YELLOWSTONE

One of the marvels of the world, and the country’s oldest national park, this wild wonderland spreads across the three states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho (96 percent is located within Wyoming). Yellowstone National Park's 2 million acres are home to an incomparable combination of natural beauty, rugged wilderness, majestic peaks and abundant wildlife, as well as the world’s largest concentration of geysers and thermal features. Alongside the spectacular shows of geothermal activity, it has dense forests, towering peaks, deep river canyons, and enough outdoor recreation to last a lifetime.

Upper Falls of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, which drops 109 feet, is reached by a short path from the road. The view from the brink is thrilling, and one's effort in getting there well worthwhile. The falls are most impressive in the spring when the Yellowstone River is higher from all of the snow melt in late May and early June. This is a very impressive waterfall.

AGAWA CANYON

"TRESTLE AND DAM ON THE MONTREAL RIVER"

The Algoma District spreading north out of Sault Ste. Marie (pronounced soo-saint-marie), Ontario, is 16,000 square miles of vacationland. One of the more exciting trips awaiting the visitor is Agawa Canyon tour out of "The Soo" on the Algoma Central Railway. The Canyon lies in the heart of the wilderness and is accessible only by rail. En route, the train passes over the trestle, which straddles  the rushing Montreal River and an Ontario Hydro damsite.

The Algoma Central Railway is the only way in to this scenic wilderness area, with its waterfalls, mountains, ravines and forests. Special excursion trains make a day trip. There's a two-hour stop within the canyon for exploring, hill-climbing, rock-hounding, picnicking, fishing or just admiring the scenery. It's a trek that will appeal to walkers, hikers, backpackers and anyone who appreciates nature's beauty.



Algoma Country

MAINE

The largest state in New England, Maine is truly the Great Outdoors. Its most popular attractions are found along the spectacular coastline, beginning in the southeast with its largest and liveliest city, Portland, and the resort towns of the Kennebunks. Farther north, yachts and windjammers ply the waters of Penobscot Bay, while Acadia National Park stands as Maine’s coastal jewel. World-class skiing, hiking, and mountain-biking opportunities are found inland, at Bethel and Sugarloaf.

Maine Facts

Maine - "Pine Tree State"

CAPITAL - Augusta

AREA - 33,125 sq.miles

POPULATION -  "2015" 1,329,358

MOTTO - "Dirigo" I Direct"

FLOWER - Pine Cone

ANIMAL - Moose

CAT - Maine Coon

BIRD - Chickadee

TREE - Eastern White Pine

INSECT - Honeybee

23 rd. State admitted to the Union

Received from postcrosser Dick

CAERNARFON

 Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict. Caernarvon is architecturally one of the most impressive of all of the castles in Wales. It was modeled on fortress at Constantinople. Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river, the fortress (with its unique polygonal towers, intimidating battlements and colour banded masonry) dominates the walled town also founded by Edward I. Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. In 1969, the castle gained worldwide fame as the setting for the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. The castle also houses the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Wales's oldest regiment. Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant (1726–98) called Caernarfon Castle “that most magnificent badge of our subjection.”

Caernarfon Castle, North Wales
Eagle Tower

Received from Polish blogger and postcrosser Joanna

KILLARNEY

Located in the County of Kerry, Killarney is at the heart of the very beautiful and spectacular Southwest of Ireland. Also known as ‘The Town in the Park’, Killarney town is surrounded by 26,000 acres of National Parkland, including three stunning lakes. Killarney, one of Ireland's jewels and busiest tourist towns has many beautiful sites including Torc Waterfall, Muckross House and the Killarney National Park and is often referred to as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry.

Ross Castle is situated on the edge of Lough Leane one the lower lakes of Killarney National Park, 1.5 miles south of Killarney within the Kenmare Estate. It is a square tower house with bartizans, or overhanging turrets, on two of the tower's corners and two (of the original four) round towers. The castle is surrounded by parts of a square bawn or defensive wall. The most important room of the castle is the Great Hall situated on the top floor with large windows, fireplace, kitchen and minstrels' gallery. Ross Castle Killarney was probably built in the late 15thcentury.

Postcrossing postcard received from Brian

VICTORIA

Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia - Canada's most westerly province. It is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. In the city centre, the narrow streets are lined with handsome 19th century stone buildings, and great baskets overflowing with flowers grace and lampposts. It will charm you with its colonial heritage, beautiful world famous gardens, and its inner city harbour which is the focal point of the city. The Parliament buildings themselves overlook the harbour which is  a bustle of activity year-round. Every year the city of Victoria is adorned with millions of flowers, enhancing its reputation as Canada's "City of Gardens".

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
 

Construction of the current Parliament Buildings started in 1893 and they were officially opened on February 10, 1898. The style of the Parliament Buildings has been described as ‘free classical’ and ‘Romanesque.’ The roof is capped by 33 copper domes of different sizes. On top of the central dome, stands a gold plated, two-metre tall statue of Captain George Vancouver. Each night, the buildings are illuminated by more than 3500 energy-efficient light bulbs.

To visit the Parliament Buildings, go to Parliamentary Tour Office

Postcrossing postcard received from Katie

 

KEYSTONE SHORTWAY

The transcontinental Interstate 80 (I-80) is designated across northern Pennsylvania as the Keystone Shortway, a non-tolled freeway that crosses rural north-central portions of the state on the way to New Jersey and New York City. In Pennsylvania, Interstate 80 is also known as the “Z.H. Confair Memorial Highway.” On Sept. 17, 1970, the Pennsylvania section of I-80 was completed. Motorists had the ability to travel uninterrupted through the Commonwealth from Delaware Water Gap in Monroe County to Sharon in Mercer County. For over four decades, many have traveled the “Keystone Shortcut” to reach their destinations and get quickly from point to point, proving that the Pennsylvania section of I-80 continues to be an important artery in the U.S. highway system.

The KEYSTONE SHORTWAY , Interstate 80, between Sharon and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, 313 miles, 53 interchanges and 486 bridges, gives good access to many of the state parks and recreational areas as well as the shortest route across the state.

NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK

Welcome to Niagara Falls!

Niagara Falls , located (420 miles from New York City) on the border between Canada and the US, is one of New York State’s prime attractions, drawing more than 10 million visitors a year. It is a bustling tourist town with a tremendous range of man-made attractions. Nicknamed the world’s honeymoon capital, this spot is a natural wonder attracting newlyweds, families, cross-country travelers and waterfall fans. Each year millions of tourists from all over the world come to experience Bridal Veil Falls on Luna Island. From this point on the American side you can actually stand on top of the falls. A system of illumination also makes the falls a great attraction at night, every night of the year. Niagara Falls is amazing!

WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN

 

The Annual Wyandotte Street Art Fair

Incorporated in 1867, the City of Wyandotte is often described as the ‘Heart of Downriver’. A waterfront community, Wyandotte is rich in history and is known for its distinctive architecture, charming downtown district and a variety of cultural offerings. Wyandotte is well known for its community events, beautiful historical Museum, festivals and annual Wyandotte Street Art Fair. The Fair is traditionally held the second week of July each year. This popular event combines over 400 talented craftsmen and artists in a festive atmosphere. Special children's shows, street musicians and entertainers, along with delicious food booths provides something for everyone.

The purpose of the Wyandotte Street Art Fair is:

• To promote and expand community awareness of the creative arts through quality exhibits that provide meaningful, cultural enrichment.
• To offer the artist and visitor alike the opportunity to meet one another in a hospitable and festive atmosphere
• To stimulate a sense of civic unity and pride through the dynamics of cultural understanding

TORONTO

Toronto is Canada's commercial and culture centre. Located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, the city offers a fascinating combination of high-tech architecture with leafy Victorian neighbourhoods. It's a vibrant, exciting city with a multitude of sights to see and places to go.
CN Tower. This is the world's tallest free-standing structure. 553 m from the top of the transmission mast to the surface of the reflecting pool at the base. It's a tourist attraction as well as a communications tower, with indoor and outdoor observation decks, and the world's largest revolving restaurant at the 351 m.

Toronto - a great city to visit: skyline with CN Tower, Casa Loma, City Hall

Casa Loma. A fairytale castle in the heart of the city. Built in 1911 a rambling medieval-style castle, filled with the greatest luxuries and the most modern and ingenious inventions of the age.
City Hall. The symbol of Toronto's coming of age as a city of international stature. Completed in 1965, after years of acrimony, its design of twin curved towers immediately became a source of local pride.

Destination Toronto

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is one of California's major cities and one of the most beautiful in the world. It lies on over 40 small hills situated around San Francisco Bay. It is made up of 49 square miles of long boulevards, curvy streets, hidden alleyways and lots of hills. The city was founded in 1776 when the Spanish set up a Franciscan mission there. When gold was found in California during the late 1840s thousands of gold miners settled there and San Francisco turned into a bustling town.

The Heart of San Francisco documents a setting that is quintessentially "San Francisco". We can almost hear the clanging of bells as a cable car makes its way ponderously up the street while colorful vehicles dodge to and fro on the congested pavement

The cable car is San Francisco’s most famous symbol. It was designed to go up and down the city’s steep hills. Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937 and is one of the largest bridges in the world. It spans the entrance to San Francisco Bay over a total of 2,700 metres. Towers stand on both sides of the bridge San Francisco has a very exciting skyline with old buildings on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other.

Received from Polish blogger Magda

DUBLIN

Greetings from Ireland!

Dublin is located on the East Coast of Ireland, stretching along the Irish Sea in a half moon shape. The city is bordered to the South by the dramatic Wicklow Mountains. The language spoken in Dublin is English. Street signs and official buildings are signposted in both English and Gaelic, the indigenous Irish language. Dublin's elegant Georgian architecture makes it one of Europe's most attractive capitals. Dublin is a relatively small and accessible city, small enough and safe enough to get around on foot. It has history, charm, sights, museums, galleries, theatres, shops, pubs, restaurants and an abundance of character.

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Dublin City, colourful, vibrant, exciting. The living capital city of Ireland.

Dublin is a thriving cultural centre and boasts a great literary legacy with many luminaries of Irish literature such as Joyce, Shaw, Yeats, Wilde, Kavanagh and Beckett, being associated with the city.Famous for its easy going charm and cultural heritage, Dublin is also the capital of The Craic (pronounce 'crack'), the art of life. Although Dublin is well served by theatres, cinemas, nightclubs and rock venues, what sets the city apart from other European capitals is its pubs. It’s easy to pack a lot into a night out in Dublin. The city offers something to suit every taste and pocket: choose from world-class theatre, excellent concert venues, designer café-bars and lively or laid-back clubs hosting nights of traditional, country, jazz or rock music.

Postcrossing postcard received from Claudia

SIGNAL HILL

Signal Hill in Cape Town is a renowned tourist attraction. The large flat-topped hill located beside Lion's Head and looking out at nearby Table Mountain is a spectacular look-out point standing proudly between Green Point and the City Bowl. The name Signal Hill dates back to when it was an important semaphore post used for communication with distant ships at sea. Signal Hill's main attraction is the battery with the Noon Gun positioned just below the mountain top. Here a cannon-shot is fired every day (except Sun) at 12 o'clock noon on the dot, to uphold an old Capetonian tradition. The hill has been an observation post for shipping since the first European settlement.

Postcrossing Postcard received from Lu-Gerda

PLACERVILLE

Placerville is a charming California "gold rush" town named after the placer gold deposits found in its river beds and hills in the late 1840’s. The City of Placerville is centrally located between Sacramento, the State capitol, and South Lake Tahoe, world-famous recreation center. Situated above the fog line and below the snow line, Placerville boasts an ideal climate with four distinct seasons.

Placerville, or Hangtown as it was called, was a crossroads in the Mother Lode. It is located at the junction of what is now Highway 49, then the Mother Lode Trail, and U.S. 50, then the main East-West road from Sacramento to the Comstock Lode in Nevada. 

Placerville's treasured heritage is reflected in the historical, nineteenth century architecture of its downtown core. The Gold Bug Mine is the major historical and geological attraction in the park. An excellent example of hard rock gold mining, the Gold Bug Mine has a solid wooden floor, lighting throughout, and an air shaft providing clean cool air at all times. The mine floor is often damp depending on the season. 

Received from Polish blogger Magda

PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth is a dynamic and vibrant waterfront city. Ideally situated on the south coast of England, the UK’s only island city is ideal for a short break by the sea. There are lots of things to do in Portsmouth, with magnificent museums, live music venues, contemporary art galleries, two cathedrals, a diverse literary heritage, nightlife, festivals and countless events throughout the year.
Portsmouth was the birthplace of Charles Dickens, and has also been home to Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling during their lifetimes. These literary greats are celebrated at museums throughout the city and with frequent events.

The centrepiece of Portsmouth's bustling harbour area, the elegant Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays, is the tallest public viewing tower in the United Kingdom, rising 170 metres above sea level and offering spectacular views along the south coast.

Received from Polish blogger Magda

PACIFIC PARADISE

Pacific Paradise Resort is located close to Long Beach on Cox Bay, just 7 kms south of Tofino on the spectacular west coast of Vancouver Island, BC.  Perched on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park close to Long Beach and bordering Chesterman Beach, consider Pacific Paradise Resort a natural adventure hub to pristine beaches, ancient rainforests and the world-renowned, majestic fjords around Meares Island and Clayoquot Sound.

 

 Resort&Motel Tofino, B.C.
RIGHT ON THE BEACH FACING THE OPEN PACIFIC
This truly one of the world's most beautiful spots - a veritable wonderland of quiet splendor made vibrantly alive by the magnificent, but ever-restless sea. View is "SUNSET POINT", part of Pacific Paradise Resort.

The west coast is known for its natural beauty and this Vancouver Island resort is no exception with unforgettable front-row seats to nature's greatest waterpark. From towering old-growth forests to the crashing waves of the mighty Pacific Ocean, everyday is an adventure here. The area also inspires many renowned artists. makers and artisans, who honor the magic of their home by bringing it into the physical realm. Add to that a climate that summons outdoor enthusiasts from all corners of the Earth and it is clear that Tofino is poised to please.

 

BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE

 This 172-foot historic lighthouse is located on the northern point of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Built from 1857-1858, "Old Barney" alerts ships of the Barnegat Shoals, a resting place for approximately 200 shipwrecked vessels. The swift currents, shifting sandbars and the offshore shoals challenged the skills of even the most experienced sailor. Barnegat Lighhouse was designed by George Meade, who would later make a name for himself in the Civil War. There are 217 steps that lead to the light. "Old Barney" served as an aid to navigation until it was decommissioned in 1944.

From this lofty perch there are wonderful views of Long Beach Island, the Atlantic Ocean, Barnegat Bay, Barnegat Inlet and Island Beach State Park. It is also a favorite recreational area for boating, fishing and swimming. Besides people come here to walk, birdwatch and learn about maritime history.

ATLANTIC CITY

 Atlantic City is a resort city in New Jersey, United States, known for its casinos, boardwalk and beach. It is more than just a gambler's haven; it's a legendary resort town like no other. The magnetic appeal of the bright lights, sizzling nightlife and world-class casino gaming along the beach draws millions of visitors to Atlantic City. The most popular way to get around Atlantic City is on the 4-mile long Boardwalk (the oldest in the United States), as most of the operating casinos are on the Boardwalk. Atlantic City is right on the beach at the Jersey Shore; you can go swimming, tanning, fishing, or surfing. It is very unique, having both a small town charm coupled with an international "big city" identity. The world-famous Steel Pier extends 1,000 feet over The Atlantic City Ocean, providing the best view of the ocean. The Pier now features 25 kiddie and extreme rides, games, food stands and live entertainment.

Ocean One Pier and shopping mall is in the foreground. It extends from the world famous boardwalk out over the ocean. The bathing beach and Casino Hotels comprise the background

City of Atlantic City, NJ