"My travels around North America" Top 5 Page for this destination North America by Bwana_Brown

North America Travel Guide: 415,343 reviews and 760,823 photos

View in Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada)

To summarize North America, comprising Canada, the United States of America, Mexico and Greenland, on a single small page is quite a task! However, I will attempt to give you my quite favourable impressions of this diverse continent based on my travel experiences throughout its expanse during the last 30-odd years. Our journey will begin on the western shores where the Pacific Ocean laps and, moving from north to south and west to east, will gradually take you across North America to the Atlantic Ocean coast where European explorers first encountered this unknown land and its native inhabitants 1000 years ago. The landscape will vary from the sunny and warm Pacific shores, to the rugged Rocky Mountains running the length of the continent, then into the vast flatlands comprising its centre and finally the gentler peaks and forests of the east before the Atlantic shores are reached. This 2006 view was taken from inside the majestic Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada) looking down Upper Waterton Lake into Glacier National Park (Montana, USA).

The eastern half

Light fog at Seal Cove, along the Atlantic coast

Due to the effects of long ago scouring of the landscape by Ice Age glaciers and the much later ‘early’ settlements by Europeans, the more heavily settled eastern half of the continent is less dramatic in its natural wonders but more abundant in historical sites than the west. However, this half of the continent has great attractions of its own, including the amazing autumn colours of the dying tree leaves. Just like western North America, it is laced with geological wonders, lakes, rivers and streams of all descriptions, making for some very scenic locations to enjoy. Although its peaks are not as high, the gently rolling inland areas of forests and farmlands as well as scenic rocky coastlines dotted with picturesque lighthouses and small fishing ports go a long way toward making up for it! If you ever get the chance and have the time for 8000-km (5000-miles), take a drive from one coast to the other!

My 'Things to Do' tips

Overview of 'Things to Do' tip locations

This topographical map of North America shows where my various 'Things to Do' tips are actually located within the continent, with the first ten of these tips coloured differently than the remainder. As of November, 2007 I finally managed (by means of various trips over the years) to complete the last leg in driving all the way across the continent from Tip 21 to Tip 1 in this map!

Pros and Cons

Pros:More mountains, forests and oceans than you could wish for
Cons:Long distances, can be crowded in some parts during summer
In a nutshell:Something here for everyone

Intro Updated Dec 24, 2009
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Reviews (21)

The massive inland fjord of Western Brook Pond - North America

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A fishing boat awaits on the Bay of Fundy shores - North America

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A bull Moose in Maine’s Katahdin State Park - North America

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The Chateau Frontenac Hotel above the St. Lawrence - North America

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Comments (18)

Rich62 Nov 18, 2010 at 2:55 PM Report Abuse

Bwana, I enjoyed your description of my part of North America; the Great Plains. Not everyone can appreciate this area but you obviously can, and did! Happy travels to you.
moonlighting Jan 22, 2010 at 12:52 AM Report Abuse

Very, very grand pages! Thanks for sharing. I have a question: is Vermont accessible from San Francisco? I'm planning a short winter vacation in one of the northern states december 2010 or january 2011.
kokoryko Mar 23, 2008 at 3:06 PM Report Abuse

You wrote a « book of the marvels » of North America Glenn. I visited few of the places, so much more to see. . . . This is an incredible page and the way you present this continent just makes me wanting to change my next destination! Mille mercis, Glenn.
SLLiew Jan 21, 2008 at 4:50 AM Report Abuse

Excellent hilights of North America. Each region is unique in the landscape and cultural background.
hunterV Jan 7, 2008 at 1:45 AM Report Abuse

Hi, Glenn! Great stories, you have seen quite a lot I must say! Good for you! I wish you many more happy travels in 2008!
Dabs Jan 6, 2008 at 11:22 AM Report Abuse

What, no Chicago???? Except for that HUGE omission (ha ha), very nice coverage of your travels in North America :-)
TheWanderingCamel Dec 10, 2007 at 4:52 PM Report Abuse

This is brilliant, Glenn. One of the best VT pages I've seen. The organization and presentation is a real tour de force. Congratulations! leyle
MalenaN Oct 31, 2007 at 12:08 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic page Glenn! There is so much great nature in North America. The Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon are places I wanted to visit for a long time, but now I have also added Gros Morne NP.
starship Oct 30, 2007 at 7:11 PM Report Abuse

What a great page, Glenn. Some really fascinating reading and terrific pictures. You've captured some of the most wonderful scenes & places in North America!!
Trekki Aug 26, 2007 at 1:00 AM Report Abuse

Perfect, Glenn :-)) You really did see a lot over the years and this makes a great overview for what can be seen on the NA part of the continent :-) Amazingly near you got to this moose in the water :-)