Where do you want to go?

Voting will be from 7:00 am to 6:00 am (CST) the next day. Unless I oversleep. Or forget. Then it will be later.

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Freedom: Alabama vs. New Jersey
The Heart of Dixie or the Garden State? This isn't the East vs. West that Julie and Tera were planning. It's more of the North vs. South. My favorite place in Alabama is on the shoreline near Gulf Shores but New Jersey has some coast line, too. Let's see- we have a few choices with Alabama- Birmingham, Mobile or Montgomery, I think. For New Jersey, would we fly into Newark? Or would fly into NYC and head over to New Jersey?

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Independence: Arkansas vs. New Mexico
The Land of Opportunity vs. The Land of Enchantment. That is one tough choice! Arkansas would most likely see us in Little Rock. And, New Mexico would maybe be Albuquerque or Santa Fe. I'd like some Enchanting Opportunity please.

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Liberty: Colorado vs. North Carolina.

The Rocky Mountains vs. the Blue Ridge Mountains- peak to peak! If Colorado was to win we would surely be visiting Denver. North Carolina would probably be Charlotte or Raleigh. What do you think?

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Now, I'm just throwing out suggestions so feel free to chime in and suggest a city in these states!

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Did you hear the echo in here?

It's been a quiet week at Taste of USA and my friend, Angie, is leaving for vacation tomorrow so I know she won't be logging in. Or, if she does, I'll be surprised. So, it's just our very own Katie moving to Virginia- the state for lovers!

Out of this weeks states, I have been skiing in Colorado, to a ranch barbecue in Oklahoma and to see a boy in Virginia but I wasn't supposed to be there so mom, I have never been to Virginia. (She'll never read that because she doesn't know how to use the computer.)

All Passengers from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana & Virginia report to your appointed decks immediately to tell us what makes your state the Taste of USA!

Up next week: Kentucky, Washington, Oregon, Nebraska & Connecticut

The Switzerland of America

Welcome to the Centennial State! Colorado was the 38th state to join the union in 1876, 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Colorado is well known for it's historical gold and silver rush days. Home to the famous "Unsinkable Molly Brown" who not only survived the sinking Titanic but discovered a fortune in gold.

The first thing that I think of when you say Colorado is snow. Snow equals mountains. The Rocky Mountains. Mountains equals skiing. And yes, Colorado has many, many ski resorts. The thirteen I found on the Ski Colorado site are: Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Durango, Keystone, Snowmass, Steamboat, Summit County, Telluride, Vail and Winter Park.

What I've also realized is for someone who doesn't really enjoy skiing, I've been on a lot of ski trips. I've been to Aspen, Winter Park and I can't remember which one the third one was. And, that's just Colorado. But even though there is awesome skiing in the winter for you die hard skiers, the resorts are also beautiful in the summer. I'm sure each resort has it's own summer attractions like arts festivals, or a summer concert series. And though Colorado may be best known for it's mountains, the eastern portion is quite flat.

I like the Colorado's web site because it breaks it down to what kind of vacation you want. Outdoors, Romantic, Cultural, Family... you get the picture. Well, if I was picking, today I would pick outdoors. I know, Surprising! Drowsy Water Ranch looks like a great place to experience ranch life but still be able to do things like swimming and western dancing.

But let's head to Denver to see what we can in the Mile High City. They have a special itinerary planned for over achievers that packs in lots of shopping and dining in the local hot spots along with lots of cultural and historical places to see. But, there weren't any sporting events included so be sure to check out a Bronco's football game or the Rockie's baseball game.

I kept running across the term Tenver. Tenver is several lists marking the favorites in different categories like microbreweries and Places you'll only find in Denver (and around it.) But, there's more- so check them out.

There's still lots to do! How about white water rafting, the Colorado Ski Train, visiting the University of Colorado in Boulder, ghost towns or not quite like the Denver Zoo but the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Fort Morgan. So much to see and do! Where should be start?

Where and what is your favorite part of Colorado?

Fun facts for Colorado are the state flower is the White & Lavender Columbine, the state bird is the Lark Bunting and the state fish is the Greenback Cutthroat Trout.

All Coloradans meet on the Centennial Deck to tell us what makes Colorado the Taste of USA!