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Happy December! We’re officially inching closer to full-fledged winter. Sure, it doesn’t totally set in until around January in North Carolina, but once it does, the weather might be chilly but the scenery is breathtaking. Scared to brace the cold? You’ll be missing out on beautiful scenery like this. A magical, snow covered campus at Wake Forest. Flickr / Alex Massengale A snowy coastal sunrise in New Bern. Flickr / Zach Frailey : The Uprooted Photographer...

With 90-degree days, and almost unbearable humidity, we Iowans will do almost anything to escape the summer heat. Don’t resort to hiding away in your air-conditioned house; get out and have some fun in the sun at these 7 beautiful beaches in Iowa! Lake Okoboji, Dickinson County Richard Johnson/Flickr Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County natron_bomb/Flickr Spirit Lake, Dickinson County A. M. A. Campbell/Flickr Five Island Lake, near Emmetsburg J. Stephen Conn/Flickr...

This structure in Brownsville, Pennsylvania is decaying in a beautiful way. Originally operating as a general hospital, the massive complex was abandoned over 30 years ago due to federal investigations into the living conditions at the facility. Today, it’s a beautiful ruin. Flickr/Forsaken Fotos Flickr/Forsaken Fotos The hospital was born in 1908 out of Brownsville’s need for a place to treat “those injured in accidents in the coal mines, coke ovens, railroads, and other industrial enterprises....

For more than 60 years, this little chapel in Elkhart Lake has been turning heads. It is designed in the style of a chapel in the English countryside. It was consecrated in 1951. This chapel is made out of native field stone and is partially plastered. The inside has gorgeous wood beams in the ceiling. The floor is constructed out of a spectacular slate. It is constructed in the Gothic style, but slightly softer....

The next time you’re in the Charleston area, there’s a little park over on Johns Island that’s worth the drive. From Charleston’s famous Market Street it’s 11.8 miles away, and it showcases one of the most incredible natural wonders in the Palmetto State. From some angles, it may look like you’re entering a grove of oak trees. But… TripAdvisor/Terrie J …step through the canopy and you’ll discover the biggest live oak tree in the whole state....

It’s the time of year when most of us are just itching to get out and explore Arizona’s natural beauty. Here’s one gorgeous hiking trail that offers beautiful wildflowers, majestic mountains and stunning views. It might just be the most underrated hike in the entire state! The Santa Catalina mountains north of Tucson are beautiful throughout the year, but in the summer they offer a shady respite from the heat....

When we think of natural springs in Texas, our mind automatically jumps to Hamilton Pool. Not to say that’s unwarranted – it’s arguably the most beautiful place in our entire state. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other contenders that give it a run for its money. Plus, the more well-known attractions in the hill country are always packed with tourists during the spring and summer, so you can’t really get the full experience of the serenity and majesty of nature anyway....

The Hawaiian Islands are world-renowned for their incredible beaches, cascading waterfalls, and lush landscapes, but you’re sure in for a surprise to discover that the Hawaiian Islands – specifically the island of Hawaii – are home to 10 of the world’s 14 distinct climates, including deserts. This vast and mysterious land located within the southwesternmost district on the island of Hawaii, the Ka’u desert is home to dried lava remnants, volcanic ash, sand, and gravel – and little else....

If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded place to relax and unwind away from the sounds of the city, you will love the resort in Innsbrook, Missouri. Here, you will only hear crickets, and maybe bullfrogs along the water’s edge. The drive from St. Louis will transport you to the deep country, where you’ll still have all the standard modern amenities, including WiFi. Check out this great getaway destination. Innsbrook Resort Rentals here are condominiums, each with its own unique charm....

There are plenty of candy stores in Nebraska – you can see 11 of our favorites here – but it’s not often that you find a shop so dedicated to bringing you one type of candy from all over the world. Licorice International in Lincoln sells 160 types of licorice. Facebook/Licorice International The treats come from 12 countries around the world. Facebook/Licorice International The store, located in the Haymarket, is a welcoming place where you’re likely to be greeted by the owners as soon as you step in....

As you follow curving streets lined with quaint red brick buildings, you’d be forgiven for imagining you’d traveled back in time. Instead, you’re a mere hour from Boston, in charming Newburyport! This seaport town is currently home to about 17,000 people, but there’s much more to see and do here than the population size might suggest. Discover waterfront parks, go antique hunting, and savor peace and quiet at a wildlife refuge....

Rhode Island is known as a vibrant foodie destination for so many reasons! Not only is it filled with mouthwatering restaurants ranging from authentic Italian and Mexican and more, it also has some of the most unique places. From elegant contemporary eateries, to quirky mom and pop delis, Little Rhody truly has it all. Though there are many one-of-a-kind restaurants in the state, one place stands out for its unbeatably kitschy theme....

Some moments live with us forever. Moments that bring a community, a nation, together in sorrow. Most people who lived in Pittsburgh in the early 1990s likely remember exactly where they were when the local media broke into the evening television programming, sometime after 7 p.m. on September 8, 1994. The unthinkable happened: USAir Flight 427 crashed in Hopewell Township, killing all 132 aboard. Wikimedia Commons/Aero Icarus At 5 p.m. on September 8, 1994, USAir Flight 427 took off from Chicago O’Hare Airport en route to Pittsburgh with 132 people aboard the Boeing 737....

One of the perks of living in Mississippi is the breathtaking scenery and beautiful natural wonders. Gorgeous locales can be found all over the Magnolia State, and Snow Lake Shores is definitely one of them. The tiny town is situated in northern Mississippi. Centered around a gorgeous lake and practically overflowing with small town charm, Snow Lake Shores is a little slice of paradise hidden right here in Mississippi. Take a look:...

Have you ever wanted to do something so seemingly impossible and dangerous it seems crazy to even attempt it? Well, slacklining might be the activity for you. Similar to tightrope walking, slacklining was developed by a group of climbers in California during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and is characterized by the use of webbing to create a dynamic line with stretch and bounce – kind of like a long, and extremely narrow trampoline....

An apocalyptic-looking sight is looming over Pennsylvania, and it’s really freaking people out. Don’t worry though – it’s not time to head to the bunker just yet. This massive, eerie-looking phenomenon is called a shelf cloud. They usually appear on the edges of thunderstorms or a squall line of tornadoes. When you see a shelf cloud like this one, you’ll usually feel a sudden change in wind direction. This is your signal to get to shelter – hail or heavy rain is usually only three to five minutes away....

The most eclectic store on the planet is located in Southern California and it’s one weird, wacky and wonderful place to shop. Starting as a small family owned business in the ’70s, this SoCal destination has expanded over the years and has since become a popular place in the neighborhood that draws in crowds from all over the world. Soap Plant Wacko just might be the most wonderfully bizarre store you’ll ever encounter....

Grab your camera and catch a shot of untouched Illinois wilderness on an extensive river path. With multiple access points across two counties, the trails are well-known by locals for taking leisurely strolls or walking the dog. No matter the season, this lovely path will lead you to beautiful landscapes and stunning waterways. Keep reading for fun facts and information about this wonderful trail. The Des Plaines River flows southward 133 miles through gorgeous nature preserves....

Colorado’s Red Mountain is home to the most dangerous road in America, and a select group of people who risk their lives to maintain it. Highway 550 gets over 300 inches of snow per year. To make matters worse, the road crosses 70 known avalanche paths…and has almost no guardrails. When winter hits hard, this road can be a deathtrap if it isn’t kept clear of snow and ice. Luckily, a few brave plow drivers are just mad enough to tackle the task....

Maybe you’re not too familiar with some of Kansas’s romantic dining scenes. Maybe you just want to treat yourself for a romantic getaway and leave everyone else out of it. Either way, there’s plenty of romantic places to go, if you’re in the mood for something quiet, fun, sensual, or pampering. (Who doesn’t want a day to treat themselves?) Cafe Bel Ami in Wichita is a French/Mediterranean cuisine establishment and a local favorite to many....