Indholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2021 i Country

Adal Gardner dreamed of becoming a world traveler, but this Country reader had to do something first—road-trip across America. “I figured that if I did not know much about my own country, I could never really learn about the rest of the world,” Adal wrote in a letter from North Little Rock, Arkansas. Adal had preconceived notions about different regions of the country, and this two-month road trip shattered all of them. Travel is transformative, and America’s natural beauty can be a unifier. I’ve seen readers from different parts of America bonded by a shared love of our country’s scenery, rural byways and small-town charm. Your willingness to embrace the open road is behind the changes you will see when you turn this page. It’s more of the scenic destinations…

Hiking along a trail, you spy a young couple and their dog, and—wait a minute—is that a cat riding on the dog’s head? Meet Henry and Baloo, the surprising duo who have captured hearts with their scenic adventures out West. Pet parents Cynthia Bennett and Andre Sibilsky share the antics of this unusually bonded pair on social media—which includes 2 million Instagram followers—in part to support a mission dear to their hearts: preserving western wilderness and land for wildlife and future generations. Henry, a rescue dog, came first. Cynthia and Andre wanted a high-energy pup that they could take on long hikes and camping expeditions from Colorado to California. With his playful air of confidence and active nature, Henry fit right in. The first time they took him hiking, he…

We all have special places that we return to time and again. When these places call to us, we must go. For me, that place is the Black Hills of South Dakota. Many scenic drives wind through this mountain range. So on a gorgeous day, I headed out for a three-day road trip adventure. Day One’s destination: Iron Mountain Road. In no time at all I reach the architectural wonder of the wooden pigtail bridges and I know I’m on the great road itself—17 miles of twists and turns, jaw-dropping vistas and narrow tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore. This road demands that I slow down and just behold. Later, I make my way into Custer State Park and drive onto the 18-mile Wildlife Loop. Although I’ve been here many times,…

STORIES ARE OF TEN TOLD by the things left behind. Such is the case at Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah. So named because of the two buttes that look like a bear’s ears peeking over a ridge, this ancient place has so much more to explore. Designated in 2016 as the first national monument created in conjunction with Native American governments, the land is an extraordinary archaeological and cultural record of the Hopi, Ute, Zuni, Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute tribes who lived there over many centuries. Dwellings and artifacts, including rock art dating back thousands of years, dot the flat-topped mesas, sandstone cliffs and wide valleys that hold sacred meaning for the tribes’ descendants. GOOD TO KNOW The best time to explore the historic cliff dwellings, rock…

IN AUGUST 1956, when I was 10 years old, my family and I loaded into our 1954 Oldsmobile 88 and left our farm in Indiana to visit relatives in California. We traveled through a lot of small towns and stayed each night in a mom and pop motel that Mom selected out of the travel guide. Mom had two requirements. First, the room had to be under $10, and second, it had to pass her standard for cleanliness. My younger brother and I begged for air conditioning, though Mom thought it was more a luxury than a necessity. FIRST, THE ROOM HAD TO BE UNDER $10, AND SECOND, IT HAD TO PASS HER STANDARD FOR CLEANLINESS. One night in a Kansas motel, we had the air conditioner going full blast.…

In the February/March issue, we hid the needle on page 48. In each issue we hide a needle (black or white). If you find it, enter online at country-magazine.com by clicking the Contests link at the top of the page. We’ll draw winners from all the correct entries. Winners receive a one-year subscription to Country. No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions. Sweepstakes begins on March 18, 2021, and ends on May 12, 2021. For official rules, visit country-magazine.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC.…

Check out Great American Road Trips: Scenic Drives, the latest book from Country. AMERICA’S BEST Experience our country’s back roads in this collection of scenic drives. Gorgeous photos paired with reader stories will inspire you to explore small towns and enjoy breathtaking vistas. ORDER TODAY! ONLY $10! lovethecountry.com/CA21 WANT MORE COUNTRY? CHECK OUT COUNTRY extra In the May issue… • Tour Wisconsin’s pastoral Amish country.• Soak up the beauty of nature in the San Juan Islands of Washington.• Get to know the charm of Patagonia, Arizona. Subscribe at country-magazine.com…

CITY SLICKERS Learn to ride while reliving history at Hickory Hollow Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A licensed Civil War battlefield expert guides you on an easy two-hour ride spanning the Confederate Line to the Union Line, including a visit to Pickett’s Charge, Big Round Top and more. hickoryhollowfarm.com ADVENTURERS If you want to ride a horse on the beach and swim on one in the ocean—saddle up! In Bradenton, Florida, take gentle rescue horses for a 90-minute excursion with beautiful views of Palma Sola Bay and an ocean swim. Keep watch for manatees and dolphins. cponies.com SEASONED WRANGLERS For those more savvy in the saddle, trot and canter through 6,000 acres on a private mountain outside Wolcott, Colorado. Choose your own adventure on a guided off-trail two-hour ride filled with…

FOR MANY YEARS, my husband, Paul, and I sailed the Mystic River into eastern Connecticut’s Mystic Country. Because our boat was moored in the town of Groton, we often explored the region before heading home to Massachusetts. Here you’ll find seaside villages with plenty of attractions for every interest and country roads that wind through pastoral landscapes. Mystic Country is an ideal place to get away for a weekend. BEAUTY ASHORE As much as I love being on the water, it is always a treat to get on land and walk around the village of Mystic, which is actually part of two towns: Groton on the west and Stonington on the east. Uniquely situated on the river, Mystic is a picture-perfect place to meander about, watch the boats navigate under…

■ Always, always, always take extra water. Pets need to hydrate just as humans do, so make sure to pack enough water for the trail.■ Bring a first-aid kit. Also, teach your pet that safety lies with you, not in running away.■ Research the area and weather conditions in advance. Even in summer, bring emergency blankets and jackets for your animals, especially when camping in the mountains. Temperatures can drop drastically at night.■ Check your destination’s regulations regarding pets before you go. Research local wildlife. If hiking in the wilderness, affix a bear bell to your animal’s collar to warn nearby wildlife of your pet’s presence.■ Watch your pet. If they become agitated or anxious, there may be wildlife in the immediate area. See more of Henry and Baloo at:…

1. MEMORIES THAT LAST Vernal Fall is one of the most beautiful sites in Yosemite National Park. I camped in the park as a child, later on with my children, and now with my grandchildren. JANET SCHMIDT VACAVILLE, CA 2. PRETTY AS A POSTCARD I was photographing in Denali National Park when this couple put in their canoe and paddled away. What a perfect shot. KATHERINE PLESSNER VERONA, ND 3. FURRY FAMILY TIME Yellowstone National Park is our family’s favorite vacation spot, and this time we were lucky to see a mama bear and her cubs foraging on the side of the road. JANIE PALMER MANTUA, UT 4. BETWEEN A ROCK AND … My wife, Dale, and I visited Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada where she ventured inside…

1. Share your photos and stories with us using the online form, country-magazine.com/submit. 2. Note which department you are submitting for, and whether the material has been published before. However, your item may be selected to run in any section of our magazine, or elsewhere. 3. We do not return submitted materials. Although we are unable to acknowledge receipt of a submission, we will let you know if it is published. 4. We accept high-resolution digital images. Digital images should be about 4x6 inches at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch, or about 1200x1800 pixels. Photos must be in focus and of good quality. Please send submissions only through our online form. 5. If we print your submission in the magazine, we will send you a complimentary copy…

For unsurpassed views of Yosemite National Park and some of its iconic features (including Half Dome and Yosemite Falls), visitors trek to the lookout at Glacier Point to peer over the edge. 964 Ranger Howard Knight chats with visitors about rock formations in Yosemite Valley below. 2017 Glacier Point remains one of the most popular photo destinations in the park. DID YOU KNOW? Until 1968, Glacier Point was the site of Yosemite’s fire fall. Every summer night at 9 p.m., campers below cried, “Let the fire fall,” and a bonfire was pushed over the edge, creating a blazing waterfall. ELEVATION 7,214 feet GETTING THERE Drive Glacier Point Road or take the shuttle bus. WHEN TO GO Spring and fall to avoid crowds…