A Tasty Slice of Americana

In the USA, July is the apex of the frenzy that is summer. Vacations are in full swing, and life is good.

The 4th of July (our Independence Day) kick-starts the month with parades, barbecues, picnics, family reunions, baseball games, and sunburns.

Holiday fireworks give pyromaniacs the opportunity to start all kinds of trouble, and there’s still enough summer left that no one even thinks about the fun coming to an end.

In honor of this All-American month we’re featuring our “Slice of Americana Series” – from the West, to the Heartland, to the East. We’ll start with our country’s newest members, Hawaii and Alaska, then move on to the states in the Pacific Northwest and across the country, hopscotching our way across the nation. From bears and buffalos to wigwams and weathervanes, we’ll share snapshots of this country we love. And on Saturdays we’ll give you lots of juicy links to some great bloggers and their stories about destinations in the USA. It should be a hot month!

See you there!
Terri & James

Photo Credits: 1. Joe Morton

Author: gallivance.net

We're Terri and James Vance - high school sweethearts who went on to international careers and became world nomads. Today, 65 countries later, we're still traveling ... and still in love. Check out Our Story for more of the backstory at gallivance.net.

70 thoughts

      1. Thanks Terri! I didn’t hear much about Canada Day here this year. I always teach the students about Canada’s birthday. It’s my gramma’s birthday too. She’s 99 years old! Thanks for your comment and I really enjoy your blog. Have a great 4th of July!

    1. Good old Babe the Blue Ox and Paul Bunyan would certainly be at home in your Roadside Attractions post, Sue. They’re very retro-cool and reside in Bemidji, Minnesota. Have you been there? ~Terri

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      1. I’ll look forward to that. I was last there in October 2006 – we stopped to say hello to Paul on our way to Itasca National Park. I was taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting the source of the Mississippi.

  7. Such fun pictures. I’ve had a ban on bikinis at my house for oh, about 40 years give or take a year or two!!! Love Americana, and looking forward to more from you.

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    1. Americana can certainly add some spice to boring road trips Rusha. When we travel, I can’t resist wacky roadside attractions, and many end up as grist for the ol’ blog mill. ~James

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  9. Your pictures made me homesick! I am almost never home on the 4th of July. Somehow, we seem to always schedule vacations or business travel around that date and I never get to see what goes on in my hometown while I’m gone.

    Your tribute to the USA this month is a great idea! Can’t wait to see/read more.

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    1. Given the crowds, traffic, and general summer frenzy, the 4th of July is a good time to stay home Juliann. Just ask those folks on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. ~James

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  10. Happy July 4. Looking forward to your posts, especially Iowa (my brother lives there), and South Dakota! (We lived in Brookings SD for 6 months a long time ago)

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      1. Yes Monday week. I gather there is a military parade along the Champs Élysées and fireworks at night by the Eiffel Tower. We were out of Paris last year so looking forward to seeing it this time.

      2. Tess, in the southern US, Moon Pies were a staple of every kids lunch box. They are a wonderful treat, but I haven’t had one in years. They’re one of those treats where you don’t want to read the nutrition info. Here’s a link, but I promise it will make you hungry.
        https://moonpie.com/single
        ~James

      3. Oooooohhhhhhhhhhh. I forgot. We used to have a caky circle thing filled with fake cream and the circle folded in half to … aahh…a half moon. I forgot about those. Yeah, ick ingredients but yummy. Thanks for the reminder and the link.

    1. Thanks Ginette and Gordon! And a belated Happy Canada Day to you. It’s hot and steamy here – a typical 4th of July – but I bet you have glorious weather. Am I right? ~Terri

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    1. Thanks so much Laura! In the next couple of weeks I would like to feature one of your New Hampshire posts. Do you have a favorite you’d like me to link to? ~Terri

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      1. I went back through my older posts and I think Pittsburg was one of my favorites. It has everything. Covered bridges, beautiful scenery and wildlife, plus a bit of history. Looking forward to your series!

      1. We are planning to do just that. Glad to not be in the OBX right now. I hope you two are not in harm’s way.

    1. Thanks Anita. I hope that you and Richard can rustle up a few cervezas and a charcoal grill for the holiday. I don’t know if you’ve been watching the US weather, but Hurricane Arthur is going to rain on a few picnics tomorrow. Happy 4th! ~James

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    1. Thanks for the comment and for dropping by the blog Jessi. We do lots of international posts, but we travel quite a lot in the US, and there’s lots of cool stuff right here at home as well. ~James

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  19. Have a Happy 4th.you guys. I will celebrate with a balloon ride with Scott and Tish at sunrise on Sunday. Stay cool.

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    1. Joyce, that sounds wonderful. I’ve never taken a hot-air balloon ride (I may be a little chicken.), but it sounds like fun. Will it be in Nashville and is Dascal going as well? Love, JH

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  23. Americana has its fun and quirky side. For example, I find it interesting that Harley Davidson motorcycles are a HUGE status symbol here in Spain (which is pretty much true everywhere these days).
    Looking forward to your series and learning more about our country. Happy 4th! – MIke

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    1. Mike, I didn’t know that about the Harleys – pretty good comeback from a company that nearly went under. I always get a kick out of what becomes popular overseas. One time in London we saw a small shop window piled full of cans of Spam … that’s right, Spam! And it was selling like hotcakes. 🙂

      Our 4th was lovely, thanks. You must be just about to head back home. Just think of all the wonderful places you and Florence can explore. ~Terri

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      1. We are home now (were there the last 2 weeks of June). So many photos to sort – good problem to have! 🙂

  25. Hope you had a great 4th. As always, I enjoyed your slices of America. I’m think I know where those wigwams are located… I’m sure you noticed that Skylar (Brenda’s granddaughter) just got back from Europe. Wonder if she has the “travel bug” like her great uncle????

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    1. We had a wonderful 4th Suzanne. What about you and your beautiful family? And you’re right about the Wigwams – good ol’ CC. 🙂 Only 2 others remain (of 7) in Arizona and California. Pretty amazing! Have you ever seen inside of one of them?

      We’ve been following Skyler”s trip, but we can’t wait to hear her stories. I guess we’ll find our then if she caught the bug. Of course, I remember that I wasn’t too crazy about my first trip overseas … and look how that turned out! 🙂 So good to hear from you. ~Terri

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    1. Hooray Elaine, you got it right! We loved the kind of retro, kitschy statues of Paul and Babe. Were you there searching for the headwaters of the Mississippi? ~Terri

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  28. Great kick off to Americana James and Terri. But I have a question. I see the Moon Pie, and I see the cherry pie. Isn’t the old saying “as American as apple pie?” 🙂 –Curt

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    1. Great point Curt! I’ve just never been a huge fan of Apple Pie, unless it’s my brother-in-law’s Bourbon Apple Pie. Truth is, I grew up with 8 cherry trees in our back yard and I just love cherry pie! It’s also a prettier picture! 🙂 ~Terri

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