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While spring in Idaho often means steadily increasing temperatures, rising rivers, and a bounty of wildflowers, there’s no denying that the return of colorful blooming flowers and the return of lush greenery is a welcome sight after winter. There’s no better time to start exploring or getting your hiking boots broken in for summer! While the Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh in Fairfield gets an abundance of attention around this time of year for its vibrant purple lilies, and our glorious mountains and foothills are adorned with rainbows of wildflowers, one overlooked region is a sunny sea of particularly beautiful blooms this time of year: North Central Idaho....

Colorado maybe home to a number of rivers, but we must say that our favorite one of them all may just be the Centennial State’s namesake: the Colorado River. Running a whopping 1,450 miles, this beautiful and cascading body of water is not only housed in Colorado, but California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and even two Mexican states (Sonora and Baja California) as well. If you want to get out and explore this majestic river like never before, consider exploring it (come spring or summer) in these 9 fun ways:...

We all love Maine in the summer. The beaches, the lakes, the warm weather. In fact, we’d love some of that warm weather right about now! But, the fact that we’re only at the start of winter doesn’t have to bring us down. There’s plenty to do all year-round in Maine. Oftentimes you can find things to do in places you relegate to the summer. Segago Lake is a good example....

Washington is part of a wonderful country, and there’s nothing quite like celebrating our freedom every July. Here are 15 of the several places across our region where you can catch some mind-blowing fireworks for Independence Day this year. Seattle, Seafair Flickr / andrewasmith The city’s biggest display will be held at Gas Works Park this year, on July 4 around 10:00pm. Bainbridge Island, Arnold Jackson Memorial Fireworks Show Flickr / rgordon...

Some pretty cool inventions have come out of Utah. Check out these six… One-Handed Bareback Rigging Al_HikesAZ/flickr When you’re watching a cowboy on a bucking bronc or bull, he’s likely thanking his lucky stars for his one-handed rigging, which is largely responsible for keeping him on the crazed animal. That cowboy has Earl Bascomb, a Utah-born inventor, actor and Hall of Fame cowboy, to thank. Earl invented one-handed bareback rigging in 1928 and his design is still used in rodeos throughout the world today....

Summer is here and you might be craving some delicious ice cream in an attempt to stop from melting in the heat. Visit one of the 11 best ice cream shops in Washington DC to get that sugar fix and stay cool! Thomas Sweet Ice Cream Yelp/Jennifer O. Yelp/Emily J. Even though Thomas Sweet isn’t originally from DC, it’s been adopted as a Georgetown classic. The ice cream is made in-house and you can opt to get blend ins or waffle cones....

Despite the recent – and certainly unfortunate – incidents that have occurred at the 16th Street Mall, Denver is a fairly safe city, especially in comparison to other metro areas of similar size. Most Mile High crimes tend to be non-violent and consist of break-ins and petty theft (Boo!). That being said, based on crime data taken from the police department, these neighborhoods have the lowest crime density per square mile and are, therefore, some of the safest places to live in Denver....

County fairs are one of the best American past times. They have thrilling rides, exciting games, and fantastic fried foods. You may think living in a city like DC that there are no fairs you can enjoy. But there are probably many more county fairs in the DC area that you must visit this summer and fall! Howard County Fair Facebook/Howard County Fair The Howard County Fair began in 1946 and is dedicated to displaying exhibits and holding competitions of agricultural and horticultural products....

New Hampshire is full of amazing scenery, but some towns seem to get more than their fair share of absolutely beautiful surroundings. From the ocean to the mountains and the Canadian border to the Massachusetts border, these scenic New Hampshire towns are some of the state’s most beautiful. Be sure to visit them in 2017 to take in the Granite State’s most breathtaking scenery. New Castle Scott Law/flickr New Castle feels like some place far, far away....

I hate to say it, but Virginians don’t have the best reputation when it comes to driving. Now, before anyone gets up in arms and reminds me that they are, in fact, an exceptional driver, let me just say that I don’t doubt it. And like most things, where you grew up in the state will have a lot to say about how you drive and what challenges you face on the roadways – from other drivers to construction cones to deer....

Is it just me, or do milkshakes seem to make everything better, if only for a bit? There’s something about sipping on the sweet, sugary treat – you can’t help but smile. Lucky for New Jerseyans, we’ve got plenty of options to choose from when it comes to the dessert staple and some are sure to blow your mind. Coney Waffle - 803 Ocean Avenue, Belmar Facebook/Coney Waffle Facebook/Coney Waffle Topped with almost any treat imaginable, Sideshow Shakes are made to be shared....

Did you know you know that the continental United States’ longest lava tube lies just above Portland in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest? Mapped at 2.5 miles, this impressive tube was formed from a 2,000-year-old lava flow of Mount St. Helens, and was discovered in 1951. Since then, it has played host to over 170,000 visitors annually. Even for the brave, entering a cave is a bold step. Exploring under the ground requires preparedness – mostly from the dark that lies beneath where no light can shine....

Recently we featured some rare photos of Washington during the Great Depression – but since it’s so fascinating to see what our state looked like throughout history and there are plenty more to share, we just had to do a 2nd edition. Check out these 13 additional shots of what it looked like to live in our state during the years 1936 and 1939… you won’t believe how much has changed:...

Sometimes, we deserve to live like kings and queens – and with these mansion rentals in Illinois, you can do just that! From country estates to small-town Victorians to rustic lodges, these spacious and gorgeous homes will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a dream. English Tudor Estate in Rock Falls VRBO This 8,000 square foot mansion on the river is an incredible place to spend the weekend. Big families or large groups of friends will love this home, as it sleeps up to 20 people....

Are you forever on a beer budget with a penchant for wine? Yeah. Us too. That’s why we scoured the state to find the most amazing cuisine for less than 10 bucks – yeah, you heard us. Ten bucks. We’ve found options for breakfast, lunch and dinner scattered across the state. Get those forks ready, folks! I Dream of Weenie - East Nashville I Dream of Weenie / Facebook This fun East Nashville hot dog stop is easy on the wallet, if not on your digestive tract....

Many famous people hail from Detroit, Michigan. From award-winning actors and producers, to supermodels and singers, here are 10 of the most famous people from Detroit: Judy Greer wikipedia/lukeford.net Judy Greer, an actress and author, was born in Detroit, Michigan and is best known for playing Kitty Sanchez on the hit television series “Arrested Development,” and Trixie on the hit television series “Californication.” She’s also known for her supporting roles in several films, including “13 Going on 30,” “27 Dresses” and “Jurassic World....

Chicago is one of the best cities to live in or visit if you like to get a taste of nature every once in awhile. From gardens to nature preserves, there’s a wealth of natural wonders to view in and around the city. These 10 must-see attractions let you get in touch with nature, without actually leaving the city. Lurie Garden Facebook/Lurie Garden Located on E Monroe Street, this garden is a model of green-space sustainability in an urban setting....

Most of us absolutely adore our home state, and couldn’t imagine living elsewhere even if our lives depended on it. However, you do have to watch out for certain things when you live here, because as awesome as Texas is, you do have to keep an eye out for the following threats. We love you, Texas, but we could do without these terrifying things. Hurricanes alejandro polanco/flickr Although most people in Texas have common sense and know to evacuate when one of these bad boys makes it way toward us, some people prefer to stay behind and ride out the storm....

Whether you’ve been here for ten years or an entire lifetime, there are some things that every Austinite can relate to. Our unhealthy obsession with breakfast tacos, our immense state pride, and our passion for the best local music makes us a unique group. Sure, the population is climbing up to 1 million, but we can all come together on a few things. These are 10 undeniable things that every true Austinite has done at least once....

It’s officially December, and that means one thing: it’s officially time to make the most of the holiday season before it’s too late. Between shopping, decorating, preparing for parties, and getting ready for the big day, it seems time basically flies by in preparation. Don’t find yourself on Christmas Eve wishing you had done more Christmasy things, this bucket list will help you make the season Merry & Bright in North Carolina....