1

Block Island, Rhode Island

Image: John Angel

One of the "Last Great Places" in the Western Hemisphere, as declared by the Nature Conservancy, Block Island has done a great job at preserving its natural beauty, with 40% of its territory being devoted to wildlife refuges.

32 miles of coastline and inland trails, along with beaches, biking, and trekking provide ample opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. And, when the sun goes down, a healthy scene of bars and restaurants with an easy-going atmosphere and great food welcomes visitors.

2

Alamosa, Colorado

Image: Shelby Cohron

Colorado is not just about ski resorts and mountains, as Alamosa proudly demonstrates. If you head down south in the Centennial State you will find this high-altitude agricultural community mainly known to UFO sightings chasers and birdwatchers.

The town, packed with antique shops and craft breweries, is near the Great Sand Dunes National Park, a surreal place that makes visitors feel as if they were in the Sahara desert. The San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristo mountains, also near, provide ideal spots for hiking and exploring during the summer months.

3

Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin

Image: Dave Hoefler

Hiking trails might not look like the most crowded places but they can be—the popular ones, at least. Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail offers 1,200 miles of scenic hiking paths without the heavy foot traffic of places of most known trails.

The trail can be thoroughly enjoyed without the need to traverse it in full, as it has many segments that can be discovered individually. Wooded hills, gorgeous glacial lakes, and plenty of trailside camps and small communities to rest make this trail a great spot for a holiday in nature.

4

Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts

Image: Larry Ferreira

There is much more to Massachusetts than Boston, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires—for example, the Pioneer Valley . Carved by the Connecticut River, this peaceful area is home to several vintage mill cities turned into modern towns full of restaurants and one-off shops.

Hikers can walk the north woods on the New England Trail and Springfield visitors can discover the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, where the sport was born in 1891, as well as the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum & Sculpture Garden.

5

John Day Region, Oregon

Image: Anna Vineyard

While it has managed to avoid massive crowds for all of its existence, it's hard to believe that a natural wonder as picturesque as John Day Region will remain a calm place for much longer in this day and age. Take a moment to Google-search John Day Region’ s Painted Hills and you will get the idea.

And if that is not enough reason to make you plan a visit, the region is packed with old-growth rainforests, canyons, high desert plains, and undammed rivers complete with sandy beaches and gorgeous meadows, all in an easy-to-move-around area.

6

Pennsylvania Wilds

Image: Lera Kogan

When considering the abundance of wildlife and untamed mountain creeks, ancient trees of the Forest Cathedral, and Pine Creek’s own version of the Grand Canyon, it becomes clear that the Pennsylvania Wilds is a region that lives up to its name.

Sprawling across a vast expanse of the rugged Allegheny Plateau, the region boasts 29 state parks, two national wild and scenic rivers, a world-class stargazing center at Cherry Springs, and human relics like the Kinzua Bridge.

7

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Image: Drew Harbour

A city that has a ton of amazing things to offer but never appears on those glamorous Top-Cities-To-Visit lists, Tulsa is a hidden jewel of the Midwest. Its beautiful Art Deco architecture, impressive museums and cultural institutions with collections rivaling those of major cities, lively music scene, and craft breweries make it a great long weekend destination.

The best time window to visit would be from September to November when the temperate weather is ideal for walking tours and bike rides in the historic neighborhoods. The Tulsa International Airport has nonstop flights from all over the country, all year long.

8

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

Image: Parker Hilton

Combining beach fun and outdoor adventure with copious wildlife, Cumberland Island National Seashore receives visits that usually stay for the day. But staying overnight at beachside campgrounds or the Greyfield Inn is a fun adventure as well.

Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island is full of wild horses, sea turtles, wild turkeys, and infinite birds everywhere to be seen along the island’s 18-mile-long beach.

9

Western Tennessee

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

An enticing blend of nature, history, music, and food tells us that there is so much more to Tennessee than the tourist magnet that is Nashville. From the cradle of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll that is Memphis to the historical sites of Shiloh National Military Park and Fort Donelson National Battlefield to the Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park that conserves nearly 13,000 acres of rare hardwood bottomland along the Mississippi River, including eerie bald cypress swamp. Western Tennessee is a place to explore.

10

Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas

Image: Oliver Graham

The few visitors who venture past Hot Springs National Park, and into the highlands of west-central Arkansas are rewarded with a haven of solitude and natural wonder in the form of the Ouachita range.

These mountains are ideal for those who like their hiking, camping, and fishing in a peaceful environment. And, if that proves to be too calm, Magazine Mountain is a regional hang-gliding mecca that also boasts amazing mountain biking routes.

1

Chuckwalla

Image: Matthew Mentley

The chuckwalla can grow up to 16 inches long, making it one of the largest desert lizards. However, its size isn't the most impressive thing about it. What sets it apart from the rest is its ability to inflate like a balloon to twice its size! That's right; chuckwallas inflate their bodies to fit perfectly into holes and crevices in rocks, making it nearly impossible for predators to pull them out.

As if that weren't enough, these lizards live in desert environments with virtually no water. Although they do take in some liquid, most of their hydration comes from the plants they eat.

2

Kangaroo rat

Image: Michael Jerrard

The incredible kangaroo rat is a specialist in surviving the harshest environments. One of its talents is construction; this rodent knows how to build elaborate burrows in sandy soils for shelter and protection. In addition, kangaroo rats have fur-lined cheek pouches that allow them to carry food from where they find it back to their burrows.

But what makes them unique is their jumping ability. As small rodents (just 3.5 to 5.5 inches), their leap is surprising: they can reach up to 9 feet in a single bound! Plus, like the chuckwalla, the kangaroo rat also survives in the desert on minimal water intake.

3

Gila monster

Image: David Clode

The Gila monster is as famous as it is amazing. This reptile, native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, stands out for its unique appearance: a dark, scaly skin with pink or orange spots. In addition, the Gila monster has something that makes it special: it's one of only two venomous lizards in North America. Its potent venom is full of neurotoxins that affect the nervous system of its prey, causing intense pain, swelling, bruising, and even paralysis.

4

Mojave green rattlesnake

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

While any snake can be terrifying to most of us, the Mojave Green Rattlesnake stands out for several reasons.

The crotalus scutulatus —according to its scientific name— is distinguished by its greenish hue, which not only gives it its characteristic nickname but also helps it camouflage in the desert sand. This snake is not only venomous but is considered one of the most dangerous rattlesnakes! Its potent venom contains neurotoxins that, if left untreated with antivenom, can be lethal to various species, including humans.

5

Cactus wren

Image: Carol Lee

You've probably tried transplanting a cactus or got close to one, only to end up with tiny thorns that pricked you for days. But this doesn't happen to the cactus wren, an amazing bird known for its exceptional adaptation to the desert.

As its name implies, one of the most impressive features of the cactus wren is its ability to build large and sturdy nests on cacti without getting hurt. As if that weren't impressive enough, the bird's cleverness leads it to cover its nest with snakeskin to discourage potential predators. Incredible, right?

6

Green tarantula

Image: Thomas Oldenburger

Spiders are among the most feared creatures by humans. But if there's one spider that could scare even the bravest, it's the Mojave green tarantula, which can grow up to 4 inches long and has legs that span up to 6 inches!

Its venom delivers intense pain to its prey while simultaneously paralyzing them. In addition, these tarantulas have urticating hairs that irritate predators' skin, eyes, and respiratory systems. On the other hand, one of their great traits is their lifespan: This species can live up to 25 years in the wild!

7

Sidewinder rattlesnake

Image: Michael Jerrard

The sidewinder rattlesnake is definitely one of the desert bosses. You can tell it’s dangerous just by seeing it: Its typical triangular, flat head is topped with two horns that don't look friendly at all.

But what makes it a unique species is its movement pattern. This snake doesn't move in a straight line but in a sidewinding motion, lifting its body off the ground in a zigzag pattern. That allows it to confuse its prey while moving quickly without getting burned by the hot sand.

8

Pinyon jay

Image: frank mckenna

The cactus wren is not the only bird on this list; the pinyon jay also has its place. Nicknamed "forest farmers," pinyon jays bury the seeds of pinyon pines to eat later. The seeds they leave uneaten sprout into new pines, creating a symbiotic relationship between tree and bird. Even more impressive is their incredible memory: pinyon jays can remember thousands of seed burial locations, even months after hiding them!

9

Desert tortoise

Image: Abraham Weiss

Unlike bears and other animals that hibernate during the winter, desert tortoises enter a form of hibernation known as brumation. This occurs when it's very hot to save energy and they need to protect themselves from the heat. To do so, desert tortoises create deep burrows using their strong, shovel-like front legs. In addition, they can live up to 50 years in the wild, making them one of the longest-living reptiles.

10

Bark Scorpion

Image: Andrey Tikhonovskiy

When it comes to danger, the Bark Scorpion of the Mojave Desert is also one of the stars on this list. Considered one of the most dangerous scorpions in all of North America, this arachnid has a light yellowish body with darker spots. It tends to hide under rocks or trees, so you know where to be most careful. While it's not famous for attacking humans, it may sting if it feels threatened.

1

Self-Educated

Image: Wojciech Pacześ

George Washington’s father, died when he was just 11 years of age. There isn’t much information about his childhood and most of his virtues and qualities were invented by an admirer after he passed.

However, we do know one thing: George Washington was mostly self-educated since there was little money to support formal education.

Most of his knowledge and education came from his curiosity and eagerness to learn and become a better soldier, then farmer, and, in turn, president.

2

First Official Job

Image: Matt Briney

Since he lost his father at such an early age, Washington started working very young. His first official job was as a surveyor, which was a pretty respectable job for the 18th century. His aim in this job was to measure the land.

At the age of 16, he took on an expedition across Virginia’s western frontier in order to map the land. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the land, the resources, and the insight he would later need in his political and military career.

3

His Only Trip Off the Mainland

Image: Tom Jur

At the age of 19, George Washington accepted going on a trip to the tropics with his half-brother Lawrence who was suffering from tuberculosis.

Now, during this trip, Washington kept a diary in which he narrated his days on the ship and the island of Barbados, confessing being struck by the beauty of the place. The trip went South shortly after his arrival: On the island, he contracted smallpox, a dreaded disease during the 18th century.

Curious enough and dreadful as it was, this gave him immunity which ultimately saved him from death during the Revolutionary War, since smallpox rapidly spread across his army.

4

Agriculture Innovator

Image: Raphael Rychetsky

It is no surprise that Washington was an innovator, a forward-thinking kind of person. Besides politics and, as we learned, whiskey, he was also interested in technology.

In the 1760s, he went from growing tobacco to cultivating wheat, which revolutionized the farming practices in his estate. He experimented with crops, fertilizers, and tools to improve productivity.

He didn’t keep innovations for himself: As a president, he patented Oliver Evans’s automated mill technology, and he designed a 16-sided, two-story threshing barn that enhanced the efficiency of wheat processing.

5

Never Lived in Washington, D.C.

Image: Edoardo Cuoghi

Washington is the only president to have never lived in the White House! He, together with his family, lived in different houses along New York and Philadephia where he used to receive members of Congress, officials, and people of the sort.

The Residence Act, which moved the capital from Philadelphia to a new city along the Potomac River (later named Washington, D.C.), actually set the White House as the official presidential residence.

6

Only President To Have a State

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

Have you ever noticed that there is no Lincoln State or Jefferson State? George Washington is the only U.S. President to have a state named after him .

As a Founding Father, the first President of the United States, Hamilton, Madison, and Jefferson thought it was necessary to pay homage to his great contributions by naming a state after him.

Together with the president’s name, the state of Washington is named Columbia, after the female personification of the country.

7

First To Sign The Consitution

Image: Anthony Garand

George Washington is a Founding Father, and we all know that. As such, he was deeply involved in the writing of the Articles of Confederation, the first frame of government.

He suggested changes and his voice was regarded in the highest esteem by his fellow countrymen. In this sense, he was chosen president of the Constitutional Convention which took four months and gave, as a result, the Constitution of the United States. In his role as president, Washington was given the privilege of signing the governing document first .

8

He Was a Natural Entertainer

Image: Adam Nemeroff

When you look at pictures of Washington, you may think he was unapproachable, stiff, and serious, but history tells us otherwise.

According to many accounts, he actually loved entertaining and welcoming guests, and having company. Parties, cotillions, balls, these kinds of events were a perfect opportunity to combine entertainment and dancing, which he also enjoyed. Did you know this?

9

Post-retirement Hobby

Image: Thomas Park

Of course, they are considered national heroes, but the Founding Fathers were people with diverse interests and pursuits. George Washington was not the exception and, after he retired he took up a most interesting hobby: whiskey.

Once he ended his life in politics, he built up a whiskey distillery where he created whiskey from rye, corn, and barley. Even if it began as a hobby, the distiller became one of the most productive in the nation and, by the time he died, it remained as one of the largest.

10

One-Dolar Bill Face

Image: Marek Studzinski

Washington’s portrait on the one-dollar bill was inspired by a painting created by Gilbert Stuart. Back in 1795, Stuart painted Washington, but this piece of work comes with a few curious facts.

The first one is that the work is known only from copies. The second is that the painting was so successful that Washington’s wife commissioned a second portrait for herself. However, the painter never finished the first commission and kept it as a reference for future work.

That incomplete painting, known as the "Athenaeum," served as the reference for creating the portrait on the dollar bill.