My (virtual) adventures through the vast United States of America continue with this second exploration of some of the wonderful libraries that will be sharing Wild One with their patrons. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out the first in the series here. If I was really clever I would have organized this into a series, dividing the posts by region (Pacific Northwest, Midwest, South…), but I’ve never claimed to be particularly clever, so hold on to your hats, we’re going on a wild and crazy tour!
Do you know the way to San Jose? Why yes, I do actually – you can fly direct from Raincity! San Jose is the beating heart of Silicon Valley, though interestingly the Raincity Software Engineer has never visited. As you might expect, San Jose is a hub for business travellers, but there is also plenty to see for vacationers as well, including the supposedly haunted Winchester Mystery House. Hockey fans can also get tickets to Sharks games at prices that will make Raincity residents cry emerald tears of envy.
Technically I’ve visited Dallas, though like thousands of travellers every year my experience was limited to a mad dash across the vast Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on my way to Florida. I’ve also watched nearly every episode of the TV series, though, so I think that should count for something, shouldn’t it? All joking aside, there is plenty to do in Dallas, even for those of us who shudder at the thought of country music. Top of my list of things to see would be the Dallas Museum of Art, which boasts an impressive collection spanning a wide range of styles, countries and periods, and which offers FREE general admission, which is a real rarity for a North American museum. Things might be bigger in Texas, but thankfully not when it comes to admission fees.
Now here’s a city I’ve actually visited! The Raincity Software Engineer and I camped just outside of Boise many years ago, and visited what was the number one rated tourist attraction at the time, the Old Penitentiary. It was the middle of summer, and very, very hot. We also hid in a shopping mall in an attempt to escape the intense heat. But there’s more to see in Boise than an old prison and a shopping mall, so don’t let my terrible description turn you off!
Bienvenido a Miami! Years and years ago (TEN YEARS where has my life gone?!) I spent two days in Miami Beach, staying at a beautiful Art Deco hotel, absorbing a years’ worth of Vitamin D and trying not to turn into a Canadian lobster. What can I say about Miami that hasn’t already been said a million times, or shown in countless television programs and movies? Sun, sand, surf, history, culture, music, and WARMTH. If, like countless Canadians, you are lamenting this never-ending winter, get thee to Miami, ASAP.
I have never been to Iowa. I don’t know anyone who’s ever been to Iowa. But I have a book in a public library in Iowa. Realizations like this just blow my mind! Des Moines, Iowa has a surprising amount of things to see and do (perhaps it’s only surprising to me because I know absolutely nothing about Iowa – sorry, Iowa!). There seems to be a real emphasis on artisan-made, craft brewed, locally grown and all those good things that Pacific Northwesters drool over. Visit Iowa! Oh wow, Iowa is such a fun word to say and type!
And there you have it – a few more of the amazing, exciting places that will have a copy of Wild One on their shelves! Please, please, please don’t take these posts as boastful or bragging or showing off, I’m simply a travel-obsessed blogger who cannot travel nearly as often as she would like (alas the Raincity Software Engineer has a frustratingly intense work ethic that makes it a bit difficult to pry him away from the office), and enjoys any excuse to plan future trips she might never actually take!
Have you been to any of these cities? Are you from any of them? Which would you recommend visiting first? What should I see/do when I’m there? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
P.S. A bonus picture for those of you who’ve read to the end of the post – the Raincity Librarian (while she was still the Raincity Legal Secretary) making a face in the Old Petitionary in Boise, Idaho!
