Explore Arizona’s Wupatki National Monument

Between The Grand Canyon and Flagstaff sits some of Arizona’s most accessible and impressive Indian pueblos.   Although the landscape is anything but inviting, that didn’t deter tribes of people from settling in the area. In fact, it became a major trading hub.  During the 1100’s, it is believed that thousands of people lived within a day’s walk of what is now Wupatki National Monument.

The highlight of the park is Wupatki Pueblo.   Archeologists believe that as many as 85 – 100 people called the pueblo home.   When built, it stood three stories high in some places.  Timbers were used for the roof while lower levels were constructed with mud, stone, and grass.    This 100 room pueblo wasn’t just for living in.   Storage rooms for crops, a tower, ceremonial ball court, kiva, and community room were also built.  Perhaps one of the most unique features is the blowhole – where cool area still blows out today.

Visitors can thoroughly explore the outer features of the Wupatki Pueblo.  An easy ½ mile, paved loop gives visitors a glimpse into the past and an appreciation for the construction and planning of this expansive pueblo.

The park has five other pueblos to explore too.   They are much smaller, but just as accessible and impressive in their own right.   Our favorite of the five is Wukoki Pueblo - it’s an easy walk (less than a ½ mile round trip) with expansive views of the Arizona desert.

The beauty of Wupatki National Monument is that it is so easy to explore.  You don’t need fancy hiking shoes or have to be in fantastic shape to see the pueblos.   All you need is a little sense of adventure and some ice cold water to shield you from that blazing Arizona desert sun!

For more information, please visit http://www.nps.gov/wupa/

Looking for more vacation ideas?  Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!

 

 

 

 

Step Aboard America’s Ship – The U.S.S. Constitution

Boston is a town that teems with history.  From Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride to the pivotal battle on Bunker Hill, visitors and locals have plenty of local history haunts to visit.   But there is one piece of history that can’t be missed – a trip aboard The U.S.S. Constitution.

The U.S.S. Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship.   On October 21, 1797, this 44 gun battleship was launched.   The government initially built her to help defend American merchant ships coming off the coast of Africa.   But that is only part of her story.

Her biggest battles came during the War of 1812.  Outmaneuvering England’s Royal Naval Ships, she not only won the battles but uplifted “American morale…and end forever the myth that the Royal Navy was invincible” helping her earn the nickname “Old Ironsides.”   She was officially taken out of active service in 1855.

Today, visitors can step aboard one of America’s best pieces of living history.   Free daily guided tours are given by active-duty Navy sailors.   Visitors will not only learn the history of this spectacular vessel, but get to explore the top deck, berth deck, and gun deck.   They’ll have a birds-eye view of the captain’s cabin, the wardroom (where the ship’s officers lived), and the surgeon’s cockpit.   Then, it’s off to look at that impressive dragon that winds down her bow.         

Note:   Because the ship is still commissioned, security is incredibly tight.  All visitors over the age of 18 must have a valid state or federal government id to enter.

For more information about tours and hours of operations, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/

Looking for more vacation ideas?  Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!