traveling through Connecticut.

Join Christian Tours for Cape Cod & Islands of New England to experience the Mark Twain House and much more.

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Alpine – Bavarian Wonders

Just one glimpse of Neuschwanstein Castle can get your imagination running wild. It is as if you are leaving reality and stepping into a fairy tale world. Did you know that it inspired Walt Disney and the design of his theme park castle? From the architecture to the stunning view from the palace grounds, it is easy to see why this destination is one of the most visited and photographed locations in all of Europe.

Photo: Nicolas Sanchez

Neuschwanstein is located in Bavaria close to the town of Fussen. The castle was constructed in the 1800s, despite its medieval looking architecture and design. It belonged to King Ludwig II, and was being constructed as his personal retreat. Ludwig II wanted to build a magnificent palace to escape the pressures of public life. Ludwig desired his privacy, and wanted a place to get away from people in general. The irony is that shortly after Ludwig II’s death people were allowed to visit and tour the palace. Today just over one million visitors come to tour Neuschwanstein annually. They come to experience the wonders it has as if it was straight out of a fantasy story or fairy tale.

Answer in the comments. When you see it, what does Neuschwanstein Castle bring to mind?

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Amish Back Roads

Have you ever considered visiting Amish country? Christian Tours will get you there, and you will be traveling through the beautiful Amish back roads. Many of the Amish live in Pennsylvania today, and they speak Pennsylvania German (also known as Pennsylvania Dutch), and they are part of the pride of America. Amish history is something that has been woven into fabric of America from the very beginning. From the charming farmlands to the level of craftsmanship found in their furniture and quilts, the Amish take pride in their simple lifestyle.

Photo Credit: Mellonee Owenby

One example of Amish tradition would be a quilting bee. This would be considered a social gathering, where friends and family would socialize while working to complete their quilts in a timelier manner. There are also times when these gatherings turn into a competition, and this would be done to determine which individual or team could complete their quilt first. This is just one aspect of the Amish culture that people find interesting.

People in the world look at the Amish with interest because they wonder how they live in a separate community from modern society. They can only imagine what it must be like to give up modern convenience such as computers and automobiles. The Amish are known for plain clothes and their rejection of modern technology, so take a step back to a simpler time when people depended on a horse drawn buggy as a main means of transportation. Experience the beauty of the Amish countryside and all that it entails.

What do you find the most interesting about the Amish?

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