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Whoa whoa whoa – an elephant sanctuary?! In Tennessee? This has to be some kind of joke, right? Actually, it’s not. The famed Hohenwald elephant sanctuary provides a refuge for elephants that have been in captivity, shuttled in from places like Nashville or Memphis. It was founded in 1995, and operates as the largest natural-habitat refuge for the gentle giants. Elephants.Com You’d never guess that beautiful Hohenwald, Tennessee would be home to such exquisite and unique animals....

Located approximately five miles north of Florence, in Lauderdale County, are the Forks of Cypress ruins. The Forks of Cypress, which was built in 1822, was a Greek Revival plantation home that sat on a cotton plantation. Before this historic plantation home burned to the ground, it was once considered one of Alabama’s finest homes. And judging from photos of the exterior and interior, it’s easy to understand why. An architect who went by the name of William Nichols designed the Forks of Cypress for James Jackson and his wife, Sally....

Located at the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site on the Oregon coast, the Neskowin Ghost Forest is a hauntingly beautiful natural wonder. At low tide, you can see amazing 2,000-year-old tree trunks jutting out of the sand, like apparitions of the forest that used to stand there. This unique place is enchanting through and through. In the late 1990s, powerful coastal storms revealed something unexpected at Neskowin Beach— an ancient forest buried in the sand....

The rugged buttes of the badlands in North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park offer unique scenery you can’t find anywhere else. The deep canyons formed in this park are full of a diverse ecosystem. Trails through these canyons allow you to get up close and personal to all of this, and there are a few in particular that are absolutely perfect. You will not be able to find the same experience anywhere else....

Springtime is the perfect time to get outdoors and explore nature. West Virginia has hundreds of great spots to get in touch with the natural world, but this one spot on the Ohio River is especially perfect for a family adventure. The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to go exploring as a family. USFWS The visitor’s center is surrounded by natural beauty. USFWS The refuge is in an ideal spot to see colorful birds....

Birth and death are two fundamental experiences of life that always leave a mark on those who witness them. When a child is born there is celebration, and when someone dies they are mourned… However, when someone is murdered… mourning is accompanied by even more sadness, confusion, and despair. Fortunately, we do not experience a lot of murders in the Bluegrass, especially compared to other states. We have had a few horrific homicides over the years, and here are 10 of them:...

Puns are a source of contention… Some people love them and can’t stop making them, and everyone else gets increasingly annoyed by them. Whether you love them or hate them, puns are here to stay and they are a great naming strategy for your business. These clever business names will have you rolling with laughter! Lawn and Order, Dunmore Lawn and Order Landscaping/ Facebook To take care of the grass that’s out of line....

When we think about the evil that exists in the world, there’s always one event that stands out as more horrific than the rest. In the case of Michigan, we have the Bath School Massacre, in which 38 children and six adults were killed, and another 58 people were injured. We don’t bring this up to get you down, but rather to remind us all that we still have to fight to see the good in society, not matter what stands in our past....

Alabama schools have changed a lot since the early 1900s. For example, today’s schools are large buildings with individual classrooms, whereas back in the early 1900s, most schools were comprised of only one room with students of different grade levels. Listed below are 13 photos that showcase what school life looked like in Alabama during the early 1900s. This is what a one-room schoolhouse in Alabama looked like in 1935. wikipedia...

Illinois is full of all kinds of treasures, including some unusual ones. Here are 10 unusual spots in Illinois that you need to check out. Pyramid Home Chuck Falzone/Flickr That’s not Egypt, but Wadsworth. The home builder attempted to replicate the pyramids of Egypt. There are tours to see this place–and you’ll definitely want to. Hippie Memorial Ken Bosma/Flickr Head to Arcola for the world’s only memorial to hippies. It is a whopping 60 feet long....

One of the things we love most about Alabama is that it is full of surprises. No matter how well you think you know this state, there is always a new place or interesting fact waiting to be discovered. Here are just a few of our wonderful state’s secrets: The first Mardi Gras celebration was held in Mobile in 1703. Flickr/Pieter Morlion The rocket that took the first Americans to the moon (Saturn V), was designed at the Marshall Space Center in Huntsville....

West Virginia has some beautiful wildlife. And lucky for us, we also have some great photographers. Check these awesome shots that photographers took right here in the Mountain State. This woodpecker Jason Means/Flickr This was taken in Dunbar. This golden eagle Jason Means This was taken during a birds of prey photography workshop at the Three Rivers Avian Center in Brooks, W.Va. These deer Flickr/Mike Aren’t they cute? This owl Sonja/Flickr This was also taken at the Three Rivers Avian Center....

Oh, the first kiss..such an exciting, nerve-wracking, much-anticipated moment that really sets the stage for the rest of the relationship. The movie Titanic makes a first kiss look effortless, but for some of us (me included) it requires a bit more planning. Luckily, I found these amazing spots right here in Texas that offer the perfect setting to make your first kiss a truly unforgettable experience. Bring your love out to the Williams Tower Waterwall in Houston, one of the best places in the city to sneak in that first kiss....

Life is good in the Beaver State. Maybe it’s even too good, because it makes it difficult to live anywhere else. When you leave, you can suddenly see all the many things that are missing from your life. Whether it’s the local beer, the delicious food, the amazing scenery or the proximity to nature, it’s time to face it: Oregon has spoiled us. Here’s 16 ways the beautiful state of Oregon “ruins” its residents for life:...

We have taken a look back at our beautiful state from the 1940s, 1950s and 1970s these past few months. Going through the different eras, it is impossible not to recognize the changes in our state. Today, we will take a look back into another great decade of change. Here are 17 cool 1960s flashback photographs to reflect on: Nietta Dunn, a protester for civil rights during the 1960s, Lexington. KY....

We’re beyond lucky to live in a state with such amazing and diverse scenery. Where else can you go from cityscapes to farmland to rolling sand dunes to rocky bluffs, all within the borders of one state? We share a lot of nature photos here, but there’s a good reason for that: Nebraska is just completely beautiful. These scenes perfectly capture Nebraska. The Old Market area in Omaha, looking east from the 40th floor of the First National building....

Are you tired of renting and in search of a place to call your own? Even if you’re on a tight budget, the Sunflower State is home to several affordable homes just waiting to be bought! Case in point: these 5 Kansas houses that you can purchase for less than $10,000. Historic 1928 3-bed, 2-bath home in Blue Rapids Zillow Zillow Zillow Asking Price: $10,000 Charming 2-bed, 1-bath fixer-upper in Junction City Zillow...

Some of us get petrified and are afraid of heights and danger, while others get inspired and live for the thrill. Whether you are fearless or fearful, here are 6 terrifying views in Oklahoma that will make your palms sweat: Downtown Oklahoma City flickr/filter collective This guy thinks he’s on top of the world while looking down at the street in downtown Oklahoma City. Mount Scott (N. of Lawton) flickr/dee ashley Mount Scott’s highest point is 2,464 feet and is located in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge....

When we think of water parks, we typically envision sprawling outdoor amusement parks with lazy rivers, massive water slides and other attractions, all out under the bright summer sun. But this water park is open year round, rain or shine – even when there’s a foot of snow on the ground! Located in Omaha at 3321 S 72nd St, CoCo Key Water Resort is the perfect alternative to outdoor water parks any time of the year....

The Farmer’s Almanac announces their winter forecast in August, and this year the predictions for Delaware are in. While there’s nothing prettier than a gorgeous snowscape, many Delawareans aren’t going to be thrilled with what the Farmer’s Almanac says about the 2017-2018 Delaware winter. You’ll be seeing a lot of the frozen banks along the Brandywine in early 2018. Flickr / TC Davis Along with the rest of the Northeast, we’re apparently in for a wet, snowy winter....