Southern Byways

1. If you fancy your luck, you might want to visit Arkansas and keep your eyes on the ground. It’s the first state in the U.S. where diamonds have been found naturally.
2. The State insect is no other than the honeybee!
3. And here is something interesting… the State beverage is a glass of milk!
4. The first Wal-Mart began in this State.
5. Not only are diamonds popular, the State is also known for it’s gorgeous quartz crystals.
Something to see…
Ozark Folk Center
The Folk Center’s Ozark Cultural Resource Center (OCRC), is a one-of-a-kind archive and research facility, housing nearly 60,000 Ozark …read more

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*Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End
1. November 11, 1965: Walt Disney announces Florida Project. I don’t know if this is true or just a family legend, but apparently my Aunt and Uncle were approached about investing in Walt Disney World. Knowing that much of Florida was swamp, they said no thanks. If it’s true, that has to hurt! My aunt is still alive… must think to ask her the next time I see her.

2. Did you know that there are zillions of hidden Mickeys distributed through the park by by Imagineers. Speaking of Imagineers… wouldn’t …read more

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Okay, this is the house that I want. No doubt about it!! There is just something about a staircase that looks like that and I can picture us sipping Mint Julips on the verandah. But, unfortunately, the house isn’t for sale. It was was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974, so that makes it kind of difficult to claim it for our own.
“The 18,000-square-foot mansion spans four levels and is crowned by a three-story cupola. Commissioned by imaginative owners and constructed by the most skillful workers of the time, its technological amenities were unsurpassed …read more

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A little trivia for a Sunday afternoon…
The last time I bought four bottled Margaritas, no one asked to see any identification and I didn’t think anything of it, but all of that is about to change in the State of Tennessee. The next time you try to buy beer in that state, be prepared to show your I.D. because you are going to be asked, regardless of your age. But what I found particularly strange about this is the fact that it does not apply to anything other than beer! More on the story
Things to See in North Carolina…
If …read more

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1. Apparently there is an old city once named Petersburg ,built in the 1790s, and it is presently buried below the lake at Bobby Brown State Park. So how do they really know that it is there?? Apparently you can see the foundations when the water levels are low! Source.
2. And you thought Las Vegas was the place to get married. Apparently Georgia has a story of its own. The city of Ringgold was once the place to get married quickly in Georgia, but that had nothing to do with its name. It is named for Samuel Ringgold. So …read more

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1. Louisiana was named in honor of King Louis XIV.
2. Breaux Bridge is known as the “Crawfish Capital of the World”.
3. Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, the only known United States cemetery facing north-south is in Rayne.
4. Rayne is known as the “The Frog Capital of the World”.
5. The world famous “Mardi Gras” is celebrated in New Orleans. Mardi Gras is an ancient custom that originated in southern Europe. It celebrates food and fun just before the 40 days of Lent: a Catholic time of prayer and sacrifice.
The frog capital of the world and an unusual cemetary… now that should make a …read more

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1. The world’s largest shrimp is on display at the Old Spanish Fort Museum in Pascagoula.
2. The world’s largest cactus plantation is in Edwards. 
3. The first nuclear submarine built in the south was produced in Mississippi.  (My daughter has this thing for submarines for some reason. She’s going to want to know more about this!
4. David Harrison of Columbus owns the patent on the Soft Toilet Seat. Over 1,000,000 are sold every year.  (Why can’t I come up with an idea like that!!)
5, Pine Sol was invented in 1929 by Jackson native Harry A. Cole, …read more

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“From gaudy lawn art to flamboyant shirts, flamingos have certainly inspired us. But how much do you really know about these large pink birds?”
Actually there was a lot that I didn’t know… like the fact that in captivity they receive nutrients that will maintain their gorgeous pink coloring. I wonder what wild birds eat to enhance their coloring?
More flamingo Trivia

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If you are in the Chattanooga area, you might want to check out Ruby Falls. It’s a 45 foot waterfall on Lookout Mountain and be sure that you take advantage of the fact that you can walk behind the falls. Now how cool is that? But it gets better! Ruby Falls is actually inside Lookout Mountain.
And for you trivia buffs, it is thought that the actual age of Ruby Falls is about 30 million years!
Today’s did you know…
“Tennessee won its nickname as The Volunteer State during the War of 1812 when volunteer soldiers from Tennessee displayed marked valor in …read more

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Swallow Falls State Park, Maryland

1. Babe Ruth, the Sultan of Swat, was born in Baltimore and attended Saint Mary’s Industrial School.
2. Annapolis is known as the sailing capital of the world.
3. On June 24,1784, in Baltimore, 13-year old Edward Warren went airborne in the first successful manned balloon launch in the United States.
4. On the morning of August 10, 1813 residents of Saint Michaels having been forewarned of a British attack hoisted lanterns to the masts of ships and in the tops of the trees. The height of light caused cannons to overshoot the town. This first …read more

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