Anchorage is by far the largest city in Alaska with a population over 250,000.  Unlike almost any other city or town in Alaska, roads radiate out from Anchorage to nearby communities including the beatiful Kenai Peninsula. Anchorage is close to astounding scenery and outdoor recreation, yet is also a college town (University of Alaska-Anchorage, and Alaska Pacific University).  The downtown…...

Stonington, a former fishing village of about 18,000, is one of the most charming towns in Connecticut. The downtown area, which is referred to as the Borough, features two lovely long streets with many good restaurants and interesting shops. There is a big public beach right there, along with the Stonington Harbor Light, the first lighthouse established by the federal…...

Astoria, located on the northwest tip of Oregon, is located at the mouth of the Columbia River and just a few miles away from the Pacific. It is the oldest permanent American settlement West of the Rockies - Lewis and Clark stayed here for the winter of 1806. With pretty, scenic backgrounds and a redone 1920s downtown, this relatively uncommercialized…...

Toledo is a city of over 300,000 people in northwestern Ohio. The city is located on Lake Erie and the Maumee River.  The city has a proud past and many fine institutions. Many of the suburbs are quite nice. Photo of Aerial view of Maumee Bay State Park on Lake Erie courtesy of Wikipedia and Ken Winters, U.S. Army Corps…...