Founded in 1841 by John Neely Bryan, Dallas is believed to be named after George Mifflin Dallas, Vice President of the US at the time (though not all historians agree on this). What started as a small trading post on the Trinity River has grown into a major hub for business, culture and sports (well…
If you’ve ever driven on I-45 between Houston and Dallas, you’ve probably seen this giant figure rising out of the trees. This 67-foot-tall statue honors Sam Houston, an important figure in Texas history and yes, the city of Houston is named after him. Sam Houston led the Texan Army to victory over Mexico at the…
This is Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of the smallest state in the US. Despite its size, it has a big history: it was one of the original 13 colonies and the first to declare independence from Britain (yes, before 1776). In 1636, Roger Williams was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his religious…
I love watching the sunrise (when I can wake up for it) because you can literally see the start of a new day. This sunrise is from Silverthorne, Colorado, a beautiful mountain town in the Rockies. You want to know more about Silverthorne? No worries I looked it up so you don’t have to. It…
You might be wondering, why is Newport called Newport? Is there an old port? What’s the oldest Newport in the US out of the 40+ Newports that exist? All really solid questions, good job guys. Newport, Rhode Island, settled in 1639, is the oldest Newport in the US. It was named after Newport, Wales. The…
I think I found the best reflective lake in New Zealand, Lake Matheson. At Lake Matheson, you can see perfect reflections of the 2 highest peaks in the country, Aoraki/Mt. Cook and Horokoau/Mt. Tasman. Aoraki, which means “cloud piercer” is the highest. It’s spiritually significant for local Māori, who consider it an ancestor. Europeans named…
Yes, you’re seeing it right, that’s a tree growing in a lake. They say this is the most famous tree in New Zealand, I believe it because there were so many tourists taking pictures of it and with it. That Wānaka Tree was originally planted over 80 years ago, completely by accident. Someone built a…
Want to see Franz Josef and Fox Glacier without paying for a helicopter tour? Here are three scenic stops you can do by car and on foot (or just on foot if you want a lot of steps): 1. Franz Josef Glacier Car Park (car park = parking lot in New Zealand) Start here for…
Milford Sound is the most iconic place in New Zealand and it’s not even a sound. According to our boat captain, it’s technically a fjord, formed by ancient glaciers carving through the rock. Its Māori name is Piopiotahi, which refers to the piopio, an extinct NZ native bird. In Māori legend, the demigod Māui died…
Rotorua Roto = lake Rua = two or second So, Rotorua roughly means “Second Lake”. The original Mãori name is “Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe”, which means “The second great lake of Kahumatamomoe.” The Government Gardens were beautiful to walk through, the hot springs were steaming and the view from the hotel over the lake made it all…