by Ron N. Sullivan

Created on: January 31, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

The American eagle flies high above the rugged coastline.

Cliffs. Rocky shores. Sand dunes. Sea Lions. Whales. Seabirds. Shorebirds. Birds of prey. Waterfowl. Plants. Flowers. They exist below.

This is the Oregon Coast. Over 362 miles of this coastal temperate rainforest is public land. The bountiful forests and waters provided Native Americans with food and shelter over 12,000 years ago. It was and is a land of plenty. The natural and rugged beauty of this part of America represents all that is perfect, all that is right. It is a crown that must not be tarnished.

As the eagle continues its flight southwards, its eyes capture not the image of nature, but the image of man. This great bird swoops from the sky, flapping its wings over Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim, California.

Fun. Laughter. Excitement. Dreams. Adventure. Children. Wonderment. Celebration. Hope. Exploration. Fantasies.

On July 18, 1955, Walt Disney opened Disneyland (Disneyland Park) to the people of the world. Since that time, the American Entrepreneur's fantasy world has brought enjoyment to over 515 million visitors. The park represents initiative and inspiration to America.

After leaving the dreams of man, the eagle's magnificent wings cast but a minute shadow over the expansive canyon below.

Majestic. Rocks. Heights. River. Trails. Breathtaking. Beautiful. Colorful. Expansive.

The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 4 to 18 miles wide, and at times over a mile deep; it is layered in almost two billion years of history. By the early twentieth century residents of the area accepted the fact that because of the canyon's beauty tourism was more profitable than mining. This great gift of nature must be past on to future generations; it is a legacy that must not be neglected.

With the grandeur of the canyon far behind, the eagle glides high above the skyline of New York City, its eagle eyes trained precisely on Manhattan.

New Year's Eve. Dick Clark. Excitement. Resolutions. Bright. Loud. People. Laughing. Remembrance. Future. Hopes. Dreams.

The "Crossroads of the World", as it is sometimes called, Times Square is an admired world landmark. It became a gathering and celebration place for New Yorkers in the early twentieth century. The first ball was dropped on December 31,1907, signifying New Year's Day. Every year Times Square has celebrated the hopes and dreams of America.

Flying to its perch high atop the lady of New York, the American eagle, with noticeable pride, eyes the vision below.

Freedom. Democracy. Friendship. Immigrants. France. Dreams. Hopes. Future. Families. Desires.

The Statue of Liberty is located on a 12-acre island in New York Harbor. The statue, a gift from France, was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Now a national monument, this Lady of Liberty is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy; it denotes all that is America; and one day, all that is the world.

These are the five top tourist attractions in the USA; they are America.

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