Exploring The Beast Coast
When people mention exploring the world, their first thought is most likely of the beautiful countryside of Italy along with the best wine in the world, or maybe the relaxing beaches off the coast of Spain. Long story short, most people don’t realize how amazing the East Coast of the United States really is. As I take you South to North along the East Coast to my top sights and attractions you will notice the lack of credit it receives while exploring.
Our first stop would be as South in the United States as you can possibly travel, Florida. Here we will visit St. Augustine. This ancient city is located along the Atlantic Coast near the top of Florida (Northeast). In 1513, Ponce de Leon was given credit for the first landing and detailed exploration of the coast of Florida as he was in search of the “Fountain of Youth”, which is still available to visit today. He returned to Spain, gathered people and returned to present day St. Augustine to establish a colony. However, this plan was quickly ruined by Native Americans who attacked them quickly after they landed. This resulted in Ponce De Leon fleeing back to Cuba, and his death from an injury from the battle. This is the very first city in America, therefore making it the oldest city in the United States when it was officially founded by the Spanish in 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles who named the city after Augustine, a saint whose feast day was the same day the land was spotted. Now, the reason I chose this as the very first destination is the amount of activities there is to do in this location that is not very huge and overwhelming. So, my top 5 “must do’s” of St. Augustine are the St. Augustine Distillery, San Marcos Castle, Wild Reserve, Lighthouse, and the Fountain of Youth. The first reason I love the distillery is because of its price, free. However, it lasts about an hour. The guide, an employee of the distillery, will explain the collection of the raw materials gathered before they take you the processing plant to demonstrate technique, efficiency, and their secrets of perfecting the vodka and gin made there. In addition to this fun tour, they end this experience by making everyone on the tour free samples of vodka made in this very place! It isn’t the most exciting, but is definitely worth the time and awesome gift shop at the end. Next, is the San Marcos Castle, which has always been the most affective on me as a person. Built in 1672 to protect the coast from invaders the castle is uniquely made out of coral rock which is a blend of rock and shells and is very strong. You experience a breathtaking view of the sea as the castles well preserved history, along with the interior rooms allow the history to come alive. Every hour there is even a legit cannon shot for people to see. Saving the best for last, the Fountain of Youth is what St. Augustine is most famously known for. This is what Ponce De Leon was in search for when he first landed on the coast of Florida. While visiting this famous sight you get a more detailed explanation of the fountain, and the best part, trying a small sample of the water which is said to prevent aging from the day you drink it! All in all, I would rate this destination a 9 out of 10.
The next destination we will be traveling to is Asheville, North Carolina, which will be around a 500-mile trip, or anywhere from a 7 to 8-hour drive depending on traffic from Florida. This estate is where the same individual who built New York City’s Central Park, Frederick Olmstead designed the 125,000 acres of the Biltmore Estate. Sooner rather than later, George Vanderbilt went on to build the largest private owned home in America, which still remains true today. Since it is open to the public, you can now take a tour, either self-guided or tour-guided depending on your preference. The tour of the home, includes 3 stories and a basement (250 rooms), the garden, the winery, and a special servant tour to see how the servants lived within the estate. During the tours you learn about the history of the families who owned this mansion along with the history of the mansion itself. Also, feel free to stay a night if you are really enjoying it as the Biltmore Inn opened up in 2001 offering people a place to stay. As I inhaled the fresh air and examined the mountains along the horizon, I was left with no option other than to rate this destination a 10 out of 10.
The third destination we are going to visit is Quicksburg, Virginia, where the world’s only rock-cavern with an elevator exists! The Shenandoah Caverns have been featured in the National Geographic magazine for their outstanding rock formations. Here you can take a guided tour through seventeen different yet equally as outstanding rooms. Each room is equipped with gravel pathways and breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites. If unfamiliar with this rock vocabulary, Stalactites are icicle shaped rocks that hang down from the ceiling as opposed to Stalagmites, which are the opposite as the grow from the ground up.As you venture through the seventeen rooms, 3 specific sights are located within the cavern. The Diamond Cascade, the Bacon Formation, and Rainbow Lake. Diamond Cascade is a room entirely filled with stalactites that seem to glitter with the light. Everyone who visits will tell you that pictures don’t do it justice. Next, the Bacon Formation, is the main reason this cavern was featured on National Geographic. The rocks formed to resemble the exact shape and form as a standard piece of bacon! Lastly, Rainbow Lake is a room full of unique formations that is splashed with colorful, vibrant lights which are usually a family favorite. After trekking through narrow paths and viewing some of the most extraordinary stalactites/stalagmites in the world, I would rate my experience a 9 out of 10. On a side note, if you are looking for more time to spend around the area before you leave, you can easily visit the Yellow Barn to retrace America’s agricultural heritage or visit the American Celebration which serves as home to multiple large parade floats from Presidential Inaugurals and other national celebrations.
Now, the 4th stop in our exploration up the East Coast, we will make our next stop at the residence of our very first president, George Washington. Mount Vernon, Virginia was the residence of George Washington from 1732 to 1799 and also, his burial ground. Originally named Little Hunting Creek Plantation by George’s older half-brother, he changed the name later on in honor of Edward Vernon, the admiral he served under in the Caribbean. Once George Washington’s older half-brother passed away not only took over the estate but expanded the house into a 21-room building with expensive furniture and an original arrangement of colors and design. Next, the gardens, President Washington had 4 separate gardens which all together took up around 6 acres. President Washington passed away in the master bedroom of this mansion in 1799. Ann Pamela Cunningham organized the Mount Vernon of The Ladies’ Association of The Union and raised $200,000, enough to purchase the home. Under this association the house would now be restored. Since then the building has been preserved and worked on to maintain it’s greatness, however his original tomb still remains on the property along with his wife, Martha and other family members. Lastly, most would think of the war general George Washington but he was known to mainly think of himself as a farmer. You can tour his 4-acre farm which is known to be remembered from the exact replica of his 16 sided barn accompanied by a restored slave cabin. With all these exciting things to see on the property you can be fascinated for hours. As you walk around the estate of our very first U.S President, overlooking the shaded gardens you will understand why I rate this sight a 9 out of 10.
The fifth location on our travels will be to the capital of the United States, Washington D.C., although there is a plentiful amount of various museums, memorials, and monuments one is known to be greater than the rest. Mostly famous for ending slavery, Abraham Lincoln is portrayed as dominant as ever in the Lincoln Memorial. Responsible for this building is Henry Bacon, who designed this memorial after the Pantheon. Bacon’s idea behind this was “A man who defended Democracy, should be based on a structure founded in the birthplace of Democracy”. As you approach this memorial, you will at first see and walk through massive marble columns. Once inside you can’t miss the marble, greek-styled sculpture that takes full control of your eyes. He sits above as if he is looking straight through the Washington Monument. “In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.” You can read these words located directly above Lincoln’s head. As you scan the giant room you will also notice two famous speeches reflecting each other. Both speeches directly show Lincoln’s character as well as success during office. Any idea what these two famous quotes might be? They are the Gettysburg Address and The Second Inaugural Address. Another important stop on our trip is the White House. You can’t get inside at all but the scene outside the gates is worth the experience! People protest out front every day about different topics along with tourists crowding the fence to get a view from afar of the beautiful building. Anyways, the moment I made eye contact with this memorial I rated it a 10 out of 10, breathtaking.
The sixth stop of our trip up the “Beast Coast” lands us in the “Concrete Jungle”, more well known as New York City! Holding nearly 8.5 million people, it is by far the most densely populated city in the United States. With this massive population comes a couple of the most nationally well-known sights in the world. What comes to mind when you think of New York City? Is it possibly the vivid screens and bright lights of Times’ Square? Or maybe the elegant Statue of Liberty as she represents America with pride and joy? If you thought of either of these, you guessed our next sights! First, we will take a ferry to Ellis Island. Opening from 1892 and closing in 1954, Ellis Island served as an immigration station to millions. It is known that nearly 40 percent of U.S citizens can trace at least one of their ancestors back through Ellis Island. As you tour Ellis Island you can actually search through their database to actually find your own ancestors! It is very interesting and exciting to trace your ancestors steps as you learn the process it took to become a legal U.S citizen through this Island. After taking the tour of the building you can then take a shorter fairy ride to the neighboring island, Liberty Island. Here stands the symbol of New York, the Statue of Liberty. It is a beautiful gift from the French that reflects pure freedom and democracy. First thought of in 1865, Frederick Auguste Bartholdi gave a benchmark of 1876 for completion. The Americans and French agreed to split the work, with the Americans constructing and the French designing it was a joint project. However, with the lack of funds this benchmark was delayed. Through persistent efforts of demoralizing the rich in newspapers, the rich finally began to donate to what I consider to be a cornerstone of America. Anyways, here you can take beautiful pictures of not only Mrs. Liberty, but you can actually now climb to the crown of the Statue to get an overlook of the city from a distance.
As mentioned earlier, the next stop within New York City has to be the center of the city, Times Square. First and foremost, this busy location received its name when “New York Times” newspaper headquarters moved to what used to be known as Long-acre Square. During the early 1900s or the WWI, a ground shaking amount of productions were filmed bringing along celebrities. Just as Times Square began to flourish, the Great Depression hit forcing many theatres and shops to close down in the area. Shortly after the depression, Times Square went into what many consider its downfall. As adult shops, stores, and shows took over the area as the crime rate rose. “At one point, it was considered one of New York’s dangerous places.” Once, the 1980s arrived, officials began to revive the thought to be “lost” part of the city. By the early 90s most adult shops were closed down and the Mayor at the time, Rudy Gliuliani, promised to continue the progress of the revival. Security was increased, adult theatres were closed, drugs were forced away as he followed through with the promise. From then on, Times Square has been a highlight of the city. So, what attracts the mass amount of people to Times Square? Simply, it’s the shopping capital of the world containing every designer clothing company imaginable fused with top attractions such as Hard Rock Café, Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, and ABC Studios, the spot where the filming of “Good-morning America” takes place! Today, Times Square is the only where tenants are required to play lighted signs!
The final destination of our long journey up the beast is also in New York. However, this time its nearly the complete opposite of the city. About a 7 hour drive from NYC, Niagra Falls is located on the border of Canada with Ontario, in fact it is the mouth of the Ontario River. During the Ice Age, large amounts of water released and drained into what is now the Niagra River. The force of the water continues to wear down the rock and move the fall upstream. Every year, the freezing and thawing of the fall wear away the layers of rock. The main attractions here consist of the falls themselves, the Skylon Tower, and the whitewater walk. The falls are beautiful whether you decide to see them from below in a boat as the water crashes near you or stand above as you look over the land and nearly feel the water’s cool breeze pull you over the edge. With all these sights to see in NYC how could I not rate it a perfect 10 out of 10.
“Where should we travel next?” might be a question that arises in the near future, if so, now you know your answer. Without a doubt it should be the “Beast Coast”, whether it’s the Sunny state of Florida’s medieval feel of St. Augustine, or the densely populated modern city of New York’s Times Square. With a large selection up, down or left of the coast you shouldn’t have a problem locating your next great adventure with the beast!
