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Post by rmf on Dec 19, 2021 5:00:16 GMT -5
I saw brybry 's with a "New Year New Job" post and it got me to thinking about this untapped resource. In 2022 I plan to retire. My first trip, post retirement, is to go and visit my brothers place on Lake Superior and look for agates, among other things. Over the years my wife and I have visited the Grand Canyon, The Great Meteor Crater, Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, Corn Palace, Hot Springs Ark, Hot Springs in NM, Pinos Altos cliff Dwellings to name a few. What I was hoping is if folks on here might recommend for the lower 48 states Natural wonders you might consider "Must See" if you were in the state, even historic sites like Williamsburg VA. This could include really good rock shop (Burnies in Madison WI, The Gem Shop in Cedarburg WI) the La Brea tar pits, good fossil or Mineral museums as well. I was also planning to look up in Canada, the Burgess Shale, Tar Sand mining and a viking settlement in Nova Scotia. I thought it might be interesting to drive across Canada and of course there is the Thunder Bay area. My wife does not like the heights of Mtns or the depths of steep valleys so I have been warned I may be doing some of this on my own. (My son and I did a trip when he was in Elementary school to Rushmore, Mammoth Hot springs, a strip mine in WY, Little Big Horn, Glacier, Yellowstone and Salt Lake. We left mom in the flat land of Missouri with her parents for a couple of weeks)
If you list the state followed by a suggestion I will compile a list:
Example: Or something like this
Wyoming: Devils Tower Yellowstone
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Post by fernwood on Dec 19, 2021 6:00:16 GMT -5
Congratulations on your retirement.
Wisconsin: These are in Barron/Rusk County Forest Lands in the Blue Hills. 1. Devil's Kettle 2. Gundys Canyon 3. Blue Hills Felsenmeer 4. Pipestone Quarries
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Dec 19, 2021 7:09:46 GMT -5
Congratulations on you soon to be retirement!
Adding to Wisconsin, you may as well tour Wisconsin Dells. Very touristy but cool rock formations on the Wisconsin River & if they're still running them they use the WWII duck boats for the tours.
I haven't stopped there but the St Croix Falls/Taylor's Falls area on the Wisconsin & Minnesota border is beautiful as well.
Depending on where your brother's place is on Lake Superior, there's many waterfalls in northern Wisconsin & Michigan's UP to hike to.
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Post by Rockindad on Dec 19, 2021 8:26:36 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of our National Parks and have visited many. My favorite vacations are road trips centered around visiting 2-4 parks and doing some other stuff along the way. While I prefer to get away from the crowds and do some more extended hiking, the nice thing about the parks is that they have something for every level of physical ability or adventurism. Just about all of them offer great views from overlooks that you can drive up to and pretty easy walks on fairly level ground, some even have boardwalks. Off the top of my head, some that have the must see factor (for me anyway) that fit your criteria: -Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP, California. The shear size of these trees is hard to comprehend unless standing among them. Redwood NP is also wonderful and the trees are taller but have smaller diameters. Both parks offer many easy "hiking" paths that are more like leisurely walks with big payoffs. -We just visited Acadia NP in Maine this past summer and there was a lot to see from relatively flat land. There are also surrounding towns that the wife could visit while you explore if you do not mind splitting up. I had the best pie I've ever had in my life there and also some of the best ice cream, a definite plus. There are also various tours that will take you on the water- whales, dolphins, etc. -It's been some time but I remember Arches NP in Utah having a lot of easy walking paths with great views. -Mammoth Cave NP in Kentucky has some great cave tours that are no more than a leisurely stroll that will let you see parts of the largest cave system in the world. I could go on and on But don't want to take over your thread. Check out www.nps.gov/index.htm for more ideas. There are also a lot of historical sites which are almost always easily accessible. Despite the political cesspool D.C. is also a great place to visit. The various Smithsonian museums, monuments...........The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was very powerful. Philadelphia: very walkable, great food, lots of historical sites................
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 19, 2021 8:38:27 GMT -5
Congrats! Sounds like you won't be wasting any time.
I can vouch for Williamsburg, but it is situated in the historic triangle with Yorktown and Jamestown, which are worth a visit, too. Lots of fossils can be found on the James River.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 19, 2021 8:42:16 GMT -5
Congratulations on you soon to be retirement! Adding to Wisconsin, you may as well tour Wisconsin Dells. Very touristy but cool rock formations on the Wisconsin River & if they're still running them they use the WWII duck boats for the tours. I haven't stopped there but the St Croix Falls/Taylor's Falls area on the Wisconsin & Minnesota border is beautiful as well. Depending on where your brother's place is on Lake Superior, there's many waterfalls in northern Wisconsin & Michigan's UP to hike to. I second these. There are also larger boats for the WI Dells tours. St Croix Falls/Taylor's Falls area is beautiful. I once camped at the State Park there. Another WI State park to consider is Devil's Lake. The area is loaded with lots of geology and interesting rocks.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 19, 2021 9:55:37 GMT -5
Congrats on your upcoming retirement, rmf !
I haven't lived in Arizona that long and certainly not seen everything that I want to see in this state.
The Grand Canyon is an absolute must see if you haven't yet.
The Petrified Forest
Painted Desert
The Lava River Cave in Flagstaff If you're up near the Petrified Forest, a stop at DoBell Ranch in Holbrook to dig your own petrified wood. Montezuma's Castle and Well The red rocks of Sedona.
Down south the Bisbee Mine Tour is something I've always wanted to do, but haven't yet. Tuscon and Quartzsite for the shows. Tombstone The folks on the board to who live in the Valley will have way more suggestions for you there.
ETA: The Hoover Dam and Burro Creek
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
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Post by Tommy on Dec 19, 2021 10:35:54 GMT -5
Congratulations on retirement. I tried to semi-retire early and it didnt quite work out now I'm working longer and harder than ever I didn't see if it was mentioned already but I would say that Yosemite has to be at or near the top of every list. It is truly spectauclar in spite of the tourism it attracts. Spring time when the waterfalls are raging is amazing.
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brybry
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Dec 19, 2021 10:44:09 GMT -5
Congrats on the retirement. It's been so long since I really traveled we're making lists of our own now. I'm bookmarking threads with places I want to rockhound but I'm going to have to add places for both us at some point.
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Post by rmf on Dec 19, 2021 15:16:19 GMT -5
Congratulations on your retirement. Wisconsin: These are in Barron/Rusk County Forest Lands in the Blue Hills. 1. Devil's Kettle 2. Gundys Canyon 3. Blue Hills Felsenmeer 4. Pipestone Quarries I grew up in SW WI so I am familiar with the driftless area, mining, Talus slopes etc. Did not know about Pipestone in WI. I have been through the kettle morain area as well as the Dells. And I really like the Geology of the Baraboo syncline. Thanks for the info.
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Post by rmf on Dec 19, 2021 15:19:58 GMT -5
Congratulations on retirement. I tried to semi-retire early and it didnt quite work out now I'm working longer and harder than ever I didn't see if it was mentioned already but I would say that Yosemite has to be at or near the top of every list. It is truly spectauclar in spite of the tourism it attracts. Spring time when the waterfalls are raging is amazing. Yes Yosemite is on the list of must see. I was doing training in the Bay area years ago and had a weekend in CA. I went to Placerville and to Sutters' Mill then over the Mtn to Devils post pile (which was closed) Grrrrr.
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Post by rmf on Dec 19, 2021 15:30:54 GMT -5
Congrats on your upcoming retirement, rmf !
I haven't lived in Arizona that long and certainly not seen everything that I want to see in this state.
The Grand Canyon is an absolute must see if you haven't yet.
The Petrified Forest
Painted Desert
The Lava River Cave in Flagstaff If you're up near the Petrified Forest, a stop at DoBell Ranch in Holbrook to dig your own petrified wood. Montezuma's Castle and Well The red rocks of Sedona.
Down south the Bisbee Mine Tour is something I've always wanted to do, but haven't yet. Tuscon and Quartzsite for the shows. Tombstone The folks on the board to who live in the Valley will have way more suggestions for you there.
ETA: The Hoover Dam and Burro Creek
I have seen much of the above but was not aware of the Lava River Cave, Montexuma' Castle. We have been to the ASARCO Mission Copper mine tour and discovered they had the underground train on display from the Groundhog Mine which I used when I worked there in 1976&7. Thanks I will add this to the list. My wife and I have not been to Tucson or Quartzite in 20 years.
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Post by rmf on Dec 19, 2021 15:38:14 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of our National Parks and have visited many. My favorite vacations are road trips centered around visiting 2-4 parks and doing some other stuff along the way. While I prefer to get away from the crowds and do some more extended hiking, the nice thing about the parks is that they have something for every level of physical ability or adventurism. Just about all of them offer great views from overlooks that you can drive up to and pretty easy walks on fairly level ground, some even have boardwalks. Off the top of my head, some that have the must see factor (for me anyway) that fit your criteria: -Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP, California. The shear size of these trees is hard to comprehend unless standing among them. Redwood NP is also wonderful and the trees are taller but have smaller diameters. Both parks offer many easy "hiking" paths that are more like leisurely walks with big payoffs. -We just visited Acadia NP in Maine this past summer and there was a lot to see from relatively flat land. There are also surrounding towns that the wife could visit while you explore if you do not mind splitting up. I had the best pie I've ever had in my life there and also some of the best ice cream, a definite plus. There are also various tours that will take you on the water- whales, dolphins, etc. -It's been some time but I remember Arches NP in Utah having a lot of easy walking paths with great views. -Mammoth Cave NP in Kentucky has some great cave tours that are no more than a leisurely stroll that will let you see parts of the largest cave system in the world. I could go on and on But don't want to take over your thread. Check out www.nps.gov/index.htm for more ideas. There are also a lot of historical sites which are almost always easily accessible. Despite the political cesspool D.C. is also a great place to visit. The various Smithsonian museums, monuments...........The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was very powerful. Philadelphia: very walkable, great food, lots of historical sites................ Lots of good Input here. We have done Philly, and DC multiple times. My wif is always up for Williamsburg VA anytime. Mammoth cave has also been done. We were going to try Whale watching once when our son lived in MA but the water was so rough they cancelled it. We did find a great whale museum though. Arches in on my short list as well. Thanks!
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Post by rmf on Dec 19, 2021 18:38:13 GMT -5
Rockindad BTW you peaked my interest when you mentioned PIE!!!!!! I don't have birthday cake I always request pie. Maybe I should have said retiring tell me the best places around the country for pie.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 19, 2021 18:45:03 GMT -5
Rockindad BTW you peaked my interest when you mentioned PIE!!!!!! I don't have birthday cake I always request pie. Maybe I should have said retiring tell me the best places around the country for pie.
The Jack Daniel's Pecan pie is to die for!
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Post by fernwood on Dec 20, 2021 4:26:47 GMT -5
Pipestone Quarry Located in Doyle Township this ground is the source of rock composed of a mixture of kaolinite, muscovite, anatase, hematite and quartz. American Indians often traveled hundreds of miles by foot and horseback to obtain the unique stone from which they made their pipes. A widespread legend among the American Indians is that the red stone is made from the flesh and blood of their ancestors. This gives the red pipestone a great deal of sacredness that commands reverence. Long before the first white man arrived in our area, indians of many tribes would come here to obtain the prized red stone. Their pipes were of many styles shapes and designs. They used them on many ceremonial occasions, solemnizing the event. Indians of many tribes would come here to obtain the prized red stone. Their pipes were of many styles, shapes and designs. They used them on many ceremonial occasions, solemnizing the event. In addition to the quarry there is also a trail accessible by foot and mountain bike. www.co.barron.wi.us/misc%20docs/maps/Doyle.pdfknave Have you ever been there?
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Post by knave on Dec 20, 2021 9:22:51 GMT -5
Yes our rock club went this past spring !
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 20, 2021 10:06:09 GMT -5
Congratulations on the retirement! Heck, it would seem you've already been to all the really cool sights in South Dakota...but we'd still love to have you come back again!
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Post by rmf on Dec 20, 2021 15:35:11 GMT -5
jasoninsd I stopped by a rock shop years ago and they had a small piece of columnar basalt about 3" in Diameter and 6-8" long. Just a perfect specimen to show someone, not high in intrinsic value, but educational. I set it down to look at something else and ended up 100 miles down the road before I realized I had left it. I would also like to hunt the pierre shale. Fairburns too.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 20, 2021 16:24:04 GMT -5
jasoninsd I stopped by a rock shop years ago and they had a small piece of columnar basalt about 3" in Diameter and 6-8" long. Just a perfect specimen to show someone, not high in intrinsic value, but educational. I set it down to look at something else and ended up 100 miles down the road before I realized I had left it. I would also like to hunt the pierre shale. Fairburns too. Well, if you decide you're heading this way, let me know. I'd be more than happy to show you where I "hunt" for Fairburns...but I'm not the best at "finding" them! LOL Oh...and if I ever see that missing columnar basalt, I'll let you know. (That really is depressing that happened...but I hope it's been long enough that it's now catagorized as a "funny" story. )
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