Super-fantastic Journeys

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Southeast portion of New Mexico, 20 miles from the town of Carlsbad.  The park has over 117 caves made in the limestone which was once an ocean reef.  The caverns were formed in this area when waters rich in hydrogen sulfide mixed with rainwater to create sulfuric acid.  The acid ate away the limestone and created the chambers that you are able to visit today.  About four million years ago this process stopped and the cave started making formations as surface water started working its way into the cave.  The formations that we see today is a result of the surface water bring minerals down and depositing them in the area. Carlsbad Cavern is the cave that most people visit and is developed for the large number of visitors the park hosts each year. The Carlsbad Cavern has 30 miles of passages surveyed and has been developed extensively for visitors.  The great room that you visit is 8.2 acres in size and is the largest cave chamber p

Located in the Northwest Arkansas town of Bentonville the Crystal Bridges art museum is a super-fantastic journey stop that ties together American art and history and the immediate experience of nature in a compelling and accessible way.  Funded in large part by the WalMart Family Foundation the architecture of Crystal Bridges is a work of art itself.  Built in a valley with a natural spring the combination of the landscape, water, and the buildings that bridge them together is inspiring.  It is a place where you can interact with nature while viewing the art. Opened on 11-11-11 the Crystal BridgesMuseum of Art is 50,000 square feet of gallery space with three unique focuses of art.  There are 5 galleries to the museum: American Art, Modern Art, Contemporary Art, the special installation gallery for traveling exhibits, and the Bachman-Wilson House .  Each of these galleries make up a portion of the bridges that span and encircle a central water feature. One of the most amazi

The Bachman-Wilson House is a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1953 for a family of three near Millstone River in Somerset County, New Jersey.  The home is now open to the public to enjoy and learn about the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright and is part of the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.  The home is one of about 60 Usonian homes that were built between 1936 and 1959.  The Usonian homes were an effort by Wright to build economical homes that were both functional and pleasing to live in. The home is 1800 square feet and is built using an open concept. On the ground floor, you have the living space, dining space, a small kitchen, and a guest bedroom.  Upstairs the home has two bedrooms, each with their own outdoor balcony.  There is one full bathroom on the second floor that is shared by the full home and a small bathroom on the first floor without a shower or tub.  The furniture is built into the design of the home and is designed on a 4-

National Park Sites in New Mexico New Mexico is called the land of enchantments for a reason.  The diversity of high mountains and deserts provide some great diversity to the activities available at the National Park Sites throughout the state.  While I have traveled to New Mexico for much of my life and have my favorite spots, there are still places I need to visit for the first time.  This is my ranking of the National Park sites located in New Mexico that I have visited and my bucket list to complete my exploration of all the National Park sites in the state. #1 Carlsbad Caverns National Park Explore the world that lies beneath the earth by going deep into Carlsbad Caverns.  You will stand in majestic great halls with mighty stalagmites and stalactites hanging tight to the ceiling.  Let your eyes adjust to the darkness and begin to see all the features of the cave while you listen to the water dripping into the cavern bring life fo the next formation. Read More - Carls

When we moved from Spokane to DFW one of the food options I missed right away was authentic Hawaiian BBQ.  I am a huge fan of teriyaki chicken with steamed rice and mac salad, otherwise, know as a blue plate special.  I have searched the DFW area and found three Hawaiian BBQ locations that serve authentic Hawaiian BBQ. #1 - Shaka Hawaiian BBQ Shaka Hawaiian BBQ is the newest entry on the list and takes the top spot.  Located in the quickly growing community of The Colony this quick-service restaurant serves up big portions of delicious Hawaiian food.  The teriyaki chicken and katsu chicken are perfectly mixed with the steamed rice and mac salad.  As a family-run restaurant, they really put a lot of care into the food and the service.  The chicken in lean and well seasoned.  The mac salad is creamy and simple in its ingredients. The restaurant is on the side of the strip mall building so be sure to drive around the corner to find it.  It also will have a drive-thru option avail

I grew up getting to travel on family vacations a couple of times a year.  It was amazing as a kid to get to go to the Grand Canyon and explore Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico on a regular basis for spring break.  There was nothing like loading the five of us into the car and taking a road trip or getting to fly to Seattle to go experience the Pacific Northwest for the very first time. I still love to travel and want to capture those journeys here.  This blog will be my attempt to share some cool spots to visit.  To build lists of some of the best places to eat, enjoy a craft-brewed beer, visit a museum, and much more.  I am always amazed at what you will find when you get off the interstate and take time to explore all the communities across this amazing country of ours. Like many of my journeys, I do not know exactly where this blog will lead.  I know that some of the places that I will head may not be on anyone's bucket list, but I am going to share them anyway.  You never kno