America, Countries

Swing into America’s battleground states

And for the day that’s in it let’s swing into America’s battleground states.

As a promotional tool the US election has been a Godsend for tourist boards pushing their states to an international market.

With Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona all hogging the limelight.

Penn pals

Crackin’: Liberty Bell

It’s appropriate that Penn is considered the biggest prize with Philadelphia the first capital of the USA.

And doesn’t its cracked bell just symbolise the country?

As there may be dividing lines but like the country the whole structure holds together.

Penn, of course, is a mix of blue-collar cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

And rust belt towns, Amish country and rural communities.

For God and country

King and country: MLK in Washington

What it says about neighbouring North Carolina that one of its biggest attractions is its Billy Graham Library and another the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Georgia is for ever synonymous with Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement from Atlanta.

While Democrats are rightly-proud of Plains’ most famous peanut farmer, Democrat President Jimmy Carter.

Although we’re not calling which way the Peach State will go.

North by Mid-West

Motown magic: Diana Ross

Any visitor to Michigan will binge on Motown who had plenty to say between tunes on politics.

Although the counter balance to their liberal ways would be union-basher Henry Ford whose story you can follow at his centre.

Wisconsin and its main city Milwaukee bills itself as America’s brewing state although Colorado might challenge that.

Away from the bars and the breweries visitors to the Badger State (no us neither) might like to check out the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Dam busters

Donald’s all around: Thumbs-up

Nevada and Arizona are, of course, linked by the wonder of America that is the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.

And Donald Trump as in everything in America is in your wing mirror here.

As your helicopter leaves Las Vegas and Trump Tower glistens like a beacon behind you.

Enjoy the election as we will be doing, hot dogs, Coors and popcorn in hand following it on our island in the North Atlantic.

And particularly when they swing into America’s battleground states.

 

 

Countries

The waterpark capital of the world

Who knew? Well, the good people of the midwestern US state Wisconsin but now the rest of us too, so let’s dip a toe in to Washconsin… the waterpark capital of the world.

And our friends at Family Destinations Guide.

Or more precisely Wisconsin Dells, and there may be a clue in the name.

No, not the old Ding, Dong, Dell nursery rhyme.

But dalles, as in the French for rapids after the explorers of that region.

With the Wisconsin River the first playground for the frontiersmen and also the tourists with rowboat tours the first big atraction.

Even before that though the Native Americans were there, of course.

And they will relay a mythical reason for the Dells.

Row, row, row the boat

Spray it again: Fun on the water

The Ho-Chunk nation tell of a serpent cutting through the land to create the river, its channels, fish, and wildlife.

For the rest we’re indebted to Dave Rambow (no, we don’t know if he wears a headband), site manager for the  H.H. Bennett Studio and Museum.

When it was founded in its current iteration in the late 1850s, Wisconsin Dells was originally named Kilbourn City.

After railroad mogul Byron Kilbourn when it was a small logging and timber community.

It changed its name to the more-user friendly Wisconsin Dells in 1931.

And it was from here that it started to cash in on the water park craze.

To the point where four million people flock here every year for some splash fun.

With Dells boasting the largest concentration of outdoor and indoor waterparks of any place on the planet.

Olympus games

The best resort: An overview of Mt Olympus

The Mt Olympus Water and Theme Park is the splashiest of them all.

Where you can experience America’s first rotating waterslide, the Medusa’s Slidewheel.

There are also five rollercoasters, the chief among them Hades 360 with an upside-down 360-degree roll, and seven go-kart tracks.

As well as countless waterslides, wave pools, and more!

But it’s the water I’d go for, feeling safer in the wet than the dry.

And having lapped it up in the Cola del Diablo in the Western Park Magaluf in Majorca with the Son and Heir.

And with my Irelando party in Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando.

Homes for the holidays

Loop de loop: Twirly fun

Dells offer a range of accommodations…

Cabins and cottages, camping, condos, hotels and motels, rentals, waterfronts and properties with water features.

All sounds good now Spring has sprung.

So get out to Washconsin… the waterpark capital of the world.

Madison is the closest airport to Wisconsin Dells… check out all good carriers.