Wandering Wednesday - Delaware

State: Delaware
Capital: Dover
Entered the Union: December 7, 1787 (1st state)
Facts:
Named for Thomas West, Third Baron of De La Warr
Born here: Henry Heimlich (you know the Heimlich maneuver?)
First state to ratify the constitution of the United States
Oldest Protestant Church in the U.S. - Holy Trinity built in 1698
Only state without any National park System
The sheaf of wheat, ear of corn, and ox on the state seal symbolize the farming activities of early Delaware
Of the 50 US states Delaware is 49th in size and 45th in population
At its widest point Delaware is 35 miles across

Capital building:

They let us sit behind the senate desk and play with the gavel.

 A large doctors bag with stethoscope in Stanton

Miles the Monster at the Dover raceway

Wandering Wednesday - Connecticut

Wandering Wednesday:
State: Connecticut
Capital: Hartford
Entered the Union: Jan 9,1788 (5th state)
Facts: the name derived from and Indian word (Quinnehtukqut) meaning “beside the long tidal river”
Born here: Mark Twain, PT Barnum, Ethan Allen, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Katherine Hepburn, Nathan Hale
In the Revolutionary war they served as the Continental armies supplier called the “Arsenal of the Nation”.
Cattle branding started here when farmers were required by law to mark their pigs.
1889 the first car insurance was issued in Hartford.
In 1901 the first automobile speed limit was passed in CT set at 12 mph
Home to the oldest U.S. newspaper still being published – The Hartford Courant est. 1764
The first telephone book had 50 names and was published in New haven 1878
State Song: Yankee Doodle 

The capital building

with its amazing dome. The light and colors were vibrant

Lovely Statues
This is a replica of the "Genius of Connecticut" which was once mounted on top of the dome but was damaged in a hurricane in 1938.

 Nathan Hale - A soldier in the American revolutionary war who was captured and executed he is best known for his last words - " "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

Senate chair -  made from the wood of the charter oak tree, which fell down in 1857. The top of each post has an acorn springing from oak leaves, while the posts and arms are entwined with branches of oak with leaves and acorns. An eagle is at the back center. The state coat of arms is in the shield on the back. they actually let us tourists sit in it. It isn't very comfortable.

And a cannon ball embedded in a tree

 
 A hungry squirrel

 Mark Twain

 and his house

Wandering Wednesday - Colorado

Wandering Wednesday:
State: Colorado
Capital: Denver
Entered the Union: August 1, 1876 (38th state)
Facts: known as the Centennial State because Colorado was admitted to statehood during the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The name Colorado comes from the Spanish for “colored red”.
Eastern Colorado was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase (1803), ten Central portion in 1845 with the admission of Texas as a state, and the Western part in 1848 as a result of the Mexican war.
The first license plate on a car in the United States was issued in Denver, Colorado in 1908
Denver is nicknamed the "mile high city" because its official elevation is exacetly one mile above sea level.
Colorado has the highest elevation of any state with 1000 rocky mountain peaks over 10,000 ft and 54 towering 14,000ft.
The first license plate on a car in the United States was issued in Denver, Colorado in 1908.

I've only been to this state twice. The first time was driving through on my cross country move. The second time a friends wedding. Not really enough time to explore a lot.

Colorado river

 Red Rock Amphitheater (someday I will see a concert here)

Denver Convention center big blue bear

The wedding:

Wandering Wednesday - California

Capital: Sacramento
Entered the Union: September 9, 1850 (31st state)
Motto: Eureka ( I have found it) It is widely believed this is because of the discovery of Gold
Facts: The first Spanish Mission was established in 1769 at San Diego. On Jan 24, 1848 gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill ( by James W. Marshal) and the California Gold Rush bringing with it a large number of settlers. California has both the lowest point (death Valley 282 ft below sea level) and the highest point ( Mt Whitney 14,491 ft) in the lower 48 states. California is the birthplace of the Frisbee, Barbie Dolls, skateboards and Video arcade games.

The California state Capitol building is gorgeous a lot of ornate sculptures.

  Also the state Seal says Eureka.

 Sutter's Fort which was key to the settlement of Sacramento and shelter to the survivors from the Donner Party.

 San Fransisco and the famous Ghirardelli square.. great hot cocoa on a cold day

 The Golden Gate Bridge

 Alcatraz. I was suppose to take a walking tour but the government shut down so it was cancelled :( maybe next time.

 Famous Pier 39

 and the Sea lions

 Winchester Mystery house:
This is the house owned by the widow to the inventor of the Winchester rifle. She believed that ghosts were out to kill her and as long as she kept up construction on the house they would nt find her. There is a stairway to the ceiling. , a door in the floor, and a lot of other odd things. It is an amazing tour! This place is HUGE and a must see in northern California.

 Venice Beach with my dad. I grew up about 5 miles from here so as a child this was my stomping grounds!

 Venice Canals. I great walking area. or if you have a boat you can paddle around.

 My favorite part of California - the sunsets!

 And You can't visit southern California without at least seeing the Hollywood sign...

 I took the hiking path up to it, or rather behind it.

 Lastly, Catalina island where southern Californians go to escape...