Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Cass Railroad and Green Bank Observatory
A cold start in the forest turned into a day of discovery. After a stop at a roadside bakery, I explored Cass Scenic Railroad, where the legacy of logging still echoes through the hills, then continued to Green Bank Observatory, where massive radio telescopes listen to the stars in one of the quietest places on Earth.
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
I began the morning at Twin Falls Resort State Park, then toured the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine with a retired mine inspector. He spoke about the work, the dangers, and even the rats that warned miners of bad air. From Beckley to Helen and Itmann, the Coal Heritage Trail traces stories of coal, community, and endurance—ending with quiet reflection in an abandoned company store.
Charleston, WV
The drive into Charleston wound through tight turns and across the bridge to the Capitol Complex. I spent the morning at the West Virginia State Museum, a well-designed walk through time that tells the story of how the state came to be. Outside, I stopped at the Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln statue before exploring the Capitol. Inside, a long talk with a former police chief led to the story behind the Robert C. Byrd statue and its controversy. As the day ended, I photographed Kanawha Falls from the roadside, the light fading fast over the water.
Louisville Slugger, Church Hill Downs, NULU
I spent the day exploring Louisville’s past and present—touring Churchill Downs and its exhibits on Secretariat, visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum to see how the iconic bats are made, and ending in the NULU district surrounded by food, coffee, and creativity. It was the perfect mix of Kentucky tradition and modern energy.
Mark Twain-Hannibal, MO
Hannibal, Missouri, sits quietly along the Mississippi River, a town steeped in history and wrapped in the stories of Mark Twain. I spent the night nearby at the Edward Anderson Conservation Area, a peaceful stretch of woods just south of town, before exploring Hannibal’s historic streets the next day.
Nelson-Atkins Art Museum
I explored the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, wandering its sculpture gardens, discovering Noguchi’s stone pieces, marveling at El Anatsui’s Dusasa I, and losing myself in Monet’s water lilies. This mix of outdoor whimsy, modern masters, and Impressionist calm made for one of my most rewarding museum stops.
Joslyn Art Museum
I expected little but found a lot at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. Free admission, diverse collections, and even a Kenneth Snelson sculpture made this Nebraska stop far more rewarding than I imagined.
Ironworld Discovery Center
A day on Minnesota’s Iron Range moves from the history-packed trolley ride at the Minnesota Discovery Center to the towering 85-foot Iron Man statue, a tribute to the miners who built America’s steel backbone. Visitors can wander a rare northern bog in Orr, where carnivorous plants and stunted spruce thrive in soil too poor for most life, before ending the day at a Harvest Hosts stay on a 1938 airfield. Hosts Pat and Dave welcome guests with cookies, a spaghetti squash, and stories before a heavy storm rolls in—lightning flashing so often it turns the fan vent into a strobe light.