Tags: Coal Mining, Lackawanna County, Nature

Now that’s a deep hole.  This is allegedly the largest pothole in the world, though I haven’t seen anything official confirming this.  The pothole was found accidentally in 1884 when miners were blasting underground.  The pothole was cleared out and was initially a privately owned tourist attraction.  It’s now a state park and free of admission.  Visitors are fewer in number, as it seems looking down a large hole has lost its appeal.  It is interesting for a few seconds, but I found myself thinking, “Next!”

The top of the pothole is fenced off but has a small observation deck going part of the way over it.  I was annoyed to see garbage at the bottom of it, but that’s to be expected I guess.  Even though I visited in the middle of May, there was still some snow and ice at the bottom.

Archbald Pothole is just off US-6 BUS in Archbald.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Tags: Nature, New York, Ontario

The Maid of the Mist is a boat (there are several Maids, really) that takes off from either side of Niagara Falls and brings tourists almost next to the bottom of the falls.  You get a tour of the basin and surrounding area as well.  The “Mist” part is an understatement; you’re going to get wet.  Mist patrons are given ponchos beforehand.

When you get close enough, you can barely hear anything over the noise of the falls.  The boat gets pretty close and just hovers there for a few minutes.  Getting shots without getting my camera drenched was quite a challenge.

Rainbow Bridge connects the NY & ON sides of Niagara Falls.

Of all the tours/attractions we took/saw, not one acknowledged this place on the shoreline of the Ontario side.

Elevator/observation deck for Cave of the Winds on the NY side.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Tags: Nature, New York

We were told this was a must-do if going to Niagara Falls.  The Cave of the Winds can be found on the New York side.  The name is somewhat misleading, as there is no cave anymore; it was made unsafe and then ultimately destroyed by falling rock.  When we learned we weren’t going to a cave, we began to wonder what exactly we paid for.  Well, there may be no cave anymore, but there is the opportunity to walk almost directly under the falls.  Many platforms and walkways constructed by wood (the tour guide said these are dismantled and rebuilt every year) let visitors walk directly into the falls’ power.  Seriously.  It can throw you around a bit.

The Cave of the Winds is found in Niagara Falls State Park, which has some great views from the top of the American Falls.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Tags: Architecture, Historical, Nature, Rhode Island

Newport’s Cliff Walk is a 3.5 mile long trail that winds along the shoreline and passes through 64 private properties, many of which are mansions.  Most of Newport’s most famous estates, like Rosecliff and The Breakers are along this path (we actually toured Rosecliff in May ‘09 but were not allowed to take photos inside, hence it not being on the site). Cliff Walk is featured in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

Along the way are also a few small tunnels and rocky sections.  We admittedly did not walk the entire trail but finished about 2/3 of it.  Again, most of the walkway runs over private property, so it’s recommended you stay on the path.  Our good friend PI is also quite common here; I think I’ve seen more poison ivy in Rhode Island than any other state I’ve been to.
Also, it’s called Cliff Walk for a reason; the ocean is a constant companion to one side, and it’s pretty far down.  So basically, don’t be an idiot.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Tags: Battlefield, Block Island, Historical, Island, Nature, Rhode Island

Photos taken May & October 2009

Simply put, this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  Mohegan Bluffs, found on the southern end of Block Island, drop down nearly 200 feet to the beach below.  Centuries ago, much of the Mohegan tribe was forced over the cliffs by the Manisee tribe in a battle over control of the island.  Nowadays, the beach is an idyllic and somewhat secret tourist destination.

There are over 100 steps that lead down to an overlook.  From there, it’s a bit of a challenge to reach the beach.  This is one of the few places I’ve been where a rope has been provided; there’s a piece of rope tied from near the bottom of the deck down to what looks like an old mast to help visitors get to the beach.

Also worth noting is that it’s somewhat of a popular custom to stack rocks or make things out of things washed ashore.

I admit, pictures do little justice; I’ve shot some videos and am hoping to post them sometime.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Tags: Carbon County, Nature

Much like Ringing Rocks, Boulder Field was formed due to glacial activity. It’s pretty much the same as Ringing Rocks, except as far as I know these ones don’t ring. This is also supposed to be the largest geological formation of its kind in the Appalachians.
We found out this was just a few miles from our new house, so we had to go see.

You are allowed to walk across the boulders, but be careful because some do move underfoot. Know your footing.

Popularity: 4% [?]