Monday's Postcard 2015: Idaho

Idaho is a mountainous state with an area larger than that of all of New England. It borders the  Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, Montana to the northeast, Wyoming to the east,  Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington and Oregon to the west. The network of dams and locks on the Columbia River and Snake River make the city of Lewiston  the farthest inland seaport on the Pacific coast of the contiguous United States.  Idaho's nickname is the "Gem State", because nearly every known type of gemstone  has been found there. In addition, Idaho is one of only two places in the world where star garnets  can be found in any significant quantities, the other being India. Idaho is sometimes called the "Potato State" owing to its popular and widely distributed crop. The state motto is Esto Perpetua (Latin for "Let it be forever").
Since I moved to Washington State in the early 90's I have been able to visit Idaho a lot. Wonderful state!!

Monday's Postcard 2015: Hawaii

Hawaii is the 50th and most recent U.S. state to join the United States. It joined the Union on August 21, 1959. It is the only U.S. state located in Oceania and the only one made up entirely of islands. 
Hawaii is one of four states, besides the original thirteen, that were independent prior to becoming part of the United States, along with the Vermont Republic, the Republic of Texas and the California Republic. The Kingdom of Hawai'i was sovereign from 1810 until 1893 when the monarchy was overthrown by resident American (and some European) businessmen. It was an independent republic from 1894 until 1898, when it was annexed by the United States as a territory, becoming a state in 1959. And I gotta say, one of my favorite vacation destinations. I don't think I could live there, but I do enjoy visiting!

Monday's Postcard 2015: Georgia

I lived in Georgia from 1987 to 1989, just after graduating from college. It was established in 1732, the last of the original thirteen colonies and is named after King George II of Great Britain.  In early 1861, Georgia joined the Confederacy and became a major theater of the Civil War.  Major battles took place at Chickamauga,  Kennesaw Mountain and Atlanta. In December 1864, a large swath of the state from Atlanta to Savannah was destroyed during General Sherman's March to the Sea. Ryan and I will be spending time here for my birthday when he starts hiking the Appalachian Trail this month! Springer Mountain here we come!!!

Monday's Postcard 2015: Florida

I lived in Florida from 1991 to 1994 in Fort Myers and Tampa. And I have had family in Florida for most of my life from Cudjoe Key to Tierra Verde and many other cities in between.

Since the first European contact was made in 1513 by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon who named it La Florida (Flowery Land), Florida was a challenge for the European colonial powers before it gained statehood in the United States in 1845. It was a principal location of the Seminole  Wars against the Indians and racial segregation after the Civil War. Today, it is distinguished by its large Hispanic community and high population growth, as well as its increasing environmental concerns. Its economy relies mainly on tourism and agriculture, Florida is also known for its amusement parks, the production of oranges, and the Kennedy Space Center.

Monday's Postcard 2015: Delaware

Before its coastline was explored by Europeans in the 16th century, Delaware was inhabited by several groups of American Indians, including the Lenape in the north and Nanticoke in the south. It was initially colonized by Dutch traders at Zwaanendael, located near the present town of Lewes, in 1631. Delaware was one of the 13 colonies participating in the American Revolution and on December 7, 1787, became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thereby becoming known as The First State.
I used to spend more time in Delaware back in the 70's when my cousins lived in Wilmington.