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Take the Exit: A new addition to my blog for those who like to wander!

March 8, 2024March 8, 2024@carriehanrahanphotography 3 Comments

As a travel photographer and writer, I spot so many signs along the roads I drive that lead to the most interesting places. The world is filled with crazy roadside attractions, historic sites, amazing cities and towns, incredible restaurants, an abundance of natural beauty and so much more. I try to fit in as many of these places as possible since I am always intrigued by what could be waiting for me when I get there.

I tend to be a wanderer when I travel, and have often found that the next spot I stop is more amazing than my last. I find so many interesting places as I explore while making my way to my next destination that I really am the person behind the saying, “Not all who wander are lost”. I could never be lost if my next exit takes me to something incredible.

Could you be a “Take the Exit” explorer? I admit that the concept of just stopping at random sites on the way to your destination may sound a little crazy and not appeal to everyone, but just imagine what you might miss. Doesn’t everyone want to see the world’s largest Strawberry, taste some incredible wine, learn amazing history or be wowed by a beautiful town or city? Today’s blog includes a random set of sites I have seen while traveling to give a taste of the types of places that I have found while just taking the exit. I’ll also include some tips and tricks to becoming a take the exit explorer.

A geologists paradise with millions of years of the earth’s history is found in the Early Castle Valley and the San Rafael Plateau and Swell in Utah!

Small Towns are the best! You never know what crazy sites you may see or the incredible history that lies behind the making of a small town.

Strawberry Point, Iowa has the world’s largest strawberry! This15 foot fiberglass sculpture sits in front of city hall for a town named after its abundance of wild strawberries in the area.

How do you like to take trips and explore? Are you a planner or do you fly by the seat of your pants? It really doesn’t matter if you like to plan your “Take the Exit” trips or if they are just random stops. You may want to see as many road side attractions or visit as many cities as you can, just be sure that you keep your childlike wonder alive and explore!

Are National Parks your thing? The National Park Service includes an amazing array of places to visit and includes historic sites, parkways, battle fields, monuments, sea shores and many others. You can search by type, by state or region or as you are driving down the highway keep an eye out for the brown National Park Service signs and just “Take the Exit”.

The incredible Blue Ridge Parkway that runs from Virginia to North Carolina has many turn-offs and overlooks to explore with the most amazing views.

Imagine enjoying a view of Looking Glass Rock from the Blue Ridge Parkway!

There are many memorials and monuments that can be found along the roads throughout the United States. Some of these have signs, some may not, but all are worth stopping at. These tend to be spur of the moment spots for me as I notice them as I pass by. I have learned so much about an area or its’ people by just stopping for a minute and exploring the site.

Blackfeet Indian Memorial outside Glacier National Park in Babb, Montana

Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C

Do you love history as much as I do? I take every exit I can that leads me to explore more about our country and the people who live here. From coast to coast there are amazing stories that we can learn by just taking the exit and discovering what our history is about.

I was stunned by the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida

Has all this exploring gotten you hungry? One of my top “Take the Exit” destinations will lead you and your stomach to amazing restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, wineries and tons of other places to satisfy your hunger.

I found some wonderful treats at Ferch’s Beachside Grille on the shores of Lake Michigan

Still wondering if you could be a “Take the Exit” explorer? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of your roadtrip travels.

Don’t be in a hurry– Make the most of your side trips by giving yourself enough time to enjoy the exit you have taken. You won’t discover anything new or exciting if you feel hurried.
Be curious– go into an area with an open mind and the desire to discover something new.
Don’t research an area before you take the exit– Having the opportunity to see something for the first time is a gift, let yourself be wowed by the moment.
Listen to the other people in your car– So the exit doesn’t sound that exciting to you, but if it has drawn the attention of someone else give it a chance.
Take along a “Take the Exit” notebook– I always have a notebook in the car to write down signs that I pass that interest me. I may not be able to stop at everyplace on this trip, but I know that on a return trip I will have plenty of places to explore.

I encourage you to always “Take the Exit” for the next sign that intrigues you, because where you end up may be the most amazing place you have ever been.

Do you have a favorite “Take the Exit” location you have visited? If so, please leave details of your trip in the comments below. I look forward to seeing where your travels have taken you.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico

June 21, 2018June 21, 2018@carriehanrahanphotography Leave a comment

Things are a little “batty” here!

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Guadalupe Mountains and has a long and interesting history. The limestone cave was probably first entered by Jim White in 1898. In 1923 the General Land Office took surveys and created maps of the cavern, it then became a National Monument on October 25th of that year. The first cave trail was made in 1926 by the National Park Service followed by the first wedding in 1927. In 1930 the caverns were finally pronounced a National Park and were given the designation of a World Heritage Site in 1995.

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The Natural Entrance Trail is a 1.25 mile self-guided hike that has a quite steep entrance.

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Looking back up at the entrance hole, you can imagine the wonder of the first explorers of this amazing discovery.

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As you continue on the hike you will see a variety of formations within the cave. The majority are now inactive formations due to the dry desert climate above. If the climate conditions were to ever change and become moist, then the formations would become active again and continue to grow.

A stalagmite and stalactite have almost come together.

These images show Flowstone and Popcorn formation development in the cave.

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And sometimes you just get a cool photo when your camera lens fogs up in a cave.

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Devils Spring contains a beautiful column formation that reflects in the pool.

Soda Straws cling to the ceiling. These are the beginning formations of a stalactite.

Guadalup Mt and Carlsbad Cavern

From spring to fall, the natural entrance is the stage for the nightly outflights of the Brazilian Free-Tailed bats. Several hundred thousand bats exit the cave at twilight and fly over the amphitheater only to return at dawn. If you look closely, you can see a few bats flying during the day.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is an amazing place to explore. There are more trails to hike than I have talked about. An the area surrounding is beautiful.

To plan your own adventure, head to http://www.nps.gov/cave

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

April 13, 2018April 13, 2018@carriehanrahanphotography Leave a comment

Where the River Floods

South Carolina’s first and only National Park is an amazing adventure. Congaree was named a National Monument in 1976 and then a National Park in 2003. It is also a National Natural Landmark, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Globally Important Bird Area. This floodplain forest is flooded approximately 10 times a year by the Congaree River and has several of the tallest bald cypress trees in the world. You can walk the wooden boardwalk trail, which can be flooded at different times of the year, hike trails, or go canoeing or kayaking. Which ever you choose you are in for a magical and mystical exploration.

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