Updated September 8, 2024.

Not all our destinations are National Parks or Monuments. Some include interesting or local eateries, many are “roadside attractions” such as Meteor Crater, and some are beautiful local parks or arboretums. Here are a few interesting wayside stops that we enjoyed along the way.

The Jackalope, Douglas, Wyoming

A Jackalope is a mythical cross between an Antelope and Jack Rabbit. However the belief in the Jackaope is strong in Douglass, Wyoming where jackalope hunting permits are available for purchase. The permit permits hunting “on the 31st day of June, between the hours of midnight and 2 a.m.”

Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, NC

Airlie Gardens’ dates back to 1884, when Pembroke and Sarah Jones purchased the property and transformed it into a picturesque garden.  The garden is now managed by a not-for-profit dedicated to preserving the historic public garden.

New Mexico Mining Museum, Grants, NM

New Mexico was second to Arizona in Uranium Mining from the 1950’s to 1980. The museum features the history of mining in New Mexico on the first floor and underground is a full-sized walking tour of a Uranium Mining worksite. As a retired Industrial Hygienist, Joe was especially interested in the PPE, Safety Posters and radiation detection equipment. Scary to think of the mining risks and working underground all day.

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo TX

Public Art is alive in the state of Texas. Bring your own spray paint, or buy it there so you can add your own personal touch to the art. Art or kitsch, you decide.

Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman AL

The Ave Maria Grotto is located at St. Bernard Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1891.  The Grotto contains over 100 dioramas created by Brother Joseph Zoetl, O.S.B., a monk who lived at the Abbey for nearly 70 years. Made from local stone and reclaimed materials, the dioramas are incredibly detailed. When looking through the viewfinder it was easy to forget that one was looking at miniature, hand-built models. Sue remarked that this is probably the closest she will ever come to experiencing these sacred sites: A must-see if you find yourself in northern Alabama.

Gari Melchers Home and Studio in Falmouth, VA

On my return to Fredericksburg, I walked through the house and opening the back door, looked down the hill across the fields and the river. The beauty of Virginia made me wonder how I could have ever left it even for a winter. Gari Melchers, 1928

We happened upon this roadside attraction quite by chance and were delighted to discover this turn-of-the-century leading portraitist, muralist, and American Impressionist painter. While his peers are well-known (such as John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt) and, although he painted the portraits of notables such as Mark Twain and President Theodore Roosevelt, Gari Melchers’ work remained largely unknown to us, until now. His beautiful, historic home perched on an hill overlooking the Rappahannock River in Falmouth, Virginia, was purchased by the Melchers in 1916, and it continues to serve as creative inspiration for artists today. Following the house tour, visitors are invited to wander the grounds in search of inspiration with pencil and sketch pad provided gratis. The Melchers museum houses over 1,600 of his works under the guidance of the University of Mary Washington. We will now be on the lookout for Melchers paintings in other museums. A lovely biography with his many accomplishments and accolades, and examples of his work are available online here.

The Old Burying Ground, Beaufort, North Carolina

Our travels took us close to Beaufort. Having always wanted to visit, we decided to take a detour. Among the many other historic buildings, is the Old Burying Ground. North Carolina’s third oldest city, Beaufort dates from the late 1,600’s and the burying grounds were established shortly thereafter. A stroll through this fascinating old graveyard reveals the graves of the likes such as the unknown British officer (Her Majesty’s Navy) who is buried standing up in full uniform facing East toward England. The many children’s graves also serve as a reminder that until recently children were lucky to live to adulthood. The oldest legible date is 1756 on the grave of a child known only as “AP”. Other occupants of the graveyard include notables from the town, a young girl who died at sea and was buried in a keg of rum, and the casualties of wars such “the Indian Wars”, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. The above website includes links to a graveyard brochure and audio tour should anyone have an interest.

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