1943: A "Wiper" in Clinton Iowa giving a giant H class locomotive a bath of live steam

Originally uploaded by The Library of Congress

In Clinton, Iowa Viola Sievers cleans a massive steam engine as part of the US WWII War Effort. Taken by Jack Delano and part of the US Library of Congress War Photo Collection.

Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel, Downtown Las Vegas Downtown

Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Downtown
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck

Mega Resorts and Casinos dominate the Las Vegas Strip, but you'll find several of the more modest but charming and historic casinos in Downtown Las Vegas along Fremont Street and for a few blocks around that area.

Plans are now underway to develop the portion of Las Vegas Boulevard between Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip, effectively connecting the two main casino areas of Las Vegas.

The Downtown still offers some of the old Las Vegas charm with modest sized casinos and much easier walking distances between them. Also, don't miss the Fremont Street Light show, a spectacular light show on a canopy that is as wide as a street and an entire city block long.

Half Dome, Yosemite

Half Dome, Yosemite
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck

Yosemite National Park in California offers visitors some of the world's most spectacular and sublime mountain scenery. Yosemite's huge plunging waterfalls and steep granite cliffs were the passion of early American writer John Muir, whose tireless efforts on behalf of wilderness preservation brought to California some of the world's finest parklands.

Historic Water Tower in Highland Park, Minnesota

Historic Water Tower in Highland Park, Minnesota
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck

In the American Midwest water pressure was a challenge before the advent of modern plumbing and pumping systems.

Here in Highland Park, a comfortable Saint Paul suburb, this stone water tower has stood for some 100 years, formerly providing the necessary water pressure for various plumbing features in the neighborhood.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck

Crater Lake was one of America's first National Parks, established after a campaign of many years by W.G. Steele. Visited by John Muir in the late 1800's, the origin of Crater Lake was not initially not understood. It is now known that the lake lies in the caldera of ancient Mount Mazama, which collapsed some 7,700 years ago following one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history.

With an average of 533 inches of snowfall annually Crater Lake has some of the purest water in the West, and is the seventh deepest lake in the world.

Crater Lake is open year round but lodging is generally open from mid-May to October. Conditions can vary so check TripCheck.com for road conditions before your trip to Crater Lake National Park.

San Diego Zoo Bear Habitat

San Diego Zoo Bear Habitat

When visiting San Diego in Southern California you won't want to miss the San Diego Zoo, one of the finest zoos in the world. San Diego's premier animal attraction brings you almost face to face with Lions, Tigers, Bears, Snake, Lizards, and thousands of other species, many threatened and endangered in the wild.

If you aren't big on walking for miles consider starting your visit with the Zoo on the double decker tour busses, a great introduction to the layout and animals. Also note the daily show schedule so you can coordinate that with your walks around this huge park. The tram is also fun and a good way to get a quick park orientation.

The San Diego Zoo is well worth the admission, but it's not cheap. Look for the discount coupons available at many tourism information places and often in state guides or the state maps you can get at tourism hot spots around the state.

Oregon History: Beeson Home circa 1870. Talent Oregon

Beeson Home circa 1870. Talent Oregon
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck

Although most of the Travelers on the Oregon Trail headed along the Columbia River and then south to the fertile valleys of the Willamette River Valley, the Applegate Trail, a southern branch, took tens of thousands to Southern Oregon where lumber, orchards and farming gradually replaced Jacksonville gold mining as the mainstay of the Southern Oregon economy.

This home has been remodelled but originally was probably the home of Welborn Beeson, an early Southern Oregon settler and son of John Beeson. John's "Plea for the Indians" was an influential book that criticized locals for poor treatment of Native Americans. John was "run out of town" and spent much time in the East including a meeting with then President Lincoln to advocate on behalf of Native American Rights. Beeson later returned to the area and is buried next to his wife in Stearn's Cemetery about a mile from this house.