May 2012 | Page 2 of 5 | Place For Vacations

Golden Gate Bridge

June 5, 2024May 17, 2012 by Sudhir Kumar

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, linking San Francisco with Marin County. Completed in 1937, it held the record for the world’s longest suspension bridge span at 4,200 feet. Its distinctive orange vermilion color, officially known as international orange, was chosen for visibility in fog and harmony with the surroundings. Rising 746 feet, its towers surpass the height of the Washington Monument. The bridge has five lanes and towers that taper from base to top, emphasizing their 500-foot height above the roadway. Coit Tower, another San Francisco landmark, shares the city skyline with the Golden Gate Bridge, which sees 118,000 vehicles daily, alongside pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Aerial Tramway

June 3, 2024May 17, 2012 by Sudhir Kumar

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, launched in September 1963, links the Coachella Valley floor to near San Jacinto Peak’s summit. It’s located in Palm Springs, California. Before its construction, access to the mountaintop required a lengthy hike from Idyllwild. Today, it’s a prominent attraction. The journey takes eight and a half minutes from the Valley Station at the base. It ends at the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet (2,600 m) above sea level. The tram climbs North America’s steepest mountain face, showcasing diverse life zones and significant geological transitions. At the Mountain Station, temperatures can be 40°F (25°C) cooler than in the desert. Visitors can explore trails, enjoy burro rides, or engage in winter snow activities.

The view at the top can stretch northward for more than 200 miles (300 km) on a clear day, all the way to Mount Charleston north of Las Vegas. Views to the east and west can stretch as far as 75 miles (120 km); the Salton Sea is plainly visible to the southeast.

Hoover Dam

June 3, 2024May 17, 2012 by Sudhir Kumar

Construction began in 1931 and Hoover Dam was completed in 1936. It still stands tall as an engineering marvel high above the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. Hoover Dam attracts over 7 million visitors from around the new world every year feeding vast tourism into the Las Vegas Nevada and Arizona economy. The building of Hoover Dam took the brilliance of over 200 engineers to pull off what many deemed as almost impossible. And it was the fortitude of over 7,000 dam workers that endured amazingly harsh conditions and extreme dangers to complete Hoover Dam almost two years ahead of schedule.

Kingda Ka Roller Coaster Six Flags

June 3, 2024May 17, 2012 by Sudhir Kumar

After my rainy Cedar Point trip and Top Thrill Dragster’s closure, I anticipated Six Flags Great Adventure for its unique Strata Coaster, Kingda Ka, holding world records for height and speed. Launching riders at over 120 mph, it ascends a 40-story hill at 90 degrees before spiraling back down. Despite slow loading and only two … Read more

Liberty Bell

May 31, 2024May 17, 2012 by Sudhir Kumar

The Liberty Bell, forged in the Whitechapel Foundry in London, originally graced the belfry of the Pennsylvania State House in 1753, now recognized as Independence Hall. Its inaugural use resulted in a crack, prompting recasting by Philadelphia artisans John Pass and John Stow, whose names adorn the bell alongside a verse from Leviticus: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof.” Despite repairs, the bell cracked again during a George Washington birthday celebration, remaining silent since. The reasons for its fractures remain a mystery. Initially unnamed, it gained the moniker “Liberty Bell” as abolitionists rallied around it, utilizing it as a symbol in their fight against slavery. Post-Civil War, it toured the nation, fostering unity. Returning to Philadelphia in 1915, it became a global emblem of liberty, drawing crowds from far and wide. Today, the National Park Service ensures millions can glimpse this enduring testament to liberty’s potency.