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!

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!

The Land of Enchantment

Doesn't that have a cool ring to it? If I was from New Mexico and people asked me where I was from I would announce, "I am from the Land of Enchantment!" and give a quick little curtsy. New Mexico really does have a lot to see and do so there's no way I can touch on them all here and I know you're going to share with me.

(Left photo: My brother,sister and I (right) enter the Land of Enchantment way back when. Right Photo: Me (left) and my friend Johnanna enter the Land of Enchantment in 1992 on our way to Red River to ski for spring break.)

I can proudly say that I have been to New Mexico on more than one occasion. My parents took us the Carlsbad Caverns when I was four-ish. I didn't fully appreciate it when I was kid because by my own recollection and by the stories that have been told, I cried the whole way through the tour. My Aunt Trish said she carried me the whole way. But, wait... here I am walking on my own. We must have been near the cafeteria in the basement. That's the only time I didn't cry.

My brother Lloyd, me in front, my mom, my aunt Trish and my sister Leigh Ann.

If you want to torture, I mean take your kids to see the wonders of the Carlsbad Caverns, you can learn more about it at www.nps.gov/cave.

In 1992, DeDe, Johnanna and I loaded up my little red car and drove to Red River, New Mexico- a little ski town resort. Now, I'm not sure that would be a locals favorite but it could happen. I had fun. So much fun that I can't really talk about that here. There is a lot of good skiing in New Mexico via Taos, Angelfire and more. If you are interested in a ski vacation in The Land of Enchantment check out http://www.skinewmexico.com/.

Now- those were just my two and very limited experiences. I know there is so much more than I'm typing here so let's hear from others!

Fun facts about New Mexico:

The state bird is the chaparral bird (or Road Runner... beep! beep!)

The state flower is the Yucca flower.

The state gem is turquoise.

I can't wait to hear what your favorite thing is about New Mexico!

No trip is complete until you have Cheryl and Johnanna whooping it up on the exit sign... Texas is tomorrow... why don't I have a "You are entering Texas" picture?

Let's meet on the Turquoise Deck on Friday, May 23rd, and you can tell me what makes New Mexico the Taste of USA!