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Northern California is lit up like a Roman candle most nights. We’re used to seeing city lights and neighborhood street lamps illuminate our towns and streets. Professional photographers understand something we don’t: light sets the mood. The darker the photo, the more mysterious, or sinister, or even magical the image. Surprise Valley, Modoc County flickr/beau rogers Romantic or frightening? I vote romantic. A zillion stars on display brings out the sweetness of a still night in Modoc County....

The highlight of pretty much any road trip is driving down the road, seeing the signs for hilariously named towns. When you drive through Iowa, you’re sure to have a laugh, or scratch your head and wonder “who came up with this name, and why the heck did they decide to go with this of all things?” For your next road trip, be sure to check out these 20 bizarrely and hilariously named towns in Iowa....

As the final resting place for departed souls, it’s no surprise that cemeteries are often sites of paranormal activity. If you’re brave enough, there are plenty of haunted cemeteries across Oregon to check out. Chances are, there’s even been a ghost sighting near you. Here are five Oregon cemeteries known to harbor lingering spirits. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this list is not for the faint of heart....

Minneapolis and Saint Paul might be bustling metropolitan cities, but they are both naturally beautiful as well. The best part about the area is you can choose between a variety of urban activities, or you can connect with nature without having to travel outside of the cities. There are some incredible natural gems in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and here are just five of them: Wood Lake Nature Center Yelp/John L. If you’re looking to see as much of nature in Minneapolis as possible, you must visit the wonder that is Wood Lake Nature Center....

Alright, Denverites, we need to have a very serious discussion. Are you sitting down? Good… Let’s begin. Do you have an emergency plan for if/when zombies invade the state? If you have your plan of attack, you probably already know that Live Science reported that the Rocky Mountains are the best place to hide “because it is so inaccessible and so few people live there.” Unfortunately, there may not be time to get to the Rockies before being mauled to death by the living dead, so here are 7 other places to hide in Denver in the event of a zombie apocalypse:...

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and there’s a whole lot of treasure to be found in Buffalo. Whether you’re looking for baby items, household goods, or a new dress to wear this weekend, chances are you can find it all on the shelves at one (or all) of these seven thrift stores in Buffalo. Take a look at our favorites and be sure to add your own to the list in the comments below!...

From potato chips to car parts, the Detroit area is responsible for some of the world’s most wonderful products. Few things are more fascinating than getting a behind-the-scenes look at how such products are created, and there are plenty of opportunities to do just that here in Motor City and its surrounding areas. Check out these eight awesome factory tours when you’re looking for a fun excursion. Ford Rouge Factory Tour (20900 Oakwood, Dearborn) Yelp/Jemmie W....

It’s raining in Oregon pretty much all the time (OK, maybe we’re exaggerating a wee-tad), so naturally you find yourself a little stir crazy every now and then if you’re stuck in the house during a big storm (we know, we know, you probably don’t even care about a typical shower.) But in case you were looking for something to do with the family that doesn’t depend on Oregon’s unpredictable weather, we picked out some great rainy day activities that everyone should love....

If you happen to be new to the New York area, you’ll quickly find that we have a lingo of our own just like very state across our country does. A unique dialect that’s often a major tell tale sign about where we’re from, there’s certain words that only New Yorkers will be able to understand and explain. If you’re looking to fit in with our longtime residents, try adding some of these phrases to your everyday conversations!...

Everyone knows that New Orleans was the birthplace of Jazz, but do you know what else was born in this beautiful city of ours? Check out the things below to learn which New Orleans’ firsts are new to you. And see if the inventions you knew about made the list! Poker Wikicommons / Public Domain While the exact origins of poker are hard to pinpoint, a lot of historians identify New Orleans in the early 19th century....

Thinking of moving to Montana? There are a few things you’re going to want to make sure you bring with you to ensure you have the best possible transition. Consider this list your Treasure State Survival Kit. A warm winter coat. And we mean warm. Charles Rodstrom/Flickr See also: Snow boots, gloves, a hat… A vehicle. DiamondBack Truck Covers/Flickr Public transportation exists, but it’s not fast or easy to navigate. Montana is huge....

What images come to mind when you think of witches? Perhaps misty evenings, black cats, green skin, and a hooked nose? What about where witches live? It seems that in American history, witches tend to be remembered only in Salem, Massachusetts. However, did you know Arizona had its own small witch trial? That’s right and it even happened in the not-too-distant past. First, let’s confront the fact that this witch trial took place not in a tiny, podunk town on the fringes of Arizona but in the middle of a bustling city: Tucson....

Even with our recent snow, it’s starting to finally feel like spring in Utah (in fact, the recent snow fits right in with spring in Utah, doesn’t it?) We’ll soon be back to warmer temperatures, and in the meantime, we can start planning our camping adventures now. In fact, if you’re coming from the northern part of the state, you’ll usually find warmer, more pleasant weather at this state park....

For many Idahoans, spending a summer day on the lake is the perfect way of getting some rest and relaxation in. This unique restaurant takes that idea to a whole other level since you’re literally dining on the lake. Complete with boat parking (so you can steer right up on your boat, of course), this place takes lakeside dining to an extreme. You haven’t lived until you’ve sat down and experienced a delicious meal right on top of one of the most gorgeous lakes in the entire country....

If you’re a thrifty, bargain basement shopping, treasure-seeking adventurer, then this is the one flea market in South Carolina you simply can’t afford to miss. With more than 1,000 vendor booths, it’s one of the largest indoor/outdoor flea markets in the entire Southeast. Check it out below. youtube/thesitecrew.com The Coastal Carolina Flea Market has been around for 35 years and has grown to be so big, you could probably spend an entire weekend combing through everything there is to discover at this gigantic bargain bin of vendors....

Homesnacks.com combed through the data from the American Community Survey to see what Illinois cities (with populations over 5,000) grew the most from 2010 to 2014. The results were surprising; it’s great to see some of Illinois’ small towns experiencing growth spurts. Read on for the fastest-growing towns in Illinois! Minooka (Grundy, Kendall, and Will Counties) Randy G. Whalen/Facebook Kicking off the top ten is this outer suburb of Chicago. Minooka grew by nearly 18% from 2010 to 2014, which is impressive!...

Are you just itching to get outside now that the weather is warming up? I know that I am, and I’ve found that spring is one of the very best times of year to explore some of Utah’s most beautiful spots. Take a look at these 13 places you should put on your list for April and May. Red Butte Garden Red Butte Garden/Facebook Red Butte Garden is beautiful right now!...

As 2016 comes to a close, we’re taking a look back at the places in Illinois we just couldn’t stop talking about this year. If you’ve never been to some of these incredible places, make it happen in 2017! For any that you’ve already visited, they are definitely worth a second look. The Harbor’s Edge (Waukegan) The Harbor’s Edge/Facebook When you’re hungry on a warm day in Lake County, there’s only one place you should be - The Harbor’s Edge restaurant....

Fifer Orchards in Camden-Wyoming has been a working farm for almost 100 years. The founder, Charles Frederick Fifer, moved his family to Kent County in 1919, seeking fertile ground to grow his fruit and vegetable crops. Delaware’s sandy, well draining soil and moderate climate make for a great growing season for a variety of crops, including peaches, pears, grapes, apples, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, lima beans, asparagus, strawberries and much more....

Here in Iowa, there’s so much beauty to see and explore, especially if you’re a nature lover. Whether you enjoy biking, hiking, swimming or camping, there’s really something here for everyone. If you love the outdoors, the following are 11 things you must add to your outdoor bucket list. Hitchcock Nature Area, Honey Creek Flickr/Northern Lights 119 The Hitchcock Nature Center is in the heart of the unique and beautiful Loess Hills....