Round 3 and Oopsie!

Today will be a little different in the Independence and Liberty Brackets because of two things. 1) Louisiana and Virginia tied on May 15th and the winner of those two is supposed to go up against Alabama. 2) Because someone (me) wasn't paying attention and typed Tennessee instead of Indiana. You would rather go to Tennessee than West Virginia but they weren't even in the same bracket. Yes, that was a heavy sigh you heard.

So today in both the Independence and Liberty Brackets you will be deciding between three states. Make it count.

Round Three!

Freedom Bracket: Would rather go to Kentucky or California?

Independence Bracket: Choose between Alabama, Louisiana and Virginia.

Liberty Bracket: Will it be Texas, West Virginia or Indiana?

Vote over there---->>>>>

Peggy and Robin actually read the Monday post and entered a poem for a drawing and Peggy you won! I'm off to Hobby Lobby to find my magical item. I hope it's still there but if it's not there's lots of other magic that I can choose.

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 ---------------------------->

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!

Deep in the Heart of Texas!

Howdy Y'all! And welcome to the Lonestar state!

I will preface today's post with the statement that I am completely biased for Texas. Born and raised in the small town of Refugio, I have lived in some part of Texas for most of my life. It was Friday night Football (Go Bobcats!), barbecues in the country, driving the main drag and summer vacations at a pool, a beach or a lake! It fits me. I love the hot weather and I love that it's called the Lonestar State because there are many days that I am a "Lonestar" myself. Okay, enough about me because we have a lot to cover! I will never be able to do the areas justice so I'll provide you with the official Travel Texas website HERE.

Have you ever heard that saying, "Everything's bigger in Texas"? Well, Texas is the second largest state in the US. It will take you approximately 14 hours to drive North to South and about 12 hours to drive East to West. It takes 6 to 7 hours for me to visit my family in Refugio or them to visit me... which is the reason why they haven't been to see me! I'm not bitter and I digress.

There are 7 regions to Texas. I'm not going to name each one but we'll start in the Dallas Fort Worth and surrounding areas up in the Northeast part of Texas because that's where highlowaha.com and the Taste of USA is being typed from. (But not the Bean Counters part, ain't technology cool!) I hate to say this but this is not my favorite part of Texas. But, there is always something going on and lots of events to attend. Sports fans get the whole enchilada here, from football, to hockey, to basketball and baseball. Then there are endless numbers of zoos and museums and music events to attend. And the other part I like is being so close to the DFW airport. If you're a travel bug it makes it is so easy to go. And if you're not a travel bug then you certainly appreciate the convenience.

In the Texas Panhandle, you'll discover the Texas Tech Red Raiders. This spot is dear to me because I started my college career in Lubbock, Texas... shout out to the Schwarzentraubs!!! And you'll also find the famous town of Amarillo. According to George, you've got to be there by morning. Amarillo is also home of the Cadillac Ranch, which I believe you can go and spray paint the cars if you want. Someone that's been there give us the scoop! But other than that, I'm usually only travelling through this area.

I grew up in the middle of the Gulf Coast region which is why I probably love going to the beach so much. Going to college in Corpus Christi wasn't so bad. Classes in the morning, beach in the afternoon. Aw, the good ole days! This region covers the whole coastal area... From Louisiana down to Brownsville and on to the border. That covers a lot of ground, like all of the regions do. Houston is the largest city in this region (and in the state) and it's dotted by smaller cities and towns down the coast.

San Antonio's River Walk is one of my favorite places. It's just so festive! San Antonio is also home of the Alamo. There's a lot of history in the region. History buffs can travel all over Texas and find historical markers like the one in Goliad, Presido La Bahia. I'm not a history aficionado but I know it was important to the state of Texas.

We have a family reunion every year in the small town of Wimberley. Think small town! It's so cute. We rent a cabin from the Univeristy every year and swim in the river. And, Austin is just one of the most diverse and beautiful cities in Texas. Think Live Music! Growing up in my college years, floating down the Frio River was an annual event. Drum roll, please.... this is my favorite part of Texas. San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos and the New Braunfels areas and over to the hill country really is a beautiful area. Floating the river, beautiful rolling hills covered in bluebonnets, lots of little artsy towns and big city attractions. It's the perfect blend of city girl meets country girl.

I read this article last year and I have a dream of driving from small west Texas town to small west Texas town. Running into rodeos and cowboys and local diners and just all things Texas. If you click on the words up there (this article) you can read about two girls and road trip adventure trying to find authentic Texas places. They actually hits some towns I've been to and I would want to branch out even further west. Road Trip! To add on to that, when I become independently wealthy and don't have to work anymore, I am going to just travel Texas and hit all the small town and big city festivals!

One of the best festivals to go to is Wurstfest! Maybe I can wrangle up some of highlowaha friends and we can all go Polka Dance in November! What's your favorite festival?

There is just a ton of music in Texas and that is one of my personal HIGHS! There's nothing like some great songs to lift your spirits (Maybe you need some happy tunes this week, Claudia) and get your toes a tapping and your face a grinning! And, there are a ton of songs about Texas or Texas cities it was darn hard picking one out for you but I chose Lyle Lovett's That Right because he says, "That's right, you're not from Texas. Texas wants you anyway!"

Whew! I am worn out talking about Texas and I know there's all bunch more!

So, on Friday, May 23rd let's all meet on the Bluebonnet Deck to let everyone know why Texas is the Taste of USA!