The sky reflected our moods, and we could see the white-topped peaks just out of our reach, lining the ring around our valley. I convinced my husband to go for a drive "to the top of the hill" just to get a better view. It will get us out of the house. We had been stuck inside for days because of rain. The same rain was making snow just 10 miles north of us. Why not?

Top 10 Favorite National Parks for National Park Week by WhereGalsWander

This is the stuff American Summer Nostalgia is made of. It's National Ice Cream...

Ok, seriously, you need to experience any morning at Bellagio and breakfast at Sadelle's will turn any morning into some sort of holiday. It's candy-colored decor that evokes vintage glamour and elegance mixed with upscale diner vibes.

Mentryville Park is a tiny oil ghost town rich in history tucked away in a tiny corner of Pico Canyon.  It's an important piece of US History for its role in the Oil Boon, but still draws people today for its beautiful hiking trails set in the Santa Monica Mountains. It's recognizable from several tv and movie productions but also draws a crowd for its reputation for being haunted.