As part of our “Slice of Americana Series” every Saturday in July we’re sharing fascinating links to some great bloggers who write about their lives and adventures in the USA. This week we’re featuring The West.
1. CALIFORNIA
Cathy at Nomad, Interrupted really knows how to tap into the colorful Bohemian vibe at California’s Venice Beach.
2. ARIZONA
Sue at Travel Tales of Life captures the magic of the Grand Canyon with her fantastic photos. Check out the Chuckwalla.
3. MONTANA
Erin at Dancing Aspens Farm Blog is mother to 8, shepherdess to 100 Icelandic Sheep, and a truly awesome photographer. See what Montana life is like surrounded by lambs and family.
4. NEW MEXICO
LuAnn at Paint Your Landscape has the perfect touch for photographing and explaining the beautiful details at White Sands National Monument in Alamogordo, New Mexico
5. WASHINGTON
In 1980 Mount St. Helens, a volatile volcano in Washington, blew her top. Naomi at Writing Between the Lines shares an incredible first-hand account of escaping the devastation.
6. WYOMING
Pam at Naturetime captures the amazing animals at Grand Teton National Park. Once you see these photos you’ll want to see her entire series on Grand Teton.
7. NEVADA
Never head of “Burning Man?” Then you’re in for a treat. Curt at Wandering through Time and Place is THE expert on this spectacular festival in the desert. His photos will knock your socks off!
8. UTAH
Nancy and Darryl at its the journey that matters have launched a marvelous adventure. Their hikes through Zion National Park will make you want to lace up your boots!
9. IDAHO
Rusha at Oh, the Places We See captures the beauty at every turn around Lake Coeur d’Alene.
10. COLORADO
If you like to get off the beaten path, then you’ll enjoy Ruth’s exploration of Anazazi country at the Lowry Pueblo in Colorado.
And don’t miss Alaska and Hawaii. The Heartland of America is coming up next week.
Have a great weekend!
Terri & James
A LITTLE LAGNIAPPE (something extra) …
The Bear Saga Continues …
If you haven’t had enough of bears (and who hasn’t – unless they’re at a bus stop 🙂 ) then you’ll love Jeff’s Bear Spray Stories, complete with great illustrations.
Route 66
Nearly everyone’s heard of Route 66, but have you actually driven it? Well Tricia has. Enjoy her fabulous photos as she heads west on this historic highway.
Photo Credits:
1. Andreas F. Borchert via Wikimedia Commons
2. taliesin
3. webmojoe
4. Christopher Michel via Wikimedia Commons
5. Matt Kennedy via Wikimedia Commons
6. By Renjishino via Wikimedia Commons
GALLIVANCE 
Thanks so much for the shout out Terri. That rafting trip in the Grand canyon really sits at the top of our recommendations for travel. I look forward to checking out the other links as well.
Sue, you are so welcome. I really enjoy your photos and great style of writing. We loved the Grand Canyon when we were there, but we never saw a chuckwalla! You found its hidey-hole! 🙂 ~Terri
Thanks so much Terri. If it had not been for our guide I never would have seen the little chuckwalla tucked in his ever so tiny crevasse. I really enjoyed checking out the other posts too.
Any interest in doing a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon?
What a great idea Terri. Spread the love! ❤
Thanks Carol, there’s nothing better than spreading a little love. 🙂 So where are you now? ~Terri
We’re in England now, Terri. Been to a garden party – don’t you know! – today. Very much enjoying family and friends! ~Carol
Terri, thanks so much for including a leg from our great North American road-trip! From Québec City to Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon, the Route 66 leg was one of our highlights. I’m so happy to hear that the once grand highway is having a Renaissance of sorts. 🙂
You’re welcome, Tricia, I think the Renaissance is all thanks to great posts like yours. 🙂 You photos make me want to trace the route, too. I think Fall would be the perfect time. ~Terri
A great set of links! My travel bucket list just got a little longer!
There’s nothing better than an overflowing travel bucket list Laura. You would love photographing out west. ~Terri
Great links!
Thanks Mitch. I see that you’re a native of Idaho. Do you have any great places to recommend or links to some of your posts? We’d love to see them! So glad you stopped by. ~Terri
Great post! Thanks for tips and sharing 🙂 I visited only NY before couple of years.. Bye. Kamila
Thanks Kamila. This month we’re featuring something fun from every state, so stay tuned for the fun! 🙂 ~Terri
Thanks so much for including our post on the Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway with all these other great posts! You’ve introduced us to other great bloggers and made us feel good for the one you highlighted. If anyone is wondering if the Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway is worth driving, we can definitely say, “Yes”! Would go again in a heartbeat. Looking forward to more in your series. Rusha and Bert Sams
Rusha and Bert, we find your blog to be a constant joy! Love your photos and your great writing style. We’ve driven the Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway, and knew when we read your post that you had captured it beautifully. Their Tourism Board should hire you two on the spot! 🙂 ~Terri
After reading this post, I want to go out to buy a truck, pack and bag and drive across the U.S. of A. Wait. I’ll save the gas money by enjoying my time as an armchair traveler. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Tess. These bloggers and the others that we will feature in the series are some of our favorites, and I’m sure they will provide lots of interesting reading. It’s always fun to see a place through a new set of eyes. ~James
Egg-zact-tel-ly. I love armchair vacations. And thanks. 🙂
Thanks so much for the mention James and Terri. I absolutely adore your blog and truly appreciate you adding me to this great post. 🙂
Our pleasure LuAnn. We enjoy your blog and it’s been fun following along on your and Terry’s adventures. Not everyone is able to just drop by White Sands, so your well written post and great photos will bring it to life for our readers. ~James
Thanks for the link, James and Terri. Burning Man is truly one of the world’s more unique events. I’ll be there again in late August. This year’s theme is on caravans and traveling to exotic places. It fits right into your blog. 🙂 I will definitely check out the other links. A quick glance told me that Peggy and I have been to all of the places featured. –Curt
Thanks Curt. We had heard of BM for years, but to be honest, we had no clue what it was really about. We agree that it’s one of the world’s most unique events, and your great photos and perspectives will help our readers appreciate it as much as we do after reading your posts. ~James
Some awesome links! Love #5 and the story there, captivating!
Thanks very much. When I read Naomi’s account of escaping the Mount St. Helens eruption I was glued to the screen. Talk about fortunate! So glad you stopped by. ~Terri
Thanks so much for including our farm in your Slice of Americana Series! I’ll be checking out your other links as well. 🙂
You are very welcome Erin. When I discovered your beautiful blog I was so impressed. I know that everyone is going to love it too! 🙂 ~Terri
Just WONDERFUL!!! 🙂
Thanks Pam. We thought your series on the Tetons was very well done, and think that our readers will like it as well. ~James
Love this series!!! Let me know I you are doing one on the Midwest and I can share some Minnesota posts! Of course only one that shows off our glorious summers!
Thanks Niclole. I’m one step ahead of you because I already selected one of your posts for next weekend! 🙂 But I would love to know which one of your posts you would like for us to highlight – that would be great! Thanks, Terri
Oh….thanks! Any really. I’ve written about all seasons in MN so any post would be great! 🙂 Thanks again!
DearTerri,
What a fantastic idea for a series! I look forward to checking out all your links. And thank you so much for including my story about the eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
Happy trails,
Naomi
Naomi, When I read your harrowing story about Mt. St. Helens I sat there gobsmacked! I couldn’t stop muttering, “Oh wow, oh wow!” It must have been such an incredible experience … in so many ways. I think that everyone who’s read it has the same reaction. And I love your Christmas ornament “reminder.” ~Terri
What a great way to acknowledge some other great bloggers out there who have not gotten their due. You also mentioned Naomi’s first-hand account of escaping the devastation of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. I have a similar story that I have told many times, but I never thought to write about it. I will have to do that. Thanks for the inspiration as well as all the great links. – Mike
Many thanks Mike! You escaped Mt. St. Helens too? Wow!!!! I can’t wait to read that story. Please put it high on your writing list. 🙂 ~Terri
Oh my gosh, y’all! I just love this! What a great way to feature places and posts! And my wanderlust is just going out of control right now. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Liz! Thanks so much. Theres’s nothing like a good case of wanderlust. 🙂 Are you still in Sweden? When we do North Carolina I’d like to feature your great post “10 Things Only People From Asheville Understand” on the 26th. Is that ok with you? ~Terri
Hi, Terri! I’d be honored for you to feature that post on Asheville. Exciting!
Thanks so much for including our days in Zion in your post! Your Americana series is an awesome idea! After reading the other posts, Darryl and I have an even longer list of places to go.
You’re welcome Nancy. I just love your approach to life, great writing, and super photos. The “Big 3” all in one beautiful package! 🙂 You and Darryl keep having fun because we all love to read about it. ~Terri
I’ll have to check these out! I’m temporarily relocated in Amarillo, TX, an interesting intersection of the high plains and the southwest. I’ll keep an eye out for Texas blogs!
Hi Gaby. Congrats on the new job – that’s fabulous! We used to live in Dallas and I had clients in Amarillo – but nobody loaned me a pickup! That’s pretty cool. 🙂 Amarillo is a fascinating place with the kindest people you’ll ever meet. It should finally start to cool off toward November. 🙂 And I’ve done more than my share of cooking in hotel rooms. Have fun! ~Terri
Thank you for putting this list together – have been on the hunt for new travel blogs to follow!
You’re welcome Ashley. It was such fun to go searching for these links. And all of these folks are top-notch bloggers. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Terri
Great links, thanks for sharing! A few of these places are on my list this summer.
You’re welcome! So are you heading north or south this summer? ~Terri
South – White Sands has been on my list for awhile now and I think we might also try to sneak in the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings. Can’t wait to see these sites in person!
What a great post about the American West, Terri and James. I got to re-experience the Mt. Saint Helens explosion and learn about places in the West I’ve never heard of before. What a great idea to put slices of Americana into one post. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for featuring my Venice Beach visit. 🙂
You are so welcome Cathy. Your post on Venice Beach is a joy, and inspired me to put it on my “must see” list. And your photos are wonderful. I can’t wait to see what you share with us from your new adventure in China. 🙂 ~Terri
Thanks so much, Terri. I’m so glad you enjoyed my experience of Venice Beach. 🙂
I’ve been trying to catch up on some of these blogs. Nice mix and representation of the West!
Thanks Juliann. I tried to find a wide variety of posts – hopefully ones that would catch different people’s interest in some way. ~Terri
Great idea for a series! I love to travel and you’re giving me some really good ideas for my next road trip. I will definitely be trying some of these. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Jill! I just saw your photos of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Wow – it’s gorgeous! Have fun exploring. 🙂 ~Terri