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It was my freshman year of high school, and it was the bi-annual music department trip. That year we went to New Orleans.

Because there was heavy snow on the ground in the middle of February, I was more than excited to leave Wisconsin for a few days. We were all extremely excited, all 7 coach buses filled with students eager for the trip. It was an eighteen hour drive, traveling through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Being stuck and sleeping on a bus with your friends can create some serious bonding time. But finally we reached our destination New Orleans, Louisiana.

It was like someone flipped a light switch of cultures and atmosphere. The sights, the music, the warmth and sun, the history, the people. It was simply breathtaking. My friends and I simply couldn't contain ourselves...well at least I couldn't. What I can really remember from that first day was my tour guide. Being the goddess of a human being and the character she was, she was one of my favorite people I met on that trip. But if you ever pronounce New Orleans wrong, she’ll snap back at you and make sure you say it right.

And with all of the amazing places we could have started with to visit, we visited the above ground grave yards on our first day there. Now originally I wasn’t thrilled with this. However I can honestly say that those were one of the most fascinating concepts I have seen. The graves themselves were massive, stone structures above the ground that towered over most of the tourists that passed. Believe or not, Nicolas Cage has a giant pyramid reserved for a spot in the graveyard we visited for when he dies. I would definitely recommend anyone to check it out.

Understandably, visiting a graveyard on a trip isn’t the most exciting thing, but a stroll into the french quarter, and that's where the real party starts. Around every corner are bars, cafes, and small restaurants where you could get anything you could possibly want. However one of the best cafes you must go to in the French Quarter is the Cafe Beignet. Trust me, their beignets will change your life. Spontaneous marching bands sprout throughout the quarter, my tour group daringly decided to join one. And once the sun sets, those small marching bands transform into parades with floats and lights and loud music. It’s something where you have to see for yourself in order to believe.

If the party sense isn’t your style, take a boat ride through the bayous and swamps.You have the opportunity to see all sorts of wildlife like raccoons, gators, wild boars and many more. Just warning beforehand, definitely bring a jacket. It gets a little cold moving as fast as you do in those boats.

Everyday I wish I could go back because that trip was the most fun I've ever had in a long time. I can keep going on and on about this trip, what we did, and how much fun it was. But for the sake of time and sanity, I think it’s best if you just go experience it yourself. And don’t forget to bring your friends, it makes the experience that much better.

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The House on the Rock, Wisconsin 23, Spring Green, WI, USA

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The House on the Rock, Wisconsin 23, Spring Green, WI, USA

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The House on the Rock, Wisconsin 23, Spring Green, WI, USA

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I recommend going to The House on the Rock in Spring Green Wi.  The first time I visited this place I was absolutely amazed.  For those who don’t know what the place is all about, it’s basically a huge mansion that is built in a mountain and part of a cliff and the person who lived there had so many cool collections and there is a cafeteria in there as well if you get hungry while walking along the 240 acres of land.  Some of the things that I can remember about the place was the world’s largest indoor carousel that you sadly cannot ride on, a sculpture of a whale fighting an octopus that’s larger than the statue of liberty, and a very big Japanese inspired garden outside.  Another really cool room I should mention is something called an infinity room where it stretches off of the cliff and it meets at a point where if you look at it from the opposite end, it will look like the room goes on forever.  In all honesty, I would love to come back to see the place again, I know that I would enjoy it just as much as the first time.  It seems like every turn you make there is another crazy big collection of something, antique or just plain random.  One thing is for sure, I would not want to go there at night or while everything is shut off, it would turn into a nightmare house.  I feel like they could make a lot of money if they decided to have a haunted house every halloween because most of the decorating is already done.

Overall, I highly recommend going to this place, you truly have to witness it yourself to believe it.  I didn’t mention a lot of the things there because there is just so much to see for yourself.

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New Orleans. I first visited NOLA my sophomore year on a school music department trip. I found it special because the city exudes its own culture, personality of sorts. I was drawn to its unique sense of self, the energy, a tangible love for the city that its nearly 400,000 citizens share. In part, the specialness of the city was amplified by our trip's timing. We went the week leading up to Mardi Gras: a week long endless party.

If you enjoy night life, or are a music enthusiast, this city is a must for you. The smooth sound of jazz fills the streets. The city and its surrounding areas have much to offer throughout the day. One of my personal favorite memories was in the early hours of the morning as I had to wake up to continue my training while I was away from home. My friend and I had just finished our workout and had stepped onto the roof deck that overlooked the city with warm cups of coffee. They say New York is the city that never sleeps, but I’d argue New Orleans doesn’t either, because as the sun delayed its rise a layer of fog lifted and jazz again was playing.

As jazz continues to be a thread, Preservation Hall offers an up-close and personal experience to immerse yourself for an hour. Do not be fooled however, the raw authenticity of this wonder does mean the humid air will not be alleviated by modern air conditioning.  To truly understand the city, a tour of the city by day followed by a ghost tour at night should also be at the top of your list. And surely a trip to the Big Easy cannot be complete without several sweet and billowy beignets sure to cover your face in endless powdered sugar. I know you may argue a single trip to the city couldn’t possibly qualify me to deem Cafe Du Monde the clear frontrunner in this delightful dessert, but they certainly will ensure you too will find a love for this city much as I did.

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Pakashkan Lake, Thunder Bay, Unorganized, ON, Canada

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Pakashkan Lake, Thunder Bay, Unorganized, ON, Canada

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Pakashkan Lake, Thunder Bay, Unorganized, ON, Canada

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canada is the most peaceful place i have been. the drive up there can be long but it is sure worth it. especially in the fall. when the leaves are changing the drive becomes beautiful. the smell of the fresh air and the smell from the pine trees is the best stress reliever mother nature can give you. the sunsets on the lake really make you respect the beauty of nature. the nice thing about canada is you can either be isolated away from anyone or you can be crowed in the city.

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I don’t remember the first time I went to my cabin. It was when I was super young like before I could remember. I know that we have had two different cabins. The first one was up and standing when I was 2 years old. Then when I was like 3 or 4 my parents thought it was a good idea to tear down the old one and build a new one. I don’t remember seeing that one for the first time. The only thing  I can remember and will remember for the rest of my life is the smell.You know there’s a new car smell, there's a new cabin smell. I just remember the good times.

What makes the cabin special to me is all of the memories I have with my friends and family up there. Every Fourth of July my family from my dad's side goes up to our cabin and my uncle’s house. We always have a fun time. When it’s not a holiday and we go up just to go up its fun as well. Late night movies and late night board games.

The cabin continues to be special because I know that I can always have more fun memories. Everytime I go up to my cabin I know I will have fun or make a memory. During the fourth I know I will make a memory. It can be from hanging with my cousins or hanging with my brother or going tubing. The cabin will continue to be a great place for everyone. When my brother was up there with his girlfriend he proposed.

The feeling of the cabin is always happy. You feel joy when you walk in. Everytime I go up with people like friends and family I become happy. I become happy because I know that people will have a good time. You look out toward the water and see boats but you see the water. The water is calm but if you look out more sometimes you can see people in a boat talking and having fun. My cabin is a place where you can be happy and have a good time being yourself.

If I ever bring you to my cabin or you ever just go to my cabin with your family I would recommend going during the summer time. I feel like you can do a lot more in the summertime. In the summer time you can  hear the birds chirping. You hear the frogs croaking. Also during the summer time you can go tubing. You can go fishing. You can go on walks. You can do so much more stuff during the summer time. When you go up to my cabin be ready to have some fun.

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Mary Esther is a great place to go for you if you like a good point to spend time and relax and have a way of getting to other remarkable locations in Florida. One of the best things about Mary Esther is the great beach right there that looks like the caribbean seas. The entire feeling of this location is like a small beach town where you can get away instead of the big beach areas where there isn’t even an area to sit down. Another thing that makes it appeal to me as being from Wisconsin, there is a Culver’s in the city and the next closest one is states away, so having a little bit of home is nice. The final thing that pulls it together is the fact that it can be a sort of checkpoint to go to other areas of Florida. To the west, there’s a great restaurant called Lulu’s with some great seafood. To the east is the main part of Florida with the attractions and tourist locations.

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The first time I visited Colorado it was a new and different atmosphere to me because I’ve only been around the midwest. When I stepped off the plane that night, a wave of humidity hit and all of a sudden, the cool midwest air was gone.

Something that made Colorado special was the different scenery and atmosphere. Colorado is filled with mountains and trees and is all around a very beautiful place. Out of all the places in the world, Colorado is the most special because it just has that different atmosphere. The people who live there are so friendly and kind they give off a different vibe then most states.

Something that continues to make it special is that the scenery never changes and will mostly always stay the same. There are new places to visit and things to try each time you go and that's super special because it never gets boring. 3 places you should visit while in Colorado are; Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Springs, and Denver. There is lots to do in Colorado Springs and Denver so plan on spending a few days in each city, or drive between the two as they’re only 2 hours apart. As you adventure the national parks, make sure to bring a water bottle or do as the hikes do get lengthy.

Some feelings this place evokes is calmness, carefree and happiness. Especially in the winter, the people seem more carefree as they hit the slopes to ski and snowboard. The snow and many other aspects of the winter add to the calmness of this state

With all of the views Colorado has to offer, this is hands down a place to visit. If you're into cities or mountains or parks, Colorado can offer you all that.

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The first time I visited Colorado it was a new and different atmosphere to me because I’ve only been around the midwest. When I stepped off the plane that night, a wave of humidity hit and all of a sudden, the cool midwest air was gone. 

Something that made Colorado special was the different scenery and atmosphere. Colorado is filled with mountains and trees and is all around a very beautiful place. Out of all the places in the world, Colorado is the most special because it just has that different atmosphere. The people who live there are so friendly and kind they give off a different vibe then most states. 

Something that continues to make it special is that the scenery never changes and will mostly always stay the same. There are new places to visit and things to try each time you go and that's super special because it never gets boring. 3 places you should visit while in Colorado are; Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Springs, and Denver. There is lots to do in Colorado Springs and Denver so plan on spending a few days in each city, or drive between the two as they’re only 2 hours apart. As you adventure the national parks, make sure to bring a water bottle or do as the hikes do get lengthy.

Some feelings this place evokes is calmness, carefree and happiness. Especially in the winter, the people seem more carefree as they hit the slopes to ski and snowboard. The snow and many other aspects of the winter add to the calmness of this state

With all of the views Colorado has to offer, this is hands down a place to visit. If you're into cities or mountains or parks, Colorado can offer you all that.

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Universal Studios Florida, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL, USA

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Universal Studios Florida, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL, USA

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Universal Studios Florida, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL, USA

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The first time I went to Michigan it made me think of what it might be like if you were in Canada. There is lots of thick vegetation and tons of pretty little waterfalls everywhere you go. One of the bigger waterfalls I was able to see was in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park . When I’m there it’s just peaceful because you are surrounded by nature and have no worries.

When you go there, I would highly recommend going to see as many lighthouses as you can. It may sound boring but they all are very unique and they’re something you just don’t see around here. I saw two while I was there this summer. One was in St. Ignace and the other was in Bay De Noc township which is just a little east of Escanaba.

One of the cities we stayed in was Petoskey. Petoskey is a very wealthy city and one of the prettiest that I’ve ever seen. Within the main city streets there are dozens of small shops, cafes, and diners. Some of the finer restaurants overlook the beautiful Lake Michigan. Even in our hotel it was water for as long as the eye could see. Petoskey would definitely be my place of recommendation for anyone traveling to Michigan.

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After being sick for three days and finally feeling a little alive. I decided to drive all the way to Spooner, by myself. It was the first time I ever drove over an hour alone. On top of that I was very weak from not being able to eat much from the days before. Refueling myself I stopped at the gas station to grab myself some electrolytes and a bite to eat. Along with filling my gas tank so I could make it to Spooner without another stop. I didn’t just decide to drive to Spooner for the heck of it. I was driving there to go up to a cabin to visit my boyfriend and his family. I was excited that I was finally getting the strength to move around and be able to drive there. The drive up to Spooner was a long ride, with many drivers unaware of what they were doing. Driving into town cars are flying everywhere to and from gas stations and restaurants. It was a crazy hectic mess. Once getting out of that traffic it becomes a much easier settling drive.Pulling into the driveway I could feel my heart start to beat as I became more and more nervous. My nerves were calmed as I watched my boyfriend come and meet me at my car. Going inside I was greeted by the rest of his family and I was invited to come outside with them. The boys grabbed fishing poles and showed me the way down to the docks. The view was beautiful, the cabin sat right on the lake with a huge spot to play yard games and to build a fire. There was a huge lake full of fish eager to jump on to our hooks. Three docks lined the lake shore, along the docks sat two boats that we later used to go wake boarding. I can still remember the tiny fish I caught off of the dock with my boyfriend and his little brother. Attempting to take the fish off the hooks to throw them back in, the slimy squirming fish were hard to handle, until I finally mastered taking them off with a little help of his brother. I can hear the laughter leaving all of us kids as we pushed each other off the dock and jumped into the water. As the older boys wrestled around a bit and tackled each other into the water, I hear the huge splash and the parents laughing as the water splashed them on the dock.Since then when I think of this place a feeling of warmth and happiness strikes me.  The neighbored cabins were all sweet people that shared the lake with anyone and everyone. It is an amazing place for beginnings of friendships and memorable moments. When visiting Spooner next time make sure to rent a cabin on the lake for a weekend or even a week so that you can experience all the great memories that come along with it.

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The Capital of the Country. Washington DC. Now if the first sentence didn’t have you hooked already, let me introduce you to the unofficial 51st State.

Are you a history junkie? Does the thought of the Constitution send shivers down your spine? Well then you should explore the various historical aspects of DC. The home of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and my personal favorite (of which I have a copy) the Declaration of Independence. These are all accessible to the public and can be extremely  interesting to view what shaped the United States in first person. Nothing like the aroma of old paper. Old paper not your style? Then take a trip and explore the many statues and memorials  from the carriage of a tourist guide biker around the city. See Abaraham Lincoln’s large frame, Martin Luther King’s standing form, or the Washington Monument- which is the tallest building in the city. Do you want to know why? Go and check it out for yourself! The place is filled with a rich history of multiple concrete people.

Sometimes old history can be boring. Modern is where it is at! Visit the White House, and make sure to snap a picture! If you're lucky you might just see anyone of the poliitions roam the area surrounded by bodyguards. Or walk by the many different government buildings that are shaping our present day history!

Once you tire of Politics make sure to stop by and visit even just one of the 11 Smithsonian Museums. I promise you’ll never get bored! They are placed throughout the district, so as you explore the city stop by. Use the Metro to get around underground and eat at the many different food places they have. What I would give to go back and eat at my family’s favorite Nepalian food place!

Now after a long day of walking around I can say there is nothing more relaxing than retiring to your hotel. Sure a hotel in the popular areas is a bit more expensive however it is worth it to splurge. My mom set us up in a beautiful hotel that was very close to many attractions and close to the metro. But my favorite part about the hotel was a large pool that you could go to on the roof of the building. There is nothing like swimming on top of a hotel in a bustling area. In the Summer it can get a perfect temperature to just soak up the sun.

Finally an experience that isn’t even selective for just Washington DC, but I would highly encourage is taking a sleeper train to your next travel destination. My family and I travelled from Tomah, Wisconsin to Washington DC on a nonstop train. Although the train takes over a day to get to DC it is an unforgettable experience. Something about sleeping on a bunk bed on a train was so peaceful. I could go on and on about the different sites and attractions that you could visit, but it wouldn’t be nearly as fun as exploring it yourselves. So grab your friend/family/neighbor and take them to get a “I love Washington DC” so that you can remember it for the rest of your lives.

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The Capital of the Country. Washington DC. Now if the first sentence didn’t have you hooked already, let me introduce you to the unofficial 51st State.

Are you a history junkie? Does the thought of the Constitution send shivers down your spine? Well then you should explore the various historical aspects of DC. The home of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and my personal favorite (of which I have a copy) the Declaration of Independence. These are all accessible to the public and can be extremely  interesting to view what shaped the United States in first person. Wrinkly paper not your style? Then take a trip and explore the many statues and memorials  from the carriage of a tourist guide biker around the city. See Abaraham Lincoln’s large frame, Martin Luther King’s standing form, or the Washington Monument- which is the tallest building in the city. Do you want to know why? Go and check it out for yourself! The place is filled with a rich history of multiple concrete people.

Sometimes old history can be boring. Modern is where it is at! Visit the White House, and make sure to snap a picture! If you're lucky you might just see anyone of the poliitions roam the area surrounded by bodyguards. Or walk by the many different government buildings that are shaping our present day history!

Once you tire of Politics make sure to stop by and visit even just one of the 11 Smithsonian Museums. I promise you’ll never get bored! They are placed throughout the district, so as you explore the city stop by. Use the Metro to get around underground.

Now after a long day of walking around I can say there is nothing more relaxing than retiring to your hotel. Sure a hotel in the popular areas is a bit more expensive however it is worth it to splurge. My mom set us up in a beautiful hotel that was very close to many attractions and close to the metro. But my favorite part about the hotel was a large pool that you could go to on the roof of the building. There is nothing like swimming on top of a hotel in a bustling area. In the Summer it can get a perfect temperature to just soak up the sun.

Finally an experience that isn’t even selective for just Washington DC, but I would highly encourage is taking a sleeper train to your next travel destination. My family and I travelled from Tomah, Wisconsin to Washington DC on a nonstop train. Although the train takes over a day to get to DC it is an unforgettable experience. Something about sleeping on a bunk bed on a train was so peaceful. I could go on and on about the different sites and attractions that you could visit, but it wouldn’t be nearly as fun as exploring it yourselves. So grab your friend/family/neighbor and take them to get a “I love Washington DC” so that you can remember it for the rest of your lives.

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The first time ever visiting the UP of Michigan was very exciting driving up to our resort in Au Train and walking through the sand on the beach of Lake Superior and watching the sunset over the lake. Visiting the UP is a special place because of the surrounding great lakes largest group in the world. You can take some day trips out to see some amazing places or just chill in your cabin or on the beach. Some places you should visit in the UP is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to see all of the amazing landforms and rock formations. Another great place to visit is the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie and watch the giant ships come in and go up the locks. The final place you can visit is just Lake Superior itself; you can take a boat out and fish or just enjoy the lake and take in some sun during the summer. If you love the outdoors and love spending time with family and enjoying life then the upper peninsula of Michigan is a great place for you. It was special because I was with my family and everyone was so happy to be there. It gives you a relaxing feeling when you first take it all in and the smile on your face just grows bigger.

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My family and I went to Michigan for a relative of my stepmom’s wedding. My family has never traveled, so it was a little exciting. It was at a small area of land surrounded by a lake. It was very windy and a little chilly, but the water was really pretty and you could hear the waves crashing on shore. The wind and waves made it very peaceful and comforting. My family and I had a great time together and enjoyed it very much. Things you must see are the water, the scenery of the trees, and the waterfalls which we saw later on. It’s a lot more beautiful at times than imagined. The best times to visit are the summer or at least when it’s warmer out because we went during the beginning of winter and it would be more enjoyable if it wasn’t chilly. 

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Peninsula Point Lighthouse, County 513 T Road, Rapid River, MI, USA

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Peninsula Point Lighthouse, County 513 T Road, Rapid River, MI, USA

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Peninsula Point Lighthouse, County 513 T Road, Rapid River, MI, USA

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My family and I went to Michigan for a relative of my stepmom’s wedding. My family has never traveled, so it was a little exciting. It was at a small area of land surrounded by a lake. It was very windy and a little chilly, but the water was really pretty and you could hear the waves crashing on shore. The wind and waves made it very peaceful and comforting. My family and I had a great time together and enjoyed it very much. Things you must see are the water, the scenery of the trees, and the waterfalls which we saw later on. It’s a lot more beautiful at times than imagined. The best times to visit are the summer or at least when it’s warmer out because we went during the beginning of winter and it would be more enjoyable if it wasn’t chilly.

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My favorite place to visit is Colorado Springs. I first visited as a young child but I have gone back multiple times since then.  It's special to me because I have family that lives there that I barely get to see but whenever we visit them they make it really special. My family has brought us to Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. These places bring me a sense of peace and serenity. They are so beautiful and peaceful.

I would go to Pikes Peak and personally I would take the train up to the top. My favorite trip to Colorado Springs was when I was in middle school and my grandparents invited my sister and I to go with them and visit our aunt and uncle. My aunt and uncle planned our trip up to the peak. We got to ride the train. This was the first time we would do that. There was someone telling the history of the mountain and some facts about it too. I was very interesting and informative.

At the top of the mountain there is a gift shop which has really good fudge in it and has some great souvenirs too. I like to think about how peaceful it would be to just sit up on the rocks and look out onto the rest of the mountain.

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I’ve always heard stories of my family that lived in the South and always wanted to visit them. So one summer my family that lives in Wisconsin decided to plan a vacation to drive to Tennessee and meet them. Besides my family we got to see Nashville. Nashville has lots of street music and varitey of different street foods. Waffle Houses are also a huge part of the south even though they are sketchy and can look run down they serve the best breakfest I ever had. If your a person that loves breakfest you have to visit one.

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My favorite place to visit is Colorado Springs. I first visited as a young child but I have gone back multiple times since then.  It's special to me because I have family that lives there that I barely get to see but whenever we visit them they make it really special. My family has brought us to Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. These places bring me a sense of peace and serenity. They are so beautiful and peaceful.

I would go to Pikes Peak and personally I would take the train up to the top. My favorite trip to Colorado Springs was when I was in middle school and my grandparents invited my sister and I to go with them and visit our aunt and uncle. My aunt and uncle planned our trip up to the peak. We got to ride the train. This was the first time we would do that. There was someone telling the history of the mountain and some facts about it too. I was very interesting and informative.

At the top of the mountain there is a gift shop which has really good fudge in it and has some great souvenirs too. I like to think about how peaceful it would be to just sit up on the rocks and look out onto the rest of the mountain.

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Irvine Park Zoo, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

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Irvine Park Zoo, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

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Irvine Park Zoo, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

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Chippewa Falls  is a smaller town than most so the places to visit are at a fair minimum, but that doesn’t mean the places you can visit are not worth your time.

Irvine Park is the most popular park in Chippewa Falls. It has beautiful trails that I could walk through blindfolded because I’ve explored them all since I can remember. I have been using this park as an escape route for my stress. When I arrive, all I think of are the memories that it holds, like playing in the jungle gym, finding beautiful rocks along the river, listening to the ducks squawk all day long, walking through the endless trails, and watching the animals live their day as we live ours. That’s only a few things you can explore at Irvine. Families of all ages and sizes come here every single day. There won’t be a day in  the year that someone won’t step foot in the park, that being summer, fall, winter, or spring.

During the summer is when most people are out enjoying the warmth of the sun and relaxing while their children play. The fountain is a hot spot for children to play in. I definitely remember sitting on the fountains one after another as they go up, I think every kid that has grown up here has done this at least once. Across the street is also a hot spot during the summer, which is a pool and skate park. Most days it’s so crowded that even you would get lost in the pool of children. And after swimming for hours, walking through a park to dry off would attract anyone at that point. During fall and winter, it’s so peaceful to go to because most kids are indoors because the weather is getting chilly. This is when most adults get their coats and mittens on and enjoy the peace and quiet that nature brings. This time of the year is also the time when the town starts to add Christmas lights all around the trees, fences, and buildings. It’s very exciting to say the least. And as winter approaches, they set up this huge walk through of decorations that you can walk and even drive through the park during Christmas and look at all of the hard work that was put into this Irvine tradition.

Everyone has their safe place, whether that be at home in your bedroom, a certain chair in your house, or a certain city you grew up in, but my safe place is Irvine because of the beautiful memories that have been created in the past 18 years of my life. And maybe this park could be yours too.

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Taking a 15 hour drive to get to Colorado from Wisconsin to go on vacation with my family the only thing I wanted was to get there and get out of the car.

This place is the place to choose because there are endless things to do such as go hiking in the rocky mountains, go white water rafting through the mountains, or visit the Mesa Verde National Park. Colorado is meant for a person that likes to do things outdoors and being active, the vibe of colorado is very relaxed in most parts of the state.

The best time during my visit was when my family and I went white water rafting through the mountains. Our family decided to do the high level rafting and when we were rafting the person in front of me flys out and all of a sudden everyone, except for my family, flew out of the raft. Then we are on the raft alone and have no idea what to do because if we try to go to land the rapids pulled us back in so we decided to just try our hardest to get to land then finally we made it back to land then ran up river to help them that fell and we got everyone safely to land and no one got hurt.

When we went into the mountains we went hiking off trail farther than we should have but I remembered a stump that was at the end of the trail so when we got lost we walked back the way we thought and the stump popped into my head because i saw it and at first my dad didn't think i was right and i told him i know that stump was there and that's the trail we need to take back down the mountain so we take that trail and at the bottom of the trail is the car that we took to the trail.

Therefore Colorado was a fun experience so you should go there sometime.

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My favorite place I've ever gone to is big sky, Montana. This is my favorite place I've ever been because of the mountains and also the activities I did. One of the things I did was zipline in the mountains. That felt really refreshing and thrilling. We also rode horses in the mountains which was cool.

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The first time I went to Popple Lake I was surprised by how nice it looked. What a place to be. This place is special because the sights to see there are amazing. One thing you can do there is to put on goggles and a snorkel. While snorkeling you can't see anything because the water is murky. Another thing to do here is to go boating. With my place being a lake you would think to go boating. A final thing to do here to fish. Everyone loves fishin’.As a matter of fact many people associate the phrase,”Nice fish.” With Popple Lake. Fish tastes good when it's caught. You could fish all day long here and just have a good time. While you are here, you feel welcome and calm as you see the water. A place to stay at would be a tent as the houses around here already have people living in them. The best time of year to visit is the middle of summer.

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It was breathtaking to see the huge mountains of Colorado. I found it special because it was the last real trip that I will ever take with my family. I loved seeing the singular ranch houses directly at the foot of the mountains. I’ve only been there once but would love to go again. It drops your jaw in awe. I recommend lots and lots of hiking. Also white water rafting was really fun and exhilarating. Another worthwhile experience would definitely be the hot springs. The contrast from the cold outside to the nice, hot-tub like hot springs. It’s really nice to visit when you want to get away from the dirty, bustle of city life to experience “the great outdoors.” The smell of the pine trees, covering the landscape is indescribable. The icy cold splashes of freezing water while white water rafting will jolt you awake instantly. I’ve only ever been there during the summer, but it is very pleasant not having to deal with 90+ temperatures. It is truly an experience like no other to see mountains, real mountains, for the very first time.

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The first time I visited seaside was when we stayed at Fort Walton Beach, which is seaside neighbor. Sea side was special to me because everything and everyone was so close. The brick roads had just enough room for one car and perfect for bikers so cars weren't needed. The restaurants were air stream trailers with the tastiest homemade foods.  Everyone was so friendly and made you feel welcomed like you've lived there your whole life. The town was laughing at the kids who put on plays in the middle of the town for everyone to see. This place just feels like home to anyone who steps in.

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Universal Studios Florida, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL, USA

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Universal Studios Florida, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL, USA

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Universal Studios Florida, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL, USA

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Giordano's, South Blackstone Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

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Giordano's, South Blackstone Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

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Giordano's, South Blackstone Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

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New Orleans, Louisiana so far has been my favorite place to visit. From what I know, it's like the birthplace for jazz music. I got to take a tour, go to restaurants, I even got to visit a college campus. But I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let’s start with the trip there. It was a long bus ride there, and it was a little uncomfortable with sitting for almost a whole day (or more, I can't remember). I was so ready to head to wherever we were going for some rest. There weren't a whole lot of distractions except for the movies they played since I didn't have a good signal, not that I could find a way to sign in at least.

Finally, after a few stops at a few states,  we managed to get to New Orleans. A lot of orchestra, quior, and band students from freshman to senior, got out of the buses and  piled together in groups and entered an apartment building where we’ll be staying for the rest of the week.

First I’ll mention the world war ll history museum. As the name says, it's a large museum where most of us got to learn more about WW2. There were a few shops with lots of cool stuff but the only thing I bought was a lego set with a jeep. Then there was this theatre that had all around sound and vibrating seats. It even had a POV of pilots, a forest, and a lot of other things. And to add more effect, there were these moving props on the stage that simulated with the documentary video. 10 out of 10, would recommend.

Another place I went to was a boat ride where we ate food, and got to go outside to listen to music. I didn't know at the time, but I bought this blue steering wheel that supposedly was a bottle opener. I only realised that when I got home but it's still a good souvenir. I also bought a hat for my brother since he was probably nervous to buy it himself. One cool thing that happened was when we were traveling down the water, we passed a huge cargo ship. I think what happened was the captain of said ship saw the little ferry (I think it was a ferry) passing by and blew the boat's horn. It was loud, I'll tell you that much. The ferry responded with two honks of its own horn. Probably the best outcome out of that.

Now, about this college. My class got a tour around the campus and got to see from the technology side to its own auditorium. We even got to visit the place where they get food. I didn't eat much there because they didn't have anything I would prefer. In the auditorium, my orchestra class played our freshman concert to this music instructor who may seem terrifying at first glance but is actually very nice. He gave us some advice on how to do better and find our own ways of playing music.

There is a lot more that I've been through in the trip but I think I've pretty much said what I wanted to say about New Orleans. I would definitely recommend going there for a new experience. The trip only lasted for a week and the bus rides from there and back were agonizing but still great nonetheless. So be ready for a long trip cause you might learn something new along the way.

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About a year ago my family and I took a trip down to Virginia. I’ll have to admit, the 18 hour drive wasn't the most exciting but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Driving through about five different states, you learn to appreciate different scenery. It would've been easier to fly, but to be totally honest trying to fly 5 people out of state can get pretty expensive.

When we arrived in Virginia we couldn't immediately go sight seeing or tan at the beach. My family actually went for my cousin’s wedding which was a very big deal. Although only my brother was actually in the wedding it was still a beautiful experience. We had gotten there a day or two early because my brother had to be at the rehearsal, as well as be in some wedding pictures. While we were there we ate at this delicious restaurant called Scoreboards(I HIGHLY recommend). After the wedding was over we packed up all our stuff again and drove to Virginia beach which was one of the nicest places I have ever been to.

Virginia beach was way different than the town my cousin’s wedding was in. The beach was populated and easily a tourist hot spot, whereas the town was mildly populated and had beautiful landscaping along with a splendid environment. My most favorite part of the whole entire trip was spending it with my family. Sure swimming in the ocean, going shopping, and having amazing food was fun and all, but doing all that with family is so much better. While you’re at Virginia beach you have to enjoy a nice bowl of rolled ice cream… It's so good.

Virginia was just a wonderful experience overall and I highly recommend taking a trip. I took mine in the summer so the ocean was at the perfect temperature. While staying at the beach you have to wake up and watch the sunrise across the water. You’ll never see anything quite the same. It's truly a natural piece of art.

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After having my license for a while now, I was told that my dad had found a car to purchase for me in Madison. This was gonna be my first car, a 2010 copper Kia forte. However, the catch was that it was a manual car and the engine needed to be replaced. I’ve only know how to drive an automatic car, but dad and I agreed that if I couldn’t drive it, he could just have it since he knew how to drive manual cars.

A few days later my dad contacted the guy who was selling this car in Madison and my sister and I decided we’d go with to check out the car and Madison, since we’ve never visited there. After a few hours' drive, we made it to Madison. All the buildings I saw were beautiful, and as I looked ahead I saw the capital. I was flushed with excitement and wanted to explore more of this unknown place. None of this felt real to me, it felt too good to be true.

Although we didn’t get to explore as many things as I’d like to, if I could go back to Madison I would for sure visit the state capital building, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Olbrich Botanical Garden. If you like trying out new things and seeing new environments by visiting these places in Madison, I would recommend visiting here.

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New Orleans is the most special place to me because of the group I was in. We all shared some laughs, bonded, and got to know one another. All the memories that were made and events that occured is also something I will never forget.

Must-sees in NO include the Oak Valley Plantation, the gator tours, and the Steamboat Natchez at night so you can see the lit up skyline of the city.

The vibe of the city is very upbeat and very noisy when you’re in the downtown area where the music is playing. Someone who is really upbeat and loves music would have a blast while visiting.

The best time to visit NO is either the winter or early spring months since it’s not too hot at that point in time but it’s warm enough.Common phrases include “pass a good time,” “who dat?” “creole,” and “Cajun.”One really good place to eat in the city is Pinewood Golf Restaurant which serves Crawfish and corn cobs. There are some very nice hotels to stay in all around the city. The hotel I stayed at included a pool on the roof top of it! It was awesome at night while swimming and looking out at the lit up city.The biggest tradition in NO is Mardi Gras which is a huge carnival festival that happens in the downtown area.

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After 16 years of wanting to go to Germany I finally got the chance from a school trip. The trip was the 75th anniversary of D-Day. We visited multiple areas in Europe but Germany was my personal favourite. After hours of flying and busing we finally made a part of a long awaited trip; it's almost how I imagined it would be. Parts of the town are run down, and others are tall big buildings with outside markets surrounding them in the bigger cities. Then as you move alone to the outer parts of Germany you get stone roads, sidewalks, brick buildings, and small shops. With beautiful scenery such as  mountains and plains. Not menchetiong the amazing new food you'll try and the German chocolate which can be completely different from the United States chocolate. You'll meet and see different people from the new culture. Some might not even be German. I remember meeting someone who was from China and spoke fluent English. Therefore I would highly recommend to anyone to visit Germany whether it's the food, the scenery, or the new culture.

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My favorite place that I have visited is Colorado. It is a special place to me because it is the last place my family and I flew on a plane to. In Colorado they have the giant Rocky Mountains. I stayed in a hotel with my family in Boulder. Our room was on one of the top floors. If you like pretty views I would recommend getting a hotel room facing the Rockies, Our room had giant windows that faced the beautiful mountains. A must see place is downtown Boulder because it has many small shops and stores. Another must see place is Rocky National Park because it is very pretty and has a lot to see. The last must see place you have to go too is into the Rocky Mountains because they have amazing views. The best type of person to travel here is an adventurous personality. Lastly if you are looking for good food then Colorado is the right place for you because they have a wide selection of foods for all.

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Breckenridge Colorado. It has a strange small town feel even though it isn't and they also have a massive snowboarding/ski resort that doubles as a mountain biking trail in the summer. If you go there, you definitely need to go snowboarding or skiing, check out all the small shops and restaurants, also it is such a cool place to just go drive around and explore. Breckenridge has such a beautiful scenery, and the drive is too because it’s a town nestled in between the mountains.

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Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

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Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

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Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

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I had recommended this trip and we got to go and it was an amazing adventure. What made it special was the great views of the Rocky Mountains, and the views are what still make it special today. The views from the mountains are incredible and most of the things you can do nearby are also nice.
This place evokes happiness and the sense of calm which is great if you are looking to relax. I would recommend the hike to the peak because you feel like you can see everything from up there.
Also if you are looking to see a lot of wild like i would go down to Estes Park where they have animals ranging from the wild grizzly bears to the wild elk. They also have the beautiful Lake Estes in Estes which is cool to look in and see 10 feet into the water. This lake is also very still and is great to take some reflective photos of the mountains off of.
Finally I would recommend staying in one of the cabins that face the Rocky Mountains in the west. In these cabins you get beautiful sunsets that go behind the Rockies. Also most likely the cabins are going to be close to the things that you are looking at doing.
The Rockies are a nice place to go and just relax for a while. I went for a week and didn’t even see half of the things you can do. If you like to hike and be outdoors this is the place for you.

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Doesn’t every family have a place to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and everything else? Well, my family has a log cabin on a lake that was built by my family in the 1980s-1990s.
 It is a great place if you want to get out and do whatever or just stay inside and relax. Then need to use the bathroom, go to the outhouse that has a storage room and plenty of room for chairs if you need company. 
If you stay you must either go fishing or just swim. Or you can go on a walk in the trails in the woods, just don’t get lost.

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Doesn’t every family have a place to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and everything else? Well, my family has a log cabin on a lake that was built by my family in the 1980s-1990s.

It is a great place if you want to get out and do whatever or just stay inside and relax. Then need to use the bathroom, go to the outhouse that has a storage room and plenty of room for chairs if you need company.

If you stay you must either go fishing or just swim. Or you can go on a walk in the trails in the woods, just don’t get lost.

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Well, the most magical place ever is a 12 min drive from my house, but this place is magical in more than one way. I have had so many life-changing experiences. One was a time I bonded with my brother on the lake. My brother and I have 4 Years between us so we never have been able to bond well till that moment. Another Life-changing moment with a Significant other so many life lessons came from being out on the like with her. Taught me to be more respectful in different ways. You get to feel the sun crawl throughout your body ever so blissfully. While the clouds look like cotton candy with the rick pink and reds that light the sky up. You can look down at the lake and see the beautiful sky reflect off the glass top lake. On top of that, you have to go see the island there is a party there at least every weekend and can’t forget about the beach. Playing spike ball and when you get too hot you go cool off it the lake it is to perfect.

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The first time I visited NOLA was back in my freshman year. It was special because it was the first time and I got to learn a lot about the culture there. Something that continues to make this place special to me is the fact that I based my entire future around a career that I learned about in Louisiana. This place invokes feelings of calamity and inner peace, I feel safe there. I recommend people visit there because it’s just a really good place to learn about other people and see how much culture can differ from state to state, even city to city.You have to try the crawfish down there! Even if you don’t like seafood, the crawfish will blow you away. You should also visit the french quarter, there are so many shops its hard to decide where to go!NOLA is a great place for someone who is super laid back and ready for anything because there are so many things that could happen. You can always hear music throughout the streets, the air is just the right amount of warm and humid to be comfortable. It always smells like a fair and often times looks like it too!Overall NOLA is just a great place to be.

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My favorite place to visit is lake Superior. This is the most special place because we don’t get to travel much because of sports. The first time I visited Lake Superior it was really cool and super fun. Some things that I would recommend are going swimming in the lake or going out and fishing and walking out on the pier and seeing the lighthouse. The vibe of Lake Superior is usually pretty calm and peaceful depending on where you visit. If you like the outdoors this would be a good place to go. The second time I went there in the winter there was motorcycle racing on the frozen lake, and that was cool to watch. And I went there for a baseball tournament and me and a few guys went swimming and the water was really nice.

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I’ve always loved large bodies of water in general. Probably because I live on Lake WIssota. When we visited Daytona Beach in Florida, it was amazing. Not only was the weather a dream, the ocean was so fun to swim in. The sand was smooth and pale, giving off a zen garden vibe. I wanted to be in the ocean all day, feeling the waves push me around. The saltiness of the ocean is very poignant, like an over-salted soup. It has a very playful energy coming from not only the people at the beach, but also the land itself. It was pushing everyone over with consistent waves and slapping us with plants from beyond, but in a playful manner. Constantly pulling us in deeper. People were sunbathing all along, not even bothering with chairs because the sand was comfortable enough. It was soft, but had a firmness that you could fall asleep on. Shells planted themselves all along the edge of where the tide stopped. Many were honestly broken, but there were those few rare gems of intact shells with gorgeous designs. There was even a blue and red crab arm! I wasn’t allowed to pick it up. Little kids ran along the beach, collecting any shard of shell possible as if it was an easter egg hunt and the more you had, the richer. The parents followed closely behind, watching in case any of the shells cut their kids hand.

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After waiting 18 years to finally board a plane, all I wanted to do was get off board.

When I was a freshman in college, my parents decided to take my grandmother on a trip to visit London where her parents were from. Despite the prospect of traveling with our parents and octogenarian grandmother, my younger brother and I couldn't wait to use our newly minted passports for the first time.

Nine hours of flight time and three barf bags later, we slowly inch-wormed through customs and straight onto the London Tube, where I promptly threw up once again into a newspaper: turns out, while my soul loves to travel, my stomach does not nearly as much.

Despite the rough start, London was everything I ever dreamed it would be and more: bustling streets, quiet gardens, diverse people and thought, theater, museums - and the most incredible fish and chips on every corner. If you are looking to ease your way into being a true globetrotter, this city across the pond is the perfect first place to stamp your passport.

A memorable visit to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater had my grandmother pulled on the stage and dressed in traditional victorian garb, and is a fantastic place to learn about the history and legacy of Shakespeare in England.

If theater isn’t your thing, take the train out to Windsor Castle and explore the seasonal home of Queen Elizabeth. The tour of the castle and the grounds combine the beauty of England’s nature with the vast history of its monarchy.

A final favorite: be sure to dine at a pub and order the fish and chips. In London, pubs tend to be more family-friendly affairs -- especially those in more tourist areas -- and still manage to embody the charm and greasy deliciousness found in traditional British dining.

Since visiting when I was 18, I’ve since spent several more weeks in London and have found no time of year to be any less magical than the rest: summer brings warm days and long evenings to stroll through the downtown; fall showcases the beauty of the city’s many parks; winter provides traditional Holiday markets and cozy shopping; spring finds the manicured lawns and English gardens in full bloom.

Without needing to flex any language skills, London offers a true traveling experience with some familiar comforts, and is a must for any new-traveler. Just  make sure you pack the motion-sickness gear and maybe leave your grandma at home.