In Salem, Oregon, the averages for the year stay within a 40 degree change of temperature. Even in the coldest part of the year the lowest average is 32 degrees, so it’s not too cold. In the summer, you can plan on sunshine without all the excruciating heat as the average temperature at the peak is 82 degrees. At Central Point, Oregon it’s warmer with less annual precipitation. During July the highest average temperature is only 90 degrees while the lowest is only 30 degrees. I could keep naming the temperatures of Oregon, but I think you get the hint. Pretty much the state stays about the same throughout with a few small differences. That is what people find so great about Oregon they don’t have to prepare much for extreme heat or cold.

Now you’re thinking if they don’t have major changes in the hot and cold temperatures around the state, then what do the deal with? Well, the most they have to deal with is a lot of rain! Even or should I say especially during the winter. In the winter months almost half of the days are covered with precipitation. While in summer months there is only about 10-15% of the days where they deal with the precipitation. In fact, July is known to be the driest part of the year for Oregon. From November to March tends to be the wettest part of the year for Oregon, so if you are traveling during those months, you definitely want to pack to stay dry. When traveling, if you’re visiting Oregon during the dryer months, you still would want to pack just in case a rainfall hits. This is true especially if you are in the western part of Oregon, near the coast. They traditionally get more rainfall than the eastern edge does.

History has shown that the eastern side of Oregon has a more regular rainfall pattern, than the other parts. A lot of the weather changes in the state have to do with the mountains there and the coast. There is a lot of extra moisture on that side of the mountain, nothing you wouldn’t expect with that much water though.

As long as you don’t mind a little bit of wetness, the weather in Oregon is usually ideal for each season. The precipitation really isn’t that big of a problem as long as you’re prepared. All you need to make sure is that you have an umbrella or some type of rain jacket to keep you dry. Plus, if you visit the further side of Oregon from the coast then you will be able to stay dry and have less chance of getting soaked.

• Wildlife
• Glaciers
• Indian Culture
• History

The wildlife in Glacier National Park in northern Montana is absolutely breathtaking.  Endangered wildlife, such as the bald eagle, black bear and the Lynx are among some of the animals you may encounter. Frequently seen are mule deer, wolves, mountain goats and big horn sheep, since they live there throughout the year.  In 1900s the moose was thought to be extinct in the Rockies south of Canada.  The moose count today is well over 8,000 in the state of Montana.  They also have the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. In Montana, the number of elk, deer and antelope populations outnumber the humans!

There are several types of glaciers throughout Glacier National Park.  Each name represents the action from the glacier to create different kinds of landscape:

• Aretes
• Cirques
• Hanging Valleys

An arête forms when two glaciers work on opposite sides of the same wall, leaving a narrow ridge. The Garden Wall, Glacier National Park’s prominent features, is an arête separating two valleys. The second glacier, Cirques, is when a large bowl formed at the head of the glacier begins to melt, leaving a lake in the depression gouged by the glacier, over 250 lakes within its boundaries.  Finally, the Hanging Valleys are throughout the park.  Since these types of glaciers don’t cut into the ground as deep, small valleys are left high up on the mountain which creates a waterfall.

Archaeologists have found evidence of humans in northern Montana dating back 10,000 years.  The tribes that still exist today could most likely be traced back to these people from very long ago. One of the tribes that lived in this area of Montana was the Blackfeet Indians. Before the northwestern part of Montana had been explored by the English and before it became a national park, the Blackfeet Indians lived off the abundance the land provided them with. In 1895, the Blackfeet Indians sold part of this land to the government and soon after, the land was declared a national park. It was appropriately named Glacier National Park because of the glaciers from millions of years ago that carved out the valleys and lakes we see in Montana today.

The most impressive fact about Glacier National Park is that it is over 1 million acres! This park straddles the Continental Divide, and contains some of the most unspoiled wilderness you will ever find.  A scenic and breathtaking drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering feat and is a National Historic Landmark. Completed in 1932, after 11 years, it has forever changed the way visitors would experience Glacier National Park. Take a drive for yourself and you will agree that Glacier National Park in northern Montana is one of the best destinations you can experience!

Archeological investigation have proved the presence of game hunting culture back dating around 10,000 years and farming culture at around 2000 BC to 1860. There were two kinds of adaption route that people followed in order survive somewhat harsh plain environment. They either lead nomadic life caring for their famous Bison cattle or a slow paced sedentary farmer’s life who occasionally hunted for food. The nomads quickly moved from cattle to horse allowing them a greater mobility. By 18th and 19th century, the place saw commercial success and was a known market place for fur trade. After discovery by French explorer, the place saw succession of European claims over the land including French, Spain and Great Britain and there was intense competition between the three countries when it came to fur trade and prime location to sell goods.

From what has been discerned from history, the association between natives and European settler was mainly peaceful aside from few incidents. It did impact the life of Native Americans who were now exposed to diseases like small pox in 1837 that almost wiped out their population, unsavory goods like guns. It also brought into world children born to Chippewa Native women and European settlers, called Métis, the product of two amalgamations of two different cultures. By 1803, the American gained the control of territory from French and Native Americans were forced to live on reservation.

When the area was first incorporated by United States the state was treated as part of Minnesota territory but by 1861 it was incorporated as Dakota Territory. Next few years saw several confrontations between opposing culture and also military incursion. A great deal of Bison herds were slaughtered to make Natives submit to increasing federal power and around 1880, most if not all of natives had given up their old life. The power struggle between various culture still simmered and there was tension that was intensified by military occupation and counter attack by natives. Some of the names such as Crazy Horn, Gall gained notoriety. Also the period saw mass exodus of some of native Dakota settlers who decided to lead a more peaceful life across the Canadian border.

It was on Nov 2nd1889, that Dakota territories was split into South Dakota and North Dakota and state of North Dakota was born. The next few years saw settlement boom followed by ethnic variety. Some of the major development occurred during the period of 1880 and 1910 followed by shift of the state’s occupation from trading to farming. The 21st century saw demographic and economic decline in North Dakota and it is only recently that the state has gained its fame as one of leading oil producing state in United State.

NY Storm, Troy and Drowning
In August 30, 1871 in the city of Troy, there was a massive and severe rainstorm which led to the drowning of the city. A lot of people were affected together with their houses. It was reported that there were bodies which drowned and were not recovered. The heavy storm and rain left Troy in a devastated and unpleasant way.

New York Rockaway Beach Storm and Drowning
This happened in June 9, 1902. A great gale raged about New York and lasted about half a day. This led to the loss of eight lives. Many who were on pleasure and recreation crafts perished. About 100 sloops and cat boats were caught up in this great gale. These sloops and boats housed about four to fifteen amateur fishermen, and the gale they experienced gave them a dreadful time. Many of the pleasure and recreation crafts were also believed to be lost in the gale.

East Coast Earthquake
This occurred around August 1884, and brought about a devastating effect to the area. After the terrific earthquake experience that took place in Washington and Baltimore, New York City was shocked and alarmed almost the same time by an earthquake of much greater severity. Coney Island, an Island located in New York, was thoroughly shaken by vibrations, and this made the guests to become alarmed and scared, and actually led to panic. This shock led to trembling faces from children, men, women and even animals in the menagerie.

Buffalo, New York – Kelker Blower Company Explosion
In January 24, 1926, a massive explosion broke out in Kelker Blower Company, New York. This explosion led to the loss of four lives, injuries to about four people and also led to several people becoming missing. The explosion led to the demolition of the walls and roof of the company, and eventually leading to the destruction of the foundation of the building.

Chateauguay, New York
In June 30, 1856, a terrible tornado hit Franklin County, New York. The invasion by the tornado led to the destruction of many properties and houses. It is reported that about 300 to 400 houses were destroyed by the tornado hit. Even though the tornado passed through the county around 9am to 10am on a particular Monday morning, it left the Franklin County in a terrific state. It was left in a state of complete desolate and not a single building escaped injury with several ones severely destroyed. It was estimated that $100,000 will not be enough to cover the damage.

Unlike other states that are known to have one climatic belt, New Jersey is quite different in this regard. The state is divided into different climatic regions. Based on the slight climatic differences and variability’s, there are two major classifications. The central, south and northeast regions of the state is said to have a humid sub-tropical climate. The northwest region has a humid continental climate. However, because the northwest is situated on a higher elevation, it usually experiences cooler temperatures than other areas. The climate of New Jersey is heavily influenced by geographical features such as the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware River.

The seasons of New Jersey have an interesting pattern. Recordings during the seasons are usually oscillating between high and low values. For example, there are hot and humid summers. During these summers, the average high temperature can reach 31oC (88oF) while the average low reading can be around 21oC (70oF). In some cases though, the temperature can go above 32oC and even shoot past 38oC. But this happens only on very rare occasions. The state’s temperature ranges from 23oC (74oF) to a cold -1oC (30oF) in January. The hottest month is usually July.

Winters in the state are cold and can be as low as -12oC (10oF) in very rare circumstances. Although the average high temperature of the winters is 3oc (38oF) and 0oC (-320F) for most parts of the state. In the northwestern regions, there are slightly colder winters because of a number of geographical factors. It is important to note, especially for the visiting tourist, that heavy clothing and some extra bundling are needed for the winter months while light clothing will be sufficient during the hot and humid summers. For the other seasons of spring and autumn, there can be very wide differences in the temperatures. The seasons can be chilling cold or warm but at degrees that are quite tolerable. These seasons also record lower values of humidity than the summer months.

Rainfall is another integral part of the weather and climate of this high-population American state. The rainfall is well-distributed all over the state. The average annual rainfall ranges from 44 inches to well over 50 inches in some areas. Apart from the fair distribution pattern, rainfalls in New Jersey are usually not too copious like some other states. There is moderate rainfall throughout the year. This however, does not change the fact that the state can experience flooding or even blizzards that are triggered by the notorious ‘northeasters’. These occurrences are mostly recorded during winters and at the start of spring time. On the whole, the good news is that natural disasters such as tropical storms, earthquakes and tornadoes are very uncommon. The good weather and relative absence of extreme natural phenomena has made the state the toast of millions.

In terms of seasons and temperature, the state enjoys warm humid summers and cold wet winters. Winter usually starts in late October which can be quite cold and snowy particularly in the northern and mountainous areas. Records have shown that the average snow fall throughout the year ranges from 60 inches (150 cm) to more than 100 inches (250 cm) and continue well into April. In the past, there have been times of extreme snow falls, such as the blizzards of 1978 and 1993. However, during the winters, ice-fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing are very popular sports.

Concerning precipitation, the state has an all-year-round precipitation. The average of this in the state is about 40 inches (100 cm), but it must be noted that there are considerable variations in the White Mountains and its surrounding areas. This is as a result of the differences in the height and the total snowfall. Talking about the other seasons, an interesting pattern is revealed. The spring season commences after the end of winter which is in the middle of March. An important fact is that it is during this season that the weather comes with its most erratic patterns. This season is regarded as the season of the ‘maple syrup’ with a lot of festivities and activities like dances and pole fishing going on. Apart from its streak of unpredictability, the season is surely an enjoyable one!

The summer is also another interesting season in the state. Summer usually begins during the middle of June and lasts till early September. During this time, there are sunny days and clear nights as the state goes all-out with the excitement of so many activities. With so much playing, canoeing, hiking and other adventurous things in the air, summer may be the best season to enjoy a vacation in New Hampshire.

On a more frightening scale, the Granite State is also prone to natural disasters, although this is on rare occasions. It has been recorded that extreme climatic events like hurricanes and tropical storms have hit the state before. As a matter of fact, the state experiences almost 20 days of thunderstorms every single year. This is apart from the fact that a couple of tornadoes cause considerable mayhem every year. On a larger scale, New Hampshire is a relatively safe and geologically-stable (there is no history of significant earthquakes). After all, it seems New Hampshire is actually as solid as granite!

The history dates back to the crude life of the Prehistoric Age down to the hyper-sophisticated and technology-driven world of the 21st century. Mississippi continues to dazzle every student of history with its particularly enchanting history. The state has seen the blood-curdling horrors of battle and enjoyed the cool breeze of prosperity, but the good thing is that the Magnolia State has stood the test of time. Although it has made and is still making history, it is has not become history itself.

The history of Mississippi dates back to the time of the American Indians such as the Choctaws, Chickasaw, Natchez, Yazoo, Pascagoula and the Biloxi. Much of the state was not beamed to the world until the expedition of Hernando De Soto (the first major expedition by any European) in 1540. Over different periods of time, the state was ruled by the French, Spanish and the British. In fact, the popular city of Natchez (Mississippi’s first capital) was founded as a French outpost in 1716. It was not until 1783 that the United States gained control of the state under the treaty of Paris. The capital was later moved to Jackson (named in honour of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the US) in 1822.

A prominent part of the history of Mississippi is that of land disputes which were really rampant around the time of the Land Purchase. The most notorious land issue was the Yazoo Land Scandal of 1795. Huge tracts of land were purchased from the Chickasaw and Choctaw Native Americans in the 1800s under various treaties such as the Pontotoc Treaty of 1832.

The history of Mississippi is not complete without the mention of an important agricultural crop, cotton. In the 1800s, cotton was a major driver of the state economy peaking with a cotton boom in the 1850s. The crop was the engine of prosperity at that time although there were serious issues of slavery. Another interesting aspect of the state’s history was during the American Civil War in which Mississippi was the stronghold of the Confederate States of America. As a matter of fact, Mississippi seceded from the Union in January 1861 and its senator, Jefferson Davis was to later emerge as the president of the Confederacy. Mississippi was eventually admitted into the Union in 1817.

During the Civil War, the state fought and lost heavily. The Mississippi people fought gallantly especially in the historical Vicksburg Campaign, but later fell to the overwhelming arsenal of Ulysses Grant, former US President. Although terrible losses were recorded in the Civil War, the Second World War sparked an industrial boom in the state. Today the Magnolia State has been growing in leaps and bounds, recording even more spectacular historical milestones. In 1987, Ray Mabus was elected as governor at the age of 39, the youngest in the nation. Today, in the 21st century, the state is now seen as a center of rapid industrialization and economic growth. What the future has in stock for Mississippi, only time can tell.

Missouri has a humid continental climate, characterized by long, hot summers and cool winters. Sometimes the winters can be bitterly cold. The state also experiences swings in temperature because of its location in the interior of the country and the palpable absence of temperature-modifying geographical feature such as mountain ranges or oceans. Thus, the major climate-influencing factor in Missouri is the cold Arctic air swooping down from the Canada and the northern plains. The other factor is the warm air blowing from the Gulf of Mexico causing heavy rainfall. The effect of this geography makes areas in the northwest to be cooler than the southeast.

The state has interesting temperature variations. The hottest period of the year is the summer which usually runs from June through August. During these periods, heat waves like the one in 1980 that claimed over 300 lives are fairly common. The coldest month is January during temperatures can plunge to -2o C (29o F). Interestingly, the coldest temperature ever recorded in the Show Me State was -40oC (-40o F) at the city of Warsaw in the February of 1905. During spring, the mean temperature is about 12oC (54o F) while it is not too different during the fall when it is about 13.6oC (56.5oF). In terms of dryness, the winter with its prevailing northwest winds is the driest period of the year.

When it comes to the rainfall (precipitation), there is a close correlation with the temperature. The lowest precipitation is around 34 inches in the northwest region while the highest rainfall recordings of about 50 inches are usually made in the southeast. There is snowfall from November through April, although most of it is in the months of December, January and February and the heaviest falls are over the northern areas. This piece of information is more relevant to lovers of winter sports.

Furthermore, the state of Missouri has its own share of extreme climatic phenomena such as cyclones, windstorms, droughts, heat waves, snowstorms, cold waves and tornadoes. Tornadoes are common occurrences in Missouri. This is because of the location of the state in the Tornado Alley of the United States. During spring, (March through May), up to 35 tornadoes can be recorded every year. This is in addition to the fact that the spring is the wettest period of the year. On the whole, Missouri has a moderate climate which encourages growth and development.

The state of Massachusetts nickname is the ‘Bay State’, it got the state name from the Algonquian Tribe as the word in their language means, ‘a big hill place.’ The state was born as part of the USA on February 6, 1788. Of course, the capital of the state is Boston, Massachusetts. The state song is as dominant as the states motto, “All Hail to Massachusetts,” is the great song while the motto states, “by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”

How many different state animals can they have? Well, let’s find out. They’re state bird is the Black-Capped Chickadee while the game bird is the Wild Turkey. You could probably guess the dog or fish that they have chosen to represent their state. They both have the same name as famous parts of Massachusetts. The Boston terrier is the dog and then there is the Cod fish. As I said, they both share something imperative with the state itself. They also have a state horse, cat and insect.

What are some facts that you may not know about the wonderful state of Massachusetts? Well, the state flower is the Mayflower, pretty important to more than just the state itself. Since we are on history, Massachusetts state folk hero is the amazing Johnny Appleseed. Everyone knows about him, but not many know just how connected he is to one of our state’s history.

The female heroine of the state was name for receiving the first military pension ever awarded to a female. Who was she? Well, during the American War of Independence she was known as Robert Shurtleff, hiding the fact that she was born a woman so that she could help fight for our rights. The name she was born with was Deborah Samson. Any ideas about other famous and important people of our history that originated in the state of Massachusetts? Several of our Presidents to be exact, two of them were even born in the same town. John Adams (the 2nd President) and John Quincy Adams (the 6th President) were both born in the town known today as of Quincy, Massachusetts but was known as Braintree, Massachusetts.

There is so much history to this amazing state. It is something that deserves the time to research and then the ability to see the magnificent view with your own eyes. Every piece of this land has a hidden part of our history to it, something that connects it with other facts that you learned in school. Some of the background on this state is so unusual and fascinating that you may not have learned of it before, but it is definitely worth looking into!

Frederick County is truly a place to visit and only a few hours distance from Harper’s Ferry or Gettysburg or D.C, Baltimore, and Antietam, it is easily accessible. For passionate art lovers or shoppers, this is the place to come. In this county alone there are literally hundreds of shops, from big retail shops dealing in brand name items, to cozy antique shops offering a treasure trove of items, and art galleries to browse.

In Fredrick, which is one city in Frederick County, there are three colleges: Frederick Community College, Hood College and the Maryland school for the Deaf. Thurmont, another city located in Frederick County contains two state parks, one of which is well known for its cascading waterfall of 78 feet. This is the Cunningham Falls State Park. Here too in Frederick, history is kept fresh with three museums, Monacacy National Battlefield, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, and the South Mountain Battlefield. This county is probably best known for its downtown district of more than 45 blocks of Maryland historic sites.

In Montgomery County, there are seven cities, Rockville, Potomac, Montgomery Village, Silver Spring, Germantown and Gaithersburg. There are three major DC Metro airports, Dulles International, Thurgood Marshall Baltimore/Washington International Airport and the Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport. This makes travelling to and fro easy. Generally, these airports are less than an hour away from the DC Metro area of Maryland. Located in DC Metro, Maryland is the great Patuxent River State Park. This park contains about 6700 acres of great Maryland terrain for hunting, hiking, horse riding or fishing. Here also are found other activities such as golfing, in any of the numerous golf courses, or visiting the museums such as the Clara Barton National Historic Site and the National Capital Trolley Museum or the National Library of Medicine.

Prince George’s county has lots to offer. At just minutes away from DC, Maryland, and 25 minutes from Annapolis, this county offers lots of family geared activities. There are more than a dozen golf courses, and about twenty thousand acres of national parks and recreational centers to ride horses, bike or go hiking. Visit the National Harbor on the Potomac, or the well-known NASA Goddard Flight Centre, Six Flag America, or the National Wildlife Visitor centre for an enjoyable day out with your family and friends. There are two universities in this county, The University of Maryland located in College Park and the Bowie State University.

There is also the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and the FedEx Field and The Washington Redskins to list as a must in your list of places to visit.