OUR BIG TRIP
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NATURAL SCENIC WONDERSBackpacking through Europe, Asia and America was a once in a lifetime experience and along the way we saw some amazing sights and attractions that will stay with us for the rest of our days.
We keep being asked what we enjoyed seeing the most on our big trip. It is very difficult to choose but we have had a think and drawn up a list of our top 10 scenic wonders. To read a full account about our experiences with each one please click on the title. Relatively unknown as a scenic wonder outside of America the Colorado National Monument is a truly mesmeric sight. Containing wonderful deep sheer walled canyons and free standing monoliths created by the powerful erosive force of winds and flood waters over millions of years the resulting landscape is quite simply the most sensational terrain I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. The length, elevation and winding nature of the park's roads make hiring a car to tour the site essential. However as many of the canyons and monoliths are accessible via remote, sparsely populated walking paths that stretch off into a fertile ocean of flora, the views and more importantly the essence of the Colorado National Monument, unlike its more famous counterpart the Grand Canyon, can be savoured in the solitude that such an awe inspiring attraction deserves. So good we ended up going there twice! Undoubtedly America's most revered natural scenic wonder the Grand Canyon needs no introduction. At 277 miles long, 10 miles wide and 1 mile deep the Grand Canyon is one of the greatest treasures of the natural world. The shades, colours and textures of the rock formations, interwoven by lush trees and the parched earth are nothing short of magical. Stretching out for as far as the eye can see the holistic effect of the Colorado River's gradual eroding of layer after layer of canyon wall over millions of years is a truly incredible showcase to the power of nature. You have seen the pictures but nothing compares to actually standing in front of it live in the flesh. With an aura that is legendary the feelings it evokes in people are often overwhelming. Some are even brought to tears. Overall this was my second visit to this extraordinary sight. One day I am sure there will be a third. Fondly referred to as the 'Crown of the Continent', Glacier National Park, located just 24 miles east of Whitefish, Montana, is a World Heritage Site, a Biosphere Reserve and together with connecting Waterton Lake National Park in Canada, an International Peace Park. With more than 350 structures on the National Register of Historic Sites, 6 National Historic Landmarks and over 1 million acres of old growth forests, lush green prairies, ancient glaciers and deep lakes, it truly is a magnificent display of natural beauty. Best seen initially by driving along the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50 mile route that leads from the entrance of the park all the way to the top of 7000 feet high mountains that lie just below the Continental Divide, Glacier National Park with over 700 miles of trails also offers plenty of opportunities for deeper exploration on foot. With an incredible mosaic of green, yellow and purple hillsides, vibrant wildflower meadows and snow covered peaks to look at our two visits here provided memories that will stir our souls for many years to come. Tucked away serenely among the ragged peaks of the imposing Sierra Nevada mountain range, Lake Tahoe is an awesome natural phenomenon that is a world away from the organised urban chaos of Reno. At 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, with a 71 mile shoreline, Lake Tahoe contains over 12 million acre feet of water. Enough to fully submerge the state of California to a depth of 14.5 inches. With the sun's rays glistening on a surface that changes seamlessly from turquoise to sapphire blue at the drop of a hat, Lake Tahoe is a magical sight that combines the beauty of a Scottish loch, the majesty of a Norweigan fjord and the breathtaking vistas of a Swiss alpine forest to create an awe inspiring canvas of scenic wonder. Dotted along the shoreline, which elevates through 6229 feet of rugged peaks and takes about 2 hours to drive around, are a collection of pristine beaches, state parks, remote coves and quaint marinas. All in all a fantastic place to spend a couple of days of relaxing. Towering above a protective circle of lush alpine forests Mount Hood in Oregon is an imperious site. Rocketing up to 11,240 feet the mountain allures all and sundry for miles around. However its most enchanting vista is surely the one that can be gained by Lake Trilium. From a remote cove of dense woodland the view of the deep blue sky exacerbating Hoods rugged snowy peak and its reflection majestically rippling back on the surface of the lake was truly sensational. With literally only about 6 other people sprinkled across the area it was a vista that we were able to digest in peaceful seclusion, firstly over a picnic, and then during a gentle 2 hour exploration. The presence of mountain goats clinging to the surrounding rock face at 45 degree angles and fish swimming serenely in front of us only served to heighten the sensation. One of the most enjoyable afternoons we spent on the entire trip if it was not for the darkness rapidly closing in, we would have probably stayed there all day. Although the Alps span from the Mediterranean coast of France well in to Slovenia we found their presence in the Austrian town of Innsbruck to be especially mesmeric. Nestled in the valley of the Inn River, tucked between the northern Alps and the Tuxer mountain range Innsbruck is a famous playground for winter sports enthusiasts and has twice been the host of the Winter Olympics. Despite not venturing up into the mountains the blue sky, clean air and its commanding disposition provided us with enough visual stimulation to hold our attention at ground level. Whatsmore as the town is constructed around the foothills of these ranges the mountains were something we were even able to enjoy from the comfort of our hotel room. Something we took full advantage of at all hours of the day. Spanning the Niagara River between Ontario and New York, Niagara Falls is an extraordinary sight. Actually containing three distinct and separate cascades, American Falls, Bridal Falls and Horseshoe Falls, the sheer awesome power and tumultuous roar of the rampaging waters sets your heart racing. With the equivalent of more than 1 million bathtubs of water per second surging down furiously from each rim the panorama of the falls is an incredible sight to behold. An attraction that can be appreciated from many different perspectives, from the main observation deck, on the Maid of the Mist boat tour or by undertaking the Journey behind the Falls, a manmade tunnel cut into the rocks that provide an incredibly unique look out point about a third of the way up the cliff behind Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls and is a marvel of nature that one can never tire of. Even though this was my third visit here the overwhelming sense of wonder I felt when viewing the falls made it seem very much like my first. The Greek Island of Santorini possesses one of the most unique, volatile and incredibly spectacular settings I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Once part of a chain of volcanoes more than a million years ago the area's landscape changed dramatically when a series of destructive earthquakes and eruptions came to a head in the form of what is believed to have been the largest explosion in the earth's history. As more than 30 cubic kilometres of lava overflowed and a jet of ash 36 kilometres high shot into the air the resulting carnage was catastrophic. The middle of the island caved in, forming a caldera that quickly became submerged by the sea. By the time the dust had settled mother nature had begun the process of turning Santorini's landscape into one of the most striking and inspiring locations in the world. What nature created man has continued and the sight of dense clusters of gleaming white buildings teetering on the edge of sheer lava layered cliffs, that almost entirely encircle the submerged caldera, and plummet more than 200 metres down to the sea, was as dramatic as it was sensational. If I ever won the lottery I would definitely buy a holiday home here. One of the crown jewels of Northern California, The Redwood National Park encompasses 110,000 acres of some of the oldest, tallest and most durable trees in the world. Growing in excess of 350 feet high, taller than the Statue of Liberty, and weighing up to 500 tons the trees are remarkable. Venturing deep into its beautiful cathedral like grove, with the trees towering imperiously above us and shafts of light filtering through the branches, was a fascinating experience and as we walked round the forest we were able to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of these marvels of nature. Considering these giant redwoods are spawn from seeds only slightly bigger than a pinhead they really are amazing. Whatsmore as they have outlived dinosaurs and the sweeping geological changes that have sculpted mountains and shifted continents over a period of 65 million years, have no known killing diseases and suffer no significant insect damage, their durability makes you realise how insignificant man really is. Meaning literally '5 towns' the Cinque Terre in North Italy is a 12km path that threads together the tiny coastal villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. As a World Heritage Site the walkway leads you on a fantastic amble along centuries old footpaths and mule tracks that wind through terraced hills with gradients fluctuating between 500 and 1,000 feet above sea level. As you walk through its staggering patchwork of olive groves, vineyards, orchards and chestnut woods that slope steeply down to the sea the trail offers breathtaking views of the Ligurian Coast's rocky shoreline and shimmering water. Not for people with a poor level of fitness, although there regular trains that link the towns together, but for those who do decide to hike the trail the inspiring natural beauty on offer is a terrific reward for the effort.
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