Last week, I featured several spectacular reader submitted photos. You loved them, and this week, I’m doing it again. Only in New Jersey has some very talented readers, and I just love to showcase their work. If you’d like to submit a photo, see the instructions at the end of this post. An autumn twilight in Atsion, taken by John Hooven. John Hooven This serene shot was snapped at Atsion Lake....
We’ve tasted some seriously delicious grilled cheese sandwiches in Utah, (Caffe Niche and Lucky 13 in Salt Lake, Cravings Bistro in Pleasant Grove and Station 22 Cafe in Provo all come to mind). But if you really want a grilled-cheese experience, visit a restaurant that specializes in nothing but the gooey, toasty, cheesy goodness of the grilled cheese. Our favorite restaurant once had multiple locations across the state, but they’ve simplified a bit and just have one physical location and a food truck now....
Mother Nature just can’t seem to make up her mind this winter. We’re bundled up and watching the snow fall one day, and in shorts and flipflops the next. Celebrate those early bursts of spring by indulging in some of the best ice cream in Pittsburgh at Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, a quaint shop that serves both traditional and innovative flavors. Celebrate the creamy richness of homemade ice cream with a visit to the quaint Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, where you’ll be greeted by a cheerful pink sign as you…...
One of the most impressive American folk art sites can be found right here in Ohio—and it’s a backyard masterpiece that will likely make you do a double-take. Observe a mixture of history, religion, and Depression-era pop culture at the Hartman Rock Garden, built by Harry “Ben” Hartman from 1932 – 1939. The garden can be seen today at the corner of McCain and Russell streets in Springfield. It’s a truly unique roadside attraction you have to see to believe....
You may have heard about Mountain View. It’s the Folk Music Capital of the World, and home of the Ozark Folk Center, which is charged with keeping the memory of traditional Ozarks culture. There’s something that gets overlooked when it comes to Mountain View—and that’s the breathtaking natural beauty that totally surrounds it. You can get directions to Mountain View by clicking here. Mountain View is totally surrounded by a gorgeous forest....
Ohio’s oldest town is bound to host a haunting or two. The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. It’s a beautiful town, known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets, sternwheelers—and ghosts. Right across the Ohio River stands Ohio’s most haunted hotel. It’s one of the most popular paranormal attractions in the historic town. Amy Farr/Flickr This old-world hotel dates back to 1918, and is rumored to be haunted by its former owner....
If you haven’t planned at least a few camping trips for this summer, you’re missing out. It’s a great way to bask in Maine’s beauty, and a wonderful way to get away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. Here’s a campground that’s the perfect place to pitch your tent! Sebago Lake State Park is one of Maine’s oldest state parks, and arguably its most beautiful. The 1,342-acre park is located on the shores of Sebago Lake, near Naples and Casco....
Sometimes, you just need to get in the car and see where the day takes you. Iowa is home to many scenic byways, and one of the most beautiful is the Grant Wood Scenic Byway that meanders through eastern Iowa as far as the Mississippi River. So relax and take a deep breath as you take in Iowa’s beautiful rolling countryside, with its lush cornfields, farmhouses, trees and birds. In between taking in the scenery, you may want to explore many stops along the way, like museums, wineries, antique shops, restaurants and museums....
There are so many ways to get out and play in nature when you live in Utah. Our ski resorts are gorgeous in the summer, and we love to ski them in the winter, but here’s a non-skiing activity you can do year-round. Take a look at the Alpine Coaster at Park City Resort – it’s open right now! The Alpine Coaster at Park City Resort is an exhilarating mountain coaster that takes you right through a beautiful alpine forest....
From ancient waterfalls to the Old Man in the Mountain, New Hampshire has its share of geological marvels. After all, there’s a reason we’re known as the Granite State! But if you haven’t visited this particular incredible work of nature, you’re missing out. Tucked into Franconia Notch is The Basin, a geological wonder that dates back 25,000 years. Flickr/Peter Rivera As the Ice Age came to an end and the glacier that formed Franconia Notch melted, the granite bedrock underneath the glacier was eroded....
Here in Tennessee, we love our heritage, and we love our rivers. And what says river heritage more than a classic riverboat? Seeing our beautiful state from the water is one of the best ways to do it, and we found a riverboat in Chattanooga that allows you to do just that. Sit back, relax, and let the steady water of the Tennessee River take you away on this Tennessee hidden gem....
Everyone loves a good mystery, right? How about those types of mysteries which are buried underground, and ultimately locked behind a steel door so that nobody can enter until May 28, 8113? We’re talking about the Crypt of Civilization, which is located in the basement of Phoebe Hearst Hall, at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia. This 2,000-cubic-foot crypt, which was welded shut on May 25, 1940, now remains behind a steel door, not to be opened again for more than 6,000 years....
You have heard the expression “like a kid in a candy store,” right? I have news for you… I may like candy just as much as my 2 1/2-year-old (if not more)! That being said, my eyes grew huge and my ears perked up when I discovered this massive Colorado candy factory and store that gave me not only major nostalgia, but cavities. How lucky are we that the world famous Hammond’s Candy Factory is located right in our own backyard?...
The oldest restaurant in Tennessee has been lauded for years as the king of Nashville foodie history – but now? It deserves a new-fangled title: oldest restaurant in the state. Varallo’s Chili Parlor has a long, illustrious history since its humble beginnings in 1907. Although the original restaurant location isn’t in operation, Varallo’s Too is ready for a visit. Take a walk down memory lane with us, won’t you? Varallos - Facebook Frank Varallo made his way from Italy to Nashville in the early 20th century and opened his fame restaurant in 1907....
If you zoom way in on the map of Superior, Wisconsin and check out just south of the city, there are two narrow strips of land that jut out into Lake Superior. One of them is in Minnesota and one is in Wisconsin. There’s a small break between the two known as the Superior Entry Channel. To the southeast is an area known as Wisconsin Point. This may be the longest freshwater beach you’ll find and honestly, folks who know about this beach are going to be mad I’m telling you about it....
There are many things Nevadans do that are considered weird by most out-of-staters. However, for Nevadans, doing these things is as normal as it gets. Listed below are 10 normal things many Nevadans do that are considered weird by those who live elsewhere. flickr/James Marvin Phelps Do aliens really exist? flickr/Nick Ares After all, Nevada is one of the most haunted U.S. states. flickr/Ron Mader It’s simple to pronounce, yet so many people find it quite difficult....
Spring is just around the corner, and even though winter has been pretty mild, we’re all getting tired of being cooped up inside. We found these places in Delaware that are prime for a good solid boost of adrenaline to kick the winter blues away. Catch a plane from Laurel to go skydiving. Matt / Flickr Kayak down the Brandywine River. TC Davis / Flickr Mountain bike the trails in White Clay Creek State Park....
Some say it’s the “little things in life that matter the most.” But for some South Carolinians in the 19th century, it was the “little things in death” that mattered the most. In the 1800s, being buried alive was a real possibility. Medical science had yet to be able to always declare someone absolutely dead. This fueled a fear in people who were terrified of being buried alive. That is, until someone invented the “safety coffin…....
Vermont has never been a rich state. It has been founded and harvested upon the hard work of dedicated people who had to face many difficulties, including the harsh winters year after year. A devastating blow to Vermont’s livelihood was the the Great Flood of 1927 which shattered the state and caused an estimated $21 million in damage. Vermont’s roads, bridges, and railways were hit hard and local communities could not afford to rebuild....
The nation might not know it yet, but there are few places as beautiful as Rhode Island to call home. There are fantastic state parks and natural attractions found all around us! If you’re looking to have an easy-going walk overlooking the waterfront, keep on reading. The Cliff Walk, Newport Flickr/new-york-city The Newport Cliff Walk became a designated national recreation trail in 1975. The trail is 3.5 miles of gorgeous walking path overlooking Narragansett Bay....
