Posts

Pittsburghers don’t usually get too perturbed by snow. Sure, the calling for a few inches might mean rushing to the store to stock up on the essentials, but we usually take it in stride. Now, blizzards are a whole different story. One blizzard – the Thanksgiving storm of 1950 – still holds the record for the most snowfall in Pittsburgh. Pittsburghers expected a white Thanksgiving in 1950 with meteorologists calling for up to a foot of snow over the holiday....

We’re at the height of summer in Minnesota, the time of year when things really start to get steamy. If you’re looking for a place to cool down, it might be difficult to find a place free from crowds. But maybe you’re looking in the wrong places. It may surprise you that in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, one of the best top secret beaches isn’t at a lake at all....

A tree house is a magical place and most of us have extremely fond memories of growing up climbing into one or wishing we could. Have you ever heard of an underground tree house, though? There’s one right here in Northern California and it is hands down one of the coolest tree houses you’ll probably ever lay eyes on. It is called the Eternal Tree House and it’s located along the Avenue of Giants in Humboldt County....

Kansas is home to golden fields of wheat, homemade German cuisine and some of the quirkiest roadside attractions in the country. What else can a person possibly need?! Well, if you’re a Kansan, you also need: Your team Flickr/Wichita State TV A true Kansan warns others about going to war with the Shockers and Rocks Chalk, or gives glory in the combat for the purple and white. KC BBQ Flickr/Luis Ramirez KC BBQ > Memphis & Texas BBQ COMBINED....

Maryland has quite a few wildlife refuges, one of which we previously wrote about here. Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is special, however, because it’s located on its very own island. This scenic refuge is open to visitors and you’ll absolutely want to check it out. Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is an island located on the Chester River. Google Maps It encompasses 2,285-acres of lush habitats for migratory birds, including wetlands, grasslands, and ponds....

Utah is pretty far away from Kentucky, but did you know that Utah is the home of the first Kentucky Fried Chicken in the country? It’s true! Take a look: Harland Sanders developed his secret recipe for fried chicken in 1940 while operating a motel/restaurant in North Carolina. KFC/Facebook In the meantime, Pete and Arline Harman were opening their first restaurant, the Do Drop Inn. Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr They purchased the tiny restaurant for $700 in 1941....

Utah’s slot canyons are stunning…sheer red-rock cliffs towering above you, while just a slice of blue sky creates a heavenly ceiling. Hiking through a slot canyon is like being in another world, where you’re cut off from civilization and completely immersed in nature. While all of Utah’s slots are amazing, there’s a mini slot canyon near Boulder that offers something truly special and unique. It’s called “Singing Canyon.” The mini slot canyon is located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, just a few miles from Boulder....

We all know by now not to judge a book (or restaurant) by its cover. Some of our best dive restaurants are easy to drive by, if you don’t know the deliciousness that awaits just inside. Here’s another incredible restaurant in Indiana that you probably wouldn’t ever glance twice at. Mhav2k/Zomato Vito Provolone’s is an amazing Italian restaurant located just north of Greenwood. This restaurant is housed in a run-of-the-mill strip mall and definitely doesn’t stand out from the street....

If I had a dollar for every time I told someone I live in Maine and heard them say, “Oh! That’s where Stephen King lives, right? In Bang-er” in response, I would be a very rich Mainer. Our Native American past means that we’ve got some of the best places names anywhere! From Passamaquoddy to Mooselookmeguntic to the should-be-simple, Saco – it’s no wonder people from away are constantly getting lost....

“Quaint” doesn’t even begin to describe this hidden Berkshire gem. Tucked away in Housatonic, Pleasant and Main is a whimsical cottage cafe and restaurant that provides food and atmosphere that will lend a little magic to your day. Here’s why this amazing cottage restaurant is like no other. Pleasant and Main just might be the most enchanting restaurant around. Yelp/Jane M. The general store-turned-cafe looks and feels like a fairytale cottage....

With summer is in full swing, thousands of people are heading to Maryland’s most popular beach destination, Ocean City. If you’re seeking a serene beachy spot away from all of the crowds, then this secluded park may be what you’ve been searching for. Here’s why this gorgeous state park in Maryland is worth checking out. Located in Crisfield, Janes Island State Park is off the beaten path. Trip Advisor / Crisfield...

Lake George has been making headlines…but not in a good way. The beloved New York lake was closed to the public for five days due to dangerous high levels of E. coli. The Department of Environmental Conservation closed the lake on June 23 in order to test for potential sources of the dangerous bacteria. Million Dollar Beach, the most popular swimming area on the lake, has just been reopened to the public following the testing....

Let’s face it—sometimes outdoorsy stuff is hard. Even thinking about climbing mountains and paddling down a river can make you tired. The good news is that there are tons of outdoorsy things here in Arkansas that are easy. And I do mean easy. Here are 11 of those things: Visit Turpentine Creek. Flickr/Doug Wertman This is a wildlife rescue that specializes in big cats, but also has all kinds of other predators as well....

Tourism is a big industry in Arizona, and it accounts for a big chunk of the state’s yearly revenue. In 2014, an estimated 40.7 million people spent nearly $21 billion while traveling the state, and I think you can expect those numbers grew last year and this year. With so many tourists flocking to the state, playing a game of “spot the tourist” can make for an interesting people watching game....

For most of the country, the Great Depression was a time of both hardships and change. However, for many in the agricultural business these unfortunate circumstances also led to a period of migration and creating a new life in a new place. Here are some examples of what that life looked like: This is a cotton field being irrigated in May 1937. Cotton was one of the more prolific agricultural industries and still is today....

The holiday season is a wonderful time to enjoy family and count your blessings. Don’t you agree? It may not always seem like it, but 2015 is a good time to be living in Colorado with its ample job opportunities, traditions and overall beauty. However, this hasn’t always been the case… In fact, Colorado has seen its fair share of tough times, as shown by these 17 stunning photos taken during the Great Depression:...

We all know that Minnesota is cold and has a lot of lakes, but there is much more to the state than meets the eye. You may be surprised to learn these lesser known facts, OR if you think you’re an expert, see how many of these you’ve already committed to memory. In Minnesota, there are 201 Mud Lakes, 154 Long Lakes, and 123 Rice Lakes commonly named. Flickr/Doc Searls...

Oklahoma is full of talented photographers and we are grateful for their shared photos on our Only In Oklahoma’s Facebook page. Oklahoma has one of the most diverse topographies in the country, harboring more than 10 distinct ecological regions, which makes it a haven for photo enthusiasts. We are featuring our Facebook fans most stunning photos that have been submitted to our page. A big shout out from Only In Oklahoma for all the beautiful shared photographs, and if you haven’t yet, please feel free to submit your talented work!...

If there’s one thing we could do without when off on a camping trip, it’s the crowds. So many people all flocking to the same place at once, playing loud music, setting up their tents way too close to yours, and taking away from the natural beauty that you were looking for. That’s why you need to find someplace more rustic, where you’re less likely to come across big crowds of fellow campers....

Hiking during the winter is always a strange thing. Do we fight the cold for a freezing look at the bluffs? Do we yammer our way through the backwoods, searching for frozen waterfalls? Well, the answer to this is a solid YES. Why wouldn’t you?! And why wouldn’t you want to…? If you’re looking to stay close to home in Nashville, we’ve found five beautiful places – some a bit more tame than others – for an afternoon out and about in nature....