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With all the stress of modern life it can often feel great to get away from it all and harken back to a time that felt simpler and more quintessentially idyllic. And what feels more perfectly American than a covered bridge? Whether you enjoy taking lovely fall drives through this gorgeous state or you just love the idea of capturing the beauty of the first snow fall, there is something about these rural covered bridges in Illinois that are pretty picturesque in all seasons and well worth the trip....

Part of the charm of Montana lies in all of its small, quiet towns that only locals seem to know about. While tourists flock to Bozeman, Big Sky and Missoula (and we don’t blame them), the Treasure State is also full of hidden gems that Montanans adore. Thompson Falls is a small city of about 1,360 friendly people, and we happen to think it’s a wonderful place to visit. And if you’re wondering why, we’ll give you a few good reasons:...

Why choose a national chain when you can go local? The best neighborhood coffee shops have a real sense of community, not to mention delicious coffee. This list certainly doesn’t begin to include all the wonderful local coffee shops in Utah, but it’s a start. Shops are listed alphabetically, NOT ranked. Alchemy Coffee, Salt Lake City (two locations) Alchemy Coffee/Facebook Alchemy Coffee/Facebook This coffee shop offers plenty of seating, cool artwork and a great vibe....

When most people think about Kentucky, they imagine rolling fields of green, lush forest, beautiful lakes, rivers, and landscape. Seldom do they think about underground fire, gaseous vapors, and orange toxic water, but it exists. Children in Eastern Kentucky are said to often draw rivers and creeks using an orange crayon. Why? Magoffin County stream. ilovemountains A stream downhill from Mountain top removal mining in Magoffin County. ilovemountains The Ruth Mullin’s Coal fire, aka Kentucky’s own underground Hell, has been burning for over 5 decades....

Anyone hungry? We’ve scoured the state to find truly road-trip-worthy restaurants. There’s something for everyone on this three-day foodie adventure: laid back diners, quaint cafes, and gourmet restaurants all made the list. Pack your bags and ready your eating pants. We’re about to tour the state. You can find a map here. Google Maps Though this trip takes you all the way across the state, the longest drive times are only about two hours and 20 minutes....

Northern Ohio is characterized by the presence of Lake Erie, which has speckled the Cleveland area with beautiful beaches and coastal parks. However, Erie is not the only lovely lake in Northeast Ohio, and it’s certainly not the only location for summertime swimming or casual days at the beach. This 87-acre lake located in the Northeastern corner of Medina County is part of the Rocky River Watershed, and its cool waters and stunning surroundings make for the perfect summer escape....

We actually didn’t intend to make a pun with that headline and the town we chose, but it actually is rather apt. The world was introduced to Manitowoc recently in a not-so-flattering way via a certain crime drama, but we here in Wisconsin know it’s actually a gorgeous, quaint harbor town on the shores of Lake Michigan. Sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan about 40 miles south of Green Bay and 80 miles north of Milwaukee, Manitowoc is a harbor town with an interesting ship-building history....

Many of you are probably aware that New Jersey has been going through a serious drought. In fact, it’s the worst drought the Garden State has seen in over 14 years. The water levels at our reservoirs are well below normal and remnants of life before they were built are coming to light. This is the Wanaque Reservoir in Passaic County, surrounded by Norvin Green State Forest and the Ramapo Mountains....

Fall in Virginia is a truly magical time. For those of us who live here, we can look forward to changing leaves, the smell of crisp autumn air, and the fall-inspired food and drink that we anticipate all year round. Fortunately for us, there are festivals that just so happen to celebrate all of these things, often at the same time. As you plan your weekends for this upcoming season, here are some uniquely Virginian fall festivals to keep on your horizon:...

Most Minnesotans are up for a good steak, and so am I! Luckily for us, Minnesota has some amazing steakhouses to take care of our cravings. These 10 in particular always hit the spot. Manny’s Steakhouse Yelp/ G C. Yelp/Mohammad H. This Minneapolis Steakhouse is truly one-of-a-kind. The steaks are always cooked perfectly, and the decor and ambiance are elegant and welcoming. They also have a killer brunch menu! The Strip Club Meat & Fish Google Maps...

Let’s take a look back at some of the most popular featured spots from 2016 in this epically delicious restaurant bucket list. We discovered hidden gems and long standing favorites from all across the state, and now we’ve gathered them in one convenient place for you. Just click the titles for more information and get ready for a year full of great dining. Check them out: The Tiny Town With The Most Mouthwatering Restaurant Tammy S....

Crime is terrible, and is way too commonplace in Illinois. But sometimes you just have to laugh at criminals, especially when they are really, really stupid. Here are eight of the dumbest criminals who ever committed a crime in Illinois: Billy J. Robinson Clotee Alochuku/Flickr In August 2009, Robinson attempted to steal a car that someone had parked in the Lowe’s parking lot. Unfortunately for Robinson, the car’s owner stumbled upon him trying to hotwire the car and told him she had already called the police....

With the official Alaska sport being dog mushing, you simply must make a trip to this quintessential 49th state attraction at least once in your lifetime. At the Iditarod Headquarters you will find an abundant amount of educational information as well as some pretty adorable opportunities to get up close and personal with the local four-legged athletes themselves. This wonderful place is perfect for people of all ages to enjoy, but the kiddos will fall especially hard for the sweet smell of puppy breath....

Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how they form meaning. It’s a very interesting subject once you dive into it and see the spiderwebs of history with just one simple word. In North Carolina, we have several peculiar town names, so many that I’ve done two articles on the subject. But although we can discuss the strangeness of a town name, it’s sometimes more interesting to discuss where it came from....

A delicious meal and breathtaking views together define the ultimate dining experience. If there’s anything Wyoming is known for it’s the incredible landscape that nature has so majestically carved out. Sit back, relax and enjoy these restaurants in Wyoming that have jaw-dropping views while you eat. Buffalo Valley Cafe TripAdvisor/RichardJPS Facebook/Buffalo Valley Cafe TripAdvisor/wildfloweroftheWest Buffalo Valley Cafe is a quaint historic cowboy cafe located at 16945 Buffalo Valley Road in Moran....

The state of Iowa isn’t widely considered a dangerous place. We’ve always enjoyed low crime rate and the absence of large-scale natural disasters, here. There was one time, many years ago, when Mother Nature decided to go nuts on the tiny town of Camanche. When George K. Peck of New York first laid eyes on the high bank of the town we now know as Camanche in the 1830s, he must have been able to see into the future....

When it comes to hiking trails, there’s no denying that Alabama is home to the very best. From rivers to lakes, and boulders to waterfalls, many different things are featured along Alabama’s finest hiking trails. Listed below are 10 of the best hiking trails in Alabama. They should definitely be added to your bucket list. Chinnabee Silent Trail flickr/Ignacio Cobacho The Chinnabee Silent Trail, which features a lake, is located within the Talladega National Forest, near Lineville, Alabama....

Georgia (and its people) is as varied as it is beautiful! Just like the mountains and the trees, us Georgia folks are unique in our own right! Check out these 10 types of Georgia people that you’ll recognize anywhere you go! The Southern Belle Patrick Q The Georgia belle is sweet as a peach! She is charming, nice, and always well mannered! The Urbanite Viewminder via Flickr The college students usually turn into the DINKS (Double-Income No Kids) and are liberal urbanites....

Turns out we have a pretty awesome array of products being made right here in Wisconsin. We’re all so proud of these things that make us unique and taking these tours is a great way to learn about these companies and their production. In no particular order, here are 11 tours you can take to satisfy your curiosity and learn about some great Wisconsin companies: Trek Bicycles - Waterloo Facebook/TrekBicycles This tour combines the history of the company with a look at their design lab....

You can’t really go wrong with a classic breakfast of bacon and eggs, but sometimes you’re in the mood for something sweeter. Pancakes are hard to resist. Whether it’s a fluffy stack of classic buttermilk pancakes, or ones enhanced with fruit or chocolate chips, that combination of gooey, melty butter and maple syrup is hard to say no to. Here are 11 restaurants in Kentucky that serve some pretty great pancakes....