Fifty miles north of Pinedale (population 1,200), at the end of a long dirt road, the Green River Lakes lie cradled at the base of 12,000-foot mountain peaks at the edge of the Bridger Wilderness in Bridger Teton National Forest.
Fossil Butte National Monument is known as a “Konservat-Lagerstätten” among paleontologists because the evidence it presents of prehistoric life, all at one site, is awe-inspiring. The monument provides a unique snapshot of life that was present 50 million years ago on Earth – from one of the earliest horses, Protorohippus venticolus, to tiny insects and small flowers.
It rises like a colossal claw from the ground. On a clear day, you can see it from I-90, way off in the distance (if you know where to look). This 867-foot mass of rare columned igneous rock in Crook County, Wyo., is Devil’s Tower, a beacon for climbers, hikers and adventure-seekers, as well as Northern Plains Indians, who hold the area sacred.
Whether you’re strolling the streets of Cody or perusing the five museums in town, the Wild West is proudly on full display.
Anyone who’s enjoyed a craft beer or two has most likely had a taste of Yakima’s most famous crop. Nearly 75% of the hops used in the United States come from Yakima Valley, and for beer lovers, it’s hard to beat drinking a hoppy beer in the home of American hops.
Often referred to as “three parks in one,” Olympic National Park boasts a trio of ecosystems: glacier-capped peaks, old-growth and temperate rain forests and wild Pacific coastline.
Population in the town of Metaline Falls maxed out in 1950 when it was 547, according to the U.S. Census. It may be a tiny town, but it’s a historically and geographically interesting place.
Located midway between Seattle and Portland on I-5, it’s easy to see why West Coast road trippers might stop for some grub in Centralia and keep moving along.
About an hour south of Moab and its famous Arches National Park lies the city of Monticello. It’s the second most populous city in San Juan County, but with a population of about 2,600, it’s far from metropolitan.
After spending too many weekends inside, hiding from the brutal summer in St. George, my partner and I hit the road to Kanab. Situated in the southeast corner of Utah, it’s close to a number of major attractions: Grand Canyon’s North Rim, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Lake Powell.
