Top 10 Most scenic roads of the U.S.A. ("Places I visited" series)

I've been long wandering how I could put down the things I did and the places I visited in a better way, an interesting one, an easy-to-digest way. I was scanning the web doing some research and I came across one of the many "top 10" kind of articles. I told myself, "I might as well add my own!", and here I am in the mix.
I will try to post my own charts, first of all of places throughout the U.S.A.

Driving is sometimes tedious, boring, sitting inside a piece of metal that easily goes too hot or too cold, depending on the season and the condition of the car itself. Other times though, driving is a pure pleasure: picture yourself going down Road 1 in California, following the Big Sur coast on a late September afternoon, the sky turning to an artist's palette, the air crisp, the green, lush hillside to your left and the mighty ocean to your right. How wonderful! You would just wish those very moments would last hours, not mere minutes!
Since driving is one of the things you can enjoy the most in America - and as far as covering ground goes, I can say I've had my experiences! - here's my personal selection of my favourite 10 drives in the States. I bet some insanly good stretch of road slipped from memory (it's hard to keep track of, roughly, over 35.000 miles of roads). Also, they're not on the list but I enjoyed a lot roads like Tioga Pass in Yosemite, or the Extraterrestrial Highway in Nevada, or Oregon Road 30 along the Columbia river.
But here's a competitive top 10 that will make you wanting to get on the wheels and drive til you drop, guaranteed!
Are you ready to get on-board and cover some ground?!

(Before you get started, make sure you check out my photo portfolio, where more, better travel pictures can be found, here: Photos by Emanuele Canton
Thanks for visiting! Any kind of feedback is greatly appreciated!)


10. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia - 469mi/755km

A view from one of the many view points along the road, withinn the Smoky Mountains national park

It's not about majestic snow-capped peaks, but these green, almost endless rolling hills will make you fall in love with the place. One of the flipsides is the amount of traffic this road receives - mainly due to the proximity to East coast big cities. In summertime (I didn't dare trying) it might look like a continuous line of cars. And good luck if you are unlucky enough to get stuck behind a 28+foot RV.


9. Vermont Route 100, Vermont - 271mi/349km

I guess that's the kind of stuff you go to Vermont for

It's almost a no brainer, when travelling New England for autumn foliage, to step onto this road. Although far from being a secret, therefore not aloof from being crowded during foliage peak, this road is a little gem. Small villages without fast food restaurants and neon lights that would be visible from the space, it feels cosy and old-fashioned. The scenary is absolutely gorgeous - even on a rainy day, which can be quite a possibility out there!


8. California Route 254 "Avenue of the Giants", California - 32mi/51km

A walk in the woods alongside the road will give you access to solitude, silence, and magic atmospheres

It gives a sense of tranquillity to drive this road, especially early in the morning. The towering trees that line the pavement are impressing, their majesty is breath-taking and you drive around feeling a bit on the retarded side, thanks to it. If you're looking for a chance to see what it could have been to drive a car in some kind of prehistoric forest, that's a place you should put on your to do list.


7. California Route 1, California - 656mi/1055km

Bixby bridge

They wrote songs about this road. And if you write a song about a road, it must be somehow worth it. The 1 truly is, being a long stretch that brings you from the spanish-looking Monterey to the southern reaches of busy L.A., through charming little coastal towns, rugged cliffs and lush hillside. Quite often covered in fog in the mornings, it becomes a mixture of striking colors in the afternoons. Big Sur is the highlight, make sure you stay for the night to enjoy a nice ocean sunset. One of my favourite towns down the stretch is Morro Bay, where a big rock monolith rises out of the water just a hundred yards off the beach. 

6. Seward Highway, Alaska - 125mi/201km

Clouds hiding Portage glacier

There are many scenic roads in Alaska, but possibly the Seward Highwa tops them all. Starting from Anchorage and going straight south towards beautiful Turnagain arm, the road gives access to formidable mountain, glacier and sea views. The Chugach mountains rise to the north, and proceeding further down the road towards its southern end, the landscape closes in and valleys, passes and glaciers seem to get closer and closer. The chances of spotting the occasional moose or bear are decent as well, a thing that makes driving in Alaska always a bit more entertaining, although dangerous. And by the way, this is a pretty dangerous road in itself. Distracted vacationers or intoxicated drivers aren't uncommon - according to the TV show "Alaska State Troopers". Another TV exaggeration?

5. Burr Trail Road, Utah - 66mi/106km

Climbing the steep switchbacks will take some guts to those afraid of heights, but will reward everyone with dramatic views of the Henry mountains to the west

The first road in the Southwest to appear in my ranking, it will provide you with that solitude you need when looking for some peaceful time. The absence of pavement dramatically decreases the number of cars you'll see on this road, but if you have the possibility, take this drive: you might follow crazy fossil-bearing rock formations along the Waterpocket fold, or climb a pass, or drive at the bottom of 500 foot-high red sandstone walls. You might spend a day crossing paths with just about a dozen cars or less, and you might enjoy one of the best driving experiences in the Southwest, right at the doorstep of Capitol Reef national park.

4. Utah Route 12, Utah - 122mi/196km

One of the viewpoints along the road, just a few miles out of the town of Escalante

This being the first of 4 consecutive All-American roads on my ranking, Utah road 12 represents the first road you should be driving to understand what Utah looks like. From the hoodoos of Bryce you catch glimpses of canyons  - such as at Calf Creek - of mesas, of buttes, of distant mountains (the Henry). With good visibility, your eye will wander for tens of miles through the desertic landscape, enchanted by the color bonanza brightened by the deep blue sky of the sunny Southwest. Luckily there ain't no New York or suchs around here, so the road will usually be not too crowded. 

3. Beartooth Highway, Wyoming - 69mi/111km

The view stretches far off to the ranges once you reach Beartooth pass

When I exited Cody, WY on a sunny July afternoon I didn't know what laid ahead of me. I took the Beartooth without high expectation and was finally overwhelmed with scenic vistas and idyllic landscapes. Luckily enough I didn't have to share the road with many cars - probably the insane amount of mosquitoes kept others off - so I was free to pull over wherever the view broadened. Well, it was pure joy. The Absaroka range stands mighty not too far off, alpine tarns dot the valleys carpeted in wildflowers, and snowbanks on the shady slopes are there til well into summer. It is probably as good as it gets as far as mountain drives are concerned.

2. San Juan Skyway, Colorado - 233mi/375km

The Uncompahgre range offers terrific sights along the road, especially in autumn

I have to say, I haven't driven all of it, but what I did of it, completely blew me away. In a state famous for its high mountains (Colorado has 53 14.000 foot peaks with at least 300 foot of prominence), the San Juan skyway encompasses several ranges such as the La Plata mountains, the San Juan, and the Uncompahgre. You might be driving behind a ridge, crossing a bridge over a cold river, to just turn the corner and have your eyes spanning over glorious mountains which feet are covered in dense vegetation - the sort of scene that will make you think you're driving into a Paramount movie opening titles! I drove just about half of it and I can't wait to complete: it stands on top of my to do list for my next US trip (which is a great compliment, you know).

1. Going-to-the-Sun road, Montana - 53mi/85km

A perspective of what this road is: not just an unbelievably sweet spectacle of a drive, but also an astonishing feat of engineering

It can't be otherwise I suppouse. It's not about length, it's not about traffic volume - even though, remember, in August it gets C-R-A-Z-Y out there, crazy!! Bumper to bumper with another half a million cars (no, I slightly exaggerated) and no room at Logan visitor center parking lot. It's about what this road is. Besides from being a quite cool engineering fact - it took from 1921 to 1933 to build the steep mountain road that goes from switchbacks to a long, straight stretch along the Garden Wall (picture) that links East Glacier with West Glacier (national park) - the GTTS is also remarkably scenic. The Garden Wall with its crests looking like a stegosaurus back, Logan Pass with iconic Mount Logan, the many valleys: it's one of those roads where you can't fall asleep for a second. You might even miss a bear or a chilled-looking mountain goat. This road is a jewel, nestled in what's called "The Crown of the Continent" for some pretty truthful reason, and as most of the times with these places, comes with pros and cons. The main con is snow. The road might open as late as early July, and stay open until September or so. It's a short window of time, and arguably you'll have to battle the crowds to experience it, but I can think about few other things worth the hassle more than this road! Enjoy!

Top 10 Big Cities I enjoyed the most in the U.S.A. ("Places I visited" series)

I've been long wandering how I could put down the things I did and the places I visited in a better way, an interesting one, an easy-to-digest way. I was scanning the web doing some research and I came across one of the many "top 10" kind of articles. I told myself, "I might as well add my own!", and here I am in the mix.
I will try to post my own charts, first of all of places throughout the U.S.A.

My scampers throughout the States brought me to 42 of the 50 states of the Union, and I can say I've been to quite a few cities around the country. It's now time to pick my top 10 of them.
I'll start with the big cities - those ones where you definitely need a map or better, a navigator, or you'd eventually get lost, driving madly on and off the interstate looking for that junction you'll never find.
It's hard to rank a city. I always keep in mind, while expressing my opinion, factors like architecture, green areas, social life, parks, history, whether it's liveable enough, if I'd personally live there or not, weather, things to do and so on. There's a lot to bear in mind. A city like L.A. it's a great spot to be if you're looking for sunshine and a career as an actor, but then what? (I'll tell you straight away: L.A.'s not on the top 10!). Eventually, I came to weigh more my overall experience in town than factors like the weather or whether or not I'd live there (that's material for a future top 10 maybe!)

I tried to balance everything. I had a great time in all of these cities, walking on the streets, meeting people, enjoying amazing food and some social events. East and West, North and South, every corner of the country has a top city to offer.

Ready to tackle this top 10?! Let's roll!

P.S.: Visiting a big city is a daunting task for me (and I hope I'm not the only one out there that feels like this). I always had a limited amount of time, and a very limited amount of patience driving around unknown neighborhoods, taking wrong turns, hitting one-ways and suchs. Therefore, the amount of photography produced while cruising around town has always been on the low side. Pardon me for the photographic material on this issue, if you don't find it satisfying feel free to check out my photography here! Don't miss on it!

Emanuele Canton Photography:


10. San Antonio, Texas

Restaurant on the riverwalk

My first big city in the big state of Texas wasn't a bust. I arrived in San Antonio sweaty and country (coming from 4 days in Big Bend national park), and I plunged myself into the heart of the riverwalk for a nice, chilled, pleasant afternoon that I came to love. Beside the historic Alamo fort -actually, an old mission - the city has plenty to offer, starting with its famous riverwalk. Food plazas, riverside bars, hotels, shady trees, boat trips, live music: there's all you need to enjoy a perfect Texas afternoon. You hot? I bet there's a bar no more than 200 feet from you that serves awesome ice-cold margaritas!


9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philly streets

 I remember that day: it was my 26th birthday and I was sick as a dog. I drove into town on a Saturday morning (sweet, free parking), parked the car and had cold pizza leftovers from the night before and my usual cold powdered coffee with sweetener for breakfast. No pills, nothing. I just got out of the car and started to walk some 15 miles around town - yes, because you have more chances to walk longer distances in a city than in the woods sometimes. I loved the atmosphere. After taking a selfie with the Rocky Balboa statue - something I dreamt of since I got to know that statue was real - I realized how fit people were. They were all running, jogging, doing push-ups or some other calories-burning activity. Crazy! Did the movie do all that? I might guess so. Anyway, the city itself it's pretty cool, it felt less chaotic and stressed than other metropolis I've been to, and shady parks and squares are strategically distributed for your own enjoyment. Plus... man, those cheesesteaks!!


8. Austin, Texas

Austin skyline from Zilker park

Austin is one of the very, very few big cities where I'd always go back, at any moment, with any kind of weather, alone or with company. I had a special time there, probably because it's Texas. This is something a non-Texan might look suspiciously, and probably just shrug off: Texans are great people. When it comes to socialize, have a good time, that's my kind of people. I made more friends and in less time in Texas than anywhere else. On top of that, you have the vibe of this college city (which is state capital too), often referred to as "the new Portland". Even though I wouldn't really compare it to Portland - I haven't seen that many hipsters around town! - Austin rocks. 6th street is the place to go at night (that you choose conventional 6th or so-called "dirty" 6th) and food will get straight to your heart. It happened to me as well.


7. Savannah, Georgia

One of many tree-covered squares in downtown Savannah

Welcome to the South! Pack in light clothes to properly enjoy a stroll in downtown Savannah, you might otherwise regret the warm, southern sun. Also in your pack should be a map, particularly useful to help you navigate the maze of squares sometimes hard to distinguish between one or another. Other than that, just walk, sometimes aimlessly, just covering as much ground as possible, picturing the old days when gentlemen walked the streets in white shirts and hats, a pistol hanging from their belts, and took off their hats to greet ladies strolling with their elegant umbrellas. Of those days the very thing that survived, beside the buildings, are the trees. All covered in spanish moss, they create a sublime atmosphere that will definitely catch you. Last but not least: try the riverfront. Although sometimes spoiled by new hotels, it's alive and offers an enjoyable alternative to downtown's streets.


6. Charleston, South Carolina

Downtown Charleston

I arrived in Charleston with my mind still wandering Savannah's streets, and I found that something even better was awaiting me. It was a Sunday, and after Mass, I started my usual on-foot tour of the city. When the sun was fighting his way through the clouds and a light rain, I walked the streets to find cobblestone drives, palm trees and fascinating colonial villas, with doric columns and neatly kept gardens. I took some time to go on a visit to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Although the place itself wasn't extremely interesting, I was on my way to Appomattox so a stop made sense. When the sun finally reached through the clouds, and inundated the city, I resumed my stroll, this time along the seaside. It was just as good as it gets: sun, a light breeze, a cool drink, happy people enjoying life, beautiful old homes everywhere along the street. Some cannons here and there between the palms. To me it felt like the best place I could have ever been on that very Sunday!


5. New York, New York

A panoramic view of Manhattan, New York city

I know somebody will hate me for this pick, this soon, especially considering the next cities to come, but hey, I warned y'all at the beginning! But even though NY to me represents traffic, legalized chaos, capitalism to its worst, people full of themselves and on and on, I have to say that after all, not everything is to be dismissed of this city. It's still New York. The skyline is unique. It's one of the most famous if not THE most famous city in the world, and it has plenty to offer under every point of view. It has so many sights, and as soon as you reach a decent height - say, the Empire State building or the Rockefeller center - the view is breath-taking. It has a certain charm as well, especially at night, when you almost forget that money is what made and drives this place. It's kind of romantic. I came to it prepared to the worst, and left with nice memories.


4. San Francisco, California

Sliding down winding Lombard Street

I swear I was listening to "If you're going, to San-Fran-cisco" when I crossed the Bay bridge. It was on my "to do list". It got me ready for the city. Frisco (a nickname that I hope won't offend anyone - there's a whole history behind it!) is a beautiful city, perfectly apt to be cruised by bicycle, with plenty of tasty food, curious personalities and famous sights. Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, China Town, Pier 39, Lombard Street, the cable cars, you name 'em. On a sunny day I'd say it's one of the very few almost-perfect big cities America has to offer. Now, forget about parking a car. I have to forget myself I had my own towed (300$) and that thanks to an Oracle meeting in town I couldn't find a bed for less than 105 damn dollars. But that's fine. Part of the experience. Means the rest was extremely cool!


3. Las Vegas, Nevada

Bellagio and Caesar's Palace hotels

One day somebody told me "Vegas: just once". And that's what I did. But I didn't forget it. Going to Vegas it's one of those things you have to do once in a lifetime. It's an over-the-top experience, especially if you're just with your buddies, kind of "The Hangover" thing. In daylight, it's just a city (I'm talking about the strip, of course. I guess nobody's interested in the crime-affected neighborhoods) with an endless array of lodging possibilites, actually every kind of hotel you might think of. A castle, a pyramid, an amusement park, a fake Venice: you pick & choose. Vegas has 'em. At night, it becomes what it's famous for: a hyper-illuminated, overactive, simply crazy mile and something of pure entertainment. You can gamble, watch the Bellagio's fountains, feast on bottom-less buffets, watch the city play hard from the balcony of your hotel room (if you can afford it - but in Vegas the cheap thing is lodging). You can do almost everything, and unless the cops will get involved... everything will stay in Vegas!


2. Washington, District of Columbia

The White House, probably the place you've seen more often on TV when things got screwed around the world

Washington isn't an incredibly pretty city, or outstandingly famous for its vibe, or for its food. What it lacks, it makes up with an unmatchable amount of monuments, historical places, famous buildings, museums. It's one of those places where you have great chances to see TV crews around town - you know, having something like the White House, the Capitol, the Federal Reserve, the Mall, surely helps. You can swing from the Lincoln memorial, to the Jefferson's, to Martin Luther King's. You can spend a day walking the aisles of the various buildings of the Smithsonian. A side trip, which is actually a must, is Arlington cemetery, the "shrine of tha nation". This is what to me a cemetery in America has always looked like: a perfectly mowned lawn and simple white graves. Lots of them. Arlington is the place where famous or brave souls like JFK or Robert E. Lee rest, and to stroll along its green walkways it's a touching experience. Final curiosity: a security officer working at the White House told me that there are 2000 people (yeah, like a small town population) responsible for security measures working inside or around the building. Would you believe it?!


1. New Orleans, Louisiana

St.Louis cathedral in downtown NOLA, one of the oldest cathedrals in the U.S.A.

Yes, New Orleans, what else could it be? The vibe, the people, the food, the music, the city streets, it all adds up to make it a wicked mix. Arriving to NOLA - how it's handily referred to - from the surrounding swamps and bayous, is like drinking an energy beverage. You are right-off caught in the vibrant life of this very special place, that tempts you with delicious cajun food, foot-high daiquiris and exotic nightlife. If you somehow manage to resist all of them, or even one of the bunch, you can spend your time walking along the mighty Mississippi, maybe taking a little cruise, or enjoying live music at effervescent Bourbon Street. It's all lively, it's all crazy, and dipped in Southern hospitality! You just might want to watch your wallet closely, and be aware of where you are at night. As in every other big city!

Top 10 National Parks of the U.S.A. ("Places I visited" series)

I've been long wandering how I could put down the things I did and the places I visited in a better way, an interesting one, an easy-to-digest way. I was scanning the web doing some research and I came across one of the many "top 10" kind of articles. I told myself, "I might as well add my own!", and here I am in the mix.
I will try to post my own charts, first of all of places throughout the U.S.A.

I am about to tackle possibly the hardest one of them all. To rank these very places is no easy task: it requires a lot of compromising with one's self. The experiences that I personally had in several months spent in a decent amount of the American national parks had me really troubled in picking my favourite 10. I tried my best, and I apologize if this chart might be disappointing. Also, I do apologize if the East is not really well represented. There's one thing to bear in mind though, when ranking outdoors wonders in this country. It's very well told by the geographic concentration of National Parks: if you open a map, you'll see that just 11 of the 59 parks are east of, say, San Antonio TX. Not counting Alaska and Hawaii, the figure goes down to 11 out of 49, which is still small.
Of those national parks, Great Smoky Mountains gathers 10 million visitors each year - I'd say just because of the close proximity to major urban centers on the coast. Among the other parks, you can count places like Congaree or Cuyahoga - that, no offense, aren't even close to the marvels of the west.

Now, that said, I made up my mind and gathered some of my photography. If you like my pictures, don't forget to check out my Alamy page for some of my best shots on sale or contact me via email, Facebook or the blog for enquiries! Here's a nice link to Alamy to start with! Thanks!
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/C3E17497-F12F-452B-BE3C-C9A147C63EC1/1/Emanuele%20Canton.html

Let the journey begin!

10. Olympic NP, Washington

A walk in the Olympic rainforest

With one of the few remaining rainforests in the world, and an abundance of pictoresque beaches and snow-clad mountains, Olympic perfectly fits the bill. The thing I love the most is to choose an off-the-beaten-path trail and immerse myself in the silent woods, where the only things you can hear are the chirping of the birds and the almost constant tickle of rain drops. Useless to say, it's one of the greeniest parks you'll ever see. The atmosphere is just so fascinating.


9. Capitol Reef NP, Utah

From roadside orchards to snow-capped mountains, through red canyons and endless buttes

It took me a while to discover Capitol Reef but once I did, it hit my top 10 immediately. It's a place where you'll rarely see the big crowds that other parks in the Southwest gather, and that's a strength for sure. On the other side, you also retain the magic that these red lands offer: canyons, buttes, mesas, arches. With an amusing mixture of colors, great hiking and some awesome 4WD tracks to enjoy in solitude (and with spare tires), Capitol Reef is a mecca for the adventurer seeking southwestern landscapes and relief from the big crowds, without ever venturing too far from a small town or two at the same time.


8. Rocky Mountains NP, Colorado

Late summer in the Rockies (I can't wait to return and get more and better shots around the park!)

The whole state of Colorado is a paradise for hikers, climbers and outdoorsmen in general, but this national park probably tops everything else in the state. You can drive the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., at 12183 ft or 3713 mt at its highest. Some people will never climb or hike that high in their whole lives - it's quite cool to reach similar heights simply by driving a car! The craggy peaks offer incredible views and the abundance of wildlife will possibly make the trip a bit more interesting.


7. Acadia NP, Maine

Acadia's coast on a shot taken along the renowned hike to the Beehive

I thought there couldn't actually be a park that would truly fascinate me in the East. That was before I visited Acadia. It made me stay longer than planned - and that's the best compliment I could give. I truly enjoyed it. It's a park where the ocean breeze and the saltwater fragrance blends at perfection with the woods and the rocky hills just behind the coastline. You can enjoy sunrise basking in the sun on the cliffs, drive the scenic road and go for short walks, explore the backwoods at length and finally relax in one of the small coastal towns, like lovely Bar Harbour, where you might end up indulging in some Maine staples like a lobster roll or some other lobster-based delicacies. How about that?


6. Denali NP, Alaska

Polychrome Pass

In a state so big, so wild and so gifted as far as natural wonders go, Denali is a narrow winner. Upon being given more time (and financial resources!) to explore this beautiful state, I might pick another of those alaskan parks, such as Glacier Bay, or Wrangell-St.Elias, but hey... Denali deserves the top spot anyway, after all. It's here that you can see North America's highest mountain, and within the parks are endless hiking opportunities - most of the time on the trail you blaze! - plentiful wildlife and breath-taking vistas of mountain peaks, glacial-carved valleys and river beds. Denali truly represents "the call of the wild". Just a warning though: bear in mind the weather. Don't be too optimistic and plan for a sunny week on your visit. You might be disappointed!


5. Yosemite NP, California

The view from Glacier Point

Yosemite is a park like few others. It has contributed to raise awareness, back in the days, of the immense natural treasures America could boast - and must protect. Its landscapes and features are echoed in the pages of John Muir, that once said, talking about the greed of mankind and its quest for perfection, that "no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man". Although crowded and unbelievably hot for a mountain park in quite a few summer days, Yosemite stands out with its massive granite tops, its many waterfalls, and its awe-inspiring quiet in the backcountry.


4. Bryce NP, Utah

Simply Bryce

There are many words to describe Bryce: unique, wonderful, breath-taking, artistic. It is something you'll never see anywhere else in the world. It is a place that will always make you take that detour from your planned holiday route and drive an extra 100-150 miles just to go watch sunrise and Sunrise Point once again. Its incredible concentration of hoodoos makes it an outstanding destination for not only the nature lover, but for the photographer, the painter, the artist as well. Forget a private experience when planning to watch sunrise or sunset at the park's premiere viewpoints: there will always be at least too many other visitors around you, pushing, waiting for you to leave, talking. But it's worth it. If you're tired of that, get a park map and look for the longer trails: my rule is "the longer, the less crowded, the better". You'll have another chance to intimately enjoy the red hoodoos, the green pinyons, furs and spruces, and the blue skies.


3. Grand Teton NP, Wyoming

Daylight fading over the Teton range

When I think about a mountain range, or some mountain country, the picture I recall is that of the Teton range. The jagged peaks that the park vaunts are so attractive, so majestic that even though they don't stand out for height, they do for beauty. To drive along the range on the main park road or along the road that links touristy Jackson with Moran Junction is an experience in itself. You can enjoy multiple viewpoints, broad views of the Grand Teton or mount Moran, go for a hike around a lake, deep inside a canyon or up on the slopes, or just drive around maybe hoping to spot a grizzly or the always-present moose (check the Moose visitor center area first, the name is no mistake!). The very thing I like the most here is watching sunset. Wherever you go, it'll always be a great memory.


2. Glacier NP, Montana

Welcome to Glacier National Park

Yes, another mountain park. It's hard to choose between Glacier and Grand Teton, but I'll tell you what: the glaciers, the endless mileage of trails available, the pristine glacial lakes, the bears... no, you can't beat Glacier. Personally, it's for sure the best mountain park in the lower 48. And, as of now, n.2 in the overall ranking. It's one of those places where you can bag as many pictures in a day as you would in a whole week in a regular place. The trails are spectacular. Try Grinnell glacier. Or Swiftcurrent Pass. Or Iceberg lake, just for a starter. I guarantee you, you won't regret your time here. The only flipside I can think of is this: you might end up driving home on the sad side, if you pay attention to the signs and brochures that talk about the incredibly fast rate at which glaciers are melting. By 2030 probably, they might have to rename the park.


1. Grand Canyon NP, Arizona

A look down

Now people will be like, "Really?! That's it?".
Yes, it is. It's right and just, to quote something you might hear on Sunday mornings somewhere.
There's no word to describe Grand Canyon. It's unique because you won't find anywhere in the world a canyon deeper and wider at the same time. I believe there are very, very few places in the world where you can admire better sunsets. The colors of the rocks, the irons that give way to deep reds and the sandstones and limestones that make stratas orange, yellow, grayish sometimes or even purple when the sun sets, are a combination you'll never forget. If Grand Canyon was on the East Coast, it'd draw many more than 10 million visitors (Smoky Mountains), but fortunately it's not. It's already too crowded for my taste. There's a solution though. Venture down the canyon. Choose one of the longer trails, and sample the amazing beauty of this blessed place. Wake up early and watch sunrise. Bask in the morning sun. You might not believe what you're seeing. Drive to North Rim. People usually don't believe the ones saying that it's probably the best part of it (I'm glad they don't when I drive up there myself!).
Matter of fact is: you can't beat Grand Canyon. It's THE example when I talk about America's grandeur when it comes to nature. Where do you ever see anything like Grand Canyon in the world?!
Nowhere.
Just at Grand Canyon.

The most beautiful place to sit in the world

The outsider: Go visit Great Basin NP, Nevada. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Top 10 Wildlife Moments in North America ("Places I Visited" series)

I've been long wandering how I could put down the things I did and the places I visited in a better way, an interesting one, an easy-to-digest way. I was scanning the web doing some research and I came across one of the many "top 10" kind of articles. I told myself, "I might as well add my own!", and here I am in the mix.
I will try to post my own ranks, first of all of places throughout the U.S.A.

Even though I can't boast once-in-a-lifetime experiences when it comes to wildlife, I can say I had my share anyway. From roadside moose and wolves, to on-the-trail bears and darting eagles, my eyes have been lucky enough to spot a good variety of creatures while hiking, driving or simply chilling out. Here's a selection of my favourite 10 moments, not ordered by importance or rarity of the animal in itself, but more by the meaning, the feelings and emotions the moment left me with. I hope I'll be able to recreate that very instant with my words for you to enjoy!
Let's start!

10. Mountain goat on the trail, Glacier NP

Mountain goats are cool animals. I love the way they stare at you, kind of saying "Yo what's up?!" all the time. I love their color - usually it makes it easier to spot them, unless they're far high on the snowy slopes. I met with this guy on my way back from an off-trail hike in Glacier NP, and he peacefully led my way out of the forest and simply let me take over at a certain point. He just kept feeding on the grass. Made me almost wanted to pet it - if it wasn't a wild animal and wasn't that big too! (goats can be quite big!)

9. Buffalo wading the river, Yellowstone NP

It was early in a foggy July morning, and I was driving hopelessly and aimlessly in the Lake district of the park til I decided to move towards Hayden valley. I woke up after a rainy night spent as usual sleeping in my truck, and I was eager for the weather to clear and start a nice day hiking. Hayden was placid and quiet when I got there. Unusually, there were just a couple cars waiting for wildlife for the daily show. I stopped 'cause something caught my eye: it was just a buffalo, but it was heading steady for the river. I stopped, got my telezoom lens out, and followed. The big fella plunged into the cold waters of the Yellowstone river and started to swim towards the other bank. I was fired up. That's the kind of stuff you see on tv documentaries usually, and there I was looking at 12-14 hundred pounds beast puffing and snorting his way across the river. The fog that was slowly lifting up from the ground made the scene tremendously cool for me!

8. Lynx xing, Kluane NP (Canada)

Of this I have no picture unfortunately, the whole sight lasted for a few seconds only. I was driving south on the main road skirting Kluane National Park, a beautiful, remote area in south-western Yukon. It was a glorious day and I was soaking in the beauty of the jagged mountains and the taiga-like vegetation. At a certain point, I spot something crossing the road fast just after the turn, so I speed up the tiny bit that allows me to get in full-sight of the animal. It was a lynx. These elusive animals are very shy, and it's quite a lucky event whenever somebody has the chance to spot one of them. Knowing this all, I jump on the other side of the road with the car (traffic is not a word that applies to these places, so I did it in safety!) and try to spot the animal in the brush where it certainly dashed in. Impossible. I spent a minute or two trying to identify a possible way in and track the animal down but the intricacy of the brush had me waving white flag. It was short, photo-less, but pretty lucky as well!


7. Coyote's on the hunt, Yellowstone NP

I wasn't planning on anything more than to reach a place suitable to make dinner but I had to stop for this. You see coyotes fairly frequently, but not in too many occasions they're looking for food. At least, not as in this occasion. The coyote, even though evidently disturbed by the cars driving by (just a few, it was late in the day and our road wasn't the most beaten by the crowds) was using his ears to locate a mouse, maybe a ground squirrel. It was amazing to watch him concentrate on the sounds, tilting his head back and forth, to the left or to the right, appearently following the sounds of his prey. And then... a powerful leap, with a plunge straight onto his prey... that wasn't there anymore, unfortunately. You can't be successfull every time - actually, they're not successful most of the times. At least it gave us a great entertainment!

6. Close-up with the black bear, Glacier NP

I have seen plenty of black bears. This one though scared the heck out of me. I bumped into it on the roadside, and as everyone else, parked my car in a safe spot and got a bit closer. Other people followed the bear into the bush, and soon a line of photographers formed. I was some 30 yards from it, but some Asian folks pushed it much closer, maybe 20. The bear was surely disturbed and agitated by the crowd, and he was snorting and sniffing the air around him as in the shot above. The only reason I stayed was the people before me. Then, some idiot starting to flash the bear. I thought "This guy thinks it's a teddy bear. What a lame person". Next thing you know is the bear hit the dead tree with both front paws, snorts loud, and runs. I personally remembered all the suggestions for these cases - like keep your cool, don't flee, stay your ground, especially with blacks - but of course I screwed them all and ran with the crowd for safer grounds. Luckily the bear fled alongside the tree and didn't go for some fancy sushi.

5. A fawn makes me emotional, Eagle Creek trail in Oregon

Sometimes you'll bump onto something unexpected in the woods. That's what happened on that sunny day in May along the Eagle Creek trail. Walking back up from one of the many waterfalls to be found there, this fawn comes out of the brush and starts walking towards me, crying out loud like saying "Please help me!". Obviously he had lost mommy, and she was nowhere to be found. It was a heartbreaking moment: the fawn walked all the way to me and liked my leg. If there's one thing I know and try to apply is that wildlife is wild, and has to be kept that way, so I backed off. I almost had tears in my eyes, since the fawn looked at me with a "Why are you leaving me here?" stare. I thought about calling a ranger, but had no contact number. I resolved to look elsewhere and keep walking. On my way back I inspected the site again and found nothing. It was a sad moment. I just hoped he'd have been alright.

4. An incredibly chilled moose surprises me, Bighorn National Forest

I saw this moose with the tail of my eye. It was an amazing feat in itself, since I was driving pretty fast on that winding road and had no particular attention for the roadside. The moose was some 20 meters away from the road, lying on the grass at the brink of the woods. I backed all the way down with my car and hopped off, confirming my able sight. There actually was a moose. I walked closer, keeping my cool, and reached to some 10 yards away from it. He didn't flinch. All he did was to follow my every move with tired-looking eyes. I know about moose, and usually keep safe distances between me and them. They look awkward but can bolt at you in seconds. With this one, I felt ok from the start, and I got this close for a very exciting encounter.

3. Grizzly on the trail!, Banff NP (Canada)

Yes, it's just another grizzly bear. And yes, luckily nothing bad happened that day. But what an unplanned adrenaline boost I did get that day! Me and a buddy were hiking in the Moraine Lake area of Banff NP, Alberta, and we just entered a restricted area where just groups of 4 people were allowed to hike. Being short of time (I had to be back at work later) and seeing nobody coming up, we kept on going. Of course, just 4-500 yards past the sign, I'm on the lead and I spot something with my eye, to the left, grazing in the brush. Ain't no deer this time, and my heart starts beating like a drum. It's a grizzly bear, that appearently hasn't noticed us. I stop my bud - that didn't even see the bear til I pointed it out - reach for my bear spray, ask him if he has bear spray and hear that he forgot it at home. Sweet. We back up, slowly, quietly. The bear doesn't seem like noticing us and keeps foraging on grass. At a safer distance we start walking with our backs to the bear and with a quicker pace. We reach safety, some 300 yeards from it. We discuss what to do. I don't want to risk - a bear is no cow, and you can't just hope it won't maul you if you dare just walking on the trail a few feet from him! In the meantime, a group of 4 joins us, we have 2 more bear sprays and on we go. After 200 yards, there's the bear again. He moved slightly out of the woods, coming towards us. We're in 6 and we form a "line of fire", where us with the bear spray stay in front, ready to pull the trigger. We are at no more than 30 yards from him. Quite a bad choice, distant-wise huh? Well, the bear doesn't care/ He just grazes. I take a chance to shoot a picture and remember - of course, it always happen - that I left my telezoom lens at home. The day I have a bear this close. It's all cool until the bear turns towards us, gets on his hind legs for a few seconds, then resumes grazing. People are petrified. I decide that it's time for us to move, to take another trail, and leave the others with the decision on whether to continue or not. Before the end of the day, we'd see aother grizzly bear, still on the trail, the one we decided to continue on. It was definitely destiny, that day, that I'd see bears. 

2. Father osprey's back with food, Yellowstone NP

I know it's nothing extraordinary, and that people with more time (and money!!) than me have much better shots, but I'm particularly fnd of this one moment, and the picture that came with it. I was about to walk to the Lower Yellowstone falls (check out my "Top 10 Waterfalls in the U.S.A." on my previous post!) when I spotted this osprey nest. There was clearly one bird, so I got a bit closer. Almost nobody had spotted it before, and people were stopping and looking at what I was possibly shooting at. Then I moved, I was too far. I jumped over a fence - hey, there was no sign to not do it! - and strolled over a rocky cliff all the way to the end, where it dropped some hundreds of feet down towards the bottom of the canyon. I stopped, and started to get more details of the scene. Mother osprey was at the nest with 2 babies, and I reckoned father osprey wouldn't have been far. I started to scan the canyon. Far off the distance, towards the fall, a big bird soaring over the water catches my attention. I put it right into the center of my scope and follow it. At first, he came back with no food. So I wait. And I wait. I wait for 45 minutes, to the amusement of some people on the safe side of the trail (they were taking pictures of me standing there) to finally see him approaching the nest with a fish in his talons. It was great. Again, one of those things I used to see on tv documentaries, finally had been witnessed on live-action! It also taught me that those fellas have to be real patient - it ain't easy to provide for a growing family in osprey's world either!

1. Eventually, I cross gazes with a wild wolf, Kananaskis Country (Canada)

I was driving out of Kananaskis country on a grey, late-summer day with my girlfriend. We hadn't seen more than 3 or 4 cars in 3 hours that day. Back on the main road, after a few miles, something dog-like walks on the road. I accelerate to go past the dip on the road and find myself at some 30-40 yards from a gray wolf. I start shaking. Wolves are among my favourite animals overall. As I know, they're usually shy and fearful of humans (and they have good reasons to be so, I guess), so they tend to stay away from anything human-related, roads included. It's more of a luxury when somebody has a chance to spot one, even for a few seconds. Well, armed of my camera, there I am. I roll down the window, let my car running and on park, and shoot. This big guy literally walks towards us on the other side of the street, a few feet from us. I feel it difficult to handle the camera without shaking because of how thrilled I am. Seeing the wolf wslowly walking away, I get out of the car and carefully follow him, at a distance. He doesn't mind me, until this very moment. He turns towards me, looks at me for 2 or 3 seconds, and resumes whatever he was doing - probably just chasing some food source around. That gaze froze me. I wasn't scared, I know that probably deep inside he'd have been more scared than me, but it was an epic moment for me. Being that close to a wild wolf, exchanging an almost human-like, feelings-filled look for a few seconds. I hope I'll have other better, safe encounters with wolves, but for now, this one will stay at number 1! 

Thanks for following, remember to share it with your adventure-eager friends!!
I'll do my best to keep the production up... and coming up next is, my very personal "Top 10 National Parks of the U.S.A."! Catch with y'all soon!

Top 10 Waterfalls of the U.S.A. ("Places I Visited" series)

I've been long wandering how I could put down the things I did and the places I visited in a better way, an interesting one, an easy-to-digest way. I was scanning the web doing some research and I came across one of the many "top 10" kind of articles. I told myself, "I might as well add my own!", and here I am in the mix.
I will try to post my own charts, first of all of places throughout the U.S.A.
The first episode, as you read, is about waterfalls. Have you ever wondered what's the best waterfall in the country? I bet you heard of Niagara, and if you are looking for an answer on the web, it will likely show up as a top 3 pick most of the times. I've been to Niagara and I'd never put it even on a top 10 (matter of fact, you won't see it if you scroll down).
I will present other falls, some better known than others, that definitely struck me, for one or another reason. I'll let you judge, this time!

Enjoy - and remember to check out my Alamy page for more of my photography! >>>  My Alamy Photos

10. Vernal Falls, California

I admired this waterfall on my way down from the hike to Half Dome on a hot, late September day. I particularly enjoyed the geometry of the water flowing down and the light & dark layers visible on the rock. A little rainbow topped everything up perfectly.

9. Nooksack Falls, Washington

The atmosphere you can plunge yourself into at this particular spot in the Mt.Baker - Snoqualmie Forest is just magic. To the right side of the falls, a creek rushes down the woods and creates a beautiful, almost mystic haze that reaches the treetops.

8. Unnamed falls along Rainbow Falls trail, Tennessee

Although unnamed and fairly small, this waterfall is still one of my favourites. It is to be found along the Rainbow Falls trail in the Smoky Mountains National Park. And again, although the abundant amount of people that hike the trail usually overlook this fall to go straight to the more famous (and honestly, prettier) Rainbow, it still caught my eye and left me with another nice sight for my collection!

7. Nugget Falls, Alaska

An easy-to-reach, popular destination around Juneau, Nugget Falls, with its spectacular backdrop of mountains and glaciers, is a must-see. On the opposite side of the lake is the West Glacier trail, which gives broad views of Mendenhall glacier and another angle for the fall, from far up in the mountains.

6. Rainbow Falls, Tennessee

Picture-perfect Rainbow Falls, still in the Smoky Mountains national park. 

5. Lower Falls of the Yellowstone, Wyoming

Nestled in the "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone", this waterfall is absolutely pictoresque, powerful and adorable. Patches of ice and compact snow are visible until July on the canyon banks, and its yellows and oranges enhance the contrast with the lush world just a hundred feet above. For the patient and time-rich soul (not me in that particular day, sadly), early morning provides great opportunities to see the rainbow, while the evening might boast a colorful sunset, especially after a storm.

4. Havasu Falls, Arizona

It's a tough call to pick a favourite among the many falls located along Havasu canyon, and here's mine. Havasu is not my favourite. Although named by many one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, I personally prefer the fall that comes next on the list. Nonetheless, Havasu still strikes the hiker, the photographer, the dreamer. As from this particular angle, the contrast between red, green, blu and white is extreme and pleasing. It has something of a painting. The cruel thing is - for whoever hasn't been to Havasu canyon yet - that the whole canyon feels like that!

3. Lower Navajo Falls, Arizona

This waterfall overtakes in grandeur Havasu falls. You simply can't stop pulling the trigger - your camera's shutter - when you're in front of it. The canyon walls all around it makes it look like a secret jewel, kept away from mass-tourism and avid developers ready to build accessible boardwalks and other facilities. Hopefully that will never happen, for this beauty to be kept as it is.

2. Palouse Falls, Washington

Not really publicized, for sure not in an ideal location for tourism (the south-eastern corner of Washington state, not exactly the ultimate American tourist destination), Palouse falls will widely reward the soul that will drive the country roads that have to be taken to get there. The setting is absolutely stunning: the rocky walls covered in lush vegetation rise vertically from the water bowl that lies at the foot of the falls. Fat marmots rest peacefully all over the brinks of the canyon. To the right, the river flows through what seems like yet another local version of the mighty Grand Canyon. The thing that appeals the most to me though is, again, it's setting. 5 minutes out of the parking lot and you wouldn't bet a dime on such a majestic place to be there. #travelpower

1. The Falls that we see. Everywhere

Now, I don't want to seem too poetic, but that's what I think. Sometimes I stumble on unnamed, unmarked waterfalls that are simply gorgeous. Sometimes a little creek swollen with recent rain provided me a great sight and brilliant opportunities to create "my own" waterfall. That's what I like the most. This picture taken in the woods of Acadia national park is an example. 

Out of the chart mention: I have to mention it here simply because I haven't gotten there yet, but it's on my list. The Grand Falls of the Little Colorado, Arizona river have to be awesome. I can't wait to drive out there on my next trip!

Catch up with y'all on my next rank!!