RV Lifestyle The Cliff Walk, Newport, Rhode Island The CliffWalk along the eastern shore of Newport is famous as a public access walk that combines the natural beauty of the Newport shoreline with the architectural history of Newport’s gilded age. Wildflowers, birds and geology all add to this delightful walk. What makes Cliff Walk unique is that it is a National Recreation Trail in a National Historic District. In 1975, the walk was designated as a National Recreation Trail – the 65th in the nation and the first in New England. The walk runs for 5.6 km and about two-thirds of it is easy walking condition. Parts of the southern half of the walk are a rough trail over the natural and rugged New England rocky shoreline. Walkers need to be especially careful and alert in these challenging sections. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian Mountains culture, this is America’s most visited national park. Canyonlands National Park, Utah Explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts – the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. Carved out of vast sedimentary rock deposits, this landscape of canyons, mesas and deep river gorges possesses remarkable natural features that are part of a unique desert ecosystem. With elevations ranging from 1,127 to 2,194 m, Canyonlands experiences very hot summers, cold winters and fewer than 10 inches of rain each year. Even on a daily basis, temperatures may fluctuate by as much as 50 degrees. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia The best way to experience Shenandoah is on Skyline Drive. It’s one of the most incredible drives in America. When you enter from the north, you start by descending into an old-growth forest and then climbing the ridge with its sweeping curves that feature scenic vistas of rolling forests andmountains on either side of the road. When you reach the end of the road, you’ll want to hook up with the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby to keep enjoying the great views. Please Note: My ever-growing list of Extraordinary Places will continue in the Winter issue. Badlands National Park, South Dakota People are drawn to the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse and sabre-toothed cats once roamed here. The park’s 90,652 ha protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie on which bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets live today. Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires. Administered in two units – Sage Creek and Conata Basin – the area is open for backpacking and exploration. The Badlands were the filming location for both Dances with Wolves and Armageddon. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural tapestry of Southern Appalachian history. The mountains have had a long human history spanning thousands of years from the prehistoric Paleo Indians, to early European settlement in the 1800s, to loggers and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 20th century. The park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the varied stories of people who once called these mountains home. CSANews | FALL 2022 | 29
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