First day of voting.... 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.

So, where do you want to go?
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Freedom: Pennsylvania vs. Nebraska
How will reigning champ do against the cowboys of Nebraska? Last year we visited a rainy Philadelphia. If Pennsylvania was to win again would we try Pittsburgh? Or, could we be having our meeting collecting wildflowers in an open field of Nebraska while hunting windmills?
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Independence: Kentucky vs. Maine
We have a lot of readers in Kentucky while I think Maine has very few to none. Will we hit the home state of Heather and Katie or will be dipping into Maine's lobster feast?
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Liberty: Texas vs. Delaware
The big Lone Star State battles Delaware. Heck, we could probably visit a bunch of state if Delaware wins. If Texas wins we could host in here in our hometown of the DFW metroplex or we could head south to Austin and visit Chaotic. Don't forget about Woodside Farm Creamery that we learned about last year... it's in Delaware and you know how Claudia loves ice cream. I mean... who doesn't?
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Vote Here! Vote Often!

All passengers from Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Wisconsin please report to your assigned decks immediately to tell us what makes your state the Taste of USA!

Seriously, if some of you folks from the New England Coast could vote, that would be great! I've been looking at pictures of lobsters all week and I've got a small craving now!

Our loyal reader, Maureen, has visited Maine where she witnessed her first and last, real, live, huge moose and we're asking the Universe to give Maureen a chance to take her kids to Maine. Thank you, Universe.

Another loyal reader, Heather (can we do lunch in August?), has a fond place in her heart for Wisconsin where she went on tour. Heather, what kind of tour was this? Are we talking marching? And, what is "non-date"? Inquiring minds want to know!

You know what else inquiring minds want to know? They want to know what makes your state the Taste of USA! Don't forget, if your state has passed, don't worry. We have a make up day coming up soon! Check in everyday so you are sure not to miss it.

Next week is our final week of this little cruise. On Monday, we will go to Georgia. Tuesday, we're in Maryland. And Wednesday, we're in New Jersey. Thursday will be contest day for those three states. Be sure to check in daily so you don't miss the make up day!

Have a great weekend!

Welcome to the Pine State

When visiting Maine we can choose from several tours. Boat tours, bridges, lighthouses or scenic byways. I have never been to Maine and I totally romanticize it. It's a place that I would like to visit late spring, summer or early fall. Not winter. Maine is known as the Pine State due to the large amount of forests that cover the state- about 90%.

Maine was the 23rd state to join the US and became the leader in shipbuilding. They began with the wooden boats moving to steel. The first atomic submarine was built in Maine. Today, Maine produces more canoes than any other state. They also supply the materials for cardboard boxes, wood pulp, paper and our beloved paper bags.

It's been a while since I featured a festival. Maine produces large amounts of blueberries. The Blueberry Festival is held in Union, Maine. They have the usual fair and festival activities including blueberry pie eating contest and Ms. Wild Blueberry pageant.

While looking at their site, I suddenly noticed I was drooling. They flash pictures of cooked lobster on the screen. Yummy! I hoped to be able to find a Lobster Festival and boy did I! The Main Lobster Festival is held in Rockland, Maine. It's coming up July 30th and runs through August 3rd. How many lobsters do you think I would have to eat to be sick of them? They look so delicious. I was checking out a menu and I love seafood so the sounds of clam chowder, crab cakes, shrimp salad, crab salad, lobster bisque... oh! to die for!

Okay, enough about food. Maine has approximately 30 lighthouses that allow public visitors in every shape and size. There are many popular lighthouses but the one that caught my eye was the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse with it's red and white candy stripes. They're all beautiful and this one is, too. But this one has something whimsical about it that I like. Isn't it beautiful?

I had a tough time choosing one beach to feature today but I picked Old Orchard Beach. The seven mile stretch of sandy beaches also features amusement parks, miniature golf, canoe and kayak tours and rentals, lighthouses, shopping and so, so much more. There are more beaches and a lot more outdoor adventures for us to explore. One of those being whale watching.

Our time is up here in Maine and I haven't featured one city. Where and what is your favorite thing and/or place in Maine?

Fun facts for Maine are:

the state bird is the chickadee,

the state floral emblem is the pine cone and tassels,

and the state animal is the moose.

All Mainers report to the Lobster Deck on Friday, July 18th to tell us what makes Maine the Taste of USA!