Featuring North America’s Leading Travel Destinations

River ViewsJames, Susquehanna, Hudson,

Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, & Sacramento Rivers

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You’ll Love My Sullivan County Catskills!

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This charming, historic and natural stretch of road hugs the Delaware River and features restaurants, scenic overlooks, antiques and speciality stores, and water sports. Toss in an amber sunset and the golden hues of the trees and you’ll see why the Sullivan County Catskills are easy to love.

Join us in this issue of Byways as wetravel some of the major river sys-tems in North America. Some, like

the famous Mississippi River, covermany states, and have an impact far andwide. Others, like Virginia’s JamesRiver, run entirely within a single state.

All have history that helped shaped the country, and wetell some of their stories.

The James River in Virginia forms in the AppalachianMountains, extends to Richmond and ultimately souththrough the state to the coast. It is here that in 1607 thefirst permanent English settlement was established atJamestown along the banks of the JamesRiver. Today the James River providesnumerous parks and recreational attractions,and it’s even possible to raft in the whitewa-ter rapids that flow through downtownRichmond.

The Susquehanna River is the EastCoast’s longest river, traveling through NewYork, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Itbegins its journey in Cooperstown, NY, thehome of the National Baseball Hall ofFame. The Susquehanna played an impor-tant role in Colonial times, and also duringAmerica’s Civil War. Today over two hun-dred bridges cross the river, and it’s alsoknown as the longest river in North Americawithout commercial boat traffic.

Also in New York is the “Heavenly”Hudson River, which begins in theAdirondacks, and spans 315 miles toManhattan Island. The Hudson played apivotal role in the outcome of the Revolutionary War andbecame the post for the prestigious U.S. MilitaryAcademy at West Point.

The mighty Mississippi borders or bisects 10 statesfrom Minnesota in the North to Louisiana in the South.One of the best ways to explore the river is the GreatRiver Road, which travels over 2,000 miles through 10states following the winding course of the river.

The Arkansas River begins its journey in -- Colorado!Not far from Colorado Springs, the river displays someof the most spectacular scenery at the Royal Gorge, as itwinds its way to Kansas, Oklahoma and into Arkansas.Along the way we explore cities the river has touched,including Wichita, Fort Smith and North Little Rock.

The Missouri River is the longest river in North

America. It rises from the Rocky Mountains of westernMontana, and flows to St. Louis, where it joins theMississippi. The river was one of the main routes ofwestern expansion, as it winds through the Great Plains.The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, all 3,700miles, follows nearly the entire Missouri River.

Rafting on the Colorado River through the GrandCanyon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with ArizonaRiver Runners, operating since 1970. It’s a uniqueopportunity to experience one of the Wonders of theWorld.

California’s Shasta Region and the Sacramento Riverend this exploration of great rivers. The Sacramento ris-

es in the Klamath Mountains and flows over 400 milesbefore reaching San Francisco Bay. The Sacramentowatershed reaches to the volcanic plateaus and ranges ofNorthern California. The Three Shastas, Mount Shasta,Lake Shasta and Shasta Dam, provide spectacularscenery. Redding is the largest city in the Shasta region,and is the stopping off point to explore the area. Eventually reaching Sacramento, the river provides thebackdrop to the historic district of Old Sacramento.

We also do a little shopping with a visit to theShipshewana Flea Market in Indiana, and visit a majorOutlet Center in Oregon.

In What’s Happening, we learn how to Sweeten YourTour Experience in Pennsylvania!

We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways.

PREVIEWBy Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

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A view of the Hudson River from the WalkwayOver the Hudson.

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FeaturesRiver ViewsVirginia’s James River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Susquehanna, the East Coast’s Longest River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17The Heavenly Hudson River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22The Mighty Mississippi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30The Arkansas River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34North Little Rock on the Arkansas River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38The Impact of the Arkansas River on Fort Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40A Closer Look at Wichita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Experience the Colorado Springs Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Rafting the Colorado River and Grand Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50California’s Shasta Region and the Sacramento River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

ShoppingIndiana’s Shipshewana Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Oregon’s Largest Outlet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

DepartmentsByways Instant Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Byways Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Free Byways Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

What’s HappeningSweeten Your Tour Experience in Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Coming in futureissues of Byways…Great AmericanRoads, featuringfavorite destinationsalong the highways andbyways of America.

Volume 29, Issue No. 4, 2012On the cover. The New Netherland Museum operates the Half

Moon, a replica of the ship that Henry Hudson sailed from Holland tothe New World in 1609. To learn more about the Heavenly HudsonRiver turn to page 22. Photo courtesy New Netherland Museum andJohn W. Mangrum. Coverage on River Views begins on page 10.

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Whitewater rafting on the James River in downtown Richmond. Photo courtesy Virginia Tourism Corporation (virginia.org)

River Views

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Virginia’s James River

The James River is 348 miles The watershedincludes about 4% open water and an area with apopulation of 2.5 million people. It is the 12th

longest river in the United States and remains entirelywithin the State of Virginia.

The James River forms in the Appalachian Mountains,near Iron Gate on the border betweenAlleghany and Botetourt counties, from theconfluence of the Cowpasture and Jacksonrivers, and flows into the Chesapeake Bay atHampton Roads. Tidal waters extend westto Richmond, the capital of Virginia, at theriver’s fall line.

At the mouth near Newport News Point,the Elizabeth River and the NansemondRiver join the James River to form the har-bor area known as Hampton Roads.Between the tip of the Virginia Peninsulanear Old Point Comfort and the WilloughbySpit area of Norfolk in South HamptonRoads, a channel leads from HamptonRoads into the southern portion of theChesapeake Bay and out to the AtlanticOcean a few miles further east.

Native Americans who populated the area in the late16th and early 17th centuries called the James River thePowhatan River, named for the chief of the PowhatanConfederacy which extended over most of the Tidewaterregion of Virginia. The English colonists named it“James” after King James I of England, as they also con-structed the first permanent English settlement in the

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Looking west from the bridge over the James River on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

Ships of the U.S. National Defense Reserve Fleet’sReady Reserve Force tied up on the James River, often

called the “Ghost Fleet.”

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Civil War history can be experienced by a scenic walkout over the James River, part of the “1865 Exhibit” andCanal Walk, commemorating the burning of Richmond. Photo by Bill Crabtree, Jr., Virginia Tourism Corporation.

The Atlantic Coast Line Rail Trestle over the James River in Richmond.

Americas in 1607 at Jamestown along the banks of theJames River about 35 miles upstream from theChesapeake Bay.

The James River contains numerous parks and recre-ational attractions. Canoeing, fishing, kayaking, hiking,and swimming are some of the activities that peopleenjoy along the river during the summer. From the riv-er’s start in the Blue Ridge moun-tains to Richmond, numerous rapidsand pools offer fishing and white-water rafting. The most intensewhitewater stretch is a 2-mile seg-ment that ends in downtownRichmond where the river goes overthe fall line. This is the only place inthe country where extensive classIII (class IV with above average riv-er levels) whitewater conditionsexist within sight of skyscrapers.

Below the fall line east ofRichmond, the river is better suitedfor water skiing and other large boatrecreation. Here the river is knownfor its blue catfish, reaching averagesizes of 20 to 30 pounds, with somecatches exceeding 50 pounds.

The James River is the anchorage

for a large portion of the National Defense Reserve Fleet,called the “James River Fleet” or the “Ghost Fleet,” con-sisting of mothballed ships, mostly merchant vessels,that can be activated within 20 to 120 days to provideshipping for the United States of America during nation-al emergencies, either military or non-military, such ascommercial shipping crises.

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Tubing on the James River at Hattons Ferry, near Scottsville.Photo by John Henley, courtesy Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Amtrak’s Northeast Regional crosses the JamesRiver trestle shortly after departing Lynchburg,

VA. The train is headed to Boston.

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Susquehanna River, Asylum Township, BradfordCounty, Pennsylvania, as seen from Marie Antoinette

Overlook along Route 6.

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The Susquehanna,the East Coast’s

Longest River

The Susquehanna River, at 464 miles, is the longestriver on the American East Coast that drains intothe Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed, it is the

16th largest river in the United States. It is also the longest river in the continental United

States without commercial boat traffic. It flows throughthree states: New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The Susquehanna watershedincludes portions of theAllegheny Plateau region of theAppalachian Mountains. Theriver empties into the northernend of Chesapeake Bay, provid-ing half of the Bay’s freshwaterinflow.

Rising as the outlet of OtsegoLake in Cooperstown, NewYork, the north branch of theriver runs west-southwestthrough dairy country, receiv-ing the Unadilla River at Sidneyand the Chenango in downtownBinghamton.

It receives the LackawannaRiver southwest of Scrantonand turns sharply to the south-west, flowing through the for-mer anthracite industrial

heartland in the mountain ridges of northeasternPennsylvania, past Wilkes-Barre, Nanticoke, Berwick,Bloomsburg, and Danville.

Downstream from the confluence of its branches itflows south past Selinsgrove, where it is joined by itsPenns Creek tributary, and cuts through a water gap atthe western end of Mahantongo Mountain. It receives the

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Millersburg Ferry, courtesy Millersburg Ferry Boat Association.

The Susquehanna River begins its journey at Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York, the home of Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Juniata River from the northwestat Duncannon, then passesthrough its last water gap throughBlue Mountain, just northwest ofHarrisburg. It passes downtownHarrisburg (where it is nearly amile wide), the largest city on thelower river, and flows southeastacross South Central Pennsylvaniaforming the border between Yorkand Lancaster counties.

It crosses into northernMaryland approximately 30 milesnortheast of Baltimore. The riverenters the northern end of theChesapeake Bay at Havre deGrace, where Concord Point Lightwas built in 1827 to accommodatethe increasing navigational traffic.

The river has played an impor-tant role throughout the history of the United States. Inthe 18th century, William Penn, the founder of thePennsylvania Colony, negotiated with the Lenape toallow white settlement in the colony between theDelaware River and the Susquehanna.

In late colonial times, the river became an increasing-ly important transportation corridor with the discovery of

anthracite coal by Necho Allen in its upper reaches in themountains. In 1790, Colonel Timothy Matlack, SamuelMaclay and John Adlum were commissioned by theSupreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth ofPennsylvania to survey the headwaters of the river andexplore a route for a passageway to connect the WestBranch with the waters of the Allegheny River. In 1792,the Union Canal was proposed linking the Susquehanna

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Facing west towards the confluence of the Susquehanna (left) and Chenango (right) rivers.Confluence Park in downtown Binghamton, NY.

The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York

and the Delaware along Swatara Creek and TulpehockenCreek. In the 19th century, many industrial centers grewup along the river.

During the Civil War’s 1863 Gettysburg Campaign,the commander of the Department of the Susquehanna,Union Major General Darius N. Couch, resolved thatRobert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginiawould not cross the Susquehanna. He positioned militiaunits under Maj. Granville Haller to protectkey bridges in Harrisburg and Wrightsville,as well as nearby fords. Confederate forcesapproached the river at several locations inCumberland and York counties but wererecalled on June 29 when Lee chose to con-centrate his army to the west.

The Susquehanna River has long beenassociated with boating because of themany migratory fish that are caught there.Many tourists and local residents use theSusquehanna in the summer for recreationpurposes such as kayaking, canoeing, andmotor-boating. Canoe races are held onvarious sections of the river every year.

The Susquehanna River has played animportant role in the transportation historyof the United States. Prior to the 1818opening of the Port Deposit Bridge, the riv

er formed a barrier between the northern and southernstates, crossable only by ferry.

Today, there are over two hundred bridges crossing theSusquehanna. The sole remaining ferry, the MillersburgFerry at Millersburg, Pennsylvania, is a seasonal touristattraction. The canals are gone or are part of historicalparks, and dams are related to power generation or recre-ation.

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Downtown Harrisburg and the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building as seen from CumberlandCounty, across the Susquehanna River.

Downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA

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The Heavenly

The Culinary Institute of America on the Hudson River in New York State.Photo courtesy Dutchess County Tourism.

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Hudson River

Explorer Henry Hudson was merely one of the firstvoyagers to behold the majestic river that nowbears his name. Today, the Hudson River’s breath-

taking beauty attracts countless visitors to discover whatmerits the river’s nickname “America's Rhine”.

Designated as one of the  AmericanHeritage Rivers, the Hudson River spans 315miles from its original source, Lake Tear ofthe Clouds in the Adirondacks; past historicGreat Estates; through the winding channel ofthe Highlands; along the cliffs of the Palisadesto the east banks of Manhattan Island.

The River was called Mahicantuck or “riv-er that flows two ways” by native tribes. Overhalf of the waterway is a tidal estuary whosebrackish waters provide sanctuary to aremarkable diversity of habitats and species.Settled by the Dutch and French Huguenots inthe 1600s, the Hudson played a pivotal role inthe outcome of the Revolutionary War andbecame the post for the prestigious U.S.

Military Academy at West Point. The river moved brickand stone to build New City York; transported soldiersand supplies and was significant to escaped slaves dur-ing the Civil War; and links the northeast through theErie Canal to America’s heartland.

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The View from the Walkway Over the Hudson.Photo courtesy Dutchess County Tourism.

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Scenic Long Dock on the Hudson Photo courtesy Linda Hubbard

The Vanderbuilt Mansion on the Hudson.

In 1963, extensive pollution prompted Scenic Hudsonto launch a crusade to ensure the river be recognized asan irreplaceable national treasure. American folk musicicon and activist, Pete Seeger, also cofounded HudsonRiver Sloop Clearwater to highlight efforts to clean upthe Hudson. Presently several organizations monitor theriver’s health and take action to protect its resources,making the Hudson River one of the richest water bod-ies on earth.

The extraordinary natural resource that is the HudsonRiver is a haven for nature lovers, artists, outdoor adven-turers, culinary enthusiasts, and history buffs.

Tourists to Dutchess County encounter rich historyalong its banks at the Livingston home at Clermont; theMills and Vanderbilt Gilded Age mansions; the birth-place and Presidential Home, Library & Museum ofFranklin D. Roosevelt. The Rockefeller Estate, Kykuit,is located down river.

The Dutchess County Fair celebrates the region’sabundant agriculture which brands the Hudson Valley asthe ideal culinary destination. The Hudson Valley Wine& Food Fest introduces travelers to artisan foods andlocal wines. A Garden of Eating Tour entices sightseersto delight their palettes with cheese at Sprout CreekFarm, wine on the Dutchess Wine Trail, tastings atCrown Maple Syrup and Harney & Sons Fine Teas.Guests can indulge in farm-to-table menus at spots like26 • Byways

Hudson River Striped Bass

The Dutchess County FairPhoto courtesy Dutchess County Tourism

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Watch or order our video. Email Dawn or call 845-463-5444. Click on sites below for group tour info.

FDR Presidential Library & Museum:

Dutchess Wine Trail:

Hampton Inn & Suites:

Historic Rhinebeck:

Mills Mansion at Staatsburgh State Historic Site:

Crown Maple Syrup Tours:

Clermont State Historic Site:

Hudson River Valley Tours:

Bannerman Castle Island Tours:

Hampton Inn – Fishkill:

Mahoney’s Restaurant:

Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites:

Hyatt house:

New York State Parks – Taconic:

Empire Cruise Lines:

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel:

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest:

Cosimo’s Restaurant:

Courtyard by Marriott - 2 locations:

The Rhinecliff:

DutchessTourism.com

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The Culinary Institute ofAmerica, or dine-with-a-viewat Mahoney’s or TheRhinecliff.

Cultural arts are alive andwell with Dia:Beacon as a topdraw, and works by the famedHudson Valley School ofPainters can be viewed atVassar’s Frances Loeb ArtCenter. Live performances atPowerhouse Theatre,Bardavon Opera House andseasonal festivals like Bard’sSummerscape Festival andThe Wassaic Project offerunique entertainment set-tings.

Experience the HudsonRiver up close in a kayak oron a sightseeing cruise, orhike and bike the plentifultrails, gardens, and parks,including Walkway Over theHudson, the world’s longestelevated pedestrian bridgeoffering unprecedented viewsof the mountains and HudsonRiver Valley.

For more information, con-tact:

Dutchess County Tourism800-445-3131www.dutchesstourism.com

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Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Pilot Photo courtesy Dutchess County Tourism

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The Mighty Mississippi

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As the third largest river in the world, the Mississippi is truly a sight to behold.  From itsunpretentious beginning in Minnesota all the way down to its wide mouth opening intothe Gulf of Mexico, each part of the Mississippi River is unique.  Ancient philosopher

Heraclitus knew “it is impossible to step into the same river twice.”The river either borders or cuts through the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois,

Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.The Mississippi River is divided into the Upper Mississippi, the Middle Mississippi, and the

Lower Mississippi, with the Upper Mississippi upriver of its confluence with the MissouriRiver, the Middle Mississippi from there downriver to the Ohio River, and the LowerMississippi from there downriver to the Gulf of Mexico.

One way to see America’s river is on the Great RiverRoad.  This National Scenic Byway takes you throughthe 10 states lining the Mississippi River.  Traveling over2,000 miles, it follows the river on its winding courseand travels through the charming river towns and metro-politan cities.

The Great River Road takes you through the Midwestinto the Land of Lincoln and through the rich farmlandof Iowa.  See what each riverfront town has to offer link-ing past and present into a complete Mississippi Rivertour destination.

With the overhaul of Iowa’s oldest city, Dubuque’sbustling $400 million Port of Dubuque riverfront offersIowa’s number one attraction—the National MississippiRiver Museum & Aquarium; and the shortest steepestrailroad tracks in the world—the Fenelon Place Elevator.

The rich history of Galena/Jo Daviess County allows alook back into the 19th century. During this time period,Abraham  Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant walked thestreets.  Walk the historic main streets filled with 19thcentury storefronts, homes, hotels, train depots, townhalls and more.

Savanna, Illinois, is known for its rugged limestonebluffs and for the wide variety of outdoor activities forboaters and anglers. Hikers can enjoy challenging trails,or a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Mississippi.32 • Byways

The Celebration Belle on the Mississippi

Known for its Dutch heritage, Fulton, Illinois, hasa traditional Dutch windmill and cultural center.

Located on the Mississippi flyway, Savanna hassecond-to-none bird watching.

Known for its Dutch heritage, Fulton, Illinois, hasa traditional Dutch windmill and cultural center totour, the Martin House Museum, and HeritageCanyon with a 1800s village.

At the Quad Cities, the river changes direction toflow east to west at the only time in its course.  Thearea lets visitors experience a riverfront city atmos-phere, riverboat casinos, non-gaming riverboatcruises, world-class festivals, and wonderful muse-ums.

Once known as “The PearlButton Capital of the World,” learnabout the Iowa riverfront town ofMuscatine at the MuscatineHistory and Industry Center, theMuscatine Art Center, and the his-toric Pine Creek Grist Mill.

Test your driving, walking orbicycling skills on what Ripley’sBelieve It or Not calls the“Crookedest Street in the World.”Visit Burlington, Iowa’s mostfamous landmark, Snake Alley,along with historic homes, outdoorrecreation, and family fun.

Nauvoo was one of the largestcosmopolitan cities in Illinois inthe 1840s. Today, Nauvoo is hometo more than 60 restored historicsites, cultural centers, and muse-ums which all come together to tellthe story of Joseph Smith and hisfollowers.

Situated on an Illinois bluff over-looking the Mississippi River, Quincyis home to the state’s largest collectionof significant architecture outside ofChicago. 

You can experience the mightyMississippi River as you travel therolling hills and majestic countrysideof the Great River Road in Illinois andIowa with regional events, trendyshopping areas, charming restaurantsand historic sites.

For additional information visit theQuad Cities Convention & VisitorsBureau www.visitquadcities.com orwww.TravelMississippiRiver.org. 

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Kayaking on the Mississippi River

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A barge on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

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The Arkansas River

The Arkansas River flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S.states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river’s initialbasin starts in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas River Valley where the

headwaters derive from the snowpack in the Collegiate Peaks. From there it flowseast into Kansas, and finally into the South through Oklahoma and Arkansas.

At 1,469 miles, the Arkansas River is the sixth longestriver in the United States, the second-longest tributary tothe Mississippi.

It begins its journey not far from Colorado Springs,and cities along the riverinclude Pueblo in Colorado,Dodge City and Wichita inKansas, Tulsa in Oklahoma,and Fort Smith, Little Rockand North Little Rock, andPine Bluff in Arkansas.

Its origin is in the RockyMountains in Lake County,Colorado, near Leadville. In1859 placer gold was discov-ered in the Leadville areabringing thousands seekingto strike it rich; however, theeasily recovered placer goldwas quickly exhausted.

The Arkansas River’smouth is at Napoleon,Arkansas where it flows into

the Mississippi River.The Arkansas has three distinct sections in its long

path through central North America. At its headwaters,the Arkansas runs as a steep mountain river through the

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The Royal Gorge Bridge ranks as one of the world’s out-standing engineering achievements.  The bridge also ranksamong the highest suspension bridges in the world, span-ning the Royal Gorge and the turbulent Arkansas River withdeck height at 956 feet. For more information, visithttp://www.royalgorgebridge.com.

Downtown Tulsa on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma.Photo courtesy © Caleb Long

Rockies in its narrow valley, dropping 4,600  feet in120  miles. This section, including The Numbers nearGranite, Colorado, Brown’s Canyon, and the RoyalGorge sees extensive whitewater rafting in the springand summer.

At Cañon City, Colorado, the Arkansas River valleywidens and flattens markedly. Just west of Pueblo,Colorado, the river enters the Great Plains. Through therest of Colorado, through Kansas, and through most ofOklahoma, it is a typical Great Plains riverway, withwide shallow banks.

The river is navigable by barges and large river craft toCatoosa, Oklahoma because of a series of locks anddams. Above Catoosa, the Arkansas River waterwayitself is navigable only by small craft, rafts or canoes.

From the central portion of Arkansas, the river flowssouthward through the rich farmlands of the Arkansasdelta to its confluence with the Mississippi River.Twenty-three recreation areas with campgrounds rang-ing from fully equipped to day-use-only can be foundalong this stretch. The river is also popular for other out-door recreation such as boating and water skiing.

Locks and dams along the river allow access to someof the best fishing in the country. Pools formed by theseare stocked by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commissionwith sport fish such as bass, crappie, catfish and bream,making the river a popular location for major fishingtournaments such as Bassmasters and the Arkansas BigBass Classic.

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John Martin Dam and Reservoir on the Arkansas River in Colorado.Photo courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Enjoy the scenic Arkansas River up-close by visit-ing the North Shore Maritime Center that housesthe Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum featuring

the USS Razorback Submarine and the Arkansas QueenRiverboat.

Stroll on the Arkansas River Trail, a multi-use 17 miletrail that connects North Little Rock and Little Rock via,the lovingly called, Big Dam Bridge. Elevated 90 feetabove the Arkansas River, the Big Dam Bridge is thelongest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in the world designedand built for that purpose.

Also along the river, visitors have theopportunity to stay at the DowntownRiverside RV Park where they can enjoythe striking view of the William J.Clinton Presidential Library and the cap-ital city’s skyline.

The Old Mill is a replica of an old gristmill as seen throughout the Old South.The Old Mill is featured in the openingscenes of Gone with the Wind. Whether itis the blooming flowers in spring or thesnow covered paddlewheel in winter, theOld Mill is the place for the perfect pic-ture.

Ride North Little Rock’s Electric River

Rail Trolley that will take you into the Argenta ArtsDistrict full of art galleries, restaurants, retail shops, andnightlife entertainment. While you’re in Argenta take ina ballgame at Dickey-Stephens Ballpark, home to theArkansas Travelers.

If you need a little retail therapy, visit the newly reno-vated McCain Mall and the Lakewood Village ShoppingCenter.

For more, visit www.northlittlerock.travel.or see the North Little Rock Facebook page

www.facebook.com/NLRVB

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North Little Rock on the Arkansas River

The Arkansas Queen passes the Clinton PresidentialLibrary on the Arkansas River in Little Rock.

The Big Dam Bridge spanning across the ArkansasRiver. Photos courtesy www.Arkansas.com.

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Some folks swear it’s the bend in the Arkansas Riverthat defines the unique quality of Fort Smith, whilemost folks probably rarely consid-

er it. But whether it is merely a matter oflocation or just the coincidence ofnature, the Arkansas River is unique andhas provided Fort Smith with a rich his-tory as well as a special place in theexploration and development of ournation’s western lands.

First used for generations by theNative Americans as an artery for com-merce and trade, the river was also usedby early French fur trappers in the 1700sas they trapped and explored the vastlands that would later be known as TheLouisiana Purchase. During the presi-dency of Thomas Jefferson, the U.S.sent military detachments and explorerssuch as Lewis & Clark to identify andestablish posts, garrisons, and forts tosecure and study this new addition to thecountry. After the colonization of theeastern seaboard and the inevitable pushwest during the age of discovery, the

Arkansas River was the primary means of travel west ofthe Mississippi River.

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Impact of Arkansas River on Fort Smith

The Hanging Gallows in Fort Smith

The Riverfront Amphitheater on the Arkansas River in Fort Smith.

The garrison at FortSmith was established in1817 at the confluence ofthe Poteau and ArkansasRivers to protect the settlersand provide a military pres-ence in the face of poten-tially hostile native tribes.The river later was the pre-ferred means of movingpeople and goods andbecame the commercialthread that created the fab-ric of Fort Smith.

Due to the fluctuatingdepths and flows of the riv-er, the new and larger crafthad navigation problemsuntil legislation was passedin Congress and construc-tion of a waterway project(McClellan-Kerr ArkansasRiver Navigation System)was completed in 1971.

Throughout its long history, Fort Smith has looked tothe Arkansas River, seen its drawbacks and worked dili-gently to overcome them. We’ve seen its potential and

promise, and it is with this same view and prospectivethat Fort Smith celebrates its past with the ArkansasRiver, embraces its present with all the river’s possibili-ties, and applauds the shared vision of its potential.

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Miss Laura’s is the only former bordelloto serve as a Visitor’s Center in NorthAmerica.

The National Historic Site in Fort Smith

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Big-city energy at Midwestern prices – plus year-round events for every age, whim and passion.Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, is a destination

where you can expect the unexpected!Wichita evolved from a trading post and cowtown to

“Air Capital of the World” where close to 40 percent ofthe world’s general aviationaircraft are built.

The iconic 44-foot-tall“Keeper of the Plains” statuepays tribute to the NativeAmericans who lived herelong before settlers arrived.Just blocks away, OldCowtown Museum relivesthe 1870s complete with re-enactors, a chuckwagon sup-per, and cowboy songs fromthe Diamond W Wranglers.

The Kansas AviationMuseum chronicles

Wichita’s rise to aviation prominence. The city’s 35museums include The Kansas African AmericanMuseum, telling the story of the local African-Americanexperience and the people who helped shape it. Enjoyworld-class traveling exhibits at Exploration Place,Wichita’s science discovery center.

A Closer Look at Wichita

Downtown Wichita on the Arkansas River in Kansas.Photo courtesy Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For the ultimate nightlife destination, visit the OldTown red-brick warehouse district in the heart of down-town. The area also serves as the focal point forWichita’s First Friday music crawl and Final Friday artgallery crawl. The American Planning Association callsOld Town one of the Top 10 Great Neighborhoods in theU.S.

The largest city in Kansas, Wichita knows how to cel-ebrate its history and cultural arts. The nine-day Wichita

Riverfest combines food and fun. The Asian Festival,Black Arts Festival and Cinco de Mayo Celebration rec-ognize the city’s cultural diversity. The Tallgrass FilmFestival brings independent filmmakers to Wichita eachOctober.

Food aficionados will feast their eyes on the menusfrom more than 1,000 restaurants spread across the city!Livability.com calls Wichita one of its Top 10 SurprisingFood Cities.

Wichita offers shopping choicesfor all budgets and tastes – from thefashionista to the antique hunter.

The flourishing arts and culturecommunity includes Music Theatreof Wichita, the Wichita Symphonyand Wichita Grand Opera – all withproductions featuring international-ly acclaimed performers. FromCityArts to the Commerce StreetArts District – art galleries andartists thrive in Wichita.

Sports fans have a lot to cheerabout. Wichita State University’smen’s basketball team won the 2010National Invitational Tournamentchampionship. The WichitaThunder hockey plays its homegames in the 15,000-seat INTRUSTBank Arena. Lawrence-DumontStadium is home to the WichitaWingnuts baseball team and theNational Baseball Congress WorldSeries. Hartman Arena is whereyou’ll find the Wichita Wild profes-sional indoor football team and theWichita Wings professional indoorsoccer team.

If wildlife is your passion, theSedgwick County Zoo is the sev-enth largest zoo in the United States.Its newest exhibit, the SlawsonFamily Tiger Trek features Amurand Malayan tigers in their naturalhabitat.

The family budget stretches far-ther in Wichita! NBC’s “Today”show named Wichita the mostaffordable city in the United States.The city also was ranked on “ForbesMagazine Online’s” Top 10 list of“Best Bang for the Buck Cities.”

Take a closer look at Wichita.Visit gowichita.com or call 800-288-9424.

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The 44-foot-tall “Keeper of the Plains” statue pays tribute tothe Native Americans who lived in Wichita long before settlersarrived. Photo courtesy Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Blue skies, historic treasures and exciting itiner-aries await you in Colorado Springs. If it’s yourfirst visit or if you are returning, the area wel-

comes you and your tour group to experience the warmwestern hospitality of the region and the uncompromisedbeauty of Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain and Gardenof the Gods Park.

With convenient access and fantastic attractions,Colorado Springs is the perfect place for hub-and-spokefun. WOW your group -- stop in Colorado Springs.

On your trip to Colorado Springs, do not miss thebreathtaking beauty of the Garden of the Gods rock for-mations and learn about the ancient culture of SouthwestIndians.

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center

A short drive offers a spectacular and unique view ofthe famous red rock formations of the region. Get an up-close look at how those red rocks got there in theCenter’s new HD theater show.

Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Head west whereyou can shop for unique and beautiful souvenirs of theregion. Since its start in the 1920s, the Trading Post hasbecome Colorado’s largest. 44 • Byways

Rafters and train riders meet in the RoyalGorge. Photo courtesy Matt Inden/MilesColorado Office of Tourism.

Experience the ColoradoSprings Region

Manitou Cliff Dwellings. This rare, historical treasurewas built by the Ancestral Puebloans more than 700years ago. At this unique attraction, you are free to touch

and even go inside these architectural remnants of anAmerican Indian culture from the Four Corners region.

Royal Gorge-ous!From amazing landscapes to extreme engineering to

wild west shows, Canon City and the Royal Gorge pro-vide unique stops for any family expedition.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. You can walk or driveacross the world’s highest suspension bridge, whichspans the gorge 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River.

Royal Gorge Scenic Railway. A relaxing three-mile,30 minute open-car scenic train ride to the spectacularRoyal Gorge.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Established in 1879, thisrailroad combines Colorado history, spectacular scenery,and unique dining options on a leisurely 24-mile journeythrough the breathtaking Royal Gorge.

For unforgettable itinerary ideas, click onhttp://www.visitcos.com/group-itineraries.

A fisherman on the Arkansas River near Salida, Colorado. Photo courtesy

Colorado Tourism Office.

The Garden of the Gods

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The Missouri River is the longest river inNorth America and a major waterwayof the central United States. Rising in

the Rocky Mountains of western Montana,the Missouri flows east and south for 2,341miles before entering the Mississippi Rivernorth of St. Louis

The Missouri was one of the main routesfor the westward expansion of the UnitedStates during the 19th century. The growth ofthe fur trade in the early 1800s laid much ofthe groundwork as trappers explored theregion and blazed trails. Pioneers headedwest en masse beginning in the 1830s, first bycovered wagon, then by the growing numbersof steamboats entering service on the river.Former Native American lands in the water-shed were taken over by settlers, leading tosome of the most longstanding and violentwars against indigenous peoples in Americanhistory.46 • Byways

The Missouri RiverLower Missouri River - A stretch of the MissouriRiver between Rocheport, MO and Boonville, MO.

The Missouri River in Upper Missouri Breaks NationalMonument, Montana, at the confluence with CowCreek. Courtesy Montana Geographical Society.

During the 20th century, the Missouri River basin wasextensively developed for irrigation, flood control andthe generation of hydroelectric power. Fifteen damsimpound the main stem of the river, with hundreds moreon tributaries. The lower Missouri valley is now a popu-lous and highly productive agricultural and industrialregion.

The Missouri River officially starts at the confluenceof the Jefferson and Madison in Missouri HeadwatersState Park near Three Forks, Montana, and is joined bythe Gallatin a mile downstream.

Flowing eastwards through the plains of easternMontana, the Missouri receives the Poplar River fromthe north before crossing into North Dakota where theYellowstone River, its greatest tributary by volume, joinsfrom the southwest.

The Missouri makes a bend to the southeast as it windsthrough the Great Plains. It then proceeds to form theboundary of South Dakota and Nebraska, then afterbeing joined by the James River from the north, formsthe Iowa–Nebraska boundary. At Sioux City the BigSioux River comes in from the north. The Missouriflows south to the city of Omaha where it receives itslongest tributary, the Platte River, from the west.Downstream, it begins to define the Nebraska–Missouri

Byways • 47

Jefferson City, Missouri’s Capital, on the Missouri River.

border, then flows between Missouri and Kansas. TheMissouri swings east at Kansas City, where the KansasRiver enters from the west, and so on into north-centralMissouri. It passes south of Columbia and receives theOsage and Gasconade Rivers from the south down-stream of Jefferson City. The river then rounds the north-ern side of St. Louis to join the Mississippi River on theborder between Missouri and Illinois.

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, some3,700 miles long, follows nearly the entire MissouriRiver from its mouth to its source, retracing the route ofthe Lewis and Clark Expedition. Extending from WoodRiver, Illinois in the east to Astoria, Oregon in the west,it also follows portions of the Mississippi and ColumbiaRivers. The trail, which spans through eleven U.S. states,is maintained by various federal and state government

agencies; it passes through some 100 historic sites,notably archaeological locations including the KnifeRiver Indian Villages National Historic Site.

Many U.S. national parks, such as Glacier NationalPark, Rocky Mountain National Park, YellowstoneNational Park and Badlands National Park are in thewatershed. Parts of other rivers in the basin are set asidefor preservation and recreational use – notably theNiobrara National Scenic River, which is a 76-mile pro-tected stretch of the Niobrara River, one of theMissouri’s longest tributaries. The Missouri flowsthrough or past many National Historic Landmarks,which include Three Forks of the Missouri, Fort Benton,Montana, Big Hidatsa Village Site, Fort Atkinson,Nebraska and Arrow Rock Historic District.

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A barge on the Missouri River near Saint Charles, MO.

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Byways • 51

Rafting TheColorado River &

Grand CanyonBy Wendy Rubicam

Everyone needs a braincation now and then, and some of us more than oth-ers!  Urban Dictionary defines a braincation as “a vacation for your brainto escape stress.”  There is no better escape from the stresses of everyday

life than a Grand Canyon rafting trip on the Colorado River.  Imagine a vacation full of incredible natural wonders, relaxation, reconnection,

a splash (or two) of exhilaration and adventure, time for both introspection andinteraction, and absolutely none of the stresses of your life back home. 

There are no cell phones or pagers, no emails, no traf-fic, no bad TV shows or noisy neighbors.  You don’t haveto decide what to cook for dinner or how to entertain thekids for another week this summer. 

Arizona River Runners has been operating on theColorado River since 1970, and has seen the restorativeeffects of those taking a braincation on a rafting trip. Onerecent Arizona River Runners customer summed up his

river rafting braincation, saying, “The moment I steppedonto the raft, the river had a decompressing effect fromall the tension built up by work and the modern world.Not a care in the world except what hike or adventureawaits you around the next river bend.”  He goes on tosay, “My fellow passengers, although strangers, becameinstant friends. The peace and relaxation I got while Iwas on the river was astounding! I plan on making this ayearly pilgrimage.”

Believe it or not, all you need to do for a fabulous riv-er rafting experience is show up and just relax.  The raft-ing outfitters and guides do the rest for you – fromcamping gear to incredible meals to river and canyonknow-how, you will be in good hands.  You are free todecide whether you’d rather take in a side-hike or simplychill out on the beach.

Asked to define braincation for those considering aColorado River rafting adventure, the veteran outfittersat Arizona River Runners came up with the followingexplanation:

B is for the Brilliant blanket of stars that fills the GrandCanyon night sky

R is for the exhilarating Rapids of the mightyColorado River

A is for Awe-inspiring rafting experiences and GrandCanyon scenery

I is for Incredibly delicious, fresh food enjoyed in thegreat outdoors

N is for Nature’s many gifts on a Grand Canyon rivertrip

C is for Camping along the shores of the ColoradoRiver

A is forAmazing vis-tas and sights

T is forT e r r i f i cguides to leadyou on youradventure

I is for theI n v a l u a b l efr iendshipsyou’ll make

O is for the52 • Byways

Outdoor activities on a Grand Canyon rafting trip – andthere are many

N is for Native American history and canyon folkloreColorado River rafting trips are perfect for singles,

couples, families, friends, extended families that want toreconnect, or anyone who wants an unforgettable expe-rience that benefits not only the brain, but the heart andsoul as well.

About Arizona River RunnersWhite water rafting through the Grand Canyon offers

a unique view of one of the most popular natural won-ders of the world. Experience the vacation adventure ofa lifetime on a Grand Canyon rafting trip with ArizonaRiver Runners.  

Arizona River Runners, 1-800-477-7238info@raftarizona.com, www.raftarizona.com

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The Sacramento River flows from NorthernCalifornia through Central California. The state’slargest river by discharge, it rises in the Klamath

Mountains and flows south for over 400 miles beforereaching Suisun Bay, an arm of San Francisco Bay, andthence the Pacific Ocean. The Sacramento drains an areaof about 27,500 square miles in the northern half of thestate, mostly within a region bounded by the CoastRanges and Sierra Nevada known as the SacramentoValley. 54 • Byways

California’s Shasta Regionand the Sacramento River

Three Shastas - Mount Shasta, Lake Shasta, and Shasta Dam near Redding,CA. Photo courtesy Redding Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Redding’s Turtle Bay Visitor’s Center.

Its extensive watershed also reachesto the volcanic plateaus ofNortheastern California. In the 19thcentury the discovery of gold in theSierra Nevada led to an enormouspopulation influx of American set-tlers. Overland trails such as theCalifornia Trail and Siskiyou Trailfollowed the Sacramento and othertributaries, guiding hundreds of thou-sands of people to the gold fields andthe growing agricultural region of theSacramento Valley. By the late part ofthe century, many populated commu-nities had been established along theSacramento River, chief of which wasthe booming city of Sacramento.

Since the 1950s the watershed havebeen intensely developed for watersupply and the generation of hydro-electric power. Today, large damsimpound the river and almost all of itsmajor tributaries. The Sacramento’swater is used heavily for irrigationpurposes and serves much of Centraland Southern California through thecanals of giant federal water projects.The river now provides water to overhalf of California’s population andsupports one of the most productiveagricultural areas in the nation.

The Sacramento’s source watersrise in the volcanic plateaus andranges of far northern California astwo streams – the Upper Sacramentoand Pit. The main stem rises in theshadow of Mount Shasta and flowssouth through the KlamathMountains, past Mount Shasta,Dunsmuir and Lakehead for about 72

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The Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay in Redding. The dramatic pedestrianspan was designed by the noted Spanish architect-engineer-artistSantiago Calatrava and links the north and south campuses of the

300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

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Black Butte, located along I-5, is a satellite cone ofMount Shasta. Photo courtesy California Traveland Tourism Commission/ ShutterStock.

miles. The two rivers join in the waters of Lake Shasta, agiant reservoir formed by the Shasta Dam.

From the dam the Sacramento winds south throughfoothills and leaves the mountains near Redding, the firstlarge city on the river’s course and second largest on itsentire course. Redding is the largest city in the ShastaCascade region and is the fourth largest city in theSacramento Valley behind Sacramento, Elk Grove, andRoseville.

Redding and its neighbor to the south, Red Bluff, arepopular with tourists, especially for those who use thecities as bases to explore Lassen Volcanic National Park,Lake Shasta, and the area’s other nat-ural attractions.

In 2004, the Sundial Bridge atTurtle Bay was completed inRedding. The dramatic pedestrianspan was designed by the notedSpanish architect-engineer-artistSantiago Calatrava and links thenorth and south campuses of the 300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park, locat-ed along the banks of the SacramentoRiver, contains a museum and 20-acre gardens. The campus featurespermanent and changing exhibitionshighlighting art, history, horticulture,forestry and natural science.

The historic Cascade Theatre, which opened in 1935,has been restored and now operates as a multiuse per-formance venue. The theater is an example of Art Decoarchitecture of the period.

The mouth of the Sacramento is on Suisun Bay nearAntioch, where it combines with the San Joaquin River,south of the Montezuma Hills. The Sacramento is nearlya mile wide at its mouth. The joined waters then flowwest through the tidal marshes of Suisun Bay, theCarquinez Strait, San Pablo Bay and San Francisco Bay,whereupon the river’s waters finally join the Pacific inthe Golden Gate just to the north of San Francisco.

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The Delta King Paddlewheeler in Old Sacramentoon the river. Photo courtesy California Traveland Tourism Commission/Christian Heeb.

Dining along the river in Old Sacramento. Photo courtesyCalifornia Travel and Tourism Commission/Christian Heeb.

Because of its distinction as the Midwest’s largestFlea Market, the Shipshewana Flea Market is atthe top of the list for shopping experiences for

tour groups from all over the United States and Canada. Groups of every size and demographic are welcomed

each year by the 900 plus vendor booths which offer awide variety of crafted, created, imagined and suppliedproducts. With over 100 acres to cover, many groupsdecide to spend more than one day exploring the Marketand enjoying the experience as each one of their sensesbecomes involved.

Visitors spread the word of bargains, tasty treats andone-of-a-kind finds as they carry their treasures home.Words like, “I wish I lived closer,” and “I can’t wait tocome again next year” are repeated with longing andanticipation as this destination becomes a necessity onevery visitor’s summer adventure list.

Open every Tuesday and Wednesday, 8am to 5pm,from May to October in the quaint, picturesque town ofShipshewana in Northern Indiana, the Shipshewana FleaMarket has helped to put Shipshewana on the tourismmap. It is nestled amongst the third largest Amish com-munity in the United States which makes this destinationeven more interesting and appealing. The Amish inter-mingle as both vendor and buyer at the Market, offering58 • Byways

other visitors a peek into their simple lifestyle. For those groups who wish to enjoy the Shipshewana

Market on both Tuesday and Wednesday, farmhouse-likeaccommodations are available just across the street atThe Farmstead Inn. The 154 guest rooms, free conti-nental breakfast and wi-fi, plus the indoor pool and spa

are all designed to add that extratouch of comfort everyone hopesfor on a trip away from home.Group rates are available as well asmeeting rooms and catering menus.

Those who love antiques shouldalso find time to peruse fineantiques and collectibles in TheAntique Gallery, a 31,000 sq. ft.showroom which could double as amuseum, but serves as an opportu-nity for over 100 dealers to offertheir special and unique products toantique lovers of every age andinterest.

For bargains or priceless antiques,the Shipshewana Flea Market, The

Farmstead Inn and The Antiques Gallery offer groups adestination worthy of repeating each year. Find moreinformation about what else might be available inShipshewana at www.TradingPlaceAmerica.com.

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Shopping

60 • Byways

Nestled in the Willamette Valley, in the heart ofOregon’s wine country, is Woodburn CompanyStores, the West Coast’s largest tax-free outlet

shopping destination. More than 4.4 million shoppers visit Woodburn

Company Stores each year, some just a drive away fromneighboring towns and others jump on a tour bus andmake the trip from across the border in Canada.

What makes this outlet center stand out?

Big Name BrandsWith 16 new stores scheduled to open in late 2012,

Woodburn Company Stores is one of the country’sfastest growing destination shopping centers. After itsfinal expansion, the center will offer shoppers 114 storesattracting outdoor enthusiasts, home entertainers, “fash-ionistas” and those looking to score big deals on big-name brands. Some of the top-tier retailers include:

Footwear/Outdoor ApparelNike Factory Store, adidas, The North Face, Columbia

Sportswear, Icebreaker, Merrell, Helly Hansen, Puma,

Under ArmourApparelAmerican Eagle Outfitters, Ann

Taylor Factory Store, Polo RalphLauren, Kenneth Cole, CalvinKlein, Banana Republic FactoryStore, Tommy Hilfiger, J.Crew

ChildrenJanie & Jack, Disney Outlet,

Gymboree Outlet, The Children’sPlace, Naartjie Kids, Carter’sChildrenswear

Handbags/AccessoriesCoach Factory Store, Cole Haan

Outlet, GUESS Factory Store andGUESS Accessories, Fossil,Samsonite

Tax-Free Shopping = ASavvy Shoppers’ Paradise

Domestic and international visi-tors have made Woodburn

Oregon’s Largest Outlet Draws From Near and Far

Company Stores a top tourist destination in Oregon. Nota run-of-the-mill shopping mall, this 380,000 square-foot center makes shopping a paradise for bargain shop-pers and a great place to stretch one’s legs after touringthe state’s nearby attractions.

Experience Oregon: And the Best of theNorthwest

The Pacific Northwest’s ruggedbeauty offers an inviting backdropfor this open-air shopping center.“We offer a shopping experiencethat indoor malls just can’t touch,”states Kristy Kummer-Pred, gen-eral manager. “From spring tulipdisplays, to giant pumpkins in thefall, to a winter wonderland com-plete with the Northwest’s tallestdecorated Christmas tree, a a funand festive shopping experience isoffered year-round.” The centeralso has a community garden thatbenefits the local food bank andelectric car charging stations.

Located Near Portlandand Oregon’s Capital

Woodburn Company Stores is aquick jaunt from Portland, approx-imately 25 minutes south, and 15minutes north of Salem, just off ofthe Interstate 5 corridor. Other

popular nearby attractions include The Oregon Garden,the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm and Silver Falls State Park.Woodburn Company Stores makes parking motorcoach-es, plus loading and unloading passengers, easy. An on-site Oregon Visitor Travel Information Center andspecial programs and incentives for group tour leadersmake Woodburn Company Stores worth the trip.

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From the iconic mouthwatering smells of Hershey’schocolate to the famous fluffy marshmallowPeeps, Pennsylvania is a candy lover’s paradise.

Looking to discover more hidden sweet spots? Take a trip through the state and indulge in unique, rich

and delicious treats near Pittsburgh, York and more.Wilbur Chocolate CoDutch Country RoadsLititzwww.wilburbuds.com

Wilbur Chocolate Company, known for its fine quali-ty chocolate, annually produces more than 170 millionpounds of chocolate products and other various foodingredients. Visitors to the modern candy kitchen canwatch handmade chocolates created right before theireyes, including homemade marshmallow, almond bark,heavenly hash, mint drizzle and more. After the mouth-watering tour, check out the Wilbur Chocolate Co.’sCandy Americana© Museum, which has more than 150hand-painted European and Oriental antique porcelainchocolate pots.

Peeps CandyLehigh ValleyBethlehemwww.marshmallowpeeps.com

Everyone is familiar with the famous colorful sugar

and fluffy marshmallow combination called Peeps, butmany are surprised to know that they are made right herein Pennsylvania. For more than fifty years, Peeps candyhas become a staple in Easter baskets all around thecountry and a tasty reminder that spring is here. Peepsnow offers its tasty candies year round. Enjoy a tradi-tional yellow peep chick this Easter, celebrate Halloweenwith a sweet fluffy ghost, and on Valentine’s Day, forgetthe flowers and send a dozen red Peep hearts to someonespecial.

Wolfgang Candy CompanyDutch Country RoadsYorkwww.wolfgangcandy.com

Indulge in more than just delicious chocolate and can-dy when visiting the Wolfgang Candy Company.Recently voted one of the “Top 5 Tasty Tours” in thenation by the Food Network, a tour of Wolfgang Candyallows guests to see, smell and taste candy being createdand learn the unique history behind this fifth generation,family-owned business. Visitors can feast their eyes onthe process that transforms tiny pretzels into chocolate-covered delights and watch as peanut butter centers arecovered in creamy milk chocolate. Watch the processculminate on a hand-packing line reminiscent of that sig-nature I LOVE LUCY episode.

62 • Byways

Sweeten Your TourExperience in Pennsylvania

Wolfgang Chocolate Plant Courtesy York County Convention & Visitors

Sarris CandiesPittsburgh and its CountrysideCanonsburgwww.sarriscandies.com

Starting from humble roots in the basement of FrankSarris’s Canonsburg home, the Sarris Candy Companyhas been voted by Pittsburgh nativesto have the

b e s tchocolates in the city. From

bite-size s’mores candies, to chocolate-shaped Crocsandals, Sarris Candy creates a wide and creative mix oftreats that is sure to impress. The company also offerstreats for every holiday and even allows the customer tocustomize their own box of chocolates so they only gettheir favorites.

Anstine’s Candy BoxDutch Country RoadsYorkwww.anstinescandy.com

Located in York, Anstine’s Candy has beenselling quality, handmade chocolate for nearly 60years. In the late 1930s, young Anna BelleAnstine started making chocolates as a hobby.Now, two generations later in the same smallshop, her granddaughter Anna and her husbandAllen make candy in the same tradition, usingonly quality ingredients and no preservatives.The centers are cooked and stirred (and stirredand stirred!) and rolled by hand. Because of thismethod, no two pieces are alike. Each center iscoated in pure milk or dark chocolate of the high-est grade, derived directly from the cocoa bean.They do it the old-fashioned way at Anstine’s,using only the best ingredients.

Daffin’s CandyPennsylvania’s Great LakesFarrellwww.daffins.com

Daffin’s Candies has earned national recogni-tion for its delectable sweet and semi-sweet milkchocolate candy with nearly 100 years of experi-ence and three generations of chocolate makers.In addition to its line of yummy chocolates,Daffin’s provides gourmet chocolates through itsJean Marie Collection, featuring unique hand-molded chocolates. Each piece of Daffin’s candycontinues to be hand-decorated, increasinglybecoming a rarity in the candy business. Daffin’s

Chocolate Kingdom, located at the retail store in Sharon,includes large chocolate animals, two large castles andan entire miniature village with chocolate houses andrailroads. The company also holds Swizzle Stick day, anopen house day during at the Farrellcandy factory

when vis-itors can view how candy is

created. Patrons also receive a free sample of a swiz-zle stick dipped in fresh candy filling with fresh choco-late dipped on top.

The Hershey CompanyDutch Country RoadsHersheywww.hersheys.com

Touting the title, “The Sweetest Place On Earth,”Hershey lives up to its name with chocolate and candysights, smells and taste-testing experiences abounding.

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What’s HappeningWhat’s Happening

Visitors can go behind the scenes to learn how thefamous chocolates are created on Hershey’s GreatAmerican Chocolate Tour and receive a sample of thedelicious, finished product.

Chocolate enthusiasts also can experience Hershey’sone-of-a-kind Create Your Own Candy Bar attractionthat lets guests design customized candy bars and wrap-pers.

Continue the sweet time and embark on Hershey’sChocolate Tasting Adventure to earn a degree in choco-late tasting, see Hershey’s product characters come tolife during the Really Big 3D Show and climb aboard theHershey Trolley Works for old-fashioned fun.

Gardners CandiesAllegheniesTyronewww.gardnerscandies.com

For more than a century, Gardners Candies has beencrafting beautifully decorated candies, described bysweet lovers as “simply out of this world.” Founded bysixteen year old James “Pike” Gardner, the young entre-preneur first operated out of a small store in downtownTyrone and later added a horse-drawn wagon to transportand sell candy, popcorn and peanuts at local fairs andcarnivals. Today, Gardners Candies is most famous forits Original Peanut Butter Meltaway, a creamy, smoothpeanut butter dipped in rich chocolate, which can be pur-chased at its 15 retail stores in Pennsylvania.

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Byways • 65888-733-5287 • nmn@motorcoach.com

The National Reservation CenterCharter a motorcoach anywhere in North America

motorcoach.comTrieloff Tours

www.arrowstage-lines.com

66 • Byways

Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America.Byways is emailed to more than 4000 tour operators and 13,000 travel agencies through the internet. Subscriptionsare complimentary. An iPad version is available for consumers in iTunes and Newsstand in the App Store.

Byways’ distribution includes motorcoach companies, tour operators, travel agents, bank travel managers, schoolband and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertisinginsertions, contact: Byways Magazine, 42 Cabin Hill Lane, Mount Jackson, VA 22842. Telephone 540-477-3202.Fax 540-477-3858. Toll-free 800-469-0062.

©Copyright 2012 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in anyform without express written permission of the publisher.

Editor and PublisherStephen M. Kirchner

Advertising Director1.800.469.0062 • 540.477.3202 • Fax 540.477.3858

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Byways Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Best Western, Colorado River Inn, California. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Dutchess County Tourism, New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Franklin Hotel, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Galax Visitors Center, Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Harrisonburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6motorcoach.com - National Reservation Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Greater Niagara’s Country Byways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8North Little Rock, Arkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39PA Dutch Hotels, Clarion Inn, Strasburg, Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21PA Dutch Hotels, Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Pulaski County Tourism, Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau, Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Ross - Chillicothe Tourism, Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Shipshewana Flea Market, Indiana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Silverado Casino, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Sullivan County Catskills, New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Sumner County Tourism, Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Virginia Tourism Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

67 • Byways

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