Overlooked attractions in the West

When pondering the West -- that unwieldy stretch of U.S. soil from Texas to the Pacific Northwest -- travelers tend to flash on archetypes -- the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Hollywood, Monument Valley, Vegas, the Alamo, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Hearst Castle. But the West is also an expanse of weirdness and wonder, boasting bizarre and purely sublime enticements, both natural and man-made. So, if you find some sojourning time this summer, consider these hidden (or at least, often-overlooked) gems.

By Shermakaye Bass

June 22, 2008