I have been to the Gateway Arch twice, and I have never been up it. The first time, I just did not feel the desire to. The second time I had Tootsie with me and could not have gone up anyway. I am sure there is great storytelling up there. I am sure the views are extraordinary. People clearly [...]
I have never been inside the Washington Monument. I lived in Washington for years. I went to college there. I have driven past it, biked past it and walked around it more times than I could count. And I have never once been to the top. That is the classic hometown problem. You do not do the tourist [...]
My experience The Capitol is my favorite place in Washington, DC. When I was in college I would go at night and sit on the Capitol steps, when the rest of the Mall was basically empty. Usually after I had been studying, or when I needed a break. This was before they had the barricades. Sitting [...]
My experience The Lincoln Memorial sits opposite the Capitol. It is like Lincoln is watching over the business of America. I think it is one of the more iconic spots in Washington, DC, and certainly the busiest. Have patience for the lines and the activity — and know that this is also a common place for [...]
My experience One of my favorite things to do in Washington, DC is walk around the monuments at night. They are so peaceful. The crowds are usually gone, and you can stand there and reflect on the meaning of each statue and the story of this amazing country. It was on one of those nights that I first [...]
My experience Frances Perkins was a pitstop. I was driving the coast of Maine, and this one was on my list because a historian I had met put it there. She was well versed in Frances Perkins and the impact she had on this country, and she told me to go. The stop is unassuming. A small sign [...]
George Washington Birthplace National Monument is a great spot to explore while visiting the Northern Neck of Virginia. As you walk through the grounds, you are transported to another time and can imagine what life may have been like for George growing up.
Pompeys Pillar is a place I keep going back to. When I am in Montana it is one of the stops I end up making, and the reason is simple: it is an easy adventure with a lot of history in it. It sits just off I-94, about twenty-five miles east of Billings — a break in the [...]
Val-Kill cottage in Hyde Park, New York—Eleanor Roosevelt's personal refuge and the place she called her own. What to expect and stop at FDR Home next door.
I've dusted off journals to share more details about parks and attractions that I visited during my year-long sabbatical. In September 2020, I traveled from New York City north to Hyde Park, New York. It was challenging to be in New York City during Covid. When I caved and bought a car, it provided me with the freedom to [...]
Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas — Bathhouse Row, the healing springs you can drink from, hiking trails, and why this is the most unusual park in the country. Everything you need to plan your visit.
I have been to Mount Rushmore about half a dozen times. It is genuinely incredible to stand in front of. It is also very busy, and there is a lot going on — you arrive, you come through the gate, there are shops, and then there is a long walkway lined with flags leading you toward the mountain. [...]
