where there are life-sized models of wooly mammoths in a museum that was built over an archeological dig site where several mammoths were found.  What is really cool about this museum is that they have an area where a dig is actually in the process, so you can see real bones that are partially uncovered.  Lastly, is the Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and of course Mount Rushmore to name some of the interesting sites to see. 

In 1923 as an attempt to bring more people to the area by carving western heroes into a mountain, a state historian got Congress to pass legislation allowing this to occur passed.  The original site was not capable of supporting the carvings.  So, the current site was chosen not only because of the stability of the rock it was formed of but also because it was the tallest mountain in the region.  It stands at a whopping 5725 feet above sea level.  It wasn’t until after a site was picked that the heroes who were to be carved were decided on.  That is how the four presidents who had a monumental affect on the shaping of the United States came to be carved into the side of a mountain.

On October 4, 1927, Gutzon Borglum began carving along with a team of up to 400.  Dynamite was used to remove rock from the mountain until only a thin layer of granite remained.  That final layer was removed by a process called “honeycombing” and then smoothed with a bumper tool.  George Washington was carved first; then, Thomas Jefferson was started next to him, when bad cracking occurred Jefferson was blasted off and started on the other side of Washington.  Washington’s face was dedicated in1934, Jefferson’s in 1936, Abraham Lincoln’s face in1937, and the final, Theodore Roosevelt’s in 1939.  Finishing touches continued for several more years.  Borglum died suddenly in March, 1941.  His son, Lincoln, continued with the work until funding ran out in October the same year.     

Originally there was a plan for a massive panel in the shape of the Louisiana Purchase to be added to the mountain.  Although this project began in 1923 as a state venture, in 1933, the Memorial came under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.  In 1937, Congress voted on a bill to include additional busts to the mountainside.  The bill was passed on an appropriations bill that stated that federal funds would only be available for the faces that were already started.  Although this project began in 1923 as a South Dakota state venture, in 1933, the Memorial came under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.  When finished, this project cost just under 1 million dollars.

(2009). Devils tower. Retrieved from http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/home/thingstodo/parksmonuments/nationalparks/devilstowernationalmonument/dtfeesfacilitiesprograms

(2008). The Mammoth site. Retrieved from http://www.mammothsite.com/

(n.d.). Create your own legend. Retrieved from http://inkido.indiana.edu/oregon/legend.html

(2009). South dakota black hills and badlands. Retrieved from http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/

(2008). Crazy horse memorial. Retrieved from http://www.crazyhorsememorial.org/about/

(2002, January 9). Pleides. Retrieved from http://reductionism.net.seanic.net/bruce.gary/AstroPhotos/PLEIDES/pleides.htm

(2009, October 11). Mount rushmore. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rushmore

(2004, August 2). Carving history. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/archive/moru/park_history/carving_hist/carving_history.htm

(2009, September 23). Mount rushmore. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm

(2009, October 11). Mount rushmore. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rushmore#cite_note-SDTourism-13

(2009). Mount rushmore national memorial. Retrieved from http://www.mountrushmoreinfo.com/

(n.d.). Mt. rushmore trivia. Retrieved from http://www.mtrushmore.net/

(2001). People & events: gutson borglum. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rushmore/peopleevents/p_gborglum.html

(2004, June 15). The Four presidents. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/archive/moru/park_history/carving_hist/the_four_pres.htm

(2009). History. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/history/history/

(2009, October 20). South dakota. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota

   were everywhere, at times blocking the roadway, but no one seemed to mind.  It was a welcome traffic jam as it was.  There was a sign near a group of tall trees that stated you would be fined if you stopped in this area and later we saw why.  There was a nest of bald eagles in this tree. It was a totally awesome site.  It was easy to tell where the next wildlife site would be, because there would be cars stopped and all of their occupants peering out to see the amazing animals.  The wildlife of Yellowstone was nothing short of amazing.  There is said to be 67 different types of mammals living in the park.  We only saw a small portion of them but they were still very interesting.

It was not uncommon to see moose and elk grazing near one of the area boardwalks around the many geological wonders, or even walking across these areas.  The next area of the wonder in Yellowstone was the numerous geological sites within the park.  There are abundant amounts of bubbling, steamy, and sulfur smelly wonders in the park.  Our children constantly complained of the smell, but the beauty far outweighed any bad smells.  There are many walks around the bubbling mud pits in the park and it truly is a wonder of nature.  Yellowstone allows its visitors to see volcanic earth in action.  In addition to the multiple mud pits the park offers visitors a view of tons of geysers including the famous Old Faithful Geyser, which is named for its predicable eruption schedule.  I had assumed that since the geysers, even the smaller ones, had sprayed due to volcanic force that the temperature of the mist would be on the warmer side.  Exactly the opposite was true, the mist was quite refreshing and cool.

There is also the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which does not compare to the real Grand Canyon in Arizona, but it is still a spectacular view.  It is easy to see why the park has so many visitors each year.  I for one can’t wait to go back and would love to be able to see the park in the winter season. There was a series on the Discovery Channel about Yellowstone in winter and was truly an amazing site, something I hope to do very soon.

The history of Yellowstone is extremely interesting.  11,000 years ago the area was home to many groups of Native Americans, who used the area as their home, hunting and fishing grounds and transportation routes.  This land was their home until around 200 years ago when the first Europeans came into the area.  A young country that was less than 100 years old saw the wisdom and foresight to preserve this natural area for future generations to enjoy.  For this reason it is easy to see why this area was picked as the United States’ first National Park  in 1872.

I highly urge everyone to go and see Yellowstone!

(2006). National park trips. Retrieved from http://www.yellowstonepark.com/

(2009, October 1). Yellowstone volcano observatory. Retrieved from http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/

(2009). Yellowstone national park. Retrieved from http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_park/wy_yello.htm

(2009, October 29). Yellowstone national park. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_National_Park

(2009, October 14). Yellowstone . Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

(2007). Yellowstone national park.com. Retrieved from http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/

(2009, October 22). Yellowstone caldera. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_Caldera

Gourley, Bruce. (2007). Old faithful geyser. Retrieved from http://www.yellowstone.net/geysers/geyser11.htm

(2009). Anerican buffalo: spirit of the nation. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/american-buffalo-spirit-of-a-nation/introduction/2183/

(2003, December 15). Sulfur. Retrieved from http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/16.html

(2007, May 2). Grand canyon national park. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/grandcanyon/index.htm

(2009, October 29). Native americans in the united states. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States

(n.d.). Theodore roosevelt. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/TheodoreRoosevelt/

Millions of years ago Redwoods grew as far east as Wyoming.  When the climate in those areas became drier and cooler, those conditions were not suitable for the trees.  Currently the only place they grow is on a narrow strip of land that runs along the Pacific Coast of Northern California.  The trees have learned to adapt to the current climate by absorbing the moisture from the fog to survive through rainless periods.   There are many Redwood forests in California.  The Redwoods are considered to be the tallest living things on the planet.  They are known to grow to 300 to 350 feet tall and 16 to 18 feet across.  My family can attest to the fact that they are huge around.  The five of us, the youngest being 14, stood with arms outstretched, holding hands and were not able to close our circle around the base of the tree.  While we were walking among the wonderful trees we could look up and it seemed as though they went on forever; the sky was miles and miles away.  Every time we thought we had seen the largest tree ever in existence we would continue walking and find an even bigger one.   

After spending the night at a local campground, in the morning we headed south, further into California and to Sequoia National Forest.  These trees are closely related to the Redwoods, but are a different species.  Once again we were in awe of the gargantuan trees.  The giant sequoias only grow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains which is near the center of the state.  These trees are so big that when one fell across a roadway that is located inside the park it was easier to cut a section of it away, creating a tunnel, than it was to completely remove it.  

While we were there we toured the area and enjoyed the displays that were set up within the park.  There was a slice of a tree that had been cut down on display that showed all of the weather conditions that had occurred within its lifetime.  By the way that the rings grew and were formed scientists could tell if the year had been rainy or dry, or even if there was fire nearby that year.  These trees have been around for many years with the oldest being reported as over 3,000 years old.  One of these slices is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.  In 1891, this slice was cut from a 331 foot tall tree that was 90 feet in diameter.  The annual rings shown are 1342; the slice itself is 16 feet 5 inches across and weighs 9 tons. 

There is a certain tree that is fenced off with an explanation nearby.  General Sherman, as the tree is known, is the largest tree by volume on record.  The records on this massive tree have it standing just under 275 feet tall and just over 102 feet in circumference. 

Sequoia National Park was named as the second U.S. national park in 1890.

(2009). Redwood national park. Retrieved from http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Redwood/Redwood2.html

Beverly, N. (2009). Facts on redwood forest trees. Retrieved from http://www.trails.com/list_2093_redwood-forest-trees.html

(n.d.). Coast redwood forest . Retrieved from http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/redwood-forest

(n.d.). The Coatal redwood forest. Retrieved from http://www.sempervirens.org/theredwoodforest.htm

 (2009). Redwood forest in california. Retrieved from http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/topcalifornia/a/redwood_forests.htm

(2009). Do the redwood coast right. Retrieved from http://www.discovertheredwoods.com/

(2009). Redwood national park. Retrieved from http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_park/ca_redwo.htm

(2009, October 15). Redwood national and state parks. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_National_and_State_Parks

(2008). California’s redwood coast. Retrieved from http://redwoods.info/

(2007, July 19). Crater lake national park. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/archive/crla/home.htm

(2009, October 27). Pacific ocean. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ocean

(2009, October 23). Sequoia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoia

(2009, May 7). Sequoia national forest. Retrieved from http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/gsnm.html

(2009, October 28). Sequoia national forest. Retrieved from http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/

Flint, W. (2003, February 13). The Giant sequoia forest masterpiece. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/bigtrees.htm

(n.d.). Giant sequoia . Retrieved from http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/expeditions/treasure_fossil/Treasures/Giant_Sequoia/sequoia.html

 (2009). Big tree slice. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/islespunkfan/3020987524/in/set-72157607549870266/

Dilsaver, L. M., Tweed, W. C. (2004, July 12). Challenge of the big trees. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/dilsaver-tweed/index.htm

The drive to the Grand Canyon was a pretty good one; nice scenery along the way.  We first settled into the campground so we could unhitch the trailer and wouldn’t be too long to be able to mange within the park.  We all rushed to get set up since we were anxious to see the Grand Canyon.  It was almost sundown when we first arrived; I can still remember my first sight of it.  I truly don’t believe that words can do it justice.  Saying it was breathtaking is not enough, maybe combined with it was jaw dropping, it was awesome, it was unbelievable begins to be almost right.  All of us just stood and stared for a good 15 to 20 minutes without moving.  That alone should say a lot since it is next to impossible to get teenagers to ever be quiet.   

We stayed for 3 nights so we were able to go back over and over.  We visited the Grand Canyon Railway, although we did not take a trip on it.  We also thought of taking a mule ride down into the canyon, but decided that it wasn’t really fair to the mules since the temperatures were in the 90s.  One day we took the bus which travels along the south rim and has a variety of stops which you can get on and off whenever you wish, allowing you to walk and take your time at any of the stops.  We returned on the evening before we were leaving and positioned ourselves to have a great sunset view and stayed until the sun was completely gone from sight.   

The South Rim, which is open year round, offers the easiest access for those traveling by car.  Although the North Rim is much more difficult to reach, it is still visited by many.  The North Rim has its road closed from late October to mid May of each year due to heavy snow fall; this also influences its number of visitors.  

The size alone makes the Canyon phenomenal.  It is a steep-sided gorge that was carved by the Colorado River, the carving has taken over 5 million years.  It is one mile deep, ranges from 4 to 18 miles wide, and is 277 miles long.  There are too many trails to even count, which allow you to explore the canyon.  They start from both the North and South Rim.  By taking a 2 to 3 day hike, a strenuous 21 miles, some trails will get from one rim to the other.  There is both hotel lodging and camping available inside the park, but they are usually booked long in advance. 

(2009, October 19). Grand canyon. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

(2009). Las vegas chamber of commerce. Retrieved from http://www.lvchamber.com/

(2009, August 11). Nevada, primm. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primm,_Nevada

(2009, October 15). Grand canyon. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/index.htm

(n.d.). Grand canyon railway. Retrieved from http://www.thetrain.com/

Southwest media communications, llc, . (2009). Grand canyon national park service. Retrieved from http://www.thecanyon.com/webpage.php/swmc/webpages/nps

Ribokas, B. (2009). Grand canyon explorer the geology of the grand canyon. Retrieved from http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/geology/gc_geol.htm

(2009, October 29). Grand canyon. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon

Crossley, J. (n.d.). Grand canyon national park. Retrieved from http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/grand_canyon/national_park.html

Netcom Interactive, . (2009). Skywalk engineering. Retrieved from http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/engineering.html

 (2009, October 3). Grand canyon national park. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon_National_Park

(n.d.). National geographic visitor center. Retrieved from http://www.explorethecanyon.com/index.cfm

It was quite a long drive if I do say so myself.  The worst part of the drive was that there were no actual sites; it was just woods and fields for the most part, occasionally there would be a house, but nothing else.   Once we entered Oregon there were tons and tons of pine trees.  They were on both sides of the road and were as deep as could be seen.  When we entered the National Park, we followed a long, winding, narrow roadway that was a steady incline.  Upon reaching the rim of the lake we noticed that the grassy areas were covered with snow.  This was very strange to all of us since it was the middle of July and the temperatures had been in the 80s.  Where we come from that usually means snow is long gone. 

When we parked and left the van we were able to see the lake and what a beautiful lake it was.  The water was the very bluest of blue, a color I have never seen before or since.  Once we got onto the lookout that was at the edge of the lake we were able to look down into the lake.  Since the water was such a deep, rich, blue it was almost see through.  We could look into the water and see for what seemed like forever, but you could not see the bottom of course. 

Crater Lake has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty.

So, now we get into the facts and a bit of history about this beautiful lake.  Crater Lake is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles (160 km) east of the Pacific Ocean. It lies inside a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot (3,660 meter) high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption.

The lake was first discovered by white explorers in June of 1853 when three gold prospectors came upon a long, sloping mountain. Upon reaching its highest point, a huge, awe-inspiring lake was visible. “This is the bluest lake we’ve ever seen,” they reported, and named it Deep Blue Lake.  Bust gold was more on the minds of settlers at the time and the discovery was soon forgotten.

Captain Clarence Dutton was the next man to make a discovery at Crater Lake. Dutton commanded a U.S. Geological Survey party which carried the Cleetwood, a half-ton survey boat, up the steep slopes of the mountain then lowered it to the lake. From the stern of the Cleetwood, a piece of pipe on the end of a spool of piano wire sounded the depth of the lake at 168 different points. Dutton’s soundings of 1,996 feet were amazingly close to the sonar readings made in 1959 that established the lake’s deepest point at 1,932 feet.

 Its fresh water is some of the clearest found anywhere in the world.  Generous amounts of winter snow, averaging 533 inches (1,354 cm) per year, supply the lake with water. There are no inlets or outlets to the lake. Evaporation and seepage prevent the lake from becoming any deeper (www.nps.gov).

Because Crater Lake is filled almost entirely by snowfall, it is one of the clearest lakes anywhere in the world. Scientists using a reflector called a Secchi disk, commonly record clarity readings of 120 feet. On June 25, 1997 scientists recorded a record clarity reading of 142 feet.  A small volcanic island, Wizard Island, rises 764 feet above the surface of the lake on its west side. A small crater, 300 feet across and 90 feet deep, rests on the summit.  Crater Lake was named for this beautiful, symmetrical crater by James Sutton, editor of the Oregon Sentinel in Jacksonville, in 1869 (www.oregon.com).

On May 22, 1902, Crater Lake finally became a national park.

Oregon Interactive Corporation. (2009). Crater lake national park. Retrieved from http://www.oregon.com/southern_oregon_attractions/crater_lake_national_park

 (n.d.). Crater lake national park profile page. Retrieved from http://www.rogueweb.com/crater/

 (2007, July 19). Crater lake national park. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/archive/crla/home.htm

(2009, October 20). Crater lake . Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm

(n.d.). Welcome to the hagerman fossil beds national monument. Retrieved from http://hagermanfossilbeds.areaparks.com/

Trinklein, Michael. (2003). The Oregon trail. Retrieved from http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Oregontrail.html

(n.d.). Oregon.gov. Retrieved from http://www.oregon.gov/

(n.d.). Crater lake institute. Retrieved from http://www.craterlakeinstitute.com/cultural-history/smith-brothers-chronology/b-research-study.htm

Standing at a whopping 1453½ feet with 102 stories and a 203 foot pinnacle on top, it has been well known as the tallest building in New York City both before the World Trade Center was built as well as after its destruction.  Using earlier designs of buildings they had produced, Gregory Johnson and his architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon began the building design at the top and continued downward. 

Construction began in March 1930 and took just over thirteen months to complete; five men lost their lives during that time.   On the 86th floor there is an observation deck that offers both indoor and outdoor viewing, with a 360 degree view of the city.  There is also a smaller, enclosed observation deck on the 102 floor.  I have personally visited the 86th floor observation deck and can tell you that the views are absolutely awesome. 

It was the first building made to have more than 100 floors and is made with a steel frame and has stone cladding.  The building currently has 73 elevators and 6,500 windows.  It houses 1,000 businesses. Approximately 21,000 employees report there daily.  It also has its own zip code.  Here are some excellent photos of the beautiful Empire State Building:     

                  

This well known building has been used in many famous movies including An Affair to Remember, Love Affair, ELF, and of course King Kong.  Floodlights were added in 1964 to light the top of the building. Over the years these lights have changed colors to represent a variety of holidays as well as for showing support to local teams and events.
            Another National Landmark located on Manhattan Island is beautiful Central Park.  The park covers over a square mile of land in the heart of New York City.  First opened in 1859 it was designed by the writer Frederick Law Olmsted and the architect Calvert Vaux.  When you enter the park it is almost as if you have left the city, the tranquility of certain areas allows a person to forget where they are. 

The park offers a variety of activities that include several natural-looking lakes and ponds, many walking tracks, two ice-skating rinks (one of which is a swimming pool in July and August), over thirty-five  playgrounds,  the Central Park Zoo, the Central Park Conservatory Garden,  and the outdoor Delacorte Theater which hosts the “Shakespeare in the Park” summer festivals, to name a few. 

 Although the park has been known in the past to suffer from a high crime rate that rate has declined in the last couple of years.  The park has its own New York City Police Department precinct (Central Park Precinct), which employs both regular police and Auxiliary officers. In 2005, such safety measures held the number of crimes in the park — which has more than 25 million visitors annually — to fewer than one hundred per year (down from approximately 1,000 in the early 1980s).  There are some awesome photos of Central Park available:

Matthews, K. (2008). Empire state building. Retrieved from http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Empire_State_Building.html

Empire state building.  (2009, October 14).  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building

(n.d.). Empire state building offical internet site. Retrieved from http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm?noflash=1

Central Park. (2009, October 12).  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park

New York City Department of Parks & Recreation , . (n.d.). Central park. Retrieved from http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/centralpark

While traveling across the great United States in the summer of 2002 I along with my family had the opportunity to visit several National Landmarks. All of us enjoyed everything that we saw. By everyone I mean myself, my husband, our two sons, and our daughter, all teens aged seventeen, fifteen, and fourteen.  Although we were on the road for a full month I regret not having additional time to visit more amazing sights.  It is a trip that I would love to take again and plan to do so within the next ten years.  In this blog I intend to share information about some of the sites we visited. 

To enhance the blog site I will be adding information that I have researched about the history of these sites, including interesting facts.  Let me start by saying that the five of us traveled in a 1989 Ford Conversion Van with our black lab, cocker spaniel mixed mutt that pulled a 2001 twenty-four foot Trail-lite travel trailer.  So to say that we all enjoyed the trip and would all do it again says volumes about the actual sights we saw. 

We left from New Jersey and traveled west all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  Some of the things we saw along the way included Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore in Custer, South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park, Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, Redwood Forest, Sequoia National Forest, and Death Valley all in California, Las Vegas, Nevada, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert in New Mexico, and those are just the major ones.  We also stopped at dozens of smaller less known landmarks along the way. 

I am a forty-four year old college student, working toward a teaching degree.  My majors are Elementary Education and Writing Arts.  For a current class I am required to set up a blog and maintain it for a set amount of time.  This blog is on a subject that I was able to choose myself; I could pick anything in the world.  I chose the subject of U.S. landmarks because I have had the opportunity to visit quite a few of them and have pretty much loved all I have seen.  It is my hope that I will persuade some people to at least think of visiting a U.S. landmark.  

Although I will be featuring landmarks from across the United States I have chosen to start in New Jersey with a little known site that originally started millions of years ago.  The official dinosaur of the state of New Jersey is the Hadrosaurus foulkii.  It was discovered – or should I say uncovered – in Haddonfield between 1838 and 1858.  The Hadrosaurus foulkii was the first ever mounted dinosaur skeleton. Visit hadrosaurus to view a variety of video clips about the famous dinosaur.

(2008). Hadrosaurus.com the story of a dinosaur sculpture. Retrieved from http://www.hadrosaurus.com/

(2009, September 29). Hadrosaurus. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrosaurus