Louvet Travel

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

California (CA)

"The Golden State"

Also, known as "El Dorado State", "Golden West", "Grape State", "Land of Milk and Honey" or "Sunshine State".

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA. Photo Credit: Maarten van den Heuvel/Unsplash

Why visit California?

A popular year round destination featuring amusement parks, beaches, biking, birdwatching, boating, cable cars, celebrities, deserts, diverse culture, golf, hiking, home to the entertainment industry, horseback riding, national parks, nightlife, mountains, redwood forests, rocky shorelines, sailing, scuba diving, shopping, skiing, surfing, whale watching, wildlife and wine regions.

Friendly for business, families, friends, groups, LGBT/LGBTQ, multigenerational and solo travelers.

At a Glance

State Bird: California Quail
Capital: Sacramento
State Dessert: None
State Flower: California Poppy
State Gemstone: Benitoite
State Mammal: California Grizzly Bear
State Rock: Serpentine

Mount Lee, Hollywood Hills, CA. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

Fun Facts

On January 24, 1848, James W Marshall discovered gold while working at Sutter's Mill in Coloma marking the "California Gold Rush".
Our nation's third largest state.
Marilyn Monroe (Actress) was crowned "Artichoke Queen" in Castroville Artichoke Festival.
The “Avocado Capital of the World”, produces around 90% of our crops amongst 3,000 farms throughout the state.
Approximately 10 million visit the Golden Gate Bridge annually.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is their largest park consisting of 600,000 acres.
The highest average household incomes are in Fremont, Irvine and San Jose.
In Los Angeles the median home value is $752,508.
From the 2020 Census, Los Angeles is the most populated city with 4,015,940.
Considered a global trendsetter in communication, culture, economics, entertainment, environmentalism, information, innovation and politics.
To date, the highest sold property in Los Angeles is the Chartwell Estate, listed for $350 million a bargain at $150 million.
A capacity of 20,000 the STAPLES Center (Los Angeles) has hosted Grammy Awards since 2000.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame (embedded five point terrazzo and brass star) sponsorship fee is $30,000 for a star along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Joanne Woodward (Actress) received the first star in 1960.
Alcatraz Island (“The Rock" or "America's Devil Island"), offshore from San Francisco from 1934 - 1963 was a facility housing a lighthouse, military fortification, military prison and federal prison.

Thank You!

Celebrities Birthplace to: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Actor), Gigi Hadid (Model), Kim Kardashian (Reality TV), Leonardo DiCaprio (Actor), Michelle Pfeiffer (Actress), Tom Hanks (Actor) just to name a few.
Movies to Inspire You: After Earth (2003), Bushwhacked (1995), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Lady Bird (2017), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2009), Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983), The Godfather: Part II (1974), The Great Outdoors (1988) and The Majestic (2001) just to name a few.
Novels Set in California: All About Lulu (written by Jonathan Evison), Golden Days (written by Carolyn See), Mystery of the Desert Giant and Shopgirl (written by Steve Martin) just to name a few.

Lake Tahoe, CA. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

Good to Know

Yosemite National Park, will fine drivers who leave food in unattended vehicles known to attract bears causing vehicle break ins.
Adhere to local beach signs.
The Griffith Observatory or Sunset Boulevard is the best view of the Hollywood sign.
Be sure to experience the amphitheater, Hollywood Bowl in the Hollywood Hills (near Los Angeles).
Interstate 405 in Los Angeles is one of the most congested roads for delay. Especially during morning, evening rush hour and weekends.
Considering their warm climate and season local wines are generally less acidic and contain more alcohol.
Brace yourself for the statewide tax rate, 7.25% (2020).
Take your wallet shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and you may just see a local celebrity too.
Freshwater Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains straddles the border of California (and Nevada) receives around 2.7 million visitors annually.

Known to experience earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes and wildfires (August - November).

Best Time to Visit: May - September
Coldest Month: January
Hottest Month: August - September
Peak Season: June - August

By the way...

Best Rated Beaches: Cornado Beach, El Matador State Beach, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Limantour Beach, Manhattan Beach, Pacific Beach, Pfeiffer Beach, Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Monica Beach, Thousand Steps Beach and Venice Beach.
Ski Areas: Homewood, Kirkwood, Homewood, Mammoth, Northstar and Squaw Valley
Surf's Up at: Bolinas Beach, Cowell Beach, Mavericks Beach, Mondos Beach, Moonlight Beach, Oceanside Pier, Rincon Beach, Steamer Lane, Salt Creek, Surfrider Beach, Tamarack Beach, Zuma Beach

Your Must-See & Do

Amusement Theme Parks: Adventure City, Aquatica San Diego, Balboa Fun Zone, Belmont Park, Boomerang Bay, California's Great America, Cars Land, Castle Park, Children's Fairyland, Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Funderland Park, Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City, Pacific Park, Raging Waters Los Angeles, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, SeaWorld San Diego, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Sonoma TrainTown Railroad, Splash Kingdom Waterpark, Universal Studios Hollywood and William Land Regional Park.
Historical Sites: Addams Family House,Anaheim Founders' Park, Bancroft Library, Brigham & Hawes Quarry, Buttonwillow Tree (#492), CA Historical Landmarks (#1, #2, 203, 232, 331, 394, 259, 798, 802), C. A. Belden House, California's First Passenger Railroad, California Tower, Carrizo Plain National Monument, Big Four Building, Buena Vista Winery & Vineyards (#392), Camino of Rancho San Antonio (#299), Captain Pedro Fages Trail (#853), Casa de Rancho San Antonio, Casa De Tableta State Historic Landmark, César E Chávez National Monument, Centinela Springs, Chevra Kaddisha (#654-1), Coloma Road (#748), Cottonwood Creek Charcoal Kilns, Cresta Blanca Winery (#586), Crowley House, Death Valley Gateway, Dogtown Nugget Discovery Site Historical Marker, Estudillo Home (#279), Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site, FAC Water Tower, Folsom-Overland Pony Express Route (#702), Fontana Historical Society, Fort Benson (#617), Fort Point National Historic Site, Fort Ross, Fort Stockton, Francisco Solano Alviso Adobe (#510), General M. G. Vallejo Home (#4), Glendora Bougainvillea, Grave of Elitha Cumi Donner Wilder (#719), Griffith Ranch Historical Monument, Harada House, Harmony Borax Works, Hastings Adobe, Hilltown Ferry State Historic Landmark, Icaria-Speranza Commune, IOOF Hall, Joaquin Miller Abbey, John Muir National Historic Site, Lady Adams Building (#603), Larkin House, Las Flores Adobe, Liberty Hill Site, Lopez Adobe, National Old Trails Monument, Old Dry Diggins (#475), Old Hangtown Placerville, Old Mission Dam, Old Pasadena, Old Sacramento Waterfront District, Old Santa Ana Historical Marker, Marshall's Blacksmith Shop (#319), Martinez Adobe, Memorial Arch, Methodist Episcopal Church (#767), Mormon Battalion Historic Site, Nike Missile Control Site LA-96, Noble Emigrant Trail (#677), Old Auburn Historic District, Overland Emigrant Trail (#799-2), Pico House, Pioneer Hall (#34), Pioneer Telegraph Station (#366), Presidio of San Francisco (#79), Rancho Los Cerritos, Rancho Simi (#979), Ravenswood Historical Site, San Felipe Valley & Stage Station, Serra Palm, Shaw's Flat (#395), Site of Blossom Rock Navigation Trees, Site of Congregational Church (#613), Site of Echo Summit (#1048), Site of Fort Romualdo Pacheco, Site of Haraszthy Villa (#392-1), Site of the Murder of Dr John Marsh, Site of Orleans Hotel (#608), Site of Putnam's Cabin, Sportsman's Hall Overland Pony Express Route (704), St Francis Dam Disaster Site, Studebaker's Shop Site, Summersville - Tuolumne (#407), Sutro Baths, Tallac Historic Site, The Hangmans Tree, The Peter L. Traver Building (#466), The Real Black Dahlia’s Body Site, Third Baptist Church, Union Hotel & Union Hall (#627), Vallecito Bell Monument (#370), Vallejo Flour Mill, Walters Ranch Hop Kiln (#893), Wells Fargo Bank and Stage Stop and Yuha Well.
Museums: Asian Art Museum, Autry Museum of the American West, Avila Adobe, Bowers Museum, Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science, California African American Museum, California's First Theatre, California Historical Society, California Museum, California Science Center, California State Mining & Mineral Museum, California State Capitol Museum, Casa de la Guerra, Craft Contemporary, Crocker Art Museum, de Young Museum, Diego Sepulveda Adobe, First Original McDonald's Museum, Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County, Fresno Historical Society, Hammer Museum, Japanese American National Museum, Jonathan Bailey House, La Casa de Estudillo, Laguna Art Museum, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site, Legion of Honor, Livermore Heritage Guild, Lizzie’s Trail Inn & The Richardson House, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Lummis Home-El Alisal, Maidu Museum & Historic Site, Manhattan Beach Historical Society, Marston House Museum & Gardens, Meux Home Museum, Mission Inn Museum, Mission San Juan Capistrano Chapel & Museum, Mission Santa Ines (Ynez), Mission Soledad, Muller House Museum, Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), Museum of Western Film History, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), Nike Missile Site SF-88, Norton Simon Museum, Palomares Adobe, Orange County Museum of Art, Peg Leg Smith Historical Marker, Petersen Automotive Museum, Pioneer Oil Refinery, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Museum, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Presidio Officers' Club, Rancho Camulos Museum, Richard Nixon Birthplace, Robert Louis Stevenson House, San Fernando Mission, San Joaquin County Historical Museum, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Skirball Cultural Center, Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, Stagecoach Inn Museum, State Indian Museum, The Banning Museum, The Broad, The Fowler Museum, The Huntington Library- Art Museum & Botanical Gardens, USS Hornet - Sea, Air & Space Museum, USS Pampanito, USS Recruit, The La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, Whaley House Museum and Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum.
National/State Forest/Parks: Angeles National Forest, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, California National Seashore, Carrizo Plains, Channel Islands National Park, Crystal Creek Falls, Death Valley National Park, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Inyo National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, King Range National Conservation Area, Kings Canyon National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, Los Padres National Forest, Lower American National Wild & Scenic River, Lower Falls, Lundy Canyon Waterfalls, Manzanar, Modjeska Peak, Mojave National Preserve, Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve, Mountain Home State Forest, National Parks Service, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, Pinnacles National Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Redwood National & State Parks, Redwood State Park, Romero Canyon Trailhead, San Bernardino National Forest, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia National Park, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Sierra National Forest, Skull Rock, Stanislaus National Forest, State Parks California, Sunrise Lake #3, Tahoe National Forest, Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Valley.
Popular Attractions: Alcatraz Island, Altaville Grammar School, Anaheim Landing, Andres Pico Adobe, Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail, Artist's Palette, Ash Mountain Recreation Hall, Azalea State Reserve, Bass Lake California Crane Valley Dam, Battery Mendell, Benbow Lake State Recreation Area, Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness Area, Big Sur, Bishop Creek Battleground, Black Star Canyon, Bodega Bay & Harbor, Bok Kai Temple, Cabrillo National Monument, California Cavern, Camarillo Ranch, Carrizo Plain National Monument, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Casa del Herrero, Castle Mountains National Monument, Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge, Catalina Casino, Cemetery of El Campo Santo, Chaw Se' Roundhouse, Chimney Peak Wilderness, Clipper Mountain Wilderness, Crossroads of the World, Crystal Cave, Devils Postpile National Monument, Dinkey Historical Bridge, Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, El Capitan The Salathé, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Farley’s Olancha Mill Site, Fertile valleys, First Military Flying School in America, Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fort Ord National Monument, Fremont Weir State Wildlife Area, Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Gordon's Ferry, Happy Isles Bridge, Hay Tree, Harvey House, Hearst Castle, Helena Modjeska Historic House & Gardens, Hells Gate, Hill Carrillo Adobe, Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area, Hollyhock House, Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, Hotel Californian, Indio Hills Palms, James W. Marshall State Historical Monument, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Jennie Lakes Wilderness, John Medica Garden, J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Kaiser Wilderness, Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve, Kennedy Gold Mine Tours, Lake Tahoe, Lighthouse Field State Beach, Little Picacho Wilderness, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, Lower Lake Stone Jail, Mailliard Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Manhattan Beach Pier, Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Martinez Park Reserve, McElroy Octagon House, Mercer Caverns, Misión San Francisco de Asís, Mission Santa Cruz, Mokelumne Wilderness, Monarch Wilderness, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Moro Rock, Mount Shasta Wilderness, Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery, Napa Valley Railroad Depot, Oak Grove Fire Station, Old Los Angeles Zoo, Palm Springs, Palomares Adobe, Piedras Blancas Light Station, Pioneer Monument, Piper Mountain Wilderness, Point Dume, Point Reyes, Posey Station of Butterfield Overland Mail Lines, Presidio, Preston Castle Foundation, Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad, Roberto-Suñol Adobe, Queen Anne Cottage, Reyes Adobe Historical Site, Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park, Sacatar Trail Wilderness, San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve & Nature Center, San Francis Ranch, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Saucito Ranch Well, Sequoia National Park's Tunnel Log, Slab City, Snow Mountain Wilderness, South Warner Wilderness, Stahl House, Star of India, St Johns River Trail, The San Francisco Mint, The Willms Ranch, Tule Lake National Monument, Tule River Stage Station, Union Square, Van Ness Arch, Watts Towers Arts Center, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness and Zabriskie Point.
Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Anaheim, Avalon, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, California City, Carlsbad, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Coronado, Daly City, Encinitas, Escondido, Fresno, Half Moon Bay, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Monterey, Nevada City, Newport Beach, Ojai, Oakland, Oceanside, Palm Springs, Pasadena, Sacramento, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, San Diego, San Francisco, Sausalito, Solvang, St Helena, Temecula and Thousand Oaks.
Special Events: (January) California Exposition, Rose Bowl Game, Rose Parade, (February) Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party, Transgender Erotica Awards, (March) San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, SiliCon, West Coast Computer Faire, (April) Fiesta Broadway, (May) Anime Conji, Bay to Breakers, Bishop Mule Days, FanimeCon, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, RuPaul's DragCon LA, (June)AirShow San Diego, Dana Point Concours d'Elegance, El Dorado County Fair, Miss California's Outstanding Teen, Ojai Music Festival, San Diego County Fair, San Francisco Pride, (July) Big Bay Boom, California State Fair, Gilroy Garlic Festival, Hayward Gay Prom, Hollywood Book Festival, Outfest, San Diego Comic-Con, San Diego Pride, Stanislaus County Fair, (August) Alameda County Fair, Crunchyroll Expo, Japan Expo USA, Monterey Car Week, San Francisco Drag King Contest, Silicon Valley Pride, Ventura County Fair, Yolo County Fair, (September) California Festival of Beers, Frameline Film Festival, J-Pop Summit, National UFO Conference, Netsuite Open, Oracle OpenWorld, Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance, SacAnime, Superfrog Triathlon, Wrightwood Mountain Music Festival, (October) Bay Area Science Festival, Kiddie Kapers Parade, Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo, Monterey Jazz Festival, Orange County Auto Show, (November)Del Mar Antique Show, Doo Dah Parade, Pacific Media Expo, Sevenstock, (December) Comic Arts Los Angeles, KIIS-FM Jingle Ball, LA Auto Show and Run for Courage.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, Redwood National & State & Parks and Yosemite National Park.

Catalina Island, CA. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Arkansas (AR-KAN-saw) (AR)

Arkansas Flag

"The Natural State"

Why visit Arkansas?

Travelers seeking a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy biking, boating, camping, caves, diamond mines, Eureka Springs, festivals, fishing, forests, hiking, historical sites, horseback riding, Hot Springs National Park, hunting, lakes, mineral baths, mountains, music (bluegrass, folk, gospel, rockabilly), rivers, sports, thoroughbred horse racing, Ozarks, waterskiing and wildlife.

At a Glance

State Bird: Northern Mockingbird
Capital: Little Rock
State Dessert: None
State Flower: Apple Blossom
State Gemstone: Diamond
State Mammal: White Tailed Deer
State Rock: Bauxite

Lake Ouachita, Arkansas. Photo Credit: Oliver Graham/Unsplash

Fun Facts

"Texarkana" is partly in Texas and Arkansas.
In August 1906, John Wesley Huddleston found two diamonds while hog farming in Pike County.
Headquarters to major corporations: Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (Trucking), Tyson Foods (Foods) and Walmart Inc (Retail Stores).
The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum preserves the home of Hemingway's in-laws and a barn/studio where the Ernest Hemingway (Author) worked.
The only U.S. state with diamond mining.
Offers 2,000 caves, 2340 lakes/reservoirs and 52 parks.
Elvis Presley (Legend Singer) is said to have haircuts at Chaffee Barbershop (Museum).
Leading producer of bromine used in flame retardants, medication, pesticides and water purification.

Thank You!

Spotlight Celebrities: Bill Clinton (Former President/Politician), Billy Bob Thornton (Actor), Herbert "Geese" Ausbie (Athlete), Johnny Cash (Singer) and Nathaniel Clifton (Athlete) just to mention a few.
Movies to Inspire You: Come Early Morning (2006), Great Balls of Fire! (1989), Sling Blade (1996), The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972) and Walk the Line (2005) just to name a few.
Novels Set in Arkansas: A Painted House (written by John Grisham) Hot Springs (written by Stephen Hunter), Lost Children Archive (written by Valeria Luiselli), Sweet Hope (written by Mary Bucci Bush) and With (written by Donald Harington) just to mention a few.

Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs, AR. Photo Credit: Angel/Pixabay

Good to Know

The best way to see Arkansas is by car considering the distance between locations.
A scenic fall foliage drive is Arkansas Highway 7 from Arkadelphia to Harrison.
A popular drive is the Pig Trail Scenic Byway along Arkansas Route 23 from the southern edge of the Ozark National Forest to Arkansas Route 16 (in Brashears).

Prone to tornadoes between March-May.

Best Time to Visit: Mid September - October
Coldest Month: January
Hottest Month: July - August
Peak Season: June - August

Your Must-See & Do

Historical Sites: Arkansas Governor's Mansion, Belle Grove Historic District, Boxley Valley Historic District, Dr Hudson Sanitarium Agricultural Building Historic District, Elliott & Anna Barham House, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hillcrest Historic District, Historic Curran Hall, Hot Springs Central Avenue Historical District, Jacob Wolf House, Johnson Barn, Johnny Cash's Boyhood Home, New Fort Curtis, Magevney House, Porbeck & Bowman Building Historic Marker, President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site, Rice - Upshaw House, Rohwer Heritage Site, Scott Plantation Settlement, Shiloh Historic District, Rush Historic District, Site of Historic Fort Steele, Studebaker, The Booth Homestead, The "Little Rock", The Magnolia/Mobil Service Station, The Old Mill, Van Buren Historic District, Titan II ICBM Launch Complex 374-7 Site and War Eagle Mill.
Museums: Arkansas Air & Military Museum, Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, Arkansas Post Museum, Bauxite Historical Association Museum, Central High Museum, Chaffee Barbershop Museum, Clayton House, Daisy Airgun Museum, Delta Cultural Center, Drennen Scott House, Eureka Springs Historical Museum, Fort Smith Museum of History, Gangster Museum of America, Grant County Museum, Hampson Archeological Museum State Park, Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum & Educational Center, Heritage Center Museum, Historic Arkansas Museum, Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village Museum, Lakeport Plantation, Lonoke County Museum, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, McCollum-Chidester Museum, Museum of Native American History, Old Independence Regional Museum, Old State House Museum, Ouachita Historical Society, Plantation Agriculture Museum, Randolph Co Heritage Museum, Rogers Historical Museum, Saint Joe Historic Depot Museum, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, St Francis County Museum, The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens, The Walmart Museum, University Museum, Van Buren County Historical Society Museum, Washington County Historical Society, William J Clinton Library & Museum and World War II Japanese American Internment Museum.
National/State Forest/Parks: Arkansas Grand Canyon, Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas State Parks Regional, Beaver Dam Site Park, Bowers Hollow Falls, Bull Shoal-White River State Park, Cadron Settlement Park, Cane Creek State Park, Cossatot River State Park, Crater of Diamonds State Park, Crowley's Ridge State Park, Davidsonville Historic State Park, Delta Heritage Trails State Park, Elk Watching Pulloff, Fossil Flats Trailhead, Herman Davis State Park, Historic Washington State Park, Hobbs State Park, Hot Springs National Park, Jacksonport State Park, Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park, Lake Catherine State Park, Lake Charles State Park, Lake Chicot State Park, Lake Dardanelle State Park, Lake Fort Smith State Park, Lake Frierson State Park, Lake Ouachita State Park Marina, Lake Poinsett State Park, Logoly State Park, Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park, Mammoth Spring State Park, Millwood State Park, Mississippi River State Park, Moro Bay State Park, Mount Magazine State Park, Mount Nebo State Park, Ouachita National Forest, Ozark National Forest, Ozark Folk Center State Park, Petit Jean State Park, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Poison Springs Battleground State Park, Parkin Archeological State Park, Petit Jean State Park, Powhatan Historic State Park, Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Reed's Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park, St Francis National Forest, Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, US Pea Ridge Military Park, US National Park Services, Village Creek State Park, White Oak Lake State Park, Withrow Springs State Park and Woolly Hollow State Park.
Popular Attractions: Arkansas National Historic District, Arkansas Post National Memorial, Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Blanchard Springs Caverns, Blue Spring Heritage Center, Buffalo National River, Centennial Baptist Church, Christ of the Ozarks, Clinton Library, Confederate Cemetery, Cooper Young Historic District, Department of Arkansas Heritage, Former Sharp County Courthouse, Fort Smith National Cemetery, Hot Springs Mountain Tower, Little Rock Zoo, Massey Hotel, Mount Nord Historic District, Natural Bridge of Arkansas, Old Spanish Treasure Cave, Ouachita Mountains, Ozark Plateau, Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, Thorncrown Chapel, Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge and War Eagle Cavern.
Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Altus, Bella Vista, Benton, Bentonville, Cabot, Conway, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mountain View, Paragould, Pine Bluff, Rogers, Russellville, Sherwood, Springdale, Texarkana, Tontitown and West Memphis.
Special Events: (February) Mid-Southern Watercolorists, (March) Annual Quilt Show, Camden Daffodil Festival, Clinton Gospel Fest Time, Eureka Springs Kite Festival, Jonquil Festival, Mountain View Bluegrass Festival, Ozark Foothills Film Festival, (April) Arkansas Folk Festival, Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival, (May) Arkansas Delta Family Gospel Fest, Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Dermott Crawfish Festival, Hot Springs Music Festival, Magnolia Blossom Festival, Ozark Arts and Crafts Fair, Riverfest Arts & Music Festival, Toad Suck Daze, (June) Cleburne County Fair, Clinton Gospel Fest Time, Emerson Purplehull Pea Festival & World Championship Rotary Tiller Race, John Huddleston Day, Johnson County Peach Festival, Juneteenth, Malvern Brickfest, Native American Wildlife Festival & Powwow, Oil Town Festival, (August) Hope Watermelon Festival, Northwest Arkansas Bluegrass Festival, Tontitown Grape Festival, Wiederkehr Weinkeller Weinfest, (September) National Championship Chuckwagon Races, Saline County Fair and Rodeo, Times-N-Traditions Festival, Trumann Wild Duck Festival, (October) Arkansas Apple Festival, Bikes, Blues & BBQ, Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, Arkansas Rice Festival, Arkansas State Fair & Livestock Show, Cabotfest, Johnny Cash Heritage Festival, Lepanto Terrapin Derby, Ozark Folk Festival, Pea Ridge Mule Jump and Show, Timberfest, Turkey Trot Festival, War Eagle Fair, World Cheese Dip Championship, World Championship Quartz Crystal Dig, (November) Annual Buck Fever Festival, Festival de Otoño and Original Ozark Folk Festival and World Championship Duck Calling Contest.

US Pea Ridge Military Park, Garfield, AR. Photo Credit: Petechacalos/Pixabay

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Monday, September 7, 2020

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona State Flag

"The Grand Canyon State"

Why visit Arizona?

Ideal for outdoor nature and sunshine lovers to best appreciate the ancient ruins, birdwatching, culture, canyons, desert landscape, dude ranches, forests, geographical formations, ghost towns, golf, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, hiking, horseback riding, national parks, plants and spa resort.

At a Glance

State Bird: Cactus Wren
Capital: Phoenix
State Dessert: Sopaipilla
State Flower: Saguaro Cactus Blossom
State Gemstone: Turquoise
State Mammal: Ringtail Cat
State Rock: None

Horseshoe Bend, AZ. Photo Credit: KeYang/Pixabay

Fun Facts

The last territory to become a state and sixth largest.
Nearly 30% of the state consists of Native American Reservations.
Mount Lemmon is the only U.S. peak named after a female.
Home to 50 Reptile Species (lizards, rattlesnake, etc)
Approximately 5.9 million people visit the Grand Canyon annually, making it the second popular national park visited in United States.
Approximately 7 million people visit the Hoover Dam annually.

Thank You!

Spotlight Celebrities: Barbara Eden (Actress), Cody Bellinger (Athlete), Hailey Baldwin (Actress), John McCain (Politician), Linda Ronstadt (Singer), Lyndia Carter (Actress) and Stevie Nicks (Musician) just to name a few.
Movies to Inspire You: Arizona Dream (1992), Bride and Prejudice (2004), Due Date' (2010), Eight Legged Freaks (2002), Everything Must Go (2010), Gravity (2013), Nurse Betty (2000), Planet of the Apes (1968), Raise Your Voice (2004), Sasquatch Mountain (2006) and Waiting to Exhale (1995) just to name a few.

Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

Good to Know

Do not photograph Native Americans without permission!
There are over 75 craft breweries and 100 wineries.
Drink water regularly to avoid dehydration. Don't forget to apply your sunblock too.
Allow your eyes to feast on the spring cactus and blooming wildflowers.
There are many camping and RV sites throughout the state.

Prone to dryness, dust storms, excessive heat waves, hurricanes, monsoons (June - September) and tornadoes.

Best Time to Visit: November - April
Coldest Month: January
Hottest Month: July
Peak Season: October - May

Goldfield Ghost Town, AZ. Photo Credit: Art Tower/Pixabay

Your Must-See & Do

Historical Sites: Agate House, Apache Death Cave, Apache Trail, Birchett House, Bonelli House, Brown Canyon Ranch, Bluff Fort, Camelback Castle, Cleator Bar & Yacht Club, Cook Cemetery, Empire Ranch Foundation, Exchange at the Presidio - The Mormon Battalion Enters Tucson, Devil's Kitchen, Fairview Place, Fort Bowie, Fort Bowie Trailhead, Fort Huachuca, Fort Utah, George R Kayser House, Gonzales-Martinez House, Governor Hunt Tomb, Johnny Ringo Grave, La Misión San José de Tumacácori, Lehner Mammoth Kill Site, Little Black Mountain, L Ron Hubbard House, Martha's Butte, Mary Colter's Lookout Studio, Mesa Grande Cultural Park, Meteor Crater Observatory, Mission Garden, Mission Los Santos Ángeles de Guevavi, Morrison Ranch Silos, O.K. Corral, Old Adobe Mission, Palatki Heritage Site, Petroglyph Plaza, Pine Breeze Inn, Seven Sacred Pools, Smurthwaite House, Soldier's Arch, Strawberry School House, Teatro Carmen, The Domes of Casa Grande, The McCroskey House, Theodore Roosevelt Dam, Titan Missile Silo 570-3 Interpretive Site, Tombstone Boothill Gift Shop & Graveyard, Tonto Upper Cliff Dwelling, Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights and V Bar V Heritage Site.
Museums: Apache Spring, Audrey Headframe Park, Arizona Capitol Museum, Arizona Historical Society Sanguinetti House Museum, Arizona History Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History, Arizona State Museum, AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, Besh-Ba-Gowah Museum, Boulder City-Hoover Dam Museum, Cave Creek Museum, Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Fort Bowie Ranger Station, Fort Lowell Museum, Fort Tuthill Military History Museum, Fort Verde State Historic Park, Gilbert Historical Museum, Graham County Historical Society, Grand Canyon Museum Collection, Greenlee County Historical, Gunfighter Hall of Fame, Heard Museum, Heritage Square, Hubbell Trading Post, International Wildlife Museum, Jerome State Historic Park, Mesa Historical Museum, Navajo County Historical Society, Painted Desert Inn, Phoenix Art Museum, Pioneer Museum-Arizona Historical Society, Prescott Historical Society, Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, Pueblo Grande Museum, Rim Country Museum, Rosson House Museum at Heritage Square, Sedona Heritage Museum, Sharlot Hall Museum, Slaughter Ranch Museum, Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House, South Mountain Park & Preserve, The Tombstone Epitaph, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, Tombstone's Historama, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Tusayan Museum, University Arizona Museum, Verde Valley Archaeology Center, Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza and Wukoki Pueblo.
National/State Parks: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Cattail Cove State Park, Chiricahua National Monument, Colorado River State Historic Park, Dobbins Lookout, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, McFarland State Historic Park, Old Dominion Historic Mine Park, Oracle State Park, Petrified Forest, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, River Island State Park, Saguaro National Park, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Tumacácori, Verde River Greenway State Natural Area and Yuma Territorial Prison Park.
Popular Attractions: Agate Bridge, Agua Fria National Monument, Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park, Bell Rock, Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Canyon de Chelly, Casa Grande Ruins, Cathedral of Saint Augustine, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Chiricahua, Coconino National Forest, Coronado, Coronado National Memorial, Courthouse Plaza, Desert View Watchtower, Elden Pueblo Archaeological Site, Fain Park, Flagstaff Area National Monuments, Flintstones Bedrock City, Fort Apache Historical Park, Fort Verde State Historic Park, Frontier Town, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Glen Canyon, Goldfield Ghost Town & Mine Tours, Hassayampa River Preserve, Heritage & Science Park/Historic Heritage Square, Hermit's Rest, Hole in the Rock, Honanki Heritage Site, Hopi Point, Hoover Dam, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Jerome's Sliding Jail, Juan Bautista de Anza, Kinishba Ruins, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mead, Montezuma Castle, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Locomotive Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, Lowell Observatory, Monument Valley, Murray Springs Clovis Site, Mystery Castle, Navajo National Monument, Old Spanish, Organ Pipe Cactus, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, Papago Park, Parashant, Park of Canals, Pipe Spring, Pioneer & Military Memorial Park, Posse Grounds Park, Powell Point, Prescott National Forest, Pueblo La Plata, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Salt River Canyon Wilderness Area, San Xavier del Bac Mission, Sahuaro Ranch Park, San Pedro Chapel, Sunset Crater Volcano, Taliesin West, Tonto, The Bird Cage Theatre, The Jail Tree, Tonto National Monument, Tusayan Ruin, Tuzigoot, Tuzigoot National Monument, Two Guns, Verde Canyon Railroad, Walnut Canyon, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Wupatki and Wupatki National Monument.
Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Avondale, Buckeye, Catalina Foothills, Chandler, Flagstaff, Glendale, Kingman, Mesa, Lake Havasu City, Mojave, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Scottsdale, Sedona,Tempe, Tucson and Yuma.
Special Events: (January) Arizona Balloon Classic, Arizona National Boat Show, FBR Phoenix Open, Indian Artists of America, PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Arizona, Quartzite Rock & Mineral Show, Tucson's Gem Show, World of Wheels, (February) Arabian Horse Show, Arizona Beer Week, Arizona Renaissance Festival, Fountain Hills Great Fair, Lost Dutchman's Days, Sedona International Film Festival, Street Eats Food Truck Festival, World's Championship Hoop Dance Contest, (March) Arizona Aloha Festival, Carefree Fine Arts & Wine Festival, Major League Baseball Spring Training Camps, Ostrich Festival, Safeway LPGA Tournament, Tempe Music Festival, West of Western Culinary Festival, (April) Arizona Asian Festival, Country Thunder Music Festival, Desert Caballeros Horse Ride, Gay Pride Parade & Festival, McDowell Mountain Music Festival, NASCAR Subway Fresh 500, Phoenix Pride Festival, Scottsdale Culinary Festival, (May) Arizona Special Olympics Summer Games, Queen Creek Peach Festival, (June) Grand Canyon State Games, Prescott Rodeo Festival, (August) Fiesta Glendale Hispanic Heritage, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, (September) Fiesta De La Familia, (October) Arizona State Fair, Mesa Storytelling Festival, Rainbows Festival, Tour de Scottsdale Bike Ride, (November) Arizona International Auto Show, (December) Winterhaven Festival of Lights.
UNESCO Sites: Grand Canyon National Park and The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Photo Credit: David Mark from Pixabay

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