Day 1: CALIFORNIA - California State Capitol
Sacramento is considered a river town and evolved from the California Gold Rush. The city has the distinction of being home to the largest “Certified Farmers Market” in California. Sacramento processes more almonds than anyone else in the world. Sacramento is actually California’s sixth capital since 1854. It was the state capital in the past, was then dropped, and then, of course, is now the reigning city once again. Prior capitals include Monterey, Vallejo, Benicia, and San Jose.Sacramento is home to the original Pony Express. This expansive mail delivery service originated in Sacramento and stretched all the way to Missouri. It has been called the “Camellia capital of the world,” “City of Trees” and the “River City.”
Day 2: UTAH - Salt Lake City, Utah state capitol, temple square, Independence rock
Great Salt Lake, also know as the Dead Sea of America, is the fourth largest salt lake in the world,
Day 3: DAKOTA - Mount Rushmore, crazy horse, bear world
The carving of Mount Rushmore began in 1927 and finished in 1941. The presidents were chosen for their significant contribution to the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the country. George Washington (1789 – 1797) was chosen because he was our nation’s founding father. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was chosen to represent expansion, because he was the president who signed the Louisiana Purchase and authored the Declaration of Independence Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) was chosen because he represented conservation and the industrial blossoming of the nation. Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was chosen because he led the country through the Civil War and believed in preserving the nation at any cost. Each president’s face is 60 feet high. The faces appear in the order: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln. Washington’s face was completed in 1934. Jefferson’s in 1936. Lincoln was finished in 1937. in 1939, the last face — of Theodore Roosevelt — was completed. The world's largest mountain sculpture next to the on going carving of the Crazy Horse Monument.
The Western epic movie Dances with Wolves1990 with Kevin Costner, was filmed on location in South Dakota, near the Triple U Butte Ranch in Stanley County outside Pierre on route 14. The Tennessee civil war battle was also filmed here while the winter camp is at Spearfish canyon, located in the NE of the Black Hills, outside Rapid City, route 90 in SW South Dakota. The wagon ride from Fort Hayes to Fort Sedgewick was filmed in the Sage Creek Wilderness of Badlands National Park, while a second unit shot the spectacular scenery of Jackson, Wyoming (source: movie locations).
Day 4: WYOMING - Yellowstone, Old Faithful geyser, devils tower (bear lodge)
The alien movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind directed by Steven Spielberg, was filmed on location in the NE corner of Wyoming in the Black Hills National Forest. In the movie, the real alien landing site was the Devil's Tower. According to native legend, the strange formation was made by a giant bear clawing at a mountain to reach the native children on the summit. Devil's Tower was designated as the US first national monument in 1906. (source: ).
Jackson Hole was originally named Jackson's Hole for Davey Jackson, a mountain man who trapped in this area during the late 1800's. "Hole" was a term used in that day to describe a high mountain valley. First government in world history to allow women to vote (in 1869, 51 years before the U.S. Constitutional amendment). Wyoming's state slogan is "The Equality State". The world's only public auction of elk antlers takes place on the Jackson Town Square. John Wayne's first speaking part was in "The Big Trail", filmed in Jackson Hole in 1932. Over 15 feature films have been made on location in Jackson Hole including: "Shane", "Spencer's Mountain", "Any Which Way You Can", and "Rocky IV".
Day 5: MONTANA - Grand Teton peak, fountain paint pot, mammoth hot spring, mud volcano
Bison is the national mammal of the United States. They are the largest mammal in North America. Male bison (called bulls) weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall, while females (called cows) weigh up to 1,000 pounds and reach a height of 4-5 feet. Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the U.S. where bison have continuously lived since prehistoric times. Baby bisons are called red dogs. Bison are near-sighted and moody. When its tail hangs down its calm, when its standing its ready to charge
Yellowstone is the first world national Park.At th heart of yellowstone's past, present and future lies volcanism.About 2 million yrs ago, then 1.3 million yrs, and 640,000 yrs ago again, huge volcanic eruptions occurred in this place. All wildlife include coyote, mule deer, osprey, bighorn sheep,wolf, bull elk, grizzly bears, bull moose, pelican, black bear, uinta ground squirrel, yellow belly marmot, pika, bison, pronghorn, lesser scaup, swans, green-winged teal. Places to go: mammoth hot springs, old faithful, canyon village, west thumb and grant village and lake village
Old Faithful is the world's best known geyser. Butte is known as the “richest hill on earth”. Montana has the largest grizzly bear population of all the lower 48 states. A portion of Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the country, is in Montana. The park has 1000-3000 earthquakes each year and is home to one of the Earth’s few super volcanos. Montana is home to the largest migratory elk herd in the nation.
Day 6: IDAHO - Niagara falls of the west, Jackson town, snake river, twin falls
Idaho is one of only two places in the world where star garnets can be found in any significant quantities (India is the other).Idaho is famous for potatoes, producing about one-third of the potatoes grown in the United States. Idaho is called the "Gem State", because nearly every known type of gemstone has been found in the state of Idaho. Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition as an interpreter and guide during their exploration of the Western United States, was born near present-day Salmon, Idaho. Idaho's state seal is the only one in the U.S. designed by a woman, Emma Edwards Green, 1890.
Day 7: NEVADA - Reno, Carson,Virginia city, lake Tahoe
Virginia City is the place where Mark Twain live. During the Bonanza period, some called Virginia City as "The Richest Town in the World" and others named it "The Drinkin'est Town in the West." But no matter what it was called, it became the final destination for thousands of people when the Comstock Lode, the richest vein of silver and gold ever found in the United States, was discovered in 1859. The Washoe Club is one of the most haunted location in The West.
