1

Pacific Coast Highway

Image: Lance Anderson

We’ll begin this hypothetical trip of ours in California, and "The Golden State" offers an equally convenient and panoramic way to travel along its stunning coastlines. California State Route 1 is known by many names, such as Cabrillo Highway, Shoreline Highway, or Coast Highway, but it is perhaps best recognized as the "Pacific Coast Highway."

This state route crosses many iconic and gorgeous locations in California, including Big Sur, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Monterey Bay Area. Beyond its scenic beauty, the Highway is a pop culture icon in its own right, referenced in songs by bands like the Beach Boys and the Decemberists.

2

Yosemite

Image: Jordi Vich Navarro

Yosemite truly needs no introduction. This iconic national park spans 759,620 acres across four California counties, with nearly 95% of its total area designated as wilderness.

From its stunning giant sequoia trees to its breathtaking waterfalls, granite cliffs, and pristine streams, the park offers something for everyone. Yosemite is a quintessential example of the natural beauty America has to offer.

3

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Image: Kristen P

Since we’re still on the California portion of our fictional road trip, let’s make a quick stop at another natural treasure. Red Rock Canyon State Park is renowned worldwide for its stunning rock formations and its arid yet strikingly beautiful scenery.

While the weather is definitively drier than in other parts of California, don’t think for a moment that nature is absent in Red Rock Canyon. In fact, this park is home to the rare Red Rock Canyon monkeyflower, a unique flower found exclusively in this region.

4

California’s Lost Coast

Image: Paulius Dragunas

Last but certainly not least on the California leg of our trip is the stunning region known as the "Lost Coast." Situated in Humboldt and Mendocino counties, this area earned its name because it remains largely natural and undeveloped, the product of a surge in depopulation in the 1930s.

While the inaccessibility of the area is definitively a hurdle—its steep terrain makes establishing roads difficult—we highly recommend it to those adventurous enough to explore on foot. Its pristine, unspoiled landscapes are truly a sight to behold.

5

Willamette Valley

Image: Dan Meyers

Let’s now step into the wonderful state of Oregon to continue our fictional journey. What better place to start our tour through the "Beaver State" than through the beauty of Willamette Valley ? While this region is undeniably vast—stretching 150 miles and encompassing Oregon’s five largest cities—we’d like to highlight a few features that truly make this valley a beautiful area.

Driving through this predominantly agricultural landscape, publicized in the 1820s as a "promised land of flowing milk and honey," means running across rather scenic and bountiful sights. Trust us: watching the golden grapevines shimmer in the autumn sun is just one of the many experiences that make Willamette Valley so magical.

6

Oregon Coast

Image: Kevin Butz

The Oregon Coast not only offers unparalleled and gorgeous sights of the Pacific Ocean, but it's also a unique and massive area that encompasses more than 25 cities, lush landscapes, and a rich variety of birds, marine life, and other wildlife.

As you would expect, the many wonders of this area make the Oregon Coast a popular tourist destination. Those looking for adrenaline-fueled activities may be interested in surfing or sandboarding, while some history buffs might find intrigue in historic landmarks such as Fort Clatsop, Battle Rock, and Oregon’s many lighthouses.

7

Olympic National Park

Image: Georg Eiermann

Now that the route has taken us to the state of Washington, why not visit Olympic National Park and its gorgeous sights? Originally designated as Mount Olympus National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, this park is divided into four distinct regions, each hosting three unique ecosystems.

Due to its amazing variety, a single entry could never encompass all the natural wonders this park has to offer. However, we can highlight a few favorites: for instance, Mount Olympus, the tallest peak in the Olympic Mountains, or the Hoh Rainforest, renowned for its stunning Bigleaf maples.

8

The San Juan Islands

Image: David Lang

The San Juan Islands is a four-island archipelago at the border between Washington State and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Islands are considered the go-to place for birdwatching enthusiasts, boasting the highest concentration of bald eagles in the contiguous United States.

If bird-watching is not your thing, don’t worry—there’s plenty more to see and do on these breathtaking islands. Several ferry tours offer access to some of the best panoramic views of the region, which, as you might imagine, are nothing short of stunning.

9

Denali National Park

Image: Bryson Beaver

We’ve now arrived in the final state of our West Coast road trip. In that sense, what better place to conclude our journey than the "Last Frontier"? With that in mind, let’s begin our exploration of Alaska with what many consider to be the state’s crown jewel: Denali National Park.

Denali holds the distinction of being the highest peak in North America, and while this is truly no small feat, that’s not what makes this area so special. This mountain’s immense size is rivaled only by its breathtaking magnificence. Denali is renowned for its stunning glaciers, lush forests, and diverse wildlife, which includes brown bears, beavers, and Arctic foxes.

10

Kenai Fjords National Park

Image: Kedar Gadge

Kenai Fjords National Park’s beauty is as stunning as it is diverse. Its landscapes are marked by truly unique and stunning features, such as glaciers, islands, and fjords. In addition to its remarkable terrain, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, black bears, and sea otters.

Designated by President Carter in 1978, the park is primarily visited by cruise ships and tour boats. Thousands of visitors are awestruck each day by the grandeur of Kenai Fjords, including the famous Exit Glacier, which is located at the end of the park’s only road.

1

Frank Sinatra

Image: Dushawn Jovic

Frank Sinatra was one of America’s—and the world’s—most recognized artists, and even today, his name remains an unmistakable icon. We’ll never forget hits like "New York, New York," "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon," and many others. And his last words were no less poetic than his life: "I'm losing," he allegedly said.

2

Groucho Marx

Image: Alan Hardman

They say humor follows comedians in all aspects of their lives—even to the very end. This was true for the great Groucho Marx, who passed away in 1977 at the age of 86 after bringing laughter to millions during his lifetime. As for his last words, there are two versions of the story, and both are funny! One version claims he said, " Die, my dear? That’s the last thing I’ll do! " while the other has him exclaiming, "This is no way to live!"

3

Buddy Rich

Image: Katherine Hanlon

Bernard "Buddy" Rich was a legendary American drummer renowned for his unique improvisational ability. He passed away at age 69 after brain surgery. Reportedly, his last words were a witty response to a nurse who asked if he was allergic to anything: "Yeah, country music," he said.

4

Donald O'Connor

Image: Nikko Balanial

Some artists never separate themselves from their work. Perhaps that’s what was going through the mind of dancer, singer, and actor Donald O’Connor—famous for his role in Singin’ in the Rain —when heart failure caused his death. His last words were, "I'd like to thank the Academy for my lifetime achievement award that I will eventually get." He still hasn’t received one.

5

George Washington

Image: Priscilla Gyamfi

George Washington will always be remembered as the Father of his Country, who led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War and served as the first president of the United States. In 1799, George Washington fell ill with respiratory infections that grew more severe over time. He passed away that year at the age of 67 at his Mount Vernon estate. According to historical accounts, his last words were an expression of acceptance: "Tis well."

6

T.S. Eliot

Image: anotherxlife

T.S. Eliot, the famous Missouri-born writer known for works such as The Waste Land and Four Quartets, passed away on January 4, 1965, at the age of 76. It's said that, in his last moments, the poet was reflective and serene, and his last word was the name of his love: "Valerie."

7

Joan Crawford

Image: Noom Peerapong

The great American actress Joan Crawford was much more than a pretty face. Her talent and complex personality were evident throughout her fruitful career, which was crowned with films such as Mildred Pierce . She died in 1977 of a heart attack. According to a biography, while a nurse was praying at her bedside, the actress exclaimed her last words: "Don't you dare ask God to help me!"

8

Humphrey Bogart

Image: JOSHUA COLEMAN

Say Casablanca, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and The Maltese Falcon, and one face automatically comes to mind: the iconic Humphrey Bogart. He was 57 years old when he died of cancer in 1957. According to sources, his wife, Laura, was leaving the hospital to pick up their children from school when he uttered his last words: "Goodbye, kid. Hurry back."

9

Eugene O'Neill

Image: Gwen King

Eugene O'Neill, the celebrated American playwright, faced numerous health issues throughout his life, which worsened in his later years. He passed away in 1953 at the age of 65. As one might expect from a talented playwright, his dramatic last words were full of intensity: "I knew it, I knew it! Born in a goddamn hotel room and dying in a hotel room."

10

Emily Dickinson

Image: Gülfer ERGİN

The famous poet Emily Dickinson is one of our country’s literary prides, known for beautiful works such as "Because I could not stop for Death" and "Hope is the thing with feathers." She was born in 1830 and died in 1886 in Massachusetts. Her last words were as poetic as her life: "I must go in, the fog is rising."

1

Tri-State tornado

Image: Greg Johnson

In 1925, the Tri-State Tornado carved a path of destruction across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. With winds exceeding 300 mph, it remains the deadliest tornado in U.S. history, claiming more than 700 lives and leaving thousands homeless.

This record-breaking F5 tornado—classified as such by modern standards—traveled over 200 miles in just three and a half hours, leveling entire towns. Its unprecedented speed and longevity exposed the limitations of early warning systems, prompting significant advancements in tornado research and forecasting.

2

The Dust Bowl

Image: Sophia Simoes

The 1930s Dust Bowl was a man-made disaster exacerbated by a severe drought across the Great Plains. Decades of over-plowing and unsustainable farming practices had left the farmland highly vulnerable to erosion.

When the drought struck, winds swept loose soil into colossal clouds that darkened cities and devastated remaining crops. These massive dust storms, known as "Black Blizzards," choked the skies and forced thousands of families to abandon their homes . Eventually, the disaster led to significant agricultural reforms under the New Deal.

3

Lake Michigan's seiche wave

Image: Silas Baisch

On the morning of June 26, 1954, a 10-foot-high seiche wave crashed onto the Chicago shoreline , sweeping away eight people and injuring many others. But what exactly is a "seiche wave"?

According to researchers, seiche waves are large, sudden standing waves that form in enclosed bodies of water due to extreme atmospheric changes, such as abrupt shifts in air pressure or strong winds. This rare event shocked the Midwest and prompted scientists to study lake oscillations and their connection to storm systems.

4

Great Alaska earthquake

Image: Joris Beugels

In 1964, Alaska was struck by a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2, making it the most powerful ever recorded in North America and the second most powerful worldwide. Lasting four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, the earthquake triggered massive tsunamis and landslides across the state, along with significant geographic changes —some coastlines sank while others rose dramatically.

The destruction it caused led to major updates in seismic safety protocols and infrastructure standards throughout the U.S. This event emphasized the need for better preparedness and stricter building codes , to handle similar future events, especially in earthquake-prone areas.

5

Hurricane Katrina

Image: NASA

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, claiming more than 1,300 lives and leaving millions homeless, sparking an urgent humanitarian crisis. The storm caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in history , tied with Hurricane Harvey in the Atlantic basin.

Katrina exposed critical flaws in the region's levee systems and emergency response efforts, prompting widespread criticism and driving essential reforms in disaster preparedness and infrastructure.

6

The Peshtigo firestorm

Image: Tim Mossholder

On the same day as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, a catastrophic firestorm near the small town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, scorched approximately 1.2 million acres, making it the deadliest wildfire in recorded history . The uncontrolled blaze claimed over 1,500 lives, though the exact number of fatalities remains uncertain.

Since 1883, there has been speculation that the simultaneous outbreaks of major fires across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, including the Peshtigo and Chicago fires, were not coincidental but caused by burning fragments from Biela's Comet . However, this theory remains unproven.

7

Superstorm Sandy

Image: Matt Hardy

Nicknamed "Superstorm" by the media, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the Caribbean and the coastal Mid-Atlantic region of the United States in late October 2012. While it affected 24 states, the most severe damage was concentrated in New Jersey and New York .

The storm caused an estimated $70 billion in damages, flooding New York City's subway system and displacing thousands of residents. It also ignited a nationwide debate about the role of man-made climate change in amplifying the intensity of seasonal storms.

8

Death Valley heatwave

Image: Johannes Plenio

Death Valley recorded the world’s hottest temperature —134°F—in 1913. A testament to America’s climatic extremes, the region’s unique topography traps heat, effectively turning it into a natural furnace.

While the record remains a point of fascination for meteorologists and tourists alike, some recent researchers have challenged the accuracy of the 1913 measurement. Regardless, the region has come close to this temperature in recent years, indicating that a new record-breaking summer may be in the cards.

9

The Great Blizzard of 1888

Image: Jan Canty

The "White Hurricane" of 1888 buried the Northeast under as much as 55 inches of snow, crippling major cities and resulting in over 400 fatalities. Railroads were shut down, and many residents were confined to their homes for up to a week.

As one of the most severe blizzards in American history , the storm compelled New York City to bury power lines and redesign its transportation systems to better withstand future extreme weather events.

10

Mount St. Helens eruption

Image: Tetiana Grypachevska

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington, triggering massive landslides and pyroclastic flows, killing 57 people and causing over $1.1 billion in damages. The violent blast also reduced the mountain’s height by more than 1,300 feet and sent a plume of ash 80,000 feet into the atmosphere, disrupting air travel for weeks.

This volcanic event, the first in the contiguous United States since the much smaller 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak in California, is considered one of the most disastrous volcanic eruptions in U.S. history. Its aftermath raised awareness of volcanic hazards and underscored the importance of geological research in the country.