Shirley Futch Plaza ~ Computer Training Center

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Travel Day -> Colorado

Colorado, a western U.S. state, has a diverse landscape of arid desert, river canyons and snow-covered Rocky Mountains, which are partly protected by Rocky Mountain National Park. Elsewhere, Mesa Verde National Park features Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Perched a mile above sea level, Denver, Colorado’s capital and largest city, features a vibrant downtown area.

Abbreviation: CO

Capital: Denver

Temperature: 73, scattered thunderstorms

Time: 11:15 am (2 hours behind us)

Nickname: With statehood being 100 years after the signing of the nation's Declaration of Independence, Colorado's nickname became the "Centennial State." Colorado is also called "Colorful Colorado," presumably because of our magnificent scenery of mountains, rivers, and plains.

Population: 5.7 million (12.8 in PA)

Size: 104,185 sq miles (PA: 46,000 sq miles)

Statehood: August 1, 1876

State Flag:

The colors of the flag symbolize Colorado's geographical features: the gold symbolizes the state's abundant sunshine; the white represents snow-capped mountains; the blue symbolizes clear blue skies; and the red represents the color of much of the state's soil.

State Motto: Nil sine numine

"Nothing without Providence or Deity." Others say "Nothing without God"

State Bird:

Lark Bunting

State Flower:

Columbine

State Tree:

Blue Spruce

State Quarter:

10 Best Places to visit in Colorado

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Thursday, June 30, 2022

Travel Day -> California

California, a western U.S. state, stretches from the Mexican border along the Pacific for nearly 900 miles. Its terrain includes cliff-lined beaches, redwood forest, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Central Valley farmland and the Mojave Desert. The city of Los Angeles is the seat of the Hollywood entertainment industry. Hilly San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and cable cars.

Abbreviation: CA

Capital: Sacramento

Temperature: 88 degrees, sunny

Time: 10:15AM (3 hours behind us)

State Nickname: “The Golden State” has long been a popular designation for California and was made the official State Nickname in 1968. It is particularly appropriate since California's modern development can be traced back to the discovery of gold in 1848 and fields of golden poppies can be seen each spring throughout the state.

Population: 39.35 million (12.8 in PA)

Size: 163,696 square miles (46,000 in PA)

Statehood: September 9, 1850

State Flag:

The original flag, designed by William Todd, was first raised at Sonoma. Both flags show the brown California grizzly as a symbol of strength. The red of the star and bar symbolizes courage, and the star itself represents sovereignty. A white background was used to suggest purity.

State Bird:

California Quail

State Flower:

California Poppy

State Tree:

California Redwood

The primary difference between sequoias and redwoods is their habitat. Redwoods live near the coast, while sequoias live in subalpine regions of California. Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world. Sequoias are the biggest, if measured by circumference and volume.

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Underground Gardens

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Mount Whitney

Badwater Basin

The General Sherman Tree

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Thursday, May 26, 2022

Travel Day - Arkansas

Arkansas is a southern U.S. state bordering the Mississippi River. It's known for its abundant park and wilderness areas, with terrain encompassing mountains, caves, rivers and hot springs. The rugged Ozarks region in its northwest has hiking trails and limestone caves such as Blanchard Springs Caverns. Its capital, Little Rock, hosts the Clinton Presidential Center, housing Bill Clinton’s presidential archives.

Abbreviation: AR

Capital: Little Rock

Temperature: 70 degrees, cloudy

Time: 12:15 PM (1 hour behind us)

State Nickname: "The Natural State,” was officially adopted as the Arkansas official nickname by the Eightieth General Assembly of 1995. This nickname replaced the official “Land of Opportunity” nickname following the slogan “Arkansas Is a Natural” that was used to promote tourism and outdoor recreation.

Population: 3.2 Million (12.8 in PA)

Size: 53,179 sq miles (46,000 in PA)

Statehood: June 15, 1836

State Flag:

Flag Meaning:

The twenty-five stars mean that Arkansas was the twenty-fifth state to be admitted to the Union. The diamond represents Arkansas as the nation's first diamond-producing state. The two parallel white stars at the left and right points of the diamond symbolize the dual admission of Arkansas and Michigan to the Union.