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And they’re having a high old time today as they celebrate One hundred and fifty years of Colorado.

Although it’s known by all as the Centennial State on account of it being this day in 1776 that Ulysses Grant granted them statehood.

Now like all Coloradophiles we have been following progress of the Sesquicentenary all year.

And particularly since we gathered in my Glasgow birthplace to toast our Mid-West pals.

Now because every day is a school day here are some killer Colorado factoids which make the 38th State special.

Colorado Rocks

Now there have been many Coloradan singers of note and tributes to the state’s beauty.

From Henry John Deutschendorf Jr’s (or John Denver to you and me) Rocky Mountain High.

To Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic’s Stop And Stare at the iconic Red Rocks.

But even more ubiquitous than either is America the Beautiful, inspired by Katharine Lee Bates’ visit to Pikes Peak in 1893.

The same year as Colorado became the first state to grant women the right to vote through a popular referendum.

Here for the beer

Coloradans, of course, will be celebrating with a beer from any one of the 420 craft breweries.

And we’re lucky enough to have an insider in University of Boulder beer archaeologist Travis (no, we’re not making that up).

Now you probably know Colorado as a high old state… and not just for its liberal drugs laws.

But it also has the highest mean altitude of all the states with Denver known as The Mile High City.

And Coloradans are fond, of course, of saying that you only have to drink half as much to get twice as drunk.

Springs in the air

The Great Outdoors: Out and about in Colorado

The Centennial State is also famous for its hot springs.

With the world’s largest natural hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs.

With the two-block long pool across from the historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite stop of former president Teddy Roosevelt.

The inimitable Teddy is, of course, not alone in embracing the charms of the Coloured Red (on account of the topography) state.

Here’s Bill & Johnny

And every visitor to Colorado naturally pays homage to Buffalo Bill at his tombstone.

Where you will be expected to throw a coin on to his stone in tribute.

But Colorado too is home to The Stanley Hotel, in Estes Park.

Where a host of celebrities and heads of state that have stayed at the luxurious 1909 hostelry.

And here’s Johnny, from Stephen King’s novel The Shining, the hotel inspiring the author.

Fair is fowl

Now if you’re of a strong constitution then maybe you’re looking for something a bit more head turning.

So head to Fruita, where the town folk celebrate Mike the Headless Chicken Day.

To commemorate farmer L.A. Olsen who cut off Mike’s head on September 10, 1945 for his dinner.

Only for Mike to live for another four years without a head.

So have a high old time today as you have all year.

And here’s to the next 150 years.

It’s monster fun for many, Halloween, and behind our genteel capital city lies a tale which is why we’re peeking into Auld Spooky Edinburgh and scary cities.

On the back of Planet Cruise’s revelation that Mary King Close in Edinburgh is the most haunted place on Earth.

Putting aside that the Scariest Place on Earth is surely the mother-in-law’s when she’s getting ready for work at Halloween.

These are the most ghoulish gaffes as judged from Trip Advisor data.

Mary King’s Close, for those who don’t know it, lies underneath Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile and dates back to days of plague and pestilence.

It was closed off as was the public health course of the day to keep the disease enclosed.

The poster girl for Mary King’s Close was a girl called Annie who lost her dolly.

And a paranormal scientist is said to have had their hem tugged by said Annie.

The Scares and the Stripes

Now the spiritual world is never idle it would seem and is never busier than around Halloween.

It should come as little surprise that the Lonely Cruise list is dominated by entrants from Britain, Ireland and the US.

With the Halloween tradition believed to have come from these islands.

Before being transported to the American colonies where naturally they took it to Hallmark and Hollywood levels of commercialisation.

It would almost be easier to find somewhere in America without carved-out pumpkins, dusty spider webs and witches.

And not even a prison is sanctuary from the spooks.

Now we’ve run the rule on the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.

Where even tough criminals’ legs turned to jelly.

The Shining Shivers

Now we’re all familiar with Stephen King’s The Shining.

But did we know that The Stanley Hotel in Colorado was his inspiration.

Belfast chilled

Jails make another play at No.4 on the spooky list with Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast listed at No.4.

The basement drop cell when criminals dangled from ropes is said to be the spookiest spot.

How abite ye… are you up for the creak and the craic?

Now we’ve given you a sample here’s the full list.

And we know that Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights should be here.

But if the paranormal sends shivers up your spine here’s where you want to go.

The chill chart

So take it awaaaaahhhaaa!

Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, USA
The Stanley Hotel, Colorado, USA
Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, Northern Ireland
St Augustine Lighthouse, Florida, USA
Bhangarh Fort. Pajastan, India
Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, USA
Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana, USA
Catacombs of Paris, Paris
Tower of London, London