Seattle Washington Space Needle Seattle, WA Founded in 1851 Seattle developed rapidly as a seaport after the Alaskan gold rush and the opening of the Panama Canal. Literally touching the city's boundaries are thousands of square miles of evergreen forests and hundreds of miles of salt and freshwater shoreline. The crown jewel of Seattle's attractions is the Seattle Center with its distinctive 605-foot Space needle. Seattle events include: Northwest Folklife Festival, Seafair, Bite of Seattle, Seattle International Film Festival, and Opening Day of Yachting Season. Des Moines Iowa Des Moines, IA The capital city of Iowa moved to Des Moines in 1857. It's a city where you can take your pick or do it all. There's an exciting variety of activities including soccer, track and field events, hockey, world-class opera, and blue- ribbon events. The Des Moines downtown is designated as a preservation area. Located just outside Des Moines, there's hiking trails, boating, cross-country skiing, and plenty to attract the outdoor enthusiast. Des Moines events include: Iowa State Fair, Barnstormers Arena Football Team, Iowa Cubs Baseball season, and the RV, Boat & Camping Show. Reno Nevada Reno Reno, NV A welcoming arch claims, "The Biggest Little City in the World." The Truckee River runs through the heart of Reno's downtown. A vital part of the community is the campus of the University of Nevada, a center of higher education. Reno's numerous casinos are frequent and popular visitor attractions. However, the city additionally offers parks, two zoos, museums, outdoor recreation activities, and skiing in nearby Lake Tahoe. Reno events include: Reno Rodeo, Reno Logger Jamboree, Hot August Nights, Nevada State Fair, Christmas on the River, and the Best-in-the-West Rib Cook-off. Louisville Kentucky Louisville, KY Nestled along the Ohio River, Louisville was founded in 1778 by Revolutionary War hero General George Rogers Clark and quickly grew into a thriving riverport. The the 1800s Louisville was a processing and shipping center for tobaco, bourbon, textiles, and agricultural products. Part of Louisville's charm is its rich heritage, rememberd and honored through the preservation of many majestic historic sites. The city is winthin a day's drive of more than half the population of the United States. Area events include Taste of a Nation, The Chocolate Rendezvous, Best of Louisville Bash, and Halloween in the Forest. St. Augustine Florida St. Augustine St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the United States, founded in 1565 by a Spanish Explorer named Pedro Menendez. A small settlement survived under the Spanish rule. This area was already occupied by the Timucuan Indians A fort, named Castillo De San Marcus was built to protect the settlement from attacks from the French and English. Politics took St. Augustine from Spanish control and returned it back to England in 1763. Menedez colonized the area and converted the Timicuans and destroyed the French 55 years before the Pilgrims' landing and 42 years before the colony at Jamestown. Castillo De San Marcus survived numerous attacks from the French, Sir Francis Drake (Englishman) and pirate Captain John Davis Sir Francis Drake burned the city and destroyed the food crops. Captain John Davis attacked the town, killing 60 inhabitants. More major attacks occurred, one by Governor James Moore of South Carolina in 1702 and again in 1740 by General James Oglethorpe of Georgia. In 1763 Spain ceded Florida to England in order to regain the capital of Cuba, starting a British reign in Florida for twenty years. It was at that time the American Revolution began with Florida being ever so loyal to England, "the Crown." Under terms in the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Florida was given back to the Spanish for another 37 years. Then Spain sold Florida to the United States of America. Shortly thereafter, St. Augustine suffered many terrible setbacks, but still survived. A Yellow Fever epidemic killed many newcomers in1821. Many battles and uprisings by the Seminole Indians resulted in the war of 1836, named the Seminole War, which destroyed the further development of the city. In the year of 1845 Florida was admitted to the Union. Castillo De San Marcus was renamed in honor of a Revolutionary war hero. St. Augustine was beginning yet again to prosper when the Civil War started. . During the Civil War, St. Augustine was under Union rule. After the Civil War ended, a millionaire named Henry Flager arrived with new ideas and plans for one of the most lavish hotels known to mankind at that era. His idea was to make the town a lavish resort for the leisure traveler. After his arrival in 1885, the hotel marked a beginning of a golden era for the citizens of St. Augustine. Henry Flagler was also the co-founder of the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. A rich man indeed, he wanted to make St. Augustine a playground for the rich and famous. He started the Florida East Coast Railway, a transportation link from St. Augustine to New York. When this link was complete, northern visitors could reach St. Augustine in two days. This, in turn, opened the way for many rich and famous people to visit and with it came the Industrial Age, since materials could be shipped via railway fast and easily. Five U.S. Presidents stayed at the beautiful hotel, named "Ponce de Leon", for the famous explorer. See the many sites around St. Augusitine. The Castllo De San Marcus, Fort Matanzas, landmark cross and the legendary Fountain of Youth, Oldest House, The Oldest Store Museum, Authentic Old Jail, The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Potter's Wax Museum, Alligator Farm, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Zorayda Castle, and The Lighthouse Museum.