Just what is the Hidden America?

It's not likely to be found on a map. Nonetheless, the Hidden America may be found across the land - in Oregon, Vermont, New Mexico, even New York City. It's the individual parts of America that collectively make up the American experience.

It's lobstermen in Maine, loggers at work in the woods of Washington State, a rodeo in Oklahoma, and Blue Ridge Mountain Bluegrass. It's the foods, places, peoples, customs, and history that unite Americans. while accounting for the historic diversity that endures to today.

This Web Site and its commitment to help you discover the Hidden America developed from my own personal travels around America. I often searched for but rarely found, the Hidden America that I had read and heard so much about in books and in the media. This quest in search of the Hidden America led me on a journey not only on the road, but also in the books, music, foods, and artifacts of America.

In reality, the Hidden America is not so much of a secret. It's always been there for the taking. But until recently, many people thought there was little reason to look "beyond the interstate". After all, for many years travel in America meant heading out to see the U.S.A. in the family car. Especially during the post-World War II and baby-boom years, the car and the superhighway helped thousands of families see America by making previously distant and perhaps mysterious places more accessible. Folks found out that there was more than just the old neighborhood or the "place in the country". A fast drive on a turnpike or thruway to a tourist attraction or national park, with overnight stays at comfortable motels conveniently located on the highway, was the rule (if you were lucky, you might even find a motel room with air conditioning and a television).

Today, American travel habits have changed. Relaxation and entertainment are no longer enough. More and more, folks are looking to learn and grow as they travel, not just get away. They are leaving the main roads and exploring the back roads, and visiting inns, quaint hotels, and picturesque towns along the way.

But to find the Hidden America, you must do more than merely follow a back road for a stretch before rejoining the interstate. That is only the starting point. More important than your physical departure from the interstate is your willingness to go "beyond the interstate" in your mind. In fact, this journey of discovery can be taken without ever leaving the comfort of your home. It is an exploration of the literature, the music, the food, the history, and the roots of America, as well as the fruits of "seeing it yourself" through travel.

The starting point for this journey is America's festivals and events. They occur in every corner of the land, throughout the year, and meet all tastes and budgets. They range from the traditional, such as a small town Fourth of July celebration, to the offbeat, such as the Jumpin' Frog Jubilee.

But America is much more than just events, and this Web Site is intended to do more than just provide a list. Rather, it is intended to provide insight about the event, about the area, and about the people who make the event significant. Therefore we have included other types of background information, where possible, including a list of local accommodations, recommended places to eat, places of interest in the area, and a bibliography to enhance the travel experience.

The focus of the accommodations is on those "with a personal touch" - inns, bed and breakfast, farms and small hotels. It should be noted, however, that the term "bed and breakfast" means different things to different people. Therefore, it is wise to call in advance to be sure that the place described is the kind of place where you would like to stay.

This site is designed to serve as a source for discovering the Hidden America. it sets out to assemble and make sense of the scattered information and diverse material dealing with the Hidden America. The result is intended solely as a point of departure and an introduction. My hope is that Hidden America and the related OTR services will inform and enlighten - but also point you in the right direction, armed with enough timely and accurate information so that you can set out on your own personal journey of discovery.

Please note that information can change without notice. One day's favorite inn may be gone the next. An event held traditionally the third week in October may have been moved to November without us being adequately informed. The information provided among are highlights is checked as fully as possible, but nonetheless you are strongly advised to call ahead to avoid disappointment.

In the future, we hope to expand and refine our presentation of the Hidden America. Needless to say, your suggestions and feedback are most welcome and appreciated.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy your stay at our site, and happy travels.

Eric Model