Pick Your States Not Your Nose!

Ha! Ha! I crack me up. Friday! Friday! Yay!

5th day of voting and after today you don't have to come back until Monday when Round 1 will continue. But let's focus on today.

Vote 3 times over there --------->>>>

Freedom: Ohio vs. Maryland
Tera and Treye are in Ohio, right? Hmmm.... Can Maryland crab cakes take over Tera and Treye in Ohio? We shall see.

VOTE OVER THERE---->

Independence: Georgia vs. Vermont The peach battles maple syrup! I know, let's pour some maple syrup on grilled peaches! Did I just make that recipe up?

VOTE OVER THERE------>

Liberty: Massachusetts vs. Kansas The home of the Boston Tea party battles the largest ball of string... sing it loud, sing it proud- where do you want to go?

VOTE OVER THERE-----> cha-cha-cha... I'll give you a recap tomorrow. Isn't it liberating to be silly. Go ahead. Try it!

Let the Fun Begin!

Today's the Day! It's here! It's here! It's here! To get your points for Alabama, New Mexico, Texas, DC, Massachusetts or Hawaii post in the comment section the THING that makes your state the Taste of USA today!

Don't forget! Your challenge for extra points this week is to post the headlines from your local newspaper. If you send me photos, I will add them in today's post!

Welcome to the Cotton Deck

Hey, look everybody! It's Big Al and the boys!

Thanks to Allison for sharing that photo from Alabama!

We have recommendations to go to Gulf Shores, Florabama, and Florence. We have shout outs to the Grimes, to Corrie, to Patrick's family in Florence and Anonymous' Aunt Dee and the Williams family! And we even had a little friendly rivalry with the Roll Tide and a Tiger! :)

On the Turquoise Deck Claudia got engaged to the wrong person in New Mexico but it all worked out. Quynh suggests to go in late July- early August for hiking, biking, river rafting and more. Katie is shouting out to Jo Marie! And, here is a tribute to Claudia's love for the Partridge Family!

Hola on the Bluebonnet Deck!

I expect to see a lot of great comments here because I Love Texas and I know you Texans do too. It was pointed out that DFW has the most restaurants per capita. And that's great because I love food, too! My Houston friend, Kelly, pointed out in an email to me that I didn't make one mention of Mexican food and was I feeling okay? So, if you're in Bedford check out Miguelito's and if you're ever Refugio, go to Moya's Cafe. Yummy! Claudia likes Ozona's on Greenville.

We're expecting Snow in July! Welcome, Heather and family! And it sounds like Maureen had purple cowboy boots in her future! Y'all got practice your Howdys, Y'alls and Yee Haws.

My friend DeDe reminded me late last night that I also forgot about the bar in Corpus Christi called Vernon's where you throw your peanut shells on the floor. And, way back then, we waited for cute fly-boys to buy us beer. (Or not so cute. I don't remember being too picky.) Um, yeah, too much beer was consumed in that bar and that was just me! DeDe, I hope you chime in today with what you like best about Texas!

On the Smithsonian Deck

That's the sculpture Close2it was talking about. Patrick recommends the Holocaust Museum as a life changing experience. Quynh shouts out to Aisha and I was shouting to Lauren. Everyone is recommending DC as a great place to go. And at about 11:00pm last night, The Griffin Family graciously offered to be tour guide to anyone who want to go. How about that!

On the Tea Party Deck

Quynh likes the Massachusetts area and shouts out to Sammi. Is that all I got? Come on Bay Staters!

On the Pineapple Deck

Anonymous recommends the Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor. Good call since I totally missed that! Quynh must not have any problem find places to stay because they are shouting out to Maile in Oahu now! Treye is thinking of David Gilbert.

Ooh, and will find out which other states claim their own dog? Stay Tuned!

Our next states up are: Alaska, Idaho, New York, Tennessee & Michigan.

And hey, I am taking Monday off for Memorial Day. You go ahead and take the day off, too. You just tell your boss I said so.

If you or any of your family members are in any branch of military, thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do! We are the most fortunate people in the world and I appreciate you.

Until Tuesday!

Three Times Thursday

We have a lot of ground to cover so I'll try to keep us moving

Let's start with Washington, DC... technically- not a "state" but it is the capital of all capitals and an important area of the US, so roll with it!

If it was a state it would be ranked as the smallest state in area, second to last in population but the first in population density. Don't you just love math! The area was supposed to be a 10 mile square but for some reason the land on the Virginia side was retro ceded in the 19th century but why? Come on history buffs. I can't begin to talk about the number of monuments, museums and other places to go and see here! It's overwhelming! I've never been and want to go. But, hey, unless you fabulous readers give me some tips, I'll need a month for sure to see everything. Their official travel site is located HERE. Under the Experience DC links, they have all different kinds of way to see DC... Foodie, Kidzone, or Knowledge Seeker are just a few options. And if you are a sports nut... DC has it all!

Okay- all you people from the DC area come gather on the Smithsonian Deck to tell us what makes Washington DC the Taste of USA!

We'll meet you there on Friday, May 23rd!

That's tomorrow!

We're pulling up anchor and sailing to Massachusetts- the Bay State. Famous for the Boston Tea Party way back in 1773 the state has also sent four of her own sons to become US Presidents: John F Kennedy, John Adams, John Quincy Adams and George Herbert Walker Bush. And, all of those presidents were born in the same county now known as the County of Presidents- Norfolk County.

For such a small state, Massachusetts sure does seem to be packed with stuff to do! They claim it at this site. There's so much to do in Massachusetts they have to run a new ad every day. I know I would love to be able to afford (financially and time wise) to go to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island. What can I say? I love the beach! What's your favorite part of Massachusetts? Maybe you prefer the Greater Boston area. For the male popluation, Massachusetts may be a small state as far as square miles but they have a lot of great teams to cheer for. The New England Patriots have always been a favorite of mine. What? I was infatuated with Drew Bledsoe! Be sure to include your favorite team!

Some fun facts for Massachusetts:

The state dog is the Boston Terrier. The state flower is the mayflower. The state insect is the ladybug.

(Hi Diana in Utah! Is that a sign?)

Bay Staters be sure to join us on the Tea Party Deck on Friday, May 23rd to tell us what makes Massachusetts the Taste of USA.

Now, be sure you have your bathing suit packed, Claudia, because we're headed to Hawaii! Aloha! Did you know that our 50th state, Hawaii, is comprised of 132 islands? You just hear about the eight main islands because the other 124 only total about 3 square miles... good reason, I guess. When I think of Hawaii, I think of beautiful sandy beaches, clear ocean and lagoon waters, luaus, and pigs roasting on a open fire. Where's my fruity drink with the umbrella? But wait. Two of the five volcanoes that have created the island are still active. Scary! From these volcanoes, you not only have the beaches that I dream about but you have cliffs that rise straight up from the waters edge and lush green valleys with gorgeous waterfalls.

And all I have to say is surfs up! But watch out. Expert zone only! The waves can be brutal at 20 feet high! I'll just watch, thank you! Check out this video of Laird Campbell surfing. Awesome!

I've only scratched the surface here! So you locals fill in the rest aboutHawaii. I know Claudia is cheering for you!

All Hawaiians are to meet on the Pineapple Deck on Friday, May 23rd to tell us what makes Hawaii the Taste of USA! Aloha!