Ding, Ding, Ding! Round 2

We've made it to Round 2 everyone- wahoo!

------->>>>>VOTE>>>>>

Freedom Bracket:
Pennsylvania or Alabama, where do you want to go? We went to Pennsylvania last year... will Alabama be able to beat them Pennsylvania today?

Independence Bracket:
I wasn't surprised Kentucky won over Maine with all the readers that we have there but I was surprised that Arkansas won over New Mexico. So can Arkansas win over Kentucky?

Liberty Bracket:
Up in the Liberty Bracket is Texas and North Carolina. North Carolina just barely squeaked by Colorado last week. Will they be able to take over the Lone Star State?

VOTE----->>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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?
Vote ---------------------------->

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?
Vote ---------------------------->

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?
Vote ---------------------------->

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?
Vote ---------------------------->

Pennsylvania Here We Come

Mark your calendars for

September 6, 2008

10:30am to 4:00pm

Loads of fun coming your way!!!

Today is contest day!

This week visited Delaware, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wyoming, West Virginia and Louisiana.

Tera stopped by on Tuesday to give us some inside information on the Erie area. Be sure to check that out. Tera and Treye are making their way to matrimonial bliss tomorrow and I know we all wish them well.

But, before everyone takes off for the wedding, all passengers from the above mentioned states should report to their appropriate decks and tell us what makes your state the Taste of USA!

Up next week is Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

Welcome to the Quaker State!

Yesterday Delaware and today, it's neighbor, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was the second state to join the Union. Before we get too far into Pennsylvania, Highlowaha.com readers, Tera & Treye are getting married this weekend so I would just like to take a moment and wish them well! Good luck! I'm sure everything will run smoothly!

Now, where should we start in Pennsylvania? (Goodness! I'm learning I'm terrible at geography. I knew the states were close together in the east but when you live in a huge state like Texas and it takes hours upon hours to exit the state it just seems weird how close Philadelphia is to Manhattan. Now that I've had my Aha, I stink at geography moment, let's move on.)

Our first stop is none other than Hershey, PA! Can you say chocolate? I can! For the thrill seeker in you, we'll go to Hershey Park. We can ride roller coasters, splash at the Boardwalk, or view the animals at ZooAmerica. It looks like we might need a couple of days for the fun and excitement. But the one stop we have to make is Chocolate World!

Next stop, Pittsburgh. We can, of course, find a lot of sporting events while in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins I think will keep us busy all year long. We've already missed a ton of festivals but there are still a ton left to visit in the second half of the year. All of that sounds fun but I really want to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright master pieces and mostly Fallingwater. Technically not exactly in Pittsburgh. It's in Laurel Heights but close enough. I know we have Pennsylvania readers out there... where's your favorite spot in Pittsburgh?

Pennsylvania is the 6th most populated state in the Union and it surprisingly has a lot of outdoor activities. Actually, I learned the name Pennsylvania comes from the Quaker, William Penn, who was granted the land by King Charles II. And the word Sylvania means woodlands in Latin. Penn's woods. You will still find Quakers living in Pennsylvania. Living a much slower paced life than the rest of us. I think I'd like to spend a year living like them but wait, I bet they don't blog. Never mind. Maybe a tour will be enough.

The last stop I'm taking you on today is Philadelphia. So famous it has a sandwich named after it. The yummy Philly Cheesesteak! yum! There are too many shops to even guess which one is best. So-let's hear from you, where's the best Philly Cheesesteak?

There is Historic Philadephilia where you will find the Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell is close by, or let's go to the burial grounds of Christ Church! We can see where Benjiman Franklin was buried.

Claudia knows how much I love firemen so this trip wouldn't be complete without stopping at the Fireman's Hall Museum. And, we might have to stop by and watch the Philadelphia Eagles play or maybe the Phillies play baseball.

I have just barely scratched the surface and I know you can fill us in on all the juicy details!

Fun facts for Philadephia are: the state flower is the Mountain Laurel, the state dog is the Great Dane, and the state game bird is the ruffed grouse.

All Pennsylvanians meet on the Keystone Deck July 11th to tell us what makes Pennsylvania the Taste of USA!