Claudia was encouraged by our comments and she announced the next day that she wanted us, the readers, to give her somewhere to go. She pulled out her Van Oech Whack Pack and asked us to come up with a way for us to decide a couple of things; first, where would she go and second how to decide where to go?
She initially said she would take roll call and throw out 4-5 states a week and then we would have to post something about our state and she would rate our participation. We pulled the Van Oech card that said to Combine Ideas. Treye threw out the "Taste of" idea and the ball just started rolling from there. And that's where the fun all began.
We created a second blog, Taste of USA, and I put up little tidbits of each state throughout the months of May, June and July. One of our readers suggested that I go with Claudia to this all-creative, all-entertaining party and being the desperate single mom looking for an adults only vacation, I was completely game! In the end it came down to a rolling vote in the comment section on the last day of the contest, a Free For All Friday, with neighboring states, Pennsylvania and New York battling it out. On July 25th, Pennsylvania won by a nose and our day was set for September 6th.
While at Taste of USA in rainy Philadelphia, Tera, Treye, Julie, Amy, Claudia and I were having dinner after a fun day of running in the rain, eating Philly Cheese steaks and lots of cupcakes, after sharing creativity ideas, and lots of laughter (and where the dinner waitress had NO time for us) when Julie and Tera came up with West Coast battles East Coast. They even went back to their rooms where they spent a great deal of time coming up with brackets. It was awesome! Thank you both so much for your enthusiasm.
We didn't stay with the girls "West Coast vs. East Coast" theme but decided to seed the states based on the most readers/visitors from each state. Taste of USA 2009 will be rolling out on Monday, May 4th. It's going to be a ton of fun! And it's going to be super-fast paced so we need you to keep up and vote! There are 3 brackets. They are the Liberty, Freedom and Independent brackets. Every Monday through Friday for the month of May we will have one voting competition for each bracket. All you have to do is vote for the state you would be most willing to go to for Taste of USA 2009 - an explosion of creativity and entertainment with Highlowaha! I will warn you now: There is no Free For All Friday and we will know our destination by the end of May! Once we know our destination, we will decide on the best time for our adventure but we are looking at an early September weekend. Full details and bracket information are available today over at Taste of USA.
Claudia, Heather, Katie and I want you there! Where do you want to go?
Don't think I've forgotten about our Give-away Derby. We have a fun Travel Pack to get you ready for the trip. Enter today's drawing by submitting the answer to these three questions:
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to ___________________.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to ___________________.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was ___ years old when I went to _______________.
Announcements:
Thanks so much to all of you that participated in the Slug Bug Weekend Challenge. It was a slow weekend for all but you have earned your patches. If you need a piece of denim to get started please let us know at highlowaha218@gmail.com. By the way, yesterday I saw 22 slug bugs.
Derby Hat's: Don't forget to email your derby hat photo to Katie by May 1st at 5pm to highlowaha218@gmail.com. This is another patch yielding event! My jeans are looking cute!
Signing of until tomorrow...
23 comments:
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Aberdeen or Crete.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to Big bend or Moab.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 30+ years old when I went to Hovenweep (SE Utah).
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Australia.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to
Maine or Arizona/Texas (never been
to any of these yet).
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 19 years old when I went to Toronto during Spring Break my sophomore year of college.
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to New Zealand.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to either California or New York.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 21 years old when I went to North Carolina.
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go backpacking through Europe.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to Arizona (to visit Julie!)
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 25 years old when I went to California (drove from San Fran to San Diego).
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would do European Vacation to France, London & Italy... on a total tourist sight seeing trip
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, total touristy Los Angeles adventure
3. My all time favorite vacation, Cancun Mexico with my DH.
1. I would go to Italy
2. right now it would be home to KY, needing a visit with the family! otherwise, I would love to visit Maine-never been up there
3. I'd have to say honeymoon vacation to Hawaii was my favorite
Ooh.. this is so interesting. Thanks for sharing everyone. I put up a test poll over at Taste of USA so over there and practice. The poll is in the right sidebar.
Here are my answers:
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Greece.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would go to Savannah and/or Charleston.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was about 30 to St. John, USVI. I wish I could have stayed longer.
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to New Zealand like Kat!
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to California, I've never been.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was __25_ years old when I went to __Hilton Head and Savannah on our honeymoon.
Brian, we have a spare bedroom...come on over! We live in Central Texas area, between San Antonio (Alama, RiverWalk) and Austin (Capitol city, live music, etc) :-)
Wow... this is so interesting!
If I could go anywhere in the world, I too would go to New Zealand. Hastings, New Zealand to be exact. Hastings is where my pen pal grew up and I would love to see her house and her family's apple orchards.
If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would like to Jackson Hole, Yoesemite, or beautiful hiking trails in Colorado.
My all time favorite vacation was to Maui in 2003. It was perfectly relaxing. Long walks every day, ocean breezes, sunshine, and beautiful scenery.
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go on a safari in South Africa.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would go to Colorado to see the mountains and experience life the way my best friend did 2 summers ago.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 20 years old and went on a guided bus trip with 7 complete strangers through Great Ocean Road in southern Australia.
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to the Coast of Italy?? Amalfi?? Or someplace sunny like Cannes?
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to the south!! I would like to see Savannah or Charleston.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 19-20?? years old and in college and went with one of my friend's family to Aspen and Snowmass for Spring Break for about 10 days. Oh to be young, with some friend's wealthy parents in a snow playground!! It was my first real "nice" trip... Alot for a little small town girl from Oologah, Ok!! I tried new foods, did new things and met people from all over the country. I am very thankful to the Halls for those memories!!
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Australia I think.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to New York, I have never been.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 19 years old when I studied abroad in London England for a month. Also spent a weekend in Paris that was AMAZING!!!
1. Kenya/South Africa (Bora Bora runs a close second - I really want to stay in the huts on the water.
2. Take the kids to Disney World.
3. I have 2- one kid and one adult -
As an adult - my favorite is when I went to Fiji. The highlight was a private cruise around the islands. I highly suggest it for a honeymoon.
As a kid -when I turned 5 my parents took me to Disney World for my birthday. I had dinner in Cinderella's castle. A perfect time for a little princess.
I really want to take Matthew to Disney for his 5th b-day (which is this year). Hopefully I'll win a trip and be able to take him. Keep your fingers crossed.
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Europe - I know that's really broad, but I want to see all the countries and gorgeous old cities...I could do several months just travelling around (sorry, no backpacking for this city girl!) and checking out all the sights and fabulous photo ops!
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to Texas to see my fab friend Heather and enjoy the sun with her there!
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 19 years old when I went to the Carribbean on a cruise with my family - I can't wait to cruise again someday soon with my hubby!
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Prague.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would go to Savannah.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 21 years old when I went to Belize.
Don't forget to go vote on today's poll~ for which region are you cheering
We have a total of 8 votes and the Midwest region is winning.
It would have been nice if I would have reminded you to vote at:
www.tasteofusa.blogspot.com
There. Go vote!
Thanks for answering the questions today! It is so interesting to see where everyone wants to go and where everyone has been.
I just voted!!! Yay Taste of USA!!!
Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!
BABY ALERT:
Eleanor Whitney was born to Mark & Melanie (a HLA reader) around noon today. She is 7lbs, 11 oz. and 21 in. I was updated via facebook, but I'm assuming mom and baby are healthy.
Keep them in your prayers!
1. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Europe.
2. If I could go anywhere in the continental US, I would got to Seattle.
3. My all time favorite vacation was when I was 30something years old when I went to Chicago in summer 2009. (Wishful thinking...)
Now I'm going to sit back, enjoy my Starbucks treat (Thanks, HLA!) and finish my daily word count...
Congratulations, Melanie. Let's all send good thoughts her way. A new member of the HLA community has been born! Hip Hip HooRay!
Congratulations Melanie!!!
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