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The single most awe inspiring place I've seen is Yosemite. Had a lump in my throat as soon as we saw a glimpse of Half dome entering in from the west. Astonishing!
Big Sur, The Redwoods, Brookings Oregon, Mr. Rainier... gorgeous!
Another jaw dropping place to me is Sedona, Az. I'd just stop and stare at every turn!
One place that really got under my skin on a deeper level though was the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! The nature, the skies, the weather changing inside of a few hours sometimes...
There's something about that place that's so magical to me. I can't believe so many of my Finnish ancestors lived there, and I barely knew anything about it until a few years ago! It was so remote and different from the place where I grew up and live to this day... a giant sprawling megalopolis in So. California. (although watching the sunset in the Pacific is always nice)
BTW, just got back from a few days in Lake Tahoe last week... gorgeous! There was an early storm so there was a blanket of snow on the ground and some on the mountains... ahhhh... okay, time to plan the next road trip!
Pretty much all of Washington. Driving on Interstate 5 towards Seattle is jaw-dropping, such high and scenic mountains. When I was in Portland, I could see Mt. Hood about 60 miles to the east, just rising from the horizon line. Then near Olympia and Tacoma, I had the best views of Mt Rainier from the freeway. As I left my hotel on the north side, I could see a mountain all the way in the North Cascades near the border (Mt Baker??). And when I was leaving Seattle, I could see all the way across the Puget Sounds to the Olympics. Snoqualmie Pass was intense, and a very nice break from the city. Then going to the viewpoint after I crossed the Columbia River, the yellow-arched bridge crossing the river with high-hanging cliffs in the background was an excellent view. The second most beautiful place I have been would probably have to be the Grand Canyon, with the Colorado River 600 feet below flowing through it. I'm still in awe.
I second the Michigan UP. Took a summer job there and fell in love with the Pictured Rocks area, especially the sandstone beaches. Have never seen anything else quite like it.
Too bad I can't take a decent picture, other peoples will have to do.
Nice to see the Upper Peninsula of Michigan being mentioned. I think there are more visually stunning places, but the U.P. has a very unique beauty that you have to experience to appreciate.
Anyway, here are a few pics that I took in the U.P. of Michigan:
Most beautiful places I have seen.
In the United States
California coast
Washington state
Oregon
New York State
New York City Metro area
Massachusetts and most of New England
Jersey Shore
Alot of Philly is pretty
Cleveland, Ohio
Chicago, mainly around lake Michigan
Indianapolis believe it or not.
Alot of pretty places in America.
Last edited by Ninetails; 11-13-2012 at 02:51 PM..
Reason: Add words
I second the Michigan UP. Took a summer job there and fell in love with the Pictured Rocks area, especially the sandstone beaches. Have never seen anything else quite like it.
Too bad I can't take a decent picture, other peoples will have to do.
Those are beautiful pics you found, but I don't think you have to be a "good picture taker" to get a nice picture in the UP. It can't help but be beautiful!
I couldn't believe how some of the pics turned out (like the ones I posted) from our little ol' camera! Oh and the stunning pics Michigan83 took! Wow!
When the OP said, "Places that stir the soul, tug your heartstrings"... sigh, that's what the UP does to me. Seeing these pics puts a lump in my throat. :}
Several come to mind (I took all of the pics myself):
The Kalalau Trail on Kauai:
My first husband (years ago) and I took a very adventurous boat ride to the side of the island where no cars or buses were allowed. HO MY GOSH! It was thrilling! Beyond beautiful, and it was one of those little river raft type boats with just the Captain, his mate, my and and my hubby with two other guys.
The only thing is on the way back, I had to wee so bad, and there was a little ladder to dip into the ocean with. But all the guys kept teasing me about sharks, and the Captain showed me his missing toe from a shark bite, so I suffered all the way back to the dock! Oh whatever, it was a blast!
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Oh whatever, it was a blast! 
