The Greatest Places on Earth (170)

The Title says it. These ARE the GREATEST places on earth! I don't care what anybody else says. These ARE the ones. Case closed. Now...there are others of course, that are not listed on this page. So be it. I'll place them here as I can get the time to do so. For now, enjoy these...the Greatest Places On Earth....period!

(not necessarily in order...how can you order the greatests? By the way, did I mention that these are undeniably, THE greatest places on earth?)

Santa Cruz, California Boardwalk, Beach, Amuzement Park and Pier. There is great fun to be had here, as an adult or a young person. For me it brings back memories of childhood, and how scared I got to get on the Mouse Trap ride. Link to: Santa Cruze Beach Boardwalk

Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado Camping, hiking trails, panoramic views, isolation. Great place to withdraw and reflect. Link to: Colorado State Parks

	Government Camp, Oregon On the Mount Hood highway (Hwy 26), 40 miles east of Portland, on Mount Hood, at the 4000 foot level. (photograph of Mt. Hood, can you see the camp...about 1/3 the way up? ...just below the snow line, what, are you blind?) Originally a camp, built by the government (bet you couldn't guess that), to temporarily shelter/house government WPA workers, who built roads, hotels, infrastructure, etc. on Mt. Hood. If you're skiing Mount Hood that day, what a great place to stop for a beer afterwards. Stop in at the micro-brewery there at Government Camp, Mt. Hood Brewing Co. and get yourself some ICE AXE Ale. Some of the best beer I've had. Good company there too. Mount Hood is in the Cascade Range, towering 11235 feet, and about 40 miles south of the infamous Mount St. Helen. It is an extinct volcano (last eruption circa 1865) that is snow-capped year-round. It is touted as being used during the summer months (upper level only) for training by the US Olympic team. Ironically, in winter, the lower section opens but the upper section closes due to high winds blowing snow off the mountain, exposing rocks and trees which as you know, are very hazardous to skiers. Link to: Mt. Hood Brewing Co.
	Occoquan, Virginia 30 miles southwest of Washington DC, on Interstate 95.Take 123 (Gordon Blvd) off of I-95. Virginia (capital Richmond, also the capital of the Confederacy), also claims Jamestown, Britian's first American colony founded in 1607. Today, the US Government is the largest employer in the state. Link to: Occoquan's Home page
	Urania, Louisiana 40 miles North of Alexandria, on US 165, in the heart of the Kisatchie National Forest. Home of Henry Hardtner, the father of reforestation. Home of the 'greatest' "Loblolly" tree in the world. Just a few clicks north of the LaSalle correctional facility, so don't pick up any hitch-hikers. In the marque greeting you as you enter the town, although you can't see it, the sign reads Town of Urania, Home of Reforestation, Population 792 good people, and a few old KNOTHEADS. Next time I'm back there, I'll get a better picture so you can actually read it on the sign. Link to: Urania Info Page
	Muir Woods, California 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take US-101 and California 1. The park is cool, shaded, moist all year. Daytime temps 40-70, Jackets are advised. Link to: Muir Woods
	Stone Mountain, Georgia East of Atlanta, a 3200 acre park, full of natural wonders of plants and animals. Take I-20 East. (better picture of the mountain coming soon) Link to: Stone Mountain
	Barton Springs, Texas Located on Barton Creek, and the Edwards Aquifer. Natural limestone pool, 1000 feet long, fed by several underground springs. Within the Austin city limits. Link to: Barton Springs Info
	Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC Located on the National Mall. Reflective, so to see yourself in the wall. It is said that MOST Americans know at least one name on this wall. Link to: Great Memorial Info where you can look-up your friends and loved ones.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." Frank Sinatra

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