On the Space Coast: Cocoa Beach, Florida

With its relaxed vibe, Cocoa Beach is a beautiful community to explore on Florida's Space Coast. Located just south of Cape Canaveral, on a clear day you can see some of the launch pads along the coastline. Naturally, Cocoa Beach experienced substantial growth as the space race accelerated during the 1960s. The community even held parades for astronauts here after manned space flights. While today surfing continues to be a popular draw, there's still a small chance of running into an astronaut here (or at least someone who works at Kennedy Space Center).
 

Cocoa Beach Pier

Ewart Duggan House in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Located next to the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta, the Ewart Duggan house is the oldest standing brick home in the province of Alberta. At the time of its construction in 1887 most of the community was little more than tents and wooden structures. There's no doubt that it was as much a landmark then as it has become now.

According to Archives Canada, "In 1883, John Ewart moved west with the rails. He met Thomas Tweed in Winnipeg, and the two proceeded further west together, first by rail, then by horse and buggy. The two arrived in Medicine Hat before the CPR, and established a general store in a tent on the riverbank. The business was called "Tweed and Ewart". John Ewart married Jessie Herald, the daughter of the local Presbyterian Minister James Herald in 1887. Their home, a red brick house now located at 443 1st Street SE, was also built the same year." After the death of Mr. and Mrs. Ewart, their daughter Jacqueline and her husband Hector O. Duggan lived in the home.

Explore the interior of the historic house here.

View of the courthouse from the Heritage Garden.

Ewart Duggan House ca. 1910

One of the Duggan children carved this into the brick in 1928.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas

Opened in 1960, the Big Texan Steak Ranch is a steakhouse and motel located in Amarillo, Texas. Originally built along Route 66, the steakhouse was moved to its present day location on I-40 in 1970 when the interstate bypassed the old restaurant. Few Texas roadside attractions feel quite as distinctly 'Texan' as this gem. It's well worth pulling over for.