5 Favorite Wild Places

Keeping with the list theme, here are a few of my favorite places in the United States, and not in a city.

1. The Grand Canyon, I have been there four times, twice as a child and twice as an adult, and I would go back.  There is a spectacular view around every bend and the colors change in the shifting light.  
2. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  When the federal government was buying land for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida two factors were considered, rockets sometimes go blow up at unexpected times and some of the things they do they don't want prying eyes watching, so we bought land, lots and lots of land.  Bug parts of it are wild and natural and make up the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  Over the years what is open to the public has changed, at the moment a lot of it is open and worth the visit. 
3. The "Badlands" in South Dakota.  Mt Rushmore anchors the corner of this rocky region, well worth the day or two to explore. 
4. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park.  This is about 100 miles west of Washington DC and runs along a mountain ridge.  It is a spectacular drive, with miles of hiking trails.  A great place to see bears. 
5. Mt Washington, New Hampshire.  For decades, home to the highest recorded wind speed in North America, in the fall the colors are spectacular.  The Cog-railway up the mountain side is well worth the ride.