Iowa has many beautiful bridges. Perhaps there are even too many to visit in a lifetime, unless you dedicate many years to the endeavor. But if you’re looking for a great place to start, here are just ten that are among the most beautiful bridges in our state. Black Hawk Bridge, Lansing Adam/Flickr The Black Hawk Bridge joins the town of Lansing, Iowa, to rural Crawford County, Wisconsin across the stunning Mississippi River....
Everyone in Iowa is smart – and that’s a fact. With the highest literacy rates and the highest graduation rates in the nation, that’s pretty plain to see. But if you want to delve a little deeper into the subject and find out just where exactly the smartest people in our highly-educated state live, then we have good news for you, because the following 15 places are the smartest in Iowa:...
Bridges are built for practical reasons, but they have their own type of beauty. Whether you squeeze your eyes shut when crossing one (hopefully not while driving) or are thrilled by the view, you’ll find the architecture of these New Mexican bridges impressive. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, near Taos Flickr/Monique Martinez Flickr/Lane B Flickr/Jenni Konrad This steel bridge has the honor of being the second highest bridge in the U.S. Highway System and the fifth tallest in the nation....
Most people love Chicago – unless you happen to be from Illinois. From the hordes of people to navigating the one-way streets, it really can be a pain. Illinoisans may complain about the city, but most have to admit there are some great things about it too. Sports Teams Wikimedia Commons/Paul Cutler As much as Illinoisans like to complain about Chicago, they have to admit they’d be missing out on some really cool sports teams without it....
The Elks are one of the oldest social clubs in the country, founded in 1868. One of the earlier lodges for its members was built in 1916 in New Castle, Pennsylvania and stood for almost 100 years. Abandoned America photographer Matthew Christopher got these incredible shots of the interior of New Castle Elks Lodge in 2011, less than a month before the building was demolished. Though he came across the site accidentally, it’s almost as if fate drove him to capture the building’s glory before its destruction....
If you’re in the mood for some true, authentic Italian food in a place where it’s a little hard to come by, you need to know about these five restaurants in North Dakota. From their pasta to their pizza, their food is mouthwateringly delicious and just waiting for you to try. Cugini Italian Bistro - Williston Google Maps Cugini Italian Bistro/Facebook This recently opened restaurant is quickly becoming a big hit in Williston, and for good reason....
Criminals by nature have to rely on their cunning capabilities to pull off heists, drug deals, and other shady activities. Sometimes that doesn’t always work out and they make blunders that tangle up their scheming ways. Here are some dumb criminal cases in Michigan that will have you ROTFL. 6) Darth Vader Robbery A man in Ferndale decided it would be a good idea to robbery a convenience store by disguising himself as Darth Vader....
My mom is a major science fiction fan so I spent a good chunk of my childhood watching all kinds of movies and television shows. We watched just about everything in the Star Trek canon, Star Wars, nearly every alien movie that came out in the ’80s and early ’90s, “The X-Files,” and lots of anime. I never became a huge science fiction fan (although, I will admit to dressing up for Harry Potter movies and attending the midnight book releases) but I think the predicaments often found in these films informed a lot of my childhood thinking....
Looking for great beer? West Virginia has plenty of local options for you. Check out these breweries that call the Mountain State home. Charleston Brewing Company D h./yelp Definitely try the Raj at this Charleston brewery that’s housed in the same building as Black Sheep Burrito in downtown Charleston. Wheeling Brewing Company Wheeling Brewing Company/Facebook Located in the historic Centre Market district in downtown Wheeling, this brewery gets 5-star reviews. Visitors say there’s great beer and a great atmosphere....
I remember back in 1998 when my family first connected to the Internet. Shortly after my parents signed up with AOL, I discovered email, instant messaging and fan fiction. Oh, yeah, and there was that fun dial-up intro song we all grew to love. Since the Internet required a phone connection back then, any time spent online was severely limited in my household. I suspect most people didn’t spend their lives connected to their computers as people seem to be with their smartphones today....
It’s hard to imagine a season more beautiful than autumn for hiking in Virginia. As the leaves continue to change and eventually fall, the gorgeous landscapes become all the more inviting for a stroll. Just outside of Roanoke sits a beautiful trail that is seasonally-appropriate for another reason: it’s said to be haunted. The area known as Sarver Hollow has a fascinating history, and makes for a great walk through the woods…if you dare....
Historic New Castle is a colonial town in northern Delaware that’s sure to impress any visitors who stroll the cobblestone streets. If you’ve never been, or if it’s been a while, plan a trip to see the sites at First State National Historic Park, shop downtown, and eat at the best themed restaurant in Delaware. Start your trip in the center of town, on The Green. Flickr / Mike Mahaffie The scenic Green is a great place to stroll to get a feel for the historic town of New Castle....
The 1930s were a tumultuous time in the history of our country as well as our state. Many people struggled just to get by, while for the very fortunate, life seemingly went on with little change. You can see echoes of these changing times in the photos of these homes, some in disrepair and some seemingly unchanged, taken during this decade: Imogene Bubbett Rahn on the porch of her house on Seminole Avenue State Library and Archives of Florida Tampa, 1932...
Antiquing can feel like the best type of treasure hunt. When you are looking for something special that can’t be replicated, you need to find the perfect antique store. Luckily, DC has a few fantastic antique shops where you can find the most unique and fantastic treasures. If you are trying to stay warm, visit these 10 best places for antiques in Washington DC. Goodwood DC Facebook/Goodwood DC Goodwood DC is a shop on U Street that has an assortment of items including clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture and gift items....
North Carolina is packed to the brim with charming small towns that seem to have been plucked straight from your favorite novel (some actually are). But the Coastal Plains are home to some of the most unique small towns, with salt in the air, water views, and plenty of boats. While some listed are merely a road and some Cypress Trees, they’re all home to unique attractions, and one is so obscure you can’t even find it on a map....
Not everyone around here wants to enter a decathlon. Some of us like a few tamer and more peaceful outdoorsy things. This list below will give you lots of ideas in case you’re tired of doing the same old outdoor activities over and over. And we’ve thrown in some of the old standards as well, just for good measure. Tubing flickr/virginia dept of affairs There’s more than one way to have fun on the river....
If you know what Dyngus Day, Chiavettas, and Loganberry are, you’re most likely from Buffalo. Unfortunately, not everyone can be so lucky, which means we sometimes have some explaining to do. Read on for 11 things people from Buffalo always have to explain to out of towners. It’s Western New York. Jsyhun - Flickr Not Upstate. Not Central. WESTERN. We’re nowhere close to New York City. Jsyhun - Flickr In fact, we’re on completely opposite sides of the state....
There are some adventures that you can only have in New Mexico. If you live here, they make you grateful for the unique opportunities available to you. If you’re just visiting, such an experience may well be the highlight of your trip. Like many states, New Mexico has natural beauty, scrumptious food, and amazing people. But here are 12 specific experiences that set it apart from the other 49 states....
I don’t think it matters where you grew up; chances are when you were going to school, you couldn’t wait to get the heck out of Dodge…or Dover, or Delaware, or wherever it was that you called home. And as much as we grumbled and mumbled about how we had nothing to do (insert teen angst here) and how boring it was (even though there was plenty to keep us busy), our heart strings are still pulled now when we think of our home state....
It never fails. Upon learning that I live in Arizona, whoever I’m conversing with always seems to ask some question that simultaneously makes me laugh and do a quick facepalm. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Questions that are kind of silly, curious, and even just woefully ignorant. Here are a few that Arizonans often have to explain most frequently. Since it’s winter, let’s start with this doozy: Arizona absolutely does have four seasons!...
