All Hail the American Cliché!
Float the Mississippi, throw hatchets, cheer lumberjacks, feel the rumble of bison, and stroll under towering oaks.
As f*cked up as this country is politically ATM, there’s no denying its sensational beauty and natural gifts. (Actually, this being the U.S., there probably are some Great American Beauty Deniers, but let’s not fall down that dark rabbit hole — and especially not on her birthday.) From dazzling mountain peaks to cool and crisp lakes, we’re choosing to spend this July 4th showcasing special spots across this land made for you and me, along with the American characters that have gone into the making of it.
Pack your blue jeans and binoculars. Today we’re experiencing the joys of:
a chainsaw-wielding lumberjack show in Alaska
majestic moose doing their thing in Wyoming
rewilding yourself on the mighty Mississippi
Before we jump into it, one announcement: This is the LAST week to take advantage of our Italian promotion, wherein readers who opt for an ANNUAL subscription can access our charming, downloadable 3-day guides to Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. This has been a very cool exercise: We’ve connected with readers individually (thanks for your kind notes!) and also explored how we can offer you extra perks. (Stay tuned for more of those.)
Behold the Awesome Lumberjack
Ketchikan, Alaska
They throw axes and saw at speed. Chop with intensity and logroll with purpose. Scurry up trunks and wield chainsaws like they want to show that wood who’s boss. And they do it up to six times per day. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan pits two teams of lumberjack athletes — with names like Wildfire, Pond Hopper, and Turbo — against each other in feats of strength, stamina, and balance. Yes, it’s a rip-roaring, adrenaline-packed good time, but the performance is also an homage to the logging industry that played a vital role in southeastern Alaska’s history: The events showcase what professional loggers had to do for work, not for show. When you’re here, Cape Fox Lodge is the place to stay (get a room with a water view) and Annabelle’s Famous Keg and Chowder House is the place for seafood chowder and king crab legs.
Float Like Tom Sawyer
Lower Mississippi River, Mississippi