Personal Challenge 2018 - Week 14

It's time for another Travel Tuesday post - this is the 14th week of the year, so we are traveling (virtually) to the site of Vermont, the 14th state to attain statehood. As I do every week for this 50-week challenge, I research the week's state, learning some interesting things. Then I choose something about the state as inspiration for a card.

I really enjoy these Tuesday posts and hope you do, too.

Vermont

Date of Statehood: March 4, 1791

Vermont was the first state after the original 13 colonies to join the United States.

Vermont is known for its amazing farmer's markets.

With a population of fewer than nine thousand people, Montpelier, Vermont is the smallest state capital in the US. It is also the only US capital without a McDonalds.

After a five-year battle with environmentalists, Walmart opened their first Vermont location on September 19, 1995, being the last state to get a Walmart.

Vermont produces 500,000 gallons of maple syrup each year, making it the largest producer of maple syrup in the US.

Ben & Jerry's ice cream was born in Vermont. New York transplants, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield started selling their creamy, natural ice cream in Burlington in 1978 out of a renovated gas station.  Now owned by Unilever, Ben and Jerry’s is still creamy, still devoted to sustainable practices, and still made in Vermont. Ben and Jerry are retired.

Some people joke that Vermont has more dairy cows than people. Not true! It has one cow for every 3.8 people, which is still the nation's highest ratio of cows to people.

According to a 2013 Gallup poll, Vermont's the least religious state in the U.S. Only 22 percent of the respondents said they consider religion important and regularly attend religious services. However, it is against the law in Vermont to deny the existence of God.

Here are some other unique laws on the books in Vermont...

... Billboards have been outlawed in Vermont since 1968.

... Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.

... Every resident in Barre, Vermont must bathe on Saturday night.

... It's against the law to whistle under water.

... It's illegal to undress in public in Vermont, but if you leave your house naked, it's totally fine.

... You're not allowed to paint a landscape during war time.

... Delivery men must walk backward in driveways if the home is worth more than $500,000. Sorry for the inconvenience, pizza guy.

... While it's technically legal to use colored margarine in a restaurant, it must be noted on the menu in text that is at least two inches high. That's some large print!

Vermont is the safest state in the US.

Since Lake Champlain runs practically the length of Vermont, it's never really hard to get to. It has some of the best sailing, kayaking and fishing around. And just check out these mountain views!

Vermont has one telephone area code—and they're proud of it. You'll see 802 on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and even tattoos.

Vermont is the only New England state not bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

Vermont does not have any skyscraper. Vermont is the only state that does not have any buildings taller than 124 feet.

The state of Vermont has more covered bridges per square mile than any other state in the country.

I've decided to go with this bit of Vermont information for my card's inspiration... Vermont is the most rural of our fifty states.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies  Used

Stamp Set: Our Daily Bread Plough the Fields stamped with Catherine Pooler Midnight Ink

Ink (for sponging/distressing): Ranger Tim Holtz Peeled Paint and Stormy Sky

Papers: Recollections Black and White and SU Old Olive CS and AMuse Studio Gingham DP

Embellishments: Gina Marie Enamel Dots and Ribbon from an unknown vendor