Sometimes you just want to hit the road and escape the craziness of your everyday life. Head out and find a peaceful, picturesque oasis that reminds you that there is beauty and light to behold outside of your cubicle. When planning your escape this year, you might want to give these locations a try.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway: Virginia and North Carolina
Covering two states and just under 500 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds its way over ridgetops, high peaks, and fertile valleys without a single stop sign or traffic light to pause the experience. Along the way there are small towns and farms that offer side trips and stops to stretch your legs. Be sure to make those stops and experience down home bluegrass music, fresh fruits and vegetables from the region, and wander through the beautiful foliage. Though serene throughout the year, do not miss an opportunity to experience the painted beauty of fall when the leaves change.
- Hana Highway: Maui, Hawaii
The length of 52 miles from Kahului to Hana offers a two hours respite from the craziness of life. Though some say driving the winding road can be a different sort of crazy experience with its winding turns and steep sea-cliffs, the views make it worth the ride.
- Route 12: Utah
Known for its beautiful red rock landscape, this 124-mile strip that runs from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon National Park has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler. The stretch is loaded with quirky towns and beautiful scenery. It also has a lot of steep canyons to navigate so it’s best to have a good navigator and a good old-fashioned map on hand as you travel through this slice of America’s countryside.
- Antelope Valley: California
Head north out of LA toward the town of Lancaster and you will find the 1,760-acre Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. This space is said to be the finest concentration of California’s state flower and it is a beautiful sight to behold. Each spring the valley comes to life with intense and brilliant colors from the blooming wildflowers. There are roughly eight miles of trail that run through the space, including paved sections for handicap accessibility.
Any of these locations can offer a quite respite from daily life. Take some time this year to get out and connect with nature!
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