Via | Spring 2019

At AAA, we’re here for all your car, home and life insurance needs. In fact, bundling them all can even save you a bundle. Not only that, we also offer products to protect your boat, bike and RV for complete peace of mind wherever you go.

Secret Beach, as locals call it, is a short hike from Highway 101 in Oregon’s Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Page 26.

FEATURES

20 Best State Parks

Not just the prettiest. Not just the most popular. The best. Which park ranks supreme in your state?

by

keridwen cornelius , christopher hall , tara morgan , tim neville , and chris woolston

26

The Most Interesting Road in the West

From Los Angeles to Washington’s Puget Sound, Highway 101 is the ultimate Pacific Coast drive. by bruce anderson

30 Must-Do Hawaii

On each island, there’s a don’tmiss activity, like seeing Kauai by helicopter and exploring Maui’s waterfalls on a drive to Hana.

by carolyn jung

DEPARTMENTS

5 To Our Members

Three cheers for AAA Team Members who go above and beyond.

7 Smart Life

Tips for minimizing seasonal allergies, encouraging children in sports, and understanding the newest car safety systems.

12

On the Road

Restaurants with a view; Hearst Castle’s big birthday; stingrays in the desert; Disneyland’s culinary extravaganza; kicking back in Calistoga, Calif.

33 Smart Guide

How to be a smarter car owner: 15 ways to save money, avoid hassles, and solve problems.

44 Spotlight

Experience infinity in Las Vegas, see mummies in Phoenix, and hear bluegrass near Lake Tahoe.

48 #ViaAdventure

The striking solitude of Mormon Row in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is showcased in this AAA Member photo.

ON THE COVER

To see dramatic rock formations—and barking sea lions—at California’s Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, walk a half mile on Sand Hill Trail from the Sea Lion Point parking area. Page 20.

Daily Penguin Feedings

Learn what’s on the menu and chat with a biologist.

Dedicated to the memory of Leslie Endicott, Via’s longtime web editor, who passed away on January 17, 2019.

CHIEF OF CONTENT & PUBLISHING Anne McSilver

Editorial

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Dan Miller

MANAGING EDITOR LeeAnne Jones

SENIOR EDITOR Megan McCrea

EVENTS EDITOR Ethan Fletcher

Design + Production

DESIGN DIRECTOR Monica Ewing

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Amy Mackey

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Veronica Sooley

PHOTO EDITOR Maggie Perkins

Digital

EXECUTIVE DIGITAL PRODUCER Rebecca Harper

DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIST Valerie St. John

SOCIAL MEDIA Arthur Ilasco

Advertising

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ted Welch

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Linda Black, Bruce Colton, Kevin McCaw, Mike Walker

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Natasha Alcalá

ADVERTISING ACCOUNTING William Nocera

2,871,693 COPIES Subscription rate: AAA primary members, $2 (included in dues). Change of address: Allow four weeks’ advance notice. Contact AAA at (800) 922-8228. Manuscripts and photos: Query first; Via assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited material. Reprints from Via: Contents copyrighted 2019 AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. No part of Via may be reprinted without written permission.

Contact Via Editorial: Address all mail to Via, AAA, P.O. Box 24502, Oakland, CA 94623. viamail@viamagazine.com.

Contact Via Advertising: Address all mail to Via Advertising, AAA, P.O. Box 24502, Oakland, CA 94623. Fax (510) 899-0525.

Meet African penguins and nearly 40,000 other creatures at the only aquarium-planetariumrainforest-living museum.

For tickets, buy online at AAA.com/calacademy, visit your local branch, or call 888-890-2470.

Via (ISSN 1093-1716) is published quarterly by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, 1277 Treat Blvd., Suite 1000, Walnut Creek, CA 94597. Periodicals Postage: Paid at Walnut Creek, CA, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Via, AAA, P.O. Box 24512, Oakland, CA 94623.

TO OUR MEMBERS

Above and beyond

At AAA, our purpose is to help people; it’s the foundation of what we do every day. Sometimes, our Team Members really go beyond the call of duty to make things better.

Take, for example, Meagan McAdorey, who works at our service center in Tucson, Ariz. Not long ago, she got a call from someone who said he’d found a wallet; it had the owner’s AAA card inside. Meagan used the card number to track down the Member, then let him know how to connect with the caller. The owner got his wallet back, Membership card and other contents intact.

Then there was the letter we received praising the work of Phoenix Emergency Road Service drivers David Pikowski and Doug Hanger. A Member’s son had been hospitalized after a car crash, his car needed towing, and the key was missing. First David and Doug had to get the car unlocked without the key. Then they had to figure out how to get it into neutral so it could be towed—again, without the key. Eventually, they found a button under the center console that did the trick and towed the car home. Through it all, the Member wrote, the pair exhibited “patience, expertise, and compassion.”

Then there’s Mandi Hamilton, an insurance associate in Lakeport, Calif. Last summer, as wildfires swept through the region, she visited emergency shelters to check on AAA Members who might need assistance. As she did so, Mandi heard that some evacuees and firefighters needed food. First, she arranged for local restaurants to prepare meals, which she delivered herself. Then, as more firefighters arrived, she went home and whipped up some lasagna, to make sure nobody went hungry.

Each of these Team Members later said that what they did was nothing special. I think they’re being modest. But I also think they represent the spirit of service—to our Members and our communities—that drives all of us at AAA.

Take our Child Passenger Safety program, which provides free car-seat inspections to anyone in the community—not just Members. In 2018, our 140 nationally certified technicians inspected more than 6,000 seats.

For us, going above and beyond to help is at the heart of what we do. ba.

TIM CONDON, PRESIDENT & CEO

Smart Life

5 things to do now

’Tis the season for cleaning, reading, and— unfortunately—sneezing. Win at spring with these tips, tricks, and twists.

Banish your sniffles. More than 50 million people in the United States experience seasonal allergies. Manage pollen levels inside your house by closing windows, kicking off shoes at the door, and showering before bed.

Smell your roses. Or lilacs or gardenias—assuming you don’t have allergies! (See above.) When spring hits full bloom, plan a picnic among petals. For a list of 14 of the West’s most stunning gardens, visit AAA.com/gardens.

Enlist your dishwasher. While you’re in springcleaning mode, run a load of plastic toys, utensil trays, sponges, and scrub brushes. You can even freshen up rubber flipflops ahead of the warm weather; hook them securely to the top rack and turn off heated dry.

Take stock of your stuff. It’s a wise move to inventory everything in your home, in case you ever have to file an insurance claim. Do it quickly by recording a video tour on your phone and saving it to the cloud. For more insurance information and resources, visit AAA.com.

Choose your book. Mar. 2 is Read Across America Day. Bury your nose in an old favorite, or plan a trip to a literary destination. California’s Monterey waterfront is the setting of John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. The Blackfoot River in Missoula, Mont., is where Norman Maclean cast for trout in A River Runs Through It. kristen mascia

How to master new car safety features

Today’s newer cars come with dazzling technologies to help you stay safe on the road. Known as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), they include features like blind spot warning, which alerts you when it detects other vehicles in your blind spots, and automatic emergency braking, which activates the brakes if it senses obstructions ahead.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that ADAS could prevent up to 40 percent of all vehicle crashes and nearly 30 percent of traffic deaths— if they’re used properly. Here’s how to make the most of these features.

First, get educated. When buying a new car, ask the dealer lots of questions and get in-vehicle demonstrations of its safety features before you leave the lot. (Only about half the drivers surveyed by AAA said they received such training.) Read the owner’s manual and be sure you understand the car’s capabilities.

Second, remember that ADAS technologies are adjuncts to—not replacements for—your own vigilance. Don’t rely on them too much. For example, blind spot warning systems can miss vehicles passing at high speed. Before you change lanes, you still need to glance at your side-view mirror and check your blind spot. Automatic emergency braking systems can be less effective if their sensors are blocked by dirt, ice, or snow. So even when such systems are engaged, keep alert and be prepared to brake.

The bottom line: Cars are getting smarter. But to take advantage of that intelligence, you need to know what your car can, and can’t, do. josh sens

Even the most advanced car technologies have their limits.

More than a tow truck

The benefits of belonging to AAA extend well beyond roadside assistance. Here are just four of them.

3 4 2 1

Luggage protection

If you’re a Plus or Premier Member and your luggage gets lost, damaged, or stolen while you’re on a driving trip, AAA will take some of the sting out of that loss by reimbursing you for it—up to $250 for Plus Members, $500 for Premier.

Key replacement

Lost your car keys? AAA will reimburse you for a new set—up to $50 for Classic, $100 for Plus, and $150 for Premier Memberships. (Premier Members receive the same benefit for house keys.)

Hertz bonus points

AAA Members qualify for bonus points when they enroll in Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program. Classic and Plus Members get 675 activation points after their first Gold rental, Premier Members get 1,100. Accumulated points can be redeemed for free rentals.

Auto repair hotline

Car repair can be nerve-racking. Is the work necessary? Are you paying too much? AAA offers Premier Members a hotline for advice on repairs, second opinions on estimates, and referrals to AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities.

↘ Want to learn more about your benefits or upgrade to a new level? Go to AAA.com/membership.

Kristi Yamaguchi

Olympian and author

The figure skater knows about perseverance and encouraging kids.

You attempted other sports before skating. Was that important?

I tried soccer, gymnastics, and baton twirling. They became a chore—even gave me anxiety stomachaches. I’m thankful that I tried. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known that skating was different.

Got any tips for children in sports?

What I’ve seen is that talent can only take you so far. My parents knew skating had to be my thing. If I put in 110 percent, they’d support it. If not, then it was too great an investment of time and money.

Q A

How did you find your next passion?

At Stars on Ice, I worked with beneficiaries from Make-a-Wish. Seeing the impact

opened my eyes to making a difference. My foundation, Always Dream, supports early childhood literacy, which sets up kids for success in school and life.

You’ve written three children’s books. How do you choose the themes?

My first book, Dream Big, Little Pig!, is about perseverance. It’s not an autobiography, but it’s based on me trying different things and finding my path.

Why a pig as the main character?

I was born in the Year of the Pig, and my parents called me Pigpen because I played in the sandbox so much. For the book, it was perfect: Who would expect a pig to be able to skate? avital andrews

About Kristi

After taking gold at the 1992 Olympics, AAA Member Kristi Yamaguchi toured with Stars on Ice, had two daughters with husband and NHL star Bret Hedican, won Dancing with the Stars, and became a best-selling children’s author. Her Always Dream Foundation ensures low-income families have access to high-quality books at home to help foster a love of reading.

Yamaguchi performing at her charity’s fund-raiser. left: Visiting the Sochi Olympics.

SMART PERSON

On the Road

EDITORS’ PICK

True to its name, San Francisco’s Waterbar sits steps from the shimmering bay. Nab a seat by twilight and watch as 25,000 lights begin their nightly dance across the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge.

MEMBERS’ FAVORITE

Restaurants with a view

↘ A truly great meal isn’t just about what’s on the plate. Here are your top spots to pair fine food with stunning scenery.

“I can’t think of any place like Nepenthe in Big Sur, Calif. I love the drive down there; the journey is just as amazing as the destination. Once you arrive, you’re virtually hanging over the cliffs above the vast Pacific.”

nancy domich

“In summer, I could sit for hours at the Silver Dollar Bar in Cody, Wyo., watching families from around the world venture into Yellowstone. I love seeing the excitement on their faces each time the old Cadillac with the megaphone drives past, announcing the night’s rodeo.” jen vollmer

“Whether you’re sitting near the floorto-ceiling windows or out on the patio, every seat at the Mariposa in Sedona, Ariz., offers expansive views of the famous red rocks. Come sunset, they practically glow.” sandy barber

“We love eating at the Wayfarer in Cannon Beach, Ore., watching the sun shine off Haystack Rock. And the Wayfarer has some of the best chowder anywhere, plus a whiskey bar.”

paul donohoe

“At 5 Palms Restaurant in Kihei, Hawaii, you’ll see crashing waves, towering palms, and—occasionally— a wedding just yards away on the

beach. Sit back and soak it in: This is what Maui is all about.” pete culcasi

“Perched above Vancouver, B.C., Salmon House on the Hill gives you a bird’s-eye perspective on Burrard Inlet and the city below. Arrive before sunset to take in the scene by daylight, then wait for the magic as the sun fades and lights illuminate the harbor ships and the streets and buildings downtown.” paul alley

“At the Spinnaker in Sausalito, Calif., sailboats glide past, seemingly within inches of the windows. Outside, seals pop up their heads to look at diners, as coots and seagulls cavort nearby.”

rudolph frey

“With grand trees, rocky cliffs, and wave breaks just outside, Moonstone Grill in Trinidad, Calif., feels as though it’s at the end of the earth. Sitting there sipping an old fashioned, slicing into the filet mignon, and watching the sun dip behind the waves is the perfect way to end the day.” — bridget hand

NEXT QUESTION

What is the West’s best train ride, and why do you love it?

↘ Email us at otr@viamagazine.com. You may be quoted in a future issue.

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

In spring, the aromas at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim change, from smoked turkey legs and fried churros to grilled tenderloin sliders and hot bee sting cake, as a tasty annual event gets under way. During the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (Mar. 1–Apr. 23 this year), park eateries host special dinners and tastings, and chefs do demos in Hollywood Land. Meanwhile, vendors hawk grilled artichoke hearts, avocado ice cream, and other local fare, presenting visitors with tough choices: Appetizer before main course, or vice versa? Which wine pairs best with a Korean taco and kimchi slaw? And would it be better to ride the Golden Zephyr before or after that strawberry mimosa? Stick around, and you could learn something. Famous TV chefs share their cooking secrets, while experts lead seminars on all sorts of food-related topics. Once you’ve found your favorite dish, you just might have the confidence to re-create it at home. It’s a flavorful world, after all. chris woolston

Stop by your local AAA branch to buy Disneyland tickets at a discount, suggests AAA Vacation Expert Bernadette Orosco of Turlock, Calif. That way, once you arrive at the park, you can head right to the entrance— and you’ll have that much more time for samples, chef demos, and rides on Guardians of the Galaxy.

HOT SPOT Desert rays

A stingray in the desert might seem as odd as a saguaro under the sea. But there’s a good reason that Tucson’s Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum added a touch tank stocked with the aquatic animals.

The Gulf of California (aka Sea of Cortez) is a key part of the Sonoran Desert, and it’s home to dolphins, whales, and so many species of fish that Jacques Cousteau dubbed it “the world’s aquarium.” Hence, the Stingray Touch exhibit helps remind desertdwelling visitors of the importance of conserving the world’s oceans.

The Atlantic cownose rays in the pool are brown on top and white on the bottom, with googly eyes. Visitors can dip their hands into the water as the good-natured creatures glide by. Some say that the animals’ skin feels like wet velvet; others compare it to peeled mango. For an extra fee, you can feed the rays by holding a snack of shrimp and smelt underwater. “The stingrays will come over and suck the food out of your hand,” says Kat Rumbley, the museum’s spokesperson. sophia bennett

then: Work on the estate took 28 years. now: The recently restored Neptune Pool was refilled last summer.

Hearst Castle

↘ A century ago, a newspaper tycoon crowned an unassuming California hilltop with the palace of his dreams.

William Randolph Hearst never called it Hearst Castle. To him, the palace above the Pacific was La Cuesta Encantada (the Enchanted Hill) or, simply, the ranch at San Simeon.

Whatever you call it, the opulent retreat was born in 1919. Hearst was 56 and wildly famous: a press baron, a film producer, a genius at making money and at spending it. He had dreamed of building a grand home on a piece of his family’s land in coastal San Luis Obispo County, and he hired architect Julia Morgan to make the dream real.

It wasn’t easy. All the tools and materials—lumber, cement, even a rock crusher—were shipped to the San Simeon village dock, then hauled up a steep dirt road to the construction site.

Hearst thought the project would take two years. Instead, construction went on for decades. But in the end, he and Morgan created a masterpiece—with 38 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, and lavish public rooms—topped by cathedralinspired towers. Hearst then filled the Ranch with famous guests such as Cary Grant and Bette Davis.

After Hearst’s death, his family donated the property to the state. Guide Scot Steck advises first timers to take the Grand Rooms Tour to see the public spaces, then return for the Upstairs Suites Tour. “You’ll see where Hearst lived,” Steck says. And one glance at the tycoon’s suite will make you wish you could live like he did, if even for a brief moment. peter fish

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The reborn Space Needle

↘ Seattle’s famed tower just got a face-lift. The result? Bigger views.

Sixty years ago, Seattle World’s Fair organizer Edward Carlson dined in the rotating restaurant of a Stuttgart TV tower while visiting Germany. Impressed, he doodled its design on a place mat and brought the idea back to Puget Sound. Thus, the Space Needle was born. Construction wrapped in only 400 days, and the tower opened just in time for the fair’s kickoff.

The World’s Fair ended but the Needle remained, its silhouette defining the city’s skyline, with few changes, for decades. Then in 2009 a team of architects began designing upgrades. “We spent almost 10 years planning because every aspect was so precise,” says Karen Olson, Space Needle chief marketing officer. Now, after the $100 million renovation, the tower incorpo-

rates 176 tons of glass. On the observation deck, steel walls have given way to floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, cable fencing has been replaced by glass panels. One level down, a revolving glass floor lets patrons see the street 500 feet below. “Now it looks sleek and modern,” says Olson. “And we have the most thrilling view in town.” mary frances hinds

The Space Needle’s new glass floor, the Loupe, gyrates, thanks to 12 motors and 48 rollers.

Calistoga, California

↘ A historic hamlet soothes frazzled nerves with hot springs, spa treatments, and world-class wine.

California pioneer Sam Brannan founded a spa at the north end of Napa Valley in the 1860s, and the town of Calistoga grew up around it. It’s still one of the best places in wine country to soak away stress.

● Built on the grounds of Brannan’s original holiday spot, Indian Springs Calistoga offers a broad menu of traditional treatments. Those spooked by mud baths may prefer to float in the naturally heated outdoor pool or indulge in an exfoliating salt scrub.

● The Sharpsteen Museum is full of surprises, such as one of Brannan’s guest cottages furnished Victorian style and a diorama of the 19th-century resort, complete with a pavilion for dancing and roller-skating. The bookshop is a trove of local history, with works on the Native Wappo and on Prohibition in Calistoga.

● For brunch at Lovina’s, enjoy a salad of warm duck confit, kale, and locally foraged wild mushrooms. Or try the lightly sauced barbecued Berkshire pork

sandwich with a lemony kohlrabi slaw.

● Prefer to pack a picnic? Head over to Cal Mart, where the deli is a local fave and the wine selection includes hard-to-find half bottles. On Saturdays, check out the farmers’ market for treats like Heron Fox Farm walnuts or coconut-cashew butter from Handsome Carver.

● Sofie Contemporary Arts specializes in works in a variety of media that are connected—one way or

another—to California. One recent show New Naturals included collages assembled from wasp paper, and a triptych of hand-milled oak panels embedded with glass.

● From the edge of downtown, the Oat Hill Mine hiking trail climbs steadily through grassland and chaparral into forests of oak, cypress, and Douglas fir. The old stagecoach road runs 8.3 miles end to end, but even shorter stretches reward with sweeping vistas of the valley. deborah franklin

LEFT: COURTESY INDIAN SPRINGS CALISTOGA;

RIGHT: CLARK JAMES MISHLER

On-site geysers supply the waters at Indian Springs. right: Seasonal bounty fills the farmers’ market.

STATE Best

Parks

Not just the prettiest. Not just the most popular. The best. Which park ranks supreme in your state? Read on.

More than 10,000 state parks grace the United States, drawing over 750 million people to their varied splendors yearly. How to pick the best in the West? To be sure, all the parks that follow are gorgeous, filled with fascinating things to see and do, and often less crowded than nearby national parks. In addition, each possesses an element that’s emblematic of its state, something you won’t see just anywhere. It’s not easy to choose favorites, but these are Via’s. You’ll love a visit to any of them.

CALIFORNIA Point Lobos

You could spend a lifetime studying California’s natural beauty and human history. Or you could visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

Just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, this promontory of rocky fingers, hidden coves, and coastal woods alongside the powerful Pacific distills the state’s essence. You’ll hear the barking of sea lions—in Spanish called lobos marinos, or “sea wolves.” Along 10 miles of trails, you’ll find golden poppies (the state flower) and coveys of quail (the state bird). In winter and spring, you might spot gray whales. Inside an 1850s cabin built by Chinese fishermen, exhibits illuminate how people have

used the land: a quarry for stone used in the old San Francisco Mint, an abalone cannery, and, quintessentially Californian, a failed real estate scheme.

The park’s soul is its stand of Monterey cypress trees, easily accessed by the one-mile Cypress Grove Trail. The trees have been torqued into spectral shapes by the wind and salt spray, their roots clinging to rocks. They stand proud in a place of beauty and challenge, like those who call California home. —christopher hall

tip Plan ahead: Point Lobos may soon require reservations for day visitors.

SUSANNE

A pair of Monterey pines tower above China Cove at Point Lobos.

STATE Best Parks

NEVADA Valley of Fire

The desert sun seems to light Valley of Fire State Park from within. About an hour northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada’s most accessible and photoready expanse of naturally sculpted sandstone presents an exquisite counterpoint to the Strip’s neon glare.

The state’s first park opened in 1934, but people have traversed this world of cliffs, boulders, slot canyons, and arches for much longer. Walk the three-quarter-mile round-trip path to Mouse’s Tank, a natural basin named for an American Indian renegade who hid there in the late 1890s, and you’ll see 1,000-year-old petroglyphs of hunters, animals, and spiritual figures.

Modern-day visitors drive the six-mile White Domes Road for close-up looks at gardens of red rock. Valley of Fire Road, a Nevada Scenic Byway, provides easy access to the wild and rugged southern end of the park. Wherever you go, the rocks change hue and mood with the shifting angles of the sun and the passing of seasons.

—chris woolston

tip The most recognizable sights in the park are Fire Wave, an undulating, striped formation, and Elephant Rock, an arch that seems to sport a long trunk. Both are best viewed at sunrise and sunset, the edges of park hours.

ARIZONA Slide Rock

Less than 10 miles north of Sedona’s surreal landscape, in an intimate crimson canyon tufted with juniper trees, you’ll find nature’s answer to a water park. At Slide Rock State Park, Oak Creek narrows to an 80-foot-long chute of smooth sandstone, where squealing children and adults ride down a series of mini cascades into cool pools. Slabs of russet stone on either side make ideal sunbathing spots—or diving boards.

But Slide Rock is more than its thrill ride. You can also stroll scenic trails suffused with junipers’ herbaceous scent, or peer into Arizona’s pioneer history at the Pendley family homestead and orchard. There you can see the 1927 home, peruse antique farming equipment, and, between August and October, pick or purchase Red Delicious apples. During the fall festival, you can also sip fresh-pressed cider, watch a blacksmithing demo, or build a scarecrow. —keridwen cornelius

tip As the name implies, Slide Rock is slippery, so wear water shoes. Spring to fall, water temperatures range from 50 to 68 degrees.

above: The vibrant Piano Rock at Valley of Fire. below: The cool summer playground that is Slide Rock’s Oak Creek.

MONTANA

Lewis & Clark Caverns

Montana keeps some of its most memorable scenery underground. At Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, twisting passageways lead to cathedral-like chambers adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone formations impersonating frozen waterfalls. The two-hour guided tour of Montana’s first state park, 45 miles west of Bozeman, has been a local rite of passage for generations. Tours include over 600 stairs and plenty of lighting, and generally take place only May through September. But the caves are never empty: Six bat species, including a large colony of rare Townsend’s big-eared bats, live there year-round.

Aboveground, you can fish or float the Jefferson River or take inventory of birds and

wildflowers along 10 miles of hiking trails. The cave visitor center presents the region’s mesmerizing geology and rich history, such as the tale of the park’s two namesake explorers who once camped nearby, never suspecting the amazing world beneath the surface. —c.w.

tip On most Sundays and Tuesdays in summer, you can sign up for a Wild Cave Tour, an authentic spelunking experience with only headlamps for illumination.

UTAH Antelope Island

The state of Utah is spoiled for stunning parks, but none are as classically Western as Antelope Island. The 15-mile-long, five-mile-wide landmass within the Great Salt Lake, accessed from a causeway attached to its northern tip, not only offers ample adventures backdropped by views of the snowcapped Wasatch Range, but is also a literal home on the range—“where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope play.”

The island is famous for its wildlife, and there are many ways to encounter it. A roving herd of 550 to 700 bison (the correct name for American

buffalo) moseys along the beaches. Mule deer and pronghorn inhabit the grasslands; bald eagles and bighorn sheep perch on hillsides. Spot them all while hiking more than 40 miles of trails, riding a rented horse, or cruising on an electric bike. For a look into history, there’s a guided tour of Fielding Garr Ranch, Utah’s oldest continuously inhabited pioneer-built home. —k.c.

tip Every fall, hundreds of wranglers join in a one-day bison roundup to check the herd’s health. Visitors can watch or ride along.

above: The Paradise Room inside Lewis & Clark Caverns. below: A horseback tour of Antelope Island.

STATE Best Parks

ALASKA

Chugach

Anchorage’s “neighborhood” park offers some truly wild Alaskan scenes, among them rocky coastlines, moose browsing through groves of birch, and soaring, snow-covered mountains. Occupying nearly 500,000 acres yet located almost entirely within city limits, Chugach State Park feels like a world apart. From downtown, it’s a short drive to the glacial blue Eklutna Lake, the park’s largest body of water, or the Eagle River Nature Center along the old Iditarod Trail, one of many paths for hikers, wildlife watchers, and other escapees from city life. c w

HAWAII

Waimea Canyon

At 14 miles long, up to a mile wide, and more than 3,500 feet deep, the gorge at the heart of Kauai’s Waimea Canyon State Park stuns by its size alone. But there’s more to this geologic marvel than impressive numbers. Two linked trails lead to rust-red cliffs, rushing waterfalls casting prismatic rainbows, and crags vivid with green vegetation. At the canyon bottom flows the river—waimea is Hawaiian for “reddish water”—that continues to carve this magnificent cleft in the earth. c h

OREGON

Silver Falls

The largest state park in Oregon amounts to a natural microcosm of what’s great about this corner of the continent, with a moody rain forest, stunning waterfalls, and hiking trails that take you deep into the 9,200-acre preserve. At Silver Falls State Park, near Salem, calypso orchids hide among the firs and maples, while cataracts up to 177 feet high punctuate a misty canyon. The 8.5-mile Trail of Ten Falls draws hundreds of thousands of hikers each year to its spectacular cascades, not just for the sight, but also for their powerful sound. tim neville

IDAHO

Harriman

The Gem State boasts some otherworldly parks—like sand-swept Bruneau Dunes and craggy City of Rocks—but Harriman State Park is Idaho’s hidden jewel. Located within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Harriman provides a quiet sanctuary for wildlife, and its 20 miles of hiking, biking, and skiing trails afford views of the Teton Range. Whether you’re looking to hook a rainbow trout on Henry’s Fork or spot a trumpeter swan on Silver Lake, Harriman offers an oasis off the main tourist track— like Idaho itself. tara morgan

WASHINGTON

Cape Disappointment

At Cape Disappointment State Park, the Columbia River collides with the Pacific Ocean in a roiling waterway that frustrated early explorers looking for the river’s entrance and earned the headland its name. Today, the spot stands as an emblem of the Northwest: turbulent ocean meeting towering sea cliffs, and driftwood-strewed beaches fringed by forest. You’ll also find two lighthouses— one with restored Victorian-era keeper residences where visitors can stay overnight—and an interpretive center devoted to Lewis and Clark. c h

WYOMING

Hot Springs

Much of Wyoming feels elementally Western, but Hot Springs State Park, near Thermopolis, thoroughly embodies the frontier. You can see bison on the sagebrush prairie, walk past travertine terraces along the Bighorn River, and—most important—relax in 104-degree natural spring water at the bathhouse: no added chemicals, no fuss, no charge. Lawmakers have promised that visitors will always and forever be allowed to soak for free, a gesture of true Western hospitality. c w

The MOST INTERESTING ROAD in the West

From Los Angeles to Puget Sound, Highway 101 is the ultimate Pacific Coast drive. by bruce anderson

Imagine you’ve been asked to design a college course that explores the West’s principal automotive routes, the arteries that move the region’s commercial, social, and cultural lifeblood. What would you call it?

How about “Highway 101”?

Because no matter what you call the road that was originally El Camino Real—whether you know it as the Central Freeway, Oregon Coast Highway, Hollywood Freeway, Redwood Highway, or Olympic Highway—you could do a lot worse than make U.S. Route 101 the focus of your class. The 1,540-mile stretch of roadway races along the continent’s western edge, tying together Los Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in a trajectory vibrant with romantic history, commercial vitality, scenic dazzle, and urban energy—a truly omnibus road. (In fact, in the San Francisco Bay Area, you can see omnibuses full of tech workers cruising up and down 101 every day.)

Sure, the big interstates—like I-5 or I-80—might carry more vehicles. They offer a certain numbing efficiency; a trip on any of them is better captured with a stopwatch than a camera. Highway 101, on the other hand, varies from eight-lane freeway to

two-lane highway, from city street to country road. It has tunnels, grades, and bridges both beautiful and useful. (The latter include the four-mile AstoriaMegler Bridge built in 1966 across the Columbia River, the final segment of 101 to be completed.) It passes by the site of the world’s first motel—the Milestone Mo-Tel, opened just off 101 in San Luis Obispo in 1925. It runs past Los Angeles City Hall at its southern terminus, the Washington State Capitol in Olympia at its northern end, and in between, San Francisco City Hall with its magnificent dome and the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Marin County Civic Center.

My enthusiasm for Highway 101 is not merely academic. When I was growing up in Hollister, Calif., 101 was 11 miles away, the on-ramp to Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Jose, and San Francisco. Today I live in San Francisco, about a six-minute drive from 101. My daughter Claire just started college 330 miles away in Santa Barbara; she can travel all but three miles of that distance on 101. Yes, it’s the King’s Highway, but it’s also the Andersons’.

Some might object to calling 101 the West’s most iconic highway. “What about Route 66?” they might

Highway 101 wends its way along the coast in southern Oregon.

ask (with an echo of Nat King Cole’s croon). I’d say the song itself answers that question. Route 66 (which the U.S. Highway System officially decertified in 1985) was always more about the destination than the journey, a means to get somewhere else: “It winds from Chicago to L.A. / More than two thousand miles all the way.”

When you drove on Route 66, you were passing through a desert, literally and metaphorically. When you drive Highway 101, you pass through valleys—the San Fernando, Santa Ynez, Salinas, Santa Clara, and Silicon, among others, each fecund in its own way. The road is never far from epic water, hugging the Pacific Coast for hundreds of miles and crossing the mouths of the San Francisco Bay and the Columbia River. At its far northern reach, it wraps through and around Olympic National Park, along the park’s 73 miles of rugged coastal wilderness and through its emerald rain forests. In Oregon, the highway touches an astounding 77 state parks and the spectacular Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. In Northern California, it leads to the Avenue of the Giants—a portion of the old Highway 101 in what is now Humboldt Redwoods State Park—giving travelers a chance to crane their necks ogling some of the tallest trees on the planet.

Which is exactly what I did on my first long road trip when I was a kid, a two-week sprint up and down the West Coast with my parents and three siblings. We stopped in Scotia, Calif., to see how a sawmill reduces big trees to board feet. We lumbered farther up 101 to Oregon to comb the beaches in Newport and Lincoln City, savor ice cream at the Tillamook Creamery, and pose for snapshots before the winter quarters of Lewis and Clark outside Astoria. We crossed into Washington, where we explored Olympic National Park before touring both the state capitol and the now-gone Olympia Brewery (once again, epic water).

Highway 101 is also a survey course in Western history—or mythmaking. It’s commonly believed the highway got its start nearly 250 years ago as El Camino Real, a horse path linking 21 Franciscan missions in Alta California. Today, a series of instantly recognizable roadside bells mark that route. But that story may owe more to the romantic notions of regional boosters than to the conclusions of rigorous

historians. And while mission founder Junípero Serra remains controversial (because of the impact those missions had on American Indians), there’s no question that he was an urban visionary. He built missions in or near what would become the four largest cities on the West Coast: San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco.

The final exam for Highway 101? Essay question: Tell us about your favorite stretch of the road.

For me, the answer would be the Golden Gate Bridge. The 1.7-mile-long span—with the Pacific and the Farallon Islands to the west; the bay, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco skyline to the east; and art deco towers soaring 500 feet overhead—still raises goose bumps every time I cross it.

The bridge in many ways is a microcosm of Highway 101 itself: an engineering marvel that required extraordinary innovation, collaboration, and foresight to complete, and an indispensable link between north and south, connecting urban dynamism with untrammeled nature and untapped opportunity. ●

bruce anderson, Via ’s former editor in chief, is now lead writer for the LinkedIn Talent Blog.

Mission bells line Highway 101 from Los Angeles to Santa Clara, Calif.

THE 101 Top 10

From south to north, from secret beaches to succulent barbecue, these roadside diversions demand a stop.

CALIFORNIA

1 Find a taste of Denmark 30 miles north of Santa Barbara in the windmill-adorned village of Solvang. Colorful storefronts house stylish home design shops and cozy eateries serving aebleskivers with raspberry jam.

2 Time your drive to have lunch at Rancho Nipomo BBQ, where you can sample Santa Maria Valley’s renowned barbecue, a staple since the region’s early ranching days. The signature sandwich features heaps of seasoned tri-tip, traditionally smoked over red oak.

3 You needn’t stay in one of its fantastically themed rooms to enjoy the kitschy delights of the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. A pit stop reveals vivid pink interiors while you nosh on Rat Pack–era grub at the Gold Rush Steak House.

4 Highway 101 runs close to most of the surviving 18th-century missions, which afford a peek at California’s Spanish and Mexican past. San Juan Bautista State Historic Park is an especially rich example, with a plaza full of adobe and Victorian structures and a mission that Hitchcock fans might recognize from Vertigo.

5 In Humboldt County, exit to cruise the Avenue of the Giants, which meanders 33 miles through lush redwood forests. Stretch your legs on the half-mile trail at Founders Grove and look for the Dyerville Giant, which shook the Richter scale when it fell in 1991.

6 In Klamath, brake for a waving, 49-foot-tall Paul Bunyan who stands alongside Babe the Blue Ox, chatting up the crowd at roadside attraction Trees of Mystery. The fabled pair are part of the oversize fun, which also includes a redwood nature walk and a gondola ride.

OREGON

7 You can glimpse southern Oregon’s Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor as you speed by, but stepping outside the car quadruples the seaside splendor. Spy arched rock formations at Natural Bridges, or relish the sight of migrating whales from the 1.3-mile Cape Ferrelo trail.

8 The bayfront town of Newport is known for its seafood. Mo’s dishes up one of the state’s most famous clam chowders, which has lured diners since 1946 and even garnered honors from the Smithsonian.

WASHINGTON

9 Ruby Beach is a showcase for the Olympic Peninsula’s wild landscape. Studded with sea stacks, tide pools, and driftwood, the marine preserve gets its name from the ruby-red crystals that subtly color its shores.

10 Set alongside the scenic Hood Canal in Lilliwaup, Hama Hama Oyster Saloon features a rustic, fi re pit–warmed patio where you can feast on roasted oysters and steamed clams. At the annual Oyster Rama fest, try oyster ice cream from local fave Olympic Mountain.

GARRICK RAMIREZ

Solvang

Founders Grove

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Hama Hama Oyster Saloon

Must-Do Hawaii

by carolyn jung

Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is ever evolving, as streams cut valleys and the ocean carves cliffs.

On each glorious island there’s one don’t-miss activity, from seeing Kauai by helicopter to exploring Maui’s waterfalls on a drive to Hana.

You can find sun, sand, and surf—along with poke, papaya, and plate lunches—almost anywhere you go in Hawaii. But each island has its own unique attractions as well. These are the experiences guaranteed to provide the best tropical souvenirs: indelible memories.

maui

Road to Hana

Amusement parks have nothing on the thrill ride known as the Road to Hana, which may be Maui’s signature delight. The cliff-hugging hairpin curves of coastal Hana Highway are an exhilarating experience that leads to a dramatically different destination: peaceful Hana, one of Hawaii’s most remote paradises. Along the way, cruise past waterfalls and beaches, squeak across narrow bridges, and then seek calm in the bamboo forest just 10 miles beyond town.

kauai

Helicopter tour

The unmistakable visual appeal of Kauai—a popular filming locale with impossibly lush foliage and waterfalls galore—is best appreciated from the air. Climb aboard a helicopter for a Garden Isle tour unlike any ground-level view: In just an hour you can swoop over craggy, otherwise inaccessible valleys, the crystalline crescent of Hanalei Bay, the towering sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, and spectacular Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

lanai

Manele Bay

The serenity and relative isolation of Lanai, one of Hawaii’s smaller inhabited islands, make for the state’s best snorkeling. The southern shore is home to dazzling sea life, including coral reefs, sea stars, hermit crabs, and the aquatic snails known as limpets. Don a mask and fins to explore Manele Bay, a secluded harbor and marine conservation area where you might spot spinner and bottlenose dolphins and green sea turtles.

hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Big Island—home to two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa—is the place to experience nature’s power.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closed in spring 2018 during an upsurge in volcanic activity—Kilauea has been erupting constantly since 1983—but has since reopened. Visitors can once again explore many of the 150 miles of trails that deliver extraordinary sights (including 115-foot-deep Keanakakoi Crater) and sensations (the heat of steam, the scent of sulfurous fumes). The Crater Rim Drive Tour leads to the crater as well as to Sulphur Banks, where gases and sulfuric acid seep from the ground, and iron oxide deposits have stained the landscape red.

oahu

Pearl Harbor

History, patriotism, and wonder converge at Oahu’s most visited attraction. Pearl Harbor—the site of a surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1941—symbolizes the United States entering World War II as a combatant. The somber realities of war are on full display here, including submarines, warplanes, and recruitment posters. The USS Arizona Memorial, built atop the bombed battleship, stands in tribute to those who lost their lives. Although the memorial has been closed for repairs, visitors can arrange ahead for the planned reopening in late March.

molokai

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Largely undeveloped and little visited, Molokai may be best known as a former quarantine site for Hawaiians with leprosy. Against the backdrop of the island’s natural splendor, Kalaupapa National Historical Park preserves the stories of the leper colony, which operated from 1866 to 1969, and the legacy of Belgian priest Father Damien’s unwavering devotion to caring for the afflicted until he too finally succumbed to the disease. ●

carolyn jung is an award-winning writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She blogs at foodgal.com.

Smart Guide

→ How to be a smarter car owner

Fifteen ways to save money, avoid hassles, and solve problems.

Owning a car isn’t easy. There’s the purchase to negotiate, insurance to secure, maintenance to manage, mechanics to vet, weather to contend with, disasters to prepare for, and gas to buy (and buy and buy). Fortunately, there are ways to make car ownership simpler—and you already possess one of them: With your AAA Membership, you’re equipped to outsmart almost any challenge that comes with having your own wheels, from minor inconveniences to major emergencies.

by avital andrews

SAVE BIG

Take advantage of AAA benefits to protect your car from theft, weather, and wear and tear.

Skip the trip to the DMV. Visiting the motor vehicle department is never fun. So don’t. Visit your local AAA branch to take care of a host of motor vehicle services—including registration renewal, plate and placard applications, and ownership transfer. (Services vary by state, so check with your branch before going.) 1

Smart Guide

2. Don’t get stranded. Nobody wants to be that person standing by the side of the road next to a broken-down car. Preparation can help you avoid that scenario. Before leaving on a trip, make sure your battery is well charged, your tires are properly inflated, your AAA card is in your wallet, and the number to access both Emergency Roadside Service and Car Battery Service (800-2224357) is saved in your phone. And remember that you can call for help with more than a dead battery or flat tire: AAA can also bring you gas if you run out or send a locksmith if your keys get locked in the car.

Be clever. Common household items can come in handy when dealing with minor car problems. A toilet plunger can help pull out smaller dents. A staple remover can pry open a stubborn key ring. Hand sanitizer can deice a door lock. A rubber band threaded through the AC vent becomes a makeshift phone holster. And cupcake liners can keep your cup holders clean.

Gas up. One of the newest benefits of AAA Membership is saving at least 5 cents per gallon at participating Shell stations through the end of 2019 when you join the Fuel Rewards program. Join in March or April for an extra 25 cents per gallon off that fill-up. AAA.com/shell. 4

5. Foil the hail. If you live in an area that’s subject to unpredictable weather, consider springing for the Hail Protector, a patented system designed to protect your car when balls of ice start falling from the sky. (AAA Members get a 20 percent discount.) Available in six sizes, the inflatable car cover installs in minutes. The Early Warning Hail Alert mobile app lets you know when hail is approaching so you can quickly deploy the system to protect your vehicle. When not in use, the cover rolls down to the size of a sleeping bag for easy storage in your trunk. AAA.com/hailprotector.

6. Keep watch. The Owl Car Cam is a high-definition video system that always has an eye on your car. In addition to sending video alerts to your phone, it also records with dual HD cameras—providing evidence if someone breaks in or crashes into you. AAA Members get 15 percent off. AAA.com/owl.

7. Be well covered. Let’s face it: Shopping for insurance is all about trust and value. You already trust and value AAA for assistance with roadside emergencies, car repair, and travel discounts. So if you’re looking for vehicle, home, or life insurance coverage, visit AAA. com/insurance or call an agent to get a no-obligation quote. AAA Members save 5 percent on insurance premiums.

8. Find the tank. If you’re driving a rental or borrowing a friend’s car, you’ll want to fill it with gas before you return it. But in an unfamiliar car, you may not know which side the gas tank is on. The easy way to figure it out: Look at the gas pump icon on the dashboard. There’s a little arrow, pointing right or left. That’s where the fuel intake is.

9. See clearly now. Visibility is everything when it comes to driving safely. Give your windshield a good cleaning whenever you stop for gas. And if you spot a chip or crack in the glass, use your AAA Membership to get it fixed for less. Check AAA.com/discounts to find deals on windshield repair or replacement near you. And remember: AAA Premier Membership gets you a $50 reimbursement for windshield repair.

10

Turn off your heater. It can be tough to keep your electric car comfortably warm in chilly weather. But if you can handle it, leave the heater turned off. Instead, use your heated steering wheel or heated seats to warm up. Because they don’t have to heat the entire car interior, they use less energy. (Another bonus: Heated seats can help keep takeout food warm on the drive home.)

11

Save for car expenses.

The average car repair costs between $500 and $600. But a third of U.S. drivers say they would have to borrow to pay for unexpected car problems. The solution: Put aside $50 per month to cover car expenses. You can also save money on big repairs by investing in regular maintenance, which can prevent bigger problems down the road.

Smart Guide

Leave windows up. A common myth claims that it’s better to cool off by rolling down the windows than by using the air conditioner in hot weather. The truth is, it’s more fuel-efficient to run the AC. Open windows create drag, and modern AC systems have little impact on fuel economy.

13. Be prepared. Every car should be equipped with an emergency kit containing, at the very least, basic first-aid supplies, water, a blanket, a cheap prepaid cell phone, and some calorie-dense

snacks. That minimalist kit can then be expanded with a fire extinguisher, road flares, flashlights, and pet food (if Fido likes to ride along). You could collect those kit components on your own, but you can also save time and hassle by ordering an already assembled one from Ready America. AAA Members get up to 30 percent off select Ready America products purchased online. AAA.com/readyamerica.

14. Find a fix-it shop. Two out of three drivers say they don’t trust car mechanics. To allay your insurance doubt, try a certified AAA Approved Auto Repair shop. You'll save 10 percent on labor and get a two-year warranty on every fix. Or check review sites such as Yelp to see how local repair shops treat their customers. Try out a new candidate with a minor job, such as an oil change, first. When you do find a mechanic you like, stick with your choice. Skipping around means your car’s records are scattered, making it tougher to keep track of the services your car really needs. AAA.com/autorepair.

Get a super car charger. Want to bring Alexa with you on the road? Then check out Anker’s Roav Viva. It’s a car phone charger with Alexa built in. While juicing up your phone, it can also stream music, answer questions, and sync with your smart home devices. Open your garage, turn on your porch light, control your air conditioner, start your vacuum: Viva lets you do it all, safely, while driving. Plus, AAA Members get 25 percent off. AAA.com/viva.

#113202); PA (HI Contractor #PA005499); RI (Res. Contr. #27281, HVAC #7935); SC (Res. Bldr. #20195; Gen. Contr. #105836-BD5; HVAC Res. #RBH-919; Mechanical Contractor #110634); TN (HIC #2319; HVAC-Unlimited Contr. #54995; Res. & Small Comm-Unlimited BC-A #54995); TX (HVAC Dallas #TACLB00020401E,

Contr.#GB98 58598; HVAC #MM98 58598; Elec.# EE98 58598, MHD HVAC #MM98 C58598, MHD Elec. #EE98 C58598); NC (Bldg. Limited. #47330; HVAC #15343 H-2, H-3-1, HVAC #30249 H-3-II); OH (HVAC #44752); OK (HVAC #106841, Roofi ng Cont. #80000449); OR (Gen. Contr.

Spotlight

THROUGH APR. 28

A limitless artistic vision

Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s most influential living artists, brings two mesmerizing installations to Las Vegas’s Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Showcasing her fascination with the concept of the infinite, Narcissus Garden contains 750 silver orbs that reflect and distort reality, while Infinity Mirrored Room: Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity (above) immerses guests in a mirror-filled space illuminated by LED lights reflected in countless directions.

THROUGH MAY 5

↑ The kimono effect

At San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum, Kimono Refashioned examines how this most traditional of Japanese garments has influenced global fashions from the Victorian era to the catwalks of today. Among the 40-plus garments by some 30 designers are a 1956 silk taffeta gown with gold-thread embroidery (above) and more recent creations by Christian Louboutin

APR. 19–20

Creative craft

A gorgeous town square in southern Utah’s red rock country is the setting for the 40th annual St. George Art Festival, where you’ll find a juried selection of thousands of original works by more than 100 artists. You can also enjoy two stages of live entertainment or take a whirl on the square’s restored antique carousel.

APR. 14–MAY 6

Primal playlist

Audiences get an audiovisual tour through some of earth’s most riveting wildlife spectacles in National Geographic: Symphony for Our World. Sourced from a 130-year image archive, footage shot underwater, on land, and in the air is projected on-screen as an orchestra and choir perform live. Experience it in Phoenix (Apr. 14), San Francisco (Apr. 29), and San Jose (May 6).

BOTTOM: KYOTO COSTUME INSTITUTE, TAKASHI HATAKEYAMA

and Issey Miyake.

MAR. 23–APR. 29

→

In living color

Head to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Ore., for an extravaganza of color backed by a gorgeous view of Mount Hood. On the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, a third-generation family operation between Portland and Salem, you can stroll or take a tour ride through fields of some 2.5 million bulbs, buy freshly picked flowers, and sample food and estate wine.

MAR. 29–31

Spring snow jam

Music, mountains, beer, and— with luck—some sunny spring skiing: Regardless of snowpack, visitors to WinterWonderGrass Music & Brew Festival at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows can count on taking in bracing High Sierra vistas near Lake Tahoe, Calif., while enjoying the best of local craft beers. Around two dozen acoustic roots and bluegrass bands provide music.

APR. 13–SEPT. 2

← Far out!

It’s been 50 years since Neil Armstrong took his “giant leap for mankind.” Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission at Seattle’s Museum of Flight offers a one-of-a-kind look into the first lunar landing on its golden anniversary. The traveling exhibit’s only West Coast appearance presents 20-plus original artifacts, including the visor and gloves from Buzz Aldrin’s spacesuit (left). Don’t miss the preserved command module, the only part of the spacecraft to return intact.

MAR. 1–8

↑ Epic shadow puppets

In the captivating, shadowy world conjured by Catapult, dancers pose behind a screen to create undulating silhouettes that morph into phantasmagoric forms limited only by the performers’ imagination. The troupe, which shot to fame on America’s Got Talent, stops in Cheyenne, Pinedale, Lander, and Cody, Wyo., and Richfield and St. George, Utah.

THROUGH SEPT. 2

↑ Toy backstory

The touchingly lifelike visage of WALL-E the robot would never have hit the big screen without the unheralded work of digital artists and computer scientists. The Science Behind Pixar at Portland’s Oregon Museum of Science and Industry explores the science, technology, engineering, and math concepts used to bring some of the animation studio’s classics to life.

MAR.

Springtime solitude

During the quiet spring months, serenity settles over Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park and its historic Mormon Row, home to early homesteads and the popularly photographed 1912 T.A. Moulton barn. “Because the park was in a lull—after the skiing season but before the summer crowds—it was empty of tourists, and we had the place to ourselves,” says Chris LaBasco, who caught the glow of an April sunrise on the Teton Range. To get here, drive 13 miles north on Route 191 from Jackson to Antelope Flats Road. About a mile down the road (closed in snow), look for a pink stucco house, near a dirt parking lot and a trail leading to the barn.

Share your adventure

Post an original photo from a recent trip on Facebook or Instagram using #ViaAdventure. Your image may be published in print, or online at AAA.com/via.