Just north of Lone Pine, along U.S. 395, in the unforgiving rain shadow desert of the Eastern Sierras, sits Manzanar National Historic Site. From 1942 through the end of World War II in 1945, Manzanar served as an internment camp for people of Japanese descent, forcibly removed from their homes along the West Coast. Today, the site is preserved as a reminder of this painful part of American history and the hope and perseverance of those who endured.
Devils Postpile National Monument, located in the Mammoth Lakes, protects the unique columnar basalt formation that is the Devils Postpile. On this adventure, we explore the national monument and earn our junior ranger badges. Highlights of this trip include the hike to Rainbow Falls and viewing the Devils Postpile from the PCT/JMT.
In this post, we return to Hilltop Hot Springs and visit Wild Willy's, both off Benton Crossing along U.S. 395. We also have a delicious brunch recommendation while in Mammoth.
In this short post, we visit the municipality of Gouda, famous for being the center for cheese trade during the Middle Ages. Today, visitors can check out the traditional cheese market, as well as sample many cheeses in the various cheese shops around the city square.
The Rijksmuseum is a world-famous national museum devoted to the art and culture of the Netherlands. Over 8000 objects are on display in the museum, with more than 2000 paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, with works from famed Dutch masters such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Jan Steen. On our full day in Amsterdam, we headed to the Rijksmuseum to get some culture and appreciate Dutch art and history.
The Cranky Camper 