Prada Marfa in Valentine, Texas
On my cross-country road trip, I picked up my cousin, Justin, in Dallas and we headed towards southwestern Texas in a desert town called Valentine. The drive there was beautiful, as we took Route 118 to get to Route 90. On this road, we did not see anybody for an hour and a half!
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Multnomah Falls and Angels Rest trail are two attractions at the Columbia River Gorge near Portland, Oregon. Multnomah Falls was an incredible stop along my cross-country road trip. It is the most-visited natural recreation area in the Pacific Northwest, and I understand why!
Klamath Falls
Klamath Falls is known as the gateway to Crater Lake National Park. It started to become inhabited during the Oregon Trail era in the 1800s. This small town has a lot more to offer than the time we allotted for it, but you can go hiking at nearby falls here, go shopping, and find many places to eat.
Fallon
My aunt and I drove through this town on my cross country road trip. On this leg of the trip we went from Zion National Park in Utah to Reno, Nevada. We had a random stop in Fallon, Nevada as we needed some coffee to keep us up through the long drive. We happened on a cute coffee shop called Stone Cabin Coffee that is well worth a post.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park in southwestern Utah has become one of my favorite National Parks in the U.S. In the Park, the main road from east to west goes through a 1.1 mile solid sandstone tunnel that opens up to the most magnificent scene, which is one of my top breath-taking moments. Don’t forget to stop and take pictures! Also, one of the best hikes I have ever done is on Angels’ Landing which is also in this incredible park. I visited here for my first cross-country road trip, and I also explored it multiple times while living in Salt Lake City for three months!
Page
On my cross-country road trip, my aunt and I wanted to see the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. When planning for it, my friend Ellen told us we HAD to go to Page after seeing the Grand Canyon on our route, and we HAD to see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. I had never heard of these places, but since visiting, I know I’ve seen these pictures before. This area was a highlight of our trip.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon was designated as a National Park in 1919. The Colorado River carves out this spectacular geological gorge; from top to bottom, it is about one mile high! You can hike to the bottom in about one to two days. At the bottom is a town that even has a Post Office! There are many things to do at the Grand Canyon; you can even ride a mule to the bottom, or do white water rafting along the Colorado River.
Sedona
"There is something special in Sedona, Arizona," according to my uncle. He experienced a vortex* at the Chapel of the Holy Cross. My first "ohm" picture is where his happened. Although, I think we can all say that Sedona is special; the pictures don't do it justice. I visited Sedona on my cross-country road trip; this leg of the trip was with my aunt, whom I call “Auntie.”
Tombstone
Tombstone is a classic old western town best known for the gunfight at O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. The movie, Tombstone, depicts the events surrounding this famous gunfight, with legends Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. My cousin and I visited here for a part of my cross-country road trip. This leg of the tour was from Dallas to Phoenix. Tombstone has lots of charm and things to do. I recommend spending one full day here.
Nashville
I visited Nashville on my cross-country road trip. This part of the trip was with my dad. We were so lucky that our cousins live here and showed us around!
Nashville, TN has much to offer in its downtown area, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and the famous Broadway street filled with bars/restaurants and live music. Vanderbilt University is also downtown, across the street from Centennial Park. At this park is an identical building to the Parthenon in Greece. A little farther outside of downtown is Brentwood Tennessee where you can spot Dolly Parton’s house.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is a town full of family attractions at the base of the Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee. My dad and I stayed here overnight during my cross-country road trip.
