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North Idaho is a rich oasis where pristine water and dense forests collide – a lush, magical region of natural wonders, hidden landscapes, and flawless beauty. But our breathtaking Panhandle is also home to a unique history that is steeped in water travel. We’ve shared some of this history when we wrote about Lake Coeur d’Alene’s steamboat history a while back – and its buried steamboat graveyard – but truth be told, treasures, oddities, and historic relics galore litter the watery depths of Idaho’s lake beds....

Located on State Highway 7, between the Northwest Arkansas towns of Harrison and Jasper in an area now called Marble Falls, is a defunct amusement park that many Arkansans may remember. It was based on a cartoon strip called Li’l Abner, which was set in a fictional town called Dogpatch. Flicker/Felix Nine In 1966, the Raney family listed its Ozark trout farm with a local real estate agent named O.J. Snow....

Hauntings in Mississippi are most commonly associated with antebellum homes, historical graveyards, and Civil War soldiers; however, the state’s paranormal happenings don’t end there, as there are a number of haunted roadways throughout the state. And with Halloween just around the corner, it seemed like an appropriate time to further investigate these spooky streets. So, if you dare, here are some of Mississippi’s most haunted roadways. Highway 90, Gautier goolge.com The ghost of Hal, a former shipyard employee, is said to haunt a lonely stretch of this highway near Gautier....

It is easy to forget the horrors the demented mind is capable of. Sometimes, however, there is an act committed with such monstrosity that it forever slips its way into the here and now, even decades after it occurred. Imagine now, if you will, human nature at its most foul and barbaric of states, and the effects wreaked upon others by such savage souls as those who would prey upon their neighbors for sheer indulgence of an abominable will....

The South Carolina area known as Tiller’s Ferry was created in the 1760s when Joseph Tiller received a land grant for 100 acres on the Lynches River. By the turn of the century, another Tiller was operating a ferry across the river and by 1830 he’d also built a toll bridge. By all accounts the little crossroads at Tiller’s Ferry was growing quickly. In 1838 it even got its own post office....

The Precious Moments Chapel is truly a special place. Since its opening in 1989, it has welcomed millions of visitors. A beautiful vision by artist and Precious Moments creator Sam Butcher, the Chapel was inspired by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in Rome. Located just outside of Carthage, in the scenic Ozarks, the chapel is adorned by amazing murals, angels, stained glass and other artwork by Butcher. It sits on beautifully landscaped grounds with gardens and statues that truly evoke a feeling of peace and tranquility....

If you’ve ever had an ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, you’ve probably faced the almost impossible task of choosing a flavor. While all the choices are delicious, the clever names are equally amusing. With flavors such as Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey and Empower Mint, your sense of humor is delighted before your taste buds go crazy. But what happens to the flavors that are no longer made? They are memorialized at the Flavor Graveyard at the factory in Waterbury, of course!...

Some know this coming Tuesday as Fat Tuesday. Others know it as Mardi Gras. In some parts of Michigan, we know it by another name: Paczki Day. In keeping with the tradition of indulging in sweets and booze on the day before Lent, the paczki (pronounced poon-ki) is a glutenous Polish pastry that resembles a jelly-filled donut. Difference is, these things are maybe three times the size of your typical donut and they’re loaded with a variety of fillings....

South Carolina has a number of quiet underrated small towns that have lots to do and are worthy of a visit. One such town is centrally located enough for it to be the perfect distance for a day trip. It’s the Town of Elloree in Orangeburg County. This tiny town of only 680 people has the state’s only teapot museum, a fantastic town heritage museum, unique gift stores, some wonderful restaurants and yes…only one intersection that demands the traffic taming skills of a stoplight....

When it comes to food, Alabama doesn’t disappoint! From pizza places and BBQ joints, to homestyle restaurants and cozy bistros, there are many amazing places to eat in Alabama. Listed below are 15 of Alabama’s very best restaurants. Don’t forget to add them to your dining bucket list. Chez Fonfon - 2007 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL yelp/Trey H. yelp/Massimo F. Chez Fonfon is a cozy bistro that’ll transport you to Paris with its delicious French cuisine....

New Jersey has wonderful wineries scattered throughout the state but one particular region is home to a wide range of wineries, including some of the Garden State’s best. Though you may be surprised that an area often referred to as the “Pine Barrens” produces an abundance of sweet, fresh grapes, the word “barren” is quite a misnomer. The Pine Barrens aren’t actually barren. Image/State.NJ.US The Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands, spans over one million acres in South Jersey....

Thrift shopping is practically a sport among frugal Nebraskans, and we have no shortage of thrift stores from which to choose. From the big-name places in the larger towns to the tiny church-basement shops in small towns, you can find great deals all across the state. The Verdigre Carousel Thrift Shop stands out as a great example of not only a place to get a great deal, but a place to support a vibrant community....

Looking for some festivals in Connecticut to explore with the whole family? Or maybe you like getting lost in the crowd as you explore arts and other unique things. Whatever you’re looking for, you can do it at one of these festivals! Turns out just because summer is almost over doesn’t mean the fun is done. These are still yet to come! Woofstock On The Green (Branford) Branford Woofstock/Facebook August 13....

Almost everyone has had spaghetti and meatballs or lasagna, (and pizza is a given,) but there is more to Italian food than that. The Italians perfected the art of tomato sauce, pasta and fresh bread—and they are the masterminds behind pizza. Some have never experienced truly authentic Italian food, but once you do, there is no substitute. Real Italian food is not hard to find in Kentucky, and here are 10 restaurants so good your taste buds will crave it:...

How many small-town festivals have you visited in the New Orleans area? There are some really special ones we think you should put on your list. Here’s our top picks for the year. Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, May 5th-7th, Breaux Bridge Facebook.com / Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival This delicious crawfish festival is filled with many opportunities to enjoy Louisiana’s awesome seafood bounty. Plus, there are some amazing bands that keep live music playing throughout the festival....

All year long, food festivals send their scrumptious, flavorful fragrance all across Austin. Central Texas foodies flock to the capital city in search of the newest culinary concoction to make their salivary glands dance in delight. No matter what your taste buds crave, these events will fire up your appetite. Clear your calendar in advance, because these are ten Austin food festivals that you will not want to miss. The Austin Bacon and Beer Festival cyclonebill/Flickr Every June, Austin celebrates the greatest culinary combination ever created: bacon and beer....

Georgia is full of some of the oldest homes in the country, and while the architecture is amazing, some of them are hauntingly spooky…Do you dare to go inside these 10 terrifying houses? Kehoe House in Savannah, GA masako.ito1211 via Flickr The Kehoe House in Savannah is a very popular and beautiful boutique inn in Savannah. Even the visitors say that this place is seriously haunted! Sorrell Weed House in Savannah, GA Ken Lund via Flickr Sorrell Weed House is one of the most haunted places in Georgia....

San Francisco is filled with a plethora of wonderful things. These things that people can’t live without include attractions, food, and so much more. This list could have been longer, but we wanted to concentrate on these things that locals really need. Marvel at these amusing and heartfelt things that many locals more than adore. City Parks Tami D/Yelp The parks in San Francisco are numerous and unforgettable and very important to residents here....

Our Southern roots run deep. No matter what state we’re in or how long we’ve been there, Texas will always be home in our heart. We’ll always do these 11 things whether we’re halfway across the country or just a state or two away. You can take the Texan out of Texas, but you’ll never take Texas out of the Texan. Ask for directions in terms of hours rather than miles....

Let’s face it. Some really big stuff has happened in South Carolina this year alone. But we’re purposely going to skip over those big news items from 2015 – mostly because we’re already painfully aware of them. And besides, other big things happen in the Palmetto State that aren’t so clearly associated with tragedy. So let’s get on with some interesting “BIG” things about small places in South Carolina. Are you ready?...