It’s a real town with real people, 365 days a year. You won’t find a tourist season in Hot Springs, South Dakota because the town does cool stuff year round! The shops, restaurants, recreation, and events that take place around Hot Springs are intended for the people who live there, and subsequently the guests who visit. Don’t just pass through this town, spend a few days and embrace Hot Springs’ authenticity.
Riverton is in Fremont County, Wyoming. It’s at the southern edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation, and is home to vibrant Native American culture that dates back hundreds of years. Names like Chief Washakie, Jim Bridger, and Sacajawea, are just a few notable figures who have made Riverton the place it is today.
On the eastern side of the Sierra—just behind Yosemite National Park—sits the town of Bishop, “a small town with a big backyard”. The town is chock-full of great restaurants, shops, fascinating museums, and mountain views in every direction. During the hot summer months, outdoor recreationalists flock to the high peaks. Throughout the winter, though, the options for outdoor activities really open up.
I visited the city of Gallup, in New Mexico, earlier this year. Not for nothing is it known as ‘The Native American Capital of the World’. I was there to experience the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, a celebration that brought together more than 20 tribes from across The West. The event highlighted the city’s innate passion for the arts through Native American dances, crafts shows, parades, and more. I witnessed all this, and knew I’d return to Gallup. Months later, at the beginning of December, I did, this time for the Red Rock Balloon Rally.
Grants is a small town in northwestern New Mexico, and is part of Cibola county, a county that boasts of a whopping 86 miles of Route 66 – the largest slice any county can offer of the 2,448 miles of tarmac immortalized as a rhythm ‘n’ blues classic by Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones and John Mayer.
Gallup is a small city located in southwestern New Mexico. By some, it’s referred to as the Native American capital of the world, and you can see why when you meander its streets and immerse yourself in its culture. Everywhere, artisan crafts shops are open, selling all kinds of traditional Native American jewelry, carvings, clothing, and miscellaneous items. In addition, numerous celebrations take place throughout the year, especially in summer. Furthermore, there’s an array of museums, along with great coffee shops, and places to eat.
I arrived in Cortez having come from The Great Sand Dunes, near Alamosa. As with my previous trip, storm clouds stalked me as I drove, following me over the mountain ranges dividing the two locations.
Eventually I arrived in Cortez, an unsuspecting little town in a phenomenal part of Colorado – and even the US – called Mesa Verde Country. Home to more intrigue than I can list, it home to history dating back more than 800 years, along with an array of quality dining options, drinking options, and what I felt most drawn to – beautiful, unrelenting landscape scenery.